CENTRAL OHIO JOINT FIRE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING MINUTES
March 14, 2007

A regular meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Board was held on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at the Centerburg Town Hall, located at 49 ½ East Main Street, Centerburg, Ohio. The following were in attendance:

The regular Board meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District was called to order by Chairman Shaw at 7:30 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes from the annual organizational meeting and the regular meeting on January 10, 2007 were presented for approval. Mrs. Frazee made a motion to approve the minutes and Mr. Haberman seconded the motion. In the affirmative: Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran. In the negative: none. Abstained: Mr. Welch.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Mrs. Clippinger presented the Board, warrants for their approval and signature. Mr. Haberman made a motion to approve the warrants presented; Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion. In the affirmative: Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch. In the negative: none.

CONTINUING BUSINESS

• Parking Lot – Chief Porter presented digital photos of the recently completed concrete pad. The concrete appeared to be crumbling at the seams where the two pads come together. Prosecutor Thatcher suggested Mr. Jim Henry, Knox County Engineer, be contacted to inspect the lot and give his opinion of the situation. Prosecutor Thatcher agreed to contact Mr. Henry on behalf of the Board.
• Vacant Lot – Mrs. Clippinger presented a letter from Tyler Griffith declining the Board’s offer on the vacant lot on the northwest corner of State Route 3 and Tucker Road. Mr. Griffith represents the current property owner. The property owner indicated they were firm on their asking price of $66,000. Chairman Shaw noted he had sent Mr. Lashmit a letter indicating the Board was not interested in his property, which set on the southeast corner of State Route 3 and Tucker Road. Mrs. Frazee indicated she had spoken to Mr. Lashmit, who informed her he was very upset with the Board and felt he was treated unfairly. The Board discussed the possibility of purchasing the northeast corner lot on State Route 3 and Tucker Road. Chairman Shaw indicated he would contact the property owner and asked Chief Porter to assist him.
• Helicopter Pad Lights – Mr. Cochran made a motion to have Mr. Jim Casner install the helicopter pad lights, at a cost of $1,293.47, and Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion. In the affirmative: Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch. In the negative: none.
• Insurance renewal – Mrs. Clippinger indicated the District’s liability insurance had been up for renewal as of March 1, 2007, which had reduced by $1,000.00. She noted by contacting a majority of the Board members and having their approval, the District had renewed its coverage with Rinehart, Walters and Danner. The Board noted they were satisfied with the coverage and support received from Rinehart, Walters and Danner. Chief Porter had spoken to Rinehart, Walter and Danner in regards to obtaining liability insurance coverage on the building. Currently the District reimburses Hilliar Township for the coverage. Prosecutor Thatcher noted, should the District carry the building liability insurance, there would need to be an amendment made to the lease agreement.

NEW BUSINESS

REPORTS

Strategic Planning Committee – Nothing to report.

Personnel Committee – Mr. Welch agreed to be on the Personnel Committee.

Audit Committee – Mr. Welch agreed to be on the Audit Committee.

Chief Porter –

• Training classes – Chief Porter and Lt. Whipple had attended training classes in January. Chief Porter also noted Lt. Whipple was now overseeing the District’s Fire Prevention program.
• Resignation – Mr. Haberman made a motion to except the resignation of Firefighter Vincent Bettinazzi, as of February 12, 2007, and Mr. Welch seconded the motion. In the affirmative: Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch. In the negative: none.
• Promotion – Based on Chief Porter’s recommendation and the acquirement of his EMT card, Mrs. Frazee made a motion to promote Firefighter Josh Loney to part-time status as a basic EMT. The pay rate would be $8.11 per hour. Mr. Welch seconded the motion. In the affirmative: Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch. In the negative: none.
• Training – Chief Porter noted he was having two firefighters attend the National Fire Academy. He also noted he was sending the lieutenants to Alabama for the IS 300 and 400 training. The federal government will pay for all expenses for this training, so there will be no cost to the District.
• FEMA Grant – Chief Porter asked the Board’s approval in applying for a grant that would assist in purchasing a ladder truck for the District. Should the District be awarded the grant, the District would only be responsible for around $40,000 of the cost of the ladder truck. All members of the Board supported Chief Porter in applying for the grant.
• Part-time Administrative Assistant – Chief Porter supplied Board members with a job description for the hiring of a part-time Administrative Assistant he was asking the Board to approve. Prosecutor Thatcher noted since there was a job description, he would be willing to contact local colleges to possibly locate an intern to fill the position. The Board agreed to table this issue to see if Prosecutor Thatcher could obtain an intern.
• Thermo Image Camera – Chief Porter asked the Board’s approval to purchase a thermo image camera, at a cost of $10,500. Chief Porter noted the District often borrowed other Districts’ cameras when needed. Mr. Welch felt a thermo image camera was very beneficial in assisting with finding fires without causing unnecessary property damage. Mrs. Frazee made a motion to allow Chief Porter purchase a thermo image camera, at a maximum cost of $10,500, and Mr. Cochran seconded the motion. On roll call in the affirmative: Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch. In the negative: none.
• State Disaster Training – Firefighter Brent Spearman and Firefighter Tim Belcher recently attended the State Disaster Training, using one of the District vehicles. Firefighter Spearman noted other Districts at the training repeatedly commented how well maintained and equipped the Central Ohio Joint Fire District’s vehicle was.

Chairman Shaw presented a letter to the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Board from Dan Mount, Village of Centerburg, in regards to several fire hydrants in the Village of Centerburg. Chairman Shaw had noticed several fire hydrants in the Village of Centerburg had been marked out of service at the Central Ohio Joint Fire District fire station. Chairman Shaw had contacted Mr. Mount in regards to this issue. Mr. Mount indicated in the letter, these fire hydrants had been replaced or repaired and were now in working order.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Haberman made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:25 p.m. to discuss personnel issues and Mr. Cochran seconded the motion. On roll call in the affirmative: Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch. In the negative: none.

Mr. Haberman made a motion to adjourn out of Executive Session at 8:45 p.m. and Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion. On roll call in the affirmative: Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch. In the negative: none.

Chairman Shaw noted he had received a letter from Chief Porter indicating Volunteer Firefighter Carolann Oliver had more than four points on her driver’s license and had failed to maintain the required hours for a volunteer firefighter. The Districts’ SOG’s reserves the right to terminate any employee who does not maintain the required volunteer hours and/or exceeds four points on their driver’s license. Volunteer Firefighter Oliver noted the excess driving points on her license was an oversight on her part and that two of the points come off of her license in May. Firefighter Oliver felt she had completed the required hours and training with the exception of when she was on medical leave. She indicated Chief Porter was aware of the medical leave, due to an injury at another job. Chairman Shaw indicated the Board did have the option to ask Firefighter Oliver to resign, which she declined. Prosecutor Thatcher questioned Firefighter Oliver about the accident she had. She noted it was three years ago and she was cited for unassured cleared distance, with no injuries. Firefighter Oliver indicated the other four points were for speeding, one in February, 2006 and one in June, 2004. Prosecutor Thatcher indicated there were several options the Board and Firefighter Oliver could consider. Firefighter Oliver could resign and then reapply, she can take a non-medical leave of absence, which would allow her to complete her schooling and would allow two of the driving points to come off of her license, or termination based on excess driver’s license points. The District’s SOG in regards to excess points on an employees’ driver’s license is based on the Districts’ insurance company recommendations. Prosecutor Thatcher noted, should Firefighter Oliver be in an accident while driving one of the Districts’ vehicles and the District is sued, the excess driving points on Firefighter Oliver’s drivers license would be financially harmful to the District. Prosecutor Thatcher indicated Firefighter Oliver could take a six month leave of absence. He noted this would allow Firefighter Oliver to complete her nursing school and two driving points to come off of her driver’s license, which would make her compliant with the District’s SOG. At the request of Firefighter Oliver, Mr. Haberman made a motion to allow her a six month leave of absence, through September 14, 2007. Firefighter Oliver would be required to maintain all current certifications and attend all required training classes, which she could attend at the Central Ohio Joint Fire District fire station. Mr. Cochran seconded the motion. On roll call in the affirmative: Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch. In the negative: none.

Prosecutor Thatcher noted this was a leave of absence not FMLA leave. It will be the responsibility of Firefighter Oliver to return to work by September 15, 2007, or her position would be considered abandoned.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, at 9:05 p.m., Mr. Haberman made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion. In the affirmative: Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch. In the negative: none. The motion carried and the Board adjourned until the next regular meeting on April 11, 2007, unless called upon for urgent business.