CENTRAL OHIO JOINT FIRE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING MINUTES

May 9th, 2007

A regular meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Board was held on Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 at the Centerburg Town Hall, located at 49 ½ East Main Street, Centerburg, Ohio.  The following were in attendance:

Board Members                                                                     Staff

George Shaw, Chairman                                           Diane Clippinger, Clerk

Phil Haberman                                                          Chief Joe Porter   

Patti Frazee                                                       John Thatcher, Knox County Prosecutor

Chip Welch                                                                               

Harold Cochran

Public

Firefighter Dave Grumney

Kelly Shira                                                      

The regular Board meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District was called to order by Chairman Shaw at 7:00 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes from the regular meeting on April 11, 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, Mr. Welch and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none. 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Warrants were presented for the Boards approval and signature.  Mr. Welch 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. 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Ms. Kelly Shira, City of Mount Vernon Fire Department, was present to discuss EMS billing.  The City of Mount Vernon currently does “soft billing,” using a third party billing company.  The company bills all patient transports and accepts any payments which it receives.  The City of Mount Vernon has received about a third of what has been billed, with the billing company charging an eight percent fee.  The City of Mount Vernon only transports to Knox Community Hospital and they have seen a significant increase in supply cost since billing began.  The Board thanked Ms. Shira for attending the meeting.

Chairman Shaw presented the Board a cost proposal from Dr. William Kramer, Kramer and Associates, for putting together a forecast for the District.  The first year would be $4,950.00 and the same for next year.  Chairman Shaw noted he would supply each Board member a copy of the proposal by the next meeting so they could discuss it further then. 

CONTINUING BUSINESS

• Parking Lot – Chief Porter informed the Board the parking lot was repaired today, May 9th, 2007.     
• Helicopter Pad Lights – The installation of the lights was still incomplete due to trenching which needed to be completed.  Chief Porter noted Hilliar Township was renting a trencher in the near future and had agreed to do the necessary trenching at the COJFD Fire Station.  
• Vacant Lot - Tabled

NEW BUSINESS

• Districts’ Accounts – Mr. Haberman had spoken to Mrs. Clippinger in regards to account options National City Bank was offering governmental entities.  Mrs. Clippinger presented the Board a proposal from National City Bank with a temporary interest rate of 5.20%.  This rate was better than the District was currently receiving from First Knox National Bank.  The service fee for the first year would be waived but the District would be charged a $150.00 annual fee after that.  Mrs. Clippinger had spoken to Mrs. Sherry Snyder, First Knox National Bank, who noted the District should not have been charged any service charges with First Knox National Bank and had refunded the District $820.50.  She also indicated, should the District stay with First Knox National Bank, they would be willing to waive all wire transferring fees, allowing the District to have easier access to their StarOhio account.  StarOhio’s interest rate is currently 5.17%.   Mrs. Clippinger noted she did have some concerns with National City’s ACH banking and the fact she was talking with representatives in Columbus, not Mount Vernon.  Mr. Cochran made a motion to stay with First Knox National Bank, as long as the District receives documentation in regards to the wire transferring fees being waived and Mr. Haberman seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none.
• Forecast Proposal – Mr. Cochran felt it would be beneficial for the Board to speak with a District who had such a proposal completed.  It was suggested Chief Tom Stewart, Orange Township, be contacted since they had had Dr. Kramer do such a proposal for their District.  Mr. Welch also noted he would contact other fire chief’s for any experiences with consulting companies.
• Centerburg Village Fire Code – Prosecutor Thatcher had contacted the Centerburg Village Solicitor in regards to the Village adopting the State Fire Code.  The Solicitor had not taken in consideration the Village belonged to a Fire District and agreed more research would need to be completed before the Village adopted such a code. 

REPORTS

Strategic Planning Committee – Nothing to present.

Personnel Committee – Personnel Committee had met with Firefighter Grumney but had nothing to present to the Board at this time.

Audit Committee – Nothing to present.

Chief Porter –

• Thermo Image Camera – The thermo-image camera had been delivered.  Chief Porter noted he did have the camera with him, should any Board member wish to see a demonstration after the meeting.  
• FEMA Grant – All necessary documentation had been submitted for the FEMA Grant. Chairman Shaw questioned the time frame before the District would be notified if they were awarded the grant.  Chief Porter indicated it could be up to a year.
• Engine 421 – Chief Porter indicated Engine 421 was still not repaired but hopefully would be in the near further. There were problems in finding parts for the engine because of how old it was.  He indicated the estimated cost to repair Engine 421 would be $4,000 to $5,000.  Mr. Cochran noted he would like to be contacted the next time Engine 421 needed repaired, as he may be able to assist with the repairs.
• EMS Billing – The Board discussed the feasibility of EMS billing and felt if the Board billed for EMS runs they could jeopardize their operating levy.  Mrs. Frazee had invited the Liberty Township Trustees to attend the meeting, since they were the ones requesting the Board consider billing for EMS runs, but it was noted none had attended.  Mr. Haberman made a motion not to bill for EMS runs and Mr. Welch seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, at 8:25 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 June13, 2007, unless called upon for urgent business.