CENTRAL OHIO JOINT FIRE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING MINUTES

November 15, 2007

A regular meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Board was held on Wednesday, November 15th, 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                                                                        John Thatcher, Knox County

Patti Frazee                                                                             Prosecuting Attorney

Harold Cochran                                                                     

Chip Welch

Public

Firefighter Dave Grumney                                                      Lt. Jason Whipple

Firefighter Brent Spearman                                                    Firefighter Joshua Loney

Firefighter Mark Powell                                                          Becky Payne

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

Mr. Welch noted a correction on the second page, item number four from the minutes of October 10, 2007.  Mr. Welch was not present at the October 10, 2007 meeting.  Mr. Cochran noted he had seconded that motion.  Mr. Cochran made a motion to approve the minutes, as corrected, 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

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

Chairman Shaw noted the District had received the $3,600.00 grant from Consolidated Electric and asked Lt. Whipple the status of the trailer.   Lt. Whipple indicated the District had purchased the trailer and were reviewing different options to best utilize the trailer.

CONTINUING BUSINESS

• Engine 421 – Lt. Whipple reported the shackles on Engine 421 had been repaired and the frame and tank were functionally sound.  Chairman Shaw thanked Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran for inspecting Engine 421 and giving the District other options besides replacement. 

NEW BUSINESS

• Firefighter Dennis Tino – Firefighter Tino had been injured recently.  Any donations would be greatly appreciated to assist Firefighter Tino and his family.  For record reasons, Prosecutor Thatcher recommended the Heart of Ohio Firefighters Association oversee the collecting and distributing of all donations.
• Muskingham Watershed Conservatory District – Prosecutor Thatcher recommended Hilliar Township Fiscal Officer Beth Shearrow check the classification of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District fire station with the Muskingham Watershed Conservatory District.  Prosecutor Thatcher noted the wrong classification could mean a higher assessment. Hilliar Township is responsible for this assessment since they are the property owner.
• Natural Gas Program – Mrs. Clippinger had received information from The E Group, a natural gas state purchasing program.  Prosecutor Thatcher indicated this was the same as purchasing any other item through the state purchasing program and felt the District should take advantage of the potential savings.  Mr. Welch made motion to allow Mrs. Clippinger enroll the Central Ohio Joint Fire District in this program and Mr. Haberman seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none.

REPORTS

Strategic Planning Committee – At the last Strategic Planning Committee meeting personnel, a new station and location and a forecast proposal were discussed.  The next meeting will be December 1, 2007 at 9:00 a.m.  Chairman Shaw felt this should be a Public meeting so all Board members could attend and the Board agreed.  Mrs. Clippinger noted she would advertise the meeting, to discuss Strategic Planning, on December 1, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. at the Central Ohio Joint Fire District fire station.

Personnel Committee – Personnel Committee had completed Chief Porter’s annual evaluation, which would be discussed further in Executive Session.  Firefighter Spearman submitted a letter for the Board’s review, to be discussed at the next meeting.

Chief Porter – (also see Chief Porter’s report) – presented by Lt. Whipple

• Christmas Dinner – The Central Ohio Joint Fire District Christmas dinner and awards ceremony will be December 15, 2007.  
• Resignation – Mr. Haberman made a motion to accept the email resignation of Firefighter Tim Carr as of November 5, 2007, based on Chief Porter’s recommendation.  Mr. Welch seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mr. Welch and Mrs. Frazee.  In the negative:  none. 
• Promotion – Based on the completion of Firefighter Darin Peterman’s EMT training, Mr. Welch made a motion to promote him from volunteer status to part-time basic EMT, $8.11 per hour, effective November 14, 2007.  Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none.
• Training Completion – Firefighter Kristen Hunt and Firefighter Joshua Loney have successfully completed paramedic training and should be receiving their certification in the near future. 

Mr. Welch and Mrs. Frazee approached the Board in regards to supplying the firefighters working Thanksgiving Day a meal or a portion of their meal.  The Board members agreed to individually contribute money to purchase turkeys for the firefighters working Thanksgiving Day.  Mr. Welch noted he would purchase the turkeys and deliver them to the fire station.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mrs. Frazee made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 7:50 p.m. to discuss land acquisition with Mrs. Becky Payne and Mr. Welch seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mr. Welch and Mrs. Frazee.  In the negative:  none. 

Mr. Haberman made a motion to adjourn out of Executive Session at 8:10 p.m., with no action taken, and Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mr. Welch and Mrs. Frazee.  In the negative:  none. 

Mr. Haberman made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:11 p.m. to discuss Chief Porter’s annual evaluation and Mr. Welch seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mr. Welch and Mrs. Frazee.  In the negative:  none. 

Mr. Welch made a motion to adjourn out of Executive Session at 8:36 p.m., with no action taken and Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mr. Welch and Mrs. Frazee.  In the negative:  none. 

Mrs. Frazee made a motion to purchase duffel bags, using the uniforms line item, for each firefighter at a maximum cost of $1,600.  Mr. Haberman seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mr. Welch and Mrs. Frazee.  In the negative:  none. 

Prosecutor Thatcher noted there will be a County Fire Investigator Team meeting on November 26, 2007. 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, at 8:45 p.m., Mr. Welch made a motion to adjourn the meeting until the Strategic Planning Committee meeting on December 1, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. and the next regular scheduled meeting on December 12th, 2007, unless called upon for urgent business, and Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mr. Welch and Mrs. Frazee.  In the negative:  none.