CENTRAL OHIO JOINT FIRE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING MINUTES

September 9, 2008

A regular meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Board was held on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at the Centerburg Town Hall, located at 49 ½ East Main Street, Centerburg, Ohio.  The following were in attendance:

Board Members                                                                     Staff

Chip Welch, Chairman                                                  Diane Clippinger, Clerk

Phil Haberman                                                              Chief Joe Porter

Diana Stockmaster                                                                   John Thatcher, Knox County

Harold Cochran                                                                           Prosecuting Attorney

Patti Frazee

Public

Firefighter Seth Coakley                                                           Lieutenant Jason Whipple

Firefighter Daniel Rott                                                   Lieutenant David Miller

Firefighter Tim Belcher                                                  Firefighter Joe Herron

Firefighter Pat Hornsby                                                 Dave Grumney

Firefighter Ryan Bareswilt

Don McCracken, Heart of Ohio Association

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

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr. Don McCracken, Heart of Ohio Association, asked the Board to assist with the security cost involved with the previous Home Town Celebration.  Mr. McCracken noted the total cost was $1,288.00, with the Village of Centerburg assisting with $500.00 of that cost.  Mrs. Frazee noted a representative from the Heart of Ohio Association had previously asked the Board for financial assistance with the security cost but had not reported back to the Board with the amount, as requested.  Mr. McCracken apologized for not getting back to the Board with the estimated cost.  Prosecutor Thatcher felt this issue should be researched legally.  After discussion, Chairman Welch made a motion to donate $500.00 to the Heart of Ohio Association’s general fund, subject to the legal opinion of Prosecutor Thatcher on donating funds to a 501C4 organization.  Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Haberman.  In the negative:  none.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Haberman made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 12, 2008 meeting and Mrs. Stockmaster seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Welch, Mrs. Frazee and Mrs. Stockmaster.  In the negative:  none.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

The Board questioned several expenditures before approving the warrants.  Mrs. Frazee made a motion to approve the warrants presented and Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Welch, Mrs. Frazee and Mrs. Stockmaster.  In the negative:  none.

CONTINUING BUSINESS

• Planning Proposal – Chief Porter had been contacted by a representative from Fulmer/Shaw in regards to the Board’s intentions.  Chief Porter informed them the Board would be discussing this issue at tonight’s meeting.  Mrs. Stockmaster questioned whether the Board had received any referrals, as requested.  It was noted they had not.  The Board agreed to table this issue until December and to review any referrals received at that time.

NEW BUSINESS

• PRADCO – Chairman Welch had spoken to Mr. Ronald Carobine, who indicated they were

willing to reduce their fee.  Chief Porter had spoken to Chief Tom Stewart in regards to PRADCO. Chief Stewart was very satisfied with the services PRADCO had provided.  Mrs. Frazee made a motion to hire PRADCO to do a four part assessment and development for Chief Porter initially, with other members of the department to follow.  Mr. Haberman seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Welch, Mrs. Frazee and Mrs. Stockmaster.  In the negative:  none.

• OP&F – Mrs. Clippinger indicated she was having issues with filing the monthly OP&F reports. It seemed the problem was with the way the District pays over-time only once in a twenty eight day cycle.  Prosecutor Thatcher suggested Mrs. Clippinger contact him with the information and he would contact Ohio Police and Fire.

REPORTS

Strategic Planning Committee – Nothing to present.   

Personnel Committee – Tabled until Executive Session.

Chief Porter – (also see Chief Porter’s report)

• VFIS – Chief Porter noted VFIS would be sending a representative to review the District’s safety/loss policy and procedures.
• Replacement Levy – Chief Porter questioned the Board’s intentions for advertisement of the upcoming replacement levy.  The Board discussed a mailer, advertising in the local newspapers and putting signs up.  The Board agreed all activity should go through the Firefighter’s Association.
• New Hire – Mrs. Frazee made a motion to hire John Willis and Michael Barstow, as of September 9, 2008, contingent on a positive back-ground check and starting wage of $9.02 per hour.  Mrs. Stockmaster seconded the motion.  On roll call in affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Haberman.  In the negative:  none.
• Termination – Mrs. Frazee made a motion to revoke the appointment of Travis Burwell, since Mr. Burwell had apparently moved out of state and not accepted the position. Mr. Haberman seconded the motion.  On roll call in affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Haberman.  In the negative:  none.

Prosecutor’s Report – Prosecutor Thatcher indicated he was currently reviewing mutual aid agreements.  He noted there was an issue with two other Districts, one who bills for runs and the other who does not.  This is causing an issue with mutual aid responses.  Prosecutor Thatcher questioned whether this could be an issue for the Central Ohio Joint Fire District.  Chief Porter indicated Morrow County EMS and Mount Vernon EMS both bill for runs.

Mrs. Stockmaster questioned whether the football games were being covered by the Central Ohio Joint Fire District staff.  Chief Porter indicated they were being covered.  Mr. Haberman noted he had been contacted by a concerned Liberty Township resident in regards to the fire station being unattended during football games. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mrs. Frazee made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session, with Chief Porter and Prosecutor Thatcher present, at 8:03 p.m. for the promotion of a candidate to lieutenant.  Mrs. Stockmaster seconded the motion. On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Welch, Mrs. Frazee and Mrs. Stockmaster.  In the negative:  none.

Mr. Haberman made a motion to adjourn out of Executive Session at 8:50 p.m. and Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Welch, Mrs. Frazee and Mrs. Stockmaster.  In the negative:  none.

Mrs. Frazee made a motion for the adoption of resolution 09.01.08, the appointment of Daniel Rott to lieutenant, subject to the terms and conditions of resolution 09.08.01 (resolution attached).  Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Cochran, Chairman Welch, Mrs. Frazee and Mrs. Stockmaster.  In the negative:  Mr. Haberman.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, at 8:55 p.m., Mr. Cochran made a motion to adjourn the meeting until the next regular meeting on October 14, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., unless called upon for urgent business. Mr. Haberman seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Mrs. Frazee, Mrs. Stockmaster, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none.