Jcfpd #4 Commissioners Meeting

JCFPD #4 COMMISSIONERS MEETING

MAY 13, 2014

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ron Garrison at 7:00 pm. Those present were Commissioners Ken McEdwards and Meril Smith, District Secretary Peggy Ware, FF Lt. Curtis Lightner, Dalila Dowd, John Dowd, Vol. FF Robert Gray, Tina Stuber, Jake Stuber, Diane Garrison, Vol. FF Shannon Fettig, Louis Lakenes, and Dillon McEdwards.

Motion-Commissioner Smith made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2014 regular meeting. Commissioner McEdwards seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion-Commissioner McEdwards made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2014 special meeting. Commissioner Smith seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion-Commissioner Smith made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 21, 2014 special meeting. Commissioner McEdwards seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

There were no questions about the April 30, 2014 Financial Report. See attached. Motion-Commissioner Smith made a motion to accept the April 30, 2014 Financial Report. Commissioner McEdwards seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

The April 30, 2014 1st Quarter Budget Report was presented by Secretary Peggy Ware. Total Fire Budget $246,460.00, expenditures year to date $52,570.03, leaving an ending balance of $193,889.97. Total EMS Budget $216,200.00, expenditures year to date $49,364.28, leaving an ending balance of $166,835.72.

EMS Vouchers of $27,562.42 and Fire Vouchers of $25,086.53 presented to the Commissioners for total expenditures of $52,648.95. Transfer of funds will be $27,562.42 from the EMS Fund Investment Account into the EMS Fund Cash Account, and $25,086.53 from the General Fund Investment Account into the General Fund Cash Account. Motion-Commissioner McEdwards made a motion to approve payment of EMS and Fire Vouchers for a total of $52,648.95, to transfer $27,562.42 from the EMS Fund Investment Account to the EMS Fund Cash Account, and transfer $25,086.53 from the General Fund Investment Account to the General Fund Cash Account. Commissioner Smith seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

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Chairman of the Board District Secretary Motion-Commissioner Smith made a motion to approve the May 5, 2014 payroll in the amount of $19,040.57. Commissioner McEdwards seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

The Chief’s Report/Ambulance Report was read by Fire Lt. Curtis Lightner. See attached. Motion-Commissioner Smith made a motion to accept the Chief’s Report. Commissioner McEdwards seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

The Volunteer Ambulance & Firefighters Association President Report was given by President Robert Gray. The Association is continuing to prepare and organize for Shrimp Fest. There will be a Fire Department Open House on June 11, 2014.

Old Business District Secretary Peggy Ware reported that the next Levy Committee meeting is May 19 at 1:00 pm. Also, the Levy Committee has asked for a list of people that are willing to place levy signs on their private property, so if you know of any volunteers please let the Levy Committee know.

Policy 3710-Land Clearing and Burning Guidelines and Burn Permit Process including the Fire Chief’s request for a motion of approval was discussed. Commissioner Garrison asked if Commissioners McEdwards and Smith had read the most recent copy of Policy 3710 as he had not received a copy. Commissioner McEdwards responded that he had not received the updated proposed policy, and had there been some changes. Commissioner Garrison said his understanding was that there were some changes and asked Lt. Lightner if he had copies of the policy for the Commissioners. Lt. Lightner responded that he had one copy that the Chief had put in his mailbox for tonight. Commissioner McEdwards stated that he would like to table policy approval until he has time to read through the latest draft. Commissioner Garrison tabled approval of the policy, and asked Secretary Ware to make copies of the latest policy draft for all three of the commissioners.

Jake Stuber asked to speak regarding his suspension and termination from the Brinnon Fire Department. Commissioner Garrison asked Mr. Stuber to wait for public comment.

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Chairman of the Board District Secretary New Business Volunteer applications for Nehemiah Killam and Patrick Jo were submitted for acceptance as probationary members of the Brinnon Fire Department. Mr. Killam is from Port Townsend, and participated in the recent application and testing process for the career firefighter position. Mr. JO’s application shows that he is from Bellevue. Commissioner McEdwards stated that he would like to hold approval of these applications until the commissioners can address the policy regarding volunteer firefighters that live out of district. The current policy has a limit on volunteers that live out of district, and we are at quota. Commissioner Garrison said the applications would be tabled. He asked Secretary Ware to get copies of the policy regarding volunteers living out of district to the commissioners so they can address the issue at next months’ meeting.

Secretary Ware reported on interest in a 457b Retirement Plan through Nationwide Retirement Solutions. A representative from Nationwide came and met with 3 of the full time employees. The 457b Retirement Plan was originally started for Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters, but has transitioned into retirement for Public Employees. Secretary Ware said that if she understands correctly, there is no cost to the Fire District. The fees are paid by the enrolled employees, and the Fire District is not required to match any contributions (the Fire District can contribute on behalf of the employee if they choose). Commissioner McEdwards said that he would like more information. Lt. Lightner and Secretary Ware asked the commissioners for permission to move forward with Nationwide Retirement Solutions in regard to a 457b Retirement Plan. Motion-Commissioner McEdwards made a motion to continue forward towards enrollment in a 457b Retirement Plan, but possible final approval would not happen until after the commissioners had more information. Commissioner Smith seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

The annual VFIS Insurance renewal is ready and Insurance Agent Dick Fournier would like to meet with the Fire District to go over the policy. Commissioner McEdwards said the Agent always has a lot of good information, and he would like to meet with him. Commissioner Garrison asked Secretary Ware to set up a meeting with Dick Fournier taking Commissioner McEdwards schedule into account.

Public Comment Commissioner Garrison asked for public comment. Jacob Stuber stated that he has been asked if he was really terminated for cussing at the Chief. He read a statement he had written regarding the suspension and termination history.

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Chairman of the Board District Secretary Louis Lakenes said that he attended a special meeting on April 7th. At that meeting, the Commissioners voted to reinstate Jacob Stuber as a Volunteer Firefighter on suspension. An arbitrator would be brought in, and the Fire Chief and Jacob Stuber would be expected to comply with and abide by the arbitrator process. Mr. Lakenes said his understanding was that if either the Chief or Jake did not comply they would be let go. He read the minutes of the meeting and said the minutes did not reflect everything stated in the meeting. Then, there is another special meeting and Jake is terminated. He is trying to understand. Commissioner McEdwards stated that he does not remember the commissioners saying that if the Fire Chief of Jake Stuber did not comply they would be let go. Secretary Ware explained that minutes reflect the beginning and end of a meeting, and the people in attendance. All action taken must be included in the minutes. Even though actual discussion does not need to be included I try to include as much discussion as possible, but I cannot get it all. Tina Stuber said the Chief would not agree to the arbitrator, and then Jake is the one terminated. Jacob Stuber spoke again. He said he has been here since 1974 with the exception of a 10 year period when he moved to the Midwest. He has done a lot for this area and feels he is being treated unfairly. After discussion, the Fire Commissioners said they would look into the situation further, discuss it with the Fire Chief, and contact Jake. Jacob Stuber asked about special meetings. There are special meetings listed for approval on the agenda, but how do people know about them. Secretary Ware explained that, as per RCW, The Port Townsend Leader is notified in writing of all special meetings at least 24 hours in advance, and a meeting notice is placed on the front of the Fire Station where the meeting is taking place. I do these notices as soon as the meeting is set, and as a courtesy I also put up public notices at the Brinnon General Store and the Brinnon Post Office. Recently there was an exception, when someone said they would put the public notices up at the Brinnon Store and Post Office and then they forgot. Commissioner Garrison asked Jake if he would wait to hear from the Fire Commissioners regarding his termination. Jacob Stuber said he would wait to hear from the Fire Commissioners. Vol. FF Shannon Fettig asked the Commissioners to look at the certifications that the Out of District Volunteers hold. John Dowd asked if the ice machine was on because the VFW would need to be getting ice for their Shrimp Fest booth. Lt. Lightner assured John that the machine was producing ice. Commissioner McEdwards said that he has an ice machine at Camp Parsons if they need additional ice.

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Chairman of the Board District Secretary Dalila Dowd thanked the Fire Department for participating in the Loyalty Day Parade. She said that she feels for Jake as she had a similar situation once, and she hopes it can all be resolved. Diane Garrison announced that Vol. FF Ron Garrison retired last Thursday after approximately 21 years of volunteer service. Commissioner Smith told Jake Stuber that the Fire Commissioners would do their best to get his issue resolved.

Motion-Commissioner McEdwards made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Smith seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Peggy Ware District Secretary

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Chairman of the Board District Secretary