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Pend Oreille County Fire Protection District No. 2
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the
Board of Commissioners on June 17, 2004
Meeting called to order by Acting Chairman Miller at 19:00 at the Cutter Theatre, Metaline Falls, WA. Present were: Commissioners Layton and Miller, Acting Secretary Coppock, Paramedic Doughty, EMS Training Officer Miller, Acting EMS Chief Johnson and the following members of the public: Dorothy Konsbruck, Penny Smith, Paula & Joe Sterba, Steve & Nancy Kiss, Dick Norton, John & Jamie Stark, Larry & Gayle Pollock, Dick & Marita Norton, John & Shanna Hacking, Jack Sherry, Keith & Paula Saxe, Freddie Nearing, Ron Mitchell, Patty Starkey, Kathy Grass, Lee Stark, Curtis Lynn, Jackie Kempe, Judy & Dick Ashton, Dolores Aneff and Ken Oliver.

Commissioner Layton moved that Gloria Coppock be appointed acting secretary for the duration of the meeting. Commissioner Miller seconded the motion and the motion passed 2-0.

The preliminary agenda was amended and approved.

Approval of the May 10, 2004 Regular Meeting minutes and the May 15, 2004 Continued Meeting minutes was tabled.

An extensive discussion was held on whether or not members of the public not on the agenda could speak. It was decided that members of the public could comment at any time during the meeting.

Payment of Bills:
  • The outstanding bills were reviewed and the following vouchers are approved for payment:
    • General Fund (646-002-010)
      • Vouchers numbers: FD04-046 through FD04-056 and totaling $603.16.
    • Rescue Fund (646-002-020)
      • Vouchers numbers: RD04-139 through RD04-161 and totaling $3,141.52. Voucher number RD04-138 (Carol Anderson, CPR Instructor Course, $346.48) was not approved for payment.
Correspondence:
  • Dr. Weir Fax – A faxed letter was received from Dr. Weir, the county Medical Program Director (MPD), that revoked previously granted special skills. This letter resulted in much discussion between the Commissioners and the public on: why this letter was written, whether or not Dr. Weir should be the county MPD, the keeping of training records, the offering of training and several other issues.
Reports:
  • Financial Report
    • Current Balances as of May 31, 2004
      • General Fund = $12,258.67, Invested = $14,343.03
        Rescue Fund = $22,121.07, Invested = $20,939.26
        Building Fund = $21.20, Invested = $3,700.00
  • The chief’s report was read and approved. A question from the public was raised on purchasing digital cameras.
  • The station 22 report was read. The report generated much discussion between the Commissioners and the public on: the attendance at chart reviews, HIPPA requirements, the EMS chief and the fire chief.
Old Business:
  • Wallis Claim - Tabled until next meeting
  • Fire Response – Commissioner Layton moved that Fire District #2 will respond to all fires on developed and undeveloped property. Commissioner Miller seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0.
New Business:
  • Replacement Commissioner – Commissioner Miller moved that the board accept Commissioner Stone’s resignation. Commissioner Layton did not second the motion. The motion failed. Commissioner Miller moved that Patty Starkey be appointed Commissioner. This lead to a discussion about whether or not Mrs. Starkey could be a Fire District Commissioner since she lived within the city limits of Metaline Falls. The motion was never seconded.
  • Chief – Tabled until next meeting.
Guests or Public Appearances:
  • Larry Pollock – Mr. Pollock made statements and asked questions about: rescheduling meetings, ambulance personnel requirements, vehicle usage, the volunteer firefighter retirement system, attendance of county wide meetings and other issues. This generated much discussion between the Commissioners and the public.
  • Joe Sterba – Mr. Sterba expressed concerns about: the ambulance responding without a full crew, the ambulance staffing in general, the missing of EMS calls, the contract between the Fire District and Ione Fire Department and other issues. This generated much discussion between the Commissioners and the public.
  • Dick Norton – Mr. Norton expressed concerns about how the Commissioners were managing their personnel. This generated much discussion between the Commissioners and the public.
  • Ken Oliver – Mr. Oliver expressed concerns about: District expenditures, conflict of interest between Commissioner Miller and his wife, Colleen Miller who is the EMS Training Officer, the lack of leadership, the lack of a complete inventory and other issues. This generated much discussion between the Commissioners and the public.
  • Kriss Layton – Mrs. Layton read a letter to the Board (attached). This generated much discussion between the Commissioners and the public.
  • Additional discussions were held regarding the resignation of Rick Stone, EMS Policy, a 5 member board of commissioners, grants and special meetings.
The meeting adjourned at 22:30, next meeting July 12, 2004, 19:00 at the Administrative Office.

/s/ John Rumelhart, Clerk of the Board

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