Back Pend Oreille County Fire Protection District No. 2 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners on July 19, 2004 Meeting called to order by Chairman Rick Stone at 19:00 at the Cutter Theatre Room, Metaline Falls, WA. Present were: Commissioners Stone and Layton, Acting EMS Chief Scott Doughty, Administrative Assistant Rumelhart and the following members of the public: Jean Aneff, Sue Huntley, Dorothy Konsbruck, Freddie Nearing, Dick Norton, Larry Pollock, Jennifer Seidemann, Penny Smith, Joe & Paula Sterba, Dick Ashton (arrived at 19:12) and Lonnie Johnson (arrived at 19:15). Commissioner Layton moved that the minutes of the May 10, 2004 Regular Meeting, May 15, 2004 Special Meeting, June 17, 2004 Regular Meeting and the June 28, 2004 Special Meeting be approved as sent. Commissioner Stone seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0. Guests or Public Appearances: Lonnie Johnson – Mr. Johnson, as a representative of Seattle City Light was interested in how the Fire District was operating. Commissioner Stone asked about the future of the contract between the Fire District and Seattle City Light. Mr. Johnson said that he believes the contract will be renewed, but cannot guarantee it. However he does not foresee anything that would lead to it not being renewed. Payment of Bills: The outstanding bills were reviewed and Commissioner Layton moved that the following vouchers are approved for payment: General Fund (646-002-010) Vouchers numbers: FD04-057 through FD04-071, totaling $4,473.37. Payroll warrant numbers: 42457 & 42816, totaling $579.13. Rescue Fund (646-002-020) Vouchers numbers: RD04-162 through RD04-186, totaling $7,650.92. Payroll warrant numbers: 42815, 42816 & 42457, totaling $4,805.24. Commissioner Stone seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0. Correspondence: The annual request for the 2005 preliminary budget was received from the county auditor. A letter was received from the planning commission granting a subdivision variance for the Rader land. A letter was received from the Washington Fire Commissioners Association informing the fire district that initiative 864, which would have reduced property taxes by 25% if passed, did not receive enough signatures to be placed on the ballot. Reports: Administrative Assistant As of June 30, 2004 the General Fund has a balance of $14,231.12, the General Fund Investment Pool has $14,343.03, the Rescue Fund has a balance of $10,025.05, and the Rescue Fund Investment Pool has $20,939.26, the Building Fund has a balance of $24.28, and the Building Fund Investment Pool has $3,700.00. Fire Commissioner Northwest Resources – Northwest Resources has been contacted. They will seek grants for a fee of 10% of any grant. Chief Report – The chief’s report was reviewed. Rescue Commissioner Station 22 Cover – Commissioner Stone will organize a volunteer work party to construct a cover this summer. Station 22 Report – The station 22 report was reviewed. A discussion was held on the Homeland Security training exercise to be held at Boundary Dam on October 2nd. There will probably be at least one scenario that will involve EMS. Administrative Commissioner Riveredge Estates Station – Commissioner Stone meet with the county and received a grant to install a dry hydrant in the River’s Retreat subdivision. Commissioner Stone also talked with the county road department and they have agreed to build an approach and level a building pad for the station. Paramedic Hiring – A discussion was held on hiring paramedic Scott Doughty full time. Commissioner Stone has talked with Hospital District #2 about helping with the paramedic salary. They will discuss it at their October meeting. Commissioner Layton is meeting with Hospital District #1 on August 5th to discuss the providing of benefits for a paramedic. There was also a discussion held on whether the position should be hourly or salaried. After additional discussions Commissioner Layton moved that Scott Doughty be temporarily hired at $15.00/hour, 40 hours per week for 30 days. Commissioner Stone seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0. Commissioner Stone will research the options for employing the paramedic full time and report at the next regular meeting. Old Business: Wallis Claim – The District has still not yet received a copy of the release. Replacement Commissioner – With the resignation of Commissioner Miller there is a vacant position on the board. Administrative Assistant Rumelhart was directed to advertise in the Selkirk Sun and the Newport Miner for persons interested in serving as a Fire District commissioner. Chief – Commissioner Layton moved that Larry Pollock be appointed as Chief of Fire District #2. Commissioner Stone seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0. Larry Pollock accepted the appointment. Disciplinary action – Acting EMS Chief Doughty has collected, but not reviewed information on the incident involving Colleen Miller and given it to Commissioner Stone. An executive session was held from 19:50 to 20:00 by Commissioners Layton and Stone to review the information. After the executive session Commission Stone stated that there was no wrong doing by any EMT on scene other than a minor patient rights issue. Commissioner Stone has discussed the issue with Dr. Weir on July 9th and Dr. Weir indicated that the issue can be adequately handled with additional training and policies. Commissioner Stone moved that Colleen Miller be removed from administrative leave and that Acting EMS Chief Doughty give additional training to all responders. Commissioner Layton seconded the motion. The motion passed 2.0. New Business: Local BVFF board – The need to reconstitute the local board for the State Board for Volunteer Firefighter Disability Fund was discussed. The local board is made up of the chairman of the Board of Commissioners, another member of the Board of Commissioners, the secretary to the Board of Commissioners, the District Chief and a member elected by the volunteers. A training meeting is being held this week and Chief Pollock will be out of town, so Commissioner Stone will have the volunteers elect a representative. Pager Repeater – The digital pagers are working very poorly in the Metaline Falls area. A discussion was held on moving the Sand Creek repeater to a site in town or possible a site at the new water plant. Commissioner Stone will look into relocating it. 2005 Budget – The preliminary 2005 budget needs to be turned in to the county auditor by August 9th. Commissioner Stone moved that a special meeting be held August 2nd at 10:00 AM at the administrative office in order to work on the budget. Commissioner Layton seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0. Scott Doughty Complaint – Scott Doughty read a letter regarding his treatment by former Commissioner Mike Miller. Commissioner Stone moved that Mike Miller be placed on administrative leave while the complaint is investigated. Commissioner Layton seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0. Volunteer Performance – An executive session was held from 20:10 to 20:20 by Commissioners Layton and Stone to review the performance of a volunteer. After the executive session Commissioner Stone moved that in the best interest of Fire District #2 that the services of Colleen Miller were no longer needed. Commissioner Layton seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0. Administrative Assistant Rumelhart was directed to send a letter to Colleen Miller informing her of the decision and instruct her to return all the Fire District equipment in her possession. Additional Meetings – Due to the amount of business the commissioners need to complete each month Commissioner Stone moved to hold an additional regular monthly meeting on the fourth Monday of the month at 10:00 for the rest of the year. Commissioner Layton seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0. The meeting was adjourned at 20:26. The next meeting will be a special meeting at 10:00 AM on Monday August 2nd at the Administrative Office. /s/ John Rumelhart, Clerk of the Board Back