KING COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 10

Board of Commissioners

Regular Meeting Minutes

Revenue Hearing

November 14, 2007

 

The Regular Meeting and Revenue Hearing of the Board of Fire Commissioners of King County Fire District 10 was held on November 14, 2007, at Eastside Fire & Rescue’s Headquarters, located at 175 Newport Way NW, Issaquah, WA 98027.

 

Present:        Commissioner Rick Gaines

                        Commissioner Mike Mitchell

                        Commissioner Wes Moorhead

                        Fire Chief Lee Soptich

                        Board Secretary Dave Gray

                        Chief of Maintenance Kelly Refvem

                        Controller Scott Faires

                        EAA Deborah Gober-Beneze

 

Audience:     BC Tryon (joined meeting 4:40 p.m.)

                                               

Absent:         Commissioner John Magee

                        Commissioner Mitchell Young (arrived 4:34 p.m.)

                                   

Call to Order, Roll Call and Flag Salute:

 

Chairman Gaines called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. and thanked those present for attending.  The record shows that all Commissioners are present with the exception of Commissioners Magee and Young.  Commissioner Young joined the meeting at 4:34 p.m.  Chairman Gaines led the flag salute.

 

Citizen Input:  There was no citizen input.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:

 

Commissioner Mitchell moved to approve Agenda Bill D10-2007-17 Consent Agenda as presented.  Commissioner Moorhead offered a second.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

The regular Board meeting was adjourned at 4:07 p.m. and the Revenue Hearing was called to order.

 

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Gray handed out 2008 Budget Worksheets including the 2008 Go Bond Worksheet and the 2007-2008 Comparative Worksheet and reviewed them with the Board.  There was a change in AV at 8.1% and actual revenue $173,050 more than expected.  This is the final year for the Go Bond payment.  Fire District 10 has a reduction in its payment to EF&R along with a reduction in equipment replacement funding, but will have an increase for the new Capital Facilities Maintenance Fund.

 

Following discussion, two Resolutions were presented for consideration:

 

Resolution 07-04:  Commissioner Moorhead moved to adopt Resolution 07-04 submitting a regular property tax levy of $6,000,000 and a general obligation bond levy of $442,000 for the year 2008 in accordance with King County Ordinance 2152.  A second was offered by Commissioner Mitchell.  The resolution was adopted unanimously.

 

Resolution 07-05:  Commissioner Mitchell moved to adopt Resolution 07-05 declaring the imposition of a benefit charge on the parcel owners of District 10 for the 2008 tax year in the amount of $738.097, which constitutes approximately 11% of the 2008 Operating Budget.  A second was offered by Commissioner Moorhead.  The resolution was adopted unanimously. 

 

Chairman Gaines instructed the Board Secretary to cause Resolutions 07-04 and 07-05 to be certified for collection to the statutory maximum by law, to contract with the King County Treasury for the collection of the same, and to prepare a 2008 Revenue and Expense Budget to be brought before this Board for approval at the December 19th open public meeting.

 

The Revenue Hearing was adjourned at 4:23 p.m. and the regular Board meeting re-convened.

 

GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE DISCUSSION:

 

  1. October Expense Report:  Controller Faires stated the expense report is in the Board packet and is under budget year to date.  

     
  2. EF&R Actions September and October 2007:  Actions from the September and October EF&R Board meetings were reviewed.  

     
  3. Audits:  EF&R and Fire District 10 audits are currently taking place.  Controller Faires extended an invitation to representatives from each Board to attend the entrance conference which outlines the scope of the audit, or more critical, the final result conference.  He will provide dates.

     
  4. Deputy Chief Status:  Commissioner Moorhead asked about being short one Deputy Chief and its affect.  Chief Soptich stated they cannot continue without one, but are anticipating having another partner next year which will fill the position. 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

Finance Operations Committee:  Commissioner Mitchell stated that the notes from the Finance Operations Committee meeting are in the Board packet.  Most of the meeting was spent on the EF&R Budget and Funds.

 

HR Legislative Committee:   Chairman Gaines stated that the notes from the last HR/Legislative Meeting are in the Board Packet.  The No Man’s Land policy will be discussed under Old Business #5.  Chief Soptich reported that NORCOM has established its By-laws, elected officers, approved the remainder 2007 budget and a preliminary budget for 2008.  He reported that EF&R is heavily involved as he serves on the Governance Committee and Deputy Chief Griffin serves on the Operations Committee.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

1.      Agreement with City of Issaquah – Station 72:  Chairman Gaines stated that a possible starting point would be to have a funding model formula for the new stations being built within EF&R; Station 72, Station 78 and Station 87.  Discussion ensued over the call volume Station 87 responds to within Fire District 10 and the percentage Fire District 10 should contribute to the building of the new station(s).

 

2.      Financial Planning:  CFO Gray will finalize the budget and present next month.  Chairman Gains reported that while attending the WA Fire Commissioners Association Annual Conference, he learned that it is important to have a policy that outlines what a reserve fund consists of.  A goal for 2008 will be to establish a policy that addresses this, along with items not covered by the EF&R Maintenance Fund.
 

3.      Non-Profit – Attorney General:  All the Partner’s legal counsels have reviewed the Attorney General’s opinion that a non-profit would qualify to serve as the employer of record, and found nothing significant to prevent this from working at EF&R.  Chairman Gaines reported asking the EF&R Board to move forward and staff was directed to provide additional information for the EF&R Board to consider.  Discussion ensued over what should be included this type of agreement. Chief Soptich reported that Rod Kaseguma, who wrote the NORCOM non-profit, will draw up the document.  A progress report will be given next month.
 

4.      Ability to Serve as Commissioner and Volunteer:  Chief Soptich reported that language in RCW 52.14.010 allows a fire commissioner to serve, upon a unanimous board vote, as a volunteer firefighter in the same district, but the volunteer service shall be “without compensation”.  The Board decided this issue will be handled in the future on a case by case basis. 

 

5.      No Man’s Land:  Chairman Gaines reported there is no current policy for response to this type of areas, and has identified eleven parcels in No Man’s Land.  They are located by the Tolt Hill Road and Highway 202, most in Blakely Woods, a gated community.  Chief Soptich reported these parcels would receive the same response as any other in the District.  Discussion ensued over billing for this service and the actions to be taken.  Chairman Gaines will attempt to contact the home owner’s association for this community to advise them of their status and invite them to join the District, and review a draft letter to be sent advising the same.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

  1. Tender Credit:  Chief Soptich advised the Board of the WA Surveying & Rating Bureau proposal.  Approved tender operations are recognized in areas where hydrants are not available.  Tender credit for the District will result in an improved class at risk for dwelling properties within five (5) road miles of a fire station in a district grading Class 8 or better.  If adopted, Chief Soptich stated they will petition to obtain the credit on Fire District 10’s behalf.

     
  2. Agenda Bill D10-2007-18 Roof Replacement Fire Station 76:  Commissioner Mitchell made a motion to pass Agenda Bill D10-2007-18 and accept the proposal from R.C. Zeigler Company, Inc. of $31,777.00 for the replacement of the roof at Fire Station 76.  A second was offered by Commissioner Young.  Following discussion about picking the lowest “responsible” bidder, the motion passed unanimously. 

     
  3. Agenda Bill D10-2007-19 Roof Replacement Fire Station 79:  Commissioner Young made a motion to pass Agenda Bill D10-2007-19 and accept the proposal from R.C. Zeigler Company, Inc. of $13,755.00 for the replacement of the roof at Fire Station 79. A second was offered by Commissioner Mitchell.  Following discussion where Chief of Maintenance (CoM) Refvem advised the Board that this is a two roof system, and this replacement is the 3-tab portion only, the motion passed unanimously. 

     
  4. Agenda Bill D10-2007-20 Standby Generator Replacement Station 74:  CoM Refvem stated that the Station is currently being powered for emergency power by an old military surplus and is critically undersized.  Commissioner Young made a motion to pass Agenda Bill D10-2007-20 and accept the proposal from D2 Energy Systems, Inc., of $6,765.00, for the purchase and installation of a standby generator at Fire Station 74.  A second was offered by Commissioner Mitchell.  The motion passed unanimously. 

     
  5. Agenda Bill D10-2007-21 Standby Generator Replacement Station 85:  CoM Refvem stated that the current generator is critically undersized and would be replaced by a propane generator.  Commissioner Mitchell made a motion to pass Agenda Bill D10-2007-21 and accept the proposal from D2 Energy Systems, Inc., of $38,124.00, for the purchase and installation of a standby generator at Fire Station 85.  A second was offered by Commissioner Young.  Following discussion over why the vast difference in price of generators; square footage and volunteer station versus career station where with a transfer switch will run the whole facility, the motion passed unanimously.  The existing standby generator will be transferred to Station 76.

     
  6. Agenda Bill D10-2007-22 Standby Generator Replacement Station 86:  Following discussion whether or not the generator from Station 74 can be installed at Station 86, and the reasons the generators are now undersized, Commissioner Young made a motion to table Agenda Bill D10-2007-22.  A second was offered by Commissioner Mitchell.  The motion passed unanimously and and Agenda Bill D10-2007-22 was tabled.  

     
  7. Agenda Bill D10-2007-23 Standby Generator Replacement Station 79:  Commissioner Young made a motion to pass Agenda Bill D10-2007-23 and accept the proposal from D2 Energy Systems, Inc. of $10,442.00 for the purchase and installation of a standby generator at Fire Station 79.  A second was offered by Commissioner Mitchell.  Following discussion over the remote access to the Station during a storm event, the motion passed unanimously. 

    Due to all standby generators being purchased and installed by the same company, it was discussed that a package deal discount be asked for.

     
  8. I-747 Ruling:  On November 8, 2007, the Supreme Court struck down I-747 which caps property tax increase to 1% per year.  Attorney Joe Quinn provided his opinions to the Board via email.  Chairman Gaines read a letter he will be sending to President Hooper, Local 2878, in response to his letter asking the District to take advantage of the recent ruling and collect additional revenue.  Discussion ensued over the ruling and the response to the Local.  There were no objections by the Board to the Chairman signing and sending the response letter.

     

 

GOOD OF THE ORDER:

 

A letter from the City Manager of Carnation was sent encouraging District 10 to support the creation of Emergency Manager position within EF&R.  Chairman Gains will respond stating that the District supports adding the position.

 

Chairman Gaines informed the Board of the KC Fire Commissioners banquet in January, electing officers and welcoming new commissioners.  Unfortunately the date coincides with the EF&R Partner’s Dinner.  The Fire Commissioners are looking to pick a new date for the banquet, and Chairman Gaines asked that all attend.

 

Chairman Gaines also informed the Board of the KC Fire Commissioners quarterly meeting on the 28th and asked for Board members to attend. 

 

Chairman Gaines attended the WA Fire Commissioners Annual Conference in Pasco where he attended sessions on volunteers and compensation, bond financing, and the state auditor’s presentation on financial fraud. 

 

 

CALENDAR NOTATION:

 

·        Regular District 10 Board Meeting – December 19, 2008 at 4:00 p.m., at Headquarters

·        Finance/Operations Committee Meeting – December 6, 2008, at 4:00 p.m., Headquarters

·        HR/Legislative Committee Meeting – December 18, 2007 at 1:30 p.m., at Headquarters

·        EF&R Regular Board Meeting – January 8, 2008 at 4:00 p.m., at Headquarters

·        Partner’s Dinner – January 16, 2007

 

 

Adjournment:  With no further business, Chairman Gaines adjourned the meeting at 6:02 p.m.

                                                                                            

 

Signing of the Documents

 

 

 

_________________          ____________________        ___________________ Commissioner                            Commissioner                            Commissioner

 

 

 

_________________          ____________________        ___________________

Commissioner                              Commissioner                  Attestation:  Board Secretary