FIRE DISTRICT 38
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
June 9, 2008
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners was called to order by Chairman Chris Dahline at 1000 hrs on Monday, June 9, 2008 at the Wilderness Rim Fire Station. In attendance were: Chairman Chris Dahline
Commissioner Ron Pedee
Commissioner Steve Parsons
EFR Fire Chief Lee Soptich
EFR Deputy Fire Chief Wes Collins
EFR Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Griffin
Secretary Trina Parsons
Commissioner Dahline made a motion to accept the minutes from the May 5, 2008 Regular meeting. Commissioner Parsons seconded. Motion carried. The Treasurer’s Report was read. Commissioner Pedee made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report and the June Blanket Voucher with voucher numbers 5514- 5522 totaling $596,681.56. Chairman Dahline seconded. Motion carried.
EASTSIDE FIRE & RESCUE
Commissioner Pedee was unavailable for the meeting so he referred the subject to Chief Griffin. Chief Griffin reported the EF&R Board has approved for evaluation exploring the inclusion of District 27 into EF&R in some manner. Two pieces of apparatus have been approved that will affect the District 38 area. One is an elevated stream engine and the other is a Wildland 4 wheel-drive type engine. The Wildland engine will probably be stationed at Station 87 due to the need for such type vehicle in the area. Until a new station, that has more space, is built, the Tender will probably need to be relocated. The costs of removing the asbestos from Station 87 will be paid for through the EF&R Reserve Fund and all stations are being evaluated and lists posted as to potentially known hazards within the buildings.
The contract for the Battalion Chiefs has been approved. A variable in the approval was the change in shift schedules. The Battalion Chiefs will now rotate on a 48/96 schedule, which is different than the firefighter’s schedule. This will cause the BC’s to no longer work the same shifts as their regular crews, which has both pros and cons for the department at large. The three Battalion Chief’s schedule may present some issues but if so, the issues should be on a smaller scale than if the whole department changed shift schedules. There is a hope this could lead to some further standardization within the department. Chairman Dahline asked if the contract discussed any discipline issues. Chief Soptich stated it did not, as the discipline issues are addressed outside of this contract negotiation.
Chief Griffin than advised Lieutenant Ron Gotts had retired and will be greatly missed. He further stated that, due to Chief Collins’ foresight, there were six firefighters hired this past year. One has not completed the program but the other 5 will fill spots when they have completed their training. In addition to the Lieutenant vacancy from Lt. Gotts, another Lieutenant will be retiring in August.
CHIEF’S REPORT
Chief Soptich reported Rona is still out and isn’t expected back until August. They have hired a temp to fill in for a while. EF&R is also in the process of looking for a Data Analyst and an Emergency Manager’s position. There have been some discussions with Snoqualmie Fire Chief Bob Rowe regarding the Emergency Managers Position as he has received the proper training for the position. In return EF&R could help Snoqualmie Fire with Administrative tasks. The option is under consideration. Talks are continuing with Fall City Fire (District 27) and have been for about 3 weeks. It is expected talks should take 8-12 weeks before a report can be prepared. Chief Soptich and Woodinville Chief Johnson are also continuing talks and should move forward shortly. A volunteer has filed an EEOC suit against the department and it is being investigated.
OLD BUSINESS
New Station- Commissioner Pedee advised he met with Attorney Hugh Spitzer and Chief Wes Collins to discuss issues regarding the new station. Mr. Spitzer was preparing an updated ILA and will be forwarding it back to Commissioner Pedee. Chief Collins has been working with both attorneys (District 38, City of North Bend) and will continue to do so. One item that has changed was the potential to short-plat the city owned property and convert the ownership into an LLC so it will not be owned by just the City or the District. The ILA also was to include the possibility that if one entity left EF&R, both entities could still operate out of the station. However, this does defeat the purpose of regionalization of Fire Stations by placing “two” separate fire stations next to one another that basically should be covering the same areas. There were additional discussions regarding options and philosophies. There was an agreement that District 38 should meet with Chief Collins and Mr. Spitzer later this week so we could move forward. After reviewing schedules it was apparent the next meeting would be with Commissioner Pedee and then next Monday, June 16, 2008, there could be a meeting with the rest of the Board. The meeting will be at the Wilderness Rim Station at 1000 on Monday, June 16, 2008.
Regional Fire Authority- Commissioner Pedee asked how the meeting in April went and Chief Griffin advised him there were 146 people present. Commissioner Pedee asked about the next step and Chief Griffin referred him to Commissioner Gaines. Commissioner Pedee will contact Commissioner Gaines.
Summer Newsletter- Newsletter has been delivered and the next newsletter will be started in a couple weeks, once school is completed.
Other-
Nothing to Report
NEW BUSINESS
Other- Nothing to Report
GOOD OF THE ORDER- Chairman Dahline reported he would be gone on the next scheduled meeting. Commissioner Parsons confirmed he too, would be working. The next regularly scheduled meeting was then moved to the following day, Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 1000 hrs at either the Depot or the Wilderness Rim Station.
Chairman Dahline then reviewed the upcoming meetings. There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 1220 hrs.
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Chairman Chris Dahline Secretary Trina Parsons
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Commissioner Ron Pedee
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Commissioner Steve Parsons