EASTSIDE FIRE & RESCUE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
4:00 p.m.
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of Eastside Fire & Rescue was held on December 11, 2007, at Eastside Fire & Rescue Headquarters, 175 Newport Way, NW, in Issaquah, WA.
PRESENT Board Director Ron Pedee (District 38)
Board Director Rick Gaines (Fire District 10)
Board Director Russell Joe (City of Issaquah)
Board Director Maureen McCarry (City of Issaquah)
Board Director Jack Barry (City of Sammamish)
John Magee (Commissioner Fire District 10)
Fire Chief Lee Soptich
Deputy Chief Wes Collins
Fire Marshal Tim Pilling
Chief of Maintenance Kelly Refvem
Board Secretary Dave Gray
Controller Scott Faires
HR Manager Ingrid Anderson
EAA Deborah Gober-Beneze
AUDIENCE Chris Caviezel (Chairman of the Board Fire District 51)
Craig Hooper (EF&R Captain, Local 2878 President)
Brian McMahan (EF&R BC, Lead Negotiator Local 2878)
Lt. Dave Jones (Station 72)
FF Bryan Whiting (Station 72)
FF John Virnig (Station 72)
ABSENT Board Director Mike Mitchell (Fire District 10)
Board Director Karen Tavenner (City of North Bend)
Board Director Lee Fellinge (City of Sammamish)
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Pedee called the meeting to order at 4:08 p.m.
Director Pedee led the flag salute. Fire Chief Soptich took roll call. All the Directors were present with the exception of Directors Mitchell and Fellinge who are absent and excused, and Director Tavenner who is absent. D-10 Commissioner Magee represented Fire District 10 for Director Mitchell.
RECOGNITION:
Chief Soptich gave recognition to two off duty employees, Dave Latourette and
Scott Foster, who in separate events, administered CPR and were instrumental to the patients’ survival.
CITIZEN INPUT:
Chris Caviezel, Chairman of the Board for Fire District 51, reported that last evening one of their commissioners, Dick Smith, retired after 35 years of service as a firefighter and commissioner. Chairman Pedee asked Chairman Caviezel to extend the Board’s congratulations and sense of awe at his accomplishments.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Director McCarry moved to approve Agenda Bill 2007-48 – December Consent Agenda. A second was offered by Commissioner Magee. The motion passed unanimously.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE DISCUSSION:
Chief Soptich gave an update to the Board on the Zone coordination of maintenance for vehicles and equipment. At the Zone 1 Chief’s meeting, the Chiefs unanimously endorsed a proposal to bring a consultant in to collect data and inform them of the opportunities that exist for putting together a Zone wide maintenance operation. The report is approximately two months out.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. Finance Operations Committee Report: The notes from last week’s meeting are in the Board Packet.
2. HR Legislative Committee Report: Director Gaines reported the committee discussed unmarked vehicle use, potential partners, and the Chief’s evaluation and contract.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Potential Partners: Chief Soptich reported there is a meeting scheduled with the City of Snoqualmie and the Snoqualmie Tribe, together with EF&R to discuss the vision of the Upper Valley. He asked for Board member participation, and outlined EF&R’s views.
As District 27 contemplates the possibility of annexation by Sammamish of a sizable portion of their assessed value, a consultant was hired to help them identify options for continued independent operations or partnering at various levels. The report is due this month and Administration will receive a copy.
2. No Man’s Land: Director Gaines reported there is no change from last month. There was a clarification on the lien issue as it is unenforceable.
3. Vehicle Use: HR Manager Anderson reported she is checking with both our insurance agent and legal counsel regarding the personal use of Agency vehicles. Initial feedback is that a passenger would need to be covered under their own liability insurance in case of an accident. More detailed information is forthcoming. Director Gaines stated there is still the question of the IRS and compensation. It was discussed that this is more of an issue when vehicles are unmarked. Chairman Pedee stated that after review of the policy by the Finance/Operations Committee, there is no need to change the current policy.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Resolution 58 – John Waltosz Inspiration Award:
Chief Soptich gave a brief history of John Waltosz and his service to the Agency since the 1960’s. He is universally respected as a leader, a mentor, and believed in professionalism. Director Gaines moved to adopt Resolution 58 establishing the Volunteer Battalion Chief John Waltosz Inspiration Award. A second was offered by Director Joe. The Resolution was adopted unanimously and will be awarded annually at the Partner’s Dinner.
2. Agenda Bill 2007-46 – 2008 Expenditure Budget:
Director Joe moved to approve Agenda Bill 2007-46 adopting the 2008 Expense Budget authorizing the Fire Chief to expend up to $19,386,291 for 2008 operations. A second was offered by Director Gaines. Following discussion where benchmarks need to be established and possibly be tied to the Chief’s evaluation, the motion passed unanimously.
3. Agenda Bill 2007-47 – NORCOM 2008 Start-Up Funding:
Director Barry moved to authorize the Fire Chief to make payments on behalf of EF&R as a principle of NORCOM not to exceed $150,000.00 for 2008 start-up and capital contributions from the Reserve Fund. A second was offered by Director Joe. Following discussion over the dollar amount and pending grants that may affect the cost, the motion passed unanimously. It was noted that members of Fire Administration sit on all NORCOM committees and boards.
GOOD OF THE ORDER:
Chief Soptich reported he just received documents from legal counsel regarding the non-profit status. One is a layout of the non-profit and the other is a draft of by-laws which look very similar to EF&R’s ILA. Administration would like to take a look at the documents before handing out to the Board, if they choose to move forward. Director Gaines, on behalf of Fire District 10, thanked the Chief for his efforts.
Chief Soptich reported that Alan Kaminski (sp) has tendered his resignation as Director of the current Bellevue Dispatch center and is going to work as a project manager for the State. The Chief stated this is a set-back for NORCOM as they were hopeful they would be able to maintain continuity. There is no successor named at this point.
Director Barry together with the EF&R Board acknowledged their esteemed Councilmember from Issaquah, Russell Joe, who will be stepping down from the EF&R Board. His wisdom and contributions have been enjoyed by all.
CALENDAR REVIEW:
Fin/Ops meeting will be held on January 3, 2008, at 4 p.m.
HR/Legislative meeting will be on December 18, 2007, at 10 a.m.
Next EF&R Board meeting will be January 8, 2008, at 4 p.m.
EF&R Partner’s Dinner will be held on January 16, 2008
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
In accordance with RCW 42.30.140, the Regular Meeting was adjourned and the Executive Session began at 4:40 p.m. to discuss the Collective Bargaining Agreements. The Executive Session was expected to last approximately one hour. At 5:40 p.m. the public was informed the Executive Session would be extended another 20 minutes. The Executive Session was adjourned at 5:45 p.m. and the Regular Meeting of the Board was called back in session.
Following the Executive Session, Director Joe made a motion to recommend to the Fire District 10 Board to execute the Firefighter Collective Bargaining Agreement as written and discussed in Executive Session. A second was offered by Director Barry. Following a brief discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
With no further business to discuss, Director McCarry moved to adjourn the meeting. A second was offered by Chairman Pedee. The motion was approved unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 5:47 p.m.
SIGNING OF DOCUMENTS:
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