St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 1
Board of Commissioners
Special Meeting
Minutes
December 13, 2016
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m.
The prayer and pledge of allegiance were done.
ROLL CALL: Chairman Crowley and Commissioners Hoying, Rich and Gay were present.
Commissioner Brackett was absent.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION-
New Hire Swear In: Mark Cambre, Dylan Estain, Aaron Hall, Michael Martin, Dan Rost
Promotional Swear In: Operator Brian Veron, Captain Chris Hewitt, Dist. Chief Steve Lemoine
Retirement- Patrick McCloskey (28 years)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Gay made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 15, 2016 meeting. Commissioner Rich seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS – (none)
NEW BUSINESS –
1. Chief’s Report
a) Significant Monthly Events
• Retirement (1 employee)
• 5 new Firefighters
• Employee Resignations (2 employees)
Chief Kaufmann stated that out of the last 35 firefighters hired (since 2014), 30 were certified. This has a cost avoidance value of $750,000 of taxpayer monies.
• Record Clerk- offer of employment to Katie Elliott
• Civil Service Appeal (1 active appeal)
• Employee Suspension (3 shift suspension)
b.) Update- First NBC- Chief Kaufmann stated that he had a follow-up meeting with Wynn Williams and everything that was previously discussed has taken place and he is not looking to take action on the “Tabled” Resolution.
c) Update- Station 13/HQ – Chief Kaufmann stated that we are working diligently to finalize the plans; however we are a couple weeks behind with the process. He further stated that the advertisement would be done after Jan.1.
d) STP Gov Board and Commissions Manual- Affidavit
e) Public Campaign/ Outreach- Christmas Tree Burn Demonstration was 12/10
f) Operations Reports – Chief of Operations Kuhn discussed the “Operations” report (November) which covers YTD call totals, Hydrants Inspected, NFIRS Incidents, Dollar Loss/ Dollar Save (by Station location), Average Response Time (by Station) and EMS Call Type and Number of Incidents.
g) Maintenance Report- Chief of Operations Kuhn discussed the “Maintenance” report (November) which covered preventative maintenances and major repairs performed.
Chief Kuhn stated that one of the Tenders is having engine problems and we are trying to work with the manufacturer on a warranty replacement. Chief Kuhn further stated that one of the trucks that we recently replaced an engine in now needs a transmission.
h) Fire Prevention Report- Chief of Fire Prevention Marquette discussed the monthly “Fire Prevention” report (November) which included Inspections, Public Fire Safety & Education Events, Investigations, and Economic Impact.
Chief Marquette stated that the Smoke Trailer will be out at Bayou Christmas in Heritage Park (beginning December 14th ) and we will also be bringing Santa to the park by boat each night.
i) Training Report – Chief Kaufmann stated that our command staff is currently hosting an Incident Management Team course that GOSHEP is conducting at no cost.
j) General Comments- Chief Kaufmann wished the Board a Merry Christmas and thanked them for their time and commitment.
Commissioner Gay made a motion to accept the Chief’s report. Commissioner Rich seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
2. SFFA (Slidell Firefighters Association)
• MDA Book Shake- Chief of Administration Duffaut stated that the MDA Boot Shake was Dec. 10 and there was a lot of participation from the membership. Chief Kaufmann stated that we have MD families in St. Tammany Parish that benefit from these fundraisers.
Chief Duffaut stated that the City of Slidell only allows our SFFA to do any money collections in the street.
3. PMI Report
a.) Employee Benefits
b.) Human Resource
Commissioner Gay made a motion to amend the agenda to add Resolution 2016-048, Relating to the Selection and Engagement by Administration of a Secondary Financial Institution for District No.1. Commissioner Hoying seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Hoying made a motion to adopt Resolution 2016-048.
The motion died due to lack of a second.
1) 2016-049: BOC Resolution (Adopt 2017 Section 125 Cafeteria Plan)
ACTION ITEM: APPROVAL
Commissioner Rich made a motion to adopt Resolution 2016-049, Relating to the Approval of the 2017 Section 125 Cafeteria Plan for District No.1. Commissioner Gay seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
2) 2016-050: BOC Resolution (Restrict 2016 Surplus to Rolling Stock, Facilities & Equipment Fund)
ACTION ITEM: APPROVAL
Commissioner Hoying made a motion to adopt Resolution 2016-050, Relating to the Approval to Restrict the 2016 Budget Surplus for District No.1. Commissioner Rich seconded the motion.
Mr. Waniewski stated that this follows the same process that was used last year as well as complies with some auditor requirements. Mr. DiGiovanni stated that the auditor has said that resolutions speak to a specific year, therefore, not a standing resolution. He further stated that they want a standing policy.
Chairman Crowley stated that we struggle each year with the budget and have people outside of the process criticizing a surplus at the end of the year and reiterated that the extra revenue that we receive (Ad Valorem taxes, LWCC, etc.) is not guaranteed continued revenue. He further stated that he, and Chief Kaufmann, have pledged that if we do not need the maximum millage, we will not ask for.
Mr. Waniewski stated that we had a 6% decrease in LWCC premiums and 0% increase in employee benefits which resulted in extra money to the District.
The motion carried unanimously.
3) 2016-051: BOC Resolution (Engage Ericksen, Krentel & LaPorte, LLP CPAs for 2016 Audit)
ACTION ITEM: APPROVAL
Commissioner Gay made a motion to adopt Resolution 2016-051, Relating to Approval of the 2016 Audit for District No.1. Commissioner Rich seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
4) Release for Review: Employee Handbook, SOPs & SOGs Revisions
REVIEW ITEM
Chief Kaufmann stated that they will receive a thumb drive of the most updated handbook, to vote on in January.
c.) Payroll – (none)
d.) FRS (Firefighters Retirement System) – (none)
e.) VFIS Special Risk Insurance & LWCC
Commissioner Rich made a motion to accept the PMI report. Commissioner Hoying seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
4. Duplantier Hrapman Hogan & Maher, LLP- Mr. DiGiovanni discussed the November financial report.
Commissioner Gay made a motion to accept the November financial report. Commissioner Rich seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
5. Attorney’s Report- (nothing to report)
6. Board comments – Chairman Crowley stated that the Commissioners feel it is a privilege to serve on the Board and thanked the department for their support.
Chief Kaufmann stated crew meetings will take place next week and he intends to thank the membership for their hard work in the PIAL process.
Chief Kaufmann stated that the spouses’ auxiliary is working on the first Fireman/Police Ball, scheduled for April 7, at the Auditorium.
Commissioner Hoying made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Rich seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.