St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 1
Board of Commissioners
Regular Meeting
Minutes
August 21, 2018
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
The prayer and pledge of allegiance were done.
ROLL CALL: Chairman Crowley and Commissioners Brackett, Rich, Hoying, and Gay were present.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION–
Chief Brewer, with Fire Dist. #9, addressed the Board regarding the recent purchase of the engine replacing their 1974 engine. They have a Youth Fire Corp. that has adopted the truck and Chief Brewer presented a thank-you card on their behalf.
20 Years of Service: Charles Davis
15 Years of Service: Will Moore, Lance Poche, Kelly Williams, Adam Willis
10 Years of Service: Jacob Arnouville, Stephen Batuk, David Berns, Ray Pearce, Kevin Varnado
5 Years of Service: Hunter Bankston, Doug Crosby, John Dillon, Brian Lutman
FD1/Acadian Ambulance Recognitions: Aaron Hall, Dustin Moreau, Lance Poche
(Incident 18- 0003604)
Chairman Crowley commented on the importance of the LUCAS devices and the continued training that our department does.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Brackett made a motion to approve the updated minutes of the July 17, 2018 meeting. Commissioner Rich seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS – (none)
NEW BUSINESS
- Chief’s Report
- Significant Monthly Events
- Health Insurance Renewal/ Open Enrollments- Sept. 4-6
- 2019 Budget Meeting- Aug. 30, 9:30 (Commissioners Gay and Rich will attend)
- Discussion: Tammany Utilities water system- Chief Kaufmann stated that we, as well as the Chiefs Assoc., have taken a proactive step with the Parish to get timely responses for deficits/corrections needing to be resolved and it has been positive.
- Dispatch retiree (Nov. 1) – Chief Kaufmann stated that he would like to hire a third person, outside of the two from Covington, to transition into the position.
- 2 Disciplinary Actions have been addressed and settled
- Update: Dispatch Intergovernmental Agreement – The agreement with the City of Covington was signed Aug. 3. We will go live on Aug. 27 and the agreed upon monthly payment plan will begin Sept. 1.
- Station 13/HQ- Update- Chief Kaufmann stated that we are a month past the completion date and liquidated damages are in effect.
Chief Kaufmann stated that there are many issues with the poor workmanship and a letter was drafted to put a “stop work” in effect on the list of issues that the architect has identified.
Attorney Ingram stated that we have been unsuccessful in our request to meet with the Surety Company. Chief Kaufmann stated that we are protected with the bond. Chief Kaufmann further stated that there have also been issues with sub- contractors not being paid.
Chief Kaufmann stated that all of the contractors (I.T) that we had lined up, based on the original projected completion date, have been cancelled and we have been removed from their schedule; therefore, we are now at their mercy to get to our jobsite.
- Public Campaign/ Outreach
- Fire Prevention Outreach- Fremaux Town Center (Aug. 11)
- Operations Reports – Chief of Operations Kuhn discussed the “Operations” report (July) 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.
Chief Kuhn noted that we respond to approximately 100 more calls/mth.
- Maintenance Report- Chief of Operations Kuhn discussed the “Maintenance” report (July) which covered preventative maintenances and major repairs performed.
- Fire Prevention Report- Chief of Fire Prevention Marquette discussed the monthly “Fire Prevention” report (July) which included Inspections, Public Fire Safety & Education Events, Investigations, and Economic Impact.
Chief Marquette stated that he and Chief Kaufmann are working with the City and the Parish regarding a process/procedure for the implementation of fines for false alarms.
- Training Report – Chief of Training Bauer discussed the monthly “Training” report (July) which included Classes, Certifications and Revenues.
- Communications Report – Chief of Communications Watson discussed the monthly “Communications” report (July) which included call volume and statistics.
- General Comments- (none)
Commissioner Hoying made a motion to accept the Chief’s report. Commissioner Gay seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- SFFA (Slidell Firefighters Association) – Citizen’s Academy will begin on Aug. 29
Chief Kaufmann stated that he will be out of town Aug. 26-28, to go to Pierce to see the plant.
- PMI Report –
- Employee Benefits – (none)
- Human Resource
- 2018-033: BOC Resolution (Approve District Sponsored Employee Benefits: Major Medical, Dental Life & DI Insurance)
Commissioner Brackett made a motion to adopt Resolution 2018-033, Relating to the Approval Renewal of District Sponsored Group Employee Benefits for District No. 1. Commissioner Hoying seconded the motion.
The floor was opened for public comment. There was no public comment.
The motion carried unanimously.
- 2018-034: BOC Resolution (Approve Reduction/ Freeze Employee Contributions to Employee Benefits)
Commissioner Brackett made a motion to adopt Resolution 2018-034, Relating to District and Employee Contributions for District Sponsored Employee Benefits for District No. 1. Commissioner Gay seconded the motion.
The floor was opened for public comment. There was no public comment.
Mr. Waniewski stated that the 3% reduction will be passed on to both the employee and employer.
Commissioner Brackett stated that it’s commendable that the Administration can offer this to the employees and the employees are taking care of themselves. Chairman Crowley stated that it is rare that a business is as successful as we are with all of the medical challenges.
Mr. Waniewski stated that health insurance is approximately 10% of the annual budget and a 3% reduction has a direct favorable impact.
The motion carried unanimously.
- 2018-035: BOC Resolution (Freeze Retiree Benefit Contribution)
Commissioner Rich made a motion to adopt Resolution 2018-035, Relating to the Continuance of Retiree Contribution for District No. 1 Sponsored Retiree Benefits. Commissioner Brackett seconded the motion.
The floor was opened for public comment. There was no public comment.
The motion carried unanimously.
- 2018-036: BOC Resolution (Approve Employee Deductible Offset)
Commissioner Brackett made a motion to approve Resolution 2018-036, Relating to the Continuance of the Deductible Expense Offset Fund for District Sponsored Employee Benefits for District No.1. Commissioner Rich seconded the motion.
Mr. Waniewski stated that this is a restricted fund and has been used to offset increases.
The floor was opened for public comment. There was no public comment.
The motion carried unanimously.
- Payroll – 2019 Budget Forecast
- FRS (Firefighters Retirement System)
- VFIS Special Risk Insurance & LWCC
Commissioner Brackett made a motion to accept the PMI report. Commissioner Hoying seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Duplantier Hrapman Hogan & Maher, LLP-
Mr. DiGiovanni discussed the July financial report.
Commissioner Brackett stated that with regards to the failed Coroner millage, he and some others he spoke to feel that it would have been successful if they were more transparent, like we are.
Commissioner Hoying made a motion to accept the July financial report. Commissioner Brackett seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Attorney’s Report–
- Rigolet’s VFD- A suit was instituted against Rigolet’s VFD and four officers. The trial was July 23, and the verdict was a rule in our favor. Additionally, the judge granted all of the relief that we sought, as well as some that was requested from the stand, by Chief Schmalz of Fort Pike Volunteer Fire Dept. Mr. Muller was ordered to remove the windshield decal, and surrender the Volunteer Firefighter license plate and any badges that had the name “Rigolet’s VFD, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana”, as well as any and all business cards, stationary, etc. The court also awarded all court costs, expenses and Attorney fees incurred in the prosecution of the matter. The judge ordered that this be done within 10 days of the hearing.
Attorney Ingram circulated the judgement to them, however, they objected to a few specific portions, particularly in that they didn’t agree to anything about Fort Pike, stating that the court had no jurisdiction over Fort Pike. The judge disagreed, and made it an order.
Attorney Ingram stated that they had not complied, as of Aug. 15 and he sent them a letter advising that today, Aug. 21, is the deadline and if it isn’t done he will file a Motion of Civil Contempt against them. The items were turned in on Aug. 20; however, he was unable to turn in his license plate due to his car being involved in an accident and it was in the shop; however it was in his driveway the next day. Attorney Ingram advised that he will be filing a “Motion for Civil Contempt” against him report back at the next meeting.
Attorney Ingram stated that there has been some changes to the millage and there were 2 “buckets”, however, they have eliminated “bucket” 2 which was the procedures to be undertaken wen renewing a millage. He further stated that Kevin Pearson is sponsoring legislation to do away with the Tim Burns requirement that our meetings be held on Koop Dr.
Commissioner Brackett made a motion to accept the Attorney report. Commissioner Rich seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Board of Commissioner Comments – Chairman Crowley recognized the challenges we have had, and today the Board is made aware and informed, making their job easier.
Chief Kaufmann thanked Chairman Crowley and Ms. Genie for having the Back to School picnic on the farm.
Commissioner Gay made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Brackett seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.