(ADOPTED 11/29/2001)
The Wake County Fire Commission met Thursday, October 25, 2001, at 4:30 p.m. at the Wake County Commons Building, Carya Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Cathy Lohr called the meeting to order.
Roll of Members Present:
Tony Chiotakis, West Region/Alternate
Darrin Holt, West Region/Primary
Ned Perry, Citizen/Consumer
Donald Pierce, South Region/Primary
David Price, Firefighter's Assoc. President
Rodney Privette, East Region/Alternate
A.C. Rich, North Region/Alternate (late arrival)
Ron Roof, North Region/Primary
Tom Vaughan, East Region/Primary
Tony Mauldin, South Region/Alternate
(The bolded Membership Type equates to members eligible to vote.)
Members Absent:
Cloyce Anders, External Facilitator*
Mark Melvin, South Region/Alternate*
Charles Sannipoli, Citizen/Consumer*
Herb Council, Wake County Commissioner
James Nobles, Citizen/Consumer*
Buddy Scarboro, Wendell Town Representative
Bonnie Woodruff, Citizen Consumer
Staff Present:
David Cooke, County Manager
John Rukavina, Public Safety Director
Mark Forestieri, Project Manager II
Dewey Poole, Interim Fire/Rescue Director
Chris Perry, Chief Deputy Fire Marshal
Ricky Dorsey, Deputy Fire Marshal (WC-1)
Sherry Scoggins, Executive Secretary
There were twelve guests present at the Wake County Fire Commission Meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Update on Willow Springs Fire Station -
Presentation by Mark Forestieri of Wake County Facilities Design & Construction:
Ms. Lohr recognized and turned the floor over to Mr. Mark Forestieri, Project Manager II, of Wake County Facilities Design and Construction. Mr. Forestieri updated the Fire Commission on the Willow Springs Fire Station. Mr. Forestieri brought large-scale drawings of the proposed facility for the Fire Commission and guests to view. This is the first prototype facility of this type facility for Wake County. Currently, there is no fire station within the Willow Springs area. The Willow Springs Fire Station will be located on Bud Lipscomb Road just off of Old State Road. The proposed facility is designed so that the dormitory and bays can be expanded; and if needed, an EMS facility can also be added on. Currently, Wake County and the Town of Fuquay-Varina are in preliminary discussions with Town of Fuquay-Varina operating the station and Wake County to maintain the station.
A couple of the members inquired about costs associated with the Willow Springs Fire Station project (land, building and furnishings) as well as what the total cost of the Willow Springs Fire Station will be.
Mr. Forestieri completed his presentation. Ms. Lohr thanked him for his presentation to the Fire Commission and guests.
Adoption of 7/19/2001 Minutes:
Ned Perry motioned to approve the July 19, 2001, Minutes. Motion seconded by Donald Pierce. The Wake County Fire Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the July 19, 2001, meeting.
Accountability Systems in Wake County:
At the July 19, 2001, Fire Commission meeting, David Price did a Power Point presentation on Accountability Systems in Wake County and distributed copies of the presentation.
David Price stated that as of today's meeting, the Accountability Systems in Wake County is still under review and he hopes to have a report by the next Fire Commission meeting.
Other Old Business:
Mr. Rukavina stated that when Knightdale was not able to participate in the FY 2001 CIP process, the Fire Commission approved the remainder of the FY 2001 CIP projects. He will have the costs of the remaining FY 2001 CIP projects for the Fire Commission at our next meeting. He apologized for the delay.
Review of Contract Amendment Proposals –
Recommendation to the County Manager and Board of Commissioners:
Chief Donald Pierce, South Region/Primary member, spoke on behalf of the Contract Committee. As a result of a meeting earlier this week with the Wake County Fire Chiefs, the Contract Committee requested the Contract Amendment Report that was edited this week be submitted for review by Fire Commission members and for the Fire Chiefs of Wake County. Chief Pierce motioned that the Fire Commission accepts contract amendments 1-4 and 8-16 and that items A – E not be accepted. Mr. Rukavina requested this item be delayed until Mr. David Cooke, County Manager, could join the Fire Commission. Chief Vaughan motioned to delay the item. Seconded by Ron Roof. Motion passed unanimously.
Discussion of the Contract Amendments was continued after the Apparatus/Facilities Planning Committee: CIP Fire Station Recommendations.
Mr. Cooke joined the Fire Commission to discuss the Contract Amendment proposals. These contracts do go before the Board of Commissioners for approval before execution. Mr. Cooke understands that the following items are of concern for the Fire Chiefs: Open Meetings, Formal Bids, and Board of Directors. This is a situation where we are dealing primarily with taxpayer's money. Chief Pierce noted that, when Wake County decides to outsource fire protection to a private non-profit corporation fire department, tax funds paid to that fire department become private funds when received by that fire department.
Chief Vaughan motioned for a recess so members could review the " updated" Contract Committee report. Motion seconded by Chief Pierce. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Donald Pierce motioned to pass items 1-4 and 8-16 of the Contract Committee report and to send to the County Manager for approval and to send the non-consensus items of A-E to the County Manager for approval.
Ned Perry amended the motion to pass items 1-4 and 8-16. Motion seconded by Chief Vaughan. Item was opposed by vote of 4(Pierce, Roof, Holt, Price) to 2(Perry, Vaughan).
Chief Donald Pierce made motion to refer to the County Manager, accept items 1-4 and 8-16 as written and refer other 5 on-consensus items (A-E) as rewritten by the County Fire Chiefs to County Manager with County Manager to have comments to Fire Commission at next meeting. Motion seconded by Ron Roof. Motion passed 4(Pierce, Roof, Holt, Price) to 2(Perry, Vaughan).
NEW BUSINESS
Meeting Schedule for 2002:
The 2002 Meeting Schedule for the Wake County Fire Commission was mailed to all members for review and comment. Ron Roof motioned to accept the 2002 Meeting Schedule for the Fire Commission. Motion seconded by Darrin Holt. Motion approved unanimously.
(Staff will contact the appropriate County personnel to secure meeting site.)
COMMITTEE REPORTS / COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENT:
Apparatus/Facilities Planning Committee –
CIP Fire Station Recommendations:
Ned Perry gave presentation to the Fire Commission. He distributed a one-page report (blue paper) "Apparatus/Facilities Committee Report for FY 2001 CIP Ranking" and submitted for the record. He then distributed a two-page report (tan paper) "Apparatus/Facilities Committee Report of 10/11/2001" and submitted for the record.
Mr. Perry briefly went over the "Apparatus/Facilities Committee Report of 10/11/2001" with the Fire Commission. Items that are numbered are projects for consideration for this CIP process. Items on the sheet that are not numbered are for information and/or need additional information before a decision can be made on the request.
Mr. Perry made a motion to approve the first ten numbered items on the " Apparatus/Facilities Committee Report of 10/11/2001" report. Chief Tom Vaughan seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
Apparatus/Facilities Planning Committee –
CIP Fire Apparatus Replacement Report:
Chief Vaughan made presentation to the Fire Commission. Stated that he is waiting on information from three more departments.
Apparatus/Facilities Planning Committee –
Proposal for Subcommittee for Fire Apparatus Design:
Mr. Rukavina addressed the Fire Commission. The intent of this subcommittee is to stretch the money as far it will go for good apparatus and apparatus that meets the needs of the department. Members on the subcommittee do not have to be chief officers. Propose that a small group research.
Mr. Perry motioned that the facilitator work with County staff to develop a subcommittee to work on the fire apparatus design. Motion seconded by Ron Roof. Motion passed unanimously.
Apparatus/Facilities Planning Committee—
Proposed Subcommittee for Thermal Imager Selection:
Mr. Rukavina addressed the Fire Commission. Need to get together and decide which thermal imager we are going to buy. Make the dollar to go as far as possible by selecting one vendor. Looking for subcommittee to serve as a product evaluation committee.
Mr. Perry motioned to combine the two subcommittees, Fire Apparatus Design Subcommittee and Thermal Imager Selection Subcommittee. Chief Tom Vaughan seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously.
Staffing Committee –
Status Report:
Chief Vaughan did not have a report for the Fire Commission.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Mr. Rukavina addressed the Fire Commission. When Knightdale was removed from the CIP proposal, massive renovations at Station Number 1 were necessary for code compliance. Have identified two areas that are safety concerns. The Town of Knightdale has approached the situation as a 50/50. Asks that the along with what Mr. Perry recommended today for CIP, appropriate up to $15,000 of CIP revenues to deal with those safety concerns at Knightdale Station #1. This number is based on the information as obtained by Dewey Poole. The bedroom project will cost between $9,000 to $15,000 and the bay project will cost between $6,000 and $12,000. The most this project might run is $30,000.
Ned Perry made motion that based on what we heard that Knightdale will go 50/50 with us and that both projects can be completed with $30,000. We add $15,000 as a CIP item to what we have already addressed earlier today. Seconded by Chief Vaughan. Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mr. Rukavina made editorial comment that he has been working with the Contract Committee since June. Everybody that I have worked with has the best interests of the fire service at heart. It's been a pleasure working with the fire department representatives on this, even when we have not agreed. Firefighters are known for their ability to argue about issues, and that debate ultimately sheds more light than heat. I'm confident that we'll continue to work well together on routine and controversial issues.
Dewey Poole mentioned that Cathy Lohr is a candidate for the Wake County Fire Commission.
Cathy Lohr commented that she has worked with many fire departments across the state. Did not think there's anybody in this room who doesn't have absolutely the top priority for the people within Wake County. Commend you for having the Commission and thank you for this opportunity to be with you.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chief Vaughan motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Ned Perry. Motion approved unanimously.
Handouts:
- Apparatus/Facilities Committee Meeting report (FY 2001)[blue paper]
- Apparatus/Facilities Committee Report of 10-11-01[tan paper]
- Report to the Fire Commission from the Contract Amendment Committee – amended 10/25/2001
ACTIONS OF THE WAKE COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION:
Ned Perry motioned to approve the July 19, 2001, Minutes. Motion seconded by Donald Pierce. The Wake County Fire Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the July 19, 2001, meeting.
Chief Pierce motioned that the Fire Commission accepts contract amendments 1-4 and 8-16 and that items A – E not be accepted. Mr. Rukavina requested this item be delayed until Mr. David Cooke, County Manager, could join the Fire Commission. Chief Vaughan motioned to delay the item. Seconded by Ron Roof. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Vaughan motioned for a recess so members could review the " updated" Contract Committee report. Motion seconded by Chief Pierce. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Donald Pierce motioned to pass items 1-4 and 8-16 of the Contract Committee report and to send to the County Manager for approval and to send the non-consensus items of A-E to the County Manager for approval.
Ned Perry amended the motion to pass items 1-4 and 8-16. Motion seconded by Chief Vaughan. Item was opposed by vote of 4(Pierce, Roof, Holt, Price) to 2(Perry, Vaughan).
Chief Donald Pierce made motion to refer to the County Manager, accept items 1-4 and 8-16 as written and refer other 5 on-consensus items (A-E) as rewritten by the County Fire Chiefs to County Manager with County Manager to have comments to Fire Commission at next meeting. Motion seconded by Ron Roof. Motion passed 4(Pierce, Roof, Holt, Price) to 2(Perry, Vaughan).
The 2002 Meeting Schedule for the Wake County Fire Commission was mailed to all members for review and comment. Ron Roof motioned to accept the 2002 Meeting Schedule for the Fire Commission. Motion seconded by Darrin Holt. Motion approved unanimously.
Mr. Perry made a motion to approve the first ten numbered items on the " Apparatus/Facilities Committee Report of 10/11/2001" report. Chief Tom Vaughan seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
Mr. Perry motioned that the facilitator work with County staff to develop a subcommittee to work on the fire apparatus design. Motion seconded by Ron Roof. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Perry motioned to combine the two subcommittees, Fire Apparatus Design Subcommittee and Thermal Imager Selection Subcommittee. Chief Tom Vaughan seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously.
Ned Perry made motion that based on what we heard that Knightdale will go 50/50 with us and that both projects can be completed with $30,000. We add $15,000 as a CIP item to what we have already addressed earlier today. Seconded by Chief Vaughan. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Vaughan motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Ned Perry. Motion approved unanimously.