DRAFT Minutes
(Audio Replays of the meeting are available upon request)
A regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission was held on Thursday, May 13, 2004, 7 p.m., in the EMS Training Classroom located at lower level of the Wake County Commons Building, Carya Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina. Raymond L. Echevarria presided as Facilitator and called the meeting to order.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The following members were present: Chief Mike Chambers, Chief Paul Dunwell, Chief Scottie Harris, Commissioner Harold Webb, Chief Tony Mauldin, Mr. Vernon Malone, Mr. Billy Myrick, Chief Rodney Privette, Ms. Ann Suggs, Chief Mike Cooper, Mr. Lucius Jones, Chief Scott McCollum and Chief Tom Vaughn.
Members absent were: Mr. Cloyce Anders, Mr. Jeff Frazier and Chief Chris Wilson.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Upon motion of Ms. Ann Suggs, seconded by Mr. Billy Myrick, the Fire Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the March 18, 2004, regular meeting.
Upon motion of Mr. Billy Myrick, seconded by Ms. Ann Suggs, the Fire Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the April 15, 2004, Special Called meeting.
Budget/Fire Tax Financial Report
Mr. Ben Canada, Wake County Budget and Management analyst, provided a report on the recommended FY 2005 fire budget. Mr. Canada provided a summary of the budget committee's recommendation for budget appeals. Mr. Canada informed the Fire Commission the recommended salary increase for FY 2005 was adjusted to 3% from 3.5%. Mr. Canada also informed the Fire Commission the revenue projection for FY 2006 is lower.
Mr. Billy Myrick motioned for Fire Commission to recommend that the fire departments that appealed budget recommendations receive the remaining balance of funds appealed, which totals $115,674; these funds would come from excess taxes collected over the past years that were/are being set aside for operating expenses. This does not affect the capital funds. Senator Malone seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 8 – aye, 2 – nay.
Municipal Tax Rates for Fire Service
Mr. Ben Canada provided a handout summarizing equivalent tax rates in municipalities for fire protection. No action needed.
Fire Service Long-Range Business Plan
Raymond Echevarria began discussion of fire service long-range business plan. Ms. Ann Suggs motioned for the Fire Commission to appoint a committee and commit to completing the long-range plan by January 2006. Chief Tony Mauldin seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Unfinished Business
HEERY Report – CIP Prioritization
Mr. Billy Myrick provided an update on the HEERY project. No action needed.
COMPENSATION STUDY
Raymond L. Echevarria provided an update on the compensation study. The committee will be gathering data on life insurance for fire personnel. No action needed.
Open Burning
Raymond Echevarria provided an update on development of open burning rules, regulations and permitting system. Mr. Lucius Jones motioned for the Fire Commission not to recommend adoption of open burning rules. Chief Tom Vaughn seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Communal Property Use Standard Operating Guideline
Raymond Echevarria provided an update on Wake County Public Safety Standard Operating Procedure 310, Use of Communal Property Items Within Wake County Public Safety. No action needed.
New Business
Durham Highway Fire Department Apparatus Replacement
Chief Mike Cooper began discussion and consideration of replacement apparatus for Durham Highway Tanker 8. Chief Cooper requested Fire Commission's support of Durham Highway's apparatus replacement. Chief Vaughn recommended waiting until Long-Range Business Plan Committee meeting and apparatus plan is complete and placing Durham Highway at the top of the list.
Capital Funding and Fire Apparatus
Raymond Echevarria informed the Fire Commission the Long-Range Business Plan Committee will begin work on the apparatus replacement plan.
CAD Transition Meeting
Raymond Echevarria provided a summary of the CAD transition meeting. No action needed.
Appointment of Contract Committee
Public Safety Director John Rukavina began discussion and consideration of appointment of a contract committee. Chief Scottie Harris motioned for the Fire Commission's previous contract committee to convene and review the fire protection contract to see what is working and to see if there are any problems with the provisions agreed to two years ago. Mr. Billy Myrick seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Board of Commissioners Revised Policy Regarding Appointments to County Boards, Commissions, Committees or Authorities
Raymond Echevarria distributed and reviewed the Board of Commissioners revised policy regarding appointments to County boards, commissions, committees or authorities.
Committee Reports
800 MHz/CAD Committee
Chris Perry provided an update on the 800 MHz/CAD Committee.
Budget Committee
Ben Canada provided Budget Committee report during budget report.
Other Business
There was no other business presented to the Fire Commission.
Public Comments
There were no public comments to the Fire Commission.
Adjournment
The next regular meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission is scheduled for Thursday, July 15, 2004, at 7 p.m.