Thursday, March 20, 2008

(Audio Replays of the meeting are available upon request)

A meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission was held on Thursday, March 20, 2008, 7 p.m., in the Wake County EMS Training Facility, Carya Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina.

CALL MEETING TO ORDER

Ms. Ann Suggs called the meeting to order.

The following members were present: Ms. Ann Suggs, Chief Tom Vaughan, Chief Tony Mauldin, Mr. Billy Myrick, Mr. Lucius Jones, Chief Chris Wilson, Mr. Bryan Lane, Chief Scott McCollum, Mr. Bill Gatewood,.

Members absent were: Chief Cecil Parker, Chief Mark Haraway, Senator Vernon Malone, Chief Mike Cooper, Mr. Michael Fletcher, Chief Rodney Privette, and Commissioner Paul Coble.

Mr. Myrick gave an invocation.

MINUTES

Being no changes, the minutes of the January 17, 2008 regular meeting stood approved as presented.

Being no changes, the minutes of the February 21, 2008 special-called meeting stood approved as presented.

Being no changes, the minutes of the March 6, 2008 special-called meeting stood approved as presented.

REGULAR AGENDA

APPARATUS COMMITTEE

Chief Roof presented the Apparatus Committee report. The committee has reviewed the tanker specifications and compared the specifications to upcoming changes in apparatus standards. The committee also reviewed the possible impact of new diesel engine requirements.

Mr. Gatewood made a motion, seconded by Chief Mauldin to proceed with bidding of the FY09 Tankers and rebid next year the FY10 Tankers when the NFPA and diesel engine impacts are known by the manufacturers. The motion passed unanimously.

FACILITY COMMITTEE

Chief Brinson presented the Facility Committee report. Chief Brinson presented results from the fire station dormitory project which includes providing sprinkler systems where required by the North Carolina Building Code. The committee requested that the Commission reallocate funds in the amount of $1,200,000 from FY10 to FY09 to facilitate bundling of the dormitory projects.

Chief Brinson provided an update on a fire station in the Southeastern portion of Wake County. A possible site has been identified. The committee requested that the Fire Commission direct staff to continue working to identify the site and work towards acquiring the site.

Chief Brinson provided an update on the Wendell Falls fire station. The proposed site will accommodate a fire/EMS/law enforcement station. The committee requested that the Commission direct staff to purchase the site.

Chief Brinson explained that the Fire Station Repair and Renovation project needs to be put back into the Long Range Plan. The committee requested that the Commission place this project back into the Long Range Plan.

Chief Brinson provided an update on the Fire Station Closure evaluation project.

Chief Vaughan made a motion, seconded by Chief Mauldin to approve the first recommendation moving funds related to the dormitory project. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Myrick made a motion to proceed with the Southeastern Wake County fire station recommendation. Mr. Lane seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Chief Mauldin made a motion to accept the recommendation related to Wendell Falls fire station site acquisition. Mr. Gatewood seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Lane made a motion to put the fire station repair and renovation project back into the Long Range Plan. Mr. Gatewood seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

FIRE COMMISSION COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

Chief Rich presented observations on Fire Commission committee representation. Chief Rich requested that the Commission examine committee representation and take action to be sure that each region is properly represented.

Discussion followed regarding the current rules of procedure and the revisions that occurred approximately one year ago.

Ms. Suggs appointed Chief Rich, Chief Vaughan, Mr. Gatewood, and Ray Echevarria to examine the committee structure and bring recommendations back to the Commission.

INFORMATION AGENDA

FY09 BUDGET PROCESS UPDATE

Jason Horton provided an update of the budget process. Jason presented the calendar and work done to date on developing the FY09 budget. Jason also presented updates on the revenue-neutral tax rate and updated revenue projections.

LONG RANGE BUSINESS PLAN UPDATE

A presentation of the Long Range Business Plan is tentatively scheduled for a Board of Commissioners work session on April 15, 2008. The current plan is that the committee chairs will present the various elements of the business plan.

CHAIR REPORT

No report.

FIRE/RESCUE DIRECTOR REPORT

Ray asked that everyone pay attention to the presented budget calendar and encouraged attendance and to be involved in the budget process. The schedule includes a rescheduled May Fire Commission Meeting to allow for approval prior to the County Manager’s recommendation.

OTHER BUSINESS

None.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

Adjournment

Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.