Thursday, July 17, 2008
(Audio Replays of the meeting are available upon request)
A meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission was held on Thursday, July 17, 2008, 7 p.m., in the Wake County EMS Training Facility, Carya Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chair Ann Suggs called the meeting to order.
The following members were present: Vice Chair Lucius Jones, Chief Tom Vaughan, Mr. Billy Myrick, Chief Mark Haraway, Chief Cecil Parker, Commissioner Paul Coble, Mr. Bryan Lane, and Mr. Bill Gatewood.
Members absent were: Chief Chris Wilson, Chief Mike Cooper, Chief Tony Mauldin, Senator Vernon Malone, Chief Rodney Privette, and Chief Scott McCollum.
County staff present were: Fire/Rescue Services Director Raymond Echevarria, Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Perry, Facilities Project Manager Mike Aull, and Public Safety Manager Demetric Potts.
Commissioner Coble gave an invocation.
MINUTES
The minutes of the May 8, 2008, regular meeting were presented. Mr. Myrick made a motion, seconded by Chief Haraway to approve the minutes as presented.
The minutes of the June 4, 2008, special-called meeting were presented. Chief Parker made a motion, seconded by Chief Haraway to approve the minutes as presented.
REGULAR AGENDA
FACILITY COMMITTEE
Chief Brinson provided an update on the fire station dormitory project. Design work continues for dormitory improvements and sprinkler installations. Eastern Wake Fire Station #2 was found to be in compliance with the dormitory guidelines and has been moved to phase 2 of the sprinkler retrofit project. Design work will continue on the stations on the closure evaluation list; however, the actual construction work will be bid as an alternate.
Director Echevarria presented a report on the Southeast Wake County fire station project. He outlined the project objectives, strategy, sites explored and advantages for the recommended location on Spaceway Court. Mike Aull presented information on findings during the site selection and evaluation process.
Chief Brinson informed the Fire Commission the Facility Committee recommended supporting purchase of the site.
Discussion followed regarding a partnership with the Town of Garner. Fire Commission members expressed an interest in protecting the fire tax investment in the project.
Chief Vaughan made a motion to accept the Facility Committee recommendations, including bringing the interlocal agreement back to the Fire Commission for comments. Chief Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Chief Brinson provided an update on the property for the Wendell Falls area. The previously identified site has been determined to be inadequate; however, another site has been identified and is being evaluated.
Chief Brinson informed the Fire Commission that the Town of Fuquay-Varina Fire Department has requested funding for a station renovation project at Fuquay Fire Station #1. Chief Mauldin has been advised to submit his request as part of the capital budget projects.
Chief Brinson asked the Fire Commission to revisit the moratorium placed on construction projects including the Bay Leaf fire station reconstruction project and determine if station construction can resume. Mr. Bryan Lane made a motion that the moratorium be lifted and to proceed with the Bay Leaf fire station reconstruction. There was no second to the motion and discussion cannot continue without one. Chair Suggs offered a second to the motion. After much discussion regarding ownership of the station, the motion was withdrawn until a formal agreement is made between the department and County regarding ownership of the station and land.
APPARATUS COMMITTEE
Chief Woods provided information on upcoming changes to the fire apparatus standard and new technologies to reduce diesel exhaust particulates. Both of these changes impact the cost of future replacement apparatus.
Chief Woods informed the Fire Commission that the Apparatus Committee will develop a plan to evaluate each apparatus prior to replacement. The plan will be brought back for review and consideration of Fire Commission approval.
FIRE COMMISSION COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
Director Echevarria presented a report from the ad-hoc committee on revising the committee structure. The committee recommends that voting membership on the standing committees be limited to one fire service representative per region. The ad-hoc committee’s recommendation also limits the number of committees that one person can be on to a maximum of two committees.
Feedback was requested from the Fire Commission. There was no opposition expressed to the recommendations. A draft of revised Rules of Procedure will be presented to the Fire Commission in September.
INFORMATION AGENDA
CHAIR REPORT
Director Echevarria presented the chair’s report. Director Echevarria informed the Fire Commission that meeting with the County Manager has been set to discuss funding for the retirement program and the 2.5% collection fee. The meeting is scheduled for next week and involves representatives from the Fire Commission.
FIRE/RESCUE DIRECTOR REPORT
Ray Echevarria reported that Mike Fletcher has resigned from the Fire Commission.
OTHER BUSINESS
Chief Vaughan asked that the Chair research the County’s policy on conflict of interest related to members of committees or commissions voting for issues related to the agencies that they represent.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chief David Cates presented a request for Western Wake to retain a 2005 Suburban from the closed Western Wake Fire Station #2. Western Wake’s request was denied by the Apparatus Committee and was brought to the Fire Commission in appeal. Chief Woods provided information on the Apparatus Committee’s consideration of the request The consensus of the Fire Commission was a request that the Apparatus Committee review the established small vehicle policy and provide a recommendation to the Fire Commission on the status of the Suburban.
Mr. Myrick requested that the staff send an e-mail to fire departments requesting departments implement fuel conservation measures.
ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business, and without objection, the meeting was adjourned.