June 17, 2009 board Meeting
1. Call to order.
** Note: There was not a quorum until 7:15 when Gary Selig arrived. Gary was at service for the death of a friend.
The Board meeting was called to order at 7:15 pm.
Rick Parker was the Chairman for the meeting.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call of the Board Members.
Board Members Present:
Gary Selig Rick Parker Randy James
Board Members Absent:
William Dunlap Sr
Dan Atkinson
4. Approval of the Minutes: May 20, 2009
There was a motion by Randy James to approve the minutes of the regular Board Meeting of May 20, 2009. There was a second by Gary Selig and the vote was unanimous.
5. REPORTS
a. Financial Report
The Financial Reports were presented by Tina Dillahunty. Tina went over the reports. Tina stated that we have billed on some wildland assignments and on one accident on the highway.
b. Administration Report
The Administration Report was given by Tina Dillahunty. Tina stated that we are in the process of getting ready for the new year and doing some yearend items.
c. Auxiliary Report
The Auxiliary Report was given by Tina Dillahunty.
At the Open House on May 30th, the Auxiliary sold 8 Summit Fire mugs and 9 cookbooks.
At the Car Show on June 13th, the Auxiliary sold 11 Summit Fire mugs and 7 cookbooks.
The Auxiliary is working on another fund-raiser, Summer Swap Meets, which will be held on the 4th Saturday of June, July, August and September. There are over 40 spaces available for just $10 per space. We will not be
providing tables – just the space to sell their items. Anyone interested, please contact Peggy.
A special “Thank you” to Mike Boehm, Rich Jamison, Chuck Bain and Reuben Gibbs for putting up the Swap Meet banner and making the display for it.
d. Local 1505 Report
There was no Local 1505 Report.
e. Firefighter’s Association Report
There was no Firefighter Association report.
6. CALL TO THE PUBLIC
There was no answer to the call to the public.
7. PURCHASE REQUESTS
a. 2006 Chevy Crew Cab
Chief Howard requested to purchase a 2006 Chevy 3500 Crew Cab for the Fuels Crew at a cost of $22,936 plus tax. Don discussed the truck we were looking at previously. This is a truck we found in Utah. There was
discussion of the truck. There was a motion by Randy James to purchase the 2006 Chevy 3500 Crew Cab at a cost of $22,936 plus tax. There was a second by Gary Selig and the vote was unanimous.
8. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
a. Run Report
The run report was given by Chief Don Howard. There were 68 calls to service for the month of May. Don talked about a call yesterday. Don stated that it was a hardship on the firefighters, the community and the department.
This was a call for a possible heart attack. The call was for Station 31. As the engine pulled in the gentleman shot himself in front of the crew. He did die on scene. The crew consisted of Carlos Luna, Chris Zambeck and Joe
Canizales. Rick Parker asked how the crew was doing. Don stated that they are doing fine. He has spoken to them and will speak with them again tomorrow. Gary stated that he would like to go by and thank the crew and that
the family of the man would like to convey their thanks.
b. Date for the Budget Adoption meeting.
Don stated that we need to set a date for a meeting to adopt the budget. Randy James stated that this stemmed from the Budget Advisory Sub Committee. He wanted a meeting on June 7th. Randy discussed his feeling of how
one person tries to dictate how we do this. Randy stated that we have discussed this and we know where we are headed. We have posted the budget at a 2.4 mil rate and we can go down if needed. Randy stated that he had
the majority report done. Randy discussed how he only wanted a budget workshop when the Advisory Sub Committee was formed. We spent three meetings educating people. Randy stated that his time is very valuable. Randy
stated that if the Budget Advisory Sub Committee continues he is not sure he wants to be on it. He would like to see a workshop. Randy stated that he is willing to discuss this tonight. Gary Selig apologized for being late. There
was a discussion of when the date could be. There was a discussion of Gary being on Vacation but available by phone. The Board decided to set the meeting for Monday, June 22nd at 6:00 p.m.
Randy James stated that as a point of interest he felt that one person caused this and his goal is to base what is best for the District as a whole.
c. Open House
Chief Howard stated that our open house was outstanding. Special thanks to Joann Benninghoff, Peggy McClure, Charles Kwiatkowski, Tara Paprocki and John Wesbrock. It was really great. Don stated that he was at a
funeral for most of it but from all accounts it was wonderful. Tina Dillahunty stated that Tara and Charles did a great job as the clowns. Rick Parker stated that everyone had a great time. Randy stated that Joann and Peggy were
there and that is the great culture that Don has instilled. Sometimes they don’t get the recognition they deserve.
d. Captain’s Testing
Chief Howard stated that we have completed our Captain’s testing. Fernando Hernandez, Brian Walsh and John Wesbrock have been selected. Don stated that three of them were here for a more senior period of time. There
were eight that went through all of the testing. Congratulations to all of them. Don stated that we will have a pinning of the Captains. Randy James asked if we have a blueprint of promotions. How do we determine when and
how we promote? Don stated that there is a Captain at each station. We have had acting Captains at one station since July 1st. We chose to test and had some problems and tested again. It took longer than we anticipated. We
have one Captain for every station. Even with delays the target effective date is July 1st.
e. Legislative Update
Chief Howard gave a legislative update. Don stated that he is concerned with what is going on. The House and the Senate have passed a Fireworks bill against the recommendations from AFDA, AFCA, the State Fire Marshall’s
Office and a long list of other people. Don stated that he is concerned with what is going on and is not sure where everything stands. Included in the budget is a proposal to remove State liability in funding to schools and special
district and that liability is passed on to property owners. Don discussed how that could cause tax on a $200,000 home to go up $400. Don stated that he is not sure how this will impact municipalities. There are a number of bills
that the Senate is hearing. Some are FDAT and growth limiting related. The Governor was going to make a request to the State Supreme Court that the Legislature provide her with the Budget bills. The Office of the State Fire
Marshall works with the Department of Building and Life Safety. They have a total of 54 positions and are down by 15 positions. Last week they removed additional people. This will push training levels back to 1995 due to
understaffing. Don stated that he doesn’t know how this will play out. Sales tax has been a huge issue. Gary Selig asked about Proposition 13 Arizona. Don stated that we will know more about that issue on July 1st when they
file a financial statement. Don discussed the shifting of funding from the State to the homeowner and how it concerns him. Randy James stated that there are so many renters around they don’t care about property taxes. It will be
tough to get that going. There was a discussion of the legislation regarding fireworks. Don discussed a fire caused by fireworks years ago. Don stated that it can be very dangerous and he is concerned in the interface areas.
Cities can override this but Counties can’t. There was further discussion of fireworks. Don stated that legislatively we don’t know where we are at yet.
f. Budget posting and publishing
Chief Howard stated that the budget was posted on 5/21/09 and published on May 27th and June 9th.
g. Bear Jaw Module
Deputy Chief Sam Whitted stated that the Bear Jaw Module spent eleven days at the South rim of the Grand Canyon on the Game Reserve Fire and the Ruby Complex. Engine 362 spent twelve days there. Sam stated that it
looks like the prescribed fires are on the drawing board again. We are behind where we would like to be. We had an evaluation on the engine crew and it was a glowing report and upholds our reputation. The Bear Jaw Module
is operating at an extremely high level. Chief Howard discussed our medic gear on the wildland trucks. Don stated that a person was injured on a quad and our guys treated and started an IV. They were glad we were there.
Sam stated that there have been a couple of incidents on assignments where we have paramedics on the crews. They need to have their tools. They won’t be at the same level as our first out engines but it will allow them to
operate as medics. Gary Selig asked about the ability to communicate with the doctors and hospital. Sam stated that they have the ability to act and patch in as soon as possible. There was further discussion of the Bear Jaw
Module. Dirk would like to bring in the crew and make a presentation to the whole Board. They are working on a report for the Board. Sam discussed the information that would be in the report. Chief Howard discussed his
assignment just outside of Globe.
h. Other
Chief Howard read a letter from Mark Anton of the Sheriff’s office thanking Summit for our assistance with two short haul rescues on 6/7 and 6/8 and recognizing Brian Walsh for his outstanding work ethics and patient care on
6/8. The letter stated that “Had not Walsh arrived to assist me with patient care, I feel the patient’s health could have gone from critical to fatal.” (See attached letter)
Don stated that we did get the ISO rating for Fort Valley. We went from a class 9 to a class 3. There was a discussion of the ISO rating. Don stated that 40% of the evaluation is the water distribution system. There was a
discussion of the evaluation. Rick asked about the people out there that still contract with the City. This rating only affects those residents within the Fort Valley Fire District. Don stated that the change will take place September
1st.
Chief Howard stated that the Navajo Army Depot opened a new station that is environmentally friendly. Don stated that we went to the Grand Opening.
Don stated that he met with the County and representatives from the Navajo Nation and people doing the design for traffic in and out of a planned casino that will be two miles east of the Twin Arrows turn off at Mile Post 219.
They anticipate 10,000 vehicles per day. Don stated that he is not sure how serious they are in speaking with Summit to provide Fire and EMS. There was a discussion of the project. There was a discussion of water availability
in that area. Don discussed the sub division plans at Twin Arrows. Don stated that it would include 1200 homes on acre lots. They are looking to build affordable homes. There is the possibility of a commercial strip mall. Don
discussed how the owner of the land for the sub division would like to transfer some of the costs for Fire and EMS to the Navajo Nation. Don stated that he doesn’t know how this will play out. There was further discussion of
the Twin Arrows area and Padre Canyon. There was a discussion of issues that held up the projects. Don stated that the casino changed the completion of the area. Phase one is the casino. There are planning a hotel and a large
conference center.
Chief Howard stated that there is some construction planned on I-40 a couple miles East of Walnut Canyon. It will result in the closing of the Cosnino intersection for a couple of months. There is a scheduled resurfacing of
Highway 89 to start shortly.
9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Letter from a resident
Chief Howard stated that Bob Braatz requested that his letter be read at the Board meeting. Chief Howard read the letter, see attached. Randy James stated that statutes dictate we can do this. There is nothing wrong or immoral
about it. There is nothing in the statutes that says we must go down. Randy stated that in answer to the capital carry forward, we cut back on a lot of stuff this year to carry forward to get through the next few years. Randy stated
that he thinks it will be close. Randy stated that as for the mechanic, we went without one for many years. We are not to the point we need one. Randy stated that in as for the COLA for Social Security, this is the first time in 35
years they are not getting a COLA. We did the right thing not to give a COLA. We are not greedy. We are trying to ride this dip out. Randy stated that he is not scared someone else is going to run. Randy stated he has done
what is in the best interest of everyone concerned. It looks like the capital carry forward will be more than anticipated. We will be taking some of the capital carry forward and looking at financing a maintenance facility and
training site. Randy stated that before we do we will have estimates on savings for a maintenance facility. We should have the mechanic write a report. There was discussion of the putting the maintenance facility and training site in
the budget and reducing the capital carry forward. These items would be financed. The Board instructed Tina Dillahunty to move the amount designated by the chief to be finance for the maintenance facility and the training facility
from capital carry forward to the appropriate categories in the budget.
Rick Parker stated that he would like to address the comment about the Union. The comment stated “The Summit Fire Board appears to be greedy, and more inclined to trying to appease the union than its Summit Fire District
constituency,” Rick stated that it had nothing to do with the Union. Rick stated that they are our employees and it is his contention that we can afford step increases now and may not be able to afford it in the future. We are not
bowing to the union. We did it because they are our employees.
Randy James stated that his point is that if we don’t give a raise this year when do we do it. Inflation will raise its head in the future.
10. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
11. ACTION ITEMS
a. CUP for Training Site at Station 32
Chief Howard stated it would cost $1700 to submit to the County to see if we can do the Training Site. We have to submit for a Conditional Use Permit and submit architectural drawings. This is not a facility. It is a small site.
The City of Flagstaff has closed Station 3 so we can no longer use their facility. The new Wildcat facility is farther away and there would be overtime costs. This site would have to be engineers so that we make sure it won’t
collapse. There was a discussion of doing this in conjunction with Highlands. There was a discussion that the City of Flagstaff charges for the use of their facilities. Randy James asked about construction projects and there was a
discussion of apparatus. Don stated that we won’t have the funding to do everything we want to do over the next four years. There was further discussion of the Training Site project and the design. Rick Parker stated that the
City will take down the training facility at Station 3 and he will see if they will donate the steps. Randy James stated that over the next four years we will still have all these trucks and we may need to get the Mechanic facility built.
Randy stated that we need to get solid numbers to show the need for the training site. There was a discussion of the cost of the Training Site. Don stated that the cost would be about $50,000 and we would look to finance it.
Gary Selig stated that Chief Howard has the authority to spend the $1700 to see if we can do the Training Site. Randy James discussed the step increases. Randy stated that he was never in favor of the step increase. He prefers
a merit increase. Don stated that this would be another major discussion. There was a discussion of the step increase and the evaluation process. Rick Parker stated that problem is not with honest evaluations. It is that multiple
captains are giving evaluations. There was a discussion that the Education policy needs to get solved and the issue done.
12. CALL TO THE PUBLIC
No answer
13. REQUEST TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Chief Howard made a request to go into executive session to deal with a personnel issue pursuant to ARS 38-431.03(a)(1). There was a motion by Gary Selig to go into Executive Session and a second by Randy James. The
Board took a five minute break and went into the Executive Session at 9:15pm.
The Board called the meeting back to order at 10:30 pm.
14. ADJOURNMENT
There was a motion to adjourn by Rick Parker and a second by Randy James . The vote was unanimous and the meeting adjourned at 10:38 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tina Dillahunty
Respectfully Submitted,
Tina Dillahunty
June 22, 2009 board Meeting
1. Call to order.
The Board meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call of the Board Members.
Board Members Present:
Dan Atkinson Gary Selig (on speaker phone) Rick Parker
Randy James William Dunlap Sr.
Board Members Absent:
none
4. CALL TO THE PUBLIC
There was no answer to the call to the public.
5. ACTION ITEMS
a. 2009/2010 Fiscal year budget
Don Howard stated that we did include a maintenance facility and training site in the budget if we choose to move forward with it. We show financing for the Trianing Site at $50,000 for three years and the shop at $200,000 for
five years with one payment in this budget. There was a motion by Rick Parker to approve the budget as written, published and posted. There was a second by Randy James and the vote was unanimous.
b. 2009/2010 mil Rate
Randy James stated that as a point of interest they are here for one reason tonight. Randy stated that one man decided to write a minority report and needed more time to talk to people. This was announced to the Board at the
April Board Meeting. Randy stated that he tried to have the meeting on May 7th but was over ruled and that is the reason we are meeting tonight. Randy stated that he thinks one man has influenced the Board and we are here
wasting time to get this done. Randy stated that we talked about the budget at length at the May meeting. Randy stated that he would be open to a discussion on setting a mil rate.
Dan Atkinson stated that he is still interested in the 2.3 mil rate to respond to people interested in decreasing their taxes. This is a little thing we can do something about. Dan stated that we discussed a hiring freeze and trimmed
the budget. Dan stated that he is still in favor of lowering the mil rate to 2.3.
Rick Parker stated that we had quite a discussion in May. Rick stated that he is here to support the people he perceives as satisfied the way we are running things. At that time he voted to keep the mil rate at 2.4 and that is where
he stands today.
Randy James stated that if we stay at 2.4 we will lower the taxes a bit because over the board the assessed valuation went down by 3%. Randy discussed his concerns with the future assessed values and stated that if he is wrong
we can go down to a 2.3 later. Randy suggested staying at 2.4 for this year.
Bill Dunlap stated that he is concerned with the next 2-5 years and is afraid that if we go to a 2.3 we will get behind the curve. Bill stated that if you do the math, as a group it will be a slight decrease and he is for staying with a 2.4
mil rate.
Gary Selig stated that he is also for a 2.4 mil rate. Gary stated that he realizes that Dan’s point is to make a political statement. Gary stated that he can’t see going down and having to jump up right away. Gary discussed some of
the needs the department has. Gary stated that every dollar in the budget doesn’t necessarily need to be spent but we need to pay attention to the forecasters. Gary stated that it is easier to take the heat now than raise the mil rate
next year.
There was a motion by Rick Parker to set the mil rate at 2.4 for fiscal year 2009/2010. There was a second by Randy James. The vote was taken and there were four in favor and Dan Atkinson opposed.
6. CALL TO THE PUBLIC
There was no answer to the call to the public.
7. ADJOURNMENT
There was a motion to adjourn by Rick Parker and a second by Randy James. The vote was unanimous and the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tina Dillahunty
