2019-08-21 Fire Commission Regular Minutes

Home

HAWAII FIRE COMMISSION MINUTES OF AUGUST 21, 2019 WEST HAWAII CIVIC CENTER 74-5044 ANE KEOHOKALOLE HWY, KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII CALL TO ORDER Chair Henkel called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Gregory Henkel, Chair Ralph Yawata, Vice Chair Kyle Keamo, Commissioner Donna Payesko, Commissioner Marcella St. Ambrogio, Commissioner Scott Susman, Commissioner Robert Yamada, Commissioner A quorum was present Also present: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief Lance Uchida, Deputy Fire Chief John Bertsch, Volunteer Commander Rene Schoen, Assistant Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JULY 10, 2019 Commissioner Yamada motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner St. Ambrogio seconded. Discussion: Fire Chief Rosario asked to clarify his statement in the minutes on page 5. He wanted to point out that more was said then just the summarized minutes, and he didn't want anyone to misinterpret this. He further stated that there is no way that any fire personnel would have access to interview questions. The motion carried unanimously with no changes to the minutes. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Fire Chief Rosario highlighted items from his written report: Budget and Finance 2019/2020: Their $5.4 million overtime budget has not been approved, same for all departments. This includes earmarked contractual overtime, personnel shortage, search and rescue, and fire incidents. They have not been able to approve overtime for training which needs to be done off-duty. Commissioner Yamada stated that it looks like the Mayor and County Council want to put another check on the Fire Department and have the department request the funds. They were under a lot of scrutiny, especially after last year's natural disasters. The funds are there, but they want another additional check.