2020-03-11 Fire Commission Regular Minutes

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HAWAII FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MARCH 11, 2020 AUPUNI CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM 101 PAUAHI ST., HILO, HAWAII CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Yamada called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. Present: Robert Yamada, Chair Kyle Keamo, Vice Chair Benjamin Agdeppa, Commissioner Gregory Henkel, Commissioner Donna Payesko, Commissioner Marcella St. Ambrogio, Commissioner Ralph Yawata, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also present: Robert Perreira, Assistant Chief Melanio Lorenzo, Accountant Craig Masuda, Deputy Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 12, 2020 Commissioner St. Ambrogio motioned to approve the regular session minutes. Commissioner Henkel seconded, and it carried unanimously. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Assistant Chief Robert Perreira came before the commission. He stated that Chief Rosario is in Idaho inspecting the construction of a new Bulldog apparatus. AC Perreira highlighted items from the Chief' written report as noted below: Budget ✓ FY 2019/2020: Accountant Melanio Lorenzo came before the commission. He stated that through June 2020, they are showing a deficit of $1.6 million. The deficit is mainly due to their overtime budget being reduced over the years. The last few times overtime was cut, it was arbitrary, and then it was status quo. Bargaining unit increases were not reflected in the budget, although they will pay the employees what is due to them. AC Perreira stated that they are requesting support from the Finance Director. A lot of their shortfall is due to not being properly funded, especially in salaries and wages and equipment. Employees are not allowed to take comp time off and must be paid. ✓ FY 2020/2021: Accountant Lorenzo reported that they will appear before the Council in April and would like the commission's support at the meeting. Finance instructed them to present three budgets - status quo, 5% reduction,