2022-04-13 Fire Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes April 13, 2022 Page 2 EXECUTIVE SESSION (CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC) Commissioner Paleka motioned to meet in executive session to consider complaints against employees of the fire department, where matters affecting privacy will be involved and for the purpose of consulting with the commission's attorney on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities pursuant to HRS Sections 92-5, (a) (2) (4) (6) and the Hawaii County Charter 13-20 (b). Vice Chair Agdeppa seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 9:08 a.m. Motion to reconvene open session made by Commissioner Henkel, seconded by Commissioner Paleka, and it carried unanimously. Regular session reconvened at 9:50 a.m. Motion made by Commissioner Henkel to table the matter discussed in executive session to after 11:00 a.m., to allow the complainant the opportunity to testify. Seconded by Commissioner Paleka, all in favor, and it carried unanimously. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Fire Chief Todd highlighted items from his written report. Detailed reports are on file. • Highlights for March: There was a major structure fire at Uncle Billy's Hotel. A lightning storm started some fires and a lightning bolt struck Station 1/Dispatch radio communication tower, which knocked out the dispatch CAD system and Station 1's electrical power. They had union meetings over the Dispatch Captain position, this has gone out for recruitment, and they hope to have someone selected by the next meeting. There was a farewell lunch for Volunteer Firefighter Lizzy Stabo. • Budget: FY 2022-2023 HFD's total budget is $56,343,977, of which $18,797,158 is grant funded. Their budget increased by $3.8 million from last year. Three (3) new positions created in FY 2022 are funded in the new budget. These positions include a Fire captain in Dispatch, an Information Systems Analyst IV, and an Accountant I. They gained five (5) new positions: three (3) Clerk III positions, a Safety Specialist II, and a Fire Communications Officer III (trainer). 11 part-time Water Safety Officer II positions in South Hilo, Puna and Kau are now full-time positions. FY 2021-2022 total spending through March 31, 2022, is at 88.38% with 75% of the fiscal year completed. Salaries & wages closed at 86.68% in fire and OCE (operating capital expenditures) closed at 101.88%. Mana Road Fire expenditures and the costs of numerous brush fires continue to skew OCE expenditures. BUDGET PRESENTATION Fire Chief Todd highlighted items from their county council budget presentation. • Deanna Sako approved Chief Todd's request to restructure the department's budget. Numbers have changed from 6221-6228; the purpose of this was to move