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Home My WebLink About2021-04-14 Fire Commission MinutesHAWAII FIRE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES APRIL 14, 2021 WEST HAWAII CIVIC CENTER, BUILDING G CONFERENCE ROOM CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Vice Chair Luke called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. Present: Corey Luke, Vice Chair Benjamin Agdeppa, Commissioner Gregory Henkel, Commissioner Kyle Keamo, Commissioner Shon Magsalin, Commissioner Wesley Mattos, Commissioner Gene Nakashima, Commissioner Daniel Paleka, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also present: Darwin Okinaka, Assistant Chief Kazuo Todd, Battalion Chief Elizabeth Strance, Corporation Counsel Rene Schoen, Deputy Corporation Counsel Dalilah Schlueter, Deputy Corporation Counsel J Yoshimoto, Deputy Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS ROBERT BECKER came before the commission and read his written testimony on the selection process and his support of Kazuo Todd. His testimony is on file. APPROVAL OF MINUTES • February 10, 2021, regular session and executive session: Commissioner Henkel motioned to approve the regular and executive session minutes. Commissioner Nakashima seconded. Discussion: Commissioner Paleka asked to amend the minutes to show that he was present during both sessions. Vice Chair Luke stated that he has a comment on the executive session minutes. He motioned to go into executive session to discuss the February 10 executive session minutes. Commissioner Paleka seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 9:13 a.m. Open session reconvened at 9:35 a.m. Vice Chair Luke stated that they went into executive session to discuss sections of the executive session minutes. After listening to the recording, he accepts the Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes April 14, 2021 Page 2 February minutes. Commissioner Henkel motioned to accept the minutes of February 10, 2021, regular and executive sessions. Commissioner Nakashima seconded, and it carried unanimously. Commissioner Paleka motioned to table the acceptance of the minutes of March 10. Vice Chair Luke seconded. Discussion: Commissioner Henkel stated this is so they could review the complete minutes. The motion carried unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION The commission will meet in executive session to review, discuss and finalize the selection of the new Fire Chief where matters affecting privacy will be involved and may consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities pursuant to HRS 92- 5 (a) (2) and (4) and the Hawaii County Charter Section 13-20 (b). Vice Chair Luke stated that Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Strance requested to speak to the commission in executive session. Vice Chair Luke motioned to meet in executive session. Commissioner Henkel seconded. Discussion: Ms. Schoen suggested that when making a motion to go into executive session, they state the reason for going into executive session, which is to consult with corporation counsel. It is stated on the agenda. The motion to go into executive session to consult with Corporation Counsel carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 9:45 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 11:53 a.m. Recess was called. The meeting reconvened at 12:03 p.m. Vice Chair Luke stated that the order of the agenda will be changed. NEW BUSINESS 1. Selection of the Fire Chief with start date Commissioner Henkel motioned to set aside the fire chief ratification vote of March 10, 2021. Commissioner Nakashima seconded, and it carried unanimously. Commissioner Paleka motioned that they vote for the fire chief by ballot and his start date will be immediately. Commissioner Mattos seconded, and it carried unanimously. Discussion: Vice Chair Luke stated that the commissioners will put their name on the ballot along with their selected candidate. The ballot will be turned in to the secretary and corporation counsel will read out the votes. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes April 14, 2021 Page 3 The ballots were collected, and Deputy Corporation Counsel J Yoshimoto called out the votes: Magsalin: Todd Paleka: Todd Henkel: Perreira Mattos: Todd Keamo: Perreira Nakashima: Bergin Agdeppa: Todd Deputy Corporation Counsel Yoshimoto stated that Kazuo Todd received 5 votes. Commissioner Paleka motioned to appoint Kazuo Todd for Fire Chief based on the balloting, and he is to start immediately. Commissioner Agdeppa seconded, and it carried unanimously. 2. Election of Chair of the Fire Commission for 2021 Commissioner Keamo nominated Greg Henkel as chair. He stated that Mr. Henkel served as chair of the commission in the past. He has a good voice of reason and would be a good chair for the Fire Commission. Commissioner Mattos nominated Corey Luke as chair. Commissioner Nakashima motioned to close the nominations. Commissioner Henkel seconded, and it carried unanimously. Commissioner Keamo motioned to select Greg Henkel as the next chair. Commissioner Nakashima seconded. Discussion: Commissioner Keamo stated that his reasons were previously stated. Commissioner Henkel stated that he would be honored to be chair, and his priority is protecting the Fire Department. Ayes were called by Nakashima, Keamo, and Henkel. The motion died. Commissioner Paleka motioned to select Corey Luke as chair. Commissioner Agdeppa seconded. Discussion: Corey Luke stated that he would be pleased to be chair, having all commissioners with clear voices, and seeing the best interest in the Fire Department. Ayes were called by Agdeppa, Mattos, Luke, Paleka, Magsalin. The motion carried. Corey Luke will serve as chair for the remainder of the year. Chair Luke stated that they will select a vice chair at the next meeting. Recess was called at 12:18 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 1:13 p.m. Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes April 14, 2021 Page 4 3. Fire Chief's Report Newly appointed Fire Chief Kazuo Todd along with Assistant Chief Darwin Okinaka came before the commission. The commission reviewed the Chief's written report and portions were briefly highlighted: • Budget: AC Okinaka stated that they have a surplus due to reimbursements from Cares Funding. Their Accountant IV Melanio Lorenzo moved to another department. They had their budget hearing with the County Council yesterday. It was a great meeting, and they had good questions. They are public safety, and they want to get the support they need. He doesn't know if the surplus due Cares Funding goes back to the General Fund. • Alternative Funding and Grants: AC Okinaka stated that AC Smith and BC Honda are working on supplementary grants. They submitted an application for the SAFER Grant which is for 6 captains and 3 FF positions. Through the Sayre Foundation, an anonymous donor donated an off-road tanker, and it was delivered to the South Kohala station. They will also be receiving another off- road tanker through an anonymous donor via the Sayre Foundation. • Human Resources Division: AC Okinaka stated that they are looking at WSO summer hires in May and permanent hires in June. WSO III promotion will be made on April 16. Ten WSO candidates successfully completed the PAE on April 6. In response to a question about dispatch positions, Chief Todd stated that Dispatcher IIIs are the supervisors. They need 8 people to staff a normal day. Training takes about a year. There is about 20% retention. Not many people are interested in that salary point. Our dispatchers get $17/hr. Helco dispatchers get paid $24/hr. The dispatcher center is high tech. They spent $30,000 for equipment. It's difficult work, and standards are high. This week is National Tele -communicator's week. • Emergency Operations Division: AC Okinaka reported that two bids have been awarded for rescue watercrafts. The Sayre Foundation said they received funding for two more. They got iPads for Ocean Safety. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Luke stated that he would like to add to the next month's agenda: • Review of the March minutes • Election of vice chair • Meetings via Webex • Training on the Sunshine Law, parliamentary procedures, ethics, powers, duties and functions of fire commission Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes April 14, 2021 Page 5 Chair Luke announced that the next meeting is scheduled for May 12, 2021, in the Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St., Hilo, Hawaii. ADJOURNMENT Chair Luke motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Nakashima seconded, and it carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: COREY LUKE, CHAIR