Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-08 Fire Commission Regular Minutes REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MARCH 8, 2017 AUPUNI CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM CALL TO ORDER Chair Robert Becker called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Robert Becker, Chair Scott Susman, Vice Chair David De Luz, Jr., Commissioner Denise Laitinen, Commissioner Kimo Lee, Commissioner Donna Payesko, Commissioner Marcella St. Ambrogio, Commissioner Mapuana Waipa, Commissioner Ralph Yawata, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also Present: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief Melanio Lorenzo, Accountant John Bertsch, Volunteer Commander Renee Schoen, Assistant Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner De Luz motioned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Waipa seconded, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None.) Chief Rosario introduced John Bertsch, the new Volunteer Commander. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 8, 2017, regular session: Commissioner Waipa motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioners St. Ambrogio seconded, and it carried unanimously. February 8, 2017, executive session: Vice Chair Susman motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner De Luz seconded, and it carried unanimously. REPORT Chief Rosario thanked Commissioner Lee for his service on the Fire Commission. His term ended, and this was his last meeting. Chief Rosario highlighted items on his written report: Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes March 8, 2017 Page 2 Budget and Finance FY 2016/17: Accountant Melanio Lorenzo was present to answer questions and give clarity to the budget and finance. He stated that transfers of funds come from County Finance. Commissioner De Luz stated that they need to educate people that they do not have control over contract collective bargaining costs. When they cut back on staffing, services are also cut back. He suggested having footnotes to explain transfers of funds. Chief Rosario stated that they have been directed to cut back and to have a balance for the next fiscal year. FY 2017/2018: Chief Rosario reported that they were told to cut 5% from their budget. They cut 5.75% without cutting Salaries & Wages. They were then directed to make more cuts. $2.8 million have now been cut from operations and overtime. The new budget does not account for any potential contractual raises. The Fire Department has to deal with unions for fire fighters, ocean safety, and office staff. None of their supplemental requests were approved. All county departments are been affected by budget cuts. Alternative Funding and Grants 2017 CDBG: The Pahala apparatus is expected to be completed in October. 2015 AFG Grant: A notice to proceed was issued to the vendor for the replacement of the self-contained breathing apparatus inventory. 2017 CDBG: The approved Paradise Park apparatus application was submitted before the due date. The project was not approved by the Mayor, and the opportunity for the grant passed. Human Resources Division: Six personnel will be promoted to Fire/EMS Specialist II on March 1. They received a list of qualified applicants for Fire Radio Dispatcher I, st and interviews are pending. Seventeen firefighter recruits will start on May 1. They now have 30 people eligible for retirement. Emergency Operations Division Operations: They are conducting Battalion Chief training with temporary assignments. Chopper 2 and Company 9 participated in a mass casualty drill Special Operations o Hazmat: The CST held exercises in Hilo and Kona. Four personnel attended a Respiratory Protection class. A committee will work on having the department compliant with HIOSH. o Rescue: A Billy Pugh net policy was completed, and they are revising policies on other rescue operations. Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes March 8, 2017 Page 3 o Ocean Safety: Two Water Safety Officers will receive the Wake of Fame Heavy Water Award for 2016. HFD is providing testimony on legislative bills that may impact their Ocean Safety Division. The East hold a WSO PAE on March 14 to fill the vacancy in Kona and temporary summer hires in Hilo and Puna. Support Services Division Training: They are working with County physicians and HR to establish criteria th for HFD annual physical exams. They are preparing for the 45 Fire Fighter Recruit class. Volunteer Training: John Bertsch, New Volunteer Commander from Station Bravo, distributed a report on the volunteer program. He stated that he has been a volunteer for 20 years. He will promote safety and wants to increase the volunteer program. Most of the volunteers are in it to serve the Big Island, and he is very proud of them. With the help of Chief Rosario, there has been a shift in morale and acceptance of the volunteers. Chief Rosario stated that the station visits should be scheduled through his office. EMS Bureau: EMS and FMS personnel attended grant-funded national training conferences. An RFI was put out for replacement defibrillators. Senate and House bills for an additional ambulance for Puna continues to advance at the legislature. HMSA is interested in assisting with the pilot Community Paramedic Project. Auxiliary Services: Radio training for the digital system continues. Installation of the Spillman CAD on Medic 1 is scheduled, and testing will be done. Records: Working on achieving a 10-day or less turn-around for records requests. New Projects: HFD will be hosting the Hawaii Fire Conference. They will also be hosting a Cardiac Conference at the Hilo Municipal Golf Course. The Central Fire Station Renovation Project is on hold while DPW considers hiring a consultant. COMMITTEE REPORTS (No reports.) Budget and Finance Office Management and Staffing Rules and Policies Public Relations Training and Education Rules and Regulations Review Committee Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes March 8, 2017 Page 4 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Review draft and finalize 2017 Commission Program of Work: Vice Chair Susman motioned to accept the draft. Commissioner Yawata seconded, and it carried unanimously. Review draft and finalize 2017 Commission Calendar: Commissioner St. Ambrogio motioned to accept the draft. Commissioner Latinen seconded, and it carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Review draft report on commission committees and internal governance recommendations: Chair Becker explained that they want more clarity. Commissioner Latinen felt that some committees were not necessary or could be lumped together. She pointed out that the Fire Commission does not have any funding, so the Budget and Finance Committee is not necessary. Chair Becker stated that this committee could look into the finances of the Fire Department. Commissioner De Luz stated that one esponsibilities is managing the budget. To review the Chief, they have to understand the budget. Ms. Pelayo ire Commission does not have a budget, and they do not have their own staff. Commissioner Laitinen stated that the rules were copied and pasted, and so some committees are not relevant. Commissioner St. Ambrogio stated that as a former Police Chief, like others, such as committees, telling have all the relevant information. She cautioned the members not to cross the line. Ms. Schoen stated that the rules are not in the County Charter. She is uncomfortable about having standing committees because of the Sunshine Law. Chief Rosario stated that when commissioners have station visits, he wants someone from his executive staff or him to be present He asked Corporation Counsel to give a presentation on what the commission can and cannot do. Commissioners Laitinen and St. Ambrogio will rework the draft. It will be sent to Ms. Pelayo for distribution. Wil Okabe, Managing Director was introduced. He stated that the Mayor asked him to attend the Fire meetings. He supervises the Mayo. They understand that the Fire Commission is an oversight committee, and that they do not interfere in the administrative duties of the Fire Department. However, suggestions and recommendations can be made, and they can listen to concerns of their districts. Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes March 8, 2017 Page 5 Lunch recess was called at 12:28 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 12:46 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION Vice Chair Susman motioned to meet in executive session to discuss the Position Description, review its annual report, and to consult with Corporation Counsel immunities, and liabilities pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §§92-5 (a) (2), (4), (6) -20 (b). Commissioner De Luz seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 12:48 p.m. Open session reconvened at 1:20 p.m. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS Review draft and finalize 2017 Fire Chief Position Description: Commissioner St. Commissioner Yawata seconded. Discussion: Commissioner De Luz stated that this is a guiding tool. Ms. Schoen stated that this document has to be reviewed by HR. Chair Becker stated that HR approved it. The motion carried unanimously. Review draft and finalize 2016 Fire Commission Annual Report: Commissioner De Luz moti. Commissioner Waipa seconded, and it carried unanimously. Review commission ID protocols: Commissioner Laitinen motioned to approve implementation of ID badges for the Fire Commission. Commissioner St. Ambrogio seconded, and it carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Becker announced that the next meeting is scheduled for May 10, 2017, 9:00 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: ROBERT BECKER, CHAIR