Fire Commissioners Minutes February 13, 2017

SKAGIT COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 17

(Minutes pending approval)

February 13, 2017

Commissioner Chip Bogosian, Chairman, called the Regular Fire Commissioners meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Present: Commissioners Bogosian, Murphy and Margeson, Chief G. Francis, Mechanical Engineer L. Pyke, PIO L. Francis and Secretary Murray. Community members: Howard and Carol Pellett.

The minutes of January 9, 2017 were unanimously approved as written.

Treasurer’s Report:

Beginning February Operating Fund balance $79,316.71 (includes redeemed $30K investment plus $304.87 earned interest). Beginning February Investment Fund balance $11,386.92. Beginning February Capital Cash balance $37,532.75. Beginning February Capital Investment Fund balance $42,458.12. January expenses were $6,517.07 and Payroll $4,294 for a grand total of $10,811.07. Firefighter stipends for response, drill and trainings was $2,145. January revenue included $102.92 in taxes collected and $2,696.98 payment from Enduris, which fully covered all repairs to the Rescue Boat 1717. Four line items on the Budget Sheet were re-coded from 4110 Professional Services to 4810 Repairs and Maintenance. The items are Extinguisher Service, SCBA Flow Testing, Hose/Ladder Testing, and Pump Testing. The individual budget allocations and total budget remain the same. Retirements – After 25 years of service, Larry Pyke, EMT/FF will retire from GIFD effective February 21, 2017 but will remain as the Mechanical Engineer which is a separate paid position. He can apply for return to duty with GIFD after the required 90 days absence after retirement. Secretary Murray plans to retire and vacate the position of District Secretary. Exact date of Ms Murray’s retirement is unknown; however, Commissioners may begin a candidate search. There was discussion about what to do with the $30,000 previously invested in a CD. Mike Urban, the Investment Officer for Skagit County, will conduct an evening presentation later in the spring and invite all Fire Commissioners and Investment Officers to attend. GIFD Commissioners will make investment decisions after that meeting. Commissioner Murphy asked if the books are closed for 2016 and the answer is “not yet.” He suggested that once we have final figures we move excess cash into the Capital Investment Fund. All agreed.

Open: None.

Chief’s Report: See separate report for a list of drills and responses. Chief Francis presented and Commissioners unanimously approved an application for Mike Beelner to join the department as a firefighter effective today. After the Chief’s report of January incidents, Commissioner Bogosian asked about the car fire, which developed rapidly and occurred immediately after the car exited the ferry. How would GIFD respond if that had occurred while the car was still on the ferry? The answer is, such an incident would be in Coast Guard jurisdiction but we would respond in any way they requested. Fire danger is the reason drivers are supposed to turn off the engine once they are on board the ferry. The ferry crew is trained in handling emergencies and fire extinguishers are available. Chief Francis proposed that we declare as surplus to the needs of the department 5 MSA Firehawk SCBAs, 20 MSA Ultra Elite SCBA masks, and 25 Stealth L-30 low-pressure SCBA cylinders. Commissioner Margeson moved and Commissioner Murphy seconded acceptance of the Chief’s proposal. Motion passed unanimously. This will be Resolution 374.

Old Business: Commissioner Margeson gave an update on the search for real estate to build a larger fire station. There is a property available nearby that is less than 20 acres. It is feasible to subdivide the property in such a way that 2 acres could be donated or sold to GIFD. Commissioner Margeson talked to county regulators who gave a list of things that would need to be done for such an action to be approved. He also contacted a grant writer who specializes in obtaining grants to build fire stations and other public buildings. Grants usually become available near the first of the year, are submitted by June and awarded in September. Notably, grants cover only the cost of buildings and may not be used to purchase the land. GIFD’s existing land is too small and not suitable to build an adequate fire station. It was suggested that other island groups in search of space pool efforts and resources to make the grant happen – and benefit by sharing space and costs. Commissioner Margeson also looked at several new fire stations and buildings in Skagit County, and learned that a 6,000 sf shell can be constructed for about $850,000. He was advised that the process of writing a grant and getting a fire station built can take 12 to 24 months. Commissioners will write a letter of inquiry to owners of the property in question.

Commissioner Bogosian offered an update on the fireworks sign for the ferry superstructure. Commissioner Bogosian stated that the sign needs to be strong enough to withstand wind and needs a design with visual impact. A 20 x 5 foot sign will cost about $6 per foot and design costs are $85 per hour. Ideally, the sign will be in place by June. Commissioner Murphy spoke with Ferry Manager Rachel Rowe and reported that she has been very responsive and helpful in this process, even sending him an email to state there are new developments. Ms Rowe spoke to the Coast Guard about fireworks. Upon completion of the newest Certificate of Inspection (basically, when the ferry returns to service after its haul out), the Coast Guard will consider declaring fireworks a hazardous material. Declaration of HazMat status will place fireworks in the “cannot transport on the ferry” category. Ferry crew members who notice fireworks will be able to inform passengers that fireworks are prohibited on the ferry and ask them to leave them on the Anacortes side. Rowe stated that if the ferry crew runs into a difficult situation or uncooperative person the crew will be authorized to call the Anacortes police. Commissioner Murphy asked that the minutes record Ms Rowe’s effectiveness and cooperation with regard to this matter. He suggested that Commissioners meet with her for further discussion before the next meeting. Howard Pellett reminded Commissioners that GIPOA members are willing to respectfully hand out flyers to drivers in the ferry line and engage them in friendly conversation about fireworks. Ms Rowe is supportive of such endeavors.

The Commissioners reviewed invoices from January 6 to February 10, 2017 and approved invoices in the amount of $6,517.70 and Payroll of $4,294 for a total of $10,811.07.

The next regular meeting will be March 13, 2017, at 7 PM in the Fire Hall.

The meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.

Submitted by

Diane Murray, Secretary

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Skagit County Fire District 17

Commissioner Chip Bogosian, Chairman

Chief's Report January 2017

GIFD Budget Report February 2017