­­­­­­JOHNSON COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT NO.1

NEW CENTURY, KS

Board of Directors Monthly Meeting

August 10, 2010

BOARD MEMBERS             STAFF                                   

Keith Johnson                         Max Sielert                  Andrew Dilda       Tyson Graham

Kent Harlow                           Dennis McGuire          Kevin Ritter

Mark Burdolski                       Patrick Ballard            Eric Kramer

CALL TO ORDER

Mark Burdolski called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.

AGENDA

Keith Johnson moved to approve the agenda as submitted.  Kent Harlow seconded and the motion carried.

MINUTES

Kent Harlow moved to approve the minutes from the July 13, 2010 Board meeting as submitted.  Keith Johnson seconded and the motion carried.

Kent Harlow moved to approve the minutes from the Public Hearing on Monday, July 26, 2010 as submitted. Keith Johnson seconded and the motion carried.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Chief Sielert indicated we are still a little over budget for July due to the fact this month we processed 3 payrolls and 3 accounts payables.  If we averaged $115,000 expenses per month this would put us under budget by years end.  However, due to the fact we need to carry money to next year, we need to stay on the average of $107,000 for the next five months.  Due to Dennis McGuire’s retirement October 1^st will make it easier to stay within budget.  Along with this fact, we have paid the first half of August payables on July 30^th which are included in the July Financials.  Provided we get the income as projected, we should have misc income in the amount of $27,000 in August from the Purple Wave auction in July.  If Olathe’s payment is not received this year, we could have some problems, in the fact we won’t be able to end under budget, but we should have the carryover we need for next year. 

The gasoline at Johnson County Air Center is high quality and premium grade fuel which accounts for the higher costs at their pumps.  We should be able to save more money when we get the gas cards. 

We just received notice today that we were rejected for the SAFER Personnel Grant.  We do have two more grants that are still in the works.  We did receive a State Cost Share Grant and we are in the process of purchasing wild land fire equipment with that money.  The Grant is for $5,000 with a cost to us for around $2,500. 

Keith Johnson questioned the printing costs.  The reason was again due to three accounts payables processed this month, plus new volunteer manuals were printed in July.

We have $155,457.47 left in the Temp Note Fund.  We have most of the large items done.  Concrete at Station #1 is the biggest thing we have left.  We will end in good shape once the work is all done.        

Keith Johnson moved to approve the July 2010 Financial Report as submitted. Kent Harlow seconded and the motion carried.

BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR

None

OLD BUSINESS

Chiefs Report, Chief Sielert presented:

We went to the BOCC budget hearing and heard no complaints or comments about our 2011 budget.  It was a tough year for us as we again lost assessed value. We went from 10.160 mills to 11.000 mills. However, even with that increase, we still had the smallest mill levy increase of the 4 fire districts in the county.

We have been attending meetings with Gary Anderson of Gilmore and Bell working on the Bond Issue.  Our focus is to make sure that we have everything legal and in order relative to the bond and the timing of the protest period.  Our goal is to get the consolidation contract together by early October in order to have the 60 day protest period, and still get this done before the end of the year.  Stewart Fairburn is attending all these meetings to insure he has the same understanding as we do.  County legal cannot do our contract, but they can and will be there in a support role and as advisory council.  The City attorney has been involved as well.  During our next meeting with our attorney we should be able to accomplish a basic draft of our contract. 

We had a meeting with the City of Olathe. At this meeting they informed us they were not going to pay us for the 2009 and 2010 contract.  Olathe currently owes us $65,007 for 2009 and $65,007 will be due for 2010 in September. However, it appears that it is their intention to not pay.  I met with our attorney and told her to proceed through the court system to collect the money we are owed and she is proceeding to prepare for this action.  Olathe is actually not late on 2010 payment, just 2009 which is all we will pursue in the suit.  If we get no response from our 2010 invoice, which will be sent next month, we will add that to the lawsuit.  They want to negotiate the 2011 contract, but our attorney indicates you cannot renew part of a contract.  Chief Sielert sent an email to the Olathe Fire Chief, and notified him that we were not interested in making another contract for our services with someone who is not paying us for the previous contract.  

We have provided our attorney with the contract for the consolidation negotiations for review and she is assisting us in creating the contract.  We have provided her with copies of other consolidation contracts signed by fire districts in Johnson County.  We are using these contracts as a basis for our contract.  We are also meeting with Human Resources staff with the City of Gardner, to insure that all employee benefits for both Gardner and the District are carried forward in a fair manner. 

There was discussion concerning what things would be in the contract with the City of Gardner and what sort of time limit would be put on having a City Residence pay an equal amount for fire service to current district patrons. Keith Johnson asked about the need for detachments.  Chief Sielert discussed how detachments have a bearing on mill levy and that something should be included in the contract concerning detachments.  

We attended the Prairie Highland Safety Fair which was last Tuesday.  Katherine Reese sent us photos of kids getting on the fire engine and complimented us on our service.  Kent Harlow questioned how we got involved in this event which is out of our district.  Chief Sielert said originally, the Olathe Fire Dept was invited to do this event, however they declined and then they extended the invitation to us to participate.  

Chief McGuire presented:

Chief McGuire indicated Rob Kirk had been reviewing some of the projects he is working on in order to become more familiar.  The goal is to try to tie up loose ends and accomplish a smooth transition. 

Kent Harlow asked about the water damage due to the water leak in his office.  He reported the contractor has been working on this and feels it has been fixed. They are waiting to insure no more leaks before the inside walls are re-finished.  An additional problem has gotten worse lately, the condensation on the air ducts where it transfers from flex tubing to metal.  The contractor has offered several solutions and we are considering which solution would work the best for the expense involved. 

We made it through fair week without any problems. 

NEW BUSINESS

Deputy Chief, Dennis McGuire, announced that he is retiring after 30 years in the fire service.  His last day worked is currently planned for his anniversary date of Sept 30, 2010.  A retirement party for him is being planned which will most likely be in October.  More information will be given at September meeting.

FUTURE MEETINGS

The next Board meeting will be held on the Tuesday, September 14th, and will begin at 7:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

Chief Sielert indicated there was no need to have an executive session.  Keith Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.  Kent Harlow seconded and the motion carried.