KIOWA COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

August 21, 2018 at 7:00 pm

Jay Specht called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm. Those present at the meeting were:

Jay Specht, President 

Terry Riley, Vice President 

Teresa Witte, Treasurer 

Zachary Kopasz, Director 

Karen Jones, Secretary

Delton Eikenberg was absent from the meeting. Also present were Chief AJ McCracken, AJ Bolin, Kathy McCracken and Ken Flory. 

The Agenda was considered and amended to add the following:

Under Old Business: IGA Sheridan Lake 

Under New Business: Card for Laurie Shalberg, Fire Prevention Week

Teresa made a motion to approve the Agenda as amended, Zach seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. 

The Minutes from meeting on 7/17/2018 were considered. Zach made a motion to approve the Minutes as submitted, Teresa seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. 

Public:

• Kathy McCracken asked Terry about the Wissel house in the Town of Eads. Terry stated that the Kiowa County Sheriff, Casey Sheridan, was asked by the Town Council to look at this house for fire and/or building violations as the Town would like to condemn the property. Terry stated that Casey would like the Fire District to support this effort by helping determine code violations, and possibly to have the District responsible for code enforcement. He later stated that the family that owns the home does not want it condemned and has retained an attorney.

• Karen discussed the concern that the Fire District's involvement might quickly lead to becoming involved in litigation, and questioned whether it is the District's responsibility to become involved in code violations and enforcement.
• Teresa stated that it should be the Town of Eads that enforces violations, as they have in the past.
• After further discussion regarding precedent setting and direction, the Board agreed that this is an issue for the Eads Town Council.

Fire Chief Report

• AJ stated that they have been continuing to work on Unit 8 in Sheridan Lake, but after putting it back together it has seemed to be just fine as the truck started, the pump pressured up, etc. and that the truck should be able to go back into service soon. He did say that he would like to have the pump pressure tested, and Teresa made a motion to approve having the pressure test, Terry seconded and it was unanimously approved.

• He then talked about the Plattville truck and what it will take to get it up and running. He wants to put this truck in Haswell which will give the west end of the county a good structure truck. He estimated that costs to get it ready will be around $3,200. Zach made a motion to allow AJ to spend up to $3,500 to do what is needed to get the Plattville truck running. Teresa seconded and the motion was unanimously approved.

• Discussion was held about the truck location problem in Sheridan Lake. Currently we have enough room at the station there for two trucks and the ambulance, which leaves one truck plugged in at a private home. During winter whatever truck is outside will have to be drained of water, requiring it to be filled prior to responding. Options were discussed including building an insulated covered area, finding a private garage and offering to pay rent until we can afford to build an appropriate area, or even holding discussions with EMS to consider another location for the ambulance since it is the smallest of the vehicles needing housing. Most agreed moving the ambulance is not desirable but that we should bring in Eunice with EMS to discuss options.

• This issue was tabled until the next meeting, and Teresa will ask Eunice to attend that meeting to discuss options.

• AJ then discussed the Fair Board's request that the fire fighters donate their time to serve beer at the Beer Garden during Fair, and the Fair Board will give a donation for their time. The Board determined there were no objections to this.

• Teresa asked AJ if they will be driving the Fire Truck in the Fair Parade, and will need to purchase candy, and AJ said they would. Teresa made motion, Zach seconded, to approve this purchase.

• His last item was regarding the current command truck, which is in very bad condition and needs to be replaced. He had learned that Teresa is going to be selling her SUV that would meet the needs of a command truck and cost $2,000. Teresa stated that the SUV is older with a lot of mileage, and should be thoroughly checked by a mechanic before they make the final decision. Zach made a motion that AJ have the SUV checked mechanically, and if it is in good condition that the purchase be made for $2,000 and that new tires be purchased for it and whatever else is needed to make it a decent command vehicle. Terry seconded the motion, all approved except Teresa abstained.

Jay stated that he has not been able to get the Sheridan Lake IGA signed, but will pursue it asap. 

Discussion was held regarding the bill received from the Town of Eads for internet from January-May of 2018 in the amount of $245.51. Teresa made a motion, Zach seconded, to pay the Eads bill and it was unanimously approved.

Teresa discussed her efforts to contact Beth with FPPA regarding the pension for firefightrers, and has been unable to make much progress but will continue this effort. 

Discussion was held regarding the notice in the recent Board of County Commissioners minutes from June 28, 2018 that stated " ..... Fire District Board Member, Terry Riley had asked if they could possibly use one of the office spaces in the Bransgrove building for the Fire District office." The minutes further stated that the Commissioners voted to allow the Fire District to lease this space. Terry stated that he only made inquiry to Tina Adamson asking if there was space available in the Courthouse. She said there was not space available but there will be in the Bransgrove building. No one on the Board was made aware of the Commissioners actions. Teresa raised the concern that this issue had never been discussed with the Board, and should have prior to this. Discussion was held regarding whether there is a need for office space. Chief McCracken and Karen suggested looking into a locking file cabinet for his office. 

Chief McCracken presented an MOU from the Karval Fire Protection District for consideration. The Board agreed to take it under consideration and discuss it at the next meeting. 

Karen discussed her many efforts to obtain the titles to the trucks from the County, but Tina has not yet been able to provide them. Chief McCracken will contact Tina and work with her on this. 

AJ Bolin discussed painting some worn areas at the Eads Firehouse and it was agreed the District should provide the paint supplies for this effort. 

Karen presented the bills to be paid. Terry made a motion, Zach seconded and all approved that the bills should be paid as presented. 

The next meeting will be September 18, 2018. Since there was no further business Teresa made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Terry and approved by all. Adjourned at 9:17 pm.

Jay Specht, President

Karen Jones, Secretary