March 2011

NOTICE  OF  PUBLIC  MEETING  OF  THE

LINDEN  VOLUNTEER  FIRE  DISTRICT

 

 

PURSUANT TO THE A.R.S. 38-431.02, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF THE LINDEN FIRE DISTRICT AND TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE BOARD WILL HOLD A MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH  9, 2011 AT 5:00 P.M. AT THE LINDEN FIRE STATION, LOCATED AT 6884 ARIZONA HIGHWAY 260, LINDEN, ARIZONA.  THE BOARD MAY VOTE TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION WHICH WILL NOT BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO DISCUSS CERTAIN MATTERS AS INDICATED ON THE AGENDA.

 

THE AGENDA FOR THE MEETING IS AS FOLLOWS:

 

1.   CALL TO ORDER.  (PAUL WYATT)

 

2.   ROLL CALL AND CONFIRMATION OF A QUORUM.  (CAROL LEWIS)

 

3.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE BOARD MEETING ON  FEBRUARY 9, 2011.

 

4.  CALL TO THE PUBLIC.

     CONSIDERATION AND LIMITED DISCUSSION OF COMMENTS AND

     COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC.  THOSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE

     BOARD NEED NOT REQUEST PERMISSION IN ADVANCE.  ACTION TO BE

     TAKEN AS A RESULT OF PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE LIMITED TO

      DIRECTING THE STAFF TO STUDY THE MATTER OR RESCHEDULING

     THE MATTER FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION AT A LATER DATE.

 

5.  FINANCIAL REPORT:

     A.  COUNTY TREASURERS REPORT

     B.  WARRANTS SIGNED

 

6.  DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON CONCERNS AT TIMBERLAND ACRES.

 

7.  DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON REVISION OF VACATION.

      (POLICY MANUAL, PAID TIME OFF, GUIDELINES B.)

 

8.  DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON BUDGET 2011/2012

     AND FIVE YEAR  PLAN.

 

9.  CHIEF'S REPORT

        A.  MONTHLY CALL OUTS

        B.  LEAVE REQUEST

        C.  DISCUSSION ON THE FEASIBILITY OF CONSOLIDATION

     

10.  BOARD MEMBER REPORT

 

11.  ADJOURNMENT

 

A COPY OF AGENDA BACKGROUND MATERIAL (WITH EXCEPTION OF MATERIAL RELATING TO EXECUTIVE SESSIONS) IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE LINDEN FIRE STATION, 6884 ARIZONA HIGHWAY 260 LINDEN, ARIZONA.  ANY AGENDA ITEMS TO BE ADDED NEED TO BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING 15 DAYS PRIOR TO THE BOARD MEETING AT THE LINDEN FIRE DEPARTMENT.

 

DATED THIS 4th DAY OF MARCH, 2011.

 

CAROL LEWIS, DEPUTY CHIEF

LINDEN FIRE DISTRICT

 

 

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, by contacting Carol Lewis at 928-537-1101.  Request should be made at least 24 hours in advance to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

 

LINDEN FIRE DEPARTMENT

Regular Board Meeting

March 9, 2011

 

 

The March 9, 2011 Board Meeting of the Linden Fire District was called to order by the Board Chairman Paul Wyatt. 

 

Roll was called and Board Members Paul Wyatt, Kay Perkins, Brian Shields, Merwyn Fish and Loran DeWitt were present.  Confirmation of a quorum was established.  Chief Troy Maloney and Deputy Chief Carol Lewis and fire fighters Ryan Turner, Kevin Marie, Lucas Guy, Robert Satterthwaite, and Raul Reyes were present.  Residents from Timberland Acres: Edward Dwyer, Kenneth Barnes, Patsy Barnes, Dawn,  CE & Jeanie Wiley, Charles & Kathy Wayt, Tony & Melody Keller, Roxanna Gill, Judy Gill, William Yenawine, Roger & Barbara Miller, Sharon Shields, Bill Deer, Bob Filley, CD Nunnally, Rich Neilson, and Don & Pam Woznink.

 

The minutes of the February 9, 2011 Board Meeting were sent to the board members and Paul asked if there were any corrections or additions to them.  Loran made a motion to accept the minutes as written, and Merwyn seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous and the minutes were approved and accepted as written.

 

CALL TO THE PUBLIC

Bob Filley would like to address the board, and he was asked to respond at item 6 on the agenda.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Carol reported the balance to date in Navajo County –Wells Fargo, National Bank of Arizona (payroll) and the Contingency Fund.   Each board member was given a copy of each bank register with receipts available.  Copies of the monthly reports with the bank statement registers and all financial transactions, minutes and agenda were in the board members packets sent to them the week prior to the board meeting.  Receipts of all financial transactions were available for the board members to review and warrants were signed. 

 

CONCERNS AT TIMBERLAND ACRES

Bob Filley asked the Fire Chief, Troy Maloney, what fire protection do the residents have in Timberland Acres.  Chief stated that from an operational stand point, the primary service is from the main station.  Fire fighters that live in Timberland Acres may respond to medical and fires calls.  Engine 721 is now for Wildland response, as it does not pass a pump test.  The fire fighters are trained and qualified. 

 

Patsy Barnes asked if the Timberland Acres substation was closing down, and Chief said no.  Bob Filley asked if there was equipment on the apparatus for medical calls and fire calls.  Chief stated all necessary equipment was on the apparatus for medical and fire calls.

 

Brian Shields asked Chief to explain the Automatic Aid to the residents.  Chief explained that Linden Fire District entered into an Automatic Aid Agreement with Heber/Overgaard, Show Low, Lakeside, Pinetop Fire Departments, and Whiteriver Fire & Rescue.  All departments come to first alarms automatically.  Communication is done through radios, pagers, and cell phones with one dispatcher.  All departments in the Automatic Aid train together, work together, etc.   Linden Fire District will always have coverage.

 

 

 

 

 

Bill Deer asked if there was a house fire, do they have the equipment to fight the fire, and can a fire fighter go interior.  Chief said the law states 2 in 2 out, however the fire fighters can protect property.  He also asked about replacing the repeater, and it was reported that we are working on a grant to replace the repeater, the building and other communication equipment for Timberland Acres.

 

Sharon Shields stated that there are rumors that need to be straightened out now, and the board encouraged those with concerns to come forward as they would like to resolve these issues.

 

Roger Miller questioned if there was a heavy snow, and the roads were not plowed, would the fire department respond.  Chief stated that the fire department would respond, however it may be a delayed response, and that Timberland Acres is responsible for their own roads.

 

There were no other concerns at this time.

 

REVISION ON VACATION (POLICY MANUAL, PAID TIME OFF, GUIDELINES B)

A copy of the Paid Time Off, Guideline B, page 122 of the Policy Manual was given to each board member.  On September 10, 2008 Resolution #08-03 the board approved carrying over time accrued for 1 year only, however this was not entered into the Policy Manual.  Guideline B read “PTO hours shall be allotted at the beginning of the first pay period of each fiscal year.  All PTO hours must be used by June 30 of the following year, or the hours will be forfeited.”  Brian made a motion to change the wording to “PTO hours shall be allotted at the beginning of the first pay period of each fiscal year.  Maximum accrual of PTO shall be two times the employees annual accrual rate.  All PTO hours must be used by June 30 of the following year, or the hours will be forfeited.”   Merwyn seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

 

BUDGET 2011/2012 AND FIVE YEAR PLAN

There was discussion on the assessed evaluation for 2011/2012, as it has decreased $4,265,058 from last budget year.  With this decrease, the tax payers liability could remain the same however the tax rate would increase to 2.83.  Last budget year the tax rate decreased approximately $.20, however some taxes still increased.  The board felt they could not increase the taxes in the Linden Fire District.  Loran made a motion to discuss this at the next regular board meeting in April in detail with several options of tax rates, and Kay seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

  

CHIEF'S REPORT

      A.  Call outs:  EMS  - 19,  MVA’s – 1, Fire – 1, Fire Alarm – 6, Chemical Leak – 1.   

      B.  Chief asked for a leave of absence April 19-22, 2011.  Chief mentioned he has accrued the time.  Approval was given.

      C.  Discussion on the feasibility of consolidation.  Chief asked if he could enter into discussion over consolidation.   Paul stated he felt that discussion was positive, however the final decision is the boards decision.  He has been proud of the way Linden Fire Department has done business.  Brian felt that the board needs to be aware of changes and the ramifications.   Chief stated money would not be saved in a consolidation, but resources and manpower would be a positive issue.  The board gave approval to enter into discussion on consolidation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOARD MEMBER REPORT

There were no reports at this time.

 

 

 

 

There being no further business at this time, Loran made a motion to adjourn and Merwyn seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous and the meeting was adjourned. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Carol Lewis, Deputy Chief

      Linden Fire District