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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014_0106 KFC Open Min DRAFT finalDR�AT�T�JB1JA_IIroveJ COUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Board /Committee: FIRE COMMISSION ACTION Meeting Date January 6, 2014 Location Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A/213 Start of Meeting: 2:05 p.m. End of Meeting: 3:00 p.m. Present Chair Jesse Fukushima; Vice Chair Eugene Jimenez; Members: Savita Agarwal; Jimmy Miranda Also: Fire Chief Robert Westerman; Deputy County Attorney Mauna Kea Trask; Boards & Commissions Office Staff. Support Clerk Cherisse Zaima; Administrative Aide Teresa Tamura; Administrator Paula Morikami Excused Heidy Huddy- Yamamoto; Dan Brown Mr. Jimenez moved to select Jesse Fukushima as Absent Chair for 2014. Ms. Agarwal seconded the SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Chair Miranda called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. with 4 members present, constituting a quorum. Business KFC 2014 -001 Election of Chair and Vice Chair for 2014 Mr. Jimenez moved to select Jesse Fukushima as Chair for 2014. Ms. Agarwal seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. Ms. Agarwal moved to select Eugene Jimenez as Vice Chair for 2014. Mr. Fukushima seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. Mr. Fukushima continued the meeting as Chair. Approval of Re lgu ar Open Session Minutes of December 2, 2013 Mr. Miranda moved to approve the open session Minutes Executive Session Minutes of December 2, 2013 minutes as circulated. Mr. Jimenez seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. Mr. Jimenez expressed his appreciation that the draft minutes are distributed Kauai Fire Commission Open Session January 6, 2014 Page 2 to the Commission members for review prior to being placed on the agenda for approval which allows for any necessary corrections. Mr. Miranda moved to approve the executive session minutes as circulated. Mr. Jimenez seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. Chiefs Monthly Overview for the month of November 2013 and pertinent updates Budget Report as of November 30, 2013 Report Chief Westerman provided an overview of his monthly report highlighting the meeting with Tritech Software Systems, explaining how they will be working with KFD to resolve some of the ongoing issues with the new CAD (Computer -Aided Design) system. Operations Bureau In reference to Hanapepe Station assisting with set -up for the Salvation Army Thanksgiving meal, Mr. Jimenez thanked Chief Westerman for allowing the fire line staff to help out, noting the appreciation expressed by the Salvation Army for the assistance. Training Bureau Chief Westerman elaborated on the Recruit Final Exam, explaining that as recruits near the end of their first year of service, while they are still on probation, recruits are brought back to the training center for a written exam to determine how much they have retained from their initial training, and to ensure it is being reinforced by the station captains through practical exercises and hands -on training. Chief Westerman noted this was started just a few years ago, and has been proving very beneficial. Prevention Bureau In reference to the Class IV Zoning Permit for the Rice Camp Partners project, Chief Westerman stated its significance in that KFD has a storage building on the land designated for the project. This would mean the relocation of that storage building to another area of the parcel once Kauai Fire Commission Open Session January 6, 2014 Page 3 construction begins in February, and would ultimately require KFD to completely remove its storage facility within the next three years when construction of the next phase of the project begins. Ocean Safety Bureau Chief Westerman acknowledged the large number of drownings that occurred in 2013, but pointed out the numerous lives saved are overshadowed by that. He would like to focus more on the positive side of ocean rescue. Mr. Fukushima stated those positive messages could be showcased during Beach Safety Week, and can help develop a closer working relationship with the media in promoting the positive measures being taken by the Fire Department and the Ocean Safety Bureau, Mr. Jimenez noted there is an existing relationship between the resort industry and the Kauai Lifeguard Association, and suggested the possibility of a special recognition by the resorts for individual lifeguards in the form of free meals, or room stays. Deputy County Attorney Mauna Kea Trask noted that while it is an interesting idea, he advised the Commission to check with the Board of Ethics as County Personnel are not allowed to receive any gifts or benefits. Mr. Jimenez stated that recognition of any individual, not necessarily County personnel, who has rescued someone would be nice, and could be played up in the media. Chief Westerman stated Kauai County does an annual Proclamation for Ocean Safety Awareness week. He suggested that be improved to be more positive, and focus on the number of lives saved. Chief Westerman further noted that Ocean Safety Supervisor Kalani Vierra has been working on getting Presidential recognition of Ocean Safety Week. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session January 6, 2014 Page 4 Budget Report Chief Westerman provided an overview of the budget report. Mr. Fukushima noted that of the $103,000 budgeted for gas, $25,000 of that was transferred out, and asked for clarification. Chief Westerman explained that money had to be encumbered for the upcoming contract for the helicopter that is going out for bid. Once the contract is met, the monies can be returned. Mr. Fukushima commented that in the past, whenever there was a transfer of funds from one division within the department to another, it required Council approval, and asked whether that was the case for this situation. Chief Westerman replied no, Council approval is not required, but Administrative approval is still required. Mr. Miranda moved to receive the Chief's monthly report. Ms. Agarwal seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. Mr. Fukushima requested the proper sized shirts be ordered for the commissioners who have not yet received them. Business KFC 2014 -002 Discussion and decision - making on the Chief's uniform allowance as set forth by the Salary_ Commission in its Resolution 2013- 1, Article 7 Ms. Morikami explained that the purpose of this item is to memorialize the Mr. Jimenez moved to approve the uniform authorization of the Resolution. allowance as set forth in Resolution 2013 -1, Article 7. Ms. Agarwal seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. ■ KFC 2014 -003 Goals and Objectives for 2014 as it relates to DPS Performance Administrative Policies Kauai Fire Commission Open Session January 6, 2014 Page 5 Ms. Tamura reminded the Commission that this item relates to concerns raised by the Commission on the format of the recently completed Annual Evaluation on the Fire Chief, and its lack of specificity to the particular aspects of the Fire Chief's job. This policy outlines the Commission's responsibilities, the Chief's responsibilities, and the procedure for implementing the performance evaluation. Mr. Jimenez asked to clarify that even with this policy, the Commission could amend the evaluation to be more specific to the Fire Chief's particular job duties should they feel it necessary to which Ms. Tamura replied yes. Ms. Agarwal asked whether the format of the evaluation would be changed to which Mr. Fukushima explained the policy is just a guideline, and the Commission can determine how to format the Chief's evaluation. Ms. Morikami elaborated on the evaluation process, and suggested the Commission look at ways to measure the Chief's performance, and work with the Fire Chief to determine the Fire Department's goals. Mr. Jimenez stated he feels it would be appropriate for the Chief to provide the Commission with measurable goals for 2014 for each division within the Fire Department for review and discussion by the Commission. He feels this would help the Commission identify what to include on the performance evaluation that would be more specific to the Fire Chief's particular job duties. Chief Westerman noted that this current evaluation was very generic. Chief Westerman stated he would be more than happy to provide the Commission with the Department's goals, and requested the Commission also provide him with some goals as to how they feel he should be performing as Fire Chief. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session January 6, 2014 Page 6 Mr. Jimenez suggested once the Commission receives the Chief's goals that they review and discuss with him, and provide comments and opinions. He added that he would still like to hear from other departments as to how the Chief interacts with them, and how they work jointly together. Ms. Agarwal pointed out that the evaluation should be more specific as the Mr. Jimenez moved to receive the Goals and current one is very generic. Objectives as it relates to DPS Performance Administrative Policies. Mr. Miranda seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. Mr. Fukushima noted that the Chief provided the Commission with long - range goals for the Fire Department as well as the Department's annual goals as related to the budget; both of which can be used as a basis to work with. Mr. Jimenez agreed, and added that he feels those goals should be looked at quarterly as he doesn't think any goal is set in stone, and can be adjusted as Mr. Jimenez moved that the Chief and Deputy necessary. Chief submit goals and objectives for the Fire Department for FY 2014 for review and approval by the Commission. Mr. Miranda seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. Announcements Mr. Jimenez commented that there is still a vacancy on the Fire Commission, and encouraged fellow commissioners to provide a list of names of potential members to the Office of Boards and Commissions. Next Meeting: Monday, February 3, 2014 — 2:00 p.m., Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A /B Adjournment Chair Fukushima adjourned the meeting at 3:00 p.m. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session January 6, 2014 Submitted by: Cherisse Zaima, Support Clerk () Approved as is. O Approved with amendments. See minutes of Page 7 Reviewed and Approved by: meeting. Jesse Fukushima, Chair