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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014_0203 KFC Open Min_APPROVEDCOUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Board /Committee: I FIRE COMMISSION ACTION Meeting Date I February 3, 2014 Location Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A /213 Start of Meeting: 2:06 p.m. I End of Meeting: 2:48 p.m. Present Chair Jesse Fukushima; Vice Chair Eugene Also: Fire Chief Robert Westerman; Boards Tamura Jimenez; Members: Savita Agarwal; Dan Brown; Jimmy Miranda (2:09 p.m.) & Commissions Office Staff: Support Clerk Cherisse Zaima; Administrative Aide Teresa Excused Heidy Huddy- Yamamoto Minutes Absent executive session minutes as circulated. Mr. SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Chair Fukushima called the meeting to order at 2:06 p.m. with 4 members present, constituting a quorum. Approval of ■ Re ular Open Session Minutes of January 6, 2014 Mr. Jimenez moved to approve the open and Minutes ■ Executive Session Minutes of January 6, 2014 executive session minutes as circulated. Mr. Brown seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. Chiefs Monthly ■ Overview for the month of December 2013 and pertinent updates ■ Budget Report as of December 31, 2013 Report Chief Westerman provided an overview of his monthly report. Apparatus Status Mr. Fukushima asked when the Department will be receiving their new truck. Chief Westerman explained it has not yet gone out for bid, and will likely be another six to eight months; the new truck will replace one of the on -line trucks which will then be placed in reserve. Mr. Miranda entered the meeting at 2:09 p.m. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session February 3, 2014 Page 2 Training Bureau Mr. Fukushima asked whether those fire fighters that attend classes at Kauai Community College (KCC) are budgeted for to which Chief Westerman replied no, explaining that KCC offers first responder training to KFD at no cost; there are no Fire Science courses offered at KCC. Ocean Safety Bureau Chief Westerman noted there were 17 total drownings reported in 2013. The Department is working on having the lifeguards provide more information on rescues which they hope will help with the TORT liability issue that is currently before the Legislature. Mr. Jimenez noted the lifeguard liability issue at Ke`e Beach has been a primary concern, and asked if the Department is involved with providing testimony on the TORT liability bills to the various Legislative houses to which Chief Westerman replied yes. The department is currently tracking 13 proposals that relate to that issue. Testifying in favor at last week's hearing were three mayors, three chiefs, three ocean safety bureau heads, State Parks staff, and the Attorney General. At the request of Mr. Jimenez, Mr. Fukushima asked that the Commission be provided with a list of Legislative bills related to the Fire Department Staff will provide the requested Legislative along with their respective statuses, information to the Commission. Mr. Fukushima requested the Commission be provided information on any Federal funds the Department has applied to which Chief Westerman stated it will be provided at the next meeting. Budget Chief Westerman provided an overview of the budget report. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session February 3, 2014 Page 3 In response to Mr. Fukushima, Chief Westerman provided clarification on the procedure for fire fighters to request holiday time off, and the notice requirements. In response to Mr. Fukushima Chief Westerman provided clarification on funds for worker's compensation that were transferred from regular salaries. Chief Westerman explained the reason that is done is because when someone is on worker's compensation, they're not working, therefore their regular pay moves over. In response to Mr. Fukushima, Chief Westerman explained they do not fund for worker's compensation ahead of time because Administration does not want the Department to fund things they are unsure will be expended. Mr. Jimenez asked for an approximate number of staff currently out on worker's compensation to which Chief Westerman replied four. Mr. Fukushima noted that information used to be included in the Chief's Monthly report, and requested that information be included again, minus names and other personal information; numbers and dollar amounts will Mr. Miranda moved to receive the Chief s suffice. Chief Westerman stated that could be done. monthly report. Mr. Brown seconded the motion. The motion carried 4:0. Communications KFC 2014 -004 2014 Goals of the Kauai Fire Department Chief Westerman went over the individual goals as listed. At Mr. Fukushima's request, Chief Westerman stated he will provide clarification on all acronyms included in future correspondences and reports. Mr. Jimenez noted at the last meeting, he mentioned the things he would expect to see on the Chief s performance evaluation. He requested the Commission work with the Chief and all of the Department's management staff to have an in -depth review of the 11 items listed in the 2014 goals. He Kauai Fire Commission Open Session February 3, 2014 Page 4 also commented that he would like to see more measurable, quantifiable goals as opposed to broad statements. He noted the Commission had some difficulties with the numeric rating during the most recent evaluation, and feels quantifiable goals will help remedy that. Ms. Agarwal commented the Commission would need more clarification, and measurable standards. Mr. Jimenez stated he looked through the Strategic Plan, noting it is lengthy and difficult to navigate through; however, using the Strategic Plan as a guide as well as having measurable objectives will help the Commission come up with a good evaluation technique. Ms. Agarwal and Mr. Brown agreed that the evaluation needs to be more specific to the Fire Department. Mr. Miranda agreed the goals should be more quantifiable. Chief Westerman stated that could be done. Ms. Agarwal mentioned that the Chief had previously mentioned wanting to groom the next Fire Chief, and asked why that has been so difficult to which Chief Westerman replied the lack of the right staff positions. He explained how the Department is working toward achieving that goal considering their current budget constraints, and what is required to obtain the knowledge and experience a Fire Chief would need. Mr. Fukushima stated the Strategic Plan needs to be tremendously updated. He requested the Department include the job description for Deputy Fire Chief as one is not currently available. He shared that he would like to see the Chief working on beefing up the line staff, and request some figures on how much it will cost to do so. He noted with the urban sprawl continuing to grow on Kauai, he would think the Department would want to consider substations that have the opportunity to grow into full sized stations in the future should it be required. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session February 3, 2014 Pate 5 Submitted by: Cherisse Zaima, Support Clerk O Approved as is. () Approved with amendments. See minutes of Reviewed and Approved by: meeting. Jesse Fukushima, Chair Mr. Jimenez commented he is glad the Chief is working on succession planning as it is not an easy task. Mr. Jimenez moved to receive the 2014 goals of the Kauai Fire Department. Mr. Brown seconded the motion. The motion carried 4:0. Announcements Next Meeting: Monday, March 3, 2014 — 2:00 p.m., Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A /B Mr. Fukushima requested Staff verify per Charter whether counsel is required to be present at all Commission meetings. Staff will review the County Charter for clarification. Adjournment Chair Fukushima adjourned the meeting at 2:40 p.m. Submitted by: Cherisse Zaima, Support Clerk O Approved as is. () Approved with amendments. See minutes of Reviewed and Approved by: meeting. Jesse Fukushima, Chair