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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014_0303 KFC Open Min DRAFT APPROVEDCOUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Board /Committee: DISCUSSION FIRE COMMISSION Call To Order Meeting Date March 3, 2014 Location Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A /213 Start of Meeting: 2:02 p.m. End of Meeting: 3:27 p.m. Present Chair Jesse Fukushima; Vice Chair Eugene Also: Fire Chief Robert Westerman; Boards Tamura Jimenez; Members: Heidy Huddy- Yamamoto; Jimmy Miranda & Commissions Office Staff: Support Clerk Cherisse Zaima; Administrative Aide Teresa Excused Members: Savita Agarwal; Dan Brown Absent seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. Chiefs Monthly Overview for the month of January 2014 and pertinent updates SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Chair Fukushima called the meeting to order at 2:02 p.m. with 4 members present, constituting a quorum. Approval of Re ular Open Session Minutes of February 3, 2014 Ms. Huddy- Yamamoto moved to approve the Minutes open session minutes as circulated. Mr. Jimenez seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. Chiefs Monthly Overview for the month of January 2014 and pertinent updates Budget Report as of January 31, 2014 Report Chief Westerman provided an overview of his monthly report highlighting the Civil Defense meeting with FirstNet, which is the wireless network funded by Congress for first responders. Mr. Miranda asked whether the Illegal Tent Structures meeting had to do with homeless tents. Chief Westerman replied no, and explained it referred to the big, white tents generally used for parties. The meeting was with the Kauai Fire Commission Open Session March 3, 2014 Page 2 Department of Public Works and the County Attorneys office to discuss permitting concerns. Mr. Miranda asked for clarification on the size of tent that would require a permit to which Chief Westerman replied 2,000 square feet. Apparatus Status Chief Westerman reported that all front line trucks are in service, and they have just received some smaller vehicles. The battalion chiefs vehicle and some of the other smaller vehicles will be changed out. Ms. Huddy- Yamamoto asked if the Department has a dedicated mechanic to which Chief Westerman replied yes, they have two. Mr. Fukushima asked for clarification on why the RMS system was not being utilized by the mechanic to which Chief Westerman replied the RMS has been used for quite a while, but they had not been utilizing all portions of it; little by little they are working on integrating it all into their reporting. Operations Bureau Mr. Fukushima stated it was his recollection from the last meeting that there was discussion on the promotional aspect of fire rescue by informing media. Noting what each of the stations have done, he asked if any information on some of these accomplishments have been sent out to various media outlets. Chief Westerman replied that the County PIO Sarah Blane puts together news releases and disseminates that type of information. Mr. Jimenez provided a brief recap of previous discussions on possible recognition of accomplishments by rescue personnel for Commission members who were not present at the last meeting. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session March 3, 2014 Page 3 Chief Westerman commented on the RMS /CAD Report section, which was included to address concerns with the way station reports were being done; the Department is actively working on ways to improve this. Prevention Bureau Mr. Fukushima stated there is a legislative bill that will be coming to a sunset at the end of this year relating to ADU's for ag /open zoned lands. He noted that the Planning Department expressed concerns that if people wait until the last minute to apply for these ADU's, the volume of applications will put a tremendous burden on the staff. He asked should the bill sunset will the Fire Department run into the same potential problems, and how will it be addressed. Chief Westerman replied it would put some strain on their staff, but they will do what needs to be done to get them processed as best they can. Mr. Fukushima asked for Chief Westerman's opinion on whether a time stamp would be sufficient to ensure the applicant made the deadline should the Department be unable to process it by the sunset date. Chief Westerman stated it would not be up to his Department to determine that. Mr. Jimenez noted it would be the same problem for all other Department's involved in reviewing plans like this, and commented that the Planning Department will need to implement a system to ensure those applications are processed and routed in a timely manner. Ocean Safety Bureau Chief Westerman highlighted a rescue that took place at Ke`e Beach after the lifeguard tower had closed for the day. One of the Water Safety Officers who was concerned that there were still people on the beach decided to stay a while after, which resulted in a life saved when a visitor got pulled into the rough water. Chief Westerman reported that WSOs are sometimes allowed to stay later, until it gets dark, depending on the conditions of the beach. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session March 3, 2014 Page 4 Ms. Huddy- Yamamoto asked for clarification on tower supervision. Chief Westerman explained currently there are three WSO IIs, each of whom oversee one of the three districts. The reallocation they are working on will provide WSO IVs to oversee those districts, and allow the WSO Ills to be more of a working supervisor to manage the beaches as opposed to managing daily district operations. The Department considered a WSO III at each tower, but it was determined that would be too much. Mr. Jimenez asked when the Ocean Safety reorganization will be completed to which Chief Westerman replied DPS has agreed on the Position Descriptions, which will now have to go to Council for approval; it's very close to completion. Budget Report Chief Westerman provided an overview of the budget report. Mr. Jimenez asked since the overtime account is 99 percent expended, when do they anticipate funds will be shifted? Chief Westerman replied funds have already been transferred. In response to Ms. Huddy- Yamamoto, Chief Westerman explained how the Department handles fund transfers. Mr. Jimenez added explanation on fund transfers that would require Council approval. Referencing the Operations section of the budget under collective bargaining, Mr. Fukushima asked for explanation on $112,500 that was transferred out; why the vast difference from the initial budget that was submitted? Chief Westerman explained it has to do with the contract for the helicopter renewal being protested, and the fund encumbrance required to keep the contract in existence; once the contract award protest is over, the funds will go back into the collective bargaining account. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session March 3, 2014 Page 5 In response to Mr. Fukushima, Chief Westerman explained the process that occurs when a contract award is protested, and provided a history of the award process for this particular contract. There was further discussion between Commission members and Chief Westerman on the protest process. In reference to the Training budget, Mr. Miranda asked if that was for new recruits, or for recurring training to which Chief Westerman replied both. Chief Westerman reported that as of next year's budget, the Fire Commission budget will no longer be under the Fire Department, but will Mr. Miranda moved to accept the Chief's monthly be transferred to the Office of Boards and Commissions. report and budget report. Ms. Huddy- Yamamoto seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. Communications KFC 2014 -005 Minutes of the January 24, 2014 Water Safety Task Force Mr. Jimenez moved to receive the January 24, meeting 2014 minutes. Mr. Miranda seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:01 KFC 2014 -006 List of live Legislative bills relating to Kauai Fire Department Mr. Jimenez thanked Chief Westerman and staff for providing the requested information. Chief Westerman highlighted House bills relating to TORT liability they are hoping will cross over to Senate, and those that are currently at Senate. He also provided an overview of the listed bills. Deputy County Attorney Mauna Kea Trask provided an explanation of the Mr. Miranda moved to receive the list of TORT liability bill. Legislative bills. Ms. Huddy- Yamamoto seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session March 3, 2014 Pate 6 Business I KFC 2014 -004 2014 Goals of the Fire Department In addition to the previously submitted list of goals, Chief Westerman provided the Commission with a copy and overview of a working document (on file) that provides a more detailed look of the goals within each bureau. Operations 2014 Goals Goal #1 — Complete 70% Hydrant Inspections In response to Mr. Fukushima's concern with the amount of hydrants he is seeing pop up in agriculturally zoned areas, Chief Westerman explained the Department works regularly with the Department of Water on the distance of a hydrant to a proposed structure. DOW is responsible for flow- testing, but KFD does physical inspections of the hydrants to ensure it is of adequate size, and in proper working order. Goal #4 — 100% Inventory with 90% Accuracy Mr. Fukushima asked if this will be an ongoing process and cost to which Chief Westerman replied it will be, but because it's done on -duty, the costs will be minimal. They eventually hope to come up with an effective program for the Department's inventory to maintain consistency. Mr. Fukushima asked whether there is such a thing as an SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) for a Fire Department; do other Fire Departments have one? Chief Westerman there isn't a "one size fits all" SOP, but explained that KFD has SOGs (Standard Operating Guidelines) as well as a number of Department specific policies and procedures. Chief Westerman noted they often look at other Fire departments of similar size and nature of work, and update or rewrite policies based off of what is already in existence elsewhere; KFD's swift water program SOG will be based off of one used in Colorado. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session March 3, 2014 Page 7 Mr. Jimenez restated concerns raised at the last meeting relating to measuring the Chief's effectiveness for the purpose of his evaluation, and is very pleased with what the Chief has provided. He stated the importance of a status report on these on -going goals to determine the Chief's accomplishments, noting the information provided now allows for measurability of and guidance on Department goals. Mr. Fukushima expressed his desire to discuss these goals on a monthly or quarterly basis, and asked for input from Commission members. Mr. Jimenez stated they need to give the Department time to finish some of the plans they are currently working on, such as the swift water training, before they report back to the Commission. Mr. Fukushima requested discussion on the goals be placed on the June 2, 2014 agenda, with any follow -up discussion at a subsequent meeting. Administrative Aide Teresa Tamura noted the timing would be good as the training for Evaluating Board /Commission - Appointed Department Heads takes place on May 6, Mr. Jimenez moved to receive the 2014 Goals of 2014. the Fire Department. Mr. Miranda seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. Executive Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes § §92 -4 and 92 -5 (a) (4) (8), to consult Session with the Commission's legal counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the Commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities, and to deliberate or make a decision upon a matter that requires the consideration of information that must be kept confidential pursuant to a state or federal law, or a court order as they may relate to this item, deliberate and take such action as appropriate. ■ ES -014 Communication from Karl Teves to the Fire Commission Mr. Miranda moved to enter into executive session. Mr. Jimenez seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. Return to Open Ratify Commission action taken in Executive Session for item: Mr. Miranda moved to ratify action taken in Session ES -014 executive session. Ms. Huddy- Yamamoto seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session March 3, 2014 Page 8 Announcements Next Meeting: Monday, April 7, 2014 — 2:00 p.m., Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A /B Adjournment Chair Fukushima adjourned the meeting at 3:27 p.m. Submitted by: Cherisse Zaima, Support Clerk () Approved as is. O Approved with amendments See minutes of Reviewed and Approved by: meeting. Jesse Fukushima, Chair