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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014_0707 KFC Open Min APPROVEDCOUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Board /Committee: FIRE COMMISSION Meeting Date July 7, 2014 Location Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A /213 Start of Meeting: 2:03 p.m. End of Meeting: 2:48 p.m. Present Chair Jesse Fukushima; Vice Chair Eugene Jimenez; Members: Dan Brown; Heidy Huddy- Yamamoto; Bradley Maruyama; Jimmy Miranda (2:09 p.m.); Savita Agarwal (2:09 p.m.) Also: Fire Chief Robert Westerman; Boards & Commissions Office Staff. Support Clerk Cherisse Zaima; Administrative Aide Teresa Tamura; Administrator Paula Morikami Excused quorum. Approval of Absent Mr. Jimenez moved to approve the open session Minutes SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Chair Fukushima called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m. with 5 members present, constituting a quorum. Approval of Re ular Open Session Minutes of June 2, 2014 Mr. Jimenez moved to approve the open session Minutes minutes. Ms. Huddy- Yamamoto seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0. Chiefs Monthly Overview for the month of May 2014 and pertinent updates Report Chief Westerman provided an overview of the monthly report. (On file) Mr. Fukushima asked to clarify that at the peak of the construction period when 300 — 500 building permits are anticipated to be reviewed there is still only one plans inspector to which Chief Westerman replied yes. Mr. Fukushima stated his understanding is the plans inspector plans to retire, and asked to clarify that someone is already on back -up to handle the upcoming workload. Chief Westerman replied they currently have all three inspectors, as well as the Captain, trained to do plans reviews; however staff Kauai Fire Commission Open Session July 7, 2014 Pate 2 in the Prevention Bureau is rotated on a fairly regular basis, and they come and go based on line promotions. In many cases, the plans review only requires a cursory look as many may not have any fire prevention issues or requirements. Mr. Jimenez referenced the incidents reported at the Po`ipu tower, and asked if there is any signage to warn beach goers of the dangers. Chief Westerman stated yes, there are signs and all replacement signs are in, and will be replaced around the island soon. Also, Brennecke's beach has a new kiosk that displays a large graphic of the whole beach area from Brennecke's beach all the way past the Waiohai, and includes information on where rip currents are and safe, guarded areas to swim. Ms. Huddy- Yamamoto referenced the entry under Station 1 — Hanalei that states the jet ski at Pila`a not working. She asked to clarify whose jet ski that is. Chief Westerman stated this was likely due to the Ocean Safety jet ski not working. Hanalei station is one of the few stations to have a jet ski, and they likely used it to assist with a rescue at Pila`a. Chief Westerman provided information on the locations of the department's jet skis and what areas they service. Ms. Huddy- Yamamoto shared that Fire Inspector Vaughan recently came to Costco, where she works, with the entire recruit class to do an inspection. He took the time to introduce all of them to her, which was a very nice surprise. ■ Budget port as of May 31, 2014 Chief Westerman provided an overview of the budget report. In response to Mr. Jimenez, Chief Westerman explained how worker's compensation is budgeted for. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session July 7, 2014 Page 3 Mr. Fukushima commented that he does not see any reports on litigation or worker's compensation, which had been shown in the Chief's report in the past. He asked if that meant the Department was in good standing. Chief Westerman replied there is one current workman's compensation case, noting that any discussion on a particular case would need to be done in executive session as it would involve discussions about an employee's medical status. There are also external discussions with both the Department of Personnel Services and the worker's compensation agent. Litigation is handled by the County Attorney's office, and would be considered a privileged discussion between the two departments. Litigation is not managed by department and does not affect the department's funds. Mr. Fukushima stated in the past, those issues were not discussed; however, the information was made available in the report, which he no longer sees. He requested staff consult with the County Attorney on what information can and cannot be presented to the Commission, noting if it does involve litigation or financing coming from the Fire Department it becomes a Fire Staff will consult with the County Attorney's Commission concern, office on what worker's compensation, and litigation information can be presented to the Commission. Mr. Jimenez further requested the County Attorney review and provide an annual report on the cases involving the Kauai Fire Department as a matter Mr. Miranda moved to receive the Chief's of general information. monthly report and budget report. Mr. Jimenez seconded the motion. Motion carried 7:0. Business KFC 2014 -012 Request by the Office of Boards and Commissions to the Department of Personnel Services (DPS) to conduct a training on the DPS evaluation process with the County Commission members who appoint and evaluate their department head a) Evaluation Timeline Kauai Fire Commission Open Session July 7, 2014 Page 4 Paula Morikami, Office of Boards and Commissions Administrator explained that DPS and the Boards and Commissions office is requesting a deferral in order to work on a plan to standardize the evaluation process throughout the County. The new evaluation form is not yet ready for this year's evaluation, therefore, the Commission would perform the Chief's evaluation as they have done in the past years. The goal is to have the forms and process standardized by next year's evaluation period. Ms. Morikami referenced the attachments that detail the current Administrative Policies and Procedures as well as an evaluation timeline, which they can still use to perform this year's evaluation. Mr. Fukushima asked whether this procedure is strictly administrative, or if it will include the County Council to which Ms. Morikami replied she believes the Mayor's intent is to involve the County Council as well as the Prosecuting Attorney's office in order to have everyone on the same page. Mr. Jimenez asked what the Boards and Commission's stance is on pending legislation regarding commissioners not being allowed to testify before County Council. Ms. Morikami replied she believes Councilmember Yukimura, who introduced it, requested the communication just be received for the record this year. KFC 2014 -013 Review of Resolution of Commendation for Hanakapi`ai rescue Chief Westerman distributed a letter submitted to the International Association of Fire Chiefs to nominate the crew that participated in the Hanakapiai rescue for the Ben Franklin Award for Valor. Chief Westerman reported that the Kauai Fire Department nominees have since won the award. He suggested the resolution be amended to include the rescue crew's receipt of the Award for Valor. Mr. Jimenez moved to defer KFC 2014 -012. Mr. Miranda seconded the motion. Motion carried 7:0. Mr. Brown moved to approve the resolution as amended. Mr. Miranda seconded the motion. Motion carried 6:0. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session July 7, 2014 Pate 5 KFD 2014 -014 Discussion on improving Kauai Fire Department's public Mr. Brown moved to open discussion. Ms. relations Huddy- Yamamoto seconded the motion. Motion carried 7:0. Chief Westerman introduced two summer hires, Leia Emura and Tyler Topenio, that are currently working on marketing directives to outline how to better market the Fire Department. They will be finished with their project sometime next month, and may possibly be able to do their presentation for the Commission at the next meeting on August 4. Chief Westerman expressed his appreciation for the Commission's concerns, and assured them that the Department is working towards improving public relations. Chief Westerman stated that KEDB (Kaua`i Economic Development Board) administers an exit survey to visitors both online and at the airport, and the Ocean Safety Bureau has asked them to include a few ocean safety related questions. He distributed a draft working document utilizing the information from the survey, explaining some of the results received. Mr. Jimenez commented that he is very pleased by the coverage the Fire Department has been receiving from various media sources as they have been very positive. He encouraged the summer hires, as they come up with marketing recommendations, that they include how the hotel industry can assist with public relations. Mr. Brown referenced the Ben Franklin award, stating he wonders how many visitors and residents actually see what the firefighters have done, and what their capabilities are. The information he would like to get to the general public is what they do on a daily basis with rescue, first aid, fire and water safety, etc.; it's not just about fighting fires. Ms. Agarwal suggested a short video about the firefighters' work be posted in various hotels where there is more exposure to the public. Kauai Fire Commission Open Session July 7, 2014 Pate 6 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. Fukushima stated he is sure the Chief has been doing what he can to promote the Department in whatever reasonable means. Executive ES -017 KFC 2014 -011 Development & Discussion of 2013 evaluation for Mr. Brown moved to defer ES -017 KFC 2014 - Fire Chief Session 011. Mr. Jimenez seconded the motion. Motion carried 7:0. Announcements Next Meeting: Monday, August 4, 2014 — 2:00 p.m., Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A /B Adjournment Chair Fukushima adjourned the meeting at 2:48 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