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Home My WebLink About08-03-15 KFC Open Session Min ApprovedCOUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Board /Committee: Kauai Fire Commission Meeting Date August 3, 2015 Location Mo'ikeha Building — Meeting Room 2A/B Start of Meeting: 2:00 p.m. End of Meeting: 2:40 p.m. Present Vice -Chair Bradley Maruyama; Members: Michael Martinez, Thomas Nizo and Mari Yokoi Also present: First Deputy County Attorney Stephen Hall; Board & Commissions Office Staff. Support Clerk Mercedes Omo; Administrator Jay Furfaro; Fire Department: Fire Chief Robert Westerman Excused Chair Eugene Jimenez and Commissioner Dan Brown Absent Commissioner Jimmy Miranda SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Vice Chair Maruyama called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. with four (4) members present constituting a quorum. Approval of Regular Open Session Minutes of July 6, 2015. Commissioner Nizo moved to approve the Minutes meeting minutes of July 6, 2015. Commissioner Vice Chair called for a motion to approve the meeting minutes. Martinez seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0 Chiefs Monthly 1. Fire Commission's Monthly Reports and pertinent updates for the month of June. Reports Chief Westerman provided an overview of the Fire Commission's monthly reports for the month of June highlighting the following events: 1) 2015 vigilant guard national disaster preparedness exercise involving National Guardsmen from California and Alaska, as well as active duty and civilian personnel, first responders and police and fire personnel; 2) the last segment of the Mayor's show "Together We Can" was shot at the Hanapepe Salt Pond Beach Park and featured the Junior Lifeguard Program; and 3) Napali action plan meeting was held in June to discuss ways on how to improve access out to Hanakapi ai to lessen the number of emergency helicopter flights to the area. Operations Bureau Kauai Fire Commission Regular Open Session August 3, 2015 Page 2 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Fiscal Year 2014/2015 showed an increase in brush fires of 144 compared to 74 in Fiscal Year 2013/2014. Training Bureau Beginning today, the Fire Department will be busy training five (5) new firefighter recruits. Fire Investigations Fire investigators conducted an investigation to determine the origin and cause of the brushfires in Kokee and Kaumakani. The Kauai Police Department was called in to assist with the investigation to determine whether or not a crime was committed. Forensic testing was conducted and the information was given to specialists from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to see if they could come up with enough evidence to help lead the law enforcement officials in the capture and arrest of the perpetrators. 2. KFD monthly 2015 Fiscal Report for the month of June. The Budget Status Report as of June 2015 reflect the department's actual expenditures at 95.54 %; budgeted but not expended at 4.46 %. The Administration YTD percent of the revised budget at 94.81 %; Fire Operations YTD percent of the revised budget at 97.07 %; Fire Prevention YTD percent of the revised budget at 84.19 %; Fire Training at 81.64 %; and Ocean Safety Bureau at 92.96 %. Kauai Fire Commission Regular Open Session August 3, 2015 Page 3 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION 3. Daily Flight Hours and Alarm Data for the month of June. There were a total of ten (10) call flight hours in the month of June of which 4.3 hours were for search and rescue missions and 5.5 hours for fire related incidents. In FY 2014 -15, there were sixty -five (65) calls for service rescues on land and eighteen (18) calls for fire related incidents. Commissioner Nizo moved to receive the With no further discussion, Vice Chair Maruyama called for a motion to Chief's monthly reports for the month of June. receive the Chief's monthly reports for the month of June. Commissioner Martinez seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0 BUSINESS General discussion on the Fire Department's budget for Fiscal Year 2016. KFC 2015 -06 Chief Westerman reported other than a few salary increases, there were no new additions made to the budget; noting that the full budget report can be found on the County's website www.kkauai.gov. . Chief Westerman suggested that with the 2015 budget out of the way, perhaps the Commission should start a discussion on the Fire Department's 2017 budget. Ms. Omo noted that she would place the item on the next meeting agenda and keep it as an on -going item so that the Commissioners can receive periodic updates from Chief Westerman relative to the 2017 budgetary process. KFC 2015 -007 Discussion on tentative timetable for Phase II of the Kauai Fire Department's Strategic Plan. On- og ing) Chief Westerman said that he sent a draft copy of the Strategic Plan to Mercedes for distribution to the Commissioners asking for their input. The deadline for the stakeholders input was on July 31St in which Mayor Carvalho, Managing Director Nadine Nakamura and the Fire Department's Kauai Fire Commission Regular Open Session August 3, 2015 Page 4 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION external partners all had an opportunity to provide some input which will be incorporated into the Strategic Plan. The final review of the draft will be done at the Fire Department's internal meeting in which the firefighters, as well as water safety officers will be given a chance to provide more in ut before the draft goes for final printing. KFC 2015 -10 General discussion on the Kauai Fire Department's stance relating to o Bill No. 2589 — Recovery of Rescue Expenses. (On-going) Administrator Jay Furfaro provided each member with a copy of Bill No. 2589, including a memorandum from Office of the County Clerk on comments that were made regarding the advisories that implies what the County can and cannot charge for recovery expenses. Commissioner Nizo asked where the Fire Commission is at this point in terms of whether or not the Commission wants to support the bill. Administrator Furfaro explained one of the challenges that the FFA (Federal Aviation Administration) indicated in the report is whenever a public aircraft is used for public service, you cannot necessarily charge for fuel and maintenance. Bill No. 2589 has been modified to a degree that does not include proving misconduct by the individual(s) who the County might have to collect money from to pay for fuel for the use of rescue boat, as well as other vehicles that would be used in the rescue; including payroll taxes and benefits associated with the bill. Administrator Furfaro said although Bill No. 2589 was passed by Council, it does not have all of the refinements to address this issue which is the reason why the County Council is waiting for a response from the FAA as to what the County can and cannot charge for, which will not be expected Kauai Fire Commission Regular Open Session August 3, 2015 Page 5 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION until November. Commissioner Nizo asked with the passing of Bill No. 2589, what the Fire Commission has to do now in terms of making any recommendations to the Fire Department. Administrator Furfaro replied that the Commission should have a discussion with the County Attorney on the information he provided while there is still time. He stated from what he understands, it will require a case -by -case evaluation on proving misconduct which will affect how much the County should bill for. Commissioner Nizo shared that after speaking with members of the public, questions were raised as to how do you prove negligence; especially with individuals who are in Kalalau Valley prior to the closed trail sign being posted. Administrator Furfaro replied his questions should be directed to the Office of the County Attorney as an agenda item. First Deputy Attorney Hall stated at this point, the Office of the County Attorney is still waiting for a response from the FAA in November on how to address the issue and how to implement it. He suggested that the Commission keep the matter on the next agenda for continued discussion. Vice Chair Maruyama asked if there were more questions for the Chief regarding Bill No. 2589, and if not he would like to move on to the next business item. KFC 2015 -12 General discussion on the Fire Department's recruitment for Firefighter Trainees, as well as the status of the Deputy Fire Chief's position. Chief Westerman stated that the recruitment efforts are on -going and as far as the Deputy Fire Chief position, it is still dollar funded; however, the Kauai Fire Commission Regular Open Session August 3, 2015 Page 6 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Department is working with the Administration to consider reallocation of certain positions and possibly convert the Deputy Chief's position into an Assistant Chief's position, which would be included in the 2017 budget process. Announcements Next meeting — Wednesday, September 9, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. in the Mo'ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A/2B. Adjournment With no further business to discuss, Vice Chair Maruyama called for a Commissioner Nizo moved to adjourn the motion to adjourn the meeting. meeting. Commissioner Martinez seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0 The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m. Submitted by: Mercedes Omo, Staff Support Clerk (X) Approved as circulated on September 9, 2015 ( ) Approved as amended. See minutes of meeting. Reviewed and Approved by: Bradley Maruyama, Vice -Chair