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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021 10-19 FC Open Session APPROVED minutes.pdf COUNTY OF KAUAI MINUTES OPEN SESSION Board/Commission Kauai Fire Commission Meeting Date October 19, 2021 Location Microsoft Teleconference Meeting Start of Meeting: 2:01 p.m. 3:17 p.m. Present Chair Jen Chahanovich; Vice Chair Michael Martinez; Commissioners: Alfredo Garces Jr., Linda Kaauwai-Iwamoto, Alfred Levinthol and Chad Pacheco. Also, present: Board & Commissions Office Staff: Support Clerk Mercedes Omo; Administrator Ellen Ching; Office of the County Attorney: Deputy County Attorney Jenna Tatsey; Kauai Fire Department: Fire Chief Steven Goble; Deputy Fire Chief Michael Gibson (left meeting at 2:49 p.m.); and Chief’s Secretary Soncy Tamashiro. Excused Absent Commissioner Thomas Nizo SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Chair Chahanovich called the meeting to order on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 2:01 p.m. Roll Call to ascertain quorum A roll call ensued with six (6) Commissioners signifying that they were present to conduct business. Chair’s Announcements Next scheduled teleconference meeting – 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. Public Testimony None. KFC Open Session Minutes Of October 19, 2021, Meeting Page 2 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Approval of Minutes Chair Chahanovich noted that due to a lack of a quorum, the Commission could not meet in September. She asked the Commissioners to take a few moments to review the draft minutes of the August 17, 2021, meeting, and then she will call for a motion to approve or amend the minutes. Commissioner Pacheco moved to approve the minutes of the August 17, 2021, Meeting as circulated. Commissioner Levinthol seconded. The motion carried 6:0 by voice vote. Chief’s Monthly Reports a) Internal & External Partnerships/Covid & Resource Updates b) Administrative Bureau c) Fire Operations Bureau d) Fire Prevention Bureau e) Fire Training Bureau f) Ocean Safety Bureau g) Pertinent Updates h) Update on the status of the Fire Department’s five (5) Year Strategic Plan i) Update by Deputy Fire Chief Gibson on the Fire Department’s Utilization Study Fire Chief Goble highlighted items from his written reports: • Fire and Ocean Safety highlights: State funding for the lifeguards at the Kē ‘ē Beach tower was finally approved. Due to the transients accommodate tax adjustments were made to replace to Truck 6 (motor failure) and a jet ski in the south district. October 3 through 9 2021 is Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme is “Learn the sounds of Fire Safety!” which aims to educate about the different sounds that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms make to help people to take action to keep their family safe. • Budget: FY 2021-2022 County Budget total YTD spending through July 31 is at 17%. Total Salaries and Wages closed at 15% to date. Overtime for regular and the rank and file was $223,398.60. YTD $451,923.12. KFC Open Session Minutes Of October 19, 2021, Meeting Page 3 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION • Administrative Bureau: 18 vacancies; 2 Administration; 15 Operations - 13 FF, 1 FF III, and 1 Captain; 1 Prevention – Fire Inspector II. Work in progress to fix the floors at Fire stations 5and 7 floors. Facility for Air1 is not adequate. Floors at the Hanalei and Salt Pond Pavilions including the Hā‘ena Lifeguard towers needs work. Fleet update: Engine 7 is coming online. KRD’s Radon is out of service due to outboard motors. There is a debate on budgeting for outboard motors. • Alternative Funding and Grants: The SAFER Grant that was submitted for a new fire brush truck was denied. Firefighters Grant was also denied. • Resource: Replacement Engine 7 in-service on 10/21/2021 and Replace Truck 1 final inspection was done on 10/19/2021. • Partnerships: Continuing discussions with the Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands regarding the Anahola Regional Plan. Wildfire Mitigation plans for fuel management and prescribed burns. Evaluation conducted on a CPR device for potential donation. • COVID 19: Crew member exposed to a positive patient. $22,000 for COVID Testing. County’s Tire System has been discontinued. • Human Resources: Recruit Class 31 starts on 11/1/2021. Currently, 9 people are scheduled to start on 11/9 with a 10th still working through the last phase of the hiring process. 8 promotions were made for Fire and Ocean Safety. Three retirements: 1 Assistant Chief; 1 Fire Captain and 1 Firefighter III on 10/1/2021. Promotional testing cycle beginning in October. There are 15 fire fighter line vacancies. KFC Open Session Minutes Of October 19, 2021, Meeting Page 4 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION • Fire Operations Bureau: Stations 3, 2 and 5 were dispatched for a residential fire in residence in Līhu‘e. Total calls received for brush fire was 22; crop fire 1, EMS 25, False calls 9, Good intent 52. Hazardous Condition 1, Rescue/EMS Standby 8, Search for lost person 9, Service calls 23, Structure fire 7,Vehicle fire 5 and Water rescue 2. Total calls received in September was 464 and YTD 4515. • Fire Prevention Bureau: Fire investigation 2, ADU Permit Applications 4, Building Permit Plan Review 107, Planning Depart. Review 3, Cert. of Occupancy 55, Business Occupancy Inspection 11, Witness Acceptance Tests 5, Telephone/emailing inquires 322, Complaint investigation 1. Total 513. YTD 936. At 2:31 p.m., the Fire alarm went off, Chair Chahanovich called for a 20 -minute recess. At 2:47 p.m. the meeting was called back to order. At 2:49p.m. Deputy Fire Chief Michael Gibson informed staff via chat that needed to leave the meeting because he was called to the mayor’s office to discuss potential procurement for Air1 facility. • Fire Operations Bureau: Stations 3, 2 and 5 were dispatched for a residential fire in residence in Līhu‘e. Total calls received for brush fire was 22; crop fire 1, EMS 25, False calls 9, Good intent 52. Hazardous Condition 1, Rescue/EMS Standby 8, Search for lost person 9, Service calls 23, Structure fire 7,Vehicle fire 5 and Water rescue 2. Total calls received in September was 464 and YTD 4515. • Fire Prevention Bureau: Fire investigation 2, ADU Permit Applications 4, Building Permit Plan Review 107, Planning Depart. Review 3, Cert. of Occupancy 55, Business Occupancy Inspection 11, Witness Acceptance Tests 5, Telephone/emailing inquires 322, Complaint investigation 1. Total 513. YTD 936. KFC Open Session Minutes Of October 19, 2021, Meeting Page 5 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION • Ocean Safety Bureau: Rescues 8, Assists 0, prevention actions 3,708 - TYD 18,681. First Aid 195, YTD 666. Public contact 10,470 – YTD 57,240. Beach Attendance 77,847 – TYD 323,030. • Fire Training Bureau: The third quarter Pittsburgh rescue training focuses on fire fighter down drill. Goals and Objectives: Chief Goble reported that they received the Final Report for the Utilization Study and is now working on drafting responses to the recommendations. It is a 180-page document and most of the recommendations they agree with apart from a few items that just don’t quite fit. Regarding policies and procedures, the group has done a great job of reviewing the existing policies and procedures within the organization including other policies and procedures that exist from other organizations. He explained that their goal was to put together a proposal on revamping the work the group has done which is now in the hands of the chief officers to evaluate, assess, and then do a final revision. Chair Chahanovich asked Chief Goble if he would be ready to present the Utilization Study at the Commission’s December meeting to which Fire Chief Goble replied yes, December is a doable time. Commissioner Garces stated that because of his busy work schedule he hasn’t been able to attend meetings so, he wanted to take this opportunity to thank Fire Chief Goble and his team for their hard work and efforts to reduce the volume of his Monthly Reports. With no further discussion or comments by the Commissioners, Chair Chahanovich moved on to item KFC 2021-09. KFC Open Session Minutes Of October 19, 2021, Meeting Page 6 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION KFC 2021-09 Discussion and decision-making on accepting Fire Chief Goble’s Goals and Objectives followed by a monthly update on his Goals and Objectives. Boards and Commissions Administrator Ching stated that if the Fire Commission wants to make any amendments or changes to Fire Chief Goble’s goals and objectives the Commissioners should have a discussion on it. She pointed out that at the last Commission meeting, Fire Chief Goble also said that he was going to present his Final Report in December, so if the Commission wanted to wait for the Report someone needs to make a motion to defer the item to December, if not the Commission could amend the goals and objectives today. Chair Chahanovich asked the Commissioners if they had any recommendations that they wanted to make. Commissioner Pacheco stated that he agrees with Administrator Ching to defer the item to December. He noted that it wouldn’t make any sense for the Commission to make amendments or changes without seeing the Final Report first. For clarification, Ms. Omo asked if the amendments would be based on the outcome of the Fire Department’s Strategic Plan and the Utilization Study, and if the Chief’s goals and objectives had already been approved by the Commission prior to which Chair Chahanovich replied that to her recollection yes, the goals and objectives were already approved. Boards and Commissions Administrator Ching stated that her recollection was the goals and objectives were accepted; however, the Commission wanted an opportunity to review a copy of the completed Utilization Study and the Strategic Plan to see if they wanted to make changes to the Chief’s goals and objectives. KFC Open Session Minutes Of October 19, 2021, Meeting Page 7 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Chair Chahanovich explained that the reason why the Commissioners wanted Chief Goble to provide monthly updates on the Utilization Study and the Strategic Plan is because the Commissioners wanted to make sure that he stays on track. Ms. Omo thanked Chair Chahanovich for the clarification. With no further discussion, Chair Chahanovich moved on to item KFC 2021-10. KFC 2021-10 Communication dated October 1, 2021, from Charter Review Commission Chair Kawane to Fire Commission Chair Jen Chahanovich regarding a request on presenting proposals to amend the Kauai County Charter. Boards and Commissions Administrator Ching informed the Commissioners that the CRC (Charter Review Commission) is soliciting proposals from all county departments, as well as the county’s boards and commissions. She stated that CRC is not asking for an extensive proposal, they’re asking for a simple one paragraph explanation of what the Fire Commission would like to see changed and a second paragraph explaining why the Fire Commission wants the change. She shared that the CRC will probably receive several proposals and would review each one thoroughly, and then decide which proposal(s) they are going to accept and circle back to the source. This is just a preliminary request and not a detailed request. Chair Chahanovich stated that although she read the charter , both she and the Commissioners would need more time to re-read the charter, but as of right now she can’t think of anything she would like to see changed. Ms. Ching stated if the Commissioners needs to reread the charter someone needs to defer the item to the next meeting. In meantime, she will email the Charter Review Commission link to each Commissioner to go through it. KFC Open Session Minutes Of October 19, 2021, Meeting Page 8 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Commissioner Pacheco stated that sending the link to each Commissioner is a good idea being that majority of the Commissioners would not know what to change or what they would like to see changed at a drop of a hat. With no further discussion, Chair Chahanovich called for a motion to defer item KFC 2021-10 to the next Commission meeting for continued discussion. Commissioner Pacheco moved to defer item KFC 2021-10 to the Commission’s next meeting in November for continued discussion and decision. Commissioner Levinthol seconded. The motion carried 6:0 by voice vote. Executive Session None. Adjournment Being that there was further business to conduct, Chair Chahanovich called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Pacheco moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Kaauwai-Iwamoto seconded. The motion carried 6:0 by voice vote. At 3:17 p.m. the meeting was adjourned. Submitted by: __________________________________ Reviewed and Approved by: _________________________________________ Mercedes Omo, Staff Support Clerk Jen Chahanovich, Chair ( x ) Approved as circulated on November 16, 2021 ( ) Approved as amended. See minutes of ___________ meeting.