MECOSTA AUSTIN FIRE BOARD MEETING

                                                                 JULY 15, 2015

I.                   Meeting called to order at 7:07 p.m.

II.                Pledge to the Flag.

III.             Roll Call: John Boyd, Michele Graham, Elizabeth G Carr, Susan Sikkema, and John Brockway. Greg Babbitt was absent.

IV.              Additions to the Agenda: Moved by Michele Graham, supported by Susan Sikkema to approve the agenda with the addition of #7 Fill Dirt under New Business. Motion carried.

V.                 Minutes: Moved by John Brockway, supported by Michele Graham to accept the minutes as given.

VI.              Treasurer’s Report: Accepted as given.

VII.           Approval of the Bills: Moved by Michele Graham, supported Susan Sikkema to approve bill payment for $3,100.46 for the Fire Department and $2,373.95 for the First Responders. Susan Sikkema-yes, Michele Graham-yes, John Brockway-yes, Elizabeth Carr-yes, and John Boyd-yes.

VIII.        Public Comment: None

IX.              Old Business:

1.      Aptitude Test: Moved by Susan Sikkema, supported by Michele Graham to add fourteen basic eligibility questions in lieu of an aptitude test to the application to join the Fire Department. Motion carried.

2.      Pool Filling: The Fire Department has begun filling pools.

X.                 New Business:

1.      New Radios: Moved by Michele Graham, supported by John Brockway to purchase 4 Motorola 800 MHz radios from the First Responder Fund Balance in their checking account. Each radio costs $1,750.00 dollars for a total of $7,000.00. Susan Sikkema-yes, Michele Graham-yes, John Brockway-yes, Elizabeth Carr-yes, and John Boyd-yes. Mecosta County has switched all their radios at Central Dispatch, the Sheriff’s office, and EMS to the new digital 800 MHz radios. This has caused a problem for the departments in our area. There are certain areas that aren’t able to receive communications accept through Central Dispatch. These new radios would only be used for Command and Control officers. The goal is to replace 4-6 radios per year to lessen the expense and to have all the radios replaced before the old VHS system is completely discontinued. Mecosta Township and Austin Township will be approached about purchasing at least one more radio per Township.

2.      Payment of the Bills: Moved by Michele Graham, supported by Susan Sikkema to pay all utility bills as received and all other bills per signature by an officer or verbal authorization by an officer. Motion carried.

3.      Fire Chief’s Report: We will have a new member of the Fire Department, Cody Bullock, per the passing of his physical. The physical will cost $150.00. The exterior doors are not handicap accessible due to the sills. They will have to be replaced. The Fire Department will price doors for the next meeting. There were seven Fire runs and no injuries.

4.      MAY DAY training and Ladders & Ventilation training are done. There were no injuries.

5.      MFR Report: There were 32 MFR runs. The run reimbursement figures will be available at the next meeting.

6.      Maintenance Report: A siren had to be replaced on Truck 3-31. The cost was $125.00.

7.      Fill Dirt: Moved by Michele Graham, supported by Susan Sikkema to spend up to $300.00 for fill dirt. Susan Sikkema-yes, Michele Grhahm-yes, John Brockway-yes, Elizabeth Carr-yes, and John Boyd-yes.

Adjourned: 8:10 p.m.

Elizabeth G Carr

Mecosta Austin Fire Board Secretary