South Walton FIRE DISTRICT

 SOUTH WALTON FIRE DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Meeting Minutes – December 4, 2006

Commissioners Present:  Mike Stange, Donna Crawford, Harry Millsaps, Jack Abbit, Ed Wright, Brian Christenson, Maurice Gilbert

Commissioners Absent:  None

Call to Order:   The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m.

            Special Item:  Promotions

                        Marc Anderson – Assistant Chief

                        Ryan Crawford – EMS Division Chief

                        Mike Thomas – District Chief/C-Shift

On a motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously voted to accept the minutes of the November 6, 2006 meeting.

Secretary/Treasurer Report – Commissioner Millsaps

Attorney’s Report – Attorney Ramey

Attorney Ramey reviewed the Sunshine Law, Public Records Act, and the duties and responsibilities of fire commissioners

On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to approve Attorney Ramey’s monthly billing statement.

On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to approve Attorney Ramey’s request for a retainer fee of $1,000 per month ($175.00 per hour).

Chief’s Report –Chief Hallman reviewed the Emergency Response Activity Report and the Beach Safety Report for November 2006.   A letter from O’Sullivan Creel was distributed regarding the audit plan.  A complete audit report will be issued at the January 8, 2006 Board meeting.  Chief Hallman’s continuing research regarding the Board Seat/Precincts legislation changes will be reported after the January 29, 2007 legislature meeting.  In a communications center update, Chief Hallman announced that the Sheriff’s Office is currently reviewing the Memorandum of Understanding and a January 2007 start-up date is possible.

Committee Reports – None

Unfinished/Old Business: 

Lifeguard Scholarships:  On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to approve to give the two (2) 2006 Lifeguard of the Year “AirHeart-1 Flight Memorial” Scholarships in the amount of $1,200 each, with checks issued to the designated educational institution. 

A decision on future scholarships was tabled until next year, pending Commissioner Crawford’s written presentation of further clarification and final details of this program and a Firefighter scholarship program.

South Walton FIRE DISTRICT

 SOUTH WALTON FIRE DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Meeting Minutes – December 4, 2006

Page 2

Public Participation Policy:         On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the Public Participation Policy.

CR-395 Lease:  On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted that the lease agreement between South Walton Fire District (SWFD) and DST Carnival be mutually terminated and both parties released of the liability terms of this lease beginning December 6, 2006 through February 28, 2006. 

DST Carnival will have first right of refusal to re-instate this lease in accordance with the current terms, and will submit a check in the amount of $10,000 to SWFD to bring their account up-to-date through November 2006.

New Business:

2007 Board Meetings:  On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Board Meeting Schedule for 2007.

Resolution 06-06:  On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to approve Resolution 06-06, a resolution amending and restating the South Walton Fire District Firefighters Retirement System.

Impact Fee Exemption Request:  On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to approve the $10,400 impact fee exemption request submitted by Regional Utilities for a 26,000 sq. ft. building.

Inlet Beach Station RFP:  On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to approve the RFP committee’s recommendation of Design Build Systems, Inc. for the remodeling of Station 1 / Inlet Beach.

Miramar Station Joint Use Proposal:  On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board approved the proposal by JP Engineering to develop / share a retention pond between Station 5 and Robert McGill with the following stipulations:

• The pond must be built to County specifications.
• The roadway on their property be built to County specifications.
• Access by SWFD be perpetually maintained.
• Maintenance costs of the retention pond be shared equally.

South Walton FIRE DISTRICT

 SOUTH WALTON FIRE DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Meeting Minutes – December 4, 2006

Page 3

Public Comment:  

Union President, Mark Youngblood requested clarification from Attorney Ramey on his  comments regarding duties and responsibilities of fire commissioners.

Chairman Gilbert announced the resignation of Fire Chief / Administrator Les Hallman, who accepted a position as Director of the Florida Division of the State Fire Marshal.

On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board established a Fire Chief “search” committee comprised of Commissioner Jack Abbit, Tuffy Dixon, Fire Chief of the Destin Fire Control District and a Human Resources Manager from Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort to assist in filling the vacancy created by Chief Hallman’s resignation.

Mark Youngblood, Union President, requested a copy of the tape recording of the Board meeting and a copy of Attorney Ramey’s notes.

Adjourned:               The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.