08-11-97 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Committss Ztport: Personnel and Finance Committee 'Co the Common Council of the Citg of fout1j $sn : The August 11, 1997 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Sean Coleman at 4:45 p.m. in the council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Aranowski, Pfeifer, Kelly, Broden, Varner, Ujdak, Coleman, Hosinski, Sniadecki; Don Porter, Chief Luther Taylor, Chief Rex Switalski,and Kathy Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Coleman noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Substitute Bill No. 73-97 which would appropriate$520,000 from the general fund. Fire Chief Luther Taylor made the presentation. He noted that the appropriation would cover start up expenditures as they relate to the construction of new Fire Station No. 10 and expenditures relating to the St.Joseph County EMS. Pre-designed expenses are expected to be$100,000, County EMS expenses $290,000 and the purchase of one ambulance for $130,000. Chief Taylor noted that all money from the County would be reimbursed to the general fund by the end of this calendar year. Chief Taylor noted that the city would accept the five acres by Station 10 but only needs two acres. He noted that there is a leaking swimming pool involved and that there is a meeting tonight with the Centre Township Neighborhood Group. Council Member Varner the District Councilman for the area of where Station 10 will be built noted that 70-80 people were at the last neighborhood meeting and were in favor of the proposed site. Council Member Ujdak inquired as to the location and the Chief noted that response times for County calls are all being carefully monitored. Following discussion, Council Member Aranowski made a motion seconded by Council Member Broden that Substitute Bill No.73-97 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The committee then reviewed Bill No. 74-97 which would appropriate$160,000 from the Emergency Medical Services Capital Improvement fund. Chief Luther Taylor,Fire Chief, made the presentation. He noted that the appropriation would allow the station to purchase a new heavy duty ambulance at the cost of$130,000 and one additional thermal imaging camera which would permit fire fighters to see through heavy smoke to identify trapped victims in burning structures. With the purchase of the second thermal imaging camera they would have two helmets so equipped. Assistant Chief Switalski noted that the technology is so improved that the camera can indicate footprints for example of a small child who would walk into a closet and the camera could capture those footprints and assist the fire fighter in removing such victims.