HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-11-97 Personnel & Finance 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.
Personnel and Finance Committee
August 11, 1997
Page 2
The camera would also permit better fire personal safety for the fire fighters utilizing such
equipment.
Chief Taylor also noted that a TV could monitor the entire fire situation where such a
thermal imaging camera was used.
Following further discussion, Council Member Varner made a motion seconded by Council
Member Sniadecki that Bill No.74-97 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion
passed.
There being no further business to come before the committee the meeting was adjourned at
5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sean Coleman, Chairperson
Personnel and Finance Committee
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