Minutes Board of Directors Meeting - 3/16/04

The General Board Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Mr. Stonebraker. Present were Directors Mr. Stonebraker, Mr. Schloss and Mr. Bettag, Chief Svetanics, Ms. Vincent, Ms. Elizabethe Holland, a reporter from the Post-Dispatch, and Citizens from the District.

Pledge of allegiance led by Al Klein.

Mr. Stonebraker made a motion to accept the agenda, 2nd by Mr. Schloss. Roll call vote, all ayes.

Motion by Mr. Stonebraker to accept the minutes from the closed executive sessions of February 17, 2004 and February 24, 2004, and the minutes from the general sessions of February 3, 2004, February 17, 2004 as amended, and February 24, 2004, 2nd by Mr. Schloss. Roll call vote, all ayes.

Mr. Bettag gave the treasurer’s report for the month ending February 29, 2004. Mr. Bettag reported the good news that the District just received another $150,000 in tax revenue, which puts the District ahead of our estimated collection rate. We budgeted a 95% collection rate and already have a collection rate of 97% of taxes. Mr. Bettag stated the District is behind in our estimation of ambulance collection fees for the month of February. We had budgeted $25,000 per month in fees, but only received $18,760 for ambulance fees. We are having a meeting later this month to discuss this issue. Motion by Mr. Schloss to accept the treasurer’s report, 2nd by Mr. Stonebraker. Roll call vote, all ayes.

Chief’s Report: Chief Svetanics reported all employee evaluations are finished and that the Captain’s Test is ready and will be administered on March 29.

Chief Svetanics announced that the District has implemented an agreement with Eberhart’s, a locally owned pharmacy, which seems to be working well for the members and their families.

Chief Svetanics stated that he met with Union Local 2677 representatives regarding Memorandum of Understanding negotiations.

Chief Svetanics reported that we ordered “Code Red” the software for the new paperless billing system the paramedics will use when writing trip sheets. This data collection system will be easily billed and is expected to expedite ambulance reimbursements and also save time in generating required state reports. This system should make our revenue increase due to proper billing of insurance companies and reduction of rejected claims.

Chief Svetanics reported that the crews have started hydrant inspections. Chief Svetanics stated that overtime for the month of February dropped due to the reduction of sick days used in comparison to last year.

Monthly reports presented on training by each crew member, 40 hour education schedule for training, maintenance report, fire incident report and summary, ambulance statistics, Gateway monthly credit report, wage report, public relations report, minutes from South County Fire Alarm Association, and St. Louis Metro Fire District Alliance Minutes.

Action Agenda: Mr. Bettag made a motion to accept Ordinance 3-04, which requires workers compensation coverage for secondary employment of District employees, 2nd by Mr. Stonebraker, roll call vote all ayes.

Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 20, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. The regular open meeting for bill discussion is scheduled for Tuesday, April 27, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. Mr. Stonebraker reported that the open bill meeting was rescheduled this month for March 25, 2004, at 5:00 p.m.

Motion by Mr. Stonebraker to adjourn the General Board meeting at 7:20 p.m., 2nd by Mr. Bettag, roll call vote, all ayes.

Respectfully submitted,



Jerry G. Schloss, Secretary

JGS/pgv