Minutes Board of Dirctors Meeting 5/19/04

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 and Fire Fighters Captain Tony Jegel and Lt. Doug Michalski. There were no Citizens from the District present.

Pledge of allegiance led by Lt. Michalski.

Mr. Bettag 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 April 14, 2004 and April 27, 2004, and the minutes from the general sessions of April 20, 2004 and April 28, 2004, 2nd by Mr. Schloss. Roll call vote, all ayes.

Mr. Bettag gave the treasurer’s report for the month ending April 30, 2004. Mr. Bettag reported the District has collected $2,108,798 in tax revenue so far this year. Mr. Bettag stated the District received $16,000 in ambulance collection fees for the month of April, which is very low for the amount budgeted for collections. Mr. Bettag reported that we will be starting to use our new billing agency, MediClaims, on June 1, with expectations of improved collections. Motion by Mr. Stonebraker to accept the treasurer’s report, 2nd by Mr. Schloss. Roll call vote, all ayes.

Chief’s Report: Chief Svetanics reported that five employees attended the Fire District Instructors Conference (F.D.I.C.) in Indianapolis.

Chief Svetanics stated that we have started using the Code Red System on the ambulance and asked Lt. Michalski to report. Lt. Michalski stated that all crews started using Code Red with the new computer on the ambulance on Monday and everyone is rating it as outstanding. It is efficient and easy to use. The Board thanked and commended Lt. Michalski and Pvt. Schwenk for all their work in researching and implementing the new system.

Chief Svetanics announced that the District installed 14 smoke detectors and 24 infant car seats in April. All members are ready to check bicycle helmets since they have taken the safety classes. Now the District has bicycle helmets to give to those in need donated by the St. Louis County Health Department. You must be a resident of St. Louis County to be eligible for the helmets and must make an appointment for the fittings.

Chief Svetanics reported that negotiations on the Memorandum of Understanding were finalized and everyone is pleased with the outcome. The Board of Directors commended the executive committee for their work.

Chief Svetanics reported that the crews have been working on the landscaping at the Fire House and that Pvt. Frierdich and Pvt. Ross worked with Mrs. Ross to plan, purchase and plant the beds in the upper parking lot. Chief Svetanics also stated that Captain Schuessel installed the new handicapped parking sign in the lot. The Board thanked and commended the members and Mrs. Ross for their hard work and expertise.

Chief Svetanics reported that the Board accepted the bid from Hawk iSolutions Group for the new computer system and that they will be starting the wiring for the installations next week. It may take several weeks before all the computer parts are delivered and the workstations are up and ready.

Chief Svetanics stated that sick day usage in comparison to last year at this time is amazingly low. The Board noted the members’ cooperation and commended them for reducing overtime needed to compensate for excessive sick day usage.

Monthly reports presented on training by each crew member, 40 hour education schedule for training, maintenance report, fire incident report and summary, ambulance statistics, school fire drill/inspection report, Gateway monthly credit report, community service report, wage report, sick day comparison report, South County Fire Alarm Report and St. Louis Metro Fire District Alliance Minutes.

Motion by Mr. Bettag to adopt Resolution 5-04 regarding officer positions on the Board of Directors to serve no more than two simultaneous years in any position out of a six year term, 2nd by Mr. Schloss. Roll call vote, all ayes.

Mr. Stonebraker stated that we received a letter from Representative Jim Lembke, who reported that House Bill HB1529 that he introduced into legislature was passed by the Senate. This Bill makes it possible for districts providing emergency services to be reimbursed from the Special Allocation Fund for at least 50% of the district’s tax increment.

Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 14, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. The regular open meeting for bill discussion is scheduled for Wednesday, June 23, 2004 at 3:30 p.m.

Motion by Mr. Stonebraker to adjourn the General Board meeting at 7:45 p.m., 2nd by Mr. Bettag, roll call vote, all ayes.

Respectfully submitted,



Jerry G. Schloss, Secretary

JGS/pgv