September 20, 2005
General Board Meeting called to order at 7:03 p.m. by President Mr. Bettag.
Present were Directors Mr. Bettag, Mr. Schloss and Mr. Meyer, Chief Svetanics
and Ms. Vincent. There was one Citizen of the District present, Mr. Coll.
Pledge of allegiance led by Tom Coll.
There were no additions to the agenda.
Motion by Mr. Schloss to accept the agenda as presented, 2nd by Mr. Meyer, roll
call vote Mr. Bettag aye, Mr. Schloss aye and Mr. Meyer aye.
Motion by Mr. Schloss to accept minutes from the general sessions of August 11,
2005, August 15, 2005, August 22, 2005 and August 23, 2005, and the executive
session of August 8, 2005 as presented, 2nd by Mr. Bettag, roll call vote - Mr.
Bettag aye, Mr. Schloss aye, Mr. Meyer aye.
Mr. Schloss gave the treasurer’s report for the month ending August 31, 2005.
Mr. Schloss reported that revenue is up $98,426 above anticipated revenue due to
tax collections, ambulance fees and interest for the year. Mr. Schloss stated
that actual expenditures for the first eight months of the year are at 71.8% of
the annual budget.
Mr. Schloss reported that we collected $32,138 in ambulance fees for the month
of August, which is over our monthly budgeted amount of $25,000, and that we are
$56,777 over the total budgeted amount for the year.
Motion by Mr. Meyer to accept the treasurer’s report as presented, 2nd by Mr.
Bettag, roll call vote - Mr. Bettag aye, Mr. Schloss aye, Mr. Meyer aye.
Chief Svetanics reported that we filed our Amended Resolution to Fix Tax Rates
for Fiscal 2005 with the State Auditor’s office and that we had received a
letter from Claire McCaskill stating that our rates were approved.
Board Meeting
September 20, 2005
Page 2
Chief Svetanics reported that we began negotiations with Local #2677 in renewing
the M.O.U. and are now covering two key issues, health insurance and salaries.
Chief Svetanics reported that he is on a Budgetary Committee to review salaries
and benefits regarding South County Fire Alarm Association’s contract
negotiations with Local 1889.
Chief Svetanics reported that we are having our annual Open House/Blood Drive on
Saturday, October 15, 2005.
Chief Svetanics reported that we received delivery of our new ambulance from
Marque Ambulance and hope to have it in service by Friday. This purchase was
possible by an add-on to the City of St. Louis’ contract wherein they purchased
13 ambulances and we were able to get one at their price and save on having to
advertise for bids. The original price was $132,590 less $1,300 discount for
paying $61,311 cash immediately for the chassis, and a trade in of our old
ambulance for $6,500, which was a final total cost of $124,790. Chief Svetanics
was proud to report that we were able to finance this purchase ourselves from an
accumulation in our Capital Improvement Fund. Chief Svetanics welcomed everyone
to come down to the engine room to see our newest acquisition after the meeting.
Chief Svetanics also reported on a letter received from Michele Meyer, CEO of
Des Peres Hospital, for our donation of extra stretchers in response to a
request for supplies to go with the 6-ambulance caravan that went to help with
Hurricane Katrina emergency relief efforts at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis
and NorthShore Medical Center in Slidell, Louisiana.
Chief Svetanics reported that we had one serious fire this month on Kaiser
Avenue, and that the men did a good job. Chief Svetanics also stated that we
purchased 2 gross of smoke detectors at $4.00 each to be ready for Fire
Prevention Week, October 9th through the 15th, when we will again be checking
door-to-door to see if residents have working smoke detectors. This is our 3rd
year of installing detectors at no cost to all residents of Lemay.
Mr. Bettag proposed approval of the Amended Resolution Fixing Tax Rates for
2005. Mr. Schloss made a motion to accept the Amended Resolution of the Board of
Directors of Lemay Fire Protection District of St. Louis County Fixing Tax Rates
for Fiscal 2005, 2nd by Mr. Meyer, roll call vote - Mr. Bettag aye, Mr. Schloss
aye, Mr. Meyer aye.
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September 20, 2005
Page 3
Monthly reports presented on training by each crew member, maintenance report,
fire incident report and summary, ambulance statistics, lockbox monthly credit
report, community services report, PIO report, wage report, South County Fire
Alarm Minutes and St. Louis Metro Fire District Alliance Minutes.
Next general meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. The
regular open meeting for bill discussion scheduled for Tuesday, October 25, 2005
at 3:30 p.m.
Public Comments: Mr. Tom Coll asked where we got cash to pay for new ambulance.
Mr. Bettag responded that we had been saving for it in the Capital Improvement
Fund. This fund is an accrued collection of delinquent taxes, a successful
proposal made several years ago by past board member, Richard Mueth.
Motion by Mr. Schloss to adjourn general board meeting at 7:37 p.m., 2nd by Mr.
Meyer, roll call vote - Mr. Bettag aye, Mr. Schloss aye, Mr. Meyer aye.
Respectfully submitted,
David Meyer, Secretary
DKM/pgv