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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Services Committee Minutes 11.22.2004 MINUTES EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 22, 2004 5:30 P.M. Members Present: Dan Dart Carl Holden Doug Poehls Jenny Johnson Pat Kimmet Dick Fritzler Others Present: Jan Faught Rick Musson Terry Ruff Meeting was called to order. Chairman Dan Dart asked if there was any public input. There was none. Hazardous Waste Dan read the paragraph to review the changes to the "Hazardous Waste" incident compliance per the LVFD response to hazardous waste situations. This paragraph was looked at by Terry, LVFD and Mary from the Billings Fire Department, and also the city attorneys, Elk River Law Office. This will pertain to the LVFD, as not being trained, to be able to respond to hazardous waste situations or when the incident commander or chief would decide if is appropriate to respond to and participate in a situation. Pat asked if there was a definition to ultra-hazardous. Terry explained ultra meaning as stated in the paragraph, "including but not being limited to solids, liquids, gases or other airborne materials deemed ultra-hazardous". He also stated that the department's first role is life safety when it comes to dealing with a situation, for instance ifa propane tank or back yard barbecue is involved. Pat said he has not heard the terminology used before and said he would check into it pertaining to the refinery. He doesn't see a problem with it as far as if LVFD is used in a backup role to the Haz-mat team at the refinery. Dan stated this paragraph is in regard to liability issues. It is for the fire chief or commander in charge to define hazardous materials on site and to determine the action of the fire department. This paragraph mainly will be used for mutual aid agreements and they don't mention hazardous materials. Terry stated that the fire department by-laws doesn't mention hazardous materials. After this is presented to the council, it will be put into a resolution to present it to other fire areas. Pat said he would check into the meaning of the term ultra-hazardous. Legalizing resident fireworks displays The Laurel Municipal Code outlines there are public fireworks displays approved by the consent of the Mayor, such as the 4th of July at Thomson Park, the Christmas display, and Homecoming. Individual displays are not allowed. The committee is looking into allowing or opposing individual displays and also how to control and limit these displays. An ordinance from Whitefish, Montana was reviewed. Dan asked for comments on the idea of legalizing limited home displays. Dick asked for the opinions of the fire and police departments on whether this would be a good law to put into effect. Rick said 4th of July is a busy time and there are many reports of fireworks going off. But it is hard to catch who is doing it unless they see it being done, so there aren't many tickets written. With limited manpower, it is impossible to stop all the fireworks. He suggested proposing an ordinance specifying a time period to allow public displays, which would permit people to let off fireworks during a limited time. Rick, Jan, and Terry replied that they cannot remember any major fires or injuries relating to fireworks in the city limits. Discussion continued on the dates and times to specify limited fireworks and also on the concern of limiting fireworks within a parameter from the city park, which causes danger to the firemen and displays they are setting up in Thomson Park. It was also mentioned that fireworks should not be discharged within the parameter of service stations or other premises storing or handling explosive products within the city limits. It was pointed out that the possession or discharge by any minor child shall be with the supervision ora parent, which puts the liability on the parent and not the city. The size of fireworks sold are defined by state law, and therefore, are only legal for setting off in the city limits. Jenny asked Rick if the police department saw any difference after the notice was in the Outlook notifying dog owners of fireworks to be displayed in the park for the recent soccer match. Rick said he hasn't heard any comments from the public in response to the notice. Jenny also questioned if the police log would show comparisons between calls pertaining to dogs related to fireworks at the homecoming compared to the soccer match, which was after the notice. He said the police log could be looked at, but they would probably find little change. It was stated that notifying the public of fireworks should be the responsibility of the group in charge of the event taking place, such as the school for the homecoming and Christmas to Remember for their celebration. Terry said the fire department took care of it for the state soccer match. Rick stated that it is positive to let the public know, and another way to notify the public is to use the local cable advertising channel. Mission Statement Dan stated it would be beneficial to have a mission statement for the Emergency Services Committee. He asked the committee members to bring suggestions to define what this committee should embody and present further to the council. It is important for these committees to hear information from the public instead of the public going directly to the council for immediate action. Mayor Olson said that a committee is a sounding board consisting of council people and citizens who can hear concerns and discuss public issues. It gives the committee an idea of the reception they will receive on a topic and make decisions before taking it to the council. Another advantage is that people are more likely to express their concerns to a committee, and it is important to have this communication flow. Rick stated that having a mission statement would define why this cominittee meets and would explain the purpose of the committee and what the department heads should bring forth to the committee. Other Discussion Jan, representing the Laurel Ambulance, had none. Terry, representing the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department, reported on dry hydrants. He said they have received a grant though the DNRC. They are in the process of mapping the city, county, the fire service areas and dry lands. They are up to 13 dry hydrants. Larry McCann got a mapping machine. When the machine is running and the department finishes their work, they will be able to print some maps. Rick, representing the Laurel Police Department, reported on the police motorcycles. He said the department doesn't get new police cars as often as the department requests them. He would like to get a new car every year, and sell a vehicle every fourth year, after a three-year cycle is complete. Last budget year, the department received approval for $24,000 through the CIP to purchase a new car. They were authorized $16,000 in the 2004-2005 budget year for a new car and needed to come up with the balance to equip the car with lights and siren. They were able to get a grant for $9,000 to supplement the funds. He said that the police department has been using motorcycles and has progressed from having one motorcycle the first year to having two motorcycles the second year. The Harley-Davidson dealership in Billings has a program that sells the department the motorcycle for a dollar a year with a contract that the bike is received in April and returned in November. The equipment for the bikes is purchased through the Drug Forfeiture Fund. The owner of the dealership has suggested that another bike be received for the police chief. The department spends approximately $10,000 in equipment between the two motor patrol bikes. Rick said he intends to get three bikes next year, with one being transportation for himself. This bike would not need to be fully equipped like the last two bikes. Rick pointed out that he needs the transportation, because there are not enough police vehicles. He finds himself without a car to drive many days because his assigned vehicle is used for someone going to school, etc. The transportation of another motorcycle would be a very minimal cost of one dollar. The motomycle is ordered, and by getting the approval for a third bike, he will use it for police department transportation from April. through November. Jenny questioned the fact that the fire chief and ambulance director do not also have assigned vehicles. It was pointed out that in their cases they have the fire trucks and ambulance to respond when they are called out. The police chief is in a position where he needs a vehicle for daily police duty and when called out. This form of transportation is provided to them for only a dollar for the summer months. Discussion cont'mued on whether the IRS would require Rick to claim the use of the transportation on his taxes from home to the work place. This would not be required because it is used only for work and emergency services. Rick was asked to give a tabulation of expenses for the other bikes. The setup fee is $300.00 at the beginning of the season and $200.00 at the end of the season to remove equipment. The third bike would not have all the equipment put on and would not be charged these fees. The maintenance would be from $300 to $400 a year. Jenny suggested that Rick attend a council workshop and present the topic to them. Rick said a contract will be provided for the mayor's signature next spring. At that time, it will be presented to the workshop and then to the council through a resolution for the approval and signature of the mayor. If the council denies the request, then the dealership just sells the bikes. He would then continue to be without a vehicle when on duty or on call those six months out of the year; however, he could have a vehicle for only a dollar instead of needing to request the funds to purchase even a used vehicle. The meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Neva Hall Secretary