August 15, 2007

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. with The Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL: 9; Board Members Present: Clark, Husby, Crego, Adams, Hazen, and Morris.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Wendy Simmons, Steve Colby, Don Fox, Bernadette Burne, Mark Therrian all gave statements of support for Steve Fabiano to continue as Chief of LGRFA

CORRESPONDENCE: Chairman John Clark recognized the receipt of a letter of resignation from Chief Fabiano dated August 9^th, submitted for the packet to the board August 13^th.

AGENDA APPROVAL: Clark stated that establishing a steering committee needs to be added to the agenda. Motion by Adams, seconded by Hazen to accept the agenda as amended. Roll Call: Yes – Adams, Hazen, Crego, Morris, Clark. No - Husby. Motion passed.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Husby noted two corrections to the second page under pending business. Motion by Adams and seconded by Crego to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 18, 2007 as amended. Motion passed.

APPPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Morris, seconded by Adams to approve the three bill lists as presented. Motion passed.

REPORTS:

Chief’s Report:

Chair’s Report:

Financial Review - Clark states most expenses are right on track and it looks like we may be $20,000.00 ahead.

Correspondence from the Chief - Clark received a letter of resignation from the Chief effective 30 days from August 9, 2007. He feels Chief Fabiano has done a very good job for LGRFA and he wishes him well.

Insurance audit - Clark has contacted the insurance representative, Cindy White. Most of their concerns were with job descriptions and record keeping. LGRFA has another 180 days to reply.

Budget Committee Report - The committee reviewed the bookkeeping proposals of MTM of Grand Ledge and Countryside Accounting with a recommendation from the committee to accept the bid of Countryside Accounting for $6,500.00. MTM’s quote was $7,800.00.

The 2008 draft budget report is ready to be recommended to the townships

Personnel Committee report - Hazen stated that she is sorry that the Chief has resigned. Morris made a motion to not accept the Chief’s resignation and to renegotiate. The motion died for lack of support. Clark stated that the committee worked together to make a recommendation which the Board accepted. Husby handed out a spreadsheet showing what was submitted to the committee, what the chief had been earning since being appointed, the amended policy, and the firefighters contract benefits. Husby feels the policy has to be fair for the position. The last report of the committee relayed that the difference from the request of the chief and the committee's recommendation was 8 hours, but the difference is really 8 days. Husby would like the committee to look at the policy again to address seniority in regards to vacation and personal time for the position. Fabiano stated that he met with the Personnel Committee at least 4 times and they couldn’t come to a resolution. Adams added that at the last committee meeting, they had suggested the policy as it now exists, and the Chief came back with a counter proposal. The committee agreed to the modification of vacation and sick time and to adding an additional 8 hours of personal leave as opposed to the requested 16 hours. Crego stated that it is not a personal thing; there is no one of them that doesn’t believe in Chief Fabiano. Fabiano responded to Adam’s statement that they are not at an 8 hour difference, but an 8 day or 64 hour difference. When Fabiano asked why they wanted to cut his benefits, he was told that he didn’t have any benefits, or contract, or anything so there was nothing to negotiate. Fabiano is willing to go back to the personnel committee but he doesn’t feel there will be any changes. Clark states he will seek advice on the determination of the accumulation of benefit hours at this point.

PENDING BUSINESS: Discussion /Action on Personnel Committee Recommendation for the Chief – no further action taken.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Discussion/action on draft budget for Fiscal Year 2008 -The committee of Husby, Crego, and Clark met with the Chief to review the proposed budget as presented. The overall increase is just over 3%. Motion by Adams and seconded by Hazen that the Board accept the proposed 2008 budget from the committee dated August 2, 2007 and that it be forwarded to the Townships for adoption. Roll Call: Yes – Clark, Crego, Hazen, Adams, Husby. No – Morris. Motion passed.

2. Discussion/Action bookkeeping recommendation - Motion by Morris seconded by Hazen to accept the original proposal and Addendum 1 and retain Countryside Accounting for bookkeeping services. Motion passed.

3. Bookkeeper’s Report on Chief’s Benefits - Husby explained that they asked Patti Schafer at the last meeting to come up with a summary of the Chief’s benefits. Clark will take the policy manual and the amendments to the manual to review with the attorney.

4. Discussion/Action on a new Chief - Clark suggests that himself, and Supervisors Morris and Adams be on a search/steering committee to find a new chief. He thinks both Supervisors have to be involved in this work as representatives of their respective townships. Motion by Adams, seconded by Crego that a search/steering committee composed of Clark, Adams, and Morris be established. Motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENT - Paul Fabiano commented that he didn’t agree with the Chief’s resignation and it seems to him that Mrs. Hazen has stated that she didn’t have all of the facts and figures that she should have had. He doesn’t know how the committee could make a wise decision when they didn’t have all of the facts. He feels it would be in the best interest of the fire department if the Chief would take back his resignation and go back to negotiations and resolve this issue.

Patti Schafer asked if the board would consider amending the motion on the bill lists to 4 instead of 3 lists. Motion by Adams and seconded by Husby to approve the 4^th bill list with the Eagle Township 2 Medical Management checks totaling $1,183.90. Motion passed.

Patti Schafer asked for a copy of the traffic light contract so she can bill the townships their share of the bill. Clark asked that she not bill off the contract as the bill will be less than the total contract. Schafer stated that reading the minutes, she came up with 224 hours for the total of benefits under the new policy and the minutes show 216. Clark stated that it is 216. Schafer thanked the Board for accepting her contract mentioning that many other companies that were interested in bidding the job that if she was giving up the Authority, since she was not; they chose not to submit a bid. Adams stated she is very happy with the way the bids went and she thinks that they have received excellent service from Countryside Accounting and she is confident it will continue.

George Weitzel asks why the traffic light is a blinking yellow light. Clark responded that the Clinton County Road Commission put the program together.

Steve Colby comments that he hoed egos were not getting in the way of the Chief’s resignation, maybe a letter from him saying he rescinds his resignation until he gets together with the Board and personnel committee.

Morris would like to send a letter to Vic Helbert, Delta Township Chief, complimenting him on his recognition as outstanding chief.

Mark Therrian asked if the search committee will ask the townships for their approval of the person. Clark states that the way they are constituted, the charter says that the Authority does hiring and firing.

ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Adams, seconded by Crego to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.

_______________ ____________________

Date Approved Jean Husby, Secretary