MINUTES OF PROSPECT HEIGHTS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING OF
The meeting was called to order by
President Cagney at
Quorum was present and the following persons all were in attendance: Chief Donald R. Gould, Jr., Deputy Chief Jones, Deputy Chief Smith, Attorney Daday.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Consideration of the minutes of
the
After a short discussion, Trustee Weidman made a motion the approve the minutes as submitted with a second by Trustee Tammen. The motion carried unanimously.
President Cagney passed on this motion since he was not in attendance at the meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Trustee Tammen presented his report pursuant to the attached status of account sheets. After a short discussion, Trustee Arends made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report as submitted with a second by Trustee Weidman. The motion carried unanimously.
PRESENTATION OF THE BILLS
Deputy Chief Jones presented the
bills from the check register report. He
noted the bills for reimbursement for phone services and the bill to Bank of
America. Deputy Chief Jones noted that
there was damage to the station garage door and there was a payment to
Ayes: Tammen, Arends, Weidman, Cagney.
Nays: Zero.
OLD BUSINESS:
CHIEF’S REPORT
The Chief reported on his Five Year Plan. Discussion was had regarding the impact of the Five Year Plan. President Cagney wanted to know whether there was any issue with respect to the statements that were contained in the Plan and whether there were ramifications to making those statements. Attorney Daday indicated that the statements that were being made were of proposed plans and that the District was not responsible if those plans were not completed or they were changed over a period of time.
The Chief also reported that a disciplinary was issued with respect to the damage to the garage door and that was handled administratively. The Chief also reviewed his monthly report.
Trustee Arends noted that there were certain statements made in the newspaper regarding the pending administrative hearing before the Fire Commission. He indicated that he wanted to know whether or not that was a violation of the closed session. Attorney Daday indicated that those statements were attributed to the Chief and Attorney Daday. There were no statements made to the newspapers. All of the statements were made by Captain Elsner or his attorney. Attorney Daday indicated that the closed session was to assure that the process was held to protect the privacy rights of the individuals who were involved and to allow the Board to deliberate on issues regarding personnel without being under the scrutiny of public opinion. The Open Meetings Act did provide for closed session for those types of hearings. Clearly the individuals involved should respect the closed hearing but there is no sanction that can be levied against those individuals if they chose to discuss the proceedings.
President Cagney indicated that he understood that the Chief had forwarded letters to the Wheeling Township Board with respect to potential Trustee candidates. He felt that it was his opinion that the Chief should not be sending letters of recommendation with respect to those candidates.
New Engine – The Chief indicated
that there was to be an inspection of the new engine on
Review of adoption of Ordinance 2008-001 – Membership in the Illinois Fire District Employee Benefit Cooperative. The Chief described the change and recommended adoption of the Ordinance. After a short discussion, Trustee Tammen made a motion to approve the Ordinance as submitted with a second by Trustee Arends. The motion carried unanimously.
Trustee Compensation – The Chief indicated that there were some additional funds that Trustees would be entitled to collect as part of their compensation. The Board determined that that could be addressed in the next budget cycle.
Review of federal Safer Grant for hiring three additional full-time firefighters. Discussion was had regarding the acceptance of the Grant and ramifications. The discussion was had and the Board indicated its concurrence with moving forward with the plan to pursue and accept the Grant. The firefighters that would be hired would be within the next budget cycle.
Report and recommendation of Fire Commission – No report.
OTHER MATTERS:
President’s Report:
President Cagney noted that the spring newsletter did not list Trustees and staff. He indicated that he would like to see the Trustees listed on the newsletter. Discussion was also had regarding the web site and Trustees’ access to the web site.
Attorney’s Report: None.
Adjournment:
After a short discussion, Trustee
Arends made a motion to adjourn the meeting at
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