Ochopee FCD Advisory Board Minutes 07/08/2013 2013 Ochopee Fire Control
District Advisory
Committee
Minutes
July 8 , 2013
OCHOPEE FIRE CONTROL DISTRICT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD ON JULY 8, 2013
The following were in attendance:
Alan McLaughlin, Fire Chief, Ochopee Fire Control District
Linda Swisher, Administrative Secretary, Ochopee Fire Control District
Frank Hawkins, Chairman, Port of the Islands Committee Member
Ronald Gilbert, Port of the Islands Committee Member
Tony Davis, Port of the Islands Committee Member
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting began at 4:05PM.
ROLL CALL OF ATTENDEES:
All committee members were present except for McBeth Collins who had a family
emergency.
ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Ron Gilbert added an item to the agenda under new business in regards to stepping down as
Chairman of the Advisory Committee and making Frank Hawkins the new Chairman.
APROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
The Agenda was approved with the new item added under New Business by Ron Gilbert.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF JUNE 10, 2013:
The minutes were approved and signed after a change was made to an incorrect date on the
front page. The date was changed from 6 -10 -13 to 5 -13 -13 during the meeting by the
Administrative Secretary Linda Swisher.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:
None
Page 1
REPORTS:
Chiefs Report: Chief McLaughlin
Budget — We are still on track with the budget however, we are a little behind on our overtime
but we expected that. We had a high use of sick time this year more than we have had in five
years so we had some overtime costs we hadn't budgeted for. Because of the sick time we
also increased our use of Job Bankers. We are watching it carefully we do have some reserves
that should cover some of the overages. We don't really get a good handle on how much
overtime costs will be until the middle of August then we can make some projects. We have
another holiday coming as well Labor Day which the holiday is paid out of overtime costs. So
we will continue to monitor the overtime. Everything in the operating budget is fine.
US Firefighter Line of Duty Deaths for the year of 2013 is currently 62 and for the month of June
25, this would include the 19 firefighter deaths in Arizona.
Operations Report — There were 72 calls for the month of June which is a record for us we have
never had that many calls for the month of June. Usually are average calls for the month of
June is in the 40's. Our highest annual call volume on recorded was 636 in 2007 but if we keep
up this pace we could be over 700 calls this year. It is obvious that our call volume is increasing.
The calls seem to be increasing all over the District not just on 1 -75. Usually we average one
boating call a month but we've already had three incidents this month. Our mutual aid calls
have increased as well especially to Marco Island.
Calls out of District — There were three calls to Marco Island Fire District and one call to Isles of
Capri Fire District which was a boat call.
Boat Calls — One incident at Foster Key there was a person injured due to the boat running
aground. The Chief feels the boat calls are increasing.
Fire Inspections — None
Fire Investigations — None
Training Hours for June — Ochopee Fire Control District Fire personnel trained 555.5 hours for
the month of June 2013.
Page 2
OLD BUSINESS
Grant Up Dates
Chief McLaughlin - We are still waiting to see if the FEMA Firefighter Assistant Grant is going to
be offered and so far there has been no word to that affect.
1 -75 Station
Chief McLaughlin — Everything is moving forward with the State the ground breaking for the
1 -75 station could take place in August 2013. There is going to be other construction going on
besides our fire station the state is making some changes at this location. The water plant is
being rebuilt, the rest center is being rebuilt, lane changes, RV and Semi overnight parking.
Our 22 considerations regarding the station have been taken care of. The helipad will be put in
the lights just had to be moved due to FAA requirements also the fuel system and antenna will
be installed as well. Dan Summers has also been working on this project. We should be in the
1 -75 station by late September or October 2014. An itemized budget was created regarding
equipment, personnel and ongoing costs for the 1 -75 station to be submitted to the state.
Chief McLaughlin — He also mentioned that the Apparatus for the 1 -75 station will be a one of a
kind vehicle because it will have a patient holding area.
Port of the Islands
Chief McLaughlin — The approval of funding and the re -model of the Port of the Islands station
is on the BCC consent agenda on 7 -9 -13. He feels there shouldn't be any problems with it
receiving the Board of County Commissioner's approval. As soon as this is passed everything
will move forward and we should be in by Christmas 2013. The chief showed the Advisory
Committee the layout of the new station.
Vacant Position on Advisory Board
No change there is still a vacancy and no applicants.
Page 3
Everglades City Agreement for Service
Chief McLaughlin — The Everglades City Agreement for Service is due next year he just spoke to
the City Clerk since they are short of staff the County is probably going to draft the agreement
with some new specifications. He will request that in the new agreement either Ochopee Fire
Control District will have full inspection authority or Everglades City will continue to take care of
their Fire Inspections via a contracted professional and Ochopee will just handled fire
suppression. He will submit a copy of the new Everglades City agreement once it's drafted to
the Ochopee Fire Control District Advisory Committee.
District
Frank Hawkins brought up the letter of support for District I by the Ochopee Advisory
Committee that's supposed to be sent to the Board of County Commissioners. He also
mentioned that this is an Ochopee Advisory Committee project.
Chief McLaughlin — The letter should be sent to Commissioners Nance and Fiala. He went on to
say that once District I becomes part of the Fire District the assistance from the other
Departments would be mutual aid there would no longer be the need to pay for contracted
services that is happening now because it is not part of any Fire District. District I at 4 mills
would be $633,000. He spoke to Jeff Page the East Naples Commissioner and he feels it is a
good idea to consolidate District I. District I could be taken in at 3.6 mills and still put $50,000
in reserves that would help reduce Ochopee Fire Control District's millage as well. We might
even be able to take it in at 3.5mils or even 3.2mills.
Chief McLaughlin — The Chief was asked if he has made a presentation to any one regarding
taking over District I. He stated that he gave a presentation regarding District I to the Budget
Manager.
Frank Hawkins — Who would have to sign off on this?
Chief McLaughlin — It would have to go through the County Manager's Office and then to the
Board of County Commissioners for approval. The Ochopee Advisory Committee could put a
letter together regarding their support in taking District I and send it to the BCC. We are
covering 72% of District I now.
Ron Gilbert — He stated that Commissioner Fiala is not proposing that Ochopee Fire Control
District consolidate with any other Fire Department.
Page 4
Ron Gilbert — He thinks they should compose a letter regarding District I.
Frank Hawkins — He requested a copy of any past letters that were drafted by the Advisory
Committee to the Board of County Commissioners for the purpose of protocol regarding
correspondence to the BCC.
NEW BUSINESS
New Boat Motors for Rescue Boat 60
Chief McLaughlin — We had boat motor failure on Rescue Boat 60 so he is asking for emergency
funding from general fund to replace the engines. The motors are ten years old and have to be
replaced. The new motors will be lighter and if they replace them with the same make there
won't be any refitting expenses. The two new 150 Suzuki motors would cost $22,000.
The Boat motors have to be replaced, Everglades City established a contingency with the
contractor of Pleasure Island that in order to develop the property they had to pay $21,000
towards the Fire Boat because it would be the only rescue and fire protection for that Island.
(The Ochopee Fire Control District, the City of Everglades and the Developer signed an
agreement in regards to purchasing the Fire Boat for the protection of Pleasure Island of
which a copy is attached.)
Ronald Gilbert is stepping down as Chairman of the Advisory Committee and is nominating
Frank Hawkins as the new Chairman.
Ronald Gilbert officially resigned as Chairman of the Ochopee Advisory Committee and Frank
Hawkins was nominated to take his place. The nomination was seconded and unanimously
passed Frank Hawkins accepted the position of Chairman to the Ochopee Fire Control Advisory
Committee.
Advisory Committee Meeting Place for August 2013
A motion was made and passed to suspend the Ochopee Advisory Committee meeting for
August 2013 and reconvene in September 2013 with the location to be decided.
Tony Davis — He is going to contact some of his acquaintances in regards to filling the available
advisory committee position.
Public Comment
None
Page 5
Adjournment
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting it was seconded and passed the meeting ended at
4:57PM.
-: 4/� -
rank Hawkins, Chairman
Ochopee Fire Control District Advisory Committee
Page 6
AG— EMENT
AGREEMENT made on December 24, 2001, between Club Everglades
Development Group, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, hereinafter called
"Developer ", Oahopee Fire Control District, a political subdivision of the State of
Florida, hereinafter called "District ", and City of Everglades City, a political subdivision
of the State of Florida, hereinafter called "City.-
WHEREAS, Developer received a Final Development Order fmrn City on
October 12, 1999, which provides In part as follows;
Two fire hydrants are planned in this development. 'rho developers will
enter into Agreement with the 0ohopes Flag Control DlsWt, the f1ro
department whloh %411 rocslved tax dollars for fire protection of this
development that outlines the minimum equipment required, the housing
of that equipment, and responsibifity for transportation of firefighters to the
Island, The Developer shall enter Into an Agreement to contdbute to the
City a vessel of 24' to 28' in length and powered by an engine of from 160
to 204 horsepower, to be used plimedly for providing fire proteotion,
emergency medical service and polloo protection to the residents on
Pleasure island, Copies of the Agreements shall be filed with the City
Clerk and the Building inspector prior to the Issuance of any Certificates of
Occupancy for Club Everglades.
WHEREAS, subsequent to the issuance of the Final Development Order it was
determined that four (4) fire hydrants are appropriate to provide the desired level of fire
protection service on Pleasure island and that it would in the best Interest of all paut.Ies
for Developer to contribute to District money sufficient to enable District to acquire a
vessel for providing the services required under the Final Development Order,
NOW THEREFORE, In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained,
for other good and valuable Consideration received, and In order to Implement the terns
of the Final Development Order the psrtles have entered Into this Agreement:
I . Recitals. The parties agree that the foregoing recitals are true and correct and
incorporated herein by this reference.
2. Developer will pay to Distdot the sum of $21,000.04 toward costs of a Pre boat, a
fire cart on the island and dock pilings within thirty (30) days from the execution hereof.
District will promptly acquire and place the vessel contemplated by the Final
122401 r 1 -
Development Order in service. Developer will provide a suitable covered parking are
for the fire cart on the island.
3, During the period from the date of this Agreement until District has acquired and
placed in service the vessel contemplated by the f=inal Development Order, Developer
will allow District to use Developer's pontoon boat to provide the service contemplated
by the Final Development Order. Developer may continue to use Developer's pontoon
boat when it Is not in actual use by Distriot,
4. City will relocate the two (2) fire hydrants now situated on Pleasure Island and
Install two (2) additional fire hydrants, The site of the four (4) hydrants win be
designated and approved by District. Developer will pay to City the costs of relocating
and installing the fire hydrants, At the date hereof the City Is holding funds deposited
by Developer sufficient to pay the anticipated costs.
S. The execution and performance of this Agreement by Developer will fully
discharge all obligations of Developer with respect to fire protection as contemplated in
the Final Development Order,
6. Commencing on the date hereof and for so long as Developer Is diligent In
performing its obligations hereunder, District will not withhold approval of the issuance
of CeNficstes of 000upancy for dwellings on Pleasure island for reasons relating to the
vessel or the Iodation of fire hydrants,
7, Miscellaneous, Time is of the essence of this Agreement. This Agreement is
made in the State of Florida and shall be governed by Florida law. This is the entire
Agreement between the parties and may not be modified or amended except by a
written document signed by the party against whom enforcement Is sought. This
Agreement may be signed In more than one counterpart, in which event each
counterpart shall constitute an original of this Agreement, Paragraph headings are for
convenience only and are not intended to expand or restrict the scope or substance of
the provisions of this Agreement. Whenever used herein, the singular shall inolude the
Plural, the plural shall include the singular, and pronouns shall be read as masouline,
feminine, or neuter as the Context requires. The prevailing party in any litigation,
arbitration, or mediation relating to this Agreement shall be entitled to recover
reasonable attorney fees from the other party for an matters, inoluding but not limited to
appeals. Collier County, Florida, shall be proper venue for any litigation Involving this
Agreement. This Agreement may not be assigned or delegated by either party without
the prior written consent of the other party.
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IN WITNE=SS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Agreement as of the date
first above written.
CLUB EVERGLADES DEVELOPMENT
GROUP, LLC
J.
S. Crawford, Secretary Sy'"
Dt,4...
James F. Mann, Jr., Managing Member
esm Z'�aa w
1
Dottie Smallwood7mr'y 'C exk
secretary
.3—
CITY OF EVERGLADES CITY
SOMM9 Hamilton, Mayor.
OCHOPEE FIRE CONTROL DISTRICT
r°
By:
Paul iison, hief