Ochopee FCD Advisory Board Minutes 06/13/2011
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THE OCHOPEE FIRE CONTROL DISTRICT
ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
HELD ON JUNE 13,2011
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In attendance were the following:
BY: .......................
Alan McLaughlin, Fire Chief
Caleb Morris, Captain
Linda Swisher, Administrative Secretary
Ron Gilbert, Chairman, Port of the Islands
James Simmons, Port of the Islands Advisory Board Member
Tony Davis, Port ofthe Islands Advisory Board Member
Also at the meeting were Commissioner Coletta, Dan Summers, Bureau of Emergency Services
and FF Lee Kidder Union Representative for Ochopee Fire Control District personnel. In
addition there were interested citizens present as well.
The meeting came to order at 6:04PM and roll call was taken.
Commissioner Coletta submitted a CD with his power point presentation regarding the
1-75/Everglades Interchange to the Ochopee Fire Control District Advisory Board for their
review. He was seeking support from the Ochopee Fire Control District Advisory Board
regarding this project.
Note: The equipment necessary for Commissioner Coletta's power point presentation were not
present at the meeting so the next day the CD was down loaded and e-mailed to all the board
members for their review.
1-75 STATION:
Commissioner Coletta - For seven years he has been working on the 1-75 Fire Station by
meeting with State Senators. He wanted the toll money to go towards the Station on 1-75 and
even spoke to the Governor regarding this matter. There has been a lobbyist staying on top of
this issue as well. The bill for the toll monies went through the senate and then the house. It
took a lot of cooperation to get the bill passed and signed by the Governor. As of now the 1-75
station will be at the 63 mile marker we are working in partner with DOT and the financial
Office in Tallahassee. The toll fees will be deposited in a State Trust Fund to develop a Fire
Station at the 63 Mile Marker on 1-75 for Fire/Rescue/Emergency Services.
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Dan Summers - Drafted a letter to send to the Turnpike Administration and District I Secretary
regarding the 1-75 Station.
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Commissioner Coletta? - The Fire Department will not have to respond to 1-75 from the District
and it will be funded at a higher level of protection this will make up for the high millage. A
portion of the J~in lieu of tax" in the amount of $140,000 will be transferred from the General
Fund. Properties have depreciated greatly in the area and the millage rate is already high.
Chief McLaughlin - The depreciation was 29% last year and it is 6.8% this year.
1-75 AND THE EVERGLADES INTERCHANGE:
Commissioner Coletta - Everglades Blvd goes over 1-75 there is park land in the area so
environmentalist are worried about possible land development in the estates area if the
interchange is put in. The interchange would allow for better Fire and EMS services for the
residents of the area right now there is. not enough access especially in the event of a bad fire.
He went before Golden Gate Fire District's Board in regards to the interchange and they
endorsed it through a letter. He is seeking Ochopee Fire Control District Advisory Board's
endorsement for the interchange through a letter. A letter of endorsement was in the
presentation for the Chairman's signature should they choose to do so. We do not have the
ability to counter the environmentalist with mitigation. The environmentalist say there is
nothing left to mitigate. He is seeking support letters from all the Fire Department Boards and
EMS' Board.
Audience Question for Commissioner Coletta - What about next year's budget will it be whole?
Commissioner Coletta - He wants to get the money from Pilt into the Ochopee Budget via a
formula where it would come in each year.
Audience Question for Commissioner Coletta - Will the Station at the 63 Mile Marker respond
beyond SR 29.
Commissioner Coletta - There are Interlocal agreements Ochopee Fire Control District
personnel could work anywhere.
Chief McLaughlin - Our District covers up to the 83 Mile Marker and Golden Gate Fire District
covers to the 83 Mile Marker. Broward County covers the Eastern end of 1-75 but Ochopee Fire
Control District covers 71% of 1-75. The station at the 63 Mile Marker will respond in both
directions to the west side of the Golden Gate Fire District and to Broward on the east for large
incidents we would call in other Departments for assistance. The station will be located at the
63 Mile Marker it will be fully funded it will also facilitate leaving Ochopee Fire Control District
Personnel and apparatus in District.
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Dan Summers - We have three goals one to provide proper relief to Ochopee Fire Control
District, Everglades City and Port of the Islands. Second absolute trauma care and financial
impact substituted by a fully burdened budget to cover the Station. He has a project write up
and to relieve the burden more man power is to be requested immediately to soften the
budget burden it will not be fast it is at the mercy ofthe toll authorities.
Audience Question - The new people what Department will they be part of?
Dan Summers - The will be Ochopee Fire Control District Employees and Chief Alan McLaughlin
will be running the Station.
FF Lee Kidder - The engine will it be a victim relocate or will there be transport out at the
Station.
Chief Mclaughlin - We have a rescue plan we have an EMS component and a water tender
component.
Dan Summers -This is still under evaluation and he would like to gel with the union on it.
FF Lee Kidder - Will Ochopee take care of the medical?
Dan Summers - It is in Ochopee Fire Control's District. We are reassessing EMS needs and SOP
has to be developed.
Chief Mclaughlin - He has some concept vehicle ideas.
Audience Question - The $143,000 in Pilt money that is going to come to Ochopee is that going
to relate to the amount of money we have to spend?
Commissioner Coletta - It comes right to general fund he wants to have it sent directly to the
Ochopee Fire Control District Budget it won't cover all the expenses.
Audience Question - Will the Port of the Island Station be finished? Can we learn from
Broward County by what they are doing on the Alley?
Dan Summers - Broward County's station was totally paid for through their funding. We are
still working on the Port of the Islands Station. We have tried for three or four grants to
renovate Station 61. We have paid for the site plans and engineering we are back to dollars.
We will continue to look for funding regarding the Port of the Islands Station.
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Audience Question - The cost to build a new station instead of renovate.
Chief McLaughlin - It will cost $471,000 to renovate and 1.4 to 1.8 million to put up a new
building.
Dan Summers - We are working with Federal lobbying as well in regards to the Port of the
Islands station.
Chief Mclaughlin - Pilt Funding was transferred to the Ochopee budget up to 2005. In 2008 he
asked the budget Department about the funds. Per the State of Florida the funds never had to
be given to us but there was an agreement made that EMS receive the highway dollars and
Ochopee would receive the Pilt funds. There are two letters in our files stating this information.
FF Lee Kidder - We respond to 100% of the calls on the Alley.
Commissioner Coletta - It is the Commissioners choice where it goes. He asked FF Kidder if he
is interested in finding out how these funds work in other areas of Florida.
Audience Question - What if 1-75 goes to a private Company?
Commissioner Coletta - That market fell apart but if they did we would have to contract with
somebody for services.
Audience Question - Mitigation trade some under passes for the Everglades Exchange.
Commissioner Coletta - He hopes the Ochopee Advisory Board will commit to his drafted letter.
Ron Gilbert - The Ochopee Fire Control District Advisory Board said they would.
Commissioner Coletta's presentation ended and he left the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MAY 9,2011 MINUTES:
The minutes were approved and signed.
OLD BUSINESS:
District 1 Proposal:
Chief McLaughlin - Dan Summers, Emilio Rodriguez and I met with the County Manager
regarding District I. He was given a presentation regarding District I and then discussed the
options.
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Dan Summers - District I is still under review.
Ron Gilbert - He made a suggestion to Google Ochopee Fire District and information regarding
the District will come up.
Chief McLaughlin - Only 15% of District I is taxable.
Orchid Cove Fire Hydrants:
Chief McLaughlin - The hydrants are on refuse water they have been painted by Ochopee Fire
Control District and now they are all in compliance.
Update on Water Tender:
Chief McLaughlin - The pre-build was done last Wednesday and Thursday the Chassis
inspection should take place around September or October 2011 and we should take delivery of
the vehicle late November early December 2011.
Pleasure Island Stand Pipe:
Chief McLaughlin - We have been working for several years with the City of Everglades to try
and fix the Pleasure Island system. The Department bought the proper assembly and fire
hydrant for their system so the problem was fixed at Pleasure Island.
Ron Gilbert - He asked about the water line was there a temporary line at Orchid Cove.
Chief McLaughlin - The other line is potable water.
Tony Davis - Is the hydrant on Swan Drive by the vacant lot a violation its broken? The
developer owns it they put it in but they are long gone. The hydrant is not close to any
buildings.
Chief Mclaughlin - We'll have to take a look at it.
FF Lee Kidder -It has been reported as damaged.
Captain Morris -I will look at it after the meeting.
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NEW BUSINESS:
Move Up Fuel Savings:
Chief McLaughlin - He stopped the move ups from Station 61 to Station 60 that averaged out to
$348 a month in fuel.
FEMA AFG:
Chief McLaughlin - The Grant should open late June there are several changes it is a very
comprehensive package. You can apply for three or four different projects. We would payout
5% our side of the grant to purchase equipment.
The Chairman Ron Gilbert requested that the CD Commissioner Coletta left to be down loaded
and e-mailed to all the board members for their review.
The meeting adjourned at 7:05PM.
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Ron Gilbert, Chairman
Ochopee Fire Control District Advisory Board
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