Ochopee FCD Advisory Board Minutes 07/11/2011THE OCHOPEE FIRE CONTROL DISTRICT
ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
HELD ON JULY 11, 2011
In attendance were the following:
Alan McLaughlin, Fire Chief
Caleb Morris, Captain
Ron Gilbert, Chairman, Port of the Islands
James Simmons, Port of the Islands Advisory Board Member
Tony Davis, Port of the Islands Advisory Board Member
The meeting came to order at 5:10PM and roll call was taken.
APPROVAL OF JUNE 13, 2011 MEETING MINUTES:
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AUG 0 9 2011
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Two corrections were requested regarding the minutes on page two in lieu of tax to be placed
in parentis and budget reduction from 4.8% to 6.8 %. The minutes were then approved and
signed by the Chairman.
Note —The corrections were typed in the next day and e- mailed to all board members reflecting
the requested changes.
OLD BUSINESS:
1 -75 UPDATE
Chief McLaughlin — The Florida Department of Transportation has notified us of a tentative
meeting and they are requesting plans for the Station on 1 -75 by the 20th. They are going to
put as an option in their reconstruction of the south side rest area facility the building of the
Fire Station in the budget for next year. That budget has about 8.6 million dollars so as an
option they are going to look at what the building will cost and they will build it. He has a
meeting on the 215t of August in Fort Myers with FDOT, the County Building Facilities Manager,
and Dan Summers. He will have more information after that meeting. We have two letters in
to the Toll Authority which is separate from FDOT Authority on the operational budget to
supply the man power and vehicles. We have not yet received a reply so he doesn't know if
they are going to feel if they built us a building that would be it. But that wasn't the intent or
the bill the governor signed. At least FDOT has made some forward movement as to building
the station.
Misc. Corres:
Page 1 Fiala Date:_ 1 \ 1
Hiller _
Henning Item #4,Lc,
Coyle
Coletta V C Pies to:
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BUDGET
Chief McLaughlin — We have a tentative budget ready for Board approval. He just received a
copy from Randy Greenwald in the budget office. The made more adjustments based on
advalorem and District I changes. Out total budget for this upcoming year is going to be
$1,782,200. Once the finals budget has been approved he will provide copies to the Advisory
Board.
Ron Gilbert — When you get to that stage can you have Linda e-mail it to us.
Chief McLaughlin — Yes, you will probably get the final budget by the end of August it goes
before the Board of County Commissioners for final approval on September 1, 2011. We should
have a final budget that is going to go before the board by late August. It looks good we didn't
have any carry forward in our reserves but they have given us $53,200 in our Reserves. They
offset the loss in our budget with a transfer of $382,000 was made out of General Fund. We
cut out some of our operating costs and our Capital Outlay costs we minimized that by about
$20,000. We need some equipment but we are going to hold out until next year. He feels as
time goes on things will get better. We expect to be flat next year in our devaluation so we
should be in better shape next year.
DISTRICT 1
Chief McLaughlin — He was asked by Mr. Summers to put off the proposal of the re- districting of
District I. The County Manager is requesting we sit on it for a while due to the recent financial
problems in East Naples Fire Control District they feel if we do a re- districting even though it
would not affect the dollars that much it might be perceived that the County is strong arming
the Independent Fire Districts. They felt since there is really no change at this time it doesn't
really affect the County Departments that much. Mr. Summers and the County Manager want
us to hold off on this until next year. The County Manager has approved the payment of the
District I pay outs for this year but for the upcoming contract is only for 90 days it is no longer a
three year contract this way they can change anything in 90 days. He was asked to bring this
back to the Advisory Board for their approval.
Chief McLaughlin is made a recommendation that the Ochopee Fire Control District holds off on
the re- districting of District I until next year and just not pursue it at this time.
The motion was made not to pursue the re- districting of District I until next year by Tony Davis
and seconded by lames Simmons the motion was passed.
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WATER TENDER UPDATE
Chief McLaughlin -- The County has procured the contract with the Least Agreement Company
and the truck has been ordered. As of last Friday all the papers have been signed and credit
approvals have been completed. The whole process of purchasing the vehicle takes
approximately three months from the time of approval to the actual purchase. We are still
looking at a possible December 2011 delivery date.
NEW BUSINESS:
NEW APPLICANT CHARLES HAWKINS
Ron Gilbert — I believe we had a -mails from everyone supporting this appointment.
Chief McLaughlin — We held submitting the appointment until the meeting because
Mr. Simmons felt the board would have too many Port of the Islands members if Mr. Hawkins
were appointed. We have been trying for five months to obtain members for this board.
Tod Johnson resigned and we still haven't heard back from Everglades City in regards to a new
appointment. It really makes no difference to me. No one on Chokoloskee Island, Plantation
Island, Copeland, and, Lee Cypress or anywhere else in the District seems to be interested in
serving on the board.
Tony Davis — Does the board member have to be a resident in the District what about a
business owner?
Chief McLaughlin — We brought that up once before I believe they have to be a property owner.
Tony Davis — So a business owner would qualify?
Chief McLaughlin — Only if he owned the property I believe it reads they have to be a taxpayer.
Tony Davis — Bob Miller owns the Oyster House Restaurant and what used to be Glades Haven
they are down here all the time there would be no problem in him making the meetings. If
Sammy Hamilton has to appointed someone of course that would be up to him. Bob Miller
would be someone to talk to about joining the board he is very involved with the community.
Chief McLauglin — The appointee from Everglades City usually comes from the Everglades City
Council but if there is someone in Everglades City that would also want to be on the board we
would welcome their application for submittal as well.
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Tony Davis — So there is a possibility of having two from Everglades City one an appointee by
the Mayor and someone else in the City that would want to be on the board. He is going to talk
to Bob Miller to see if he is interested in apply to the Advisory Board.
Chief McLaughlin —We have had two on the board before from the City of Everglades. But one
of the five has to be appointed officially by the Mayor for Everglades City.
Tony Davis — Do we have to clarify that they have to be a resident or owner because Bob Miller
would qualify.
Chief McLaughlin — He could go back and check but I believe they have to be a tax payer. They
can't rent they have to own property and pay taxes.
Tony Davis — That would include residences or businesses as long as they pay the taxes on the
property.
Chief McLaughlin - Jean Kungle had asked about that she was a business owner but she didn't
own the property and pay taxes in the Ochopee Fire Control District.
Tony Davis — Bob Miller is a business taxpayer he has several businesses here.
Chief McLaughlin — If they are renting the building that houses their business then they are not
paying property taxes in the District.
Ron Gilbert — How does that affect Frank Hawkins?
Chief McLaughlin — That would be up to you.
Ron Gilbert — There is still a seat do you want to hold off on recommending Frank Hawkins.
Chief McLaughlin — We are short two positions.
Ron Gilbert — If we took Frank Hawkins then we would still have one position to fill and that's
coming from the City of Everglades.
Chief McLaughlin — Yes, one is always designated to be appointed by the Mayor of Everglades
City and is usually a City Council Member.
Tony Davis — How critical is it because he could talk to Bob Miller and maybe have answer from
him before the next meeting so we can put him in. Hold off on a vote for Frank Hawkins until
the next meeting to find out whether he is interested or anybody else that might come up.
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Chief McLaughlin — We are having a quorum so we are alright.
Ron Gilbert — This is the Board right now.
Chief McLaughlin — Yes you are the Board right now until we get more people.
Ron Gilbert — I don't have a problem with Frank Hawkins serving on the board and I don't have
any problems with waiting until next month.
James Simmons — He feels the more diversity on the board the better it is.
Tony Davis — If it is not critical that we add another person let's wait and contact Bob Miller or
other people just to see if that does not come up then the next meeting we can go ahead and
recommend Frank Hawkins.
Chief McLaughlin — He is sure that by the next meeting the Mayor will have appointed a
replacement for Tod Johnson. It's only been three weeks since Todd Johnson resigned.
Tony Davis — Asked if the Mayor had been reminded in reference to appointing a replacement.
Chief McLaughlin — He called the City Clerk asking her to remind the Mayor of the appointment.
Tony Davis — He works with the City and the Boat Tours so he could remind Mayor Hamilton as
well.
Ron Gilbert — So due to a consensus the recommendation for Frank Hawkins to be appointed to
the Ochopee Advisory Board has been tabled until the next meeting.
PORT OF THE ISLANDS LEASE RENEWAL
Chief McLaughlin — We are going to go to a month by month lease renewal with LLC at the
Hotel. The lease is sitting at the County Attorney's Office for review. It doesn't have to go to
the board because it's only a renewal so the month to month lease will be signed after the
County Attorney's Office reviews it.
Tony Davis — Are you signing with Sun Stream or the Home Owners Board?
Chief McLaughlin — We are signing with Sun Stream.
Tony Davis — In case you don't know they have pulled out of the hotel until October or
November they are locking the front doors at five o'clock there is no one at the front desk. The
manager Dina has moved to Marco.
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Chief McLaughlin — We have gone round and round with Yolanda from the Home Owners
Association. According to the County Attorneys and their attorneys the lease that we have is
fully appropriate with LLC from what they own. There is no contingency for the Home Owners
Association having to approve the lease. The original lease agreement was with LLC the Home
Owners Association did not sign it.
Tony Davis —They have shut down the hotel they are not a viable association.
Chief McLaughlin —They are moving forward with building the 11th, 9t" and 6th story buildings.
The first building is going to be the 11 story. So there is some forward movement with LLC to
develop those buildings.
Tony Davis — At the last CID Meeting they had not purchased any additional ERCS from them
and supposedly they would need that to build one or more of those buildings. They did not
have the ERCs to go through all of those buildings. If they are moving forward with anything
they need to make contact with the CID.
Chief McLaughlin -- We usually get that when it goes to plan review. They only thing we told
them it cannot go to construction before the preconstruction meetings. We need a
preconstruction plan review with them before they break ground.
Ron Gilbert — Where are the current plans to put the 11 story building in front of the hotel or
the Tiki Hut or the Marina?
Tony Davis — No on the canal by US 41.
Ron Gilbert — The corner of 41 by the canal.
Chief McLaughlin — He showed them on the map where the buildings were going and that they
had to move them due to problems with pilings in the water. Parking will be underneath for
the first building the second and the third one the parking will be on the outside he doesn't
know how they are going to do that. We went with month to month on the lease at Port of the
Islands so that when funding is obtained for the station at Port of the Islands we will be able to
move in after it is finished. He is hoping it will happen within the next year we have the
directive from two commissioners they are trying to find out where we are going to get the
money from to fund the station.
RENEWAL OF MOU WITH BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE
Chief McLaughlin — We have a cooperative Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal
Government with the Big Cypress National Preserve. This has been put off per the County
Attorney's Office till next January because it doesn't have to be renewed until April of 2012.
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The County Attorney's Office doesn't want to bring it before the Board of County
Commissioners until January or February of 2012. He sent a letter back to Big Cypress National
Preserve Supervisor stating that the agreement would be tabled until January 2012 as advised
by the County Attorney's office they don't want to bring it to the Board too early.
James Simmons — Is there any money involved?
Chief McLaughlin — No it is just a mutual aid agreement that we will assist them with structural
fires and they will assist us with brush fires. It is a legal agreement that we will help each other
out. It is a five year agreement and because of this MOU we can be reimbursed for overtime or
expenses due to a declared fire in the Preserve area like the Deep Fire.
UP COMING AFG GRANT
Chief McLaughlin — He just got another notice that the grant is going to open up real soon. We
do have a meeting tomorrow at the City of Naples in regards to this grant. We apply for it every
year it has been around for about ten years. He has been pretty successful in the past with it.
It has changed a lot this year especially in how you have to apply for it and has become more
complicated. We are going to ask for $140,000 this is a 95% to 5% Grant because of our
Department size. We only pay five percent. We are going to replace our SCBA and $42,000 for
portable radio upgrades. Our portable radios are 18 years old they have actually been fazed
out you can't even get parts for them. They system is changing over to digital from analog the
technology in radios has changed a lot since 1996. We would never be able to replace them via
the budget. In the past you could only ask for one item but it has been changed you can ask for
multiple projects.
Ron Gilbert — He asked if anyone had a problem of moving the meetings to 4PM.
Tony Davis made a motion to change the Ochopee Fire Control District Advisory Board meeting
to 4PM it was seconded by James Simmons the motion was passed.
MICCOSUKEE BIG CYPRESS BEND FIRE
Chief McLaughlin — It has already been rebuilt. He received a report back by other Chief
Officers from the other Departments that responded praised the performance of our Fire
Personnel at the scene they did an outstanding job.
PLEASURE ISLAND STRUCTURE FIRE
Chief McLaughlin — Pleasure island has 19 wood frame stilt homes that are 10 feet apart and no
fire sprinklers. They transferred the personnel with the Fire Boat he called out the second
alarm.
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Chief McLaughlin --- When he arrived the first building was totally consumed and the second one
was partially involved and the third one was starting. He always felt that if we did get a fire on
Pleasure Island that they would lose two or three building because the buildings are so close
together. Three personnel were on Pleasure Island they had deployed three lines and fought
the fire by themselves for 45 minutes and did an exceptional job of protecting the third
structure in 82 degree heat at 4:30 in the morning full bunker gear only three of them. Usually
after ten minutes the guys have rehab they did 45 minutes with no help. He is recommending a
letter of commendation for the three Firefighters that were first on scene at the Structure Fires
on Pleasure Island they did an outstanding job. He is also going to order merit pins for them as
well just for the effort they put in to save the third structure. On the third structure the siding
is completely melted the soffits are gone the windows are broken but there is no smoke or
flame damage in the building there is just a little bit of water damage on the furniture near the
edge. It was an unbelievable job to keep it from burning. The crew was trying to get into the
second building he pulled them out because the fire was in the attic it was coming down. Five
minutes after he pulled them out the roof collapsed on the back side. They made a valiant
effort to get a hold of it. The Fire Lieutenant actually went around in the fire boat and fought
fire by himself in the boat to protect the third structure on the back side. It was just an
unbelievable effort by everybody with a handful of people. If this had been North Naples Fire
District they would have had 35 Firefighters on the scene and it would look the same. The State
Fire Marshall is investigating it. No one lives over there accept for the caretaker. The building
that caught fire is owned by a couple in Illinois and the property is in foreclosure. The owners
apparently have only been in the building four times in five years. They only know the fire
started in the living room and the only thing in there is the instant on television.
James Simmons — Are there fire hydrants over there?
Chief McLaughlin — Yes, remember we had just replaced the FDC over there because it was
wrong. We used the new FDC during the structure fires and it worked perfectly. The only thing
that happened on the Island was one of the owners had a tiff with the Association when they
were building and wanted to do his own thing so he never put pressure regulators on his house
so as the Property Manager walked by and noticed water pouring out of the floor because the
water heater was blown off the wall but it was the only house over there that didn't have water
pressure regulators because he didn't listen to the Association and build like you are supposed
to. You need pressure regulators when you tie a fire line into the domestic water system. The
owner violated the Associations recommendation.
James Simmons — How did you get your fire house over there?
Chief McLaughlin — By boat, they loaded everything on the dock then loaded the boat and went
over to the Islands then hooked it in. They should have never allowed them to build on
Pleasure Islands without the homes having fire sprinklers installed.
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Chief McLaughlin — If they had fire sprinklers all the homes would have been standing even the
one that caught fire.
Tony Davis — I remember when they were talking about that.
Chief McLaughlin — He was thankful that it wasn't February or March with the wind blowing 20
miles an hour out of the Northwest because of that had happened there would have been six of
them burned. The fire happened on a dead quite night with 100% humidity and we still had
that kind of damage. He just had contact with the president of the Association of Pleasure
Islands he had asked him before to set up a cart with some hoses and other equipment so they
would not have to spend so much time loading equipment. It looks like they are going to have
a special meeting with us now in regards to doing this. They are realizing perhaps it not such a
bad idea to spend $1000 on some hose and a cart. This way we can go over there and just pull
it out.
Ron Gilbert — Are they wood frame buildings.
Chief McLaughlin — Yes, all of them including the club house is made out of wood. We received
a lot of praise from the other Departments as well. it did go to a second alarm so Marco Island
Fire Department and East Naples Fire District responded.
Tony Davis — He said someone sent him a picture of the Miccosukee gift shop. He asked the
Chief if he would like a copy.
Chief McLaughlin — He said yes he would.
Tony Davis — This person happened to be driving by when it started up.
Chief McLaughlin —The second house was owned by the man who started Dominos Pizza.
The other house that was saved the owner is a physician who lives in the City of Naples he
came out even though the property had damage he was thankful. The night of the Miccosukee
Fire they had another one in Copeland. The fire started on the porch but it was put out before
it got to the house.
The meeting adjourned at 5:5013M.
&ZI
Ron Gilbert, Chairman
Ochopee Fire Control District Advisory Board
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