Minutes 11/22/2011 13C1IIIV31
ISLES OF CAPRI FIRE/RESCUE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
NOV. 22, 2011
ISLES OF CAPRI FIRE STATION
ATTENDEES: Alan McLaughlin, Fire Chief Fiala ' i
Donna Fiala, County Commissioner Hiller � /
✓
Dan Summers, BES Director Henning
Joe Langkawel, Chairman Coyle
Kirk Colvin, Advisory Committee Member Coletta �G
Jim Gault,Advisory Committee Member
Ted Decker, Advisory Committee Member
Kevin Walsh,Advisory Committee Member
Barbara Shea, Minutes Preparer
I. CALL TO ORDER
Joe Langkawel opened the meeting at 6:33 p.m.
II. OLD BUSINESS
A. Chief's Report.
1. Motion to approve Chief's Report by Kevin Walsh.
2. Motion seconded by Kirk Colvin
3. Motion carried unanimously.
B. October 2011 Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes.
1. Copy of Minutes distributed.
2. Motion to approve October 2011 Minutes by Kevin Walsh.
a. Motion seconded by Ted Decker.
b. Motion carried unanimously.
c. Minutes signed off by Chairman Langkawel.
Misc.Cones: C. ICFD boat dock ribbon cutting ceremony.
1. Members suggest a January 2012 ceremony date.
Date: 3 I"3 i I 2. Members agree to set a date at the Dec. 2011 Advisory Committee Meeting.
Item: 1 Lc=2� L.
Ccoies to:
D. Changes in EMS service to ICFD District.
1. Review of prior discussion of moving MR90 ambulance to Marco Island.
2. Marco Island Fire Dept. has tabled this issue.
3. No need to discuss change of ALS Engine medications.
III. NEW BUSINESS
A. Votes to fill two Advisory Committee Member vacancies.
1. Member Jim Gault's two year term expires 12/31/11.
a. Motion to recommend Jim Gault, additional term, by Ted Decker.
b. Motion seconded by Kirk Colvin.
c. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Member Kirk Colvin's two year term expires 12/31/11.
a. Kirk Colvin is not reapplying for an additional term.
b. Five applicants applied for this position.
c. Applicant Jim Hughes was present and gave a brief biography.
d. Applicant Bill Schmidt was present and gave a brief biography.
e. Motion to recommend Jim Hughes by Kevin Walsh.
f. Motion seconded by Kirk Colvin.
g. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Discussion to recommend an alternate member to the committee.
a. Motion to recommend James Crain as an alternate member.
b. Motion seconded by Jim Gault.
c. Motion carried unanimously.
B. Discussion of the termination of Chief Rodriguez by committee members.
1. Mr. Summers provided a package of documents to the 5 Members.
a. Package consists of a"Public Records" file of the termination.
b. Committee members have already reviewed their own package.
2. Questions, comments and concerns by Chairman Joe Langkawel.
a. A letter is to be sent to the BCC requesting an inquiry.
1. We would like an inquiry on this termination.
2. The draft letter was read out loud.
3.No changes or additions by the other members.
b. Are there any other documents in the HR Emilio Rodriguez file?
c. Is this all being done for clandestine reasons?
d. Are there any plans by the County to consolidate fire districts?
e. Dan Summers has told me that ICFD will be insolvent next year.
f. The ICFD district is solvent for at least 5 yrs according to my data.
g. When will the County hire a new ICFD Fire Chief?
h. I am happy to have Chief McLaughlin helping out here.
i. I am concerned that no one person is in charge of ICFD.
j. Question to Commissioner Fiala, "Who do we report to?"
3. Questions, comments and concerns by Kevin Walsh.
a. The financial irregularities are nonsense.
b. The news media was informed prior to the Rodriguez termination.
c. A meeting of 3 disgruntled employees& Dan Summers was pivotal.
1. There are allusions to a toxic workplace.
2. Why not involve the HR Dept.?
3. Not enough details provided of this meeting.
d. The HR Dept should be embarrassed by this termination packet.
4. Questions, comments and concerns by Jim Gault.
a. Rodriguez's July 2010 performance improvement plan.
1. Discussed at November 2010 meeting with Dan Summers.
2. Mr. Summers agreed to remove this from the Chiefs file.
3. Was the Chiefs disciplinary action removed from his file?
5. Questions, comments and concerns by Kirk Colvin.
a. Is our termination package of documents complete?
b. I do not believe that this is enough to terminate.
c. Why were we notified after the termination?
d. Did the HR Dept. make the termination decision?
e. There is no documentation of the N. Naples employee meeting.
f. Was the termination a result of the N.Naples employee meeting?
g. Has there been an HR exit interview with Chief Rodriguez?
h. Is Chief Rodriguez covered by the Firefighter Bill of Rights?
i. Was progressive disciplinary action applied to Chief Rodriguez?
j. Has an ICFD employee ever been reinstated after termination?
k. Who rights a wrong?
1. Chief Rodriguez served the community.
m. This was totally unexpected; it came out of left field.
n. How long ago was the termination process started?
o. Can you give us a timeline?
p. Would another employee be given the same treatment?
6. Questions, comments and concerns by Ted Decker.
a. Is there a remediation plan for Chief Rodriguez?
b. I believe issues should be addressed,but this was harsh.
7. Comments and responses from BES Director Dan Summers.
a. We have had no direct media communication.
b. The media often makes routine public record inquiries.
c. Chief McLaughlin& Capt. Purcell are firmly in place at ICFD.
d. There is no loss of service to the Isles of Capri Fire District.
e. This is a single personnel issue.
f. Directors are "at will" employees of the County Manager.
g. I will not speculate on files, investigations or records.
h. I will continue to work with the ICFD team.
i. I did not remove disciplinary action from Chief Rodriguez's file.
j. The packet you received is the determination for the termination.
k. Every termination is reviewed by HR, CM Office, and CA Office.
m. Chief Rodriguez will be paid out all balances owed on 11/23/11.
n. Risk Mgt. Dept. will mail him COBRA documents next week.
o. Chief Rodriguez is not covered under the Firefighter Bill of Rights.
p. Chief Rodriguez, as a Director, has no right of appeal.
q. Employees have been reinstated at the"line level."
r. This situation is serious.
s. I have a responsibility to the operations of this department.
t. I am responsible for the health, safety& welfare of the employees.
u. There are no other"records of conversation" with Chief Rodriguez.
v. At one time,the July 2010 disciplinary actions were resolved.
w. Subsequently, these disciplinary issues again became a concern.
x. This is not an appropriate venue to drill into these issues.
y. I welcome you to inspect our files.
z. I will respond to any written questions you may have.
aa. The ICFD firefighters show concern as to how residents view them.
bb. My guidance on consolidation comes from the BCC & CM Office.
cc. My budgetary concerns result from global declining property values.
dd. Let me be clear, Chief McLaughlin is the supervising chief here.
8. Comments and responses by Commissioner Fiala.
a. I am glad to have the opportunity to hear your voices.
b. I cannot legally comment on any employee matters.
c. Your advisory committee will continue to report directly to the BCC.
d. Chief McLaughlin is now your staff liaison.
9. Comments and responses by Chief McLaughlin.
a. Status of ICFD and Ochopee fire districts.
1. These districts are not independent fire districts.
2. These districts are dependent fire districts of Collier County.
3. The districts can be dissolved by a stroke of a pen.
b. Reassurance to the residents of the Isles of Capri Fire District.
1. I was hired by Emilio Rodriguez in 2002.
2. I was the Assistant Chief here for a number of years.
3. I left here when I was promoted to Fire Chief of Ochopee.
4. I have 35 years of experience in this profession.
C. Discussion of the termination of Chief Rodriguez by the Public.
1. Questions, comments and concerns of the residents.
a. Are you aware of any other current investigations?
b. Why weren't standard operating procedures followed?
c. First 17 pages of the disciplinary packet are post termination related.
d. Are we spinning our wheels?
e. Is it possible for Chief Rodriguez to come back?
f. If unjustly terminated, can Chief Rodriguez be reinstated?
g. I believe the Chief is protected under the Firefighter Bill of Rights.
h. Chief Rodriguez contacted HR in fear of his reinstated employee.
i. HR did nothing in response to Chief Rodriguez's concerns.
j. We don't need you, Mr. Summers.
k. Is the Advisory Board responsible to hire the next Chief?
1. Is the Chief eligible for a pension?
m. The Rodriguez family does not know if they have health insurance.
n. Is Mr. Summers investigating the Advisory Board?
o. Did you tell Chairman Langkawel to "back off this issue?"
p. Can someone other than the County manage us?
q. It is rumored that ICFD had a missed or delayed call recently.
r. At which coffee house will we be notified of who are new Chief is?
s. What was in the July 2010 disciplinary action?
t. I understand there was a private investigator hired by HR in July 2010.
1. The July 2010 Rodriguez disciplinary action was investigated.
2. Is the report available?
u. After the N. Naples meeting occurred, why was there a delay?
2. Responses by BES Director Dan Summers.
a. I am not aware of any other current investigations.
b. Chief Rodriguez is an"at will"employee.
c. I am responsible for the health, safety& welfare of employees.
d. As new information comes forth, I must follow county policy.
1. I must report information up the chain of command.
2. I cannot get into details here.
e. I know of no process for Chief Rodriguez to be reinstated.
f. The termination has no impact on Chief Rodriguez's pension.
g. I have attempted to communicate the gravity of this termination.
h. I would never challenge any citizen's right to speak out.
i. "At will"employees are not covered under Firefighter Bill of Rights.
j. The July 2010 private investigator report is available at the HR Dept.
3. Responses by Commissioner Fiala.
a. I am not aware of any other investigations.
4. Responses by Chairman Langkawel.
a. The Advisory Committee is not responsible to a hire a Fire Chief.
b. Mr. Summers told me to"back off this issue."
c. I cannot control the district's citizens.
d. The July 2010 disciplinary action for Emilio Rodriguez.
1. An EMS paramedic missed a fire call.
2. The EMS paramedic threw a boot at an ICFD firefighter.
3. The firefighter pushed the paramedic.
4. 15 tasks were to be completed by Emilio Rodriguez.
5. Responses by Chief McLaughlin.
a. I believe it would cost an extra$250,000 to be an independent district.
b. Governor Scott's current movement is to dissolve special districts.
c. I am not aware of any recent missed or delayed ICFD calls.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
A. Motion to adjourn the meeting by Kevin Walsh at 8:30 p.m.
1. Motion seconded by Ted Decker.
2. Motion carried unanimously.
Approved:
Date: /S .p�'C 2. 0(. /