THOMAS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES BOARD

BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING

APRIL 1, 1999

CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM

Board Members Present: Mayor Campbell, Earl Williams, Josh Herring, and Jim Miller

Staff Present: Bruce Woods, Tom Berry, Mike Stephenson, Steve Sykes, and Kimberly Riddle

Media Present: Laura Cassells and Mark Brannan

Earl Williams called the meeting to order.

Approval of Minutes:

Mayor Campbell made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 10, 1999 meeting. Jim Miller seconded the motion. The minutes stand approved.

Legislation Update:

Bruce Woods discussed the change of date for the TCESB signing of the legislation. The new signing date will be April 19, 1999 at approximately 9:30 a.m. He further stated that he would like to speak with everyone in reference to the travel arrangements and also informed everyone of the change in the hotel accommodations. Mayor Campbell and Chairman Herring stated that the Georgia State Legislators representing Thomas County should be invited to go also. Bruce Woods stated that he would contact them and extend an invitation and that the TCESB would cover all expenses.

Purchase of Protective Gear:

Bruce Woods discussed the urgent need for the purchase of protective gear for the (6) Thomas County firefighters. He stated that the firefighters are currently wearing gear that is old and worn and it is not NFPA approved gear. The new gear that will be purchased will be NFPA approved and this will also have the county firefighters gear look very similar to the city firefighter gear. Mayor Campbell made a motion to approve the purchase of (6) sets of protective gear for the firefighters. Earl Williams seconded the motion and the purchase of the gear stands approved. Jim Miller questioned the recruitment of the vacant firefighter position. Bruce Woods stated that he would develop criteria for the interviewing process and then advertise for the position in the near future.

E-911 Software Update:

Bruce Woods distributed comparison charts to the board members in reference to the three software proposals for the E-911 software. Bruce Woods, Jim Miller, and Earl Williams of the E-911 Subcommittee explained the different options pertaining to the software to the board. The three subcommittee members were all in agreement that the InterAct Software would be the best purchase due to the many functions it can perform, the rapid response of the system support and the feedback from E-911 Director Tommy Layton on his recent observation meetings with other InterAct Software users. The base purchase price for the InterAct Software is $79,250.00 this amount does not include options or hidden costs. However, the purchase of the new consoles from Motorola will be discussed at a later date due to the extremely high cost and the proposed move of the E-911 dispatch center.

A motion was made by Mayor Campbell to purchase the InterAct Software at the base price. Jim Miller seconded the motion. The software purchase stands approved.

Jim Miller discussed mapping and current problems associated with the E-911 mapping software. The mapping data in the current system needs to be upgraded and reworked. Bruce Woods discussed the results of a meeting with Assistant City Manager Steve Sykes regarding mapping. From the meeting and research conducted by Bruce Woods the best course of action is to establish/expand the E-911 Subcommittee to study mapping needs for both the city and the county. Included in this subcommittee would be the various users of map software from the county and the city. Included in the preliminary recommendation is that E-911 should be the single point source of determining/developing addresses for all of Thomas County.

Steve Sykes arrived and presented to the TCESB board the benefits of the current City of Thomasville mapping software. Steve Sykes communicated to the board the need to establish a working subcommittee to study both the city and county mapping software needs before any decision is made regarding purchasing of mapping software.

Steve Sykes continued to provide the TCESB board options of how a shared mapping software could be utilized and volunteered to set-up a meeting in early May with a consultant from Pond and Company in Atlanta, Georgia to discuss autocad mapping software and how it could be implemented into a consolidated mapping software program countywide.

Update of Finance Functions:

The EMS department will be hiring a temporary employee to assist in the office duties.

Earl Williams departed (5:45).

Mike Stephenson stated that he estimates by July 1,1999 all payroll functions should be converted to the county and that payroll should be set-up. Bruce Woods questioned the AP/AR functions and Mike Stephenson informed the board that it would be very simple to set-up these accounts also. It was discussed that the county would perform payroll, purchasing, and AP/AR for the TCESB utilizing the Peachtree software and computer system that is located at the EMS department. The computer system will be relocated to the courthouse for use. Jim Miller made a motion to approve that the finance functions be performed by the county at a fee of $1,000.00 per month. Mayor Campbell seconded the motion. The motion stands approved.

ACCG-IRMA Insurance:

Bruce Woods stated that the price for the workman’s compensation insurance is $136,101.00 that would provide workman’s compensation insurance coverage for all employees and volunteers. Property and Casualty insurance costs are based on deductible amounts. Bruce Woods will contact ACCG and ask for additional quotes, options and deductibles pertaining to property and casualty insurance. Chairman Herring made a request to have the information transmitted by telephone contact in reference to the new information so that the TCESB will be able to obtain insurance.

A new meeting date has not been set at this time. On motion of Mayor Campbell and seconded by Jim Miller the meeting was adjourned.