THOMAS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCY
Board of Directors Meeting
9/21/00
4:00 PM
Board Members Present: Chairman Earl Williams, Ervin Brock, Roy Campbell,
Josh Herring, Ricky Smith
TCESA Attorney: Keith Allen
News Media: Mark Brannan, WPAX and Laura Cassels, Times Enterprise
Board Chairman Earl Williams called the meeting to order and opened the Board of Director’s meeting with prayer.
Roy Campbell made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 17th, 2000 Board meeting. The motion was seconded by Ricky Smith. With all in favor, the minutes were approved.
Sheriff Carlton Powell and Chief John Perry addressed the Board about guidance on how to arrive at a solution concerning the dispatch of wrecker service. The Board recommended they meet with E911 Director Tommy Layton and Executive Director Jack Smith to determine what course to take.
NOTE TO CITY
Roy Campbell made a motion to authorize execution of a note to the City of Thomasville in the amount of $61,638.37 for the remaining lease payments due on the Fire Truck transferred by the City to the Emergency Services Board. Josh Herring seconded the motion. All were in favor; the motion carried.
JOHNSON INSTITUTIONAL
After negotiating with the Executive Director on their bid for cleaning service, Johnson Institutional resubmitted a lower bid of $956.60 monthly. This includes all downstairs offices utilized by the ESB and the City. The ESB portion of the bill will be approximately 40% of the total monthly cost. Roy Campbell made a motion to accept the bid and sign a one-year contract. The motion was seconded by Ricky Smith. The motion passed with four in favor with Ervin Brock abstaining from the vote.
ADDITIONAL FIRE TRUCKS & AMBULANCES
Jack Smith stated that purchasing three additional fire trucks would fulfill the commitment that the Board made to the municipalities during the SPLOST campaign. The deadline on the current bid price is September 22nd, 2000. Banc One is willing to finance and will waive the pre-payment penalty. Roy Campbell reinforced that all municipalities would receive new trucks. Ervin Brock made a motion to purchase three new Fire Trucks. Roy Campbell seconded the motion. The vote count was 4 in favor and Josh Herring opposing. The motion carried.
EMS Shift Captain Tim Coram stated that the two ambulances that are in the worst working condition cannot be remounted. They are constantly in for repairs.
Josh Herring made a motion to purchase one ambulance now and purchase another one in one year. Roy Campbell seconded the motion. All were in favor, the motion passed.
Expected delivery date on the first purchase is approximately 60 days from order date.
Ervin Brock made a motion to finance the seven trucks and one ambulance with Banc One at 5.75% or go with a local institution with a rate equal to or less than that. Ricky Smith seconded the motion. All were in favor, the motion carried.
E.D. Smith stated that the Board has to opportunity to be included in the City of Thomasville auction that will take place in October. There are six fire units that have been taken out of service. Josh Herring made a motion that the six fire units taken out of service are declared surplus. Roy Campbell seconded the motion. With no opposition, the motion carried. Also, Josh Herring made the motion that the surplus items be put in auction in conjunction with the City of Thomasville’s auction. Roy Campbell seconded the motion. All were in favor, the motion passed.
EMS ACCOUNTS
There are still accounts that have had no payment activity for a period of 18 months. All efforts through the Credit Bureau and Magistrate Court have been exhausted. Ervin Brock made a motion to write off these accounts totaling $110,834.63. Ricky Smith seconded the motion. Mr. Brock requested that a report be given at the next meeting that presents the procedure on aggressive efforts to collect on accounts. With no opposition, the motion carried.
Tommy Layton reported 4977 calls dispatched for the period of 9-1 through 9-15-00. A total of 77,931 calls from 1-1-00 to 8-31-00. The problems with the recorder have been corrected and the software system has been upgraded to make copies of tapes.
Shift Captain Tim Coram reported 232 calls for 9-1-00 through 9-20-00. A total of 3534 was reported for year to date.
Chris Jones reported 20 volunteer calls and 29 First Responder calls for 9-1-00 through 9-15-00. Call volume has been down for volunteer fire. The First Responder program is working very well. EMS on scene time has been reduced as a result.
Chief Joe Cole reported 1107 calls for the year 2000 through 8-31. The two new pumpers have been put into service. The 97 E-One pumper was delivered to Boston and the 91 Grumman pumper was delivered to Ochlocknee. The new Rescue vehicle should be put into service the first or second week of October.
At 5:32 the Board went into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters.
Josh Herring made a motion to approve a maximum of 3% raise for E-911, EMS & fire administration. This was seconded by Ricky Smith. All voted in favor.
Josh Herring made a motion to accept the recommendation of Executive Director Smith to implement salary adjustment in the fire department resulting from a recently completed salary survey. Aggregate increase is 6.68% Ricky Smith seconded the motion. All voted in favor.
Josh Herring made a motion to increase fire personnel by 3 firemen. Upon completion of construction of the Boston Station this facility will be manned 24 hours per day 7 days per week. This was seconded by Ricky Smith. All voted in favor.
There being no further matters the meeting was adjourned.