2020-10-12 MinutesMeridian Rural Fire Protection District
33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642
Meeting Minutes — October 12, 2020
Call to Order:
The Meridian Rural Fire Protection District meeting for October 12, 2020, was called to order at 4:00
p.m. by Commissioner Ward. Roll call was taken.
Attendees: Commissioner Marvin Ward, Commissioner Derrick Shannon, Commissioner Randy
Howell, Fire Chief Mark Niemeyer, John Fitzgerald, Councilman Brad Hoagland, and Deputy Chief
Charlie Butterfield
Approval of the Agenda:
Motion was made and seconded to approve the meeting agenda with one item added under New
Business, PERSI and Elected Officials. Motion approved.
Approval of the minutes:
Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the September 14, 2020, MRFPD meeting.
Motion approved.
Treasurer's Report:
• Approve and pay bills as follows:
✓ Check #5347, City of Meridian, $105,497.92 for August for 2020, Inv# 2733
✓ Check #5348, John O. Fitzgerald, $851.24, general legal services, Inv# 2020-10
A motion was made and seconded to approve and pay checks numbered 5347 and 5348 as
presented. Motion approved.
LGIP Statement for September presented for review and approval.
Current net cash position is currently $3,935,994.97.
Bonded indebtedness form sent in to Ada County.
Old Business:
Update on Lake Hazel property, Deputy Chief Butterfield. Chief Butterfield presented a quote for a sign
for the Lake Hazel property that states that a Fire Department is to be built at that location. Cost of the
sign quoted at $850.00. Deputy Chief Butterfield also presented a proposal from the Land Group for a
topographic boundary survey for the Lake Hazel property at a cost of $5,800.00.
Motion made to direct Deputy Chief Butterfield to proceed with getting a sign for the property at the
cost of $850.00. Motion approved.
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Meridian Rural Fire Protection District
33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642
Meeting Minutes — October 12, 2020
Motion made to direct Deputy Chief Butterfield to proceed with the topographic boundary survey for the
Lake Hazel property at the cost of $5,800.00. Motion approved.
2. Update on the de -annexation letter received. Chief Niemeyer stated that he has been working with the
Eagle Fire District on this request to ensure that when the Meridian Rural District de -annexes the
property that the Eagle Fire District would then annex the property into their fire district. Eagle Fire has
indicated that they will annex the property at their November 9th meeting. Counsel stated that the
Meridian Rural Fire District should have documentation confirming the property will be annexed into
the Eagle Fire District before they proceed with the de -annexation. Attorney Fitzgerald recommended
that the de -annexation be approved at the MRFPD November meeting along with a Resolution. Counsel
clarified on record, that regardless if de -annexation or annexation of the property occurs, the property
owners would not be without fire protection. Deputy Chief Butterfield confirmed that was correct.
Chief Niemeyer will work on obtaining a letter from the Eagle Fire District confirming annexation.
New Business:
1. City/Rural personnel discussion on the future South Meridian Fire Station.
Deputy Chief Butterfield presented the Commissioners with a Station 7 and 8 timeline projection
spreadsheet, (Gantt chart) covering FY21 through FY24. The spreadsheet shows the timeline for three main
categories: the design and construction of fire stations 7 and 8, staffing for those stations, and the apparatus
purchases.
The Gantt chart shows each month what we need to accomplish to stay on track for the next four fiscal
years in order to construct and staff the next two stations. The financial tracking portion of the
spreadsheet shows how the impact fee fund diminishes as the project plays out. Once the impact fees
are depleted, the City would then have to use money from the Capital Improvement Fund. The
Department is planning to hire a grant writer and apply for a SAFER grant, (Staffing for Adequate Fire
and Emergency Response) in FY22. This grant, if awarded, would help to cover wages over a three year
period, 75% the first year, 75% the second year, and 35% for the third year.
Chief Butterfield spoke to the District as to their possible financial involvement for the south station
personnel wages as this station will serve a large population of county residents unlike the northwest
station which will serve mostly City residents.
If the stations are built simultaneously, we could see a 5 to 10 percent overall savings. The plan would
be to stagger the construction slightly, breaking ground on the first station, then a few months later,
breaking ground on the second station. This timing would also allow to stagger the hiring of the staff
for the two stations. The recruitment and testing for personnel for the south station would begin in fiscal
year 2022; then hiring would start in February of 2023. If the Rural District would consider covering
wages for staffing of the south fire station, that cost would begin in February of 2023 and continue
through the end of that fiscal year at an estimated cost of $1,057,000. We would also ask the District to
consider covering wages for the entire 2024 fiscal year at an estimate of $1.5 million. The City would
then take on full cost of wages in fiscal year 2025 and thereafter. If the SAFER grant is awarded, this
estimated cost to the District would decrease.
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Meridian Rural Fire Protection District
33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642
Meeting Minutes — October 12, 2020
Deputy Chief Butterfield asked the Commission to consider assisting with the staffing costs for the
south station in order to be prepared when budget discussions begin for FY23. That year would be the
soonest we would be asking for funds from the District. Our Department will have discussions with the
City Council this coming spring as we plan for the next few years and want to include the District in
those discussions.
2. PERSI (Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho) and Elected Officials.
Chief Niemeyer has discovered that other Fire District Commissioners in the Valley are participating in
PERSI and advised the Meridian Rural Commissioners that they look into whether or not this is a
mandatory requirement. Chief referenced Idaho Statute Title 59, Chapter 13 that covers Public Officers
and PERSI. Attorney Fitzgerald will look into PERSI requirements for the Rural Commissioners and
report back at next month's meeting.
3. Chief Niemeyer will be going in for shoulder surgery on October 20th and Deputy Chief Joe Bongiomo
will be Acting Chief while Chief Niemeyer recovers.
4. Deputy Chief Butterfield invited the Commissioners to view an acquired structure training burn planned
for October 15tH
Motion was made and seconded to adjourn the October 12, 2020, meeting of the Meridian Rural Fire
Protection District. Motion approved. The meeting was adjourned at 4:57 p.m.
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