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2021-02-08 Minutes Meridian Rural Fire Protection District 33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642 Meeting Minutes – February 8, 2021 Page 1 of 2 Call to Order: The Meridian Rural Fire Protection District meeting for February 8, 2021, 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, Interim Fire Chief Charlie Butterfield, and Attorney John Fitzgerald. Councilwoman Liz Strader joined by telephone. Approval of the Agenda: Motion was made and seconded to approve the meeting agenda as presented. Motion approved. Approval of the minutes: Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the January 11, 2021, MRFPD meeting. Motion approved. Treasurer’s Report:  Approve and pay bills as follows:  Check #5365, City of Meridian, $111,864.34, December A, B, & C Budgets, Invoice #2770  Check #5366, Fire Code Consultants Northwest, $3,301.36, for Fire Inspector Fees, Invoice #2020-31  Check #5367, John O. Fitzgerald, II, PC, $923.24, General Legal services for January 2021, Invoice #2021-02 A motion was made and seconded to approve and pay checks numbered 5365 through 5367 as presented. Motion approved.  Chief Butterfield explained that this month’s invoice from the City includes the Rural District’s portion for some of the design work for Station 7 & 8. The District’s portion is 8% of the 21% percent of general funds allocated to the design project which will span over 3 years. The District will utilize money in their contingency fund to cover the costs this fiscal year and will budget for the additional costs to their future FY22 & FY23 budgets.  LGIP January Statement was presented for review and approval. US Bank statement for January had not yet been received for review.  Current net cash position is currently $4,562,904.20.  The FY20 audit has been completed and a draft of the audit has been received. The audit will be presented at the March Rural District meeting. Meridian Rural Fire Protection District 33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642 Meeting Minutes – February 8, 2021 Page 2 of 2  Commissioner Howell is completing an annual ICRMP liability update. He is waiting for Harris & Co to send some related documents.  Email from ISFCA on a legislative alert – Attorney Fitzgerald explained that Senate Bill #1048 proposes to change the calculation for taxes associated with Fire districts, affecting the 3% cap as well as affecting the District’s ability to recapture foregone taxes. Senate Bill 1048 will cause a loss of tax dollars used in providing emergency services and limit the District’s ability to plan for future growth. The budget would have a 3% cap, plus a 1% use of forgone dollars (if the district has any) to have a maximum budget increase of 4%. The ISFCA is asking the Commissioners to reach out to their Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee Members and express opposition to the bill. Motion was made and seconded to have Attorney Fitzgerald draft a letter opposing Senate Bill #1048 for Chairman Ward to sign on the District’s behalf and forward to the legislature. Motion approved. Old Business: 1. Chief Butterfield thanked the Commissioners for their support during the recent interview process for the open Fire Chief position. Chief Butterfield announced that the Mayor announced his intentions to appoint Battalion Chief Kris Blume from Tucson, Arizona as the next Fire Chief for Meridian Fire on February 23rd. 2. Update on Lake Hazel property. Asbestos testing has been completed and the report should be available by next month’s Rural District meeting. It appears that some minor asbestos has been found. Stacy Redmond will begin getting estimates on the mitigation that will need to be done. Commissioner Ward mentioned that the sign at the Lake Hazel property has fallen down; he was not sure if it was from vandalism or possibly wind. Chief Butterfield will look into the sign matter. 3. Weeds at Water Tower property update. The weeds have been knocked down by the Park’s Department or a possible outside contractor. Chief Butterfield will follow up to see if there is an invoice associated with that or if the Park’s Department took care of it. Chief Winkler is looking at obtaining quotes for sterilizing the ground to prevent further weeds and will provide estimates at next month’s meeting. New Business: 1. No new business. Motion was made and seconded to adjourn the February 8, 2021, meeting of the Meridian Rural Fire Protection District. Motion approved. The meeting was adjourned at 4:32 p.m.