2021-03-08 Minutes
Meridian Rural Fire Protection District
33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642 Meeting Minutes – March 8, 2021
Page 1 of 3
Call to Order:
The Meridian Rural Fire Protection District meeting for March 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, Attorney John Fitzgerald, Deputy Chief Charlie Butterfield, Fire Chief Kris Blume, and Jordan
Zwygart . Councilwoman Liz Strader joined the meeting by telephone at approximately 4:08 p.m.
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 February 8, 2021, MRFPD meeting.
Motion approved.
Introduction and Welcome for Fire Chief Kris Blume
Chief Blume spoke briefly about his background and experience and was welcomed by the Commission.
Presentation and acceptance of the FY2020 MRFPD Audit, Zwygart John & Associates, CPAs, PLLC
The annual audit report for FY2020 was presented to the Commissioners for their review and approval.
The audit showed that the financial records of the Meridian Rural Fire Protection District were in
accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Discussion followed on the contents of
the audit.
Approval of the audit will be placed on next month’s meeting agenda. The District requested further
information on the District asset portion of the audit.
Treasurer’s Report:
• Approve and pay bills as follows:
Check #5368, ALLWEST Testing & Engineering, $1,200.00, for Lake Hazel property
asbestos testing, Invoice #5:120-485E-1
Check #5369 City of Meridian, $110,601.48, January A, B, & C Budgets, Invoice #2778
Check #5370, Fire Code Consultants Northwest, $591.79, for Fire Inspector Fees, Invoice
#97551
Check #5371, John O. Fitzgerald, II, PC, $948.74, General Legal services for January 2021,
Invoice #2021-02
Check #5372, Zwygart John & Associates, $5,300.00 for the FY20 Annual Financial Audit,
Invoice #1031
Meridian Rural Fire Protection District
33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642 Meeting Minutes – March 8, 2021
Page 2 of 3
A motion was made and seconded to approve and pay checks numbered 5368 through 5372 as
presented. Motion approved.
• US Bank January and February Statements were presented for review and approval. LGIP Statement
for February not yet received for review.
• Current net cash position is currently $4,453,468.80.
• Letter received from the ISFCA announcing their virtual annual meeting on April 1st.
Old Business:
1. Update on weeds at the Water Tower property. The removal of the weeds was done by the City of
Meridian Park’s Department at no charge this time. Future weed removal will need to be scheduled by
an independent lawn care company or Ada County Weed control. An email estimate was received
stating that weed sterilization could be done for a cost of approximately $700; formal quote with details
will be requested and presented at next month’s meeting.
2. Update on Lake Hazel property. Chief Butterfield presented the asbestos report received along with
three quotes for mitigation. Discussion followed on the three quotes received. Motion made and
seconded to approve Home Guard to perform the asbestos mitigation if it can be verified that this
company’s quote includes bonding. Motion approved.
3. Continued discussion on Rural Fire District possible 100% contribution of initial 20 months of personnel
wages/benefits costs for the South Meridian Fire Station starting in FY2023. The Fire Department is
going before Council to discuss the timeline for the build of the South and Northwest new Fire Stations.
During these discussions, the City of Meridian plans to inquire if the District will possibly consider
funding the wage/benefit costs for the first 20 months for the South station. Total estimated cost would
be slightly over $2.5 million; amount could be less if a SAFER grant is received.
Chairman Ward, with approval of Commissioner Ward and Howell, will attend the April 6th Meridian
City Council meeting in order to participate in the discussions regarding fire stations 7 & 8 and to notify
the Meridian City Council that the District is open to the possibility of funding some of the personnel
costs for the south station. Commissioner Howell mentioned that he would also like the District to
discuss funding just a portion of the cost and not the entire cost of the 20 months of personnel costs.
The Department also has plans to apply for an AFG grant which would be for equipment only, not
personnel costs. It was noted that impact fees cannot be used for personnel costs. Commissioner
Howell asked where the District may be on collecting impact fees from previous discussions.
Commissioner Howell will reach out to Anne Westcott and invite her to the next Rural Fire District
meeting to clarify the current situation regarding the collection of impact fees for the District.
Meridian Rural Fire Protection District
33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642 Meeting Minutes – March 8, 2021
Page 3 of 3
4. Update on Fire Station 7 & 8 design and build, Deputy Chief Charlie Butterfield. Design is moving
along nicely and is currently in schematic design phase. Road on south station needs to be built, and will
require a traffic analysis by ACHD among other items. Scheduling is on track to break ground next
year. The design differs from Station 6 as the new design has added an extra apparatus bay and the roof
line was changed to blend in more with the residential areas where the stations are being built.
5. Update on Legislative Senate Bill #1048. Attorney Fitzgerald sent out an email to the Commissioners
regarding drafting a letter regarding the Senate Bill. Attorney Fitzgerald needs more feedback from the
Commissioners before completing the letter. It was reported that the Senate Bill remains in committee
and is not gaining much traffic with 3 weeks left in the legislative session. Commissioners will email
Counsel with their comments individually.
New Business:
1. No new business.
Motion was made and seconded to adjourn the March 8, 2021, meeting of the Meridian Rural Fire
Protection District. Motion approved. The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.