The regular monthly meeting of the Commissioners of Southern Platte Fire Protection District was held Monday, July 26, 2001, at the District's Station 3, 10811 NW 45 Highway, Parkville, Mo.

The meeting was called to order by Nelson Hopper at 7: 10 p.m. Present were Commissioners Hopper, Newburger, and Judd and Chief Richard Carrizzo. Also in attendance were Leslie Stewart Greene and firefighters Chris Denney and Brian Main.

Minutes of the May 24, 200 1, meeting (which had been previously provided to the Commissioners) were accepted upon motion made, seconded, and passed.

The May 31 and June 30, 2001 treasurer's reports were reviewed and discussed. Chief Carrizzo reported that the payment made to Marquette Bank for the truck lease included a late payment fee. He also requested permission from the commissioners to transfer earned income of $10,135.04 from the Construction Checking Account Fund to the Bond Fund. He was authorized to do so upon motion made by Commissioner Judd, seconded by Commissioner Newburger, and passed. The Comissioners also accepted both the May and June reports upon motion made, seconded, and passed.

Discussion was had on the problem encountered this year with the Norris and Clevenger audit and financial statement. In late June, it had not been finalized and was not ready for submission to the Missouri State Auditor when due on June 30. Although Mr. Clevenger promised it within two weeks of June 28, it was not available and delivered until July 26 when Leslie Stewart Greene contacted him at Mrs. Thomas' request. The Commissioners decided that Norris and Clevenger should be notified that we have to have the financial statement before June 30 every year and that we cannot allow delays like those this year.

The following old business was presented to the meeting:

1. Legal: Mrs. Stewart Greene discussed the tax levy hearing date of August 30 at 7 p.m. It will be held at Station 3. Notices will be run in the papers as previously done although we are now allowed to post the notices in four places in lieu of publication.

2. Pro-forma Calculation Sheets from the State: Mrs. Stewart Greene stated that these have not been received from the State and that there is an apparent "glitch" at the county level attributable to an apparent lack of communication between the County Clerk and Assessor's Office. The paperwork should be out by early next week.

3. Station 1: Nelson Hopper has talked with Bob DeGeorge. The District has not paid approximately $41,000.00 of the bill for Station 1 because of the water problems. These problems have been worked on and may be solved. The commissioners discussed paying some amount to Bob DeGeorge but retaining a portion to cover any uncorrected problems. After discussion, the commissioners decided to pay Bob DeGeorge but to withhold $10,000.00 at this time.

4. Apparatus Update: Chief Carrizzo reported that everything is up and running. No major repairs are needed at this time. He did discuss the problem of the truck that rolled down the side of the Station 3 property and tore a fence. That has been reported to the insurance company.

5. Station 4: Work continues on Station 4. August 10 is the scheduled completion date. Chief Carrizzo stated he had had a long meeting with HGK, and HGK is cooperating well. With regard to the problem of the building being placed 20 feet too close to the road, everything is working out OK. The District will sign all change orders and will pay any charges; however, these expenses will be deducted from the construction manager's fee. Because of unexpected expenses, there will be no money available for the tower that had been planned. The problem with the highway was unanticipated. The building will now cost about $2,000,000 instead of the originally anticipated $1,500,000.

6. Department Values: Chief Carrizzo reported that he and Greg Moerer met with the facilitator and are very happy with his ideas. The District will wait for the nine new firefighters to come on board before starting this.

The following new business was presented to the meeting:

In his report, Chief Carrizzo and the commissioners discussed the following matters:

1. Jason Ekis received Firefighter I and 2 and Hazmat Operations certification and Brian Hershberger received Hazmat Operations certification.

2. The District has received notice to landowners of an annexation case brought by the City of Parkville in the area in which Station 4 is located. Of the several landowners in the area, only one couple is objecting to annexation. There will be a hearing November 14 to resolve the matter.

3. The County Commission has written a letter for the Station 4 time capsule.

4. Don Emerson had eye surgery, and Craig Hill and his wife recently had a baby girl.

5. The District has received several thank you notes.

6. The District did not receive the $1,000 grant this year from the Helping Hearts Program of Prudential.

7. The Dearborn Fire Department sent a thank you note for the District's services at the time of Travis Brown's funeral.

After motion was made and seconded, the commissioners accepted the report of Chief Carrizzo.

This year's "Fireworks Season" was discussed extensively. The District made nine "fireworks" calls during the period from June 20 to July 10. These were basically complaints. Commissioner Judd felt that it is a waste of the District's time to go on the fireworks calls since they're primarily complaints of neighbors over noise and the District has no authority to handle such complaints and shouldn't have to play "neighborhood cop." Although no decision was made regarding the District's fireworks ordinance at this time, there will be further discussion at a later time.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. to Executive Session upon motion made, seconded and passed.

The commissioners reconvened the regular meeting at 8:40; and there being no additional business to come before the meeting, it was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Connie Thomas
Secretary