Quincy Fire Protection District

Board of Directors

Meeting August 16, 2024

Feather Publishing Co. Board Room

287 Lawrence St. Quincy, CA 95971

I.      Call to Order:

a)    Chairman Mike Taborski called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. with Vice-Chairman Johnny Mansell, Treasurer Andrew Ryback, Fire Chief Frank Carey, and Administrative Secretary Karrie White in attendance.

Public Comment:  None

 II.      Approval of July 11, 2024, Meeting Minutes:

      a)   Chairman Taborski asked if the minutes were reviewed by the board members; Chief Carey said yes, on line 7 under Chief Inspection Report it is Current not Kern Electric. Treasurer Ryback made a motion to approve the minutes with the corrections with Vice-Chairman Mansell seconding the motion, motion was approved.

III.  Financial Committee Report: Treasurer Ryback

    a)   Ryback: Karrie has provided us the financials along with a profit and loss which shows the months for the whole year similar to the spreadsheet in previous years. As far as revenue received quarterly interest only. On the expense accounts, standard expenses for payroll a communication expenses of $7,500.

Ryback asked if it was part of a grant payment, and Karrie said no, I do believe it’s Sierra Electronics regarding the Fire Chief command vehicle. Chief Carey said yes, it is for the lights and sirens we are holding it until the remaining equipment comes in and is installed before I release the check.

The total monthly expenses are $19,000, with a $25,000 loss for the month and the cash balance is $2.4 million. Karrie has also provided the details on the U.S. Bank statement for the board's review.

    b)    Ryback: No transfer of funds.

IV.  Committee Business, Discussion, and Actions:

1)    Discussion and possible actions on the Policy and Procedure Manual

 Karrie reported there were no new updates at this time.

V.  Fire Chief Report: Frank Carey:

    a)   We had a total of 57 calls for the month: 44 EMS, 12 fire, and 1 mutual aid, with an average firefighter call attendance of 4.26.

    b)    Engine 8161 had the annual testing inspection for recertification it passed.

    c)    Chopper has found two companies that are interested in purchasing the American LaFrance platform engine he has sent out specs and pictures to them, and they refurbish and resell. We will see what they offer.

    d)    Sierra Pacific Industries company picnic was Saturday, August 10, 2024, Captain Anthony (Tony) Arcangeli took 8124. SPI dropped off a donation check of $1,000.

    e)    The 50/50 Raffle Fundraiser date is October 26, 2024, Coby Brown at Feather River Publishing will be getting the raffle tickets ready for us to sell.

    f)   The Pancake Breakfast fundraiser and donator supporter T-shirt sales were $1,500. The breakfast was $4,400, and with 418 participants the boot donations were $988.00. The 50/50 raffle was $1,079 Lisa Labbe was the winner. Lisa graciously donated $300.00 back to the department. The basket raffle was $439.00  with profits totaling $7,200.00 expenses were about $1,500. Subtracting expenses gross profit of $5,750 for the pancake breakfast.

    g)    Tuesday’s drill August 27, 24,  is the Commissioner’s cooking dinner. Vice-Chairman Mansell said Chuck Leonhardt was not available to cook he would like to see if we could switch dates to September 24, 24. Mansell to verify if Chuck will be available on those dates.

    h)    On August 24, 2024, I set up extrication training on Saturday for the Bucks Lake Fire Department. I have invited the  Meadow Valley Fire Department to join along with Quincy Fire volunteers.

     i)     Dispatch had Quincy Fire on their board for not being called out for vehicle accidents in the Feather River Canyon, I contacted Mike Grant and that has been corrected. Taborski asked how far the fire department goes, and Chief Carey said to the county line. We are not called out for medical unless requested by the ground care flight if we are called out we only go to Greenville Wye.

    j)     The Gold Complex Fire is officially contained which is the Smith and the Mill Fire, and the Park Fire out of Chico is at 45% contained well over 430k acres.

    k)    Captain Eric Vinyard who is a paid firefighter with Lake County, and one of Quincy Fire volunteers put in a grant with California Fire Foundation, and we were approved for $10k out of the $17k grant for wildland gear. Vice-Chairman Mansell asked if it was a matching grant, and Chief Carey said no.

    l)   Tyson Rael, Mike Lomas, Ralph and Trish Wilburn, and myself are meeting at station 1 today at 1:00 pm to prepare for the service for Charlie this month at the Plumas County Fairgrounds. 

   m)  Vice-Chairman Mansell asked Chief Carey about the date for the Battle of the Battalions Golf Tournament, Chief Carey said it is pending Trey’s confirmation on the date. Deputy Chief David Schmid has been trying to get confirmation.

Katie Schmid, David's wife works for Trey she is also working on getting us a date. So October is a busy month for the department. On October 11, 2024, we have the Beat it You Bastards Golf fundraiser, the 50/50 Raffle on October 26, 2024, and a pending date for the Battle of the Battalions golf tournament.

VI.   Fire Chief Carey Fire Drills:

     a)  On 862/24:  Officer’s meeting to go over monthly training, corporate financials, and upcoming events.

     b)  On 8/13/24: Fire drill, wildland Fire Scenarios

     c)  On 8/20/24: Rescue drill, rescue squad signoffs, and documentation.

     d)  On 8/27/24: Fire drill: SCBA familiarization.

VII.   Fire Chief Inspection Report: Fire Chief Carey

a)  Plumas County Library’s new fire alarm system almost be completed in about another week. I will go out and perform an inspection and test the new system.

b)  Feather River College plans have been turned into the County Current Electric is moving forward with the installation of the new alarm system and repairs on a few others. I should be inspecting the alarm systems once they are completed.

  VIII.  Other District Business, Discussion, and Actions:

 1)  Fire Station 2 replacement: Chief Carey

     a)  We received a quote from  Modern Building Company for $498,609 for building insulation concrete slab and everything, Ryback asked how the 4-bay building would fit on the lot. It would be the same out front but sit back a little further.

The quote is high Chopper is checking with Meadow Valley Fire Department they had the Mennonites out of Susanville do their building Chopper is going to speak with them and get a quote if their still available. Their building has five bays with an office and a kitchen on the side it is all insulated.

The board members discussed the proposed quote breaking down the line-item pricing, not including the demo of the site, demolition is pending several companies that have not returned our calls. Ultimately the board would like to see a minimum of 3 quotes or more metal vs. stick built.

2)  Discussion, and possible action regarding the progress of the LaPorte facility project:

     a)  Chief Frank and Mansell said nothing new from Plumas County as of yet, Chief Frank said I have done some face-to-face with homeowners who live out there to get the community’s perspective on the project. Chief Carey and the board had a long conversation regarding the water tower project and details of the installation along with the aesthetics of the construction.

Chairman Taborski entertained a motion to adjourn into a closed session. Vice-Chairman Mansell seconded the motion, motion was approved.

VIII. Closed Session:

  1)  Phased retirement arrangement:

     a)    Board members, Chief Frank Carey discussed in detail the proposal letter that was presented to the board by Karrie. The transition period beginning on March 1, 2025, is 17 months to full retirement on March 1, 2026 after a long discussion regarding the hiring process and employee training Karrie is open to extending the date.

The work schedule proposed for the hiring, and the training transition is part-time employment. Karrie said she is flexible for the department while training a replacement allowing for a smooth transition and continuity in supporting the department's replacement for training.

 2) Annual wage increase:

     a)  The Board Members and Chief Carey discussed the annual employee wage increase cost comparison, and the employee written reviews for Marten Munoz and Karrie White.

Ryback made a motion to approve the pay scale increase from $25.00 to $30.10 level 2 for Marten Munoz, and a yearly clothing allowance of up to $1,000. Karrie White's pay scale increased from $24.41 to $27.10 at level 1 effective August 5, 2024. Vice-Chairman Mansell seconded the motion, motion carried.

Ryback made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Mansell seconded the motion, and the motion was carried.

The Meeting was adjourned by Chairman Taborski at 9:39 a.m.

Submitted:  _________________________             ____________

                      Chairman Taborski                              Date