Closed Session Votes from the MFPD BOD Closed Sessions

From: C Juelfs

The Closed Session Votes are as follows:

12/23/09
No votes taken

12/28/09
Unanimous vote to assign Steve Mossotti to “Department Project and Grant Specialist” at a salary of $75,000 per year.
Unanimous vote to promote Jim Hampton to the rank of Assistant Chief.

12/30/09
Unanimous vote to grant Steve Mossotti’s request to assign him to the rank of Captain.


Carla J. Juelfs, PHR
Human Resources

Mehlville Fire Board Meeting Dec. 30th, 2009

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE MEHLVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI, ON THE
30TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2009


The Board of Directors of the Mehlville Fire Protection District of St. Louis County, Missouri, met at the Mehlville Conference Room, 11020 Mueller Road, St. Louis County, Missouri, on the 30th day of December, 2009.
Present at the meeting were:
Aaron Hilmer, Chairman and Director of the Board;
Bonnie C. Stegman, Treasurer and Director of the Board;
Edmond Ryan, Secretary and Director of the Board; and
Timothy J. White, Administrative Chief Fire Officer of the Mehlville Fire Protection District.
James J. Silvernail, Chief of the Mehlville Fire Protection District, was absent.
Mr. Hilmer called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and announced the Board to be in session for the transaction of business.
Mr. Hilmer amended the agenda to include EMS Field Training Officer, Confidentiality Agreement, 2009 Final Revised Budget, and MAFPD 2010 Membership.
Mrs. Stegman made a motion to pay the bills of December 21, 2009 and to attach a copy to the minutes. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mr. Hilmer made a motion to adopt the proposed Wage Scales. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Chief White discussed a proposed modification to the EMoPP to limit the tri-annual physical examinations to firefighters, paramedics and fire/medics. Mr. Hilmer said the Board would consider the proposal.
Chief White discussed proposed modifications to the EMoPP Substance Abuse Testing Policy that would make the policy consistent with that of the DOT.
Chief White presented three Tuition Reimbursement Requests for Private Tim Block, Private Mike Gapsch and Deputy Chief Joe Schmidt. Mr. Hilmer made a motion to approve all three Tuition Reimbursement Requests. Mrs. Stegman seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mr. Hilmer made a motion to approve a contract with Hochschild, Bloom & Co., LLP, for audit services from 2009 to 2012. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mr. Hilmer made a motion to remove Private John Grass from probationary status. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mr. Hilmer made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report as of November 30, 2009. Mrs. Stegman seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Chief White discussed a proposal from Deputy Chief Walk and Dr. Bosche to appoint EMS Field Training Officers. Mr. Hilmer asked what the requested stipend would be, and Chief White said he would like it to be $4,500 to $5,000 per year. The Board will review the proposal and vote on it at a future meeting.
Mrs. Stegman brought up the National Fire Academy and stated that Chief White should apply for the Executive Fire Officer program. The four-year program is paid for by FEMA. The annual commitment consists of four two-week classes, plus available online classes. The application must be submitted by June, 2010, to start the program in 2011. Mrs. Stegman said that the Board could evaluate whether other chief officers of MFPD could attend other programs of the Academy.
Mr. Hilmer made a motion to approve the Confidential Disclosure Agreement. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mr. Hilmer reviewed the Final Revised 2009 Budget. He pointed out two significant changes in the final budget. A revenue shortfall of almost $250,000 was caused by declining interest rates and fewer permit fees, and $800,000 was expended to purchase land for the relocation of the fire house on Tesson Ferry. Mr. Hilmer then made a motion to approve the 2009 Revised Budget. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Stegman made a motion to renew the District’s MAFPD membership. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mr. Hilmer then made a motion that a closed meeting be held for the purpose of discussing personnel, legal and real estate matters immediately following the adjournment of the regular meeting. Mr. Hilmer, as part of said motion, moved that said closed meeting not be open to members of the general public under the provisions of Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, commonly referred to as the Sunshine Act. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Stegman. A roll call vote on said motion was taken.
Director Stegman yea.
Director Ryan yea.
Director Hilmer yea.
There being no further business, Mr. Hilmer adjourned the meeting at 5:15 p.m.


________________________________________Aaron Hilmer, Chairman

Mehlville Fire Board Meeting Agenda Dec. 28th, 2009

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE MEHLVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI, ON THE
28TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2009


The Board of Directors of the Mehlville Fire Protection District of St. Louis County, Missouri, met at the Mehlville Conference Room, 11020 Mueller Road, St. Louis County, Missouri, on the 28th day of December, 2009.
Present at the meeting were:
Aaron Hilmer, Chairman and Director of the Board;
Bonnie C. Stegman, Treasurer and Director of the Board;
Edmond Ryan, Secretary and Director of the Board; and
Timothy J. White, Administrative Chief Fire Officer of the Mehlville Fire Protection District.
James J. Silvernail, Chief of the Mehlville Fire Protection District, was absent.
Mr. Hilmer called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and announced the Board to be in session for the transaction of business.
Mr. Hilmer then made a motion that a closed meeting be held for the purpose of discussing personnel and legal matters immediately following the adjournment of the regular meeting. Mr. Hilmer, as part of said motion, moved that said closed meeting not be open to members of the general public under the provisions of Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, commonly referred to as the Sunshine Act. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Stegman. A roll call vote on said motion was taken.
Director Stegman yea.
Director Ryan yea.
Director Hilmer yea.
There being no further business, Mr. Hilmer adjourned the meeting at 5:01 p.m.


________________________________________
Aaron Hilmer, Chairman

Mehlville Fire Board Meeting Meeting Dec. 23rd, 2009

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE MEHLVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI, ON THE
23RD DAY OF DECEMBER, 2009


The Board of Directors of the Mehlville Fire Protection District of St. Louis County, Missouri, met at the Mehlville Conference Room, 11020 Mueller Road, St. Louis County, Missouri, on the 23rd day of December, 2009.
Present at the meeting were:
Aaron Hilmer, Chairman and Director of the Board;
Bonnie C. Stegman, Treasurer and Director of the Board; and
Timothy J. White, Administrative Chief Fire Officer of the Mehlville Fire Protection District.
Edmond Ryan, Secretary and Director of the Board, and James J. Silvernail, Chief of the Mehlville Fire Protection District, were absent.
Mr. Hilmer called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and announced the Board to be in session for the transaction of business.
Mr. Hilmer recognized Captain Nick Fahs, who expressed concern about the proposed three-year salary freeze for straight firefighters and paramedics. Lieutenant Doug Weck discussed some of the supervisory and training responsibilities of the paramedics.
Mr. Hilmer stated that the Board would be voting on the proposed new three-year salary schedule at the December 30, 2009 Board meeting.
Mr. Hilmer then made a motion that a closed meeting be held for the purpose of discussing personnel and legal matters immediately following the adjournment of the regular meeting. Mr. Hilmer, as part of said motion, moved that said closed meeting not be open to members of the general public under the provisions of Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, commonly referred to as the Sunshine Act. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Stegman. A roll call vote on said motion was taken.
Director Stegman yea.
Director Hilmer yea.
There being no further business, Mr. Hilmer adjourned the meeting at 5:10 p.m.


________________________________________Aaron Hilmer, Chairman

Mehlville Fire Board Meeting Agenda Dec. 17th, 2009

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE MEHLVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI, ON THE
17TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2009


The Board of Directors of the Mehlville Fire Protection District of St. Louis County, Missouri, met at the Mehlville Conference Room, 11020 Mueller Road, St. Louis County, Missouri, on the 17th day of December, 2009.
Present at the meeting were:
Aaron Hilmer, Chairman and Director of the Board;
Bonnie C. Stegman, Treasurer and Director of the Board;
Edmond Ryan, Secretary and Director of the Board;
Timothy J. White, Administrative Chief Fire Officer of the Mehlville Fire Protection District; and
James J. Silvernail, Chief of the Mehlville Fire Protection District.
Mr. Hilmer called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and announced the Board to be in session for the transaction of business.
Mr. Hilmer amended the agenda under New Business to include Christmas meals.
Mr. Ryan made a motion to approve the Board meeting minutes of October 8, 22 and 29, 2009. Mrs. Stegman seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Stegman made a motion to approve the payment of bills of December 7, 2009 and to attach a copy to the minutes. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mr. Hilmer stated that the Board had reviewed the proposals which Local 1889 presented in July, 2009 and would not be pursuing any of them.
Mr. Hilmer made a motion to accept the proposed contract for 2010 with Catherine Enz Consulting. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mr. Hilmer made a motion to accept the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Amendment. Mrs. Stegman seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mr. Hilmer made a motion to approve Amendment #2 to the Defined Contribution Pension Plan. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mr. Hilmer began discussion of wage scales and referred to a three-year salary schedule, covering years 2010, 2011 and 2012. He stated that the Board would vote on the salary schedule in two weeks. Chief White reviewed the wage scale proposal which would simplify the existing system. Highlights include freezing all straight firefighter and paramedic salaries for the next three years, freezing longevity at 2009 levels and eliminating it going forward, adding differential pay for employees who work out of classification, and adding incentive pay for specialized teams. Administrative salaries would reflect the market.
Mrs. Stegman proposed that the District provide a holiday meal for all 24-hour shift employees. There was no opposition to the proposal.
Mr. Hilmer then made a motion that a closed meeting be held for the purpose of discussing personnel, legal and real estate matters immediately following the adjournment of the regular meeting. Mr. Hilmer, as part of said motion, moved that said closed meeting not be open to members of the general public under the provisions of Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, commonly referred to as the Sunshine Act. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Stegman. A roll call vote on said motion was taken.
Director Stegman yea.
Director Ryan yea.
Director Hilmer yea.
There being no further business, Mr. Hilmer adjourned the meeting at 5:13 p.m.


________________________________________
Aaron Hilmer, Chairman

Even Mike Heins Could Beat Lebron James This Way!

Paul Campos at Lawyers, Guns and Money explains the rules of Terrorball, which if applied broadly could make a lot of things easier.
I'm quite sure I could beat LeBron James in a game of one on one basketball. The game merely needs to feature two special rules: It lasts until I score, and as soon as I score I win. Such a game might last several hours, or even a week or two, and James would probably score hundreds and possibly thousands of points before my ultimate victory, but eventually I'm going to find a way to put the ball in the basket.
Our national government and almost all of the establishment media have decided to play a similar game, which could be called Terrorball. The first two rules of Terrorball are:
(1) The game lasts until there are no longer any terrorists, and; (2) If terrorists manage to ever kill or injure or seriously frighten any Americans, they win.
How else can one explain the extreme and ongoing over-reaction to last week's botched attempt to blow up Northwest flight 253? Commentators from Glenn Greenwald to David Brooks have pointed out that demands that the government keep us completely safe from the risk of terror attacks are both absurdly infantile, and very helpful to terrorists, since such demands place the bar for what counts as successful terrorism practically on the ground.
SNIP
Terrorball, then, is an elaborate political game that seems irrational on its face - after all, it's certain that more than 2.4 million Americans will die this year, and fairly likely that not even one of those deaths will be caused by terrorism -- but which features its own peculiar logic. That logic reflects the anxieties of those who have created its rules, and serves the interests of both terrorists and those who profit from exploiting the fear of terrorism.

Happy New Year from Mike Heins

I won't be able to sum up last year as well as the Spot of Truth, so I, Mike Heins, aka SouthCountyMike, will ask a few questions.

Will the new anti-smoking law, effective today, hurt businesses in Kirkwood?
I predict no, Arnold doesn't seem to be hurt by their law passed years ago, so Kirkwood will survive and, perhaps, prosper!

Will the Call remain in business despite another bad year, mounting debt and court judgements still outstanding?
Probably, with primary elections coming up, they'll have another opportunity to practice their version of journo-extortionism? This still leaves us wondering why God made so few horses and so many horses' asses!

Will the Mehlville Fire District continue its spiral down the drain?
This one's easy. Hell, leadership starts at the top and we have incompetence at both the the chief and the board of directors. Recent demotions of experienced administrative personnel put our community in jeopardy. But don't expect to read about it in the Call!