[4:47] all the time, dog. Look, you can have a
[4:50] head like this with a dent.
[4:53] >> I'm getting another. I'm getting
[4:54] another.
[4:55] >> It's protected, sir.
[4:56] >> I'm getting another one.
[4:58] >> I have to move.
[4:59] >> The only dent is from where
[5:29] Hi.
[5:33] » My blood pressure. That's awesome.
[5:36] You were cracking me up.
[10:00] more to my pain as I
[13:19] Okay, we will call the August 2026
[13:23] meeting of the fire and advisory board
[13:25] to order and we will ask for a roll
[13:28] call.
[13:33] Dennis Godc
[13:34] >> here. Eric Haley.
[13:39] Uh Mike Shaw here.
[13:42] Williams
[13:43] >> here.
[13:44] >> Robert Weber
[13:44] >> here.
[13:45] >> Alan McKenzie.
[13:47] >> Andrew Her
[13:49] >> here.
[13:50] >> We have everybody but Caesar.
[13:52] >> Okay. Uh first thing I want to do is uh
[13:56] welcome uh the new representative to the
[13:59] board, Andrew Happer.
[14:02] Andrew is the And now we have uh
[14:06] Representative Haley here as well.
[14:08] Andrew is our newest member representing
[14:11] District Three. Welcome, sir. Uh
[14:13] wondering if you were actually going to
[14:15] be in the cockpit of an aircraft doing
[14:18] this meeting.
[14:19] >> No, no, this this uh this month I'm not.
[14:22] I'm up at Lake George, New York with my
[14:25] family and then uh
[14:27] >> Yeah. No, it's been a good week here and
[14:29] then next week I or next month I will be
[14:31] in person or I plan on it.
[14:33] >> Perfect. Well, welcome aboard.
[14:35] [clears throat]
[14:36] >> Thank you. Nice. It's nice to be here.
[14:38] >> All right. Approval of the minutes of
[14:40] the July 16th meeting.
[14:43] >> I have a motion.
[14:44] >> Motion approval.
[14:45] >> Motion by Mike Shaw. Second by Bob
[14:48] Weber.
[14:50] >> Any questions on the motion?
[14:53] >> All in favor signify by saying I.
[14:55] >> I.
[14:57] >> Opposed.
[14:59] Okay.
[15:02] Uh chairman's report. So, first fire
[15:06] service strategic planning committee
[15:07] update. Um,
[15:11] we met two Wednesdays ago. Uh, we will
[15:17] >> last Wednesday.
[15:18] >> Was it?
[15:19] >> Last Wednesday.
[15:19] >> Okay. Well, we meet next week too,
[15:21] right?
[15:21] >> Yes. [laughter] Um
[15:24] and um
[15:27] it was our meeting to review the
[15:29] requests for information that were sent
[15:32] out uh by the county supported by the
[15:36] committee uh as opposed to the requests
[15:39] for proposals. We've explained the
[15:41] reasons uh for that previously. Uh we
[15:45] reviewed the request for informations.
[15:48] There were eight responses.
[15:50] Um
[15:52] there were three of those that we had to
[15:58] review portions of or the whole document
[16:01] in executive session because they claim
[16:04] propriet what is it proprietary
[16:08] uh material uh in some of their
[16:11] proposal. Um we we discussed the rest uh
[16:16] in public session and uh the amounts
[16:26] uh that they
[16:28] estimated which they're not held to this
[16:32] for
[16:33] uh their RFP uh response their bids to
[16:36] the RFPs.
[16:38] Um
[16:40] they were from $88,000 to $282,000.
[16:48] Um we did review them u to the extent
[16:52] that we graded them on whether they met
[16:54] all of the requirements of the RFI. Uh
[16:58] whether we believe they had the
[17:00] experience
[17:02] um and the staff that were competent to
[17:04] do the study. Uh, and all that does is
[17:08] says that they are eligible to apply for
[17:12] the RFP.
[17:14] The [snorts] bottom line is anybody can
[17:16] put in for the RFP, even if they didn't
[17:18] put in for the RFI. We uh unanimously
[17:23] approved all eight of them to go
[17:25] further. And at our next meeting
[17:29] um this coming Wednesday, right?
[17:32] >> Yes. Um, we will be discussing
[17:36] when we're going to uh send out the
[17:40] RFPs. We're going to talk about any uh
[17:44] changes to the RFP that uh we think need
[17:47] to be made based on some of these
[17:49] responses to the RFI.
[17:52] And uh we're going to discuss um funding
[17:56] of the uh uh for the RF for the for the
[18:00] project when the bids come back.
[18:03] I I there will not be a decision on
[18:05] funding uh at this next meeting, but we
[18:08] are going to discuss it and we're going
[18:11] to discuss the process. There's a lot of
[18:15] legal things that come into play. Um and
[18:20] from the fire services standpoint and
[18:23] there is no conflict at this time with
[18:26] the county on this. Um but our position
[18:29] is that um we want to be
[18:34] uh an integral part of the selection
[18:37] process.
[18:39] Um I I I don't have all of the legal
[18:44] issues in front of me, but there are
[18:46] some concerns
[18:48] um about
[18:50] all of us being on the selection
[18:52] committee. Um whether that's
[18:54] appropriate. We can't have two people
[18:58] from the county and two people from uh
[19:01] the the fire side of the committee
[19:03] because that would constitute a
[19:04] subcommittee.
[19:06] Um so Aaron uh Goldstein, the county attorney, has
[19:12] been working with us and it continues to
[19:14] work with us. We're bringing it up now
[19:17] simply because it's something for people
[19:19] to be aware of, but um we don't
[19:22] anticipate any problems. Um,
[19:27] and our relationship and work with the
[19:30] county continues to be very positive.
[19:34] Um,
[19:35] I miss anything?
[19:37] [snorts]
[19:40] » It's good.
[19:40] >> Okay.
[19:41] >> Yeah.
[19:44] >> And um,
[19:48] that's the extent of my report. I I'm
[19:50] not going to report any further right
[19:52] now on the uh outreach program that we
[19:56] talked about last month, but that
[19:57] continues to move forward.
[20:00] Anyone have any questions for me?
[20:03] Okay.
[20:09] Uh emergency communication. So, um we
[20:12] didn't receive a report, but I will tell
[20:15] you that I was contacted by assistant
[20:18] chief Williams today. his stepmother
[20:20] died overnight.
[20:22] Um, so that's why he is not here and I
[20:25] certainly didn't expect him to provide a
[20:27] report. Uh, so just on behalf of the
[20:30] board, uh, want to express our
[20:33] condolences to him and and hope that his
[20:36] family is doing as well as possible.
[20:40] Emergency medical services.
[20:42] >> Good evening, Mr.
[20:43] >> Doctor. How are you,
[20:44] >> doctor? Far from that other wouldn't be
[20:47] here. Uh staffing doesn't really have
[20:51] much change since the last report. Still
[20:53] authorized at 159. Um we have 15
[20:57] vacancies actually. Yeah. 15 vacancies.
[21:01] We have 30 people 30. Yeah. 30 people in
[21:05] training. That's 15 from our seventh
[21:06] academy. Happy to report that 14 of
[21:08] those passed their national registry
[21:10] paramedic exam. Uh the remaining one
[21:13] will be retesting in a few weeks.
[21:16] uh 12 are still in the ETH academy.
[21:18] Happy to report that all of them are now
[21:20] nationally certified EMTs
[21:22] and entering their paramedic portion of
[21:24] the program and we have three selective
[21:26] certified paramedics in field training
[21:28] from various different areas throughout
[21:30] the country and they're progressing
[21:33] well. Um
[21:36] run volume year to date 25,12
[21:40] incidents. Uh that's slightly down by
[21:43] about 800 from same time period last
[21:46] year transporting about 50% of those
[21:49] which is our average currently.
[21:53] Uh Narcan use still continues to trend
[21:57] downward. We're at 528 administrations
[22:01] uh year to date compared to 132. Um, we
[22:05] actually just, uh, Lieutenant Small, who
[22:08] is our quality assurance person, met
[22:11] with the opioid state committee today,
[22:14] um, to kind of discuss maybe what's
[22:17] going on and why we're seeing less use,
[22:19] but that's a good thing. Um, we're happy
[22:23] to see that number. Um,
[22:26] blood, today was a busy day. We gave
[22:29] three units uh but we are up to 417
[22:32] blood administrations year to date or
[22:34] I'm sorry since program inception of May
[22:36] of 23 and 111 administrations year to
[22:40] date.
[22:43] The only other thing I really have uh
[22:46] selections still continue for the ninth
[22:48] academy. Again our plan is to run
[22:50] another academy uh on the heels of the
[22:53] eighth just starting at DelTech. That
[22:55] academy most likely will be run at good
[22:57] fellowship. So they'll be going
[22:58] simultaneously about five or six months
[23:01] apart from each other. There's no start
[23:03] date set yet though for the ninth
[23:04] academy. Um and that will hopefully
[23:07] fully staff us if uh 100% of people
[23:11] graduate. We are still actively
[23:13] recruiting. Um and then I know it's been
[23:16] mentioned before, emails went out to all
[23:18] the presidents and chiefs, but October
[23:20] 2nd is our 50th anniversary celebration
[23:22] at the Chase Center at the riverfront.
[23:24] Uh we've had a couple table buyouts. uh
[23:28] tables of eight from three fire
[23:30] companies thus far and uh that's open
[23:35] for RSVP till September 10th. Any
[23:39] questions on that? Uh Lieutenant Small
[23:41] actually is the coordinator of this
[23:43] event for us and we'll be glad to answer
[23:45] any questions. That's all I have.
[23:47] >> Board members, any questions for the
[23:50] captain?
[23:53] board members online.
[23:57] Okay. Uh is there anyone present from
[24:00] the County Fire Chiefs Association
[24:04] online? And if not, is uh Wally on board
[24:09] for special ops?
[24:12] Okay. Anyone from the Newcast County
[24:14] Firefighters Association?
[24:16] >> We have no reports, sir.
[24:18] >> Okay. County government, Mr. Dunn.
[24:23] Good evening. Um, all uh Stephanie has a
[24:26] report on the uh latest spreadsheet of
[24:31] companies that have filed all their
[24:32] necessary paperwork and who's been paid
[24:34] and she can answer any questions or
[24:36] concerns with that. That's all I have,
[24:38] sir. Thank you.
[24:39] >> Thank you,
[24:40] >> staff. What are the numbers right now?
[24:43] >> Yeah, I was going to say if we knew who
[24:44] did not get on their
[24:47] >> So, the blue is completed and that's why
[24:49] they have check numbers.
[24:50] >> All right, cool. The peachy orange color
[24:53] is we still need something and white the
[24:56] only white tally bill hasn't done any
[25:01] >> Oh, okay.
[25:03] Representative Haley,
[25:07] >> I did speak with uh Caesar today about
[25:09] that and he was going to reach back out
[25:11] to Tallyville
[25:13] and Kenny and I have both talked to them
[25:15] yesterday. So hopefully they get
[25:17] something.
[25:17] >> Eric,
[25:20] can you unmute?
[25:24] » Annie, who did we talk to yesterday at
[25:26] Tallyville?
[25:27] >> Hold on. Hold on.
[25:29] >> Caesar.
[25:30] >> Yeah.
[25:31] >> Can you speak to
[25:34] uh I guess President Miller?
[25:39] » Yep. I've reached out to him twice. I'm
[25:41] waiting for a message back now.
[25:44] >> Okay. Has he I mean is there an issue or
[25:49] I cannot answer that question?
[25:52] [clears throat]
[25:53] >> Okay.
[25:55] Was there a respon was there a response
[25:57] to you Kenny?
[25:59] >> Yes Mr. Chairman, we spoke to Vice
[26:02] President Bizolei yesterday, Paul
[26:03] Bazoli. Um, we sent him an email with
[26:06] all the necessary documents um and h and
[26:09] the link. Uh, he said he would um he
[26:12] would make the correct uh contacts and
[26:14] have it taken care of.
[26:18] >> But as of right now, nothing's on our
[26:19] portal because I can see when they even
[26:21] start an application and nothing from
[26:22] Tallyville.
[26:23] >> Okay. Can
[26:26] Kenny, can I uh ask Steph on the peach
[26:30] colored if she can send me what's needed
[26:34] from each of those companies?
[26:35] >> I'll send you this. I can send a
[26:37] spreadsheet to you again like I have.
[26:38] >> Well, this one, but it doesn't say what
[26:40] they're lacking.
[26:42] >> Oh, well, it said like the first three
[26:43] says need to submit on the portal. So I
[26:45] have their MOA but they just haven't
[26:48] submitted their documents on the portal
[26:49] where Belvadier
[26:52] um like Belvadier Etna and Brain 900
[26:55] which Brand 900 should be completed
[26:56] tomorrow.
[26:58] >> Christianana has put everything on the
[26:59] portal but they haven't sent me their
[27:01] signed MOA.
[27:02] >> Same thing with Towns End.
[27:04] >> Yes, Towns End. They were they have
[27:05] their attorney reviewing it so they
[27:07] won't sign it and get it back to me
[27:08] until their attorney says yes.
[27:11] >> Okay.
[27:13] >> I'll get you that in an email. So,
[27:14] >> yeah. So, Belvadier, I spoke to
[27:16] Belvadier, I believe it was last week,
[27:18] and their problem was they didn't have
[27:20] anybody that knew how to get on a
[27:21] portal. And I said, "Call me. I'll come
[27:23] over, do it."
[27:24] >> Yeah.
[27:25] >> You know, Representative Happer, could
[27:27] you give me a call tomorrow at some
[27:29] point? We can talk about Christian.
[27:33] >> Yep.
[27:35] >> Okay. And Caesar also, please. Um,
[27:39] Brandy 100. Freddy 900. We talked to
[27:43] >> Yeah, that'll be done in the morning.
[27:46] >> Yep. He just he submitted the wrong
[27:48] document and he said he'll take care of
[27:49] it tomorrow when he's back at the
[27:50] computer. So hopefully that's
[27:54] >> good. And then you get the money within
[27:57] the same week. If we have it in by
[27:58] Wednesday, you get it by Friday.
[28:03] » Anything else? Uh Mr. Dunn or
[28:06] Madame Warren?
[28:08] >> Yes, sir. Okay. Impact fee request.
[28:13] >> Go ahead.
[28:15] >> No, you're good, Kenny. I got you.
[28:17] Impact fee request. Representative
[28:18] Winks.
[28:19] >> Yes, sir. I have four of them tonight.
[28:23] Bear with me. Bear with me. First one is
[28:25] from Goodwill Fire Company from Chief
[28:28] Maski. Goodwill Fire Company requested
[28:31] utilization of $5,64.80
[28:35] from our impact fee account. These funds
[28:38] will be utilized to add scene lighting
[28:40] on the company's marine rescue unit
[28:43] MRU18. The request amount will cover the
[28:45] purchase of the four 12vt scene lights,
[28:48] two on each side, as well as a fixed
[28:50] generator power lighting in the front
[28:52] and rear of the vehicle. Reading through
[28:55] the documents, they they is it
[28:57] acceptable? And I'll entertain a motion
[29:00] that we accept this.
[29:03] >> Okay. Does anybody make a motion?
[29:04] >> I'll make a motion. top makes a motion
[29:07] and seconded by Mike Shaw.
[29:11] Any questions on that motion?
[29:18] Okay, hearing none. All in favor signify
[29:21] by saying
[29:22] >> I
[29:24] >> opposed.
[29:28] Okay, next
[29:29] >> online said I just to the next three are
[29:33] from the Wilmington Manor Fire Company.
[29:37] The first one is Wilmington Matters
[29:39] requesting $44,652
[29:43] of their impact fee funding to expand
[29:46] and modernize the vehicle rescue
[29:48] capabilities of the department's
[29:49] emergency response apparatus.
[29:56] Most of this is that the project will
[29:58] provide additional battery powered
[30:00] hydraulic rescue tool stabilization
[30:02] equipment, [clears throat] glass
[30:03] management tools and supporting rescue
[30:05] Britain to enhance department's ability
[30:07] perform vehicle extradition operations.
[30:10] Um that their basis of doing this is
[30:12] because of the in the increase of
[30:14] vehicle rescues that they have to go to
[30:16] on
[30:18] their station to major highway. Uh read
[30:21] through all this. I read through all the
[30:24] items that they're requesting and it
[30:26] meets the operationals of impact fee
[30:30] request. So entertain a motion we accept
[30:32] that one for 44,652.
[30:35] >> Motion.
[30:36] by Mike Shaw.
[30:38] >> Second.
[30:38] by Bob Weber. Any questions on
[30:41] the motion?
[30:42] >> I have one. I should have asked the last
[30:44] one. The county has approved these.
[30:46] >> You approve it after us.
[30:48] >> I thought that they had to look at it
[30:50] first.
[30:53] I knew that. I was just testing you.
[30:55] [laughter]
[30:57] » All in favor signify by saying I.
[31:00] >> I.
[31:01] >> Opposed.
[31:04] » All right. Okay. Next one. Blington
[31:06] Matter Fire Company. Uh they're
[31:08] requesting $18,376.80
[31:13] from their impact fees. Uh it's for
[31:16] external defibrillators to expand their
[31:18] emergency medical response capabilities
[31:20] throughout the organization. They're
[31:22] going to go on the uh two at the station
[31:24] of 28, one at station 32, one at the
[31:28] response vehicles, and three of the
[31:30] command vehicles. Reading through the
[31:32] description and quotes, it meets the
[31:35] qualifications for the vector fee
[31:37] request.
[31:39] Entertain a motion.
[31:40] >> Do I have a motion? I'll make a motion.
[31:43] Okay, that's dueling motions. Um, so
[31:46] I'll pick one eeny meenie. Bob Weber
[31:50] motion Bob Weber, second by Mike Shaw.
[31:52] Any questions on that motion?
[31:56] All in favor signify by saying I.
[31:59] >> I.
[32:01] >> Opposed?
[32:05] » The last one is from Wilmington Man Fire
[32:07] Company. Uh they're requesting $23,26160
[32:13] from their impact fee funding. It's for
[32:16] thermal imaging equipment and reading
[32:19] through the description. This enhance
[32:21] the fire safety operations
[32:24] emergency responses given the
[32:26] firefighters uh better capabilities of
[32:28] locating victims within a fire.
[32:31] Uh it's four PSS thermal imaging units and nine
[32:39] seek fire pro 300 images reading through
[32:42] the description
[32:44] and through the quotes. This meets the
[32:46] qualifications for the impact fee
[32:48] requestate a motion.
[32:50] >> Anyone make a motion?
[32:52] >> Motion.
[32:53] >> Second.
[32:54] Some guys online are just sleeping.
[32:56] [laughter]
[32:57] Motion by Mike Shaw, second by Bob
[32:59] Weber. Any questions on the motion?
[33:05] All in favor signify by saying I.
[33:07] >> I.
[33:11] » Carries.
[33:12] >> And the last thing I'd like to say is um
[33:14] those fire companies that have money in their bank, use it up because after a
[33:19] certain period of time, 10 I think it's
[33:21] 10 years, right? Yeah.
[33:22] >> It expires and you're going to lose that
[33:24] money.
[33:25] >> So use it up while it's there.
[33:29] Okay, old business. We actually do have
[33:32] something for old business. Um, last
[33:35] month, if you recall, there was uh some
[33:39] time issues with
[33:42] um a policy
[33:44] passed by the chief's association. We
[33:46] weren't able to get on to the um
[33:53] agenda in time. and it essentially is a
[33:58] uh dispatch procedure for in what is now
[34:01] titled investigation alarms. Um this
[34:06] policy did go into effect
[34:09] um the day after the last meeting. We
[34:12] weren't able to take formal action. So
[34:15] uh
[34:17] if we can um get a motion now to approve
[34:26] I'll make a motion.
[34:28] [laughter]
[34:31] » There you go. It woke up. Motion and
[34:34] second. Um,
[34:36] >> it was McKenzie and Caesar.
[34:38] >> Okay.
[34:38] >> Yeah.
[34:40] >> Any questions on the motion?
[34:46] » All in favor signify. But this was a
[34:48] 90day trial.
[34:50] >> 90-day trial.
[34:52] Um, all in favor of the motion signify
[34:54] by saying I.
[34:56] >> I.
[34:58] >> Opposed.
[35:02] Okay. So, we have
[35:05] two
[35:07] new policies that were passed at the
[35:09] last chief's meeting. Um
[35:13] and
[35:17] unfortunately the uh secretary sent
[35:21] a memo with these things but it was the
[35:25] memo for us to approve a new 1040 policy
[35:29] which we did previously. So just
[35:32] disregard that in your in your packet.
[35:35] Um the first one basically now when
[35:40] there's a up until now when there's a
[35:42] working fire
[35:44] um the BLS unit comes from a separate
[35:47] company from the home company. This
[35:50] policy will revise that and if there is
[35:54] an available
[35:56] dedicated nonfire staff BLS unit in the
[36:00] home company they will be able to
[36:02] respond.
[36:11] All right. So
[36:14] there's also a
[36:16] second
[36:18] change to this policy
[36:23] which changes language. It takes the
[36:26] word go out and inserts a the word a
[36:32] company can be doublepulled when a
[36:35] company is staffed with multiple units.
[36:38] previously said no company can be double
[36:40] pulled even if
[36:44] staffed with multiple units. Now it says
[36:46] a company can be double pulled when a
[36:49] company is staffed with multiple units.
[36:51] Um
[36:56] the other one used to say 3.05
[37:00] 5. This is policy 40147.
[37:06] A rehab
[37:08] unit will be dispatched on all second
[37:10] alarm fires. And it takes out where it
[37:14] said that the primary unit was PA200.
[37:18] And it now is updated to
[37:21] the ED shall contact the incident
[37:24] commander to ask if a rehab unit is
[37:26] needed. If needed, Newcastle County EMS
[37:31] shall be contacted for availability.
[37:36] Okay. Any questions on that?
[37:40] I'll entertain a motion to approve both
[37:43] of those changes in a single policy.
[37:46] >> Motion.
[37:49] » Okay. We had a motion and who second it
[37:52] for any.
[37:53] Yeah, that's fine. Any questions on the
[37:57] motion?
[38:01] All those in favor signify by saying I.
[38:04] >> I.
[38:08] All right. District reports. District
[38:11] number one, Representative Shaw.
[38:16] No report other than thank you for
[38:18] approving W man Banners
[38:21] impact fees.
[38:23] Well needed.
[38:25] District number two, Vice Chairman
[38:27] Haley.
[38:31] » Uh, as already reported, Claymont
[38:33] completed theirs.
[38:34] Uh, BH will be completed in the morning
[38:37] and President Miller said they're close
[38:39] and he's got any issues, he'll contact
[38:41] me in the morning.
[38:43] >> Thank you, sir. District 4,
[38:48] Representative Weber.
[38:51] >> Uh, no reports.
[38:52] >> Okay.
[38:54] uh district five. The only uh report I
[38:57] have to make is that um all three
[39:02] of the companies in the district have uh
[39:05] indicated uh that they are endorsing me
[39:08] for reappointment. Kenny, can you tell
[39:10] me where that is?
[39:14] » Uh it is being worked on. It'll be sent
[39:16] over to council [snorts] um as soon as
[39:18] possible, sir.
[39:19] >> Okay. Thank you very much.
[39:22] Yes, ma'am. Still waiting for a letter
[39:23] from Ellir Fire Company stating that
[39:25] they are so we can't move forward until
[39:28] Ellir sends me that.
[39:31] >> Kenny, I understand you've had a
[39:33] conversation and that's not an issue.
[39:35] >> That's it. I'm just waiting.
[39:36] >> No, no. I mean,
[39:37] >> yeah.
[39:38] it that's correct. It's not an
[39:40] issue. Um, what I meant by moving, we're
[39:42] drafting what we need to draft and for
[39:44] in introduction, but yes, we do need
[39:46] that final signature page.
[39:48] >> Yes.
[39:50] >> Thank you. District six.
[39:54] » I did. Oh,
[39:55] >> you did.
[39:56] >> Geez. District three. Andrew Happer. I'm
[39:59] sorry, Andrew.
[40:01] >> Man, good start. Um, I mean, I have
[40:03] nothing to report. Obviously, this first
[40:05] meeting for me, but um I do plan on
[40:09] meeting with the companies in my
[40:12] district before the next meeting, as
[40:13] well as having a conversation with all
[40:15] the board members, just, you know,
[40:17] introduce myself and all that. So,
[40:21] Okay, sounds good. We're looking forward
[40:23] to it, Andrew. Um, okay. Now, let me go
[40:27] to district six.
[40:29] >> I have nothing to report, sir.
[40:30] >> Nothing to report.
[40:31] >> Yes. Thank you.
[40:32] >> And finally, district number seven,
[40:34] Representative McKenzie.
[40:36] >> No report, sir. Thank you.
[40:38] >> Okay. Is there any public comment? We
[40:42] have no public here in the room.
[40:45] >> Um, but Mr. Chairman,
[40:48] >> go ahead. U sorry I I have to revert
[40:51] back to my report real quick. I did um
[40:53] thank you for the reminder guys when you
[40:55] were talking about impact fees. So uh
[40:58] legislation is being introduced uh to
[41:00] increase the impact fees by 9.23%.
[41:04] That is an inflationary adjustment that
[41:06] was required in the legislation that
[41:08] passed last year um or maybe it was two
[41:11] years now. Um there is also a study that
[41:13] will commence very shortly on on the
[41:15] impact fees with a an outside
[41:17] consultant.
[41:19] This these uh actual numbers the actual
[41:22] increases per structure for the fire
[41:25] service etc etc will be detailed in the
[41:28] legislation. I will send that over to uh
[41:31] well Stephanie will send it out to uh
[41:33] the chairman and the members of the
[41:34] board as soon as we're ready to and um
[41:37] once it is introduced to council it will
[41:39] then revert to the planning board. Uh
[41:42] planning board must approve any land use
[41:44] type um legislation.
[41:47] That'll take about um a month or so to
[41:50] get through the planning board. Then
[41:51] back to council for a vote. Um, I'm sure
[41:54] we're going to have significant uh
[41:55] public input on this. Uh, but we will
[41:58] keep you posted. Thank you.
[42:00] >> Okay. And I apologize. Kenny did make me
[42:03] aware of this last week and I failed to
[42:05] let anybody know. So, thanks for
[42:07] remembering that. Um,
[42:10] I would assume that the legislation in
[42:12] Dover on the permit fee increases never
[42:15] saw the light of day.
[42:18] >> So, that will have to be in Jan the
[42:20] January session. We will need support
[42:22] from you all uh here in Newcastle County
[42:25] Fire Service and the fire and animals
[42:26] advisory board. Um we do have a
[42:29] potential sponsor here in Newcastle
[42:30] County, a senator. So u yes yes u but we
[42:34] have to wait till January.
[42:35] >> Okay. Thank you. Any other public
[42:39] comment?
[42:45] » Chief Snider
[42:48] just following up from February. Is
[42:50] there any any further discussion on uh
[42:54] assistance with recruitment and
[42:56] retention with the uh funding request?
[43:03] » Um
[43:05] now can can you can you lighten this a
[43:08] little bit?
[43:10] >> Yeah, I brought up in February's meeting
[43:12] that it seems like a lot of the push for
[43:14] funding is going towards staff, but
[43:15] there needs to be some concentration on
[43:17] volunteer retention. Some of the
[43:19] examples that were provided were like
[43:21] discounts on property taxes or something
[43:24] to help entice our volunteers to stay or
[43:27] get a little bit more active.
[43:31] » I see that. Hold on. I'm I I absolutely
[43:34] don't doubt you were chief. I'm looking
[43:36] to see
[43:38] um
[43:44] so I can give you a reason why we're all
[43:48] sitting here with our brows furrowed
[43:50] when you brought up something. Uh, I do
[43:53] see a note here on the um
[44:01] on the meeting from February
[44:03] uh about recruitment and retention and
[44:06] are you suggesting that we include
[44:09] something in our county budget request
[44:12] on that or just overall?
[44:15] I
[44:15] >> think it might have to be a combination
[44:17] of both.
[44:19] >> Okay. All right.
[44:22] Um,
[44:23] as you probably remember from the last
[44:26] couple of meetings, um, fire service and
[44:29] county association,
[44:31] we are, um, will meet in September,
[44:37] um, and review two proposals for our
[44:41] FY28
[44:43] budget that we are researching at this
[44:46] time. We're going to decide on one and
[44:48] then present it to the presidents and
[44:50] chiefs. Um, and we will have this
[44:54] discussion at that time. We will also
[44:57] include this in our discussion with the
[45:00] uh alternative funding committee that
[45:02] the DVFA has set up with three members
[45:06] from uh each county
[45:09] um trying to uh
[45:13] coordinate
[45:15] the uh state budget request with needs
[45:18] from each of the counties.
[45:20] And um thank you for reminding us
[45:22] because uh
[45:25] that slipped through the cracks and it
[45:26] shouldn't have. I apologize.
[45:31] Anyone else?
[45:32] >> It'll it'll reflect on your next
[45:33] evaluation. That's fine.
[45:35] >> I appreciate that, sir. [laughter]
[45:39] Anyone else public comment?
[45:43] Any representatives have anything
[45:45] further?
[45:48] Miss Lauren, do you have anything? Yes,
[45:50] sir.
[45:51] >> Hey. Um
[45:52] >> Oh, I actually I'm sorry. I do. The next
[45:55] meeting is September 17th, which is
[45:57] conference.
[45:59] Are we still Will you guys be back? Will
[46:01] you
[46:01] >> say the same thing?
[46:02] >> I will uh confer with the board members
[46:06] and make a decision.
[46:09] >> Um I know I'll be back. I'm coming back
[46:11] on Thursday. So,
[46:14] >> yeah. I I I'll see. I'm not a fan of clo not having
[46:20] meetings, but we'll see. We'll see who's
[46:22] going to be available.
[46:23] >> Yeah, I'll be here. So,
[46:24] >> and we'll get it out. Yeah.
[46:26] >> Thank you. Okay, we're going to adjourn
[46:29] the meeting. And I want to say in 33
[46:31] minutes,
[46:34] » that's never my goal, by the way. Never
[46:37] my goal.
[46:42] Thank