MINUTES

Board of Directors Meeting

Jasper County Emergency Services

May 11th, 2010

Chairman Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., at the Board office, 13870 Dispatch Lane, Carthage, MO, as per public notice.  Present in addition to the Chairman were members Larry Newman, Jeff Merriman, Bill Lyscio, Carl Francis, and Bill Rowland.  Representing staff was Interim Executive Director Mike Runnebaum and Administrative Services Manager Donna Ipock.  Public attendees included Susan Redden with the Joplin Globe, John Hacker with the Carthage Press and Allyn Reding representing Duenweg Fire Department.

Review and Action of Minutes

Minutes of the Board of Director’s Meeting on April 13th were reviewed.  Director Newman moved to approve the minutes as presented.  Director Merriman seconded the motion.  Vote: 4 -0 with Directors Rowland and Stanley abstaining.  The motion was adopted.

Minutes of the Board of Director’s Special Meeting on April 27th were reviewed.  Director Merriman moved to approve the minutes as presented.  Director Newman seconded the motion.  Vote: 4 -0 with Directors Rowland and Stanley abstaining.  The motion was adopted.

Public Comment and Correspondence

There was no public comment or correspondence to report.

Financial Report and Payment of Bills

Treasurer Francis presented the financial report for May.

The check for March sales tax was received in the amount of $132,731.19.  The check for April sales tax has not been received.

The checkbook balance before payment of bills is $9,942.43.  The bills submitted for approval total $5,038.78.  After payment of all bills, the checkbook balance will be $4,903.65.  The money market account balance is $56,814.44.

 Accounts receivable balance is $17,071.61.  Receipt of all AR will bring the final checkbook balance to $21,975.26.

Director Newman motioned for payment of all bills.  Director Merriman seconded the motion. 

Vote: 6 – 0.  The motion was adopted.

Committee Reports

Budget and Finance – There was not a meeting and nothing to report.

Technical Services – There was not a meeting and nothing to report.

Building and Grounds – There was not a meeting and nothing to report.

Personnel and Policy – There was not a meeting and nothing to report.

Executive Director Report

Interim Executive Director Mike Runnebaum advised JB with Southwest Communications had been contacted and advised of the Boards decisions regarding the Jasper Fire Department radio issues.  JB stated he was going to contact J.R. Good with the Jasper Fire Department and arrange to have the work completed.  Interim Director Runnebaum advised he has had several follow up conversations with JB.  As of today, repeaters have not been switched out and no coax has been delivered.  JB stated he would call Interim Director Runnebaum today and advise of the status on the repeater, no phone call was received.  Chairman Stephens questioned if JB has gotten with J.R. Good.  Director Rowland questioned JB’s delay and stated we may want to look into using another company.  Interim Director Runnebaum suggested Rayfield Communications, Director Merriman suggested Washington Communications.  Chairman Stephens requested to set up a meeting with JB as soon as possible.  Interim Director Runnebaum advised he would contact JB.  Director Newman clarified Jasper County Emergency Services responsibility for sending the radio signal out to the appropriate department. 

There were several days where we had radio issues or pagers/radios not activating.  Complaints were received from the Tri-Cities and Sarcoxie Fire Departments.  Fire West still does not sound clear, as well as one of our multi radios.  JB is aware and says he will look into it.

Reverse 911 has been utilized a couple of times over the past 3 weeks; during the manhunt on county road 240 and the robbery in Brentwood Estates, both with satisfactory results.

An attempt was made to set off the Avilla storm sirens last night, unsure of the reason for the failure.  The Mayor called 911 and was upset that they weren’t going off.  She advised she attempted to activate them as well and they didn’t work.  There were citizen reports from Avilla saying they did hear them.  A test was conducted successfully today.

Notification was received from TCO Amanda Hampton that she will be terminating her employment with us and will be going to work for the Sheriff’s Department.

Unfinished Business – There was no unfinished business to discuss.

New Business

Chairman Stephens received a letter from Sheriff Dunn with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.  The letter was read aloud by Administrative Services Manager Donna Ipock.  The letter reported the progress of the Sheriff’s Communication Center with a projected date of going online around July 5, 2010.  The letter also questioned the use of the term “Jasco” by Jasper County Emergency Services and asked the Board to consider relinquishing use of the term and allow the Sheriff’s Communication Center usage.  Stating he feels the term “Jasco” indicates the radio traffic is coming from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, causing confusion with other agencies.  He cited an example of a yearly drill involving the local S.W.A.T. teams, the Department of Defense “Red Team” at Tri State Trucking and R & R Trucking.  Director Francis stated Jasco is used on identification cards and stationary.  Director Rowland stated the term has been used since the beginning 13 years ago.  Director Newman brought up discussion regarding Oronogo Police Department changing their name from Jasco Metro Police Department.  Director Francis suggested the use of the term Jasco 911.  Director Newman suggested the Sheriff’s Office use Jasper County Dispatch.  Director Rowland stated there were 2 dispatch centers when Jasco initially started and there was no confusion.  He also stated the Sheriff’s Office would be using their own frequency.  Chief Redding stated there may be confusion with the use of Jasco 911 and Jasper Fire’s 911 Engine.  Director Runnebaum stated outside agencies, such as; the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Newton County Central Dispatch, Barton County, etc. recognize Jasper County Emergency Services as Jasco.  Director Lyscio discussed confusion that may be caused within his Fire Department.  Director Merriman discussed the changes that would have to be made to our website domain, stating this would be a big overhaul.  Chief Stephens suggested tabling the discussion until the next meeting.  Director Rowland motioned to remain using the name Jasco.  Director Newman seconded the motion. 

Vote:  Stephens        -           opposed

           Newman         -           in favor

          Merriman       -           in favor          

           Lyscio              -           in favor

           Francis             -           opposed

           Rowland           -           in favor

The motion was adopted.

Technology Issues

Director Merriman advised our entire system is due to be refreshed and suggested looking at a lease option.  Due to financial issues, he believes leasing is our only option.  The network switches are at least 4 or 5 years old.  Our previous technology will not keep carrying us.  Shaun Belcher, ISM is attempting to map out equipment and provide date ranges.  Director Merriman has reviewed Solarwinds LANsurveyor software.  He advised the first thing this software will do is map out our network which is a need.  It will audit and log changes on equipment.  He stated Shaun is willing to give a presentation to the Board.  Shaun is asking for basic tools to assess where we are currently at.  Director Merriman suggested purchasing this product.  Director Francis asked about annual maintenance covering the cost of software installation should we purchase a new CAD server.  Director’s Merriman and Runnebaum do not believe it would be covered as we are not receiving support now other than by phone and this would likely require someone to be on site.  Director Merriman advised a server change is not normally under a maintenance contract.  Director Runnebaum advised our ANI/ALI, Mules and ITracker are all on the Communication server.  If that server goes down, we would lose these.  Director Francis advised Mules could be re-routed.  Director Runnebaum advised we use AVL to dispatch closest unit on medical calls for METS.  Director Rowland stated he would like opinions from others before purchasing the Solarwinds product.  Director Newman would like to speak with our new Director before deciding.  Director Merriman stated we need this before a presentation could be given to the Technology Committee.  Director Lyscio advised our new Director will need this information.  Director Francis stated the bigger issue is software.  Director Merriman agreed but stated servers are in need as well.  This information would be good to give to our new Director.  Director Runnebaum advised it is cost comparable with others.  Director Rowland inquired if bids would need to be obtained.  Director’s Merriman and Newman advised they were not needed.  Director Merriman motioned for purchase of the Solarwinds LANsurveyor software.  Director Lyscio seconded.  Vote 6-0 approved.

The next Board meeting was set for June 8^th.

Director Rowland moved the meeting be adjourned.  Director Newman seconded the motion.  Vote: 6 – 0.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m.