SOURDOUGH RURAL FIRE DISTRICT MINUTES

January 15, 2007

The Regular December meeting of the Sourdough Rural Fire District was called to order at 7:40 PM by Chairman Kraft.  Present were Trustees Dayhuff, Bachman and Geddes (at 7:50);  Absent: Larimer.  Also present was Chief Crandell,  Tom Millesan, Architect and Terry Threlkeld, PE.  Three members of the public were in attendance.

Agenda Review:  Public comment will be heard after the Consent Agenda.
Consent Agenda:  January Financial Report was presented.  Dayhuff moved for approval and payment of warrants > $500.  Bachman seconded – Motion Passed without objection.
Public Comment:  Discussion focused on the negative response to the mill-levy election.  In response to previous concerns over lack of design detail and costs, Tom Millesan discussed capabilities of Morton Building design.  This company is noted for pole-barn construction but can deliver steel structural support for its steel building design.  Tom recommended inviting Morton to bid on facility should it be approved by the voters.  Terry Threlkeld presented facility requirements and cost estimates for $2.8 million.  Details of their presentation is in the Record as correspondence from “Innovative Engineering to Brian Crandell”.  The following public comment points were noted:

  • Mill-levy in perpetutity helped kill the initiative.
  • Build one apparatus building with station housing modual.
  • Annexation will bring city of Bozeman closer to station location; may become redundant.
  • Community room too large for facility and will not be utilized.
  • Insurance savings do not make up for costs; better off without fire service.
  • Mutual aid with BFD necessary for fire response.

The latter comment and discussion pertained to operational policy matters and was considered off point by the Trustees.   There will be a Special Meeting of the Trustees to consider further public comment on 01/29/07.
Regular Agenda:
Minutes: The December minutes were presented:  Dayhuff moved for acceptance and Bachman seconded.  Motion passed without objection.   
Community outreach report:  COC Rose is preparing a postcard mailing regarding the Special Meeting for public comment.
Chief’s Operation Report for December:  Included in the Record.
Governance Policy Monitoring – Evaluation of Fire Chief.  The trustees adjourned into Executive Session at 8:45 PM for purposes of conducting the evaluation.  The Regular Meeting reconvened at 10:00 PM.
Unfinished Business:  Continuity of Governance – Continued to February meeting.
New Business:  Resolution on 2007 Mill-levy election:  Deferred until February meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 1005 PM.