With the Nov. 4 election, the West Manatee Fire and Rescue District gained two new members to its board, Al Robinson and George Harris.
Robinson and Harris took the oath of office, administered by administrative assistant Mary Stephens at the Nov. 20 district commission meeting.
The commission lost its chair and treasurer in the election, leading acting chair Larry Jennis to ask for recommendations to temporarily fill the posts until the December meeting.
It was decided that Jennis will retain the chair position until next month’s board elections, and Commissioner David Bishop was elected to the temporary treasurer position.
Outgoing Holmes Beach Commissioner David Zaccagnino spoke to commissioners, thanking them for their service to the community. He asked about the commission’s plans to update facilities and the area’s strategic fire plan.
Chief Andy Price responded, saying some stations have been remodeled and there are plans to renovate other district fire stations, including Station 4 at 407 67th St. W., Bradenton. Price also said the strategic plan is scheduled for revision in 2015.
Price discussed the revisions to the district’s cell tower lease, saying the lease will be extended 40 years, bringing in an estimated $1 million in additional revenue over the term of the lease. A full update will be presented at the December meeting.
The commission agreed to schedule a workshop at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9, to discuss the relocation and structural issues at Station 4. Price suggested having a review of the construction plans for the new commissioners, including the design team.
Commissioner Randy Cooper gave an update on the beach safety project. Cooper said the campaign to make visitors aware of beach conditions has received support from the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. The chamber has agreed to print and post rip current information signs on the Manatee County Area Transit island trolleys.
Cooper said the commission is printing a brochure on safety and warning signs to be distributed to local businesses, schools and to beachgoers. Cooper said he has encouraged island governments to apply for free signs and flags to promote water safety.
Price said that the move to a next generation 911-system is going forward. The new 911-system will be an Internet protocol system. The system will reduce the 2-3 minute lag time in dispatch transfers. All 911 calls will go to a county dispatch center before being transferred to the local agency. Price also said local agencies can choose to have the county dispatch emergency response units rather than maintain their own dispatch centers.
Price suggested a commission workshop to discuss ordinance updates to the countywide fire prevention code. The workshop will begin at 5 p.m., prior to the start of the Dec. 18 commission meeting.
Price also presented the pension actuarial valuation report to the commission. He said that pension costs are down 2 percent while pension investments are up 8.7 percent from last year. He said the district has no unfunded pension liability.
Closing out the meeting, Robinson and Harris addressed the assemblage, expressing their gratitude for election to the commission.
The next regular WMFR commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 18, at the administration building, 6417 Third Ave. W., Bradenton.