Cindy E. Blaufuss

The special meeting included several key discussions and actions. The board addressed the Proposed Malaga TIF Mitigation Plan, ultimately voting to join and ratify Chelan County's Counter TIF Proposal to the Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority after legal counsel was consulted in executive session. A second executive session was held to discuss qualifications for public employment and employee performance. Regarding the Fire Chief Selection Process, the board approved increasing the 2026 compensation package for the Fire Chief, requested salary information for comparable administrative positions, and voted to reopen the Fire Chief application process with specific revisions, including an increased salary range. Finally, the board approved accepting the lowest of three bids for the Fire Station 11 Furnace Replacement, contingent upon the total cost not exceeding $39,000 with tax, and approved Resolution 2025-008 regarding Auditing Officers.

The meeting involved the approval of the consent agenda, including a review of warrants for the Station 17 project. The Board entered an executive session to discuss potential litigation. Staff reports covered the Fire Chief's performance review and recognition, the department's 5,600 calls for service year-to-date, the upcoming final inspection and delivery of the new Ladder 10 truck, updates on transmission replacement labor, and the transition from NFIRS to NERIS for fire reporting. Fire Prevention reported on the installation prioritization of Stortz fittings and a safety shutdown at the Malaga Microsoft plant project. Logistics addressed the upcoming Firehouse 5 lease, the need for furnace replacement at Fire Station 11 (authorized up to $30,000), the approval of heat tape installation for the new Station 11 roof ($13,673.57), progress on the Fire Station 17 project, and the declaration of 38 hose and appliance items as surplus. New business included the election of Dave Fennell as Chair and Dan Johnson as Vice Chair for 2026, and the approval of the Douglas County Fire Benefit Charge Interlocal Agreement. A discussion regarding the Malaga TIF District Mitigation Proposal was tabled until a Special Meeting.

The meeting addressed various topics including the Fire Benefit Charge on a warehouse, an update on Confluence Health's contract for fire protection, and the submission of Levy and FBC certifications. The department's transition to First Due software and the use of I-Spy for push-button response were discussed. Facility updates included information on Fire Station 17, with grant applications being submitted for roof replacement, generator installation, and exhaust removal systems. The purchase of two stock Rosenbauer tenders was approved. The board also discussed staffing and funding strategies for Station 17, policy revisions, and board elections. An executive session was held to evaluate personnel performance, and a Memorandum of Agreement for a Facilities Technician was approved. The establishment of a local Firehouse 5 at the former Fire Station 3 facility in Rock Island was proposed and supported.

The meeting addressed several key areas including facilities updates, apparatus, aviation, personnel, and finance. There was a discussion regarding roof leaks at Fire Station 17, the completion of the Station 13 memorial, and the preliminary design for the hangar and station at Pangborn. The board discussed the potential sale of Brush 6 and Brush 7 to Grant County Fire District 3, and approved the purchase of a ¾ ton GMC Truck for the Deputy Chief of Logistics. The contract with Interface Systems LLC for the administration of the 2025 Fire Benefit Charge was approved, and a draft Interlocal Agreement with Chelan and Douglas Counties for the collection of Fire Benefit Charge fees was reviewed and approved. Concerns were raised regarding firefighter safety with the services provided by RiverCom. An Executive Session was called to consider real estate pricing, followed by a session to review collective bargaining negotiations.

The meeting addressed various topics, including reports on the well-attended Open House and women's chainsaw class. Discussions involved the State Fire Academy potentially hosting the winter volunteer academy, fuel reduction efforts for homeowner associations, and RiverCom service needs. Technology upgrades, facilities updates, apparatus orders, aviation matters, and personnel changes were also reviewed. Policy revisions and the COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate were addressed, along with finance matters such as Microsoft funding for Fire Station 17 and bond representation. The draft 2025 budget and Resolution 2024-002 Alternative Fuel Exemption were presented, and the Technical Rescue Team's recent rescue operation was highlighted.