Called to Order: 1902

In Attendance:

Covert Ruster Proebstle Nordlund
Martin Roman Hutchinson Beckwith
Teigeler Gorden Patterson Barnes
Frazee Skutt Davenport Haring
Boomer Funk Roberts Lane

Treasurer’s Report: Secretary/Treasurer Barnes reported funds to be at $8424.49. Various items bought including: Bruce Bond baby gift, stamps for union use and money for Easter Dinner for shift on duty. Have caught up with money due to POAM for outstanding union dues owed due to error on our part not telling POAM of new and old employees.

Safety Committee: Dave Boomer asking that we draft a letter to be put on file with Chief Hilbert and Township Manager Richard Watkins in regards to concerns that we have pertaining to sufficient manpower on scene at fires per NFPA 1500. Mark Covert states that NFPA 1500 is something that will stand up in a court of law. Dave Boomer to draft letter. Jeff Patterson stated that panel lock-out/tag-out items have been purchased by Chief Hilbert and placed on E413 and E431.

Old Business: Mike Martin discussed picnic coming up for us and family members. Talked about dates in May to hold the event at Delta Mills Park. Much discussion followed by numerous members in regards to cost and dates. Del Teigeler suggested that we have it in conjunction with the softball game against the Eaton County Sheriffs Department which led to even more discussion.

Mike Martin discussed the pop machine issue at the Township Hall has been resolved. Still looking into a pop machine at the new Delta Township Library slated to open in June 2008.

New Business: President Mike Roman discussed resignation letter by Dawn O’Brien and her new temporary position as Fire Inspector. Discussed letter of understanding between Delta Township and the Delta Township Firefighters Union. Explained how it will protect Dawn O’Brien and that Union representative Jim DeVries was in full agreement with the letter. Mike Roman has asked Township Manager Richard Watkins regarding a job description and pay scale. NO such job description or pay scale has been given yet. Roman discussed the Fire Inspector position. Aaron Gorden discussed the need to make that position a Union position. Many in agreement with this. Mike Martin stated that every position below Fire Chief should be a Union position. Will look into this once a decision is made if the position does become permanent and if it is a Union position or not.

New Hires: Mike Roman stated that there were interviews for new hire candidates today to fill 3 positions which were attended by Brian Hatfield. Mike Roberts asked if there was a way that we can have some more consistency with interviews and to have Union representation for the interview process. Mike Roman stated that we are fortunate to be offered that chance to even attend. Would like to have some language written for this
NOMINATIONS:

Sec/Treasurer Barnes discussed the process for nominations according to our Bylaws.

Nominations for V.P.:

Aaron Gorden nominated Kent Nordlund
-Kent Nordlund respectfully declined

Mark Proebstle nominated Mark Covert

Mark Covert nominated Mark Proebstle
-Mark Proebstle respectfully declined

Michael Ruster nominated Larry Hutchinson

Mike Martin nominated Leo Frazee

Brian Beckwith nominated Steve Funk

Steve Funk nominated Brian Beckwith

Aaron Gorden nominated Tony Skutt

Nominations for Shift 3 Steward:

Del Teigeler nominated Kent Nordlund
-Kent Nordlund respectfully declined

Ken Barnes nominated Mike Roberts

Del Teigeler nominated Ryan Morrissey

Open Discussion:

Dick Budd: President Mike Roman stated that Dick Budd has retired from the Department after 37 years of service as a part-time employee. There is going to be a presentation for his years of service at the Delta Township Board Meeting on Monday, April 21, 2008. After the meeting there is going to be a reception for him at Station 1. A Union member made a motion for a gift for $100.00 on behalf of the Delta Township Firefighters Union for Dick Budd. Motion was seconded by another Union member (Sec/Treasurer did not write down who made the motion and second). Motion was passed by a vote of 17-0.

Blue Light Players: President Mike Roman was given a flyer by Lt. Jeff Warder of the Eaton County Sheriffs Department for a possible donation to the “Blue Light Players”. They are an organization of police officers who do performances at schools that raise funds for families of fallen Michigan Police Officers. Leo Frazee made a motion to donate $50 to the Blue Light Players. Mike Martin seconded the motion. 4 for and 7 against. 5 Abstained. Motion failed. Aaron Gorden made a motion to donate $100 to the Blue Light Players. Mark Proebstle seconded the motion. 14 for and 2 against. The motion passed.

Union Officials Stipend: Aaron Gorden would like to have Union board members to be given some sort of monetary wage for there time spent doing various things for the Union. Aaron Gorden stated that there are numerous things that are done that involve personal time and money to accomplish things for the Union. There was much discussion on this topic. Brent Davenport suggested that we table the discussion till after the contract negotiations are completed. This was agreed upon by the members.

Union Laptop: Mike Roberts made a motion to authorize the Union to spend up to $700 for a new Union laptop. Sec/Treasurer Barnes stated that the Union computer has numerous problems that do not allow it to be useful with current technology. Discussion on this matter included looking into a used one from L.C.C. per Dave Boomer. Dave Boomer stated that L.C.C. has an auction of Fridays where they auction of various items that include laptops that have been used by L.C.C. professors that go for no more than $150. Others stated that $700 may be too much money. Mike Roberts stated that you can get one for $500 new. Steve Funk asked about possibly getting with Dave Marquette regarding a laptop. President Mike Roman stated that the laptop that we have now is the property of Delta Township and they are letting us use it. Mike Roberts then rescinded previous motion and made another motion to authorize the Union to spend up to $500 on a laptop. Mike Martin seconded the motion. 16 yes 0 no. Motion passed. Mike Roberts and Dave Boomer to look into laptop.

Union Website: Mike Roberts made a motion to look into building a Union website that would have all of our information on it. Discussion on cost and who would build it. Mike Roberts to look into everything. Steve Funk seconded the motion.

Union Picnic: Brian Beckwith made a motion to have the Union picnic on May 10, 2008 at Delta Mills Park and to rotate it each year between the shifts. Mark Proebstle seconded the motion. 16 yes and 0 no. Motion passed. Mike Roberts made a motion that the cost for the Union picnic be funded by pop bottle refunds through the Union pop machines and if there are any other cost incurred over and above what we have collected that the executive board would vote on the rest of the funds. Brian Beckwith seconded the motion. There was discussed that the Union had voted on this measure last Union meeting and that the Executive Board can vote on funds for up to $150. Mike Roberts rescinded his last motion.

Mike Roberts made a motion to adjourn the Union meeting. Del Teigeler seconded the motion. 16 yes and 0 no. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 2018

Next Meeting at Station 1 on May 7, 2008 at 1900 hours.

Respectfully submitted,

Kenneth D. Barnes Sec/Treasurer, Delta Township Firefighters Union
April 5, 2008