MINUTES
Board of Directors Meeting
Jasper County Emergency Services
September 6th, 2024
Chairman Dagnan called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. The meeting was held at the Jasper County Emergency Services Dispatch Center 13870 Dispatch Lane Carthage, MO as per public notice. Present in addition to Chairman Dagnan, Vice Chairman Alvin Peavler, Director Brandy Corum, Director Dan Stanley, Director Bill Hawkins, Director Steve Weaver, and Director Jeremiah Norton.
Representing staff –Executive Director (ED) Lisa McCool-Rataczak, Operations Manager (OM) Amber Madison, Quality Assurance Coordinator Ellen Biesemeyer, Systems Manager Steven Williams, and Deputy Director Brandon McClintock at 12:08 p.m.
No representing Public
Review and Action of Meeting Minutes
Open Meeting minutes for August 16th and August 20th, 2024, were reviewed.
Director Norton motioned to approve the meeting minutes for August 16th, and August 20th, 2024. Director Corum seconded the motion. Vote: 7-0. The motion was adopted.
Public Comment and Correspondence
No comment.
Financial Report and Payment of Bills
Financial Report and payment of bills prepared and read by ED Rataczak
The sales tax deposit for July was received on August 7th, 2024, in the amount of $494,599.28.
Total bills submitted for approval today: $49,285.99.
Checkbook balance after payment of bills will be: $33,959.89.
Accounts receivable balance: $3,902.34 (NetMotion cost share and special detail)
The Money Market account balance is: $150,000.00.
The Sweep Account balance is: $8,657,724.68
The Payroll Account balance is: $3,138.79
Director Stanley motioned to approve the financial report and payment of bills. Director Corum seconded the motion. Vote: 7-0. The motion was adopted.
At 12:08 p.m. Deputy Director McClintock joined the meeting. The Board took a small break, then resumed the meeting.
Executive Director and Department Status Report
ED Rataczak advised the Board that the new trainees are on the floor, we have been on a 48/48 schedule for August and September. Call volume for August 2024 11,389 which is a decrease of 5.44% compared to August 2023 (12,044). We have met our ACE Standards for EMD for August. Director Corum discussed her concern with the Board about new hires being on the radio and gave a few examples of missed or delayed traffic. OM Madison advised the Board that we are trying to figure out a way for the new hires and trainers to only be working one console. Part of the reason for the missed/delayed traffic is that new trainees were doubling up on radio consoles. We have adjusted this and implemented a 48/48 schedule rotation to help with coverage. OM Madison also advised that we could try combining Law and JCSO at night. That way it would take one dispatcher instead of two. OM Madison advised the Board that she would be checking with the Police Chiefs and the JCSO to confirm that this would be ok.
Chairman Dagnan shared a speech with the Board Members thanking them for their service and for their nomination to have him be the Chairman of the Board. Dagnan gave a few reminders about sunshine law statutes and advised the Board that he is available to talk if anyone needs to.
Unfinished Business
Countywide Public Safety Radio System
SM Williams updated the Board with the status of all three tower sites. He advised that we have power to all three sites. The 43-highway tower has been optimized, and we are just waiting on the Sarcoxie tower to optimized today. We are collecting quotes for new fences around each site. A new whistle will be put in at 43-highway, Liberty has repaired the equipment that was damaged by the neighbor. Williams advised the Board that we went to each site with TUSA and there were some small issues that were noted. We will be doing a site visit/walk to each site with TUSA and Motorola to discuss what was noted. SM Williams advised the Board that in reference to the Joplin tower site the contract with TUSA has been signed and the RFP should be ready next week. SM Williams advised the Board that our tower is fine, but we do need some additional grounding work at JASCO. SM Williams advised the Board that we have 4 consoles in the EOC that are setup for radio testing. Williams also advised the Board that he will need to have a new console installed in the systems truck. Williams advised the Board that Executive Director Lisa Rataczak husband can sell us the console that we need for a much lower price. He is a Jotto Dealer. Lisa advised that he does not receive a commission, he would be selling it to us at his cost. Director Norton mentioned that NROUTE installed his radio into the police cars, and they were using Velcro which caused the unit to get hot and go out. The Board discussed the way that NROUTE installed several vehicles this way and that if they can’t install properly then we will use a different company.
Joplin Right of Entry Agreement
ED Rataczak advised the Board that the right of entry has been approved for the Joplin tower site. Lisa advised the Board that our attorney has looked over the agreement and advised that the name on the agreement can be crossed out and updated to say Chairman Dagnan.
Director Corum motioned to approve and sign the right of entry agreement between Joplin and JASCO. Director Stanley seconded the motion. Vote: 7-0. The motion was adopted.
Equipment
SM Williams advised the Board that we need to replace the base/triggers on the consoles. Williams advised the Board of the quotes that were received. Insight has the lowest cost, and we have a relationship with them. We would need to order 12, 10 for consoles and 2 spares.
Director Corum motioned to approve the purchase of 12 base/triggers from insight. Director Norton seconded the motion. Vote: 7-0. The motion was adopted.
Director Corum motioned to approve the purchase of the console for the systems truck, and to purchase it from Bill Rataczak (Jotto Dealer) for $819.43. Director Stanley seconded the motion. Vote: 7-0. The motion was adopted.
Overtime Compensation
OM Madison advised the Board that no one has been abusing the overtime policy, and we have moved to a 48/48 rotation, so it has not been utilized that often.
AT&T Jasco/Joplin Connections
DD McClintock advised the Board that we went live on 1G fiber on 9/5/24.
Mindbase Implementation
DD McClintock advised the Board that we had a meeting with Mindbase on 8/28/24, Mindbase is working on trying to figure out how to pull the data from our systems.
Update of Credit Card
ED Rataczak advised the Board that the previous Executive Director April Tarrant/Ford, and Board Chairman Harrison credit card has been shut off. She advised the Board that we need to add Chairman Dagnan to the safety deposit boxes, Checking Account, Money Market Account, Sweep Account, Payroll Account, and the SMB Visa credit card.
Director Norton motioned to approve the addition of Board Chairman Greg Dagnan to the safety deposit boxes, Checking Account, Money Market Account, Sweep Account, Payroll Account, and the SMB Visa credit card that are held at Southwest Missouri Bank. Director Corum seconded the motion. Vote: 7-0. The motion was adopted.
Policy Updates/Modifications
DD McClintock advised the Board that we need to modify our background policy to include rap back. We also need to update our new employee orientation policy to include spending time with administrative staff to discuss the mission statement, background, culture, goals, job duties and responsibilities. Our bereavement leave policy has been modified to only contain immediate family bereavement leave for 3 shifts, plus you would not be required to have/use sick leave. Jasco would cover this leave as bereavement leave with pay. The Board approved and advised to add a payroll category of bereavement leave for tracking purposes.
Director Peavler motioned to approve the addition/changes of the policies that were presented. Director Norton seconded the motion. Vote: 7-0. The motion was adopted.
New Business:
Stipend/Wages
DD McClintock presented the Board members with three different wage scales. The Board discussed benefits for the employees, and the sustainability of wage increases for JASCO. The Board requested that the administrative staff bring back their recommendations along with a benefits package with the future budget to the next meeting.
Southwest Missouri Bank Pledge
ED Rataczak read the pledge that was received by SMB.
Director Corum motioned to accept the pledge. Director Norton seconded the motion. Vote: 7-0. The motion was adopted.
Legal Services Renewal Agreement
ED Rataczak advised the Board that EMS Legal Services contract is up for renewal. One year of legal services is $950.00. The Board discussed and approved the renewal of a one-year contract for EMS Legal Services. Lisa also advised the Board that our Attorney is handling a dispute we have with CARDS trash service.
Director Corum motioned to accept the pledge. Director Stanley seconded the motion. Vote: 7-0. The motion was adopted.
PIO Training Request
ED Rataczak requested to go to PIO Training 11/18/24 – 11/21/24. This will put us over our training/hotel/meals/travel expenses budget for the year. The Board discussed this and approved for Lisa to attend and to not exceed $1,000.00 in expenses.
Director Weaver motioned to allow Lisa to attend the PIO training and to allow up to $1,000.00 for expenses/travel/meal/hotel/class. Director Corum seconded the motion. Vote: 7-0. The motion was adopted.
Vehicle Accident Report
ED Rataczak advised the Board that she had wrecked the 2024 Chevy Travers right before the July 29th, 2024, Board meeting. Lisa went over the event with the Board, she explained that when it happened, she called Board Chairman James Harrison. She was unaware that James didn’t mention the accident to the rest of the Board when he arrived at the meeting. Lisa advised the Board that MSHP responded to the scene, and she was not ticketed. Lisa then drove to the Board meeting at the Sheriffs office. When the Board meeting was finished, she then drove herself to Freeman West Occumed for a drug screen. Lisa advised the Board that the car is at the shop being repaired. The estimate for the repair will be $1,940.00. The Board discussed the accident and that the entire Board needs to be notified if this happens in the future.
At 1:44pm Director Weaver left the meeting.
Mapping Plotter/Printer
DD McClintock advised the Board that we need to replace the plotter. The Board discussed the need for printing large maps during an emergency. The Board approved purchasing the plotter that was presented and to amend GL 60913-line item in the budget by $4925.00
Director Corum motioned to approve the purchase of the new mapping plotter and to amend GL budget 60913 by $4,925.00. Director Norton seconded the motion. Vote: 6-0. The motion was adopted.
Aladtec Renewal
DD McClintock went over our contract renewal for our scheduling software. He advised the Board that if we went with a 5 year contract the price would be locked in per year.
Director Corum motioned approving the 5-year contract with Aladtec. Director Stanley seconded the motion. Vote: 6-0. The motion was adopted.
Storage of Equipment/Connex Quote
SM Williams advised the Board that we need to purchase a Connex box for storage. He advised the Board that we have a lot of equipment that we need to move from the Joplin site, and we have nowhere to store it at JASCO. The Board discussed the pros and cons of a Connex box, a storage unit and the possibility of building a garage at the 43-highway tower site. The Board advised moving our equipment to a storage unit for now and to get quotes for building a large 40×80 shop at the 43-highway tower site.
MEC Resolution Inquiry
ED Rataczak advised the Board that we received a letter stating that we do not have to file financial statements. The Board discussed the pros and cons of filing a financial statement with MEC. The Board advised Lisa to check and make sure that JASCO qualifies for this and that we don’t have to file. Lisa will bring the information back to the next meeting.
Radio Tower Lease Space
ED Rataczak discussed with the Board that Sarcoxie Schools has requested to lease space on the tower at Sarcoxie. The Board discussed pros and cons of leasing tower space. The Board did not approve the tower lease at this time, they will discuss at future meetings and come up with a plan that will cover anyone that is wanting to lease space on the towers.
At 2:21 p.m. Director Norton motioned to adjourn. Director Corum seconded the motion. Vote: 6-0. The motion was adopted.
The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.
On the________ day of ________________2024
I, Greg Dagnan, Chairman ___________________________certify these Jasper County Emergency Services Board Meeting Minutes for__September 6th, 2024_________. They have been reviewed and are accurate.
On the ________day of_________________2024
I, Brandy Corum, Secretary __________________________ attest the Jasper County Emergency Services Board Meeting Minutes for_September 6th, 2024_________. They have been reviewed and are accurate.
