Meeting was called to order by President Kevin Curfman, for the last time, at 1405 hours.
Present were: Secretary, Danielle Sims, EB members, Todd Graves, Saul Labanauskas, Tim Logozzo, Reed Gracie, Greg Bailey and Dave Rains and 20 member companies.
Minutes from the last meetings on 9/28/19 and 3/28/20 had been sent in advance for the members to review in lieu of reading them online. Kevin has one small change to the Political Action Committee section says they met in Kennewick but it was actually Olympia. Motion to accept the minutes as revised by Saul, seconded by Mike Meyers. Motion passed.
Financial report was reviewed in a comparison of Jan – May of 2019 vs. Jan – April 2020. Expected expenses were reviewed, namely paying Dan Curfman for database work done this year. Account balances are as follows: Business Checking – $31,227, Business Savings – $60,069, PayPal undeposited funds – $9,246. Some of the PayPal monies that were transferred to business checking in February are going to be refunded for classes that were canceled in the amount of $2,660. There will be some refunds from early March PayPal funds listed above. Motion to accept the report by Gordy Reynaud, seconded by Chad Sheets, Motion passed.
Old Business
Training – Kevin shared how the online Zoom training classes have been going. The comments have been good some expressing that it was easier than they thought it would be. The platform is nice and we discussed the possibility of using it in the future to reduce the cost of travel and other related expenses for business owners and the WCFA. Kevin also expressed that we need to get going on some in-person classes. A few FFT2 classes have been scheduled for June. Haven’t had any inquires about doing RT-130 in person so far. Most have decided to extend rather than train.
Kevin shared about his experience doing training for Randle WA Conservation Corp in March with Kevin Weed. This group initially contacted the WCFA but when it was discovered that the WCFA doesn’t have a letter of decision with the IRS listing us as a non-profit organization, we decided that it would be ok for Kevin to teach the class under his company using the WCFA as an outside instructor. The class went very well and they plan to do it again next year. We discussed how to present the class next year; Kevin and Kevin Weed are willing to do it again. Should we do it as the WCFA or as outside instructor? If we get our non-profit status squared away it was agreed that we would do it as WCFA and split the profit with Kevin Curfman.
POC – Kevin encouraged the WCFA to stay involved with Fire Defense Committee, State Fire Marshall and Chief North because we have come so far. Kevin is sending a letter to the FDC today after the meeting in response to their Fire Defense Plan. Kevin thinks we should continue working toward getting a lobbyist in Olympia.
Medical Services Advisory Committee – Todd Graves is the chairman and he gave a briefing of the committee status. He sent a letter to the CO, Kevin Toombs he said the FS would not be changing anything. He also went to the PNWCG meeting in Portland last fall and will again this year. Todd will be working with Wayne Walker, LifeLine Ambulance, to work on a better agreement and to be present at PNWCG meeting to be a better voice.
Legal Advisory Committee – At our special meeting with Jacob Burkhart (Jake) we agreed to form a Legal Advisory Committee. Saul is the chair along with Tim and Reed. Saul said that he and Jake plan to follow up with our DOL contacts from the seminar held on May 15, Tom and Karen. We also discussed if we should update the Release form used at classes with CV-19 precautions. Saul and the committee will look into it.
Database – Dan Curfman, Kevin’s son has been with us for many years and has essentially re-built our database. He plans to stay on after Kevin retires. Kevin had asked Dan to make a user’s manual in the event that someday he is not going to be our administrator.
New Business
Presidential Pay – Kevin has been being paid a salary since May 21, 2011. Each year if we have enough money he would be paid for the year complete. Last year he was paid $6000 plus $250 for some extra work that had been done. Todd suggested that as a bonus for Kevin’s 14 years of service to the WCFA and all the extra work Kevin put in getting us online for training due to CV-19 that he should get an extra $2500 on top of the $6000. He said that with Kevin’s leadership along with Danielle’s support we have become a very professional and respected association. A motion to accept this proposal by Todd Graves, seconded by Erik Borgen, motion approved.
Fire Response 2020 – We need to continue to look for information about CV-19. Last email about it was sent April 20th from Katie Mergel. Discussion followed. We will share more information as it becomes available.
New Members – Kevin presented the two new members that applied this year. Tan Industries and Olympic Ambulance. They both shared about their companies and were excused for discussion. Vote to accept them into membership was approved by all.
Election of Officers – The president’s position needs to be filled by retiring President Kevin Curfman. EB position #3 (Tim Logozzo) and #4 (Reed Gracie) are expiring. Saul nominated Todd Graves for President, Mike Meyers seconded. Motion to close nominations by Erik Borgen, seconded by Greg Bailey, nominations were closed. Membership vote 95% – 5%, Todd is elected President.
Vice President position formerly held by Todd Graves is now vacant. 1 year remaining on 2 year term. This position can be filled by the president. New President Todd Graves appoints Saul Labanauskas to fill the Vice President’s position. Saul accepts the appointment.
EB Position #2 formerly held by Saul Labanauskas is now vacant. 2 years remain of a 3 year term. This position can be filled by the president. President Graves appoints Will Judkins, Will accepts the appointment.
EB Position #3 is expiring. Tim Logozzo was nominated by Saul to renew this position, seconded by Greg Bailey. Members vote 100% to approve. Tim will renew in this position.
EB Position #4 is expiring. Reed Gracie was nominated by Todd to renew his position, seconded by Saul Labanauskas. Members vote 100% to approve. Reed will renew in this position.
Kevin shared how he and Danielle get a lot of praise but wanted to remind everyone that we couldn’t have done it without the board and the members. Several shared their appreciation for Kevin. We’re all grateful for his dedication to our association for the past 14 years and recognized how much he will be missed.
No other new business
Meeting Adjourned at 1534 hours
Fall meeting TBD