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Minutes 09-13-04 MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE FIRE/POLICE TRAINING ROOM, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2004 AT 10:00 A.M. Present Tom Balfe, Chairman John Bebensee, Vice Chair Barbara Madden, Secretary Mark Bobich Glenda Hall Brenda LeVant Chuck Magazine Glendon Morgan Kevin Nugent Barbara Scott Parks Recreation City Clerk Utilities Public Works Communications Risk Management ITS Fire/EMS Police Absent Dominic DeMauro Bill Coup Eric Falstad Franz LaFontant Carisse LeJeune Dorothy Mack Chris Mitchell Finance/Warehouse Library Golf Course Engineering City Manager Human Resources Development I. Call to Order Chairman Balfe called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. II. Roll Call The Secretary called the roll and declared a quorum was present. III. Acceptance of Minutes of August 9, 2004 Regular Meeting Vice Chair Bebensee requested that the minutes be amended on Page 2, under Old Business, fourth paragraph, to reflect that it was he, not Bill Coup, who mentioned a Fire drill being held. Vice Chair Bebensee also noted that the Fire drill was at the Senior Center, not the Civic Center, as mentioned in the minutes and that the elderly person Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida September 13, 2004 did not hide, but was actually using the bathroom facilities when the Fire drill was taking place. Mr. Magazine also said that he reported on a Fire drill at the Civic Center and an elderly gentleman was discovered hiding in the men's room while the drill was taking place. The Secretary was requested to correct the minutes to indicate both instances that occurred during recent Fire drills. Motion Mr. Bobich moved to approve the minutes, as amended. Motion seconded by Mr. Magazine and unanimously carried. IV. Safety Committee Education and Training Program None Mr. Magazine asked anyone if they had any hurricane issues concerning their departments that they would like to share with the other Committee members. Mr. Magazine noted that there were very few incidents involving the Police and Fire department, which he was very pleased to learn. He did report one incident involving a Police car that hit some wires, but no one was hurt. He also reported that the Public Works and Utility employees did an excellent job under the circumstances. Ms. LeVant reported that it was a priority in keeping her staff safe since they were forced to move to another location and then moved back again to City Hall. She noted that she fell and also one of her employees slipped in the hall, but it was not serious. Mr. Magazine commended the Police and Fire Department for doing an amazing job as well. Division Chief Nugent reported that he was in command for Boynton Beach at the High School and stated that there were many safety issues that he had to deal with. The generators did not work well and there were over 1,100 people seeking shelter in the High School during the hurricane. He also noted that the roof leaked. He will be making a full report to Chief Bingham and will provide a copy at the next meeting. Mr. Magazine said that he would pass this information on to the Risk Manager for the High School. Ms. Scott requested that a copy also be sent to the Police Department. Division Chief Nugent also reported that the School Police did a wonderful job. Mr. Magazine noted that the City set up its EOC at Bethesda Hospital, since staff felt that the East Water Treatment Plant might not be safe for a hurricane of this size. Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida September 13, 2004 Mr. Magazine also commended Deputy Chief Ness who obtained a software program that tracked the hurricane. Deputy Chief Ness was able to provide hourly reports on the hurricane for the City of Boynton Beach. At one point, when the winds subsided, the Police were able to go back on the road for a short time. As a result, they saved the lives of an entire family that could have died because of a generator. Ms. LeVant noted that the Police saved the lives of a mother, father, three children and family friend, who were all transported to St. Mary's Hospital. Ms. LeVant noted that during the same lull in the hurricane, Communications was able to relocate back to the Police Station from Bell South, where they had been answering calls. Division Chief Nugent reported that while he was on duty at the High School, the Golden Corral Restaurant donated food. However, by Saturday night there was nothing for the people to eat. Mr. Magazine pointed out that when people went to the shelter they were informed to bring enough food for three days. Division Chief Nugent noted that when the Fire Department received word that there was no food, Publix Supermarkets donated food that they delivered to the High School. V. Old Business A. Fire Drills No report B. "Proud to be a Safe Worker" Awards Mark Bobich had three employees from the Utilities Department that received "Proud to be a Safe Worker Award." He reported that Diane Niesolowski, Tina Smith and Perry Staiano observed an elderly woman at Utilities' Seacrest Boulevard gate that appeared to be lost and confused. These three employees spoke to the woman and determined that she was not sure of her surroundings, but knew that she was staying with her son. Ms. Smith called the Police Department that responded. The Officer that responded found a Boynton Beach Senior Center card in the woman's purse and by contacting the Senior Center, the Center located her son. The woman waited in the Utilities' lobby for her son to pick her up. Ms. Niesolowski, Ms. Smith and Mr. Staiano demonstrated to everyone the City's Core Values of Integrity and Stewardship with their actions. Their awareness, caring and response to this woman's situation set an example for all of us who serve the public. A copy of the "Proud to be a Safe Worker Award" was presented to the Secretary for inclusion with the records of the meeting. C. Departmental Inspections & Safety Meetings 3 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida September 13, 2004 Mr. Magazine anticipated that they would be available shortly. D. Defensive Driver Course The course should be up and running in the near future. E. Incident Review Board Referrals None VI. New Business A. "Departmental Safety Issues" Mr. Magazine noted that in last month's minutes there was discussion about the air quality in the West Wing. As a result, Dr. Robert Scarry was called in to do some tests, and Mr. Magazine is waiting for the report. However, it does not appear that anything of any significance was found. Mr. Magazine reported that the West Wing suffered significant damage as the result of Hurricane Frances and a good portion of the roof has been lost. Some of the offices occupying the second floor had to move. Dr. Scarry brought a crew in from Lakeland for cleanup purposes. The City is in the process of hiring a contractor to make the necessary repairs. With regard to other damage to City property, Mr. Magazine reported that a tree hit the Code Enforcement Trailer, but there was not a great deal of damage. Unfortunately, a tremendous amount of trees on the Golf Course were destroyed. The Library, the Police Station and Fire Station #1 suffered water damage that Facilities is taking care of. The Crime Prevention Office that the Police Department maintains in the Publix Shopping Center on Congress Avenue was also damaged and water leaked into the offices. Ms. Hall reported that there were 43 trees lost in the City Hall complex alone. She also reported that the trees at the Sandalwood Community took a major hit. Division Chief Nugent requested that if anyone sees any downed wires they should report them to dispatch. Ms. Hall noted that one of their priorities is to make sure that all stop signs are visible. She noted that there was a problem with having no communication between Forestry and FP&L so that they could know when roads have been cleared. Mr. Magazine Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida September 13, 2004 inquired if it would be possible to train staff to use sticks. Ms. Hall felt that this could pose a liability. It was agreed that the City needs to be notified when areas are cleared so that City staff could go in and clean up. Mr. Magazine recommended that they prepare a report for the City Manager with recommendations on how these situations should be handled in the future. B. Other None VII. Announcements None VIII. Next Meeting Date: Monday, October 11, 2004 at 10-'00 a.m. IX. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 10:50 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (September 14, 2004)