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Minutes 11-8-04 MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE FIRE/POLICE TRAINING ROOM, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2004 AT 10:00 A.M. Present Tom Balfe, Chairman John Bebensee, Vice Chair Lola Bramwell, Secretary Mark Bobich Chris Mitchell Franz LaFontant Rodney Vicki Glendon Morgan Eric Falstad Danielle Crissinger Carisse LeJeune Chuck Magazine Mike Landress Glenda Hall Mark Bobich Parks Recreation City Clerk Utilities Development Engineering Finance/Warehouse ITS Golf Course Human Resources City Manager Risk Management Fire/EMS Public Works Utilities Absent Brenda LeVant Communications I. Call to Order Chairman Balfe called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. II. Roll Call The Secretary called the roll and declared a quorum was present. III. Acceptance of Minutes of October 11, 2004 Regular Meeting Motion Mr. Magazine moved to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Ms. LeJeune and unanimously carried, IV. Safety Committee Education and Training Program Mr. Magazine reported that the City received notification from the State of Florida regarding the City's mod rate (self-insured experience modification). The State Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida November 8, 2004 determines the rate by comparing like type organizations of similar size, based upon number of claims and how much money has been spent on claims over the previous year with the average being 1.00. If an entity comes in higher, it means they have more claims and are spending more money. If an entity comes in below 1.00, they are better than average. Mr. Magazine pointed out that the City's best year was 2000 when the rating was 0.67. Due to an increase in claims in 2001, the City's rating went up to 0.85. In 2002, the rating increased to 1.01 also due to an increase in claims, as well as settlement of some of the City's older claims. In 2003, the rating was 1.08 that resulted from settling two very large claims. The rating for 2004 came in under 1.0. This was due to major improvements that the City made, as well as a decrease in Workers' Comp claims. Mr. Magazine felt that having Workers' Comp now handled in house has had a major impact that has resulted in employees going through the Workers' Comp process much faster. Ms. LeJeune inquired if Mr. Magazine attributed this to the new system that Risk Management has implemented. Mr. Magazine stated that this was the case since the City is now spending much less money on individual claims. These numbers will be available for next month's meeting. Mr. Bobich inquired if the decrease in scheduling employees to undergo certain procedures contributed to a decrease in the costs as well. Mr. Magazine stated that this resulted in a dramatic increase in costs and has cut back on the time that an employee is out of work. Mr. Magazine distributed posters that he requested be displayed in Human Resources, the lunchroom in City Hall, the Public Works Compound and the two Water Treatment Plants. One poster contained information on Workers' Compensation. The second poster was furnished by PGCS, with whom the City works, and has a fraud unit. PGCS pays up to $10,000 for a conviction of somebody who fraudulently files a Workers' Comp claim. Mr. Magazine reported that on occasion he receives a notice from a department regarding problems throughout the City. He recently received a notice from the Planning and Zoning Division staff that was concerned that safety was being sacrificed due to the vegetation and broken debris throughout the City's parking lots. Mr. Magazine requested that if anyone noticed any safety hazards in the City, they should notify him or the Safety Committee. Also, it would be appropriate that the department responsible for taking care of the hazard be notified. Members of the Safety Committee have the authority to do this. Mr. Magazine also noted that when the Defensive Driver Course became mandatory, this decreased the number of preventable accidents by 40%. Since that time, however, they have been increasing. He anticipates with the new course, this will assist in reducing accidents. Most classes are full for the month of November. Anyone wanting to Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida November 8, 2004 take the course should contact Risk Management for scheduling. There are two classes being offered: one for small vehicles and one for trucks. Anything smaller than a pick-up truck would be categorized under small vehicles. Any employee who drives a truck that is larger than a pick-up truck would take the truck course. V. Old Business A. Fire Drills Chairman Balfe requested that the Safety Coordinators contact the Fire Department to set up fire drills. B. "Proud to be a Safe Worker" Awards None C. Departmental Inspections & Safety Meetings (C. Magazine) Mr. Magazine reported that he did not bring the matrix to the meeting because many departments are not performing inspections or safety meetings, which will be reported to the CMLT. Chairman Balfe inquired if the matrix was on the share drive and Mr. Magazine stated that it was not. Chairman Balfe inquired if it could be placed on the share drive and Mr. Magazine will follow through with putting it on the share drive. D. Defensive Driver Course Previously discussed. VI. E. Incident Review Board Referrals None New Business A. Departmental Safety Issues None B. Other It was noted that the Library has no representative on the Safety Committee. Chairman Balfe stated that he forwarded a copy of the Safety Meeting Minutes to Craig Clark at the Library. 3 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida November 8, 2004 VII. Announcements It was announced that the City received the 2004 Heart Ready Award from the American Heart Association. Boynton Beach is the second City in the State to receive this award. Ms. LeJeune inquired how often the Fire Department offered the BLS course. Mr. Landress explained that the Fire Department has revamped its CPR Program and only schedules two classes. One class is for family and friends and a head saver course for City employees. In January, both classes will be offered twice monthly on the first and last Thursday of the month. He had sent a schedule Citywide and people have already registered for the course. Ms. LeJeune requested that she be furnished a copy of the class schedule, which Mr. Landress stated he would do. The classes will begin at 6:00 p.m. in Fire Station #3. VIII. Next Meeting Date: Monday, December 13, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. IX. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 10:25 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Transcribed by Barbara M. Madden, Recording Secretary (November 24, 2004) 4