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Minutes 02-14-05 MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE FIRE/POLICE TRAINING ROOM, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2005 AT 10:00 A.M. Present: John Bebensee, Chair Kevin Nugent, Vice Chair Barbara Madden, Secretary Tom Balfe Tom Egnaczyk Brenda LeVant (arrived at 10:40 a.m.) Carisse LeJeune Chuck Magazine Chris Mitchell Rodney Vicki Grace Wilson Sharon Stump Barbara Scott Glenda Hall Mark Bobich Recreation Fire/Ems City Clerk Parks Golf Course Communications City Manager Risk Management Development Finance/Warehouse Engineering Library Police/Code Compliance Public Works Utilities Absent: Danielle Crissinger Glendon Morgan Rodney Vicki Human Resources ITS Finance/Warehouse I. Call to Order Chairman Bebensee called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. Members wished Mr. Egnaczyk good luck in his retirement. II. Roll Call The Secretary called the roll and declared a quorum was present II1. Acceptance of Minutes of January 10, 2005 Regular Meeting Motion Mr. Bobich moved to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Mr. Magazine and unanimously carried. Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida February 14, 2005 IV. Safety Committee Education and Training Program None V. Unfinished Business A. Fire Drills Division Chief Nugent reported he met with the Fire and Life Safety Division and a fire drill had been conducted at the Senior Center that went well. It was determined that a contact number for the alarm company was missing on the panel. This has since been rectified. Division Chief Nugent requested all necessary follow up regarding fire drills be furnished to him. He will be maintaining a record of all fire drills. Division Chief Nugent will be meeting individually with the Safety Coordinators to schedule fire drills in their departments. B. "Proud to be a Safe Worker" Awards Chairman Bebensee had three Safe Worker Awards that he furnished to the Secretary for inclusion with the records of the meeting. The first award went to Lieutenant Tom Mahady, Ocean Lifeguard. On January 8, 2005, Lt. Mahady observed a citizen caught in a rip current and was being swept to sea. Lt. Mahady enlisted the assistance of a surfer, who was a Delray Beach Jr. Lifegurard, for help and advised another bystander to alert the other Lifeguards on duty in the event he was not successful in his rescue attempt. On his way to the rescue, the surfer lost his surfboard and Lt. Mahady performed the rescue himself. The victim attempted to "climb" Lt. Mahady, placing Lt. Mahady in a perilous situation. Lt. Mahady, however, placed the victim in a cross-chest carry, a maneuver used to control combative victims, and was successful in getting the victim to shore without further incident. Chairman Bebensee reported the rescue actually occurred outside the City's jurisdiction. Ms. LeJeune requested she be furnished with copies of the Award for the recognition newsletter. The second Safe Worker Award went to Robert Hess, Ocean Lifeguard, that involved a motor vehicle accident. Mr. Hess was commended for his actions that took place on January 14, 2005. While with his manager, a motor vehicle accident involving three vehicles, happened directly in front of them. As the manager was notifying fire rescue, Mr. Hess responded to the scene. One elderly lady complained of chest pains and he remained with her until help arrived. His prompt and caring actions kept a bad situation from becoming worse. Division Chief Nugent thought this elderly woman actually had a heart attack. Fred Blimegger, Ocean Lifeguard, while traveling with his manager, came across a stalled vehicle blocking traffic at Congress Avenue and Old Boynton Beach Boulevard. 2 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida February 14, 2005 He put on his safety vest and directed traffic around the stalled vehicle while waiting for Police response. When the Police did not respond after 20 minutes, Mr. Blimegger, with the assistance of a citizen, pushed the vehicle from the road, averting a potential tragedy. C. Departmental Inspections & Safety Meetings (C. Magazine) Mr. Magazine reported they are share drive for viewing. D. Defensive Driver Course (C. Magazine) Classes continue to be held. Mr. Magazine reiterated the course is mandatory for all employees who drive City vehicles or personal vehicles on City business. There are two courses; one for trucks and one for small vehicles. Mr. Balfe inquired if the course was offered in any other language besides English. Mr. Magazine responded if the test had to be given in another language, a translator would be brought in. E. Incident Review Board Referrals (C. Magazine) None Mr. Magazine requested to revisit the Holiday Parade location that was discussed at the last meeting. At that time, the Board requested that Sgt. Steele or Sgt. Lillie attend this meeting. However, they were unable to do so, but did convey their thoughts to Ms. Scott. Ms. Scott reported Sgt. Steele was in favor of the parade moving back to Congress Avenue because of traffic issues and for safety of the spectators. If the Safety Committee concurred, Mr. Magazine would like to make a recommendation the Parade be moved from Federal Highway to Congress Avenue. From a safety standpoint, Mr. Magazine felt this is something the Committee should address. Mr. Magazine pointed out having the Parade along Congress Avenue would be more advantageous because the street is much longer and provided more area for viewing. Ms. Scott felt if the Parade permanently moved to Congress Avenue, the Parade would get better and people would adjust. Mr. Balfe felt there would be fewer complaints from residents who cannot enter their property when the Parade is held along Federal Highway. This would be avoided if the Parade were moved to Congress Avenue. Mr. Balfe inquired if any businesses complained when the Parade was held on Congress Avenue and Ms. LeJeune stated there was only one complaint. Mr. Magazine noted some of the City's elected officials received calls from residents that wanted to keep the Parade along Federal Highway so they could walk to the Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida February 14, 2005 Parade. The business community along Federal Highway also requested the Parade remain as is. However, Mr. Magazine did not think there were many businesses along Federal Highway that actually benefited from the Parade. Mr. Magazine noted the Boynton Beach Police Department patrols the Parade route. He felt fewer officers would be needed if the Parade were held on Congress Avenue, since there are fewer accesses in and out of Congress Avenue. Ms. Hall felt one hurdle would be finding a staging area, since the Motorola site is no longer available. Ms. LeJeune inquired if there were any safety concerns that came up after the last Parade along Federal Highway. Mr. Magazine stated there are always safety concerns when the Parade is held on Federal Highway. His greatest safety concern for Federal Highway is that it is a two-lane road that cannot accommodate some of the larger bands and floats. Also, the sidewalks are narrow. This does not provide a good viewing area for people to observe the Parade since some people like to walk with the Parade and there is no place for them to do this safely. The good points to moving the Parade back to Congress Avenue is the adequate parking; wide sidewalks; and a wide roadway that would have little impact upon residential areas. Ms. LeJeune noted the Marina and Promenade Projects would be starting up, resulting in increased construction along Federal Highway. She felt Congress Avenue would be the best place for the Parade. Division Chief Nugent recommended the Board take a vote on whether the Safety Committee wanted to make a recommendation that the Parade be moved to Congress Avenue and invite the chair of the Parade Committee to the next Safety Committee Meeting. Some of the current Safety Committee members also serve on the Parade Committee. Mr. Magazine stated the Parade Committee implements the Parade, but does not decide where to hold it. The City Commission makes this determination. When the CRA's trolley system comes on line, it would be available to transport people to the Parade. Mr. Magazine felt the City had adequate means to transport people who live east of 1-95 to the Parade route along Congress Avenue. Ms. LeJeune recommended establishing a subcommittee to put together the proposal and then bring it back to the Committee for review prior to presenting it to the City Commission. Motion Mr. Magazine moved that the Safety Committee, based upon safety criteria discussed at this meeting, recommend to the City Commission that the 2005 Holiday Parade be Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida February 14, 2005 moved from Federal Highway to Congress Avenue. Motion seconded by Ms. LeJeune and carried 14-1 (Mr. Mitchell dissenting). Mr. Mitchell dissented because he felt it was important to get people to come to the east side of the City, thereby providing them with an opportunity to view the changes taking place downtown. This could only be accomplished by holding the Parade along Federal Highway. Ms. LeJeune recommended after many of the new projects in the downtown come on line, the Safety Committee could recommend moving the Parade back to Federal Highway. Members who volunteered to serve on the sub-committee to work on the recommendation were: Chairman John Bebensee, Tom Balfe, Chuck Magazine and Division Chief Nugent. Ms. LeJeune requested that the draft recommendation be brought back to this Committee first. VI. New Business A. Departmental Safety Issues None B. Wastewater Spillage Report (Mark Bobich) Mr. Bobich reported that whenever there is spillage of wastewater on the ground or outside the sewer system, it must be reported immediately to the County. Copies of the spillage reports that occurred on February 2, 2005 and February 3, 2005 were provided to the Secretary for inclusion with the records of the meeting. If the spill is over 1,000 gallons or affects a body of water, the State must also be notified. Mr. Bobich estimated the City averages one reportable spill every other month. Mr. Magazine wanted the Safety Committee to be aware of how spillages are handled, and he would like the Safety Committee to monitor the spills as they occur. Ms. LeJeune inquired if the spills occurred at multiple lift stations. Mr. Bobich stated spills occur in many places, including sewer lines and lift stations. Whenever a spill occurs, Mr. Bobich will be reporting spills to the Safety Committee. Many times these spills can be expensive because lines backup into homes and the City is responsible for the clean ups. Sometimes spills also results in lawsuits, which can be costly to the City. C. Other Mr. Magazine reported the Police Department has sufficient Officers to cover all of the HeritageFest events except for the concert. As a result, Mr. Magazine has notified the HeritageFest Committee if they were unable to provide adequate security, the event would have to be cancelled. The Committee could hire the services of the Sheriff's Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida February 14, 2005 Office, the Highway Patrol or licensed security officers. Volunteers are unacceptable. Mr. Magazine will report on the outcome of this at the next Safety Committee Meeting. A very large crowd is anticipated at this event, and it is imperative that adequate security be provided for crowd control. Ms. LeJeune reported that Teresa Zabik is no longer the alternate for the City Manager's Office. Her replacement will be announced. Ms. LeJeune inquired if the Safety Committee should invite the new Utility Director to a Committee meeting when he comes onboard. Mr. Bobich felt it was a good idea. Chairman Bebensee recommended all new managers be invited to the Safety Committee meetings to acquaint them with what the Committee does. VII. Announcements Ms. LeJeune announced the Concert on the Green at the Golf Course has been rescheduled for April 16th. Mr. Magazine announced the Medieval Festival would take place on March 19th and 20th at Jaycee Park. VIII. Next Meeting Date: Monday, March 14, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. IX Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 10:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (Februa~ 25,2005)