Minutes_Dubuque Co. Emergency Management Commission 2 7 12Official Minutes of the February 7th,
2012 Regular Meeting
Meeting Called to Order
The meeting of the Dubuque County Emergency Management Commission was called to order at 1900
hours by Chairperson Mike Wuertzer. Roll call was completed with the following commission members
in attendance: Brian Arnold, Tim Pins, Don Vrotsos, Daryl Klein, Henry Westhoff, Brad McAuliffe, Mike
Wuertzer, Dan Neenan, Tom Avenarius, David Albrecht, Ray Stephan, Dick Avenarius, Randy Bell, Charlie
Demmer, Tom Berger, and Roger Oberbroeckling.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the November 8th, 2011, meeting were approved on a motion by Brian Arnold and
second by Dick Avenarius, motion carried.
FY2013 Budget Information
Receive and File Publication
A motion was made by Dan Neenan and second by Henry Westhoff to receive and file the proof of
publication for the FY2013 Budget Public Hearing. Motion carried.
Public Hearing
Chair Wuertzer opened the public hearing on the proposed FY2013 Dubuque County Emergency
Management Commission Budget. EMA Director Berger reported on behalf of the budget committee on
the expected revenues and expenses for the year. The committee does not feel that there is a reason to
amend the FY2012 budget as expenses should be under the original budget. A request for an increase
from the County and City of Dubuque in the amount of $5,000 was submitted. Expenses were reviewed
by line item. Commission members asked questions for clarification. No public comment received. A
motion to close the public hearing was made by Brad McAuliffe and seconded by Daryl Klein. Motion
Carried.
Adoption of FY2013 EMA Commission Budget
A motion was made by Mayor Avenarius and second by Mayor Oberbroeckling to approve the proposed
budget for FY2013. Motion carried.
Designated Funds
A motion was made by Sheriff Vrotsos and second by Tom Avenarius to designate $35,000 for vehicle
replacement and $2,000 for computer replacement in the FY2012 ending balance. Motion carried.
Old Business
Cross Border Training Exercise
The Cross Border Communications Exercise will be held at the training facility /EOC on Thursday, March
1st, 2012 from 1p -4p. Commission members are encouraged to stop by and observe if they wish. The
exercise will test communications among the counties along the Mississippi from Dubuque to the Twin
Cities.
EOC Public Health Exercise
On Wednesday, February 29th from 9a -12p, Dubuque County will be participating with 9 other counties
in Region 6 to respond to a Public Health Emergency. We will be working with local partners and will
have our EOC operational to respond to the simulated emergency. Both drills will be evaluated for
credit and will be submitted to the State Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Multi Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
The kick off meeting for the Dubuque County MJHMP was held on January 24th. Some communities
have already held meetings in their cities. ECIA is subcontracted through the County Board of
Supervisors to complete the plan. There will be no cost to the locals as we need to document
participation from communities for in -kind match. The priority will be to get to the cities that have
expired plans or no plans at all and then work through the rest of them. Once completed and approved
the cities will no longer need to review and update every five years, it will be done on the county level.
Other Old Business — None
New Business
Severe Weather Spotter Training Class
The Dubuque County Emergency Management Agency will host the National Weather Service Spotter
Training Class on Tuesday, March 13th from 2:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. at the training center. No
preregistration is required.
Other New Business — None
Committee Reports
Vehicle Replacement Committee
Chair Wuertzer updated the commission on the vehicle replacement committee work. The committee is
proposing to keep the 2005 Ford Excursion to best serve the needs for the interoperability radio
equipment as well as pursue a new four door pick up from a local dealer. Specifications for the vehicle
were shared with the commission. Discussion was held and a vote was held to solicit price quotes from
dealerships within Dubuque County. Some suggested changes were implemented in the specifications.
It was decided to move forward with the acquisition of a 4 door pick up to be delivered on or about July
1st, 2012.
Good of the Commission
Upcoming Training Events
Dan Neenan reported on the activities of the Training Operations Committee and the upcoming classes.
There will be a DOT Lane Closing Class at NECAS on February 21st from 7p -9p. This is being held there
due to no available rooms at the fire training center. Hazardous Materials Operations classes will be
held at the conclusion of the Firefighter 1 class. There will also be two live fire classes coming up in the
spring.
DFD Asst Chief Rick Steines is working on a revised NIMS and ICS class for local officials. There are new
people in elected and appointed positions who will need the classes in order for communities to remain
NIMS compliant. Information will be distributed once the class is finalized.
Hazardous Materials Calls
Sheriff Vrotsos and EMA Director Berger presented the EMA Budget and Hazardous Materials Team
costs for FY2013 to the Board of Supervisors in January. The Iowa EMA Association conducted a study in
2011 about costs to counties to provide hazardous materials services. The Board of Supervisors will be
requesting a meeting with the City of Dubuque to discuss the cost of the contract and to see if they can
reduce the costs to reflect what other counties are paying. Tom also reported that he completed the
paperwork /billing for an incident in the Bernard Fire District and reminded other departments that he is
available to do that for other services as well. The Dubuque Fire Department is ready and willing to
respond to any hazardous materials incidents and will offer scene support /advice even if the team is not
activated. It is best to contact them in order to ensure all rules and regulations are being followed
correctly — they are there to help us.
Open Discussion
Tim Pins invited everyone to an open house recognition party for retired Dyersville Fire Chief Merlin
Clemen that will be held at the Dyersville Fire Station on Saturday, March 3id anytime after 5:30 p.m.
There will be a short awards ceremony at 7:00 p.m. More information will be sent to agencies.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Dubuque County Emergency Management Commission will be held on Tuesday,
May 1st, 2012 at the Dubuque County Firefighters Association Regional Emergency Responder Training
Facility at 7:00 p.m. in the West Classroom.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Mayor Oberbroeckling and seconded by Ray Stephan to adjourn at 1952 hours.
Motion Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas I. Berger, EMA Director
Future Meeting Dates
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012, 7:00 p.m. at training center
Tuesday, August 7th, 2012, 7:00 p.m. at training center
Tuesday, November 6th, 2012, 7:00 p.m. at training center
Tuesday, February 5th, 2013, 7:00 p.m. at training center