Board
Meeting
The Board met prio to the annual meeting. The following were
present: James Novak, Denise Demars, Michael Urbanski,
Jeffrey Schadegg, Charlie O’Brien, Michael Tremain,
John Piper, Michael Boxler, Don Howell and Jerry Rosendahl.
Treasurer Charlie O’Brien
presented the quarterly transaction report for Board approval. Motion by Tremain to
approve the quarterly transaction report, seconded by Boxler. Motion passed.
Jeff Schadegg presented a request
from the Minnesota fire Chief’s Association to contribute $1000.00 to the legislative
process. This is an annual request that we have approved in the past. Motion by Schadegg,
seconded by Howell to participate by donating $1000.00. Motion passed.
Jeff Schadegg preJeff Schadegg,
Chapter Secretarysented the annual renewal notice received from the Minnesota
100 Club. 2005 Dues are $100.00 per year. Motion by DeMars, seconded by Tremain to pay
2005 dues in the amount of $100.00. Motion passed.
Jeff Schadegg presented the
Executive Director’s report to the board. Motion by DeMars, seconded by Howell to
accept the report as presented . Motion passed.
Secretary’s Report
Motion by
Popp, Seconded by Grotberg to approve the Minutes of December
8, 2004 as published in the newsletter. Motion passed.
Treasurer’s
Report
Motion by
Christensen, Seconded by Washinger to approve the Treasurers Report of December 31, 2004 as published in the
newsletter. Motion passed.
Arson Reward Committee
Committee Chair Charlie O’Brien
reported that we gave out 4 rewards last quarter, 3 for $350 and 1 for $1500. We gave out
a total of 13,150 in 2004. The project is working and response is growing. Signs are
available contact Charlie. If door knockers work well we will get more. Let Charlie know
your successes.
Arson
Awareness Committee
Committee Chair
Mike Tremain reported that August 26, 2005 will be Governor’s Fire Service Day at the Fair. Plan to attend.
Budget and Finance Committee
No report.
Training and Education
Committee
Chair Don Howell reported that the conference committee will be putting out a call for
presenters. We need help and input form the membership to continue bringing quality
presentations to the conference. If you know of a good program that would benefit the
membership contact Don Howell.
HazMat / OSHA
President
Novak reported that there is not enough interest in a 40 hour course to put one on at this
point. We will try to point interested members to outside sources as they become known to
us. If anyone knows of a class source let Jamie or Jeff Schadegg know.
We put on
an 8 hour refresher that was well attended. Thanks to St. Paul Fire for hosting.
Awards
Committee
Committee Chair
Mike Tremain reported that awards will be announced at the annual banquet. We have not
received any applications for 2005 $500 Educational Scholarships. The deadline for
application is March 31, 2005.
The
following awards were later presented at the banquet:
Prosecutor
of the Year:
Erika
Mozangue
Distinguished Service Award: Denise DeMars, Dan Winkle
Presidential Award:
J. David Tebow, Donald Melander
Investigator of the Year:
Tony Miranda, Kerry Svare, David Gottschalk
Accidental Photography:
Jerry Streich
Life Membership:
Jamie Novak, Jeff Schadegg
Merchandise
Committee
Committee
Chair Mike Urbanski reported “We have stuff”. Buy soon and often. Our stock is
increasing and we need to reduce inventory before ordering new items.
Membership
Committee
Committee Chair
Denise DeMars presented 20 new members for consideration. Motion by Garfin, seconded by
Knapper to approve applications. Passed.
Newsletter
Jeff
Schadegg reported that we are continuing to publish the newsletter by e-mail. We have
identified a number of problems with using a residential e-mail account that have resulted
in failed delivery. Please be sure we have an accurate e-mail address as too many bad
addresses results in stopping the entire delivery list. We are down to about 60
individuals that have not provided us with an e-mail address.
Governor’s Council
Representative
Mike Tremain reported that the annual report of the Council has been completed and
reviewed the report with the membership. A full copy can be found on the council web
site.
State Fire
Marshal’s Report
Bureau
Chief Bob Dahm reported that there continue to be new challenges
in the Fire Marshal’s office due to budget issues. Many rumors are floating that need
to be dispelled. The Department of Public Safety remains committed to the fire
investigation function and to supporting local fire departments. Revenue reductions have
forced the department to change priorities in some cases and to utilize staff differently;
i.e. Investigators are now doing follow-up inspections for the residential team.
The Bureau
is now working with the Cities of the 1st Class in the Investigation of fatal
fires.
The
Bureau’s standard investigation report will be posted to the State Fire Marshal web
site for download by any local department that wishes to use it.
Thank you
for all the support both individually and as an association that has been given to the
State Fire Marshal Division. It is appreciated.
Juvenile Fire Setter Committee
Committee Chair Marnie Grondahl
reported that the Juvenile Fire Setter Committee is actively meeting after each of the
quarterly meetings. The main goal is to provide an exchange of information between
investigators regarding juvenile fire setter issues and provide a forum to discuss issues
related to juveniles. All are welcome to attend.
Executive Director’s Report
Executive
Director Jeff Schadegg
reviewed the report presented to the Board at their last meeting:
Membership
numbers:
Active
233
Associate 210
Life
18
Sustaining 4
Total
465
Requested authorization to
purchase pdf converter for Word by e-motion on 12/8/2004. Motion Passed.
We received a donation of $1000 from
Crane Engineering. Copy of the cover letter is attached for your information. I suggest
the President send a personal thank you letter.
Our
corporate renewal for 2005 has been filed with the State Attorney General’s Office.
The annual report
has been completed and is attached for Board review and the President’s signature.
We have received a
request from the Minnesota State Chiefs Association to contribute $1000 to the legislative
process. Copy attached for Board review and action.
We
received the annual renewal notice from the MN 100 Club. Due are $100.00. Renewal form is
attached review and Board action.
2005
membership renewal notices were mailed today.
2005
Conference Update: We have received 197 registrations to date.
We
have a HazMat / OSHA Compliance Refresher scheduled for March 23, 2005 at the St. Paul
Fire Department Training Grounds. We have 18 registrations to date.
The
membership handbook information has been updated and complied into a pdf file for
distribution. Jamie has a few items to add. It will then be distributed by e-mail.
Legislative Committee
Committee Chair
Denise DeMars reported that the Joint Legislative Committee (JLC) is meeting regularly and
is tracking a number of bills including Highway Safety and a Fire Safety Surcharge to fund
the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Bills have been introduced and are moving. DeMars
went on to explain that there problems between several members of the Council that are
hindering the process. We need to have a unit voice at the Capital and we don’t. If
we as a fire service don’t get our act together we will continue to be ineffective.
President Novak will be sending a letter to the JLC voicing our concerns.
Certification
Committee
President Novak
commented that CFI’s should not expect a reminder from the International regarding
recertification. It is up to the individual to recertify when appropriate. Call the
International to find out when your due if you don’t know. It’s your
responsibility.
Ethics
Committee
No report
Private
Investigator Committee
President
Novak reported that Committee Chair Crawford Wiestling will present the Conference information to the P.I. Board so that you
can get credit with out having to duplicate the packet. He went on to thank Crawford for
his efforts.
Old Business
President Novak reported that the gas
explosion test was cancelled due to proximity other structures. We continue to look fir a
new location. If you have a house that may work contact Jamie.
President Novak reported that the
Chapter will be holding a Testimony Class the second week of September 2005. This class
replaces the testimony requirement for CFI.
Tim Braatz asked if we are any
closer to having a fire investigation class for Private Investigators. President Novak
reported that we are scratching the P.I. Investigation class project.
President Novak would like to remind
members that we are still looking for video clips for the motives project. Ask your
prosecutor to have arsonists required to provide the how, when, why, and what got them
caught as part of sentencing.
New Business
President
Novak reported that he has received a letter of resignation from MNIAAI Board Member Mike
Boxler. Mike is being transferred to the Kansas City ATF Office. He extended thanks to
Mike for everything he has done to help the Chapter and the Conference Committee.
Arson Awareness week is the 1st
week of May. We will be working with the media and the State Fire Marshal Division to
highlight major cold cases. If you have cases
contact Jamie. There are packets for local use on the International’s web site.
President Novak reminded everyone
that we are still looking for a hotel for test burns. If you hear of anything let him know
President Novak reported that ATF
will not be doing a prosecutor’s seminar this year. We may consider putting one on
again our self.
President Novak raised the question
of police powers for state fire investigators. After a lengthy discussion there was a
motion by Christensen, seconded by Woodford in support of the concept and directing
President Novak to check with State Fire Marshal Rosendahl for direction and offer our
assistance if he wishes to proceed with the concept.
Chapter
Elections
Nomination Committee Chair Merle
Berkeland presented a slate of candidates for open board and officer positions. Positions
up for re-election are President Novak, 2nd VP Urbanski, Secretary Schadegg,
and the board seat currently held by Tremain.
Knapper nominated James Novak for
President. Novak accepted. Hearing no other nominations, Lauderbaugh moved a white ballot
be presented. Motion passed.
Mike Urbanski nominated himself for
2nd Vice President. Hearing no other nominations Braatz move a white ballot be
presented. Motion passed.
Knapper nominated Jeff Schadegg for
Secretary. Schadegg accepted. Hearing no other nominations DeMars moved a white ballot be
presented. Motion passed.
Schadegg nominated Mike Tremain for
re-election to the Board. Tremain accepted. Hearing no other nomination Christensen moved
a white ballot. Motion passed.
Congratulations to all.
Adjournment
Motion
by Washinger to adjourn. Motion passed.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jeffrey G. Schadegg
Chapter Secretary
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