NEWS

FIRE COMMISSIONERS AVOID TELEVISED MEETING - MOVE AHEAD WITH E. PIERCE CONSOLIDATION

By: Barbara Hansen August 5, 2009

Fire District 18 Commissioners voted unanimously not to attend the next Orting City Council meeting on August 12.

The commissioners originally scheduled a joint meeting with city officials to answer questions regarding the recent firing of Fire Chief Randy Shelton. They first called a meeting for July 22, then rescheduled to July 29 to coincide with the Orting City Council meeting.

At the July 29 meeting, city council members voted to table the joint meeting to August 12, so that the joint meeting could be televised.

“After having three weeks notice, they tabled it,” Fire Commission Chair Troy West said. In addition, legal counsel has advised them not to attend the televised meeting, said Commissioner Shelley Jackson.

“I’m not really sure exactly why (legal counsel advised against attending the Orting City Council meeting),” said Commissioner Shawn Mahoney, “but I think it has to do with pending litigation. Things could be misunderstood or misconstrued that would affect on-going mediation.”

While Shelton had until today to file a preliminary injunction against opening the investigator’s findings to the public, signaling an intent to appeal his firing, commissioners at the August 4 meeting did not know if the injunction had been filed.

While Fire District 18 commissioners said they have wanted to increase communication with the City of Orting, the city’s representative has failed to participate on the board. George Wilson, appointed as an ex-officio member of the Commission since the city contracted with Fire District 18 for its fire and emergency services, has not attended the fire commission meetings since May.

Wilson stated in June that the commissioners did not allow him real participation in the proceedings and barred him from executive sessions in which they decided to fire Shelton.

At the July 29 Orting City Council meeting, Wilson noted that the Interim Fire Chief was not in attendance, although the current contract between Fire District 18 and the City of Orting requires the fire chief attend city council meetings and make reports to the city council.

District 18 fire commissioners moved ahead with future plans to consolidate with East Pierce Fire District.

In a unanimous vote Tuesday, August 4, commissioners directed Interim Chief David Wakefield to draft an administrative or operational agreement that would increase East Pierce’s administrative oversight of District 18, with the future goal of annexation.

Since May 27, East Pierce has provided administrative oversight of Fire District 18 with a quarter-time Interim Chief. Commissioners agreed the district needed increased leadership, including a full-time chief, assistant chief and Medical Services Officer. However, budget restraints have limited District 18’s ability to provide the leadership it needs.

While commissioners reviewed options other than consolidation with East Pierce, such as hiring its own chief, they agreed consolidation was the most economical option.

Consolidation typically means District 18 will give its finances and equipment to East Pierce, said East Pierce Chief Jerry Thorson. However, language in the contract will keep any current legal and EMS levy issues solely with District 18, Mahoney said.
Currently, the operating agreement between District 18 and the City of Orting involved the city selling most of its equipment or giving it to District 18 as in-kind to pay for the nearly $1 million yearly cost of providing emergency services for the city, said Mark Bethune, Orting city administrator.

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