BEAVER LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES
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Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: Beaver Lake Fire Department, Station 1
Location: 16035 Cypress LN, Rogers AR 72756
Zoom Link: Watch the meeting The meeting begins at 12 minutes and 10 seconds mark.
This is link to the last part of meeting while working through technical issues.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
1.1.
Directors attending in person: Jeff Easley, Curtis Hathcock, Jerry Hudlow, Kelly Lewis, Steven Long, Gisela Mejia.
1.2.
Special Board Members attending in person: Chief Qualls
1.3.
Attending via Video: Firefighter Justin Stanbery, Hudlow
1.4.
Absent: Monte Gagliardi, Larry Smith
1.5.
Quorum Status. Eight (8) of 10 directors were present, which constitutes a full quorum to conduct all business.
2.
Chairman Comments.
3.
Disposition of Previous Meeting Minutes.
3.1.
Review Board of Directors Meeting Minutes for December 12, 2024. The directors reviewed the minutes from the December meeting during this meeting and had no changes.
3.2.
Motion to approve Minutes of the Board of Directors meeting held on January 14, 2024, was made by Kelly Lewis. Motion seconded by Steve Long. The minutes were approved by a unanimous voice vote of those present.
3.3.
Review General Membership Special Annual Meeting Minutes from September 21, 2024. A review and approval for publication of the minutes for the Special Membership meeting last September was not completed because all directors did not receive a copy of the draft document. This action will be revisited at the next Board Meeting.
4.
Open to Public Comments.
5.
Reports of Officers
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES
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5.1.
Fire Chief Operations Report.
5.1.1.
Reviewed monthly response numbers.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES
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BEAVER LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES
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5.1.2.
The Chief reviewed a structure fire event BLFD responded to due to extraordinary circumstances. The incident was reported as a grassland wildfire, initially. However, upon arrival and suppression actions, Captain Justin Stanbery determined that a home near the site had been compromised and required further mitigation. The fire was a result of an illegal tire burn being performed which resulted in a home catching fire. Chief Qualls emphasized how our firefighters made important decisions and took actions which saved a home from being totally lost due to the fire.
5.1.3.
Grant submissions for the acquisition of backup generators for the fire stations have been submitted. There is not a firm timeline to determine the disposition of the request.
5.1.4.
There was a request for information concerning maintenance and inspection of fire hydrants within our service area. Clarification was provided to inform members that the fire hydrants seen around our service area are not certified fire fighting devices. While the fire department may be able to use operable hydrants for mitigation, they are not certified or even guaranteed to be operable. On occasion BLFD may check them for serviceability when conducting training.
5.1.5.
Chief Qualls submitted a grant application for funding of Fire Services Protection along with the other grant applications. It was denied by the oversight committee due to the stable financial position of BLFD.
5.1.6.
The required filing for 833 funding was completed for Calendar Year 2025.
5.1.7.
The firefighters Christmas Party and Toys for Tots events were very successful. BLFD partnered with Dollar General in a Toys for Tots type program that helped provide great cheer for many kids in our service area.
5.2.
President’s Report.
5.3.
Treasurer’s Report.
5.3.1.
Review Monthly Financial Documents.
5.3.2.
Motion to approve the Financial Reports for December was made by Larry Smith. Motion seconded by Monte Gagliardi. The January Financial Report was approved unanimously by voice vote of those present.
5.4.
Secretary’s Report.
5.4.1.
The Membership Dues Collection Verification Report, the BLFD Bylaws Amendment 1, and the BLFD Bylaws Amendment 2 were all filed with the Benton County Clerk on December 11, 2024. A copy of the Dues Report was hand delivered to the Collector’s Office on December 11, 2024 in accordance with
BEAVER LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES
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Arkansas Code Annotated
. Further research determined filing of amendments of corporate bylaws with the state is not required or done.
5.4.2.
The Zoom recording of this meeting was degraded due to an unknown computer issue that arose. Video recording was halted to try and ensure continued audio recording but was not successful. Members will find a significant break in the recorded file.
6.
Reports of Committees – No updates.
7.
New Business.
7.1.
Garage/Storage Facility need.
7.1.1.
Discussion was opened in reference to the parcel of land (18-03228-001) which was acquired in 2001 to 2004.
BEAVER LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES
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7.1.2. Jeff Easley requested a volunteer to work with Chief Qualls in developing a proposal
which would address this issue in more detail for further exploration. He and Kelly Lewis
will do the initial research.
7.2. Form 990 preparation requirement.
7.2.1. Laura Tucker addressed the board with a proposal to approach Director Jerry Hudlow to
prepare Form 990 as he did last year. Jerry excused himself from the meeting while the
board discussed.
7.2.2. Discussion led to the conclusion that an offer be made to Jerry Hudlow for which he
could propose an offer for fair compensation to the board. A vote and approval could then
be made by the board to pay for said services.
8. Old Business
8.1. Acquisition of new Firefighting/Recue Apparatus. No update.
8.2. Backup Generator Project. Update presented in Fire Chief’s Report.
8.3. BLFD Bylaws Review/Update/Amendment.
This graphic may be offset from actual
borders of parcel which may be closer
to the driveway.
BLFD Fire Station #2
8944 Grimes Dr.
BEAVER LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES
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8.3.1.
Chairman Comments.
8.3.2.
The board completed a review of Article 4 in the working review document. The Secretary will make changes and publish an updated document for the next session.
9.
Other Business.
9.1.
Pleasure Heights Fire Department is going to be submitting for a membership dues increase this year. They attempted to get an increase approved in the last election. The election resulted in no action being done due to a vote of 57 for the increase and 57 against the increase.
9.2.
Next Board Meeting scheduled for February 11, 2024, at BLFD Fire Station 1, 16035 Cypress LN, Rogers AR 72756.
10.
Adjournment.
SUBMITTED BY: Curtis Hathcock, Board Secretary