CFPD 2-10-11 Board Meeting Recap ~ By, Charity Maness

In lieu of “the District (being) in the midst of an investigation resulting from a complaint filed by an employee alleging harassment and/or discrimination” and the fact that in reviewing the District’s policies nothing was found directly relating to harassment and / or discrimination, the Department felt it was imperative to add a harassment policy to their growing list of policies for revue and or adoption. While sources claim the employee the harassment complaint was filed against is no longer with the Department, the policy is still moving forward.

At Thursday nights meeting three additional policies were placed before the Board for review and possible adoption:

Equal Employment Opportunity, Harassment, and Discrimination policy…tabled until March 17 meeting for further review as this was the first opportunity the Board has had to see the document. The proposed policy is comprised of language taken directly from the Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Mr. Crabtree, a fire department safety & labor management specialist, said, “while ground breaking for CFPD, not ground breaking as far as the industry goes.”

New recruitment, selection, and appointment policies for paid employees…adopted.

Nepotism policy…tabled until March 17 meeting with changes to verbiage, namely the inclusion of the word ‘associates’ being attributed to nepotism. The Board felt the word was too broad. It was pointed out by Larry Crabtree that a nepotism policy is not required by law but that "this policy is a good starting point."

Chief Cantrell brought to the Board's attention an article that appeared in the Sacramento Bee, in lieu of the Bell fiasco the State COntroller's Office had begun a new wage reporting for fire districts. CFPD, along with many other fire districts within Calaveras County, were not compliant with the State Controller’s Office in reporting wages for the year 2010. Chief Cantrell had contacted the office questioning when and if he had been notified that this was to be reported, the controller’s office stated that they “may have sent a request, but no guarantee.” Chief Cantrell had the request faxed to him and has since filled it out, faxed it in, and is now compliant. He contacted the other districts within the county on the list and advised them of their standing. One District had submitted their report four times but were still listed as non compliant, as had other districts.

Covering correspondance with the Department, the Board was read a letter written to CFPD from retired CFPD Chief Dennis Powers requesting that the Board reconsider the proposal that was made at a previous Board meeting cutting retirement benefits, as it would negatively affect him financially. Chairman Maness noted though the correspondence was not on the evening’s agenda he was “disinclined to drag this out any further….I do not want to mess with his retirement.” Director Gouzenne agreed quickly and strongly. Office manager Belva Bristol was advised to pen a letter to Mr. Powers to that effect.