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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLocal Emergency Planning Committee 07-13-01Ix Ir ST. CROIX COUNTY and PIERCE COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Thomas Dorsey, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Dan Smith, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) DATE OF MEETING: Friday, July 13, 2001 TIME: 2:00 p.m. LOCATION: River Falls Ambulance Hall 175 Cedar Street River Falls, WI. 54022 CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING OPEN ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES- PIERCE COUNTY May 4, 2001 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES -ST. CROIX COUNTY April 6, 2001 NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion of River Falls Exercise - May 12, 2001 B. Storage of Fireworks in Counties C. Discussion of Changes in the Emergency Management Grant D. Open Forum for Discussion ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNMENT (This agenda not necessarily presented in this order) SUBMITTED BY: Jack Colvard, Emergency Management -PHONE #386- 4719/386 -4718 DATE: June 25, 2001 Copies to: County Board Office Committee Members County Clerk News Media /Notice Board r , PIERCE COUNTY WISCONSIN LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE 414 WEST MAIN, P.O. BOX 807 ELLSWORTH, WI 54011 Phone: Days: 715- 273 -6751, 24 HR Emergency 715 - 273 -5051 Fax No.: 715 - 273 -4047 LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE July 13, 2001 at 2:00 P.M. Joint LEPC meeting with Pierce and St. Croix County at the River Falls Ambulance Hall. PRESENT: Gary Brown, Mark Kimball Donna Moraska, Carol Denninger, Everett Muhlhausen, Bernard Drewiske, Brad Peterson, Jon Aubart, State Representative Kitty Rhoades Greg Place, Craig Olson, John Mortensen, Mike Lansing, Opal Darr, Dan Smith, Bill Dravis, Arthur Jacobson, Chuck Mehls, Greg Palmer, Tom Overby, Lois Ristow, Jack Colvard and attending from Victory Fireworks were Sarah Leonard, Jackie Schulte, Scott DeGross, and Jeff Conley EXCUSED: Bill Kirk Pierce County LEPC Chair, Mike Lansing, called the meeting to order at 2:00 P.M. After the meeting was called to order, all members and guests introduced themselves and the organization they represent. Minutes of the May 4, 2001 Pierce County LEPC meeting were approved on a motion by Opal Darr, seconded by Bernie Drewiske. Motion carried. Minutes of the April 6, 2001 St. Croix County LEPC meeting were approved on a motion by Art Jacobson, seconded by John Mortensen. Motion carried. Discussed the River Falls Exercise that took place on May 12,2001. This was a full -scale exercise that involved a simulated traffic accident with a pick -up truck pulling an anhydrous ammonia tank and colliding with a van. Earlier in the year, a tabletop exercise was held prior to this full -scale exercise. The exercise took place on 6 th Street and Cascade. The exercise was well attended with personnel from EMS, Law Enforcement, Fire, Public Works, students, and etc. Approximately 130 people were involved in the exercise including 11 evaluators. St. Croix County Director, Jack Colvard, stated there were a few problems that needed work, but all in all the exercise went well and it was a good learning experience for all. The St. Croix County Director did a written summary of the outcome of the exercise to send to the state. This paperwork was made available for members to review. Mike Lansing stated the anhydrous ammonia tank used for the exercise came from Working today for a better tomorrow Deiss and Nugent. Mike Lansing, owner of Deiss and Nugent, and Tom Overby, Assistant Manager, from Precision Ag Supply commented on the ammonia that is stolen out of anhydrous ammonia tanks for making drugs. Discussion on fireworks stored in Pierce County and St. Croix County. Four employees from Victory Fireworks were present to answer any questions the members may have, concerning the potential danger of stored fireworks in the county. One question brought up was, is it a law to have sprinklers installed in these buildings where fireworks are stored? An employee from Victory Fireworks stated these building are controlled by ATF. and sprinklers do not have to be installed. Victory Fireworks stated that ATF is all federally inspected and regulated. Fire inspectors inspect all the storage buildings once a year. Dan Smith, St. Croix County LEPC Chairman, stated that there are other dangerous business places that could blow up, such as gas stations and LPG places. Opal was concerned about the first responders if there were ever a problem. A remark was made that first responders are trained and would know what is going on and what to do. Discussion on the changes in the Emergency Management Grant was discussed next. The Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator is making changes in the grant distribution. Each county is eligible for so much money, based on the population of that county. Some counties chose not to participate in this grant. The Administrator proposed an adjustment in the base amount. The base amount for Emergency Management is $4,500.00. 75% of the grant is based on the population and 25% is based on the area. There will be a number of counties that will loose money and other counties will gain. Pierce and St. Croix County are on the loosing end. The counties that chose not to participate in the past will now automatically participate and receive grant money. The Administrator gave his presentation at a prior meeting and used population, area and the base to make up the formula. This formula is at proposal stage. If this formula is used, Pierce and St. Croix County will loose approximately $3,000.00 each in the next 4 to 5 years. The St. Croix County Director feels this is a political move from his stand point of view. Gary stated they should consider a liability issue. Kitty asked for some other formulas they could try. Currently, Emergency Management has a plan of work for the fiscal year and is required to do quarterly reports to the State of Wisconsin. If the change in the grant goes through and some counties loose money, we may only be required to report to the state semi - annually instead of quarterly. Jack stated many Directors that are against this change in the grant submitted comments to the State. Gary stated there will be a flex period of 3 -5 years, until every county gets what money they are suppose to get if this formula is used. Kitty suggested doing a hold harmless. Discussion took place on how often a joint meeting should take place with Pierce and St. Croix County. A decision was made to meet twice a year. The meeting will take place in River Falls since it is centrally located. The next joint meeting may take place in January of 2002. There was some discussion on contractors cleaning up trees, debris and hazardous materials in the town of Siren, WI., after the tornado. Contractors cannot go on private property, so this material needs to be brought to the street for them to pick up. It was mentioned that Tom Overby, Assistant Manager, from Precision Ag would be planning an exercise. The next meeting for Pierce County LEPC meeting is scheduled for October 3, 2001 at 3:30 P.M.in the EOC Room located in the basement of the Pierce County Courthouse. Meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m. on a motion by Arthur Jacobson, seconded by John Mortensen. Motion Carried. cc: Local Emergency Planning Committee Members County Clerk File County Board Members WC Region Office, WEM Burlington Northern Koch Refining Co Northern Natural Gas