Iowa APCO Fall Conference Business Meeting

1:00 P.M. October 2nd, 2007

Holiday Inn Hotel Merle Hay Road Des Moines

 

Meeting was called to order at 12:59 P.M. Motion was made to approve the agenda by Lora Phillips of Johnson County. Motion was seconded by Billie Huffman of Bettendorf PD. Motion was made to approve the minutes of the last meeting dated March 28th, 2007 from the Spring Conference by Wendi Hess of Woodbury County. The motion was then seconded by Jill Randolph of Cedar County.

 

President Judy Flores at this time welcomed Chris Moore of Pottawattamie County to the executive board as at At-Large member. Chris has always been involved in APCO and will be a welcome addition to the board.

 

The next item on the agenda was the treasurer’s report from Eric Nevins of Des Moines PD. Nevins explained that the account had a beginning balance of $11,766 and had deposits totaling $19,238. It had deductions totaling $19,981 for an ending balance of $11,023. The Joanne Perkins scholarship had a beginning balance of $10,063 and gained interest totaling $259 for an ending balance of $10,322. End of financial report.

 

The next item was the Executive Council report also presented by Eric Nevins. Nevins

has a five page report but would explain the highlights. He recently attended 2 days of meetings and they meet in January and August. There are 55 members of the executive council (1 from each Chapter) and they serve as an oversight committee to the Board of Directors. They worked on goals, business plans, the budget, and the policy manual. They are expecting a $600,000 shortfall in projected revenue mostly due to fewer Frequency license applications. They had to trim some areas of the budget. There were also 12 resolutions sent to the Constitution and By-Laws committee which were approved. Nevins also encouraged everyone to look at the website as National has changed some things. There are new highlighted features called Act – Learn – and Connect.

 

Committee reports followed the Executive Council report. They were as follows:

 

Activities & Membership – Wendi Hess, Woodbury County, recapped the Spring Conference attempt at a new membership drive and recognition of members at the Telecommunicator of the Year awards banquet. Hess explained she would like input from the membership on ways to improve upon what was started to make this Spring even better.

 

Historical – Julie Twedt, Hardin County, was absent.

 

Training – Sarah McClure, Ames PD, was absent.

 

Telecommunicator of the Year – Teresa Todd, Washington County, gave a report explaining that they will be gearing up for the 2008 Spring Conference. Todd explained that there are hand outs in the packets with the details and the names of her committee members. They are Judy Top from Osceola County, Billie Huffman from Bettendorf PD, Paula Harris from Worth County, Butch Gibbs from Wayne County, Dina Jones from Story County, and Todd. Nominees do not need to be a member of APCO to be nominated. Nominees must be employed between March 1, 2007 and March 1, 2008.

 

Frequency Advisory – Rich Hester, Iowa State Patrol, was absent.

 

Telecommunicator Training Board – Billie Huffman, Bettendorf PD, advised that she was newly appointed and had not been to a meeting yet.

 

Iowa E911 Council – Doug Slagle, Marion PD, discussed the Interoperability Grant briefly and praised John Benson for exploring new technology. Slagle advised that Benson deserves a lot of credit. He also explained that they meet every 2 months and do have traveling meetings. Everyone is encouraged to try to attend the Council meetings.

 

Promotions – vacant

 

Legislative – Bob Seivert, Shelby County, and Wendi Hess, Woodbury County, filled in. Dispatchers still would like to be in the protected class and there is a current push to add jailers. This will create inequality between those dispatchers who are jailers as well and those who are not. There was an IPERS survey conducted which provided valid information. ISSDA has said in the past that they would not support the dispatchers. We need to present to the Benefits Advisory Committee. This is an IPERS bill year and the jailers seem to have successfully lobbied. Everyone was urged to contact their unions. The line dispatchers need to speak out. To be considered you need to meet certain criteria and they do not think there is any danger in our positions or that we are physically challenged. When asked about a timeline they stated that we must act now because we are behind the ball. It was explained that the Benefits Advisory Committee listens to proposals and makes recommendations to IPERS. From there it would go to the bill writers and they would draft legislation. It would then move on to the session. There is a hearing scheduled for November 1st, 2007. Michele Bott, Clinton County, asked if a letter could be drafted and placed on the website for members to download and sign. There are 6-8 points detailing what hazards we must face in our profession to be considered. It will be difficult to get in this year. Judy Flores, Blackhawk County, explained that Iowa APCO has been looking at a lobbyist to help with the process.

 

Strategic Planning – vacant

 

Corporate Advisory – currently vacant, however we are looking to appoint Stacey Gross of Geo-Comm and Jeff Yates of Wahl-Tek in a joint venture.

 

First Responder Advisory – Randy Thompson, Mills County, was absent. Judy Flores has a report from Thompson on the PSIC grant and will get that to Mark Van Hooser, Buena Vista County, to put on the website.

 

Under new business there was a request for a lifetime membership from Dave Murray, Keokuk PD, and Lora Phillips, Johnson County. Judy Flores read the letter from them nominating Jan Visser, Department of Public Safety, for a lifetime membership. Visser meets the criteria for a lifetime membership and the executive board voted to send the request to the membership for a vote. Joe McCarville made a motion to approve the presentation of a lifetime membership to Jan Visser. The motion was seconded by Michele Bott. The motion carried with no opposition. Visser was presented with a plaque from Iowa APCO for her contributions to the chapter over the years. She will be missed after her upcoming retirement from Public Safety.

 

Motion was made to adjourn at 1:29 P.M. by Lora Phillips, Johnson County, and seconded by Dave Murray, Keokuk PD. Meeting was adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Cara L. Sorrells, Iowa APCO Secretary