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Kiniski is new fire division chief

By Meg Olson

At the last meeting of the board of commissioners for fire district #5, Nick Kiniski took the reins as division chief, only a few months after he made the transition from volunteer to career firefighter.

In a quick rise through the ranks, Nick Kiniski was appointed division chief by the full board of North Whatcom Fire and Rescue Services (NWFRS) on February 6. Jim Rutherford, division chief for fire district 13 and de facto chief at the two other districts in NWFRS due to staff shuffles, said the move ironed out staffing, operational and financial issues. “They needed some leadership there I was unable to provide,” he said. “It also gives him more flexibility to cover calls outside of work hours. As managers, division chiefs are exempt from firefighter union limits on hours worked before overtime charges kick in.”

After division chief Mike Cadden resigned last year, claiming that 24-hour responsibility for the quick-response vehicle was too much of a burden, district #5 commissioners took the advice of former NWFRS chief Mike Campbell and appointed two firefighters to take his place. Kiniski, a volunteer, was hired to one of those positions and Kevin Biery from the NWFRS pool of career firefighters took the other. Biery resigned for personal reasons in January, after two months on the job.

At their February 13 meeting, district 5 commissioners once again faced a disgruntled audience with more questions about department finances, business dealings and candor. Kiniski appeared to be a big part of the solution.

“I’m puzzled that at this rate of expenditure and income how are you going to balance the books?” asked Bruno Moras. “You’ve got to cut expenditures.” The 2003 budget for the department presented in December by NWFRS finance manager Kent McLelland projected expenditures of $292,000 for the year. Projected tax revenues are $192,000 but revenues also include rent from the bingo operation and the Wellness Clinic and $50,000 drawn from department reserves.

“There have been several things in the works that didn’t come to fruition,” commissioner Jesse Lofquist answered Moras. He cited plans last year to ask voters for a tax increase above the yearly limit set by the state which, if successful, would have meant more revenue for the department in 2003. “That didn’t occur; however, the budget process has gone through. We will continue to make adjustments to balance the budget.” Kiniski’s promotion and the elimination of the other firefighter’s position was highlighted as one such cost-cutting move.

McLelland didn’t have good news with the first numbers of 2003, with month-end figures for January $1,000 over budget. However, he said the funds represented an expense that had been budgeted for next month. “We’re saying we’re over budget but technically we’re not,” he said. Commissioners continued with last month’s trend of scrutinizing the month’s bills, with both Lofquist and fellow commissioner Davea Fisher asking a dozen questions each about the bills.

As commissioners moved on with business, they hurried past the two issues that had drawn many to the meeting. The first issue was the proposed sale of the Julius Fire station to the Point Roberts water district and the other the Wellness Clinic due to go in to the west side of the main hall.

Fisher said she had received a telephone request for more information about the proposed sale conditions from water board president Madeleine Anderson. “She called me and told me they had met last night,” she said, adding Anderson had requested further information to clarify the potential sale and its conditions. “They will hold a special meeting before the month is through and it will be first on their agenda.” The referenced letter, dated January 9, said the fire department accepted the water district’s bid of $90,099 for the station but would only sell them the station on the condition they could park vehicles there for the next two years.

At the water district meeting the previous evening district manager Dan Bourks told commissioners he had met with NWFRS administrator Dave Crossen earlier and fire department administration appeared to be in no hurry to proceed with the sale. “They’re concentrating on the Wellness Clinic right now and getting that in order,” he said. “There’s no advantage to paying someone for a building and then renting it back to them.”

As a public agency the water district can’t give away funds or assets, or their use. “I’d rather close the sale when they’re prepared to leave,” said water commissioner Lorne Neilson. Anderson said several things needed to be clarified and a special meeting to act on the proposed sale was not mentioned.

At their February 13 meeting fire commissioners also voted to approve an interlocal agreement with the city of Blaine to use their small works roster to make improvements to the fire station, specifically for the Wellness Clinic. The agreement allows the district to offer jobs under $200,000 to contractors on the city’s approved list without offering them for bid first, which can expedite construction. Lofquist would not entertain audience questions regarding the project. “If you’ve got questions drop in and ask Nick but we’ll carry on with business,” he said.

The question of how open the district was to public scrutiny was again an issue, after commissioners approved a resolution confirming their regular meeting at 2 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month.

“Is there any reason we can’t have this meeting in the evening, when more members of the community can attend,” John Lesow asked. Lofquist answered there were scheduling conflicts with other NWFRS meetings but that commissioners and staff would continue to look for ways to schedule an evening meeting.

Moras also questioned the recently established department policy of only responding to requests for information submitted in writing, which Lofquist had directed several audience members with questions to do. “I heard during the meeting of a request come in from the water board by telephone,” he said. “You seem to be very inconsistent.” Fisher insisted the request had ended up in writing. “So I said to her you’ll have to dictate it to me and I’ll write it down,” she said.

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