02-10-2022 Minutes City of Ocoee
Minutes of the Citizen Advisory Council for the Ocoee Fire Department
Regular Meeting Held February 10, 2022
I. CALL TO ORDER
The CACOFD meeting was called to order by Chair Vaughn at 6:02 pm in the Station 25 Training Room,
located at 563 S. Bluford Avenue.
Pledge of Allegiance was performed by Chair Vaughn, followed by a Moment of Silence.
Roll Call and Determination of Quorum: Recording Clerk Ramos performed roll call and declared a quorum
present.
Members in Attendance: Chair Vaughn, and Members Channell, Richardson, and Moyer
Members Absent: Lawrie, and Orme
Also Present: Commissioner Firstner, and Deputy Chief Smothers
Guest: Tom Legvold
II.BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION
A. Old Business:Approval of Minutes for May 13, 2021
Chair Vaughn stated, since it's been almost a year since the last meeting, for the Board to take a moment
and review the minutes from the last meeting, and if anyone had any questions or concerns to please discuss.
No questions or issues were discussed.
Motion to Approve May 13, 2021, Minutes; Moved by Member Richardson, seconded by Member Moyer.
Motion carried unanimously.
B. New Business:
Chair Vaughn discussed the passing of Captain James "Butch" Coschignano who was one of the original
paid firefighters in 1971.A service will be held on February 19th at Glad Tidings Church.
Chair Vaughn introduced Tom Legvold as a potential new Member. Mr. Legvold shared he has lived in
Ocoee 20 years, his son is a firefighter, and he has learned the workings of firefighters through his son who
encouraged him to join the council.
Chair Vaughn then introduced Member Moyer and asked him to share some words. Member Moyer stated
he has lived in Ocoee for 2 years, and is on a few advisory boards for the City of Ocoee.
Chair Vaughn asked what the 2022 council budget was.Deputy Chief Smothers advised$1,000.00. Chair
•Vaughn then stated, out of this budget the council could recognize Firefighter of the Year and retirees, buy
tokens from the local trophy shop and present them. He then asked for a motion.
Motion to Approve use of Budget Funds to Award Firefighter of the Year and Recognize Retirees; Moved by
Member Moyer, seconded by Member Richardson.Motion carried unanimously.
CACOFD Regular Meeting
February 10,2022
C. Under Construction: City Growth:
Deputy Chief Smothers discussed the growth of Ocoee: Sonny's BBQ is currently vertical and should be
completed by early spring; A new Advent Centra Care on Maguire Road and W. Colonial Drive; On the south
side will be a 5-story apartment building on Old Winter Garden Road,which will be called Albi; There will be a
Self-Storage on Tomyn Boulevard; The previously named Ocoee Café on Mckey will now split for a DG
Doughnuts and a Penguin Snowball snow cone shop; There will be an assisted living facility called Arya with 143
units.
D. Deputy Chief Smothers Comments:
Deputy Chief Smothers stated the department was in the process of redoing accreditation which includes
strategic planning for five (5), ten (10), and 15-year windows, and will also include apparatus, staff, and
station needs for the growth in the city.
Chair Vaugh asked about a permanent fire station for station 38. Deputy Chef Smothers stated it has been
brought up and that station was set to move out from the Publix shopping center, was going to be in a trailer
for a year/year-and-a-half and then be moved over to a permanent fire station,but COVID occurred in March
of 2020 and put that on hold; however, the issue has not been forgotten. It will be a topic of next year's
budget talk.
• Chair Vaugh asked if the 2022 budget reflects any of the preparation for the new station as far as equipment
or manpower. Deputy Chief Smothers stated that the department is good with equipment and manpower at
the moment.The 2022 budget does not take the move into consideration,but the department will start meeting
with the crew next month for the 2023 budget. The fire department split responsibilities for budget planning.
The lieutenants and some engineers have responsibilities for different areas within the department, and will
meet with Deputy Chief Smothers and Chief Miller to go over projections and budgets of what will be needed
next year. Once everything is worked out there will be a meeting with Finance and the City Manager, and
then a presentation to the City Commission.
•
E. Transport Update:
Deputy Chief Smothers stated transport has been excellent since it was taken over in January 2019,and they
are exceeding predicted numbers. .Fiscal 2021 had 4,081 calls that were provided patient care, and out of
those the transports were 3,805, which shows the department is doing a fantastic job of being able to handle
continuing care from start to finish with two full time units. The Peak Unit was utilized during the live fire
training at the academy to make sure personnel received facility hours and fire exposure training. Each crew
was able to attend training together and the Peak Unit was busy the whole time. Commissioner Firstner
asked what the transport revenue looked like last year. Deputy Chief Smothers advised the department
collected just over a million dollars, which was more than the projection of$700,000.
M. SET NEXT AGENDA
Chair Vaughn received input from the council members and set the agenda for the next meeting,which will
be held on May 12, 2022. Agenda was established as below:
A. Old Business—Approval of Minutes for February 10, 2022
B.New Business
C. Under Construction- City Growth
D. Transport Update
E. Chiefs Comments
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CACOFD Regular Meeting
February 10,2022
IV. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 6:46 pm.
ATTEST: APPROVAL:
Recording Clerk Chair son
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