OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Evansville Fire Merit Commission Meeting - June 9, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, June 9, 2026
BodyEvansville, Indiana
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, June 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 15:34
Transcript — Verbatim
0:55

Good afternoon.

0:57

It is Tuesday, June the 9th, 2026, 4 p.m.

1:01

Calling to order the meeting of the Elvisville Fire Merit Commission.

1:04

Mr.

1:05

Secretary, do we have a quorum?

1:07

President, all members are here.

1:09

We have a quorum.

1:10

Okay.

1:10

First order of business is approval of minutes of the May 12th meeting.

1:15

And entertain a motion.

1:16

So move.

1:18

Has everyone had a chance to look them over?

1:20

Yes.

1:21

Any questions?

1:22

Seeing and hearing none.

1:23

All those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

1:26

Aye.

1:27

Motion carries.

1:39

Okay.

1:39

That was on the next one.

1:41

Okay.

1:42

Okay.

1:44

Also, we have the minutes for the special meeting for May the 26th.

1:48

I'd entertain a motion to approve those minutes.

1:52

So moved.

1:53

And a second.

1:56

Okay.

1:56

On to discussion.

1:57

Did everybody get a chance to read those?

1:59

I guess.

2:00

Okay.

2:01

Any questions?

2:04

Seeing and hearing none.

2:06

All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

2:08

Aye.

2:09

No opposed.

2:10

Motion carries.

2:26

Okay.

2:27

Uh next on the agenda is the approval of the written findings and conclusions from the May 26th 2026 disciplinary hearing.

2:36

I would accept a motion to approve the findings.

2:41

Mr.

2:41

President, we find this.

2:44

Then a second.

2:45

On to discussion, I there is some public discussion.

2:48

If you wanted to speak, now would be the time, Mr.

2:51

Alexander.

3:04

I wanted to speak to you today to tell you how I've been following the plan that I told you about in my testimony.

3:10

Every Monday at 6 p.m.

3:12

I have been meeting with reboot at Crossroads Christian Church.

3:16

It's a 12-week program.

3:18

I also went to my appointment on June 1st.

3:21

I want you to see the changes that I've made during this time.

3:25

I also want to ask you to help me.

3:27

I'm asking you to please reinstate me as a private and suspend me for 30 days or 60 or whatever you see fit.

3:56

We have the power to amend the outcome.

3:59

I'm not asking you to change the fact.

4:00

I've admitted to those.

4:17

I have felt the fear and the anguish and the option.

4:21

Let me show you that I'm sure that those that I commented about must have our due feel.

4:30

Just the outcome.

4:36

And I know that the Merit Commission has the right to appoint people to vote.

4:42

Suspend or terminate it.

4:44

Which I know that's what you guys voted to do, but I think that you can also vote to amend your decision, and I'm just asking that you do that.

4:56

Well, unfortunately, there are uh very specific steps in a very specific order that are laid out in the merit ordinance.

5:05

And my opinion is that since this was already adjudicated, uh we spent several hours discussing it in an executive session, and my understanding from talking to the attorney is that that opinion uh is to be final.

5:22

I don't know what your next step would be, and I don't know how to advise you on that because I'm not an attorney.

5:29

Uh my thought would be that, let me just ask this.

5:34

Is anybody as well?

5:36

Um Keith is uh on the phone.

5:40

Okay, thank you, Keith.

5:41

I can chime in President Dickinson.

5:43

Okay, Keith.

5:45

Um first off, Mr.

5:47

Alexander, we've not met, we've emailed I believe, but uh appreciate you coming in today.

5:53

Uh President Dickinson's right, final action has been taken with the termination happening, this board has no jurisdiction any further over Mr.

6:07

Alexander, and as Mr.

6:09

or as President Dickinson was alluding to, uh, there are very specific rules and in both the ordinance and the statute, Mr.

6:20

Alexander, that you need to follow if you want to appeal the decision.

6:24

You do have an appellate right, it just is not to this commission.

6:33

So after these after the findings, I'm sorry.

6:40

Uh he was asked who was speaking, and I know that uh Mr.

6:43

Alexander know.

6:44

Oh okay, sorry.

6:46

Um after the commissioners signed the findings, Chief Garrett will give you a copy, Mr.

6:53

Alexander, and at the I believe there's a statement in the findings themselves that tell you.

7:04

Uh it does, it's on page six.

7:09

It provides you the exact statutory type citation for you to initiate an appeal, and you're you're well within that time frame.

7:18

It's 30 days from the date of the hearing, so 30 days from May 26.

7:24

Uh the court reporter has advised us that she believes you'll have the transcript done by the 15th.

7:32

We'll make sure a copy is to you or your attorney.

7:35

So you have that also prior to filing uh any appeal if that's what you decide to do.

7:42

Mr.

7:42

Fondry, um Mr.

7:44

Alexander has uh requested that a copy be sent to him personally.

7:50

Do you still have counsel?

7:51

Yeah, that was exactly okay.

7:55

So I I I he's dismissed he's dismissed uh Mr.

8:00

Masseson is his counsel.

8:02

Okay.

8:03

Yes, we'll get it to the transcript directly.

8:07

Uh the best thing.

8:12

I mean, it was a couple hours.

8:14

The best thing would probably be to send it electronically.

8:18

So if if Mr.

8:20

Alexander, if you could get Chief Garrett your email address from me just to make sure I have it.

8:26

Um Mr.

8:28

Siriano will email it to you, or we will copy it onto a thumb drive and let you know it's available.

8:38

The satisfactory.

8:40

Okay, sir.

8:43

All right, thank you.

8:44

Thanks, Keith.

8:46

You're welcome.

8:48

Okay.

8:49

Yeah, it might as well keep it here.

8:51

Keith.

8:53

Okay.

8:58

I'll make sure that you do get that copy of that.

9:04

Okay.

9:05

We already had a first and a second on the approval, is that correct?

9:08

That's right.

9:09

All right.

9:10

Uh everyone has had a chance to read the findings of fact.

9:14

Yes, sir.

9:15

Okay.

9:15

Are there any questions or comments?

9:18

All right.

9:19

Seeing the hearing none.

9:20

All those in favor of approving the fact the findings of facts from the uh May twenty sixth hearing.

9:28

Signify by saying aye.

9:29

Aye.

9:30

Opposed.

9:31

The motion carries.

9:37

Sorry.

9:37

President Dixie, were you saying, are you asking for opposition or were you opposing?

9:41

I'm sorry.

9:29

I'm I approve.

9:43

Oh okay, I'm sorry.

9:44

Thank you, guys.

9:45

I'm putting that in there.

10:00

Okay, next on the agenda we have some bills to pay.

10:05

We will take them in order.

10:06

I would entertain a motion to pay the bill to ColorMax for 1,198.

10:15

Mr.

10:16

President, I move to approve the claim from ColorMax for $1,198 for two canopies and two table coverings.

10:22

To be used at uh promotional and recruitment events.

10:26

Second.

10:27

And a second.

10:28

On to the discussion.

10:29

I'm guessing Ken, this is just going to be a something that you'll have stored somewhere when you do go to an event.

10:34

You'll plan on we bought two sets, so they'll be kept at East Shiptops and West Shiptops.

10:40

So if the crews are going out to community events on like a weekend or an evening, you know, office obviously isn't open, they will have access to them.

10:47

Okay.

10:48

Alright.

10:49

Any other questions?

10:51

Seeing and hearing none.

10:53

Those in favor signify by saying aye.

10:55

Aye.

10:56

No both.

10:57

Motion carries.

10:59

Next, I would entertain a motion to pay the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office two hundred and seventy dollars and seventy-six cents for the first quarter of overtime.

11:10

So we will on a discussion.

11:14

Unfortunately, I guess we got a pair of bills.

11:17

We have 29 minutes or 20 minutes to finish.

11:19

We'd better hurry.

11:20

Alright.

11:21

Any further discussion?

11:23

Seeing and hearing none.

11:24

All those in favor of paying the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office $270.76 for overtime, 65% saying aye.

11:30

Aye.

11:31

Opposed.

11:34

And lastly, I would entertain a motion for mid-America Fire and Safety for 1,484 for retirement badges.

11:42

So we'll change.

11:44

Second.

11:45

Alright.

11:45

On to discussion.

11:47

How many badges did that get us, Kim?

11:50

$13, I think.

11:52

Watch.

11:53

Things have gone up, haven't they?

11:56

All right.

11:56

Any further questions?

11:59

Seeing and hearing none.

12:00

All those in favor of paying mid-America Fire and Safety $1,984 for retirement adjust.

12:06

Signify by saying aye.

12:08

Aye.

12:09

Opposed.

12:09

Motion carries.

12:12

Chief, I think we hear from you next.

12:20

Oh, Chief.

12:23

It doesn't sound like it.

12:25

So I wonder if it's unplugged because I have you with that podium.

12:28

It's uh it might just be a little bit unplugged there, Chief.

12:31

Looks like it's in, but it's not all the way in, maybe.

12:33

Uh it's a fire hazard.

12:36

Okay.

12:39

I'll talk about it.

12:41

Probably firefighter update.

12:43

Three of our spring recruits finished their fireframe and may have been assigned to stations.

12:49

Uh one went to each ship, so one is a and c be remaining four approves from the spring class are now in the G and T class.

12:57

They began last one day.

12:59

And they were joined by the nine new summer recruit class.

13:05

So they are all likely to be right.

13:07

Uh probationary periods.

13:10

Probationary firefighters, Chris Vivit, Jacob Fleming, Brendan Willem, Marquise Strump, Zane Dillon, and Jeffrey Taylor have all completed their probationary year and have been promoted to the rank of five.

13:25

Chad Jordan, Chad Buttery, and Joe Hall have all completed their probationary year as incident safety officer.

13:34

Dustin Klein has completed his probationary year as an inspector.

13:38

And Dustin Caposta has completed his probationary year as captain.

13:42

I do recommend to the commission that all the emotions can be made from.

13:47

We have had one to motion.

13:50

Our temporary captain, Matthew Masseson has been the voted back to the Senate.

13:56

So we have a commitment of uh Captain Gary Modley, kind of dressed for almost two years at the point of someone's back to work now.

14:04

And we did have three small disciplines.

13:59

We had a verbal warning issued or uh refusal of mandated callback, and we issued two coaching for failure to appropriately check their apparatus results in an empty work.

14:20

Can I ask on the what the deal was on the call in?

14:24

So I mean uh life and work starts checking if he had the kids, got mandated, so it'd be nice if we had a workaround for something like that.

14:37

I mean, I'm pretty sure if he would have left them at home and they wandered over to the neighbor's house, he'd probably get in discipline on that.

14:42

So all right.

14:44

Yeah, that's something to talk.

14:45

You guys can talk to the union about, I guess, and maybe get something to work at.

14:48

We've got a meeting on Friday and I would address one of the topics.

14:52

Okay.

14:53

Anybody have anything for the chief?

14:55

All right, thank you.

14:56

Thank you, thank you.

14:58

Does anyone have any new business to bring before the commission?

15:02

I didn't hear none.

15:04

You guys have anything?

15:05

Okay.

15:07

Okay, no, does we don't have any old business to discuss?

15:12

Uh and under other business, our next meeting will be July the 14th, 2026, in this room at 4 p.m.

15:20

So you can hearing no other business.

15:22

I would entertain a motion to adjourn.

15:24

I can make a motion to adjourn.

15:26

A second?

15:27

Second.

15:27

On a discussion.

15:28

Seeing and hearing none.

15:30

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

15:31

Aye.

15:32

Opposed.

15:33

Motion carries.

15:34

No,

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters█████████████████████████████████████████████95%
Pending Litigation██5%
Summary of Proceedings

Evansville Fire Merit Commission Meeting - June 9, 2026

The Evansville Fire Merit Commission met on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. with all members present, establishing a quorum. The meeting covered approval of prior minutes, a public request for reinstatement, approval of disciplinary findings, payment of bills, and a report from the Fire Chief.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of the May 12, 2026 meeting (unanimous).
  • Approved minutes of the special meeting on May 26, 2026 (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mr. Alexander (the disciplined firefighter) addressed the commission, stating he had been following a 12-week program at Crossroads Christian Church and attended an appointment on June 1. He admitted to the facts of his case, expressed remorse, and asked the commission to amend its decision by reinstating him as a private with a suspension of 30 or 60 days. He acknowledged the commission’s authority to suspend or terminate but requested leniency.
  • President Dickinson responded that final action had been taken and that the merit ordinance requires specific steps; the commission no longer had jurisdiction. Attorney Keith Fondry (via phone) confirmed that the board’s action was final, but noted Mr. Alexander has a right to appeal within 30 days of the May 26 hearing. He explained the findings of fact include the statutory citation for appeal, and a transcript would be provided to Mr. Alexander or his attorney (Mr. Masseson) by June 15. Mr. Alexander was advised to obtain a copy of the transcript electronically or via thumb drive.

Discussion Items

  • Approval of Written Findings and Conclusions from May 26, 2026 Disciplinary Hearing – After public comment, the commission voted unanimously to approve the findings of fact (motion carried with all ayes; no opposition noted).
  • Bills for Payment
    • ColorMax: $1,198 for two canopies and two table coverings for recruitment events (stored at East and West Shiptops). Approved unanimously.
    • Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office: $270.76 for first quarter overtime. Approved unanimously.
    • Mid-America Fire and Safety: $1,484 for retirement badges (13 badges, $114.15 each). Approved unanimously.
  • Chief’s Report
    • Training update: Three spring recruits completed Firefighter I and II and were assigned to stations (one per shift). Four remaining spring recruits entered the G&T class, joined by nine new summer recruits.
    • Promotions: Probationary firefighters Chris Vivit, Jacob Fleming, Brendan Willem, Marquise Strump, Zane Dillon, and Jeffrey Taylor completed their probationary year and were promoted to the rank of firefighter/EMT. Chad Jordan, Chad Buttery, and Joe Hall completed probation as Incident Safety Officer; Dustin Klein as Inspector; Dustin Caposta as Captain. Chief recommended all promotions to the commission.
    • Temporary Captain Matthew Masseson was voted back to the rank of firefighter (vacancy filled by Captain Gary Modley, who returned from injury after nearly two years).
    • Disciplinary actions: One verbal warning for refusal of a mandated callback (firefighter had to care for his children), and two coachings for failure to check apparatus resulting in an empty air cylinder. Chief noted the callback situation might need union discussion; a meeting was scheduled for Friday.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved minutes of May 12 and May 26 meetings (unanimous).
  • Approved written findings and conclusions from the May 26 disciplinary hearing, which terminates Mr. Alexander’s employment. The commission declined to reinstate or amend its decision; advised Mr. Alexander of his right to appeal within 30 days.
  • Authorized payments totaling $2,942.76 to ColorMax, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, and Mid-America Fire and Safety.
  • Chief’s recommended promotions were noted and will be formalized by motion at a future meeting.
  • Disciplinary actions (verbal warning and two coachings) were reported and accepted.
  • Next meeting scheduled for July 14, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. in the same room.
  • Meeting adjourned unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. It is Tuesday, June the 9th, 2026, 4 p.m. Calling to order the meeting of the Elvisville Fire Merit Commission. Mr. Secretary, do we have a quorum? President, all members are here. We have a quorum. Okay. First order of business is approval of minutes of the May 12th meeting. And entertain a motion. So move. Has everyone had a chance to look them over? Yes. Any questions? Seeing and hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries. Okay. That was on the next one. Okay. Okay. Also, we have the minutes for the special meeting for May the 26th. I'd entertain a motion to approve those minutes. So moved. And a second. Okay. On to discussion. Did everybody get a chance to read those? I guess. Okay. Any questions? Seeing and hearing none. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. No opposed. Motion carries. Okay. Uh next on the agenda is the approval of the written findings and conclusions from the May 26th 2026 disciplinary hearing. I would accept a motion to approve the findings. Mr. President, we find this. Then a second. On to discussion, I there is some public discussion. If you wanted to speak, now would be the time, Mr. Alexander. I wanted to speak to you today to tell you how I've been following the plan that I told you about in my testimony. Every Monday at 6 p.m. I have been meeting with reboot at Crossroads Christian Church. It's a 12-week program.

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