At a special meeting criticized for being improperly publicized, the Morongo Valley Community Services District announced that they would be meeting with the local firefighters’ union over employee grievances and the possibility of turning over a portion of department operations to the county. Reporter Jef Harmatz has the rundown of the meeting.
At Friday’s (December 10) special meeting, legal counsel cautioned the board against pursuing an agreement between the Morongo Valley Professional Firefighters Union and San Bernardino County Fire Protection District because the meeting itself had not been properly publicized. After two hours of closed session, the board announced that they would meet with the union on Tuesday, and that the union would have an opportunity to provide input on a possible service agreement with the county. At that Tuesday meeting, the board would also respond to letters of grievance that union members have submitted. Also discussed in closed session was a draft employment agreement presented to Deputy Fire Chief Jim Brakebill, who is expected to replace departing Chief of Operations Gary Yearsley. The board’s legal counsel suggested that the updates on Tuesday’s meeting with the union, as well as Brakebill’s employment agreement, would be presented at the CSD board’s regular meeting, scheduled for Wednesday (December 15).
