GOLDEN GATE CANYON - The president of the Golden Gate Auxiliary announced her retirement during a regular meeting of the Golden Gate Canyon Fire Protection District at the Grange on July 24, 2025. The Board also approved direct mail cards and formed committees for the budget and bylaw review.

Board members present for the meeting were Deb Curlee, president; Marith Reheis, vice president; Mike Sever, treasurer; and Dave Primmer. Secretary Karla Grahn attended online.

The Board approved June 26, 2025, Meeting Minutes with Primmer voting no and saying they are too short.

During the Community Organization reports, Mary Preister announced her retirement as president of the Golden Gate Auxiliary of Colorado, Inc. She is moving to the Atlanta area to be near family. Sally Shiner will replace her as president, with Suzan Dentry continuing as vice president and Olga Kudznie as secretary.

Deb Curlee introduced a previous discussion on a Direct Mail Card campaign. She found a company that will send a card through the post office.

She said Mrs. Neer helped, saying that the district has 480 residences. It will cost $435 to mail each residence, and there is budget for direct mail. This will cover the post office boxes as well.

Curlee would like to go ahead with a post card promoting the new website, the pig roast, and signing up for email. It will be a 4x6 card with logo and QR code.

Curlee said that communication with residents is high on her list. Secretary Karla Grahn said to add an explanation as to why to sign up for email.

The Board approved the card with Primmer voting nay.

Grahn introduced a question about meeting minutes. She said the Board’s meeting minute policy does not include guidance on when we include public comment. Curlee said that according to Roberts Rules of Order, public comment is not included. Report what is done and not what is said.

All meetings are recorded and have closed captions. “We should keep minutes clear,” she said.

Marith Reheis, who used to take minutes, said she once included community comment and summarized the most pertinent comment.

Dave Primmer said the minutes should include the whole meeting. He pointed to Mountain-Ear reporter John Scarffe and said he does a better job than the minutes.

Under New Business, Primmer introduced a resolution that an executive committee is not needed. According to the resolution, an executive committee was formed but it is not necessary, as according to by-laws all Board members are equal.

Curlee said that according to the resolution the executive committee ended when the new board was elected. The motion did not receive a second.

Primmer introduced a motion that all five Board members are equal and have been elected to make financial decisions for the Golden Gate Fire District. All five Board members would have a vote before spending district money on lawyers.

Reheis said they would have to change the bylaws, which say the Board only needs a majority. Former Board Member Steve Green said that Dave’s concern is that attorneys are being hired outside of the Board.

The motion did not receive a second.

Reheis introduced the formation of a 5.1 Bylaws Committee. She said a lot of things in the Bylaws need to be updated to bring them in conformity with State laws.

She envisioned a two-person committee, with everyone having input and the ability to send information to the committee. Primmer said he will help with that, so the committee will be Reheis and Primmer.

The Board approved.

Primmer introduced a question on Salary and Payroll. He said they should change the chief to a salary job. Chief Kyle Benson said his salary is a capped amount. It’s not an hourly rate, and he was working one fire for 80 hours. It is a part-time position.

During his report, Benson requested an expenditure of $20,000, with reimbursement from the DFPC Firefighter Safety and Disease Grant, for 30 sets of Tec Gen Wildland/EMS and extrication PPE, which has been delivered.

The incoming gear will be inventoried prior to distribution to line. The cost, with $20,000 reimbursed, will be $4,164 out of the budget.

The Board approved.

Upcoming events include the Rummage Sale at the Grange on August 1 and 2, the annual pig roast on September 20, and the January 10 firefighter banquet.

For more information, go to goldengatefire.colorado.gov.