At approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, Timberline Fire Protection District (TFPD) held their monthly board meeting at Station 3 located at 19126 Highway 119, Black Hawk. President Rick Wenzel, Vice President John Bushey, Member at Large John Carder, Member at Large Whitney Donoghue, and Member at Large Mary Kate McKenna attended the meeting. Also present were Fire Chief Paul Ondr and Administrative Chief Jennifer Hinderman.

Highlights included a Pension Board meeting, public comments, the Fritz Peak Observatory’s historical designation and remodel, and the Chief’s Report.

The Board recessed from its regular board meeting and convened as the Pension Board of Trustees. Rob Savoy’s retirement application was approved, with thanks for his 11 years of service.

A motion was made to recommend a contribution of at least $22,322 in 2023 in order to get the maximum amount of State-matched funds. The motion was carried to bring this recommendation to the Board of Trustees.

The Pension Board meeting was concluded and the Board of Trustees meeting reconvened.

During public comment a grievance was heard from Scott Griffith about the amount and timeliness of payments for deployment as a volunteer firefighter, with pay being delayed over a year in one case. Griffith stated that his W-2 per diem payment was less than it should be, and that a corrected W-2 was not sent on time. President Wenzel appointed a special committee, and Carder and Donoghue volunteered to investigate the complaint within the next 30 days and to deliver a preliminary response by the next Board meeting.

Another public comment was made by Ryan Roberts, who presented a complaint that the process used to cancel the September 6 meeting was illegal and “openly and wantonly violated the Colorado Sunshine Act.”

He asserts that “the Board of Directors canceled a public meeting with a secret vote.” Roberts asked in his complaint letter that President Wenzel step down from his position as president of the Board. A special committee will be assigned to address this complaint. Wenzel thanked Roberts for his comment.

New business included discussion of the wildland position and the 2023 draft budget. There was a motion made to extend the wildland position through December 18 and all were in favor. Ondr proposed workshop meetings to discuss the 2023 draft budget, and meeting dates were set. Donoghue moved to change the November 8 regular meeting to November 29 to allow for additional workshops.

Old business included an update on the Observatory historical designation and remodel. The Board approved supporting the resolution approving the historical designation of the Fritz Peak Observatory building as a historic landmark with minor amendments. There will be construction of an approximately 40 by 60-foot, three-bay addition and changes to the facade as depicted in Exhibit A. Ondr will present the resolution to the Gilpin County Commissioners for approval at their next meeting. The motion carried.

During the Chief’s report, Ondr reported that TFPD responded to 75 calls in August and 42 in September.

Thanks went to Chief Schimanskey for handling all the scheduling for the B shift and the members who helped fill it.

Thanks also went to Wenzel for all the time he has spent in the office helping with several projects including the historical preservation issue, the sewer line, and a recent CORA request.

In mitigation news, the work around the cell tower and water tank is 70 percent complete.

Brush 56 has returned from California after 14 weeks of work. B56 has been relisted with a new crew. Ondr said that during these lengthy deployments, the department had never had volunteers deployed who weren’t on the regular payroll. To correct for this situation, they have devised a regular base pay of 40 hours per week for those volunteers. Any differences found in additional pay will be made up after the contractual obligations of the deployment have been determined.

After submitting a request for mitigation funds from the County for 2023, Ondr reported that he has been told that they will receive some of the requested amount but probably not all of it.

In Administration news, TFPD cannot accept credit card payments for mitigation, sprinkler inspections, impact fees, donations, etc.

There is a new in-district volunteer at Station 7.

The holiday party will be held at the clubhouse at the fly-fishing club on December 2. This will be a plus-one RSVP event when invitations are sent.

The Stage Stop will be hosting a haunted house this month and Timberline was asked to be involved. A portion of the proceeds will go to TFPD. Ondr invited anyone who wants to dress up or be involved to let him know.

The next regular board meeting for Timberline Fire Protection District will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at 6 p.m. at Fritz Peak building, 19126 Highway 119, Black Hawk.