Kirk C. Watkins, Jamestown. The Jamestown November Board of Trustees meeting took place on November 2, 2020. It was called to order at 7:03 p.m. In attendance were trustees Loving, Yahnke, Bedell, Mueller, Box, Brancato, and Mayor Tara Schoedinger. The minutes from the September 14, October 5 and October 15 meeting were approved unanimously. 

The town clerk and treasurer update was given by the town clerk, Kristi Rutledge. She announced a budget workshop scheduled for Monday, November 9, which was delaying the submission of budgets until completion of the workshop. 

Seth Strickland gave an overview of the Jamestown Volunteer Fire Department (JVFD) involvement in the CalWood fire response. Strickland reported that the day of the fire, October 17, was the planned training day for the department. They had completed their planned training when the alarm was sounded. Fire personnel were already dressed and prepared, but in the time that it took for them to respond, the fire had increased from one acre to seventy-five acres. He reported “forty to fifty mile per hour winds,” and that they were approximately the fourth truck on the scene. 

Seth Strickland, David Mans, Jaye Brotherton, Rich Kane, Clay Bedell, Michael Box, Richard Fickett, and Arne Metzger were some of the volunteer firefighters that responded and fought the fires into the night, doing direct attacks and building the fire line, supporting other crews that were working the fire. They supported the fire effort until the 23rd, providing help not only with manpower but with fire trucks and vehicles. 

Strickland noted that there was out of date paperwork and that Kristi Rutledge had provided assistance getting those files up to date. Strickland is now working on getting the department agency compliance in order to “Red Card” individuals, which would allow firefighters to work on fires out of town as paid professionals.

Michael Box added that the paperwork and the licensing that was being completed would provide for added financial compensation for firefighters that worked for more than twenty-four hours, and that there was a billing rate for the use of the trucks that the JVFD owned at the firehouse. Total compensation would be $8400.00 for material use on the response. Strickland informed the board that the Division Chief had signed off on the reimbursement, and Box said that the funds would go directly to the fire department to cover expenses. Strickland reported that there were other qualifications that would help the department become more effective and would benefit the team and front range fire responses. 

BOARD ACTION ITEMS

Discussion, Direction, Action:

1. Discussion and Approval of use of Town Square for Merc 

The Jamestown Mercantile was represented by Rainbow Schultz, who proposed using the town park for dinner events with bands entering the fall season, as the porch at “The Merc” was not big enough to allow for bigger crowds that were properly social distancing. She also proposed having food options and drinks available for visitors. Schultz said that the events would be no more than twice a month. Lastly, she mentioned having an event for Christmas with a social distanced Santa and a possible Christmas tree, with a children’s event. 

Mayor Schoedinger stated that the guidelines for gatherings were becoming stricter, which would be difficult for the town to monitor. Michael Box noted that the current fire ban restricted any fire activities, except for the propane heaters on the porch, so current fire guidelines would be observed. The board suggested keeping it flexible and staying in communication with the town regarding logistics, to which Schultz agreed.

Trustee Michael Box made a motion to allow a series of outdoor events with the caveat that if the Covid restriction changed the events would be adjusted accordingly. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

2. Discussion and Approval of the direction for Floodplain Administration for the Town.

Sterling Bennink is being placed in a leadership role for consulting as the Floodplain advisor. He will be assisting with education and advising on areas of floodplain management between the town and the city of Boulder. 

FEMA wants to perform a community assistance visit, which would require all of the permits and certificates to be pulled from the past five years. It would be an administrative review of the paperwork, which would require Bennink’s assistance, and is required to maintain the certification with the National Flood Insurance program. Schoedinger gave other examples where Bennink could be utilized. 

No motion was necessary to be passed for this recommendation. 

3. Discussion and Approval of Resolution 2020, 11-24, BOCO/USFS MOU:

Trustee Loving explained that Boulder County and the Forest Service are putting together an umbrella group to address wildfire prevention and forest health. They hope to incorporate all of the mountain town and other consortiums and committees in the area. The resolution gives the mayor of Jamestown the authority to sign and include Jamestown in the MOU. Loving recommended a change in language from “forest service” to “Boulder County USFS” since that is how they refer to themselves. Loving informed the board that there was no requirement for representation. In order to ensure inclusion in the process, the board agreed to approve the resolution. Seth Strickland volunteered to represent the town, due to his history with similar efforts. 

The resolution passed unanimously.

4. Discussion and Approval of Resolution 2020, 11-25, St. Vrain Forest Health Partnership:

According to Trustee Loving, the resolution encourages the formation of local groups and committees of concern. This committee, in particular, deals with forest health and wildfire mitigation. The resolution states that Jamestown is interested in supporting the St. Vrain Forest Health Partnership and that Jamestown will provide representation to their monthly meetings. The territory includes the area between Jamestown and Lyons, to the front range. Loving explained that there were numerous consortiums which were centered around watershed and wildfire issues, that Jamestown historically supported, but typically did not have representation at. 

Trustee Loving made a motion to pass the motion, which passed unanimously.

5. Discussion and Approval of Covid-19 community update proposal #7:

Due to the CalWood fire, the resolution passed at last month’s meeting was postponed. Ken Lenarcic updated the proposal on Covid-19 education and spoke about the conditions that were expected when transitioning indoors for the winter months. He also said that he would update the paperwork.

The resolution was voted on and passed unanimously.

Board Committee Reports

Land Use and Housing Advisory Committee (LUHAC): Barbara Byrnes Lenarcic said the October 20 meeting was cancelled due to the fire. Revised paperwork regarding fees for violating town ordinances and sent to the mayor and town clerk. They are awaiting response from CML.

Next meeting is November 17 to update “Good Neighbor” guidelines and strategize how to follow other community successes in developing our own. Continued work on bonding and construction projects.

Water Operations and Water Committee: Trustee Loving reported that during the water test there was a problem with the chlorine rate adjustment which is in work. Ordered new upgrades and scheduled routine inspections for November. 

A question was asked concerning who is qualified to run generator in emergency situations. Loving said four were trained and gave list of names. 

Jamestown Volunteer Fire & EMS: Michael Box spoke about incoming landlines and incoming internet wiring, battery power and backup power. Box said that during the fire he had observed the power companies connect backup power sources and said he was able to duplicate the process in future situations. This would be critical for communications in future emergency situations. Recommended setting up more permanent backup power access. Need to do research and potentially develop systems, with sensitivity to residents. Resolved to speak with CenturyLink about options. 

Trustee Box thanked fire department for their hard work and professionalism. Schoedinger reminded the board that there was a siren available for alarm in future crises.

Streets & Bridges: Trustee Bedell reported on traffic delineators that had been installed in town to control traffic speeds in town. She has organized a crew to maintain delineators and has them installed. 

Trustee Mueller reported on the 16th Street reconstruction, to be started in mid-November. Estimated cost is $6000.00 and will be using local workers, in order to keep costs low. Also, the concrete swale that had been planned was amended to using the preexisting culvert with a catchment on Mesa Street by the school. 

Mayor Schoedinger requested a statement of work from Buddy Kihm for the town records. Work does not require bonding, but paperwork needs to be completed. Trustee Bedell will oversee paperwork completion.

Parks: Michael Box said he didn’t have anything to report. Schoedinger requested for Box to ensure that the key to the fire department was returned to the lockbox after use. Box said that the parks and their irrigation systems are shut down for the season.

Cemetery: Trustee Yahnke had nothing to report.

Garden Committee: Trustee Brancato working on spending the rest of the budget and wrapping up projects. One project involves turning an area along the road into pumpkin patch, with Three Sisters style corn and beans with an effort towards aesthetics. Mentioned that Lynn Wilbur may be creating community garden signs, similar to other signs around Jamestown.

Town Hall Maintenance: Trustee Yahnke had nothing to report.

Lefthand Watershed Center: Nobody was able to attend the meeting due to CalWood fire but attended another meeting. Discussed fire and impacts, and meeting schedules. The meeting was adjourned. 

The next meeting of the Jamestown Board of Trustees will be Monday, December 7, 2020, at 7 p.m. 

(Originally published in the November 26, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)