At approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 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 as well as Fire Chief Paul Ondr and Administrative Chief Jennifer Hinderman. Highlights of the meeting included new lease agreements, appointing the Designated Elected Official (DEO) for the upcoming election and the Chief’s Report.

Correspondence included a thank you letter to Robert Smith from the Timberline Board thanking him for use of the clubhouse for the Christmas party.

The board approved the minutes from the December 14 regular meeting with no discussion.

No public comment was made.

The unaudited financials for December 2022 were presented by Chief Hinderman.

New business included Station 4’s contract/lease agreement with Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC). The proposed contract would lease most of the property located at 448 Pine Drive in Black Hawk, but TFPD would keep a Type 1 engine in the remaining bay. The lease goes through March 31, 2026. TFPD would be responsible for replacing most of the flooring, repairing the rear gutter, and repainting the interior.

Ondr presented the lease for Station 7 with Gilpin Ambulance Authority (GAA) for the premises located at 660 Highway 46 in Black Hawk. The rent will be $2,675 per month and last one year. The High Country Auxiliary may use the kitchen for meal preparation.

Carder moved to approve Station 4’s lease with DFPC. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Bushey made a motion to approve the lease, as amended, with the Gilpin Ambulance. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Wenzel presented the Resolution calling for the 2023 regular district election and appointing the Designated Elected Officials (DEO) to oversee the election. The regular election will be held on May 2, 2023, and the terms of office of Directors John B. Bushey, Mary Kate McKenna and Richard M. Wenzel III, shall expire after their successors are elected and will serve a term of four years.

The election will be held between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on May 2, and the polling place will be at Station No.5, 14908 Highway 119 in Black Hawk. The BOD designated Micki L. Mills as the DEO to oversee the conduct on behalf of the District, publish the call for nominations, appoint election judges, appoint the Canvas Board, arrange the required notices, printing of ballots, and other duties.

Bushey made a motion to approve the resolution appointing the DEO. All were in favor and the motion carried.

If there are not more candidates than offices, of which there are three available, the DEO shall cancel the election and declare the candidates elected.

Old Business included progress reports on Station 9, 3 and an apparatus purchase. Station 9 in Virginia Canyon was behind schedule because permits took longer to obtain than foreseen. The sewer line is done. Two engines should be put in service in March since their inspections are almost done.

During the Chief’s report, Ondr reported that TFPD responded to 59 calls in December and had a yearly total of 731 calls in 2022. Calls made to TFPD see an average increase of five percent each year. TFPD provided coverage for Golden Gate Fire and Nederland Fire during their holiday events.

In Wildland/Mitigation News, the Forest Service has begun burning piles with TFPD assisting. The project is being reimbursed like any other deployment.

The Mitigation Coordinator has burned piles at a few of TFPD’s private jobs and firefighters have burned some of the piles at the cell tower project.

In Administration News, volunteer interviews are occurring over the next two weeks, with eight currently scheduled. Chief Hinderman is closing out everything from 2022.

Ondr met with the Director of Community Development about impact fees being paid directly as opposed to the county. TFPD is planning to begin accepting payments on April 1.

Ondr also met with the State Historical Society regarding the next round of historical preservation grants. The Board will be submitting for the roof replacement at Station 3.

In Training News, the training calendar is out. This week is “stress week” where paid staff and some volunteers participate in full day physical training that they chose to put themselves through to ensure their readiness.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:40 p.m.

The next regular Board meeting for Timberline Fire Protection District will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 6 p.m. at Fritz Peak building, 19126 Highway 119, Black Hawk, Colorado 80422.