At approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, Timberline Fire Protection District (TFPD) held their monthly board meeting at their recently acquired station, formerly known as Fritz Peak Observatory. 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 included the approval of an IGA between Black Hawk and TFPD, the transfer and intended donation of the Smith Hill property, and the Chief’s Report.

An intergovernmental agreement (IGA) for automatic mutual aid was presented between the City of Black Hawk and Timberline Fire Protection district.

Since the adoption of the original mutual aid agreement, an inspection IGA and issuance order have been added. The City has since annexed certain properties into the city, and the parties both desire to update the various IGAs to better reflect the current boundaries of each entity and further authorize mutual aid and automatic aid. The IGA was approved with all in favor.

The transfer of property via the Special Warranty Deed for Smith Hill, also known by street and number as 2236 Smith Hill Road, was approved by the Board, allowing the Paul R. and Anna Lee White Family Charitable Trust to purchase the property from TFPD in the amount of $59,704.

Next on the agenda, the intent to donate the Smith Hill Property was presented. It is the intent of the TFPD and the White Family Trust that the Property be donated to the Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

Given the lengthy process of donation and the uncertainty of acceptance by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the execution and delivery of the Special Warranty Deed is not contingent upon the donation of the Property. The Parties further agree that Timberline will reasonably assist the Trust in its donation efforts. The agreement was approved with all in favor.

The Chief’s Review went well. Chief Ondr is meeting and/or exceeding the expectations of the board.

TFPD responded to 76 calls in July.

Mitigation work continues and new jobs are being secured at about the same pace that they are completed. County mitigation work around the cell tower and water tank on the north side of Dory Hill is underway. Chief Ondr is working on the County mitigation funds request form for next year, which is due at the end of the month.

All fire restrictions were dropped this week.

TFPD just completed the onboarding of 10 new volunteer firefighters across the district.

TFPD employees would like to thank the BOD (Board of Directors) for the temporary pay increase.

The department will be having a spaghetti dinner and all-hands meeting on September 27 at Fritz Peak Station at 6 p.m.

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