Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, Timberline Fire Protection District (TFPD) held their monthly board meeting online and via phone dial-in. In attendance were President Rick Wenzel, Treasurer Whitney Donoghue and Members-At-Large Chip Smith, Jeff Fisher and John Bushey. Others present included Fire Chief Paul Ondr and Secretary Jennifer Hinderman. Highlights included the Smith Hill Station update and the Chief’s Report.

The Pledge of Allegiance was said and a moment of silence held. Roll Call revealed all were present. There were no changes to the agenda. The regular meeting minutes of March 9, 2021, were approved. No public comments were made.

The March 2021 Treasurer’s Report of Unaudited Financials was presented. The net income for the first quarter of 2021 was $26,640.92. There were no questions.

New business included the Smith Hill Station update which concerns a piece of land and two bay fire station that was donated in 1978 by a couple that has since passed. The location, poor road, lack of volunteer base, small bays, and security issues make using the facility unrealistic.The last portion of the original deed maintains that it returns to the family if not being used for fire district purposes.

 TFPD has contacted the great-grandchildren, who have an interest in keeping the property in the family. A brief discussion followed regarding their willingness to compensate the district for the current improvements to the land.

Staff recommendation is to dispose of the land by the aforementioned method, contact legal counsel to see what it would go for on the open market, sell it to Golden Gate Canyon State Park, or, the least desirable option, keep it.

The only economic impact would be a very slight decrease based on not having utilities there. 

If there are proceeds from the disposal of the property, the district would consider using them for a portion of the following: Station 8 bathroom, driveway fill, Virginia Canyon land purchase or the Rollinsville station acquisition.

The board recommended seeking legal counsel before anything else is determined.

The Disaster Declaration was continued. The Chief’s Report followed, presented by Chief Ondr.

TFPD responded to 68 calls in March.They transitioned to the 800mhz radio system this morning at 10 a.m. Their current directives include fabric masks on all calls and N95 or P100 masks on ALL medical calls when closer than 20 feet to the patient.

They continue to reevaluate policies to limit exposure if someone becomes sick. They currently do not have anyone out or in quarantine and have adequate supplies of PPE with small amounts in reserve. Gilpin County has additional reserves, if needed.

They are providing the support staff for the vaccine clinics; three - four members for each clinic. They are doing paperwork, directing people, assisting people to the site, etc. If the member chooses to be paid they will be paid by TFPD and we will be reimbursed through OEM via federal Covid funding.

In Wildland news, three personnel assisted with a prescribed fire in Boulder yesterday.

Last weekend they held their first in-house 212 (Saws) class. Ninety percent of the department has completed RT130 and about 50% on pack tests.

They had a deployment meeting this afternoon and are putting the final touches on their deployment plans for this year.

They have been having weekly staff meetings in an effort to become more efficient and prioritize projects.

Ondr said, “I have been working to give recommendations on ways to improve access and egress from the Alps Hill area. I have given my recommendations to the Gilpin County Commissioners.”

There have been lots of new single family home building permits and he has been working to approve driveways.

He is evaluating options regarding our apparatus issues and the longevity of the International motor and chassis. He hopes to have some options to discuss at the next meeting.

TFPD had to replace both heaters at Station 8. They were about 10 years old, and the heat exchange in both had failed.

Their all-hands radio training and awards was a success. Thanks goes to BOD for attending and staffing the barbecue.

There was no public comment.

Meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m.

The next regular board meeting for Timberline Fire Protection District will be publicly and virtually held on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at 6 p.m. and can be accessed via their website under the “Board of Directors” tab.

(Originally published in the April 22, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)