Jacqueline Hart, Gilpin County.   The Timberline Fire Protection District regular monthly board meeting was held Wednesday, December 12, at Station Five in Black Hawk. The meeting was called to order at 7pm and began with the pledge of allegiance, roll call and a moment of silence for fallen firefighters, fallen law enforcement and any EMS in harms way, by President Smith, stating this had been a particularly violent week for law enforcement. All members of the board were present.

Michael Carlson, former member at large, was voted in as the new treasurer. Carol Tucker, former treasurer, was voted in as new vice president and Chip Smith, former president of the Board, was voted to remain as president. Secretary to the board, Jennifer Hinderman and Member at Large Doug Lupo, remained in their positions. Minutes from the previous board meeting on November 13, and the additional budget meeting on December 5, and the treasurers’ report, were reviewed and accepted unanimously by the board.

The oath of office was administered to Chris Schimanskey. He was sworn in as pension board member of the Board of Trustees, followed by an approval of Board of Trustees minutes from the trustees meeting in September of this year. Changes to the budget for firefighters’ pensions occurred as a result of the loss of a retired firefighter and the spouse of a retired firefighter.

In new business, resolutions were passed to; amend the 2018 general fund budget, to certify the Mill Levy for 2019, to adopt the 2019 budget, to appropriate funds for 2019 and for the 2019 public meeting schedule. The board continues to discuss the importance of transparency with the public, regarding the budget. Maintaining appropriate reserves, carrying those reserves over from one year to the next, and setting aside appropriate funds for truck repair and replacement, while funding the daily operations of TFPD were examined for the purpose of both appropriate use of TFPD funds and continued clarity with the public. All Timberline board meetings are open to the public and budgets approved in meetings are available to those in attendance, including the public. Space is held in the agenda of monthly meetings for comments and questions from the public, as well.

Carol Tucker volunteered to create a process for public evaluation of Chief Ondr by June 1. The intention of President Smith was that an adequate system would be ready to implement for 2019. Smith reported he felt there was a need for rectification of this as soon as possible, claiming responsibility for the incomplete task. Tucker agreed to have an update on this project’s progression by January.

Mike Keil will be transitioning to full time wildland coordinator on January 7. Keil’s position is central to the development of a plan for strategic deployment, and implementation. Chief Ondr reported this year’s deployment involvement resulted in valuable experience, training opportunities, and growth for the department. Fine tuning each piece of the deployment process, from recruiting crew members to bringing firefighters home from deployment, Keil will be helping the department to conduct deployments smoothly, from a solid foundation, and as safely as possibly.

Chief Ondr reported operations in November included 43 calls. The All Hands meeting and dinner, held for the purpose of open communication between the board and firefighters, was successful. Among the topics of discussion were new auto aid with Golden Gate Fire, beginning after the first of the new year. TFPD and Golden Gate will be in communication and cooperating on calls to adjacent coverage areas. A minor accident occurred involving a department vehicle and a park car. No repairs will be ordered as damage was light and cosmetic only. Chief reports Station 6 completed upgrades in lighting and bathrooms, security cameras for stations 5 and 7 were ordered, and station 9 is scheduled to be winterized and the heat turned off.

The FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety Grant and a fire fighter safety and disease prevention grant are currently being drafted. Additionally, a SIPA grant for website enhancements is being researched. The previously submitted request for $75,000 in PILT funding, resulted in approval for $30,000.

Public TFPD board meetings in 2019 will be held at Station #7, 660 Hwy 46, Black Hawk at 7pm. The next meeting is scheduled for January 22, 2019.

(Originally published in the December 20, 2018, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)