TFPD awarded funds: Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth attended the meeting and congratulated the Timberline Fire Protection District on their recent award of almost a million dollars from Neguse’s work in Congress to build out Station 3, Fritz Peak.[/caption]

Timberline Fire Protection District (TFPD) held their monthly board meeting on Monday, March 11, 2024, at Station 3, located at 19126 Highway 119, Black Hawk.

President Rick Wenzel, Vice President John Bushey, and Members at Large John Carder, Mary Kate McKenna, and Kristin Turner attended the meeting. Also present were Fire Chief Paul Ondr and Administrative Chief Jennifer Hinderman. Chief Schimanskey’s absence was excused.

Highlights of the meeting included receiving Congressionally-Directed Funding, a Pension Board meeting, discussions on the new District Fee Schedule, and the Chief’s Report.

The Board convened as the Pension Board. They discussed a letter from FPPA (Fire and Police Prevention Association) regarding an upcoming change in the discount rate used in the actuarial valuation related to Timberline’s volunteer firefighter plan affiliated with FPPA. Hinderman said that TFPD will be contributing more than FPPA recommends.

Wenzel asked if anyone else wanted to be President of the Pension Board. Everyone was quiet, followed by chuckles. Wenzel said he would ask Schimanskey if he has any interest before the next meeting. Afterward, the pension board meeting adjourned and the group resumed their regular meeting.

During public comment, Gilpin County Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth congratulated TFPD on the Congressionally-Directed Funding they received through Congressman Neguse. Since taking office, Neguse has worked to bring federal resources to communities recovering from wildfire and to advocate for increased support for wildland firefighters, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, and forest management.

“I cannot state how important this award is to Gilpin and South Boulder County. Timberline Fire was incredibly fortunate to obtain the Fritz Peak Observatory at no cost to the community we serve. Our vision was to have the facility operating as Timberline Fire Station 3 and our district headquarters.

“The station will be the first ever permanent fire station serving Rollinsville, Colorado and the surrounding areas. This award is key to making this vision a reality. Not only will the new station serve Rollinsville, but it will also decrease response times to thousands of acres of heavily used National Forest lands and the headwaters of South Boulder Creek, which provides much of the drinking water for the metro area,” Ondr said during a recent press conference.

TFPD will receive $908,279 as a result of the Fiscal Year 24 Minibus Bill becoming law. Ondr said there will be discussions on how to acquire more funding for Station 3, since the award will not be enough to make all the necessary improvements to the building. The entire department is, however, grateful for the windfall.

Hollingsworth also thanked them for all the fire mitigation work they have performed throughout the county.

New business included a discussion about the upcoming District Fee Schedule. The Board discussed pertinent changes, mostly increases, since the fees have not been updated since 2017. Ondr said the goal is to make it convenient for residents to view all TFPD’s fees online.

Fire sprinkler system plan review and permitting will have a fixed fee of $500. Commercial kitchen hood system and fire alarm system permitting fees will increase to $500 each.

The District Impact fee of $2,327 for a new residential dwelling unit is to be paid to Gilpin County; TFPD will receive funds from the County quarterly.

The Board discussed clarifying some of the wording concerning Impact Fees. There will be a hearing next month on the fee schedule.

Seasonal Mitigation Technician: Funding for this position will come from several sources. Those funds include Gilpin County mitigation funds, mitigation billing, 2024 budgeted part-time staff hours, and deployments. This position is not eligible for benefits as it is seasonal. The expected amount for 28 weeks at $25 per hour comes to $28,000. There will be approximately an additional $4,200 in taxes/worker’s comp for a total cost of $32,200.

Wenzel asked if the 150-lb. weight lifting requirement was necessary and Ondr said yes, it is necessary to at least have the ability. All the members were in favor.

The Board then discussed the search for a part-time bookkeeper who can help in the office for 10 hours per week. The position is partially budgeted. The job description will be posted on their website at https:// timberlinefpd.colorado.gov/.

Old Business included a roof grant/installation update. Ondr said TFPD has received contractors bids on the roof and he will have options for the Board to choose from at the next meeting.

Chief’s Report

Operations:

• We responded to 54 calls in February.

• Our first unit-on-scene time for January was 9 minutes and 58 seconds.

Wildland/Mitigation:

• Phase One of Corona Heights is complete; Phase Two will begin after a few other projects.

• The Recreation Center is on hold until some snow and ice melts behind the exhibit barn.

• Porter Ranch roadside work is progressing well.

• We have a considerable amount of mitigation work planned for this year: Porter Ranch, Corona Heights, Pinecliffe Association, Gilpin Rec Center, Dakota Tower, and five community chipping events. Other projects are still in development.

• Working on deployment plans for fire season.

Administration:

• The roofing consultant sent out the request to bid documents. The walk-through for interested bidders is March 26 at 10 a.m.; bids are due Wednesday, April 10. I plan to present the bids and recommendations at the April 16 BOD meeting.

• We were awarded $908,279 in Congressionally-Directed Spending (CDS) for the build-out of Station 3.

• Properties and Inspections are set up in ESO; crews will start inspections soon. We have 125 inspections to complete in 2024.

• Radios will be installed in the Bronco this week, lights next week.

Training:

• March's monthly subject is vehicle recovery and winch operations.

• This past Saturday was an ice rescue. Thanks to Johnny May for teaching, High Country Auxiliary for lunch, and Snowline Lake HOA for allowing us to use the lake.

• Two FFs (Lovato and Hinojos) registered for an operational leadership course at NFA weekend in Loveland in May.

• April will start our wildland training for the season with RT130s and wildland academy scheduled.

R&R:

• The recruit class (six new members) is going through their initial onboarding. Five shifters and one in-district.

• The onboarding course is scheduled for four sessions in mid-April. We will cover basic TFPD operations and initial familiarization with day-to-day tasks and equipment. The BOD (Board of Directors) is invited to the first session on April 6 to meet the recruit class.

The next regular board meeting for Timberline Fire Protection District will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 6 p.m. at Fritz Peak building, 19126 Highway 119, Black Hawk.