Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 13, 2020, Timberline Fire District held their monthly board meeting. In attendance were President Rick Wenzel, Treasurer Whitney Donoghue and Members-At-Large Chip Smith and John Bushey. Others present included Fire Chief Paul Ondr and Secretary Jennifer Hinderman. The live meeting was also accessible virtually. Highlights included votes on a community cistern, new radios, an IGA and an appointment of a new board member and new Vice President. 

An HOA on Roosevelt Ridge has 27 lots with potential to develop and has sought approval for a 30,000 gallon community fire water cistern that “shall be used solely for fire suppression and training purposes by the district, including fire suppression within Roosevelt Ridge,” said Ondr. The HOA will be responsible for repairing, maintaining and servicing the cistern. Smith made a motion which was seconded and all were in favor. 

Gilpin County and Black Hawk authorities have already transitioned to the Colorado State DTR (800 MHz) radio system, but Timberline Fire and Central City are still using the outdated VHF system. Chief Ondr said, “Communication has been hampered,” and requested the board approve a budget for new radios. The budget included 17 radios and four additional for meetings, totaling $130,000. The bid from Radio Resource was approved unanimously which includes a three year warranty from the vendor.

An IGA (Intergovernmental Agreement) between Golden Gate Fire Protection District (GGFPD) and Timberline was discussed concerning training records management. The IGA proposes that Timberline would be responsible for Golden Gate’s certifications, tracking, training, software and testing. 

GGFPD would compensate TFPD (Timberline Fire Protection District) $740 per month with review after one month, three months and six months. The agreement is terminable by either party with thirty days written notice. All were in favor.

Jeff Fisher submitted his interest in filling the vacancy on the Timberline Board of Directors and was recommended by Smith as well. Fisher has lived in Gilpin County 25 years and works as a Construction Manager for Mile High Flood District in Denver. All were in favor and Fisher was formally sworn to duty.

Former Vice President Carol Tucker recently resigned from her position and is moving out of state. Current Member-at-Large John Bushey was self-nominated, seconded and approved to become Timberline’s Vice President.

Ondr said that the month of September was average in calls numbering 56, but urged caution due to dry and windy conditions. He reported that three district responders resigned, but that six shift volunteers and 3 in-district volunteers have been acquired. 

The High Country Auxiliary has donated $20,000 to fund the majority of the $24,665 needed to replace all of the district’s AED’s (Automatic External Defibrillators) which were recently received and will be inventoried following training.

Boulder and Gilpin counties remain under a Stage 2 Fire Ban, though the State-wide fire ban has expired.

The board decided no executive session was necessary, offered an opportunity for public comment (of which there was none) and adjourned.

The next regular meeting for Timberline Fire Protection District will be publicly held at Timberline Fire District Station 5 located at 14908 Hwy 119, Black Hawk, CO 80422, on November 18, 2020 at 7 p.m. Temperature checks, mask requirements and sign-in are necessary to follow state guidelines. The meeting can also be accessed virtually via the county website.