At approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, Timberline Fire Protection District (TFPD) held their monthly board meeting. President Rick Wenzel, John Bushey, and Treasurer Whitney Donoghue attended the meeting as well as Fire Chief Paul Ondr and Administrative Chief Jennifer Hinderman. Also in attendance was firefighter John Carder, the potential candidate for the vacancy on the Board for Member at Large.

Highlights included a vote to exclude the real property owned by Proximo, a filled vacancy on the Board, and the Chief’s Report.

New business included an order by the Board for the exclusion of real property that was heard at the public meeting on December 14, 2021. Proximo will be in the Black Hawk Fire Protection District, not TFPD. Bushey made a motion to exclude the property from TFPD’s district, Donoghue seconded and all were in favor.

Next on the agenda, Wenzel presented the letter of interest from John Carder to fill the vacancy for Member at Large. Carder was present and had brought warm banana bread for everyone at the meeting, which surely had nothing to do with his unopposed appointment.

Carder’s background includes 17 years of firefighting in the area, including notable fires like the Cold Springs Fire and the Fourmile Canyon Fire. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics and has spent thirty years running a tech business as a Chartered Market Technician selling custom charts. All were in favor of Carder’s appointment as Member at Large and he will be allowed to vote at the next meeting.

Ondr presented the Consent Agenda on the subject of applying for the DOLA Energy and Minerals Impact Grant to help with the construction of Station 10 near the Woodbury claim just outside of Central City. The station will allow TFPD to better protect the southwest portion of the district as promised in the last election.

Ondr delivered the Monthly Fire Chief’s Report, reporting 51 calls in December and 694 for the year, representing a four percent increase from 2020 and about a 60 percent increase since 2011. If this trend continues, TFPD will run more than 1,100 calls in 2031.

In wildland news, TFPD responded to the Marshall Fire for two days. All fire restrictions have been lifted in Boulder and Gilpin counties. Burning is still not allowed in either county during any red flag or high wind warnings.

TFPD is working with Gilpin County to finalize the mitigation work plan. Their first target will likely be Missouri Lakes roadside and slash removal, similar to the work done last year on Dory Lakes.

In Administration news, TFPD had twelve applicants for the two available positions and the selection process will continue with interviews. Thanks go to Captain Watson and the Shift Lieutenants for their hard work designing and proctoring the hiring process.

Ondr is working with TFPD’s grant writer to develop their application for the FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety Grant for a wildfire risk reduction position with a likely five percent match.

Ondr thanked Volunteer Firefighter Charles “Chip” Smith, who recently retired, for his service.

There was no public comment and the meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:15 p.m.

The next regular board meeting for Timberline Fire Protection District will be held Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 6 p.m. at Station 5, 14908 Highway 119, Black Hawk, CO 80422.