Jacqueline Hart Gibson, Gilpin County. The regular meeting of the Timberline Fire Protection District board of directors was called to order at 7 p.m., May 12, 2020. The meeting was held at Station #5, 14908 Hwy 119, in Black Hawk, and via teleconference. The board observed the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for first responders. 

Two vacancies on the board were filled. The election scheduled for May was canceled because only one person applied to run for the three available board seats. Rick Wenzel will now serve as President for the board. Carol Tucker will continue to serve as Vice Chair. Michael Carlson stepped down and Whitney Donoghue will now serve as Treasurer. Doug Lupo has stepped down, and John Bushey and Charles Smith will now serve the board as members at large. Donoghue and Bushey were sworn in at the May 12, 2020, board meeting. 

Following the approval of the minutes from the regular meeting held April 13, 2020, the treasurer’s report was reviewed and approved unanimously, revealing there are no budget concerns at this time. The board will continue to watch the effects of changes to property taxes due to Covid-19 relief efforts by the Governor. No decrease in funding has been experienced at this time. 

In old business, Chief Odnr enacted a disaster declaration on March 18, 2020, due to the Covid-19 crisis. The board continued the declaration on April 13, 2020, and at this meeting, May 12, 2020. 

The declaration allows for FEMA reimbursement for monies not originally budgeted to cover costs related to Covid-19. At this time, daily operations have not been affected by the crisis, aside from measures to ensure the staff and those they come in contact with are protected and remain safe and healthy. 

The impact fee, proposed for new residential and commercial property, has been submitted to the Gilpin County Commissioners. The commissioners have resolved to approve it but specific details have not been available at this time. 

According to Chief Odnr’s report, Timberline responded to thirty five calls in March, and they are only down one shift worker due to Covid exposure. Currently the TFPD directives include; wearing masks while in public view and on calls, directing suspected Covid patients to wear N95 or P100 masks, and maintaining a 20-foot distance when possible. 

Boulder and Gilpin counties are continuing a stage one fire ban, implemented by the board of health not the fire chiefs or sheriff. The ban has been continued as a safety measure due to the potential lack of firefighting resources and the possible health effects to Covid-19 patients from smoke. Timberline is adequately supplied with P.P.E. at this time, with an additional small reserve, if needed. Gilpin County has additional reserves available for local agencies, as well. 

Chief Odnr reported Lt. Femmer held a meeting with ten members interested in wildland deployment this summer. The purchase of a brush truck has been postponed awaiting the financial results Timberline may experience due to the Covid crisis. Replacing the twenty year old truck they currently have until next year. 

Timberline staff are slowly transitioning from working from home, to working in the on site offices, and a TFPD volunteer was sent to Gilpin county to perform antibody testing for the Sheriff, county employees and 15 TFPD members. The volunteer will now be paid by Timberline for their time, and the county is expected to reimburse Timberline at a later date. 

Gilpin County intends to perform community testing, and TFPD will assist in operations in the incident command system. TFPD will provide staff to perform Covid testing, as well. 

Timberline will be bringing on a new group of volunteers in late June or early July. They currently have sixty applicants for these positions. 

The next regular meeting of the Timberline Fire Board of Directors is scheduled for June 16, 2020, at 7 p.m. and will be held at Station #5, 14908 Highway 119, Black Hawk, or via teleconference due to Covid-19. For updated information on this meeting please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/timberlinefire/elected-officials-board-directors