Timberline at Fritz Peak Above, left; Celebrating promotions. Chief Ondr congratulates Mike Lutz for becoming Captain of the Southern District. Above, right; New Digs. Timberline’s recently acquired building previously known as Fritz Peak Observatory will eventually have bays to park the fire trucks. Bottom, right; Swearing in. President Rick Wenzel swears in Member at Large John Carder, Treasurer Whitney Donoghue and Vice President John Bushey. PHOTOS BY MINDY LEARY[/caption]

At approximately 6 p.m. on Monday, May 9, 2022, Timberline Fire Protection District (TFPD) held their monthly board meeting at their recently acquired future station, formerly known as Fritz Peak Observatory, where the meeting was preceded with an open house.

President Rick Wenzel, Vice President John Bushey, Treasurer Whitney Donoghue, Member at Large Charles “Chip” Smith, and Member at Large John Carder attended the meeting as well as Fire Chief Paul Ondr and Administrative Chief Jennifer Hinderman. Highlights included Black Hat Presentations, the creation of a new mitigation position, administrations of Oaths of Office, and the Chief’s Report.

The Open House event was a huge success, bringing lots of residents and supporters to check out the new space which, judging by the wallpaper, was, in fact, an old space. The three-story building located at 19126 Highway 119 required lots of cleaning and some renovation including windows and stairs. The previous owner, Mr. Clyde Severance, constructed the building in the 1940s for the purpose of housing scientists to research laser atmospheric testing and manufacture tools. Timberline plans on putting bays on the east side of the building to store fire trucks.

After the Open House, the regular board meeting commenced at 7 p.m. Chief Ondr awarded black hats to Kevin Shearer and Mark Foreman for completing all of their firefighting training. Mike Lutz was promoted to captain of the southern district. Chip Smith was thanked for his eight years of service on the Board.

Ondr announced that the district has been awarded the $200,000 DOLA Grant that they applied for to build the station outside of Central City.

After a short discussion there were no changes to the appointments of the Directors. There is a vacancy on the Board which will be advertised in local papers and on the district’s Facebook page.

New business included a consent agenda item for a temporary mitigation position since demand is growing and Ondr said it is not feasible to manage mitigation and work a shift schedule. To ensure the success of the program, Ondr would like to create a temporary six-month wildland/mitigation position that would begin immediately and end November 6, 2022.

Additional employee costs associated with the position have already been budgeted and will be covered by mitigation funds, wildland deployments, and possibly fee-based residential mitigation.

Smith made a motion to approve the consent agenda item, motion was seconded, all were in favor and the motion carried.

After a short discussion, the Board members were satisfied in keeping their current positions on the board and were officially sworn in by President Wenzel.

There was no old business to discuss.

Ondr delivered the Monthly Fire Chief’s Report, reporting 55 calls in April.

On April 14 the district responded to assist Golden Gate on a building fire which turned out to be a large chicken coop. Timberline arrived first and quickly contained the fire.

On April 22 the district responded to a small wildfire in the Porter Ranch community off Magnolia Road which was contained to about a quarter acre.

In wildland news, the Missouri Lakes 1 mitigation project is progressing well.

Mitigation work will commence the week of June 6 on Highway 46 between 119 and Dory Hill.

In Administration news, Ondr submitted a grant for a chipping project in Corona Heights.

The district will be posting for a part- time administrative assistant to replace Megan Bell, who has resigned. The next volunteer interviews are planned for July.

The academy graduation and department picnic is scheduled for June 18 at Columbine Park.

The CPR class for Lincoln Hills Fishing Club staff is set for late June.

There was no public comment and the meeting adjourned at approximately 7:55 p.m.

The next regular board meeting for Timberline Fire Protection District will be held Tuesday, June 9, 2022, at Fritz Peak, 19126 Highway 119, Black Hawk.