At approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2023, Timberline Fire Protection District (TFPD) held their monthly board meeting at Station 3, located at 19126 Highway 119, Black Hawk, Colorado.

President Rick Wenzel, Vice President John Bushey, and Members at Large Mary Kate McKenna, Kristin Turner, and John Carder attended the meeting, as well as Fire Chiefs Paul Ondr, Chris Schimanskey, and Administrative Chief Jennifer Hinderman. Highlights of the meeting included a Pension Board meeting, filling of a vacancy on the Pension board, a contract letter with the Adams Group, and the Chief’s Report.

The board recessed and convened as the Pension Board of Trustees.

There was a vacancy on the pension board and TFPD has received one letter of interest from Clay Bosworth, who has served with the department for twelve years. Turner moved to elect Bosworth to the Pension Board and all were in favor.

The third quarter allocation report was shared and revealed that the year-to-date expenses were $1,095.27. Carder asked why there was a difference of $14,005 between the actuarial study and total remittance. Hinderman responded that at that time they had yet to receive the State Matching Funds.

At 6:15 p.m. they adjourned as the Pension board and resumed as the Board of Trustees.

The Treasurer’s Report included the unaudited financials from November 2023. Bushey asked about some expenses and Hinderman responded they were wages.

New Business included an annual audit engagement letter authorizing the contract with Adams Group, LLC for Timberline’s Annual Audit.

Hinderman had reached out to another auditor who lacked the necessary staffing. There have been no other bids. McKenna moved to approve the letter for the contract, Bushey seconded, and all were in favor.

The board reviewed the resolution regarding the 2024 Meeting Schedule. The 2024 dates include: January 16, February 20, March 11, April 16, May 14, June 18 (station 1, Magnolia), July 24, August 13 (Station 8, Golden Gate), September 17, October 7 (station 9, Virginia Canyon), November 12, and December 12. Meetings will be held at Station 3, Fritz Peak, unless otherwise noted. All were in favor.

Any scheduling updates can be found at www.timberlinefire.com; Board of Directors tab.

The current approval for the temporary firefighter expires on December 17. Due to the legislative changes that have delayed their ability to adopt a budget, Ondr is requesting an extension of this position until January 10, 2024. The position is included in the draft budget which the board has received. The financial impact would be minimal, approximately $1,800.

Carder moved to accept the extension, McKenna seconded, and all were in favor.

The Chief’s Report is as follows:

Operations:

• We responded to 39 calls in November.

• Lt. Schneider and I are traveling to Minnesota January 2-4 to do a final inspection on the tender. We will be working with a contractor to have it driven back.

• The District submitted an invoice to Union Pacific for the train derailment incident. The total bill was $7142.50.

• Captain Watson was involved in a minor accident in his department vehicle. The other vehicle was insured and was found to be at fault. The truck is currently at the dealer; we are awaiting the repair bid.

• The garage door release cord caught on the UTV rack and pulled the door down on the front of the trailer. There is no damage to UTV or the trailer, but the bottom panel of the door is damaged. We are waiting for the final budget before proceeding with repairs, which are not significant enough to submit to insurance.

Wildland/Mitigation:

• County mitigation around the Recreation Center is about 60% complete.

• Roadside mitigation in Corona Heights is underway.

• Porter Ranch Phase 1 is marked and ready to begin.

• Pile burning on USFS lands began on Monday and will continue for several months. We have a resource order for the work and will be billing for reimbursement of people hours and apparatus.

Administration:

• Historical/Roof grant award announcement is scheduled for December 15.

• Submitting another grant for our Mitigation Coordinator this week; one-year wages requested.

• 2023 grant reimbursements are being finalized; we should receive all funds by January.

• Putting the final touches on the Training and Recruitment Coordinator job description. We are planning to post the position in early January with a March 1 hire date.

• Chief Hinderman is working on many year-end close out items.

Training:

• FF Price and FF Say completed and received their Hazmat Aw/Ops certs.

• Lt’s Colgan, Geyer, and Lovato all finished FF2 academy and passed the practical exam. All are taking the written exam this month or January.

• CPR refreshers scheduled for December.

• Working with Nederland and Gilpin Ambulance on joint 2024 training calendars.

• Congrats to Donald Knight on NREMT EMT-Basic cert.

R&R:

• Timberline Luau was a success with a great turn out. The following awards were given out for 2023:

• Donald Knight is Rookie of the Year.

• Captain Lutz, Officer of the Year.

• Chief Schimanskey, Administrative Employee of the Year.

• Aaron Smith, Operational Employee of the Year.

• Josh Colgan, Firefighter of the Year.

• Katie Doyle, Lifesaving Award.

• Station 5, Station of the Year.

• Captains Watson and Lutz attended EMS career day recruitment event with Red Rocks.

• New recruit candidate interviews are ongoing through December and January, led by Station 5 staff and volunteers.

• Two new in-district members out of Station 9 are online and beginning to work through their onboarding.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:45 p.m.

There will be a Budget hearing and Special Meeting on January 9, 2024, at 3 p.m.

The next regular Board Meeting for Timberline Fire Protection District will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at Station 3, located at 19126 Highway 119, Black Hawk, Colorado, 80422.