GILPIN COUNTY - The Timberline Fire Protection District (TFPD) held its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 6 p.m. 

Board members present included President Rick Wenzel, Vice Chairman John Bushey, and Members at Large John Carder, Mary Kate McKenna, and Kristin Turner. Also in attendance were Fire Chief Paul Ondr (virtually) and Administrative Chief Jennifer Hinderman. 

New business included discussing a letter from the City of Black Hawk terminating their mutual aid agreement with Central City.

Wenzel summarized the issue, describing Black Hawk’s cancellation of the agreement with their sister city. Black Hawk cited an imbalance of resources, training, and availability following its primary responses to the two recent fires in Central City.

“Basically, they are not happy with their mutual aid agreement between them and Central City. So they made the decision to terminate their agreement with thirty days' written notice.”

TFPD currently has a mutual aid agreement with Central City and a different agreement for mutual and automatic aid with the city of Black Hawk. 

Carder asked with whom TFPD has mutual aid agreements. Ondr replied that they have mutual agreements with Central City and Clear Creek, while they have automatic AND mutual aid agreements with Black Hawk, Nederland, Coal Creek, Sugarloaf, and Golden Gate. 

Ondr suggested eventually revisiting and possibly rewriting the agreement with Central City since the previous one was a three-way agreement between Timberline, Black Hawk, and Central City.

Next, Wenzel informed everyone that he is the TFPD representative to the 911 Authority Board. He described how the 911 Board collects the emergency fees from phone carriers and helps the County fund dispatch services. 

“We really don’t do a whole lot except disperse that money,” Wenzel said of the bimonthly, hour-long meetings.

He then asked if anyone would like to know more about the position. Bushey expressed interest in the meeting schedule.

The Resolution to Maintain Reserves in the General Fund passed unanimously with little discussion. 

The 2025 Fee Schedule requires updated rates and changes to reflect Timberline's recent shift in collecting impact fees, Hinderman noted. Starting April 1, 2025, Timberline, rather than the County, began collecting its own fees.

Bushey’s concerns as to whether TFPD will know if the proper fees have been paid through the transition were assuaged. 

Bushey moved to adopt the fee schedule, McKenna seconded, and all agreed.

Continued business included a discussion on Station 3’s addition, and Ondr reported that “things are moving along well.”

He said he will soon be getting estimates for a pre-engineered metal building. Hinderman asked if invoices for payment could be submitted as they arrive. The Board assured her that the project’s approval allows for such invoicing. 

Ondr said ADA parking will be available on each floor of Station 3. Wenzel said the geotechnical architects require more information about the substrate underneath the building. 

During the Chief’s Report, Ondr said their firefighter hiring process was very competitive and led to a difficult decision. Congratulations to Nathan Fowler, who joined Timberline in the spring of 2024 and will start regular employment on April 14.

This year's chipping events will be in Aspen Springs in June, Severance Lodge in July, and Bun Gun Zhing Wak in August.

Addressing the State’s historical requirements for Station 3, Ondr said, “Windows are a pain,” not intending the pun, which elicited chuckles. 

Seven recruits completed the onboarding process and have started shifts, said Ondr. 

TFPD was awarded the Division of Fire Prevention and Control Firefighter Safety and Disease Grant for ballistic helmets and vests for $11,070. 

The meeting recessed into Executive Session at 6:43 p.m.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 14, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Station 3, 19126 Highway 119, Black Hawk.