The Timberline Board of Directors held their monthly meeting on July 24, 2024, at 6 p.m. at Station 3, 19126 Highway 119. Key topics included an upcoming bay addition to Station 3, budget approvals, and administrative updates.
Vincent Barlock, a Certified Professional Geologist from Baseline Engineering, presented on the preparations needed for the planned bay addition at Station 3, which will include a 30,000-gallon cistern. Baseline Engineering, specializing in civil engineering services, may prepare an environmental report addressing drainage, aesthetics, parking, and landscaping.
Fire Chief Paul Ondr noted that Station 3 is recognized as a historical landmark by the county but not at the state level. President Rick Wenzel mentioned further discussions would be held regarding the environmental report, including consultations with their USDA representative, and thanked Barlock for his presentation.
During a public hearing, the 2023 Amended Budget, prepared by the Adams Group, LLC, was reviewed. With no public comments, Member at Large John Carder explained that the additional $1.5 million in the budget resulted from funds received for the change in the starting date for the lease of five trucks. The Amended 2023 Budget was approved unanimously.
Jen Lomeli was introduced as the new Administrative Assistant, along with her corgi, Rosie.
In ongoing business, updates on capital projects for stations 1, 3, and 5 were provided. Ondr reported that the generator for Station 1 has been ordered and the deposit paid.
Station 3’s CDS/USDA Grant for the garage bays is pending the preliminary architectural report. Additionally, Station 3 received a historical grant for roof installation, and the building permit process has been completed.
A letter from the Timberline Volunteer Firefighter Foundation was read, thanking the Board of Directors, Chief Paul Ondr, and the firefighters and their families for their support during the Gilpin County Fair. The foundation raised over $7,000 during the event.
Chief’s Report
Operations:
• 52 calls were responded to in June
• A notable response to a 1-acre wildfire in Missouri Lakes 1.
• All trucks are currently in service.
Wildland/Mitigation:
• Stage 1 fire restrictions are in place.
• Brush 56 was deployed to Louisiana for a 14-day severity assignment, with additional work completed. The truck is expected back soon.
• A busy mitigation phone line.
• A quick response to a call in Corona Heights, thanks to the mitigation crew.
• Upcoming core team CWPP meeting at Station 3 on July 31.
• A significant mitigation project in Pinecliffe is planned to take about a month.
• Roadside work in Aspen Springs and private work continues.
• Dakota Tower has been approved.
Administration:
• The Gilpin County Fair was a huge success.
• Efforts continue to finalize the lease purchase.
• Working on completing the DOLA EIAF grant for Station 3, due on August 1.
• The Chief has been involved in plan reviews for fire alarm systems and residential driveways in Gilpin County.
Recruitment & Retention:
• Three new in-district, three shifts, and five more interviewing.
• A new resident at Station 5 is also working with the mitigation team.
• Two shift volunteers have resigned.
• Onboarding of new volunteers will begin in September.
Administrative Chief Jen Hinderman said they received many thanks from residents at the Gilpin County Fair booth for the fast response to the Missouri Lakes Fire.
The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m. The Board of Directors’ meeting concluded with the next regular meeting scheduled for August 13, 2024, at 7 p.m. at Station 8, 4611 Highway 46, Black Hawk. An open house will precede the meeting at 5 p.m.
