BLACK HAWK - The Timberline Fire Protection District board moved forward on August 12, 2025, with a contract amendment for the Station 3 apparatus bay expansion, a project now carrying a guaranteed maximum price of $2,446,900. 

The decision comes less than a week before the August 19 groundbreaking ceremony at the site on Highway 119.

The amendment updates the March 2025 design-build agreement with Krische Construction Inc. (KCI) to reflect a cost-of-the-work-plus-fee arrangement with an 8% design-builder fee and a guaranteed maximum price. 

The final amount includes $203,827 already spent on design work, bringing the construction portion to $2,243,073.

President Rick Wenzel, along with board members John Carder, Kristin Turner, and John Bushey attended, along with Administrative Chief Jennifer Hinderman and Fire Chief Paul Ondr. Wenzel joined the meeting virtually; Mary Kate McKenna was absent.

KCI project manager Joe Black will oversee the build, with Michael Krische as superintendent.

The amended scope adds features such as a 40,000-gallon cistern, full restroom and plumbing renovations, decontamination rooms, third-floor improvements, and an awning and flagpole, along with site work to improve access and snow-plowing space.

KCI representative Shaun Senasac noted that the original $2.182 million proposal covered a minimal scope. Hinderman said the proposal did not account for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance (the elevator) or asbestos abatement. 

Asbestos removal, if necessary, is not part of the construction contract and will be handled separately by a licensed contractor.

The contract includes $43,679 in contingency funds to cover unforeseen issues, particularly in excavation, which both KCI and Timberline officials identified as the most significant unknown. 

Cost-saving alternates, such as a value-engineered lighting package, recycled asphalt in place of site concrete, or removing the rear awning, remain under consideration and could reduce costs if selected.

Under the proposed terms, any project savings under the guaranteed maximum price, including unused contingency, would be split between KCI and Timberline. The board asked for the savings split to be renegotiated from 50-50 to 75-25 in favor of the district, pending legal review.

Ondr and Hinderman told the board the project will leave the district about $230,000 short, a gap they plan to address in the 2026 budget. 

Both noted that cash flow will be tight in January, as in prior years, and may require temporarily drawing from reserves until tax revenues arrive in February and April.

Barring changes from legal counsel, the board anticipates signing the amended contract by the groundbreaking, allowing KCI to mobilize on August 18. Substantial completion is targeted for April 3, 2026.

The Station 3 groundbreaking ceremony and regular board meeting are set for August 19, 2025, at 6 p.m. at 19126 Highway 119, Black Hawk.