Posted on: July 21st, 2025

GOLD HILL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

June 16, 2025–Minutes – Next meeting July 21, 2025

 Meeting was called to order by President Kent Cogill.  Present were board members Boyd Brown, Max Yeager, community members Kris Gibson, Rick Sheingold, and Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary.  Present by Zoom: Chief Rich Caudill and Val Crist.

Minutes of the last meeting were approved with changes: Kent’s last name was corrected to Coghill (from Cowgill), Max corrected the New Station report and the State Mandated 35 acre minimum lot size.  Land Use could peel off a smaller parcel (i.e., for a new station), but not if it makes the larger parcel less than 35 acres.  And, under Vehicles, the delivery people being considered are Acertus (not Ace Services).

FIRE CHIEF’S MINUTES –

Operational Needs – Rich reports on new radios – they will be delivered to the truck manufacturer for installation.  Chains will be ordered in the next couple of days.

He met with the ISO Rep, Brian Nichols, along with Sunshine, Indian Peaks, and Fourmile and our rating should be below 9/10 now.  It was agreed to move forward with a full re-assessment, researching our trucks, training, and then a site visit.  Looking like it could end up below 8.  Val and Leslie Finn can take care of mapping the data regarding cistern locations, etc. `

          Dump and fill time for 3902(corrected to 5439 at July meeting) was 3:30 to 3:40, which puts us in good time to get water on scene with a water shuffle.  Risk reduction should be good.  Have to show people have smoke detectors in place.  Plans to get them to district residents beginning on the 4^th of July, signing people up through some kind of lottery with their addresses.  Plan to purchase approx. 30 through Lowe’s or Home Depot.

CenturyLink/Lumen – Rich has reached out 4 times, with no response.  He has also asked for help from our U.S. Rep Joe Neguse.

Maintenance – Generator – Rich and Max have been discussing the pad – could be standard prefab concrete discs approx. 20” above grade since the generator framework has powder coated pad legs.  Cost around $800?  Kent asked if it would need a roof, but Max says it’s built to be outside.  Boyd wondered about security – should be well stuck in the trees and not easy to see or extricate. 

         Xcell Energy blew off the appointment to hook it up.  Fred’s is set up to run gas back there – so mid-July.   Boyd moved we authorize spending up to $1000 for the pad, etc., which was approved.

Garage Doors – Max is still looking for dealer – possibly Northern. 

Hydrant – Same with hydrant – Jesse Farmer has not been returning calls.

Equipment Needs  – Rich got $450 to the GHTM for the town trash removal for the old timbers at the old hydrant.

Recruitment – Aiden Bicknell, Firefighter, has a pager, some gear, and is clear to respond.  Kaya Bar-/Evan, new EMT on Boulder Street, will be getting a pager.  Ben, a Navy guy, will be moving to Gold Hill in July and will get started on trainings.  Another person is coming to CU in the Fall and is a possible volunteer.  Will be doing a big push on the 4^th and when the new truck arrives in the Fall.  A lot of people seem to moving into the District and some volunteers and officers have been contacting them.

Infastructure, Operational Readiness, Strategic Planning, Capital Replacement – no reports.

Budget – Jess is out of town – report next meeting.

Vehicles – Everything is running pretty well.  Dave Sturtz put together a post-use check list to keep on top of any kind of needed preventative maintenance.  They will be working on plan for transporting the new Fouts Engine here.

         Logo/Maltese?  Kent will work to get design finalized by end of July – if using the Maltese Cross, plan to incorporate our old truck logo.

Radios – Will want 2 BK programable radios if the truck ever goes out on missions.

Inventory – all good.

Administrative – Plaque discussion for Marv’s.  Dinner?  They’ve provided tow-outs for years when others wouldn’t and it’s also a thank you for all the years of providing cars for trainings.  Boyd suggested presentation in Beer Garden and then could have dinner.  Kent will contact them.  Leslie is up for whatever.

Grants – Kris reports we’re not pursuing the Subway Grant – it’s not a fit for the GIS mapping needed.

CWPP – Kent spoke with Chris Dirolf – they are all supporting increased signage and Fire Lane signs in town.  The County has not been helpful.  Maybe a coalition of the Inn, Store, and GHFPD to address.  The County roads dept has forwarded it to Public Works.  In 2023 Josh Trickey, County Roads, walked the town with a whole bunch of us and they have replaced missing signs (mainly no parking), but it seems to be up to us to come up with a template for apparatus clearance.  Kris Gibson said that the cones at the corner of Main and Boulder St work, but require retrieval and replacement.  Leslie has made up informational notices to put on cars.  Kent is looking at formal signs.  Josh Trickey said the County will not enforce just our signs.  Boyd suggested we should try/do whatever we think will work. We will keep the conversation going to find solutions.  Leslie suggested that we may have to go to the County Commissioners and get them to approve our plan for signs as well as any plans to work on our roads (drainage, etc.).

Community Events and Fundraising – Boyd reported on the Wildfire Mit. Event June 14 and 15^th and following – Teens, Inc., goats in the Meadow, a few house hardening projects, Sunset Run on the 22^nd, and 2 dumpsters for slash.

4^th of July – Leslie is taking the lead – needs volunteers.  Val will do traffic and also needs volunteers.  She will reach out to Fourmile.  Their new Chief, Caroline has bought Potter’s house.  Rich spoke with her and she will be at the Sunset Run event.  We will be helping with Medical.  AMR will have an ambulance in the area.

Boyd and Max were sworn in to their new/old board member positions and signed their paperwork.

Kent made a motion to adjourn, Boyd seconded and we adjourned at 8:22.

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary.