Posted on: April 20th, 2026

GHFPD Board Meeting, Monday, March 16, 2026

         Minutes by Gretchen Diefenderfer

Next Meeting – Monday, April 20, 2026, 7:30 p.m. at the Firebarn and by

         ZOOM (Zoom link can be found at https://www.goldhillfire.org/events

 

GHFPD BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING – The meeting was called to order by President Kent Coghill at 7:34. Present were Board members Kent, Boyd Brown, Max Yeager, Jessica Brookhart (Chris Dirolf was out of town) and community members Kris Gibson, Rick Sheingold, and Gretchen Diefenderfer.  Attending by Zoom were Val Crist, Chief Rich Caudill, and Erich Gundlach.

Minutes – Boyd moved that minutes of the last meeting be approved, Max seconded and the motion carried.

FIRE CHIEF’S MINUTES – Rich first aknowledged all the hard work the FD members have put in throughout our power outage struggle, radio reprogramming, and training in general.  Max is managing the station door project.  Dave Sturtz, Kris Gibson, and Val put in an enormous amount of work on the pagers switching over from BCC, also Greg Buis, Austin, and Dave Wilson.  We’ve had a tremendous showing as a department in the trainings with GH, Sunshine, and Fourmile – last one was extrication and stabilization and our new equipment.  Also Boyd, Kris, Eli, and Austin have all worked hard on wood/mitigation.  

Operational Update – The truck manufacturers have mostly buttoned up the front end of the truck – bumper, winch, turret – and still finishing up the back.  Should be ready within 3-4 weeks.  The shipper they recommended estimated ~$3,000 to ship it.  Also has offers from FFs willing to drive it back.  Will make decision soon which way to go.

Equipment Needs – Would like list of actual medical equipment recommended by Solvendahl re: airways, etc. and training required.  Kent reports they use them a ton.  Boyd thinks it’s important we hear what our medical people who’ve trained on them think.  Kent will get with Rich, Leslie.

Garage Doors – Max reports our permit has expired, but will be reactivated by Huang Ju at the Building Department.  We have engineering drawings.  Probably installed by Mark Montgomery.  Third bay is ok for now.  Re: the slab, Nick Vanderveer is available when we’re ready – will be thickened edge slab to handle up to 80,000# axel weights – dimensions are outside dimensions of the station. Will also be putting gravel in back/mitigation – maybe improve stair access and man door.  Val wondered if the new engine fits in the 04 bay.

Generator – Kent asked Rich who’s taking the lead on that.  Chris Fin has been and he has several people working with him who can handle when he’s out of town. 

Our present generator required ~5gal for 8-10 hours run time – thinking of different fuel options – propane?  Max may have one to donate.  Rich is considering old box on the north side of the station to house and shelter it.  Dave Sturtz thinks maybe something smaller. 

Lumen Site – Rich testified at Colorado House Ways and Means Committee last Tuesday.  PUC regulations require emergency communications be available, but the Trump admin people have threatened to withhold money if there is any broad band regulation, so the bill died.  The Chair, however, requested more information and is disturbed by the situation re communication during power outages and has asked us to keep him updated.

         A core group of those affected – Gold Hill, Lefthand, Jamestown, Sugarloaf and Fourmile are meeting with Boulder County Communications.

Technology Use – Foam – reportedly no health issues with latest foam as in past.  After some discussion, Kent made a motion, Boyd seconded and it was approved to acquire the 4 backpacks and an attachment that would go on the UTV.  The big skid did not seem to fit our needs right now, plus nowhere to store it.

Budget – Jess reports the budget has been submitted and approved. Need to file exemption from audit – Boyd so moved, Max seconded and it was approved.  Jess will send around the paperwork to be signed. 

Rich asked if he can move forward with equipment for the ATV as far as budget is concerned.  He has a quote from a distributer that will mean spending $6500 vs $8000.  Jess said yes – it’s included in the $84000 County Grant.  Jess will put together a list of our grants and our purchases with them. The budget is posted in the display box by the man door.

Inventory – Rich reached out to Sunshine and Fourmile re the inventory of equipment they carry on their Type 6 (like our new truck) – we may need more, but he did put money in the budget for it and thinks it should be covered – between $2500 – $3500.

OTHER BUSINESS

Grants and Mitigation work – Kris reported that there’s a DFPC volunteer fire assistance grant opportunity for 2026 for wildland equipment, supplies, and training – due April 3 – she’s looking into. (Boyd reports that the grant money obtained through Maya and the BWC is now getting low and needs to be spent by September). Kent suggested adapters, hose, nozzles, etc. for the new truck and some ATV stuff.  He will look into the requirements and if the board needs to have a special meeting, they can.  Re the remaining BWC Grant, Boyd reported that he walked the town land with forester Jackie Barry and looks like there is enough for the Fourmile Crew to carry out mitigation work there.  As far as the BLM stuff, Kris had a copy of our lease covering the triangle of land at the top of the Skillet – the forester came up and the lease has been updated to 2030 – so yes we’re permitted and can go ahead on both the east and west side on any BLM land.  The BLM wants a clear radius of 30’ around the piles will burn piles created sometime next year.  We want to get the Fourmile crew back there to clean up the gulch between Kent’s and Val’s.  Boyd reported that he had someone come by asking for a light to camp out west of town.  He went out and thinks we need to start patrols.  He showed a picture of a huge pile of accumulated firewood out at Rocky Point – Kent thinks a Ranger needs to get involved.  We have no idea who’s doing this.  Boyd also talked about the survey he and Kris will be putting out to find out about the needs of the community for firewood.  Maya is trying to put together the money to remove the wood at the Ashram, Tone’s and now Rocky Point and perhaps hire Founmile.  Kris and Austin responded to the latest possibly illegal wildfire report, but unable to locate.  Law went in and it was not a bonfire, plus the RedFlag had expired after midnight.  Kris reported that she and Jackie Barry the Forester looked at Atkinson’s blow down (~.42 acres) and will also look at Myers for future work.

         GH has gotten the Firewise Community designation, which allows us to get wildfire assessments on all properties in town, even those too close together for Wildfire Partners assessments. Everyone is encouraged to get the assessments.  Nothing is mandatory, but it’s valuable information about vulnerabilities and potential mitigation actions.  Also, can qualify homeowners for rebates for mitig. work. Meg from the County can also include close by properties like Val’s and the Subdivision, so not limited to the platted town.

         Boyd reports that this coming Saturday, he and the volunteer a crew plans to work on the triangle. He wd like a motion to support the survey.  Kent so moved, Max seconded and it passed.

Website – Jess reports it’s all updated.

Parking/Town Congestion – Kent has been going to the Business/Community meetings.  They’re looking at locations for signage that can actually help with access issues for Fire Department responses. Additionally, possibly closing access to pinchpoints to keep emergency response lanes open.  Kent and Rich will drive around to id them to bring the info to the County in the future.  Possibly there won’t be much actual enforcement, but signage can be educational and helpful.  These are tough meetings – trying to balance the businesses needs with the impact on the town.

         Kent also pointed out that we have not adopted a Fire Code and we need to develop one.  He thinks there may need to be no parking on some parts of Main Street.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05.

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary.