GHFPD 11-28-24 Minutes
GOLD HILL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, Proposed minutes of the Monday, November 18, 2024 Fire Board Meeting by Acting Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer
GHFPD BUDGET MEETING – The meeting was called to order at 6:05 by Chair Kent Coghill. Present were Kent, board members Chris Dirolf, Treasurer Jessica Brookhart, Max Yeager, Boyd Brown, acting secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer, and newly appointed Lieutenant Austin Miller.. Val Crist and Chief Rich Caudill attended by Zoom. Jess handed out copies of the proposed budget – some changes were discussed and agreed on. Chris thanked Jess for all her work putting the proposed budget together and sending it and all changes out to the board members for updating. The proposed budget is posted on the FD website goldhillfire.org under GHFPD Board Information. Money was moved around to needed categories and Jess pointed out a resolution at the regular meeting will be needed to move money from savings to the truck capital fund as a new truck is in the planning.
Elections have to be held next year (and budgeted for). Boyd and Chris will begin working on that. Boyd suggested we consider a wood yard – possibly on the triangular property the town owns at the corner of Pine and Lickskillet. It was brought up that it takes a lot of hours to cut and split wood and it needs some discussion regarding how much the FD wants to do in the future.
Chris reported that there is a lot of money available for big mitigation projects. He suggested we change our budget category from Forest Management to Community Wood Supply.
A motion was made to accept the budget, Boyd seconded it, and it passed unanimously.
The budget meeting was adjourned at 7:05
REGULAR GHFPD BOARD MEETING– was called to order by Chair Kent Coghill at 7:06 and attended by all the same people.
MEETING BUSINESS
MINUTES – Boyd moved the minutes be approved, Max seconded and they were approved unanimously.
CHIEF’S MINUTES
Chief Rich Caudill reports that Vector Systems will begin in January. Training will start after the holidays. Congratulations were extended to newly appointed Assistant Chief Greg Buis, Captain Dave Steinman, Lieutenants Austin Miller and Leslie Finn as of midnight Saturday, November 16.
TRAINING – Welcome to new member Drew Port.
MAINTENANCE/EQUIPMENT – Max reported on the 10 mile cistern repair. Otto Schossler will provide the new hydrant and Jesse Farmer can do the dirt work, hopefully before winter really sets in.
CWPP – Chris reports they’re working on updating the cistern inventory – tracking and mapping water supplies
STRATEGIC PLANNING – Boyd will be getting with Donal and Rich re evacuation planning’
He also reported on the Seniors Alliance Meeting. They met here, a large group of seniors with all sorts of connections. It’s a very active group. They’re trying to pressure the County Commissioners for services to support aging at altitude in their homes. Pam Sherman has set it up (pamsher123@nullgmail.com). They’ll working on a Google Doc to be updated by participants and will be meeting again in early December. Boyd, as a senior and FD Board member is wondering about coordinating with the FD Strategic Plan. Leslie is working to get people’s medical conditions and med lists posted on their refrigerators to help medical responders. Val is working on food security and transportation, which also ties in with the FD. Boyd will communicate with neighboring departments re collaboration. Per Chris, all this should also be included in the CWPP. Rich says there is a “File of Life” to organize people’s med info and med lists – a commercially printed document that could be distributed. Re evacuation planning, he has an email out to Donal and has talked to Mike Chard at ODM. They’ll set up a meeting with the Sheriff’s Department.
CAPITAL REPLACEMENT PLAN – They will begin looking into new station plans in 2025 – probably at least a 5 year planning process. Max pointed out it’ll take a lot of work and will require Special Use Plan approval from the County. Kent will look at forming a committee with FD members and community members (Gretchen volunteered) after the first of the year to begin planning. Max will check in with Land Use about their requirements. Fourmile and Lefthand have just built new stations. The Lefthand Person who came to a board meeting said you “have to have an architect”, but Max wonders if we could do it with a project manager. Max and Boyd went to Ft. Morgan to see about trailer sales and they had a great big building (pre-fab?) – something to look into. First hurdle will be to find a location.
BUDGET – Jess reported that a motion is needed to pass the proposed 2025 budget including a transfer of funds from savings into the truck fund. Max so moved, Boyd seconded and it passed unanimously.
NEW APPARATUS – At the executive board meeting Chief showed concept drawings from Fouts. They’ve given us a bid for $268,000. Max likes the look of the vehicle, but had reservations about the cofffin boxes (for storage) on top. Kent liked the sleek look of the truck without them, but storage is needed. They’re 18” x 31”. Lots of conversation resulting in decision to get them – can be removed. A grant has been applied for for 40% of the cost. We’ll know early next year. Everyone is good with adding ladder steps and the graphics. SCBA seats? Probably – they facilitate a quick response, for instance to a car fire. Goal is for it to be a light rescue/brush truck including medical gear. Thinking white vs. red. Chief pointed out we don’t have to make every decision now, but it was decided to go ahead and place the order and finalize the rest as time goes on. Max moved we purchase the apparatus for $268,000/2025 as per Chief’s drawings. Chris seconded and it passed unanimously. First payment is due when the chassis arrives, second for the body and graphics, 4th and 5th electrical and lights and then final. Fouts can fit delivery in 4th Quarter of 2025. We’ll count on the grant and modify the budget if we have to. Leaning toward incorporating our logo into the Maltese Cross for truck and gear, getting volunteers involved in the design. Will present mock ups at Holiday party, currently scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 11, 6:30 – it’ll be at the Store again, food, wine and beer provided. Val requested funds for gift cards $275. Chief requested $330 for some items he’d like to incorporate into the awards ceremony. Max moved to approve these funds, Boyd seconded and it passed unanimously. Beanies and ball caps are all ordered. Still looking at thank you gifts for O’Brien and Gibson – funds unanimously approved.
This intent of this party is a celebration of our internal FD members. Gretchen requested bumper stickers – ok’d.
GRANTS – Three have been applied for: $100,000 for a possible utility vehicle, but focus is on new Type 6, $30,000 for a generator and wiring update, $30,000 for station modification to expand the doors. Depending on outcomes, budget may need to be modified. Plan to meet before Holiday party. They’re still looking for some kind of storage – there is the Conex, but that’s not regarded as a long term solution – will be looked at in the future.
LIST MANAGEMENT – Chief is good with managing it. Chief is working on volunteer standards to be an active FD member, which will be approved by the cadre.
MITIGATION – Boyd had a meeting 1st week of Sept with Marcus and Maya to discuss specifics of mitigation plans, home hardening and work planned for next year, looking to be as specific as possible. Maya is leaving to spend more time on family life, contingent on finding a suitable replacement. She’s put out some external feelers – need really dedicated individual.
CWPP – Chris reported that at the last meeting they worked on modifications – it’s an active document for the 4 districts collaborating grant-wise and to connect all four districts. Have to continually update maps to keep relevant. Major overhauls scheduled for 5 and 10 years out. Looking at emergency response, cisterns and water supplies.
SIGNAGE – Steffi Wilson has requested the Board handle Fire Danger Rating signs. Joanne Cole is asking the County to put up several signs Board supports Joanne’s efforts and will do 2 large one’s as well – one at the fire station. Kent also plans to purchase some “no parking” signs at the corners and along Main St as the County has not come through and are not responding to his messages.
ADJOURN – Motion was made and passed to adjourn at 8:45
Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Acting Secretary.