Posted on: March 12th, 2012

The meeting was called to order by President Dave Steinmann.  Present were board members Dave Sturtz, Donal Maloney, and Darrell McConnell, plus Chief Chris Finn and residents Deb Yeager, Dave Wilson, Leslie Finn, Lisa McConnell, Rick Geesaman, and Gretchen Diefenderfer.

Minutes of the January meeting were approved.

OLD BUSINESS

Dave Steinmann is working on getting the written easement to the Fire Dept cistern on Sue Kidder and Paul Roberts’ property.  He plans to have it by next meeting.

Election Stuff: Present board members who intend to continue need to sign the self-nominating and acceptance form.  They are all due by March 2.

In addition to the Community Use of the Gold Hill Fire Protection District Facility (the Community Center), the FD needs a waver from the GHTM.  Dave Steinmann will get a form from their lawyer.

More election stuff: Dave Steinmann reports that Dave posted the Call for Nominations and notice of election at the Firebarn and the Gold Hill Store and Gretchen got it published in the Camera.  He will distribute the Self-nomination and Acceptance forms to the present board members – they need to be returned to him or dropped into his mailbox at 20 Rim Road (across from the Liskskillet).  If there are just enough submissions to fill the positions, the election can be cancelled.

The Secretary of State wanted info on any debt held by the FD – easy enough because we don’t have any debt.

Dan Gretz has updated the FD Website http://www.goldhillfire.org/GHFPD.html and the transparency notice has been posted.

Dave Steinmann will propose some resolutions later in the meeting, one, that we purchase additional new SCBA, since the grant proposal was turned down.   Also, he wanted to make sure that we have a regular maintenance plan for the trucks and the firebarn and that everything is functional.  For the future, he wants to get the new sign up, and start planning to replace our oldest truck.  He has set it up so that Donal can get paid for doing some of the work needed and Chris is to make up a list of tasks needed.

Chris then gave his Chief’s report: the SCBA we have were all tested and refilled last summer, and he doesn’t think we can afford new ones.  Regarding truck maintenance, Howard Ditzel is scheduled for quarterly maintenance and will also come when needed.

He also reported that Dick Cole is scheduled to do some necessary maintenance on the Firebarn after he gets back from being out of town.  Dave Brigham will come in and install some fire alarms and heat detectors for the barn.

In response to Dave Steinmann’s email about the new handrail not meeting Code, Chris stated that we don’t have to meet code (because we’re a State Agency?  I’m not sure why, exactly, he thinks this – Dave Steinmann does not believe this is true.)

Chris sent out an email regarding Red Cards and how to get them – as well as the CRFF requirements (which have to do with our getting pain on fires).

The new sign will be up soon – he has just been released from desk duty since he broke his wrist.

Regarding reimbursing someone who uses their own fire extinguisher on a call – no problem reimbursing Firefighters who respond on a call in their gear, but because of liability issues, people who respond in civilian gear and not as a firefighter, should not expect reimbursement.

A new CAD system is being installed by Boulder County and he is slowly inputting all the required data, i.e., what personnel and equipment we want on every kind of call – tedious work.

Chris and Leslie will be out of town from March 6 until the 22^nd.

He will get the form to submit so that the Dept. is exempt from audit.

He reminded the board members that they need to designate a Treasurer.  The signers on the account need to be updated, and Chris has some stuff he needs to get to the Treasurer.  Dave Steinmann will ask Gary Siemer if he will be treasurer.  Dave Sturtz moved that the Board appoint Gary as Treasurer contingent on his acceptance.  Seconded and carried.

Chris stated that he thinks there have been too many emails exchanged and he’s concerned about the open meetings act.  Dave Steinmann replied that he has checked with the lawyer and suggestions to be considered at the next board meeting are fine.

Donal, as Assistant Chief, wanted to follow up on the SCBA, etc. – on July 15^th our tanks were re-hydroed and he is confident about the ones on our trucks.  The ones in the Blue kits are just for training.  We’re not likely to send people into really dangerous situations with backup from Sunshine.  He checks periodically on the status of gear on the trucks.  He thinks that once the Board is settled and up to speed that a lot of these issues will be resolved.

There are lots of classes required and task books to get signed off to get our Firefighters Red-carded and fully certified in order to get paid on fires.  There is always a lot to do and the delegation thing doesn’t always work.  He would like to ask the firefighters to do an extra hour per month besides training (snow shoveling etc.) and the officers, too.  He investigated who Sunshine uses for clearing snow, and they wouldn’t recommend their present solution.  Possible ideas: Matt Legg, and a card posted at the store from someone named Jake.  Whoever they find would need  to sign a contract to make sure we’re really covered.   Firefighters who respond on fires need to have their PPE (personal protection equipment) and also have to come to trainings so we can operate effectively as a team.

Regarding the email issue, again we have to remember that we need to work together as a team and be positive.  The new schedule for more Gold Hill only trainings should help the team building.

Chris reported that the United Way has interviewed firefighters in the districts affected by the Fourmile Fire to see how the departments are coping in the aftermath and will issue a report.

NEW BUSINESS

Dave Steinmann offered, as an officer of the FD, to submit the forms for the Ross agreement.

Regarding the SCBA, his main concern was that they are working well and that we are keeping good records.  Since we submitted a grant proposal and got turned down, he thought perhaps we should just purchase additional units if needed.

Donal suggested that we should have a plan B if our grant proposals get turned down.  Chris said that we always have to submit more than one time.  He submits every year for wildland gear and usually gets $1,000 to 2,000.   There are 4 SCBA in the first attack truck and then we need to call for mutual aid.

Dave Steinmann offered a resolution that we have quarterly mechanic checks and more often if necessary, and that the board be kept updated on the status in the Chief’s report. Chris requested that anyone finding a truck problem report it directly to him.  In December Howard came up and replaced or fixed a fuel pump, distributer, etc. and checked the other trucks.

The issue of reimbursing firefighters for using their own fire extinguishers generated a lot of discussion about liability issues and PPE, the protocol to respond to the firebarn first, Dave Steinmann reporting that the lawyer definitely thought we should, what about if you’re driving down the road and see a small grass fire that you could easily put out, etc., etc., which eventually resulted in Dave Sturtz making a motion that the FD will reimburse Firefighters responding as firefighters in PPE under the auspices of the FD for use of their personal fire extinguishers.   The motion passed 2 – 1.

AND, hey, citizens of Gold Hill – do you have Fire Extinguishers and Smoke Detectors?

Since Darrell and Lisa have sold their house and will be moving, the board moved to appoint Rick Geesaman to Darrrell’s position until the election – carried unanimously.  Dave Steinmann will get him the oath of office and everyone thanked Darrell for his years of service.   Darrell says he’ll still be a GH firefighter, since you don’t have to live here to qualify.

Dave Steinmann reiterated that he thinks we should be planning for future truck replacement and that Donal be employed to work on the Chief’s list of jobs that need to be taken care of.

Regarding Grant writing, he wonders of Kris and Bear need help.  Donal suggested that there are courses that are not too expensive and he will look into it.

The meeting adjourned at 9:20, with Dave Sturtz pointing out that the motion to adjourn is always in order, can’t be debated, and must be voted on immediately.

Reported by Gretchen Diefenderfer

 

ADDENDUM: The election has been cancelled as there are no more candidates than needed to fill the positions on the Board.  They will take their new positions after May 8.  Following is the notice of cancellation published in the Camera:

 

CANCELLATION OF ELECTION and

DECLARATION DEEMING CANDIDATES ELECTED

 (If the Designated Election Official cancels election)

 1-5-208(1.

                                     GOLD HILL FIRE PROTECTION  DISTRICT,   BOULDER COUNTY, COLORADO

WHEREAS, the Designated Election Official of the District has been duly authorized by the Board of Directors to cancel the election and declare candidates elected at the close of business on the sixty-third before the election to be conducted on May 8, 2012; and

WHEREAS, the Designated Election Official has duly certified that there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates,

Now, THEREFORE, pursuant to §1-5-208 (1.5), C.R.S., the Designated Election Official

HEREBY cancels the regular election to be conducted on  May 8, 2012 by formal resolution and

THE DESIGNATED ELECTION OFFICIAL DECLARES THE FOLLOWING CANDIDATES ELECTED FOR THE FOLLOWING TERMS OF OFFICE:

David Sturtz                   1211 Pine Street, Gold Hill, CO 80302 4

(name)                                                (address)                                    (year term)

Richard Geesaman            820 Pine Street, Gold Hill, CO 80302                        2

(name)                                                (address)                                    (year term)

Gary Siemer                        601 Main Street, Gold Hill, CO 80302                        2

(name)                                                (address)                                    (year term)

Donal Maloney                        730 Main Street, Gold Hill, CO 80302                        4

(name)                                                (address)                                    (year term)

Adriana Galue                        451 College St., Gold Hill, CO 80302                        4

(name)                                                (address)                                    (year term)

 

Signed by: David  Steinmann, DEO

(Designated Election Official

Contact Person for the District: David Steinmann, DEO

Telephone Number of the District: 303-444-8003

Address of the District:  1011 Main Street-Gold Hill, Boulder, CO  80302

PROCEDURAL INSTRUCTIONS: Publish and post Notice of Cancellation in order to inform the electors of the District. Send copy to each candidate.  Must post at all polling places, in the office of the Designated Election Official, County Clerk and Recorder, and file electronically with the Division of Local Government. New Board Members do not take office until after May 8, 2012.