Genesee Fire Protection District

Board of Directors’ Meeting 

Minutes of August 21, 2024

Call to Order

18:00 by Director Mefford

Attendance

Board Members in Attendance:  Scott Mefford, Nancy Balter, Susan Eagle, Patti Harris (by Zoom), JP Brewer

Also Attending:  Christina Jantzef (by Zoom), Joe Auster, Dorie Dalton, Bob Dalton, Ryan Gaddis, Doug Barenburg, Peter Wajda, Will Quinby, Michelle Woodruff, Hank O’Brien 

Minutes of Prior Meetings

• A motion was made, seconded and approved unanimously to accept the minutes of the July 17 Board meeting

Public Comment & Announcements

• Peter Wajda introduced himself as president of the Genesee Foundation Board of Directors
• Hank O’Brien presented the results of the survey of membership about the fire chief.  Probationary members, recruits and paid staff were not included; response rate was 67%.

Financial Reports

• Review of July Financials
  • The July 2024 financial report was presented by Christina Jantzef
  • A motion was made, seconded and approved unanimously to accept the year-to-date financials as presented
  • Board members will continue to receive the financial reports generated by the new software, but those reports will not be printed out for the Board meeting. 

Reports of Officers, Committees, Professional Consultants

• Wildland Specialist Captain Dorie Dalton’s Report
  • The COSWAP project in Chimney Creek has been completed.  Approximately 2000 trees were removed generating 1000 cu yd of chips.  Due to rain, only 2.3 out of the planned 3 acres was completed.
  • FireAside assessments continue.  Many new residents are taking advantage of the program.
  • GFR provided slash dropoff for District residents on 2 Saturdays in July.  70 hours of volunteer time contributed to the success of the program.
  • Dorie will have a table at Genesee Outdoors. 
• Administrator/Training Coordinator Max Herte’s Report
  • Working on a state grant to fund purchase of wildland and extrication gear.
• Deputy Chief Joe Auster’s Report
  • 236 calls to date.  Other data couldn’t be retrieved from the new software. 
  • Apparatus Coordinator - Preventive Maintenance on 932; otherwise all good
  • Facilities Coordinator – all good.  Director Balter noted the thistle garden and recommended remediation.
  • Medical Coordinator (D Barenburg)
    • New meds added to kits
    • Apparatus for moving patients over difficult terrain has been ordered and received.
  • Wildland Coordinator
    • Peter was responding to a local wildfire. o The mixed crew, including 3 from other departments, that went to California worked well.
  • Branding Coordinator (R Gaddis)
    • Continued work
  • Mental Health Coordinator
    • Community events are being scheduled
  • Auxiliary
    • Party this Saturday
  • Community Liaison
    • Continued requests for autism trainings. 

Old Business

• Emergency Access Route Update
  • Will Quinby presented current status of permitting.  The project is close to shovel-ready.
  • Director Balter discussed the meeting with representatives of Genesee Foundation Board.
  • GFPD Board needs to understand the impact of assuming the debt associated with the entire project on future financial stability and possible consolidation.  To that end, a work session was discussed. 
• Chief Hiring Update
  • The job has been posted, so far 3 applicants.
  • CPS HR has gotten feedback that the salary we are offering is too low and will complete research on this by August 23 and will make a recommendation.
  • Director Balter will talk with the consultant about adding something about experience with a largely volunteer department and understanding volunteer culture to the marketing brochure.  

New Business

• Board Workshop to Discuss EAR financing
  • Tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, August 27 at 4 pm.Fire Chief Hiring Process
• Station Cleaning
  • Currently volunteers and staff are doing the cleaning, but it is not adequate.
  • Dorie will investigate hiring a company to clean

The meeting was suspended at 20:34 to hold the Pension Board meeting.  It was reopened at 20:37 at which time it went into Executive Session pursuant to 24-6-402(4)(f), C.R.S., to discuss personnel matters.  The Executive Session ended at 8:59.

Meeting Adjournment

There being no further business, the board meeting was adjourned at 21:00.