Genesee Fire Protection District

Board of Directors’ Meeting 

Minutes of November 20, 2024

Call to Order

18:00 by Director Mefford

Attendance

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

Also Attending:  Christina Jantzef {by Zoom), Max He rte, Joe Auster (by Zoom), Kris Kleiner, Hank O'Brien, Graeme Warner, Kathryn Warner, Ryan Gaddis, John Cummins, Mark Villa, David Olsen, Josh Boyles, Peter Greenstone, Rod Cameron, Doug Barenburg, Mark Herzfeld, Paul Benson {by Zoom), Greg Klaiber (by Zoom)

Minutes of Prior Meetings

• Motions were made, seconded and unanimously approved to accept the minutes of the October 16 and
  November 15, 2024 Board meetings.

Public Comment & Announcements

• None

Financial Reports

• Review of October Financials
  • The October 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.
• 2025 Budget
  • Patti Harris provided a list of budget highlights.
  • Christina Jantzef noted that we will likely have a budget surplus in 2024. The surplus will be added to the general fund, which is available to supplement line items in the 2025 budget if the Board decides to do so.
  • The Budget Hearing was opened at 18:22. There being no public comments, the hearing was closed at 18:33.
  • Resolution #2024-3 to adopt the 2025 budget, set mill levies and appropriate sums of money was
    seconded and approved unanimously.

Reports of Officers, Committees, Professional Consultants

• Wildland Specialist Captain Dorie Dalton’s Report
  • Grant reimbursements are pending.
  • FireAside assessments continue.
  • A chipper day infographic is being developed.
• Administrator/Training Coordinator Max Herte’s Report
  • Arranged for a speaker from DFPC who talked about fire investigations.
  • 2025 training calendar is complete.
  • 2025 Academy schedule, hosted by Evergreen Fire Rescue is complete.
  • GFR has applied to get the DFPC burn trailer. It will be used to host multi-agency trainings.
  • Acknowledged 2 volunteers who qualified for new certifications.
• Deputy Chief Joe Auster’s Report
  • Calls are ahead of last year; 327 to date.
  • Apparatus Coordinator
    • 954 had a catastrophic failure of a cooling hose repaired.
    • 954 is currently being housed at FFR ldledale station.
  • Recruiting Coordinator (Dave Olsen)
    • Recruiting efforts will resume shortly using the same tactics as used previously, but pushing
      even harder.
  • Facilities
    • Generally good
    • Potential problem with the air sampling from the fill station. A service technician has been
      called.
  • Medical Coordinator (Doug Barenburg)
    • There will be a new approach for CPR recertification.
    • Clare Geiselman will be equipped to respond directly to CPR calls, which will provide a quicker response time to residents in the southern part of the District.
  • Wildland Coordinator (Peter Greenstone)
    • Things are quiet currently
  • Branding Coordinator (Ryan Gaddis)
    • Expressed concern to the Board in writing that the 2025 budget was cut significantly, which
      would mean a possible disruption of the plan to have consistent branding within GFR.
    • Have access to Slack, which can be employed as a common communications tool.
  • Mental Health Coordinator (Graeme Warner)
    • GFR supported the Golden Police Department as they dealt with the line of duty death of an
      officer.
  • Auxiliary
    • The Halloween event was well attended.
  • Community Liaison
    • Some cancellations due to weather.

Old Business

• Emergency Access Route Update (S Mefford)
  • Will is still dealing with some minor issues before permits are complete but is making progress.

New Business

• Chief Selection Process
  • Since one of the finalists for the Chief position was in attendance, he was asked to step outside.
  • Some of the volunteers who were present spoke in favor of the internal candidate, Josh Boyles.
  • The Board voted to offer the job to Josh Boyles.
  • Per the Special Districts requirements, the selection must be posted for 14 days before negotiations can proceed.
• May 2025 Election Plan
  • Director Balter, who has noticed the Board of her resignation, effective at the close of this meeting,
    provided the Board with a written plan that includes her offer to manage the public
    education/community outreach related to the EAR mill levy election.
  • When Director Mefford suggested that this be tabled until the December meeting, Director Balter
    rescinded the offer and left the meeting.
  • Subsequently, Director Mefford reconfirmed the Boards intent to fully comply with the motion
    previously passed by the Board Majority to undertake a Tabor Election on May 6 and let the electorate decide if the road should proceed. Toward that end, the Board will work with our legal counsel to assure we are hitting all the milestones needed to proceed with the Election.

Meeting Adjournment

There being no further business, the board meeting was adjourned at 20:15.