The Falcon Fire Protection District held its regular monthly board meeting Aug. 17. All board members were present except for Joan Hathcock, who was granted an excused absence. Richard Shearer, legal counsel for the district, was also present.Treasurerís reportFire Chief Trent Harwig reported that the fiscal year is 58 percent complete as of July 31. Ninety-four percent of anticipated revenue has been received, while expenditures are at 49 percent.Chiefís reportHarwig reported that the district is working on an intergovernmental agreement with the Meridian Ranch Metropolitan District for testing fire hydrants and exercising them (making sure they work properly).The district will undergo its Insurance Services Organization evaluation Aug. 22, and Harwig said that Deputy Chief Jeff Petersma has been working hard to prepare for it. ìWeíre in a much better place than we were six years ago,î Harwig said, adding that he thinks the district could earn a lower rating, which would, in turn, mean better property insurance premiums for district residents. The rating should be issued early next year after Station 4 goes into service, he said.FFPD received a $10,998 grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to purchase wildland firefighting boots. Harwig said this grant does not require the district to contribute any matching funds. Director Mike Collins thanked FFPD firefighter Amy Webb, who found the grant, and FFPD Lt. Corey Kirt, who wrote and submitted the grant application.Harwig said the district is also receiving a grant from Plains to Peaks Emergency Medical and Trauma Service Region for a new LIFEPAKÆ 15 cardiac monitor/defibrillator and another LUCASô Chest Compression System ó both will be assigned to the Station 4 engine. This grant requires the district to pay 50 percent of the estimated cost for both items. Harwig estimated the districtís share of the monitor will be $15,750 and the chest compression device will be $6,800.As a result of the districtís Community Wildfire Protection Plan completed earlier this year, the district is eligible to apply for a Colorado Department of Natural Resources grant to obtain a wood chipper. Harwig said that Black Forest Together and Wescott Fire Protection District have been successful in obtaining similar grants for mitigation efforts. He said the wood chipper would be made available not only to FFPD residents, but also for Black Forest Together projects in the Black Forest area. The grant awards will be announced in September. Harwig said this grant also requires a 50 percent match from the district, which will be about $24,000 and could be included in next yearís budget.Harwig said FFPD can apply for other grants to cover the expenses associated with these grant awards. In the past, the district has previously received such grants from Mountain View Electric Association and Farmerís State Bank.Incident statisticsFFPD responded to 165 calls for service in July, compared to 156 in July 2015. The year-to-date total through July 31 is 1,213 alarms, which represents a 6.5 percent increase over the same period in 2015.CDOT studyHarwig attended the Aug. 16 public meeting for the Colorado Department of Transportation U.S. Highway 24 Planning & Environmental Linkages Study. He described the meeting as more of an open house regarding the study area (U.S. Highway 24 between Powers Boulevard and the town of Ramah), with no details on specific intersections. Station 3 parking lotThe board discussed the deterioration of concrete ramps and asphalt in the Station 3 parking lot. Board President Dan Kupferer said he believed the repairs couldnít wait until the county begins work on the U.S. 24/Meridian Road intersection next year. He said the district might be able to obtain the countyís preliminary design to work with.Station 4The structural steel has been delivered, and the foundation groundwork has begun.Workersí Compensation Wage Continuation ProgramThe board discussed a potential change to how district employees are paid under workersí compensation claims. The current arrangement allows workersí comp to pay the employee directly. Harwig recommended the district adopt another option, which allows the district to continue paying the employee; and workersí comp then reimburses the district. He said there is no cost savings either way, but the proposed change would be easier for both the district and the employee in terms of maintaining benefits and retirement contributions. Attorney Richard Shearer said he would review the issue.Newport Center LLC exclusion requestHarwig said the districtís legal counsel has reviewed the Newport Center LLC exclusion request for three undeveloped lots that have been annexed by the city. The board will hold an exclusion hearing in conjunction with Septemberís regular board meeting.District insurance renewalHarwig reported that the district received a letter of non-renewal from its current insurance carrier because of claims and loss history. The current policy lapses Sept. 4. Another carrier was found through the Special District Association pool, but coverage is expected to cost an additional $5,000 to $6,000 per year. Deductibles in some categories will also increase. The board voted to accept the insurance proposal for the remainder of 2016, while continuing to seek a carrier that can offer better premiums and deductibles.
