The Falcon Fire Protection District held its regular board meeting Feb. 20. All board members were present.Board vacancyThe three applicants for the vacant board seat, Mike Collins, Dick Stuart and Mike Smaldino, gave brief statements to the board about their qualifications. After receiving advice from legal counsel in executive session, the board appointed Mike Smaldino to fill the vacant seat. Director Dan Kupferer said he supported the appointment because the northern part of the district where Smaldino resides needs more representation.Kelly Starkman, board president, thanked Collins and Stuart for their interest. “We can always count on you to be there for us when we need you, and we appreciate that,î he said.Treasurer’s reportThe board appointed Smaldino as treasurer.The annual audit is scheduled for May.With 8 percent of the fiscal year complete, the district has collected 4 percent of anticipated annual revenues. Twenty-three percent of budgeted expenditures have been made, including the lease payment for station 1 and the annual payment for workerís compensation insurance. Funds were also transferred from the general fund to the newly established separate account for the Rural Water Fund, which shows as an expense in the budget.Chief’s reportBattalion Chief Vernon Champlin reported two residential development projects in the preliminary planning stages. One is a 100-lot development off Marksheffel Road, between Barnes Road and North Carefree Circle. The second is a 1000-home development east of Meridian Ranch near Eastonville Road and Stapleton Road.Champlin said he will begin work in April on a survey of district water resources to identify locations in relation to population density, needs and fire risk. FFPD will use this data to create a strategic plan that ensures firefighting water supply needs are met throughout the district. FFPD crews are already mapping hydrant locations and have been working on pre-incident plans.Chief Trent Harwig announced that Lt. Curtis Kauffman has been selected for promotion to battalion chief following an in-house promotional process.Pension boardAll trustees were present except Cory Galicia.The fourth quarter report for 2012 indicated that the volunteer pension fund earnings increased in 2012, offsetting losses incurred in 2011.The state conducts an actuarial study of the pension plan every two years. Previously, organizations could request an additional no-cost review of options to determine actuarial soundness for various scenarios (e.g. the effect of modifying benefits or contributions). The Fire & Police Pension Association, which manages the volunteer pension fund, recently notified FFPD that there is now a $1,200 fee for this review of options (the actuarial study is still conducted at no charge). The pension board approved the $1,200 for the additional review of options.Fire marshal job description approvalThe board formally approved the fire marshal job description, which will be effective March 30.2009 International Fire CodeHarwig reported that FFPD has had one meeting with the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs to review FFPDís proposed amendments to the 2009 International Fire Code. HBA was agreeable to most of the amendments after FFPD justified them. However, HBA still disagrees with the sprinkler system requirement for commercial buildings 6,000 square feet or larger, citing concerns that such requirements will stall growth in Falcon.Harwig said that the chart from Appendix B of the IFC outlines the fire flow (amount of water) necessary to fight fires in structures of different sizes and construction types. The sprinkler requirement for 6,000-square-foot commercial buildings was based on this guidance, combined with FFPD staffing, equipment and water supply capabilities. ìAnything over that requires more water than we can produce,î he said.Harwig noted that FFPD can continue to operate under the 2006 IFC, which includes the sprinkler requirement for 6,000-square-foot commercial structures, and does not have to adopt the 2009 IFC.Station 2 cell phone towerThe installation of the Fidelity Towers cell phone tower at FFPD station 2 was approved by county commissioners. There was no one present to voice opposition of the tower. The tower could be in place by June.
