By LC Grady
The Falcon Fire Protection District held its regular board meeting on March 15 at the Falcon Fire Administration Building. Directors Thomas Kerby, Dan Kupferer, Mike Collins and Ray Hawkins were present. Cory Galicia joined via teleconference. Also present were Fire Chief Trent Harwig and attorney Joan Fritsche, legal counsel for the district.
Swearing in ceremony of new chaplain
Chaplain David Phillips was sworn in by Chief Harwig.
Treasurer’s report
Harwig presented the treasurer’s report and said that 17% of the fiscal year was complete as of Feb. 28. The general fund had received 3% of its budgeted revenues, which is typical for the beginning of the year. Harwig mentioned that next month tax revenues will start coming in. Expenditures across the categories were at 10%. The Ambulance Transport Fund has received 8% of budgeted revenues. Across all expenditure categories, the expenses show erroneously at 22% due to a misclassification of a transfer from one account to another, which will be corrected by next month’s meeting. The Capital Projects Fund was at 1% of budgeted revenue. Total expenses across all categories are at 13%. Harwig pointed out the district did not make an originally planned $500,000 payment toward the lease purchase payment because the interest rate on the lease purchase is lower than what the department is collecting on the deposited funds. Kerby suggested holding the funds for the maintenance building to avoid a high interest loan. There was no activity in The Rural Water Fund for the month of February.
Staff/operations reports
Harwig informed the directors that there will be a new agenda item under staff reports for fire prevention. He also added that the department filled an open fire prevention position with a current district employee, Lt. Curtis Kauffman. Kauffman has extensive background in fire prevention and experience from his previous position with the Tri Lakes Fire Department. There were 64 reserve hours for February. Kauffman reported that he was doing fire inspections the first two weeks in his current position. He has done 10 inspections so far. He reported that there was a new apartment complex going in on the southwest corner of Constitution and Marksheffel roads called The Citizen of Constitution; two U-shaped buildings consisting of 266 units. He also brought up the 2021 Fire Code Amendments and said the FFPD has been working on it since December/January. He said 99% of the amendments the district is working on is identical to the Colorado Springs Fire Department. He is anticipating that the amendments will be presented to the board in June or July for approval and hoped to have them implemented at the latest by next January. The district hasn’t done any amendments since fiscal year 2009.
Attorney report
Joan Fritsche addressed two items mentioned in the written attorney report presented to the directors in their packets and also listed on the agenda: closing out the iConn contract for the administration building and the director election.
Administrative building
Harwig informed the directors that the district made all payments to the general contractor on the contract and change orders with the exception of the final retain-age. The building passed all final inspections on all items. The only outstanding item is a set of windows that are on order and will be replaced in 15 to 20 days. Harwig said Fritsche reviewed the file from iConn and the district received everything that was requested from them. Harwig said two legal postings about outstanding debts have to be made a week apart. Final payment can be made 10 days after the second posting.
2023 election update
Fritsche informed the directors that as of Feb. 28, there were more candidates than positions available. Gretchen Tetzlaff and Mandi Kirk have been making preparations for the elections. The district’s website holds information on the election, including candidates’ profiles. Fritsche said for Election Day there will have to be six election judges, three counting judges and three poll working judges.
Board meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. in the meeting room at the Falcon Fire Administration building, 7030 Old Meridian Road. All meetings are open to the public, except for executive sessions.
Stay connected with the Falcon Fire Protection District
Website: http://www.falconfirepd.org
Facebook: Falcon Fire Department
Twitter: @FalconFireDept
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