1.0/2.0 Call To Order/Roll Call
The Special meeting of the Red, White and Blue Fire District Board of Directors was called to order at 8:11 a.m. by Board President Griffin.  Participating directors were Griffin, Gothard, Krugman, Perkins and Randall.  Also present was Chief Green, Deputy Chief Miller, Fire Marshal Nelson, Finance Officer Modglin, Captain Lynch and Captain Scott, serving as Recording Secretary.

3.0 Citizens Comments and Other Communications
Captian Drew Hoehn and wife, Jesse, welcomed new son, Charlie Hoehn to their family.  Congratulations from the Board of Directors.

4.0 Approval of Changes to the Agenda
Additions including recommendations from the Pension Board meeting and a review of facilities maintenance and use policies were approved.

5.0 Approval of August 20, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes
M/S Gothard, Krugman to approve minutes.  Roll call vote; Gothard – yes, Krugman – yes, Perkins – yes, Randall – yes, Griffin – abstain.  Motion passed.

6.0 Chief’s Report
Chief Green commended the Senior Staff for reviewing and tightening their budgets to assist in currently offsetting over $100,000 in revenue shortfall from dramatic declines in plan review fees and projected deficiencies in tax, intergovernmental, and interest earnings revenue.  Predominant savings identified in training; fuel, operational equipment, insurance and IT capital.  For the November meeting, Griffin asked for a breakdown of specifics on what has been cut, identifying essential and discretionary.  Chief Green noted that essential services are not being compromised with the cuts.

Recent monthly emergency response data remains in line with last year’s record figures and our five year average, however, year-to-date emergency response is down from 2008 by 10%.  A contraction in tourism is the primary driver of this decline.

Administrative notes of importance include our continuing efforts in collaboration with the other fire districts and Flight For Life to develop a model for fire-based, countywide ambulance services.  Service enhancement, from response time to continuity of care, and financial issue, from cost recovery for EMS and rescue services to sustainability, remain the key elements of the new model.  Final draft and presentation to fire district boards is expected in November.

Wildfire mitigation continues to ramp up as the demand for response is winding down with no deployments necessary this season.  The Town of Breckenridge has adopted a voluntary defensible space ordinance allowing homeowners to take the necessary mitigation steps to better protect their homes from the threat of wildfire.  A wildfire focused taskforce has been created to consider multiple issues surrounding wildfire preparedness and response.  Separately, a group of HOA’s has teamed with us to more aggressively take a “FireWise Communities” approach to this threat.  By referencing nationally recognized standards, these HOA’s have initiated efforts to protect their entire subdivisions.  Captain Scott, one of our wildfire mitigation specialists, was asked to give a presentation to the statewide Governor’s Forest Health Task Force including information on local defensible space initiatives and efforts.

The District Board, staff and firefighters expressed their appreciation to Director Randall for the time and commitment he donated to overseeing the stations’ capital improvement projects.  It saved the District a significant amount of money and ensured that the job was completed to a very high standard.  The project was on schedule and under budget.  Staff will review, update and modify as necessary all facility use and maintenance policies and schedules.  Adequate funding for maintenance and improvements will be requested, justified and appropriated annually as part of the budgeting process.

Under the direction of Battalion Chief Austin, our Apparatus Specification Committee has completed the Request For Proposal for the new ladder truck.  Chief Green and District legal counsel will do a final review prior to putting the RFP out to vendors.  Following an apparatus function and needs analysis for the District conducted by the Battalion Chiefs and Chief Miller, an apparatus spec committee was formed and made up of a variety of Driver/Operators, Captains and a few Firefighters.  Chief Green applauded their work on this project and believes we will see a very well thought out result.  Chief Green extended an invitation to have a few Board members assist with the review of proposals in early December.  Directors Gothard, Griffin and Krugman all expressed interest.

Chief Green updated the Board on the Directors’ Service Terms.  A voter-approved initiative extending term limits to 15 years is applicable.  Director Perkins has been elected to serve 8 years ending May 2010, Director Gothard has been elected to serve 6 years ending May 2010, Director Krugman has been elected to serve 2 years ending May 2010, Director Randall has been elected to serve 15 years ending May 2011, and Director Griffin has been elected to serve 12 years ending May 2012.

7.0 Pension Board Update    
Director Perkins re-opened the discussion from the Pension Board meeting clarifying the surviving spouse benefits of the Old-hire Pension as outlined in the contract of Chief Virgil Davis.  The Board discussed modifications and recommended the following:
-Raising the survivor benefit to 100% of Chief Davis’ current pension following review from District legal counsel, Mountain States Employers Council and FPPA, including actuarial impact.
-Should Old-hire pensioner Chief Davis pass prior to resolution, the District will extend survivor benefits to at least 50% of current pension.
M/S Perkins, Randall to incorporate these recommendations into the pension plan for Chief Virgil Davis.

8.0 Approval of August 2009 Claims
Minor clarification requested on a few details.  Director Randall reiterated the importance of shopping and contracting locally within reason and financial feasibility.  Discussion continued regarding the September preliminary claims details with a focus on the unauthorized installation of a gas line for the grill at the North Station.  Chief Green has addressed the personnel management situation and reminded staff of the District’s procurement policy.  M/S Perkins, Krugman to approve the August 2009 claims details.  Roll call vote; Randall-abstain, Gothard-yes, Perkins-yes, Krugman-yes, Griffin-yes.  Motion passed.

9.0 Adjourn to Work Session at 10:25 a.m.M/S Perkins, Gothard.  Voice vote unanimous.  Motion passed.

10.0 Reconvene Board Meeting at 5:30 p.m.M/S Perkins, Gothard.  Voice vote unanimous.  Motion passed.
Directors reviewed a current copy of the District’s fiscal investment policy and elected to make no changes. 

Directors gave direction to evaluate domestic partner recognition for employee benefits to begin in 2010 and research the Employee + 1 health insurance coverage option for 2010 renewal. 

Directors reviewed in depth the first draft of the 2010 budget and provided direction for structure modification, thresholds for operating expenditures and long term financial modeling.

M/S Perkins, Randall to cancel October 15, 2009 regular meeting and call a special meeting for November 6, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. to review 2nd draft of the 2010 budget and conduct regular meeting business.  Voice vote unanimous.  Motion passed.

AdjournmentM/S Perkins, Krugman to adjourn the meeting at 5:40.  Voice vote, unanimous.  Motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted:

Wayne Randall, Secretary
Captain Kim Scott, Recording Secretary