1.0/2.0 Call to Order / Roll Call
The Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Red, White & Blue Fire District was called to order by Director Griffin at 0705.  In attendance were Directors Perkins, Gothard and Griffin.  Directors Randall and Krugman were excused.  Also in attendance Chief Green, Deputy Chief Miller, Carmen Modglin, Fire Marshal Jay Nelson, Captain Lynch and Captain Scott.  Dan Schroeder, a local citizen, was present.  Captain Scott served as Recording Secretary.

3.0 Citizens Comments and Other Communications
Dan Schroeder introduced himself and stated that he is the new Director of the CSU Extension office in Frisco.  He has been in the community for 10 years and currently works at Keystone Science School.  He serves on the Town of Breckenridge Planning Commission and is interested in becoming more involved in our community.  Board welcomed Mr. Schroeder.

4.0 Approval of Changes to the Agenda
Chief Green asked to remove item 11a under “Other Business” from agenda.

5.0 Approval of Minutes of November 6, 2009
Director Perkins asked to amend minutes to reflect the executive session as well as the end of the executive meeting with a voice vote, unanimous.
M/S Gothard/Perkins to approve the minutes from the November 6, 2009 Board meeting with above changes.  Voice vote, unanimous.  Motion carried. 

6.0 Chief’s Report
Chief Green discussed the bid process for the new ladder truck, stating that the bids were opened on December 3, with four vendors bidding.  He hopes to have the final decision by the end of December.  The next meeting for the truck spec committee will be December 15 at 9:00 at Station 6. All board members are welcome to attend to see the first round of review of the bids and ask any questions you may have.  Chief Green stated that the spec committee has done a diligent job up to this point.

Discussion about the new health insurance the District has chosen and a comparison chart was handed out to all present.  Chief Green explained that the main impact to our employees is a $2 thousand deductible, which we didn’t have in the past.  He stated that he is excited about this plan and the cost.  The District was facing making some tough decisions that we don’t have to make, at least for the next 12 months.

Chief Green stated that the County Chiefs will be meeting today at 10:00 to discuss, mainly, EMS, and where they are at with the EMS plan.  He said that some of the difficulties, relating to financial issues, will be worked out.

6.0 Chief’s Report, continued
Chief Green discussed the Summit County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan with the Board and stated that they will need to approve a resolution at the next Board meeting.  This will allow RWB to be eligible to apply for federal funds from FEMA for flood and pine beetle management, etc.  As listed in the Plan, RWB has provided five mitigation strategies for which to focus on and request grant funding. 

Fire Marshal Nelson briefed the Board on the upcoming Dew Tour; the resources needed and reimbursement to the Fire District for medical personnel.
He also stated that the New Year’s Eve fireworks are relocating to the Sawmill Pond, next to the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC).

Chief Miller explained the upcoming live fire training at the Summit Cove Recreation Center, which will take place next week, through the HCTC.  She stated that, depending on the weather, it will be burned to the ground on December 21 or 22.  It will be a great learning and training experience for all crews.

Response Stats
Chief Green stated that call load is down 8% from this time last year.  He will be presenting to the Board next month, information on changing the response areas and the utilization of personnel resources.  He stated that EMS calls were down in November, the main part that drives our response volume.  Service calls and fire alarms rose during that time.

7.0 Monthly Financials & 2009 Budget Update
Chief Green explained that, beginning November 1, a spending freeze has been in effect.  He expects to come in under the 2009 budget.
Discussion around overtime and how best to budget for it.  Chief Miller stated that she is researching how other fire departments budget for it while maintaining specific staffing numbers outlined by federal guidelines.

Claims Details-October, 2009
All line item questions by the Board were answered satisfactorily.  M/S Perkins/Gothard to approve claims, as presented, for October, 2009.  Voice vote, unanimous.  Motion passed.

8.0 Proposed 2010 Budget Discussion
Chief Green explained that modifications were made to the budget; the health insurance being the main driver of that-costs were at a 4% increase instead of 28%.  The accreditation cost was adjusted to four thousand dollars from six thousand dollars.  Chief Green did include the additional visits approved by the Board, for human resources, adding an extra $2100.  He also included additional funding for firefighter and paramedic training that was discussed with the Board.  Total additions, excluding health insurance, were $30 thousand.  He stated that with the mill levy at 8.5, we will be able to add $1.5 million to reserves next year.  Discussion about proposed budget numbers and lines.
Chief Green discussed some articles he read in the Roaring Fork Valley newspaper, outlining mill levy reductions by Basalt and Aspen Fire Departments and the positive media both departments were receiving.  The mill levy wasn’t reduced by much and both departments have substantial reserves.  There was discussion about our reserves, mill levy and looking at our financial policy to see if it needs to be amended to allow more flexibility on our reserve caps.

Perkins asked what progress has been made in the by-law change for Jeannie Davis.  Chief Green stated that he talked with our attorney, Bob Cole, who stated that he didn’t anticipate any problems with it but was waiting on FPPA’s actuarial study.

M/S Perkins/Gothard to set the mill levy at 8.5.  Voice vote, unanimous.  Motion passed.

9.0 Matters for Public Hearing
a: Resolution 2009-07 Adopt the Budget, Set Mill Levies and Appropriate Sums of Money for Fiscal Year 2010
M/S Perkins/Gothard to open public hearing at 9:10 a.m.  Voice vote, unanimous. Motion passed.  No comments.  M/S Perkins/Gothard to close public hearing at 9:11 a.m.  Voice vote, unanimous.  Motion passed.

11.0 Other Business
  Executive Session
M/S Perkins, Gothard to enter executive session at 9:15 a.m. with Chief Green.  Voice vote, unanimous.  Motion passed.  Chief Green left executive session at 9:20 a.m.  M/S Gothard/Perkins to exit executive session at 9:55 a.m.  Voice vote, unanimous.  Motion passed.

10.0 Approval of Resolution 2009-07 Adopt the Budget, Set Mill Levies and Appropriate Sums of Money for Fiscal Year 2010
M/S Perkins, Gothard to adopt Resolution 2009-07 adopting the 2010 budget, setting the mill levy and appropriating sums of money.  Voice vote, unanimous.  Motion passed.  M/S Perkins, Gothard to certify the mill levy at 8.5 mills.  Voice vote, unanimous.  Motion passed.  M/S Perkins, Gothard to appropriate sums of money for Fiscal Year 2010.  Voice vote, unanimous.  Motion passed.

11.0 Review of Fire Chief’s Annual Evaluation and Contract Discussion
M/S Perkins/Gothard – to renew the contract for Chief Green for the year 2010, setting his salary at 1.5% above his base for 2009, and incorporating other provisions as noted in the contract review.  Voice vote unanimous.

12.0 Adjournment
M/S Perkins, Gothard to adjourn said BOD meeting at 10:17 a.m.  Voice vote, unanimous.  Motion passed.

The next meeting of the Red, White & Blue Fire District Board of Directors will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 0700.

Respectfully Submitted:

Arch Gothard, Vice-President
Kim Scott, Recording Secretary