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Monument Fire District, May 8 and 22 – Staff promoted; controlled burn days announced

By Natalie Barszcz

The Monument Fire District (MFD) board held a special meeting on May 8 to approve the final property inclusion from Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD). At the regular meeting on May 22, two firefighters were promoted to engineers before the meeting, and the board was introduced to the district’s nine graduates of the Pikes Peak Regional Fire Academy (PPRFA).

The board heard about the seasonal mitigation efforts and the planned control burn in Monument Preserve, received updates on the potential for additional district funding sources, and heard about other projects in progress. Former Wescott board Directors Mark Gunderman and Duane Garrett were welcomed by the board and staff.

President Mike Smaldino and Vice President John Hildebrandt attended via Zoom at the May 22 meeting.

Directors Randy Estes and Duane Garrett were excused from the May 22 meeting.

May 8 – Merger update

At the May 8 special meeting, the board held a public hearing pursuant to a published notice to consider proposed Resolution 2024-10 and to certify an order approving two properties for inclusion into the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District’s jurisdiction. The remaining real properties, identified in the assessor schedule numbers as 6132001022 and 6206304013, belong to the remaining two DWFPD board directors. There were no public comments made for or against during the public hearing.

The board unanimously approved the inclusion of property in a 5-0 vote.

The meeting adjourned at 3:32 p.m.

May 22 meeting

At the May 22 regular meeting, Fire Chief Andy Kovacs said the merger process remains on target to meet the timeline. The Transfer of the Volunteer Firefighters Pension Fund to MFD will be reflected in the 2025 fiscal year. Wescott district attorney Emily Powell and MFD attorney Maureen Juran anticipate the conclusion of the consolidation of the districts in November 2024.

Inaugural Pikes Peak Regional Training Academy

Kovacs said the first PPRTA graduation ceremony took place on May 3 at the Woodmen Valley Church North and was made possible with a second-to-none collaboration between the district, Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District, and Pikes Peak State College, and the college’s instructional cadre put together a great product. The recruits scored well during the state testing process, and some improvements will be made to future firefighter academies. Division Chief of Community Risk Jonathan Bradley and several others scrambled together the academy in short order last September to ensure a fire academy was available when other options were unavailable.

The 2025 hiring process is in discussion for budget development, and the hiring process will begin in June to establish an eligibility list in the event the district loses staff over the next year. The staff developed a great hiring process and are selecting fantastic individuals to join the organization, Kovacs said. See accompanying photo.

Mitigation efforts underway/controlled burn plan

Bradley said the 2024 chipping program had added more neighborhoods, and about 60 resident volunteers began chipping on May 11 in the areas adjacent to Monument Preserve. The district typically stacks double chipping days with two chippers, but due to a failure with one chipper, volunteers and chipping crew will return to complete the mitigation efforts in time for the U.S. Forest Service to begin the prescribed burn. Chipping events will continue every weekend throughout the combined district until Oct. 12.

Bradley laid out the plan and premise for the prescribed burn and said:

  • The mitigation efforts on the west side of Monument in the area known as Monument Preserve will cumulate the efforts of residential mitigation and the mastication over the past three years with a three-day prescribed burn of up to 900 acres.
  • The residents were involved in the planning and preparation for the event with the goal of removing the understory of the forest in Monument Preserve.
  • U.S. Forest Service efforts removed a large amount of scrub oak and thinned the pine forest, but the scrub oak will continue to grow back until the prescribed burn removes the new growth. The result should create a healthy ponderosa pine forest.
  • About 100 firefighters will be on-site during the burn planned by the U.S. Forest Service, and the burn could begin as early as June 10, weather permitting.
  • The burn start point will be in the northeast section of Shiloh Pines and work back to Mount Herman Road on the first day. The burn will border Forest View Acres and Forest View Estates, but not Red Rocks Ranch.

Kovacs said he, Bradley, and the on-duty crew attended the annual Wildland Fire Preparation Workshop at Palmer Ridge High School. The turnout was lower than in recent years due to snow conditions, but it is always a good opportunity to educate the community on the dangers of wildland fire danger and preparedness, he said. See snapshot section on page 20.

New board members welcomed

Treasurer Tom Kelly welcomed former DWFPD Director Mark Gunderman. Gunderman said that ever since the merger journey several years ago, the organization has been moving in the right direction, and the department is aiming to be self-sufficient in a responsible way. He is glad the merger has worked out and the district is now taking part in a successful firefighter training academy. He appreciates the opportunity to serve on the MFD Board of Directors and hopes to continue long-term support for the district and the community.

Kovacs said he had worked closely with the Wescott board to consolidate the two districts and in the process an excellent working relationship had formed. He is excited that Gunderman and Garrett are joining the Board of Directors as representatives of the former Wescott community. Both directors will be able to provide vision, knowledge, expertise, and direction to the district in the future, he said.

Station 3 rebuild update

Kovacs said the staff is working closely with OZ Architects on the Station 3 design. A couple of directors sat in on the May 8 presentation from OZ Architects. Another presentation of the design is scheduled for the end of May to collectively decide on the final station design, the footprint, and what the station will look like on the parcel of land. After the plans have been submitted to the Town of Monument and approval is received, the district can proceed with the land purchase adjacent to and north of the YMCA.

Station remodel updates

Kovacs said a new concrete apron had been installed at the bay entrance of Station 4 (Gleneagle Drive) to replace the asphalt surface that is not designed for heavy apparatus. The crews co-located at Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) Station 22 (Voyager Parkway) will return to the district at the end of May. When the remodel is complete, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be scheduled in September to showcase the updates to the community. The Station 2 (Rollercoaster Road) full remodel is ready to go to permitting and the remodel will begin in late September or October. All stations will have incredible working conditions for the firefighters by the end of 2025, Kovacs said, except for Station 3 that will be rebuilt in a new location.

Station 1 training center update

Kovacs said Chris Purdue, the civil engineer working on the development of the Station 1 Training Center site, planned to submit all the plans for the major PUD and plat to the Town of Monument by the end of May with the hope of securing approval by mid-August. Front Range Fire Apparatus is committed to a 2-acre parcel near Highway 105 and the Burlington Northern & Sante Fe rail track.

Accreditation update

Kovacs said Battalion Chief of Accreditation Scott Ridings attended training in Indiana as part of an accreditation team and in the process experienced an accreditation assessment of another fire department. The district is close to completing the over 200 competencies required before assessment. A mentor has been provided to the district to review documentation and ensure the district is meeting the expectations of the accreditation process, he said.

Chief’s report

Kovacs said:

  • After testifying for the first time at the State Capitol on SB-194, a bill that will allow special districts, specifically fire districts, to collect impact fees and sales tax was passed. Twenty other special districts already have those rights in place, and now the bill has passed through state Legislature and is waiting for Gov. Jared Polis’ signature.
  • Driver/operator training on the Type 3 Wildland engine is complete, and the apparatus is available to respond within the county, the state or for deployment throughout the Western United States.
  • The district purchased a LUCAS device for about $21,000. The device delivers hands-free mechanical chest compressions, and budget permitting the district hopes to purchase a device for each ambulance in 2025.
  • The district purchased a new drone recently that proved beneficial during a medical emergency response to a victim on the roof of the Eagle Rock Distribution Center that is under construction. The drone provides real time situational awareness with its camera, infrared capability, and a speaker to communicate with victims. Staff members are researching the types of items that could be dropped off during a rescue. In the case of a water rescue, the drone could drop off a flotation device before staff reach the victim via boat.
  • The CSFD is creating an enterprise to provide ambulance service. The service will be a bonus for the Monument residents as the district maintains an in-kind resources mutual aid relationship with CSFD.

Fleet updates

Kovacs said Division Chief of Administration Jamey Bumgarner placed an order to replace the Wescott small water tender that will be budgeted for 2025, and said:

  • The approved chassis for the Type 6 Brush Truck will be assembled in Boise, Idaho. The chassis was behind schedule, delaying construction of the apparatus. The build was originally quoted as six months but will take about 18-20 months with an expected delivery in 2025.
  • The delivery of two Type 3 Engines ordered in 2023 is expected to take another two years.
  • The ordered tower ladder truck is expected in October. The existing tower ladder will be held in reserve, and the Wescott tower ladder will be sold after the two ordered Type 3 engines are received.
  • The districts purchased a UTV to replace an existing vehicle; the snow tracks have been removed for the season. The UTV will be in service for rescues in rough terrain areas.

The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.

**********

Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26 at 6:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Zoom joining instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Above: Fire Chief Andy Kovacs administers the oath of office to the nine district firefighters graduating from the inaugural Pikes Peak Regional Fire Academy on May 8 at Woodmen Valley Chapel, Monument. On stage from left, firefighters Wesley Cashion, Erich Cassaday, Colton Dill, Matthew Griggs, Jordyn Kaplan, Joshua Kroenling, Colton Maloney, Connor Parker, and Justin Preedy take the oath of office. Family members pinned on the badges during the ceremony. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.
Above: Firefighters Christian Schmidt and Tyler Brickell were promoted to driver operator/engineers in a promotion ceremony before the regular board meeting on May 22. Engineer Schmidt receives his badge from Shannon Schmidt, left, and Engineer Tyler Bicknell receives his badge from Dana Bicknell. Fire Chief Andy Kovacs administered the oath of office during the ceremony. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

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Monument Fire District Town Hall, April 18 – Proposed training center plans revealed

By Natalie Barszcz

Above: A computer-generated depiction of the proposed Station 1 training tower. Graphic courtesy of MFD.

At the Monument Fire District Station 1 proposed training center informational meeting on April 18, about 15 residents attended in person with a few attending via Zoom.

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs welcomed the residents and said he and his staff would give a short PowerPoint presentation on the proposed training center and answer questions.

Division Chief of Administration Jamey Bumgarner presented the district background and said:

  • The original Station 1 was built in the early 1980s, and the current station was built in the early 2000s. The district began with an all-volunteer firefighting force with administration offices at the same location.
  • In 2019, a remodel design process began to turn Station 1 into a modern facility, however architects realized the existing site would not be big enough for the design, because the setbacks were insufficient.
  • The district asked the adjacent landowner if additional footage could be purchased; the owner agreed and offered the district the entire property of about 15 acres. The district purchased the land for about $390,000 in 2020. The remodel began May 29, 2021, and was completed in fall 2021.
  • Before obtaining the additional acreage, the district hired Emergency Services Consulting International (ESCI) to develop a master plan for the district. Upon its completion in spring 2019, the plan recommended the district increase the training facilities, because the entire district only had one training room.
  • Since 2021, the district has considered two other options for a training center: a small share of a parcel off Synthes Avenue, where the Town of Monument (TOM) had earmarked 7 acres for the Public Works Department, and 2 acres of land at Terrazzo Drive and Baptist Road. Both options were insufficient for a training tower and ruled out.

Note: The 2019 Master Plan can be found under “Transparency” at www.monumentfire.org.

Kovacs said when he arrived in January 2021 he identified the need for a five-year strategic plan, (available at www.monumentfire.org) developed with an internal stakeholder assessment, with all of the employees completing a multi-question survey to identify the organization’s weaknesses and strengths—called a swat analysis. Community workshops were held and participants answered the same questions, and the feedback was coupled with the master plan to develop a strategic plan. The strategic plan has translated into the pursuit of agency accreditation, whereby the district continually looks internally to identify the agency’s strengths and weaknesses.

The data collection has been a heavy lift for the past year and a half for staff, and an external peer assessment team is expected to assess the district in fall 2024 or spring 2025. The district’s strategic plan, standards of cover, and community risk assessment will be scrutinized by the team as it evaluates the district’s processes, programs, and call response times before making recommendations to improve the district. The district will then find ways to implement those recommendations. Only 300 fire districts within the U.S. have achieved agency accreditation, and the district thought it was important to be a progressive, world-class fire department, said Kovacs.

Kovacs said the district typically utilizes public and private property to complete training, such as Monument Marketplace, but asphalt has been damaged in the past due to heavy apparatus, and the district used insurance to make those repairs. Staff train during duty hours 95% of the time with about 5% of staff attending educational opportunities out of the district. Staff also use neighboring facilities for training such as:

  • Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD), a 28-minute drive, traffic permitting, but CSFD has 500 firefighters to train and needs a second training center. Access is at the mercy of CSFD, and the facility is closed for renovation.
  • Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District (BFFRPD), a 22-minute drive, class-A facility that burns combustible materials in Conex containers. The proposed district training site would include theatrical smoke and LED light boards, no odor from smoke and only organic and environmentally friendly materials used during a simulated fire.
  • The Air Force Academy (AFA), a 20-minute drive, also a class-A facility inside a concrete structure, but does not have the nuanced training facility the district is proposing and with military bases, access is limited.

Leaving the district to complete training has its drawbacks, with limited slots available and reserved slots subject to cancellations, long travel times taking apparatus and firefighters out of the district make a logistical effort to respond back to district calls. He said he would not be comfortable in the future explaining to the public why a response took too long due to personnel attending training out of district, said Kovacs.

On the proposed training center site, the district is also considering a workshop to avoid travelling to its apparatus vendor Front Range Fire Apparatus (FRFA), located in Frederick-Firestone. Having an onsite FRFA workshop would reduce overtime and fuel costs (a typical engine gets 3-4 miles per gallon), and avoid building a workshop and hiring mechanics, and district crews would no longer have to travel through the Denver Metro area for maintenance, said Kovacs.

Kovacs said the district’s current Insurance Services Office (ISO) score (used by insurance companies to assess fire risk) is 15.40 out of a 35 score. By creating a training center, storage facilities and a maintenance workshop, the district could achieve a lower accreditation score and reduce homeowners’ and commercial insurance rates. Training center site development would include: a warehouse, a training building, auto extrication area, confined space training, wildland fire training, drafting/pump testing, and classrooms/offices for additional administrative staff. A ventilation roof prop structure will be included in the proposed training tower, and although CSFD recently added a ventilation roof prop structure into the CSFD training center, no other training facility within the region has ventilation props.

Noise requirements have been met by the town and El Paso County and would be less than what is experienced from Highway 105 and from the Burlington Northern Sante Fe trains passing through. Operations would not be held overnight. Water run/off contamination will be addressed, and an engineered retention pond will be incorporated for cleaning, before being released into the ground. No PFAS firefighting foam will be used for training. There will be no light pollution and visual aesthetics such as berms, trees, and natural landscaping will be incorporated, with considerable setbacks and easement. There will be no bond or raising of taxes to develop the site, and that includes other projects throughout the district. Instead, the district will use existing funds in a phased approach over the next few years, depending on available revenue. The district has minimized debt and operates in a fiscally responsible manner, Kovacs said, but there is a need to prepare highly trained firefighters disciplined in all-risk types of training within the district. There will be consideration to the neighbors in a phased in development, said Kovacs.

The executive staff received questions and concerns from several residents; they were answered as follows:

Battalion Chief of Training and EMS Shannon Balvanz said to achieve accreditation, the district needs at least a three-story facility, to pull hoses, smoke up rooms, and complete all the core training. The tower will not just be about live fire training, but the district cannot keep travelling to Colorado Springs, and even the CSFD staff do not get enough access to their own training facility.

Kovacs said the district employs 70 firefighters, and like-size districts offer the same level of training to their firefighters in similar training towers. The ESCI study determined that northern El Paso County needed to do a better job regionalizing training, and the center would give opportunities to partner agencies, such as Palmer Lake Fire Department, Larkspur Fire Department, BFFRPD, and others. Regional partner agencies would train together, as they respond with each other to the same incidents, and everyone becomes proficient at working together. Although offering the facility to other districts would be fee based, it is not a money maker and will keep costs neutral and help maintain the facility. There is an opportunity to offer a state-of-the-art facility, and Monument Police Department Chief Patrick Regan sees the value and is interested in using the facility for police training, he said.

Kovacs said the district is in the early phase of planning, and it budgeted $2.4 million this year. Funds will be used for the noise study, a soil study, and a planned unit development amendment, and the district will undergo a design phase with architects. Any unspent funds will be used for the next phase.

Bumgarner said the planning process with the TOM is expected to take about 18 months, and the district will begin the project when the process is completed.

Balvanz said the tower structure is estimated to cost $1 million.

Kovacs said the district would be committed to a lifelong process of being introspective to find ways to benefit the community, evaluating processes annually, and finding deficiencies and ways to provide better service. The district is doing the best it can training firefighters with what is available within the region, but the accreditation process also evaluates infrastructure deficiencies.

Bumgarner said as the district can constantly lower the ISO rating, everyone will see some reduction in their rates at some point as the Fire Department becomes more efficient. Although some agencies will state it has no bearing, the department is held to ISO standards whether some insurance companies honor the rating or not, but some companies are canceling homeowners’ insurance in the wildland urban interface areas.

Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction Jonathan Bradley said the response time for an initial unit is about six 1/2 minutes for the first unit, depending on urban or rural locations. The entire effective responsive team will ideally be there within 10 to 12 minutes, and depending on the call type, dispatch will determine the number of units and people needed, which relates to first alarm, second alarm, third alarm, and so on. If units are missing, the computer-aided dispatch will send additional units from other districts, but not only are those farther away, they are on a different dispatch system. Districts can shift around and cover each other, but the more that happens, coverage is lost in other districts, and out of district units cannot meet the standard response time, he said.

Bradley also said primary education at the firefighter and paramedic academies is designed for constant repetitions, but without regular repetitive training how can we measure skills, and when residents call will staff be up to task. Training exists in the former Chili’s parking lot until it is no longer available, however the vast majority of call volume is medical, and the only facility is the training room. The district receives fantastic primary medical training from paramedic partners, but the district is not set up for that training. The tower would also be used for medic training, another reason to not use combustible materials.

Bumgarner said the district received its second three-story apartment complex and more are coming, but the district needs to practice retrieving patients from third-floor structures. Lowering ISO ratings may not affect homeowners’ insurance, but it will affect commercial properties and help across the board.

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District board President Mark Gunderman said the return on the investment makes sense with the district growth. As an insurance agent for a major company, Gunderman said insurance companies do look at ISO ratings, but the risk is increasing and homeowners’ insurance will continue to go up due to risk and material costs. The ISO rate will increase for the district, but what would have been a few hundred dollars’ decrease appears to be wiped out due to the risk assessment and costs increases, said Gunderman.

Former law enforcement officer/resident Steven Phillips asked if staffing needs are being met for the growth of the district and how many firefighters are close to retirement, and said the number one need for emergency services is training. As a Monument resident for 24 years, he said the dynamics have changed in the last few years, with large warehouses presenting a totally different type of fire. Adding a training center is commendable without a tax increase, said Phillips.

Bradley said the district has not yet met staffing needs and minimum daily staffing per suppression unit is three, but the district is evaluating moving to four. Many of the firefighters are young, but a significant number of staff are five years away from retirement. Denver West Metro has grown so much it cannot train the district firefighters, and CSFD is not accepting outside recruits in 2024, so the district partnered with Pikes Peak State College and BFFRPD to create a combined fire academy last fall.

A few residents raised concern about the voter-approved mill levy increase, noting the district had not included a proposed training facility in the ballot wording, and would the mill levy decrease.

Kovacs said the district relies heavily on property tax revenue and would not be able to operate without it. This November a number of ballot issues will have a direct impact on district funding, but the voter-approved 2017 November ballot measure increasing the district’s mill levy for 2018 was to provide competitive salaries to retain staff and provide enough capital improvement funding to upgrade outdated equipment, replace and maintain ageing apparatus, and upgrade the stations. See http://www.ocn.me/v17n4.htm#tlmfpd and http://www.ocn.me/v17n8.htm#tlmfpd.

At about an hour and 19 minutes into the meeting, an unidentified Zoom member repeatedly interrupted, yelling comments in opposition to the development of the training center and suggested funding be spent on firefighters.

Bradley responded, stating the cost of the training center may sound like a big number on the surface, but the district will not be building every year, and the facility is unlikely to need upgrading for about 40 years. It takes a lot of time for staff to rotate through training, said Bradley.

Note: The district has nine firefighter recruits graduating on May 3 and two firefighters in paramedic school. The district completed a remodel of Station 5, expanding its accommodations, is undergoing a similar remodel at Station 4, and upon completion, plans to remodel Sation 2. The Station 3 rebuild is progressing for a planned 2027 completion. See MFD article on page 15.

The meeting adjourned at 8 p.m.

**********

Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Zoom meeting instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Above: Battalion Chief of Training and EMS Shannon Balvanz answers questions about the proposed three-storied training tower for the undeveloped acreage adjacent to Monument Fire District Station 1, at 18650 Highway 105. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.
 

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Monument Fire District, April 24 – Station 3 land purchase approved; outgoing directors recognized

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on April 24, the board approved a land purchase agreement for the rebuild of Station 3, recognized outgoing board Directors Roger Lance and Tom Tharnish; received an update on the merger process, received feedback from the Station 1 training center development town hall, and further discussed a land purchase for a future Station 6. The board also heard about a Senate Bill 194.

Vice President John Hildebrandt attended via Zoom.

Outgoing director recognition

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs said it was the end of an era as directors Lance and Tharnish end their tenure on the Board of Directors and allow Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) board Directors Mark Gunderman and Duanne Garrett to replace them as permanent MFD board members. He said he could not ask for a better Board of Directors, with hearts always in the right place always looking out for the line firefighters and finding better ways to serve the community. He thanked them for their contributions to the district, the firefighters, and the community over the years.

Local 4319 President/Engineer Christian Schmidt thanked both directors for their contributions and said he had personally enjoyed getting to know the directors over the past few years, the firefighters appreciate everything the board has achieved, and it has been a genuine privilege.

Lance said the firefighters are the customer next to the community, there is no other group more important than the firefighters. We have leadership, and a board, but the firefighters do the job, and he is proud to have served and knows he is leaving this department in a better place.

Tharnish said in the short nine years, the knowledge gained had been overwhelming at times but enlightening. He thanked the Local 4319 for its support, and he knows the district is in good hands, and a much better organization than when he joined the board, and he hopes that continues.

President Mike Smaldino thanked both directors for their contribution, leadership, and their perspectives and it has been a privilege to serve together.

Fire Station 3 land purchase agreement

John Sattler, vice president of NVS Program Management, representing the district and overseeing the Station 3 rebuild, said the process is non-traditional and it would have been preferable to build the station on a finished piece of ground, instead of a property that is undivided without any infrastructure, but there were no other properties to wait on. The purchase price is $1.346 million for the 2-acre lot north of the YMCA for the rebuild of Station 3 with administration office space. The building will be 20,000 square feet and will meet the future district needs with room to grow, he said.

The board approved the Fire Station 3 land purchase agreement 6-1 in a roll call vote; Tharnish abstained.

Note: The district budgeted $2.4 million to begin the project in 2024. See www.ocn.me/v24n4.htm#mfd.

Training Center development—town hall meeting

Kovacs said about 90% of the community residents attending the Station 1 proposed training center development town hall on April 18 were in support of the development. A couple of residents raised concerns about the development and the potential cost that has not yet been fully realized. The district will not be using any bonds or tax increases to develop the site, and that eased concerns. Some residents were also concerned the district was duplicating efforts when other facilities exist in the county, but the training center will keep staff in district during training, and that will best serve the community, he said. See the Town Hall article on page 1.

Kelly said a few residents in attendance had the impression that the 2017 ballot measure increasing the mill levy would eventually reduce the levy if the district had enough funding. The common theme was why the district was proposing to spend about $3 million on a training center. The answer is for the professional development of firefighters to give them what they need to perform the mission and save lives. The residents were asking for an adjustment to the mill levy at the meeting and were scrutinizing the district expenditures. The board needs to be very judicious with the taxpayers’ dollars, and that is what the residents were asking for, said Kelly.

Lance said the board did reduce the mill levy for 2024, that was a board decision, but we could have maintained authorizing the matching mill levy but chose not to.

Hildebrandt said for future community meetings there needs to be rules on how the public can comment. One individual was not only texting incorrect information but also blurted out comments that interfered with the normal decorum of the meeting. He understands the concern about the district spending additional funds, but the board is being frugal, and the plans are for the future growth of the district. The idea of returning $3 million in a mill levy decrease every time the district has additional funding would not be very prudent for the district’s financial planning. Sometimes the district will be able to commit to a project, other times the district will need to wait until finances build up, said Hildebrandt.

Merger update

Kovacs said at the DWFPD board meeting that district counsel Emily Powell requested the MFD Board of Directors hold a special meeting on May 8. The short meeting is necessary to approve a resolution to transfer the remaining two properties belonging to directors Charles Fleece and Mike Forsythe and begin the process of dissolving DWFPD. See DWFPD article on page 13.

Fire Station 6 land purchase

Kovacs said he received another offer from a property owner willing to sell an 8-acre parcel of land just north of the QuikTrip land, off Old Denver Road, with a creek running through it. The executive staff have walked the property that is just north of the QuikTrip 4-acre site. When QuikTrip approached the district through an intermediary as it was developing the property, the 4 acres were being used to stage materials and equipment. The district cannot definitively determine how the district would use all 4 acres, but with all the development in the district there will be few opportunities to purchase land. In five to 10 years from now, the district may need to add a sixth station and the land would be in the right area. The district has budgeted to purchase 2 acres in 2024 and Kovacs requested the board focus on purchasing 2 acres instead of 4. He said the district needs to live within its means, and he encouraged the directors to discuss the options.

The board discussed the options, which revealed varying opinions. Kelly and Secretary Jason Buckingham agreed the board should remain fiscally responsible and stick with the 2-acre requirement. Tharnish said the right to first refusal would not obligate the district to any financial commitment, even though the district does not have a plan for the additional 2 acres.

Estes concurred with Tharnish, to pursue all options, and said the QuikTrip location is an outstanding property.

Hildebrandt agreed with Estes and said the QuikTrip property would be preferable and has the best location. He also agreed with Kelly and said the district must be prudent with taxpayers’ dollars in light of the feedback from the Station 1 proposed training center town hall.

Smaldino agreed with Lance, favoring the entire 4-acre QuikTrip property. The district was lucky to purchase land and expand Station 1; the original site was large enough when it was originally built as a volunteer fire station. Station 2 has a leach field on donated property, and nobody knows what the future fire service needs will be. It is better value today to purchase 4 acres and do due diligence instead of purchasing land at a higher cost down the road, said Smaldino. See www.ocn.me/v24n4.htm#mfd.

The board requested Kovacs provide more information and comparison costs for both sites at the next regular board meeting.

Future funding sources

Kovacs said Senate Bill 194 was heard by a House committee on April 23 and received 10-1 bi-partisan support. SB 194 is nearing approval and will rewrite the language for Title 32, the legal governing state statute for special districts. The bill will allow fire districts to look at other sources of revenue, in the way over 20 other special districts are already permitted to do. The board could seek other sources of revenue after voter approval such as: the collection of impact fees in unincorporated areas of the district or imposing a sales tax on the residents. Proposed November ballot initiatives could compromise the district’s largest single source of revenue (about 75% to 85% funded by property taxes). He testified at the State Capital stating, “It was unwise to put all of your eggs in one basket and keep money in the bank, but sensible to diversify, with investments and property.” When the county fire chiefs requested impact fee collection in unincorporated El Paso County in 2018, the county commissioners defeated the proposal, said Kovacs.

Financial update

Kelly read the financial report as of March 31, and said:

  • The first installment of the property tax revenue, about $4.9 million, and all other revenue streams are tracking very well.
  • Impact Fees received year to date were $85,698 or 42.8% of the annual budget projected at a revenue of $200,000.
  • Overall revenue received year to date was about $6.7 million or about 30.4% of the projected 2024 annual income budget set at $22 million.
  • Wages and benefits were a little over budget year to date.
  • Overall expenses were about $4.54 million, about 27.8% of the projected 2024 expense budget set at about $16.33 million.

The board accepted the financial report as presented.

Chief’s report

Kovacs said the following:

  • The Pikes Peak Office of Emergency Management supported the district during the March 13-15 storm, listening to the district’s concerns to avoid closing I-25.
  • The district brought extra staff ahead of the storm and had budgeted to accommodate some staff in hotels during the event. See www.ocn.me/v24n4.htm#mfd.
  • An in-house engineer hiring candidate process had begun for two positions that became available after the lieutenant promotions occurred in January. Three internal staffers are competing for the two positions; testing will take place in May.
  • Two district staffers are enrolled in paramedic school.
  • The district received a thank you card from Bent County for sending a crew with a Type 6 brush truck to assist for two days during the Boggsville Fire.

Forest Service controlled burn update

Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction Jonathan Bradley said the following:

  • The Forest Service prescribed burn in the Mount Herman and Monument Preserve area is scheduled for mid-July and is dependent on a match-up with fuel moistures and the weather conditions.
  • The burn will begin in the north near Mount Herman Road and work south into Monument Preserve, focusing on the masticated area that was completed over the past few years. The plan is to burn out the scrub oak regrowth to create a healthy ponderosa pine forest.
  • The district is liaising with homeowners association ambassadors to ensure information reaches affected property owners, especially those that border the forest.
  • The seasonal chipping program is scheduled to begin on May 11, and a resident licensed with the Forest Service to do mitigation work will mitigate along private property lines with other volunteers in the planned controlled burn area.
  • The district will chip the debris the volunteers mitigate.

The communities around the burn areas will be much safer in the future, said Bradley.

The meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. A short special meeting is scheduled for May 8 at 6:30 p.m. to approve the next phase in the merger. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Zoom joining instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Above: From left, Local 4319 President/Engineer Christian Schmidt, Director Roger Lance, Fire Chief Andy Kovacs, and Lt. Roger Lance in the Station 1 training room during the Monument Fire District Board of Directors meeting on April 24. Schmidt recognized Lance for his service on the board from 2008-24. Lance was presented with a glass commemorative plaque, thanking him for his dedication and commitment to the fire district. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.
Above: From left, Local 4319 President/Engineer Christian Schmidt, Director Tom Tharnish and Fire Chief Andy Kovacs, in the Station 1 training room during the Monument Fire District board of directors meeting on April 24. Schmidt thanked Tharnish for serving nine years on the board of directors and presented him with a glass commemorative plaque recognizing his dedication and commitment to the fire district. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

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Monument Fire District, Feb. 28, March 6 and 27 – Wescott property inclusion approved; land purchase agreements discussed

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Monument Fire District meeting on Feb. 28, the board held a public hearing before approving the inclusion of two unincorporated El Paso County properties in the Forest View Acres subdivision, approved the 2024 Employee Handbook, and received an update on the Station 3 rebuild land purchase agreement.

The board held a special meeting on March 6 to conduct a public hearing for the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD) and Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) inclusion/exclusion of real property process.

On March 27, the board received information about the land purchase costs to rebuild Station 3, received an after-action storm report for the mid-March snow event, and held a lengthy discussion on the opportunity to purchase acreage for a future sixth station.

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs was absent for the Feb. 28 and the March 27 meetings.

President Mike Smaldino and Secretary Jason Buckingham were excused on March 27.

Property inclusions—Forest View Acres

At the Feb. 28 meeting, the board held a public hearing for the following two properties seeking to be included into the district:

  • Resolution 2024-06 Gould property, 738 Forest View Way.
  • Resolution 2024-07 Thulin property, 4035 Deer Creek Valley Court.

Hearing no comments in favor or opposition, the board closed the hearing. In a roll call vote, the board approved the real property inclusions. Vice President John Hildebrandt abstained in the roll call vote due to audio difficulties via Zoom.

Note: The district received a list of properties from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPCSO) identifying properties within the greater district boundaries that had not been officially recorded within the district. The district informed each of the property owners via letter, asking if they would like to be included into the district for fire protection and EMS services. See www.ocn.me/v24n1.htm#mfd.

2024 Employee Handbook

Division Chief of Community Risk Jonathan Bradley said the board is required to approve each change to the 2024 Employee Handbook. The executive staff must refer to the board to make administration amendments throughout the year, and the fire chief is seeking board approval to make any minor stylistic changes consistent with district practices, without going back to the board.

Local 4319 President Engineer Christian Schmidt said the Local 4319 was always given the opportunity to review the Employee Handbook before any changes are presented to the board.

The board unanimously approved the MFD 2024 Employee Handbook and granted the fire chief authority to make minor changes throughout the year.

Station 3 rebuild update

John Sattler, vice president of NVS Program Management, representing the district and overseeing the new Station 3 rebuild and the station remodeling projects, said the preliminary design and a program had been developed since September 2023 and a design workshop is scheduled to begin in early April with OZ Architects. See www.ocn.me/v23n9.htm#mfd. The selection of the site and the development of the purchase and sale agreement with the developer/seller is a complicated arrangement that exposes the district to some unusual risks, because normally a finished lot would be purchased and the site selected (adjacent and north of the YMCA, Jackson Creek Parkway) has yet to be subdivided and developed for public improvements.

The due diligence components total about $40,000 to $50,000 for the geo-technical investigation, survey plat, phase 1 environmental study, and a 10-month design adapted for the site. If another site needs to be selected, the design could still fit. The wild card will be the platting and subdivision approval process (about nine months) through the Town of Monument (TOM), but getting the clock started by executing the purchase and sale agreement and providing earnest money is key to obligate the seller to begin the process with the TOM.

The entire process is anticipated to take about 30 months, with a 12-month construction period and completion in 2027. Due to the town’s six-month moratorium on planning approvals that began in January, it is unknown how long the TOM will take to appove the development. The board will be briefed if the developer runs into a roadblock or dead end and further strategies will be discussed to move the rebuild process along, Sattler said. See www.ocn.me/v24n2.htm#mfd.

The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m. on Feb. 28.

Fire Station 3 land purchase agreement

At the March 27 meeting, Sattler said the purchase and sale agreement for Fire Station 3 land had fallen short of being presented for approval on the action item agenda, and approval will require a special meeting. However, an agreement in principle had been reached earlier that day with legal counsel, Kovacs, himself, and the sellers. The Station 3 lot purchase price for 2.06 acres is about $1.3 million, substantiated by a third-party appraisal completed last year for $15 per square foot.

Future obligations for board approval will be the pro-rated construction for the shared access driveway into the subdivision, the initial traffic signal pro-rated with other occupants, and the future widening of Jackson Creek Parkway that is likely to happen after the station is built. The widening will have no impact on the usable acreage and the cost share of about $1.5 million is expected to be about $300,000 for the district. The total obligation is estimated to be about $1.7 million (does not include building the station). The request for action at the special meeting will be about $1.3 million and a $25,000 earnest money check to the seller. The earnest money will not be returned should the district need to back out, Sattler said.

Division Chief of Administration Jamey Bumgarner said the district anticipated the costs to begin the project and budgeted $2.4 million for the lot purchase price, infrastructure costs, and design phase for 2024.

Wescott real property inclusion

At the March 6 special meeting, the board held a public hearing pursuant to a notice published in The Gazette to consider proposed Resolution 2024-09 and a certified order approving the inclusion into the district’s jurisdiction of the real property within the jurisdiction of DWFPD (except two properties that will remain until the board dissolves upon the dissolution of the district). See DWFPD article on page 14.

The DWFPD district attorney, Emily Powell of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm, confirmed the intergovernmental agreement remains in place to allow for uninterrupted fire protection and Emergency Medical Support (EMS) services. DWFPD will exist until the merger is completed, she said. After hearing no comments from the public, the board closed the hearing.

The board approved the inclusion of real property in a roll call vote. The meeting adjourned at 3:39 p.m. on March 6.

2024 winter storm after-action review

At the MFD March 27 meeting, Executive Battalion Chief Micah Coyle said over the past five years, three large regional snowstorms occurred around mid-March, and the district expects major snow events similar to the event March 13-15 to occur again. He thanked the district’s regional partners, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Monument Police Department (MPD), Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District (BFFRPD, and Palmer Lake Fire Department (PLFD). A Joint Command Center in preparation for the storm was set up at the Monument Town Hall, operating as a 911 call center to cover calls for MFD, PLFD, BFFRPD, Falcon District 5, and MPD. MPD and the TOM Public Works Department operated from the center. Crews were dispatched according to location with BFFRPD handling the east division along with Station 2 and 5, and Stations 1, 3, and 4, and PLFD handling the west.

The Red Cross set up a shelter at St. Peter Catholic Church for stranded motorists. Thankfully citizens heeded the storm warnings and stayed home, reducing the number of incidents to the rescue of four stranded motorists, one ambulance transport and a traffic accident. The district’s new plow was beneficial for emergency operations, but there were a few areas typically retaining large drifts and the plow became stuck in north Woodmoor, and off County Line Road and east of Highway 83 when called in to assist crews responding to medical calls. New drivers are being trained to operate the 1967 Snowcat, but an oil leak was noticed after training and repairs are being made, he said.

Bumgarner said the district just missed out on purchasing a 1990s replacement Snowcat with a trailer caboose from a rebuild center in La Junta last month. It had a good price point and sold quickly for about $125,000.

Coyle said many truck drivers were exiting at Baptist Road to find a spot to camp at the gas station rest stops, and the area quickly became inundated with an overflow of commercial vehicles. For several hours MPD helped redirect many commercial vehicles that had become stuck and needed to turn around. That helped while signs were put in place instructing commercial vehicles not to exit at Baptist Road. A district employee liaising at the OEM heard about plans to close I-25 and fortunately via Zoom call, statements to CDOT helped keep the corridor open. An I-25 closure typically increases the possibility of tricky rescues as motorists seek alternative plowed routes, Coyle said.

Bumgarner said about 24 to 30 inches of snow fell with drifting in various locations, and Crystal Park above Manitou Springs received 51 inches. The district may need to discuss an additional plow attachment for an existing vehicle in the future.

Fire Station 6 land purchase

Bumgarner said the QuikTrip Corp. had offered the district two options to purchase 2 acres for about $1.165 million for a future Station 6, or a little over four acres on the lot for about $2.330 million. The district budgeted $500,000 for the land purchase in 2024 with the anticipation that $500,000 could also be taken from the Impact Fee Fund. If the 4-acre option is chosen, some funds could be taken from the Station 2 remodel project, or a loan could be taken out for the remainder of about $1.333 million plus interest and be paid off in 2025. The land is west of the QuikTrip gas station and restaurant off Terrazzo Drive and Baptist Road. The square footage price offered is below the market price, he said.

Director Roger Lance asked if the district could sell the 2 acres in the future if the district did not need all four after building Station 6.

Bumgarner said the district would have the option to sell the remaining acreage after building on the lot.

Treasurer Tom Kelly said he would prefer to retain the funds for the Station 3 project and only purchase the 2 acres needed for the standard-size fire station.

Bumgarner confirmed that all the road infrastructure, water, and utilities are in place.

Director Randall Estes asked Bumgarner why the district sees a need to purchase more land than is needed.

Bumgarner said the district needs 2 acres to build a station, but he does not know down the road what all the district’s needs will be in 10 years, and how much growth could occur. It would not be a bad idea for future investment purposes, he said.

Lance said it would be preferable to have the option of additional acreage to use if needed for expansion or retain at a bargain price for future investment, knowing that land will be in short supply even though a future sale might be unknown.

Estes said he has mixed feelings about purchasing additional acreage looking for an increase in value over time, and it raises red flags to borrow money if the district cannot write a check and pay cash for the land.

Kelly said he would rather keep interest and expenses down, knowing the district is building a $15 million station and plans to build a training center. He said the district should use funds to ensure Station 3 gets what it needs and focus on getting two things right rather than jeopardizing the district by going into further debt.

Hildebrandt said thinking long-term he agreed with Lance’s position and said almost all land is spoken for and having options is desirable as opposed to having options pushed upon the district because of inaction. He is sensitive to the finances and not borrowing, but knowing projects can be moved around, he favors purchasing 4 acres, with the likelihood that 2 acres would be snatched up quickly if the district has financial problems in the future, and probably for a profit.

Kelly said it is taxpayer dollars, and he is not comfortable with all the moving parts and projects the district has going on, and solid cost estimates on the projects have not yet been determined. He would need further estimates for all the projects before deciding.

Bumgarner said the chief suggested the district could borrow $1.1 million (plus interest) for one year and pay off the loan next year. The Station 2 model will not commence until late 2024, and it is budgeted for $2.3 million. The district could divert those funds because the project will not get close to the allocated amount this year.

Kelly said the district will still have to finance a “heck of a chunk” out of the $15 million needed for Station 3. The district could get into a bind if financing is 8% on the loan for Station 3.

Tharnish agreed the 4-acre purchase was likely the best path but agreed it would be a reach financially. It is not a losing proposition, and there is some risk involved, but so far land is trending upward in value and the district could sell the additional 2 acres.

Estes said it is unknown how the market will fare with current interest rates, and commercial land is not moving quickly. He had heard commercial contractors were pulling out and the district could get stuck with a dead piece of property. He declined to decide either way on the acreage, but said it was an incredible piece of property.

Tharnish suggested the district request a first right of refusal on the additional 2 acres.

Lance said the district does not know the real commercial value of the property offered at a reduced cost by QuikTrip, and the owners could increase the price.

Estes said the first right to refusal price would be negotiated upfront when purchasing the first 2 acres.

Bumgarner said the district has been working on the right to purchase the land for about a year, and it is unknown what the accreditation process will point out, but at some point a station will be needed in the southwest corner of the district, and a station would not be built on the site for five years.

Hildebrandt said the district had been looking to build a station in that area for about six years and he only sees calls increasing in that area with residential build-out and the growth in the commercial areas in the next several years. If there is a project that is not started, but funded in 2024, there is money to utilize for other projects.

Bumgarner said the additional acreage could house a repair shop and/or a logistic facility if the district does not build those facilities on the 14 acres at Station 1. If that happens, the additional 2 acres in the southern part of the district would not be needed. Ideally a repair shop would be placed in an industrial commercial area with easy access for trucks.

Kelly said three directors appear to be on board and he would be interested to know more about first right to refusal and the opinions of the absent directors.

Chief’s report

Coyle said the following:

  • The official swearing of Lt. Charles Ragland took place on Feb. 9.
  • The district is actively recruiting for the fire technician position.
  • The district’s ambulance transports totaled 134 for February. Those included three AMR requests for service, six requests to BFFRPD, one to Douglas County, two to the Air Force Academy (AFA), and two to Palmer Lake. EMR calls in a year-to-date comparison in 2023-24 went up by a total of 46 incidents.
  • The district sent a Type 6 Engine on Feb. 25 to assist the AFA with the 168-acre fire on the southwest side of the property northwest of the base power plant.
  • All portable radio and mobile radios were programmed for the new command channels. The new channels were useful during the AFA wildland fire.
  • The district also assisted Larkspur Fire Department on Feb. 23 with the Wiens Fire that burned 150 acres of wildland near Perry Park. Fire season is year-round and can occur even when snow is on the ground, but the snow helped keep that fire in check.
  • The district completed 1,010 training hours during February.
  • After a long delay due to supply chain issues, the district received a new side-by-side/utility terrain vehicle. The vehicle will be used for moving patients around during events such as the Fourth of July parade, in rough terrain rescues, and in snow event rescues. The vehicle is equipped with treads and tires to alternate for year-round rescues.

Forest fuel burn

Bradley said the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is planning a controlled burn in the areas that were machine-mitigated over the past two years in the Mount Herman Road area. The USFS is keeping the district informed and is planning a three-day back-to-back controlled burn in May or June, depending on fuels moisture and weather conditions. A USFS team will provide a campaign to educate the public. The USFS has requested backup from the district during those days, and it plans to burn about 200 acres per day. The USFS plans to continue controlled burns into the future.

Proposed training center informational meeting

Coyle said staff met with a resident living south of Station 1 to discuss concerns about the proposed training center site development. A proposed training center informational meeting will be held on April 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105 or virtually via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6714043850?omn =86004342465 meeting ID 671404 3850. Site developer Chris Purdue and board members will be in attendance to answer questions.

Bumgarner said the district is working on the preliminary site plan, the drainage, core sampling, and a noise study, and anticipates all the data being available at the informational meeting. No action will be taken by the board at the meeting, but public comments and concerns will be welcome, he said.

The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m. on March 27.

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Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Zoom meeting instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

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Monument Fire District, Feb. 28 – Board meeting held after OCN went to press

By Natalie Barszcz

The Monument Fire District (MFD) board met on Feb. 28, which was after this issue of Our Community News had gone to press. Coverage of that meeting will be included in our April 6 issue.

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Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. A special meeting/public hearing for the inclusion/exclusion of property related to the merger with Donald Wescott Fire Protection District will be held via Zoom and in person on March 6 at 3:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30 p.m. For Zoom meeting joining instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

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