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Woodmoor/Monument and Tri-Lakes fire districts move toward fire authority

View photo of the joint meeting of the two fire district boards, Sept. 15

At its regular meeting Sept. 16, the Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District Board of Directors announced that the Tri-Lakes district and the Woodmoor-Monument Fire Protection District are quickly moving toward formation of a joint fire authority. Tri-Lakes district president Charlie Pocock said January 2005 is the target date for the as yet unnamed fire authority to commence operations.

In other matters, Chief Robert Denboske announced that four people have been selected to participate in the firefighter residency program at Station 2 on Roller Coaster Road near Highway 105.

The board also held a hearing on, and then unanimously approved, inclusion of a parcel east of Highway 83 belonging to Robert and Cheryl Bates. The board then unanimously approved accepting a petition for inclusion of a 40-acre parcel belonging to Herman and Eleanor Polich.

Near the end of the Sept. 16 meeting, Pocock reported on the results of the Sept. 15 joint board executive session with Colorado Springs attorney Maureen Juran. He said, "She confirmed to us that the authority method was the appropriate method [for unification of the Tri-Lakes and Woodmoor districts]." He added that the arrangement would be documented through an Inter-Governmental Agency (IGA) agreement between the districts and that no separate corporation would be required.

Pocock said, "All the people and real estate would be assigned to the fire authority and all the apparatus, equipment, tools and so forth would be leased en masse to the fire authority. The funding would be supplied by the two districts, which would retain their autonomy."

Director and treasurer John Hildebrandt added that all the equipment would be inventoried. He said, "In 18 months, if it doesn’t work out, it can all go back to where it came from."

Hildebrandt said each of the districts would collect revenue as they have in the past and would maintain their own budgets. He added that the fire authority would have a separate budget that would be coordinated with the two district boards.

Pocock said Juran recommended the Tri-Lakes district retain its own attorney to review the documents she will be drafting as attorney for the Woodmoor/Monument district. Pocock suggested that Paul Anderson might represent Tri-Lakes.

Pocock said that following negotiation of the ambulance contract, closest force response agreement, and improvements in interoperability, this is a "logical next step to bring us together." He added, "It would be nice if it were permanent, but it isn’t going to be. It is a training wheel to get you to merger. I would like to see the next step in a year or so. Upon merger, the fire authority goes away."

Denboske said, "We have been working on this for a long time. With a snap of a finger, it goes away. Is this the right direction?"

Hildebrandt replied that it is an interim step.

Pocock said, "You don’t know what work is until you try to go for consolidation. It would involve five or six ballot measures."

The group discussed possible names for the new entity. Some suggestions included North County Fire Authority, North El Paso County Fire and Rescue, and Palmer Divide Fire and Rescue.

Noting the associated expense for signs on trucks and buildings, Pocock said they might have a naming contest before making a decision.

The board agreed to wait on purchasing the sign for Tri-Lakes Station 2 until this issue is resolved.

Director Rick Barnes suggested they wait to choose an attorney to represent the district until after the Special District Association conference Sept. 21-24. He said, "I don’t see a lot of reason to rush into this. I want a little more time to review."

The board unanimously voted to table the decision until after the conference and then conduct a phone poll to pick the attorney.

Hildebrandt said the legal expenses would be split between the two districts.

Director John Hartling said that if two districts are paying Juran, it raises the potential for a conflict of interest. He suggested that if Juran billed separately for drafting and review of the documents, then that would take care of the perception issue.

Pocock concluded by saying, "Everything is speculative at this point, but we are moving ahead at warp speed toward a fire authority."

No formal motion was made at this meeting to pursue creation of a fire authority or to specifically authorize expenditure of funds for the legal work associated with preparing the documents.

Hildebrandt reported that year-to-date receipt of ambulance revenue of $165,000 is 32 percent over budget.

He added that as of the end of August, expenditures stood at 66 percent of the budgeted amounts, which is the anticipated level as of this point in the year.

Hildebrandt also reported that in the preliminary audit report for 2003, the auditor noted that the district spent $102,271 in excess of amounts budgeted, which is a violation of Colorado law. Hildebrandt said the additional expenditures were due to additional revenues received. He said the district should have made a budget adjustment in December 2003 to account for the additional revenue and expenditures. He characterized it as a "housekeeping matter."

Hildebrandt announced that Jeremy Diggins resigned as treasurer for the Woodmoor/Monument district and Bob Hansen was appointed to that post. Hildebrandt, noting that he has been treasurer for the Tri-Lakes district for seven years, said he would be tutoring Hansen.

Chief Denboske reported as follows:

Ron Thompson, assistant chief and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) coordinator, reported as follows on construction of the new station on Roller Coaster Road near Highway 105:

Thompson reported that the district is proceeding with purchase of a 2005 Ford F-450 four-wheel-drive ambulance from Wheeled Coach. The purchase will be combined with one by the Castle Rock Fire Department. He said about $15,000 will be saved by doing a combined order for three ambulances. The final price will be $106,059. Other bids received for similar vehicles were $13,000 to $19,000 more. A state EMS grant will reimburse about $43,000.

Barnes said, "I thought we were talking matching funds."

Thompson replied that the state sets a maximum price for the vehicle and then pays 50 percent of that.

Hildebrandt noted that $47,000 was budgeted as the district’s portion of the ambulance cost. Pocock said the district’s cost for the ambulance would be rolled into the loan being negotiated for the two fire trucks that are on order. Thompson added that the ambulance is expected to have about a 10-year life span.

The board unanimously approved the contract for the ambulance purchase.

Thompson also reported that Memorial Hospital EMS conducted Responder Safety training Sept. 22. He added that five district personnel will start intermediate ALS training Sept. 21, and two EMTs will start IV training in December.

The board requested that future EMS reports include lag time in billing for ambulance services.

The board held a hearing on the petition for inclusion of a parcel owned by Robert and Cheryl Bates at 17530 Pond View Place. The petition was unanimously approved.

The board unanimously voted to accept a petition for inclusion of a 40-acre parcel owned by Herman and Eleanor Polich at 6555 Echo Ridge Heights. The inclusion hearing will be held at the board’s Oct. 21 meeting.

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The Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District board normally meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the district firehouse, 18650 Highway 105 (near the bowling alley). The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 21.

For more information, call Chief Denboske at 481-2312 or visit www.tri-lakesfire.com.

View photo of the joint meeting of the two fire district boards, Sept. 15

While progress has been made in the efforts to merge the Tri-Lakes and Woodmoor-Monument Fire Protection Districts, the bad feelings between the two boards and the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District surfaced early on in the Sept. 7 joint board meeting. The meeting became a push-pull effort, with Tri-Lakes board members trying to point to progress made in committee work, and Wescott representatives pointing out what they believed were misunderstandings and misstatements, while urging Wescott’s admission into the two-way talks on unification.

All Tri-Lakes board members were present; Bob Harvey and Jeremy Diggins from Woodmoor’s board were absent.

Tri-Lakes District Chairman Charlie Pocock began by reading a statement summarizing his view of the two boards’ progress over the past four meetings and of the negotiations with Wescott regarding merger participation and closest force response on calls other than structure and wildland fires. At the conclusion of the open public meeting, Wescott board president Brian Ritz distributed a statement to board members summarizing Wescott’s view of the course of these negotiations.

Pocock reminded the audience, "The sole purpose of these joint board meetings is to bring about the unification of the Woodmoor-Monument FPD and the Tri-Lakes FPD" as a single district or a fire authority—first operationally, then legally.

He said there has been agreement regarding the need for financial independence of the two districts, a similar mill levy, and a strong volunteer component, and that hiring and promoting from within will be encouraged.

He said the following goals have been completed:

Closest force response was the topic that provoked the most passion. After the July 6 joint board meeting, Tri-Lakes had included the Wescott district in the closest force discussions. That ended Aug. 23, when the two-district ambulance service plan was implemented.

The Wescott district’s use of AMR for its ambulance service has continued to be a point of contention with the Tri-Lakes district, which operates its own ambulance service. The Tri-Lakes district has opposed inclusion of the use of AMR in closest force response procedures for Jackson Creek, Kingswood, and Fox Run. Wescott, however, says it will not respond to any medical call, including those in the Tri-Lakes or Woodmoor districts, without its AMR ambulance, if it is not already dispatched on another call.

In his opening statement, Pocock gave a brief history of his view of the breakdown of communication between the joint board and Wescott over closest force response. "My conclusion," he said, "is that this is…why we must work out our agreements between the two departments before bringing in a third or fourth. Contrary to what has been reported in the press, we did not exclude Donald Wescott. They opted not to be included."

This statement prompted heated response later in the public comment portion of the meeting from Wescott board president Brian Ritz. "You told Mr. Sibell we opted out," he said. "We’ve been voted out. We’ll live with it, but I think you’re making a mistake."

There was some confusion as to whether Lieutenant Scott Ridings, Wescott’s earlier representative to the closest force response committee, left the committee in August or told the other two members (Mike Dooley of Woodmoor and Bryan Jack of Tri-Lakes) to work out their own agreement and then bring him onboard.

(In a follow-up interview with OCN, Ridings said he met with Jack and Dooley on Aug. 20 to finalize their proposal for a three-district closest force response plan. Ridings suggested changes to the northern and southern response areas of the map, and all three agreed these changes should be reviewed by their respective boards before implementation. They also agreed it would be more efficient if the Tri-Lakes and Woodmoor-Monument districts temporarily began a two-district closest force response plan on an interim operational test, then add in Westcott participation after all three districts reached an agreement by mid-September.

Ridings said that contrary to statements made at the Sept. 7 joint meeting, the three never discussed Wescott withdrawing from the process and wanted to make the three-district plan a reality, after notifying their districts of their new plan.)

Meanwhile, the new closest force response plan is currently in the testing phase between Tri-Lakes and Woodmoor-Monument. Pocock reported that two accident calls had provided a test for the districts, and that it had been successful. Jack agreed, "It has worked out quite well."

Tri-Lakes director Keith Duncan of the Public Perception Committee said that a number of activities, including an open house and barbecue, are being planned for Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 3-9.

After a vote was taken on holding a joint open house and picnic, Wescott’s Chief Bill Sheldon noted that since Woodmoor did not have a quorum, a vote could not be taken on the matter. At issue was whether Bob Hansen—who had accepted a board position with Woodmoor on Aug. 24 but had not been sworn in yet—could vote and be counted toward a quorum. After some discussion and later in the meeting, Si Sibell, chairman of the Woodmoor board, swore in Hansen.

John Hildebrandt, treasurer for the Tri-Lakes district, expressed concern about recent coverage in OCN: "We voted to table the MOU [a memorandum of understanding among the three districts]. We did not vote to permanently table it." While Wescott will reportedly be invited to begin discussions once the other two districts have their plan in force, Ritz later said, "We keep trying and you table it."

In addition, Hildebrandt said, "We have been criticized as a board for not allowing…chiefs to be part of this decision" regarding closest force response. He noted comments attributed to Woodmoor Chief Dave Youtsey and addressed him: "You don’t speak for the Tri-Lakes board unless you have direction from us."

He questioned Youtsey and Sheldon regarding printed statements they had made that Wescott had been written out of the closest force response agreement. When both did not recall specifically saying the things Hildebrandt noted, Hildebrandt suggested they were misquoted.

(OCN confirmed the exact wording of every quote by Youtsey and Sheldon prior to publication. Following the Sept. 7 meeting, both chiefs said misquoting had not occurred and that the information printed was not misleading.)

"Does Chief Sheldon know he wasn’t written out?" Hildebrandt asked Youtsey. "Were you told to go deal with Sheldon regarding that document?"

Sheldon said, "Look at the response matrix. You’ve written us out."

Bill Ingram, a citizen volunteer of the Public Perception Committee, told Hildebrandt it was not his place to chastise a member of the Woodmoor-Monument district and that if chairman Sibell had a problem with Chief Youtsey, then Sibell should chastise him. Sibell responded that he had no problem with Youtsey.

Discussion turned to other reports. Rod Wilson noted that firefighters from both districts "filled the boot" over Labor Day weekend, raising $3,500 for Muscular Dystrophy. "They all deserve a pat on the back," he said.

During closing statements, Wescott again pressed the board on the issue of closest force response. Hildebrandt asked, "If Wescott wants to be part of closest force, is it a requirement that AMR be in that response?" Ritz replied, "They should have some options. AMR is responding and they’re the ones we want responding."

Sheldon said, "Every time things break down, it’s over the ambulance. Is this ambulance thing a revenue-driven thing or is it what’s best for constituents?"

Pocock responded, "Whatever we do with AMR has to be reciprocal, and they don’t want to do that. They’ve never called us, don’t want to call us. The first reason we don’t want to respond in their area is that we’re not motivated or manned to respond to their area. We don’t have enough equipment. We cannot compete with AMR. We’re a tax-funded entity."

Hildebrandt said to the Wescott representatives, "Please take back to your board the closest force matrix where engine 513 is included with the Tri-Lakes ambulance. Get the highest qualified person to the scene. Someone report back to us." Sheldon agreed to carry that message back to his board.

Prior to adjournment, Pocock asked if meetings were productive and needed to be dropped to every two months. It was decided that future meetings would be held "at the convenience of the chairmen," with three days’ notice given to the public. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. and went into executive session to discuss personnel matters. The meeting formally adjourned at 9:30 p.m., with no public announcements regarding the executive session.

Woodmoor/Monument FPD board, Sept. 29

On Sept. 28, the Woodmoor/Monument Fire Protection District (W/MFPD) Board dissolved the Memorandum of Understanding on Unification signed in April with Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) in a loud, emotion-filled, and heavily attended meeting. The open conflict between the firefighters and Chief David Youtsey continued as Captain Mike Dooley appeared to have given a purchase order–for bunker gear to be purchased with $41,000 in FEMA grant funding–directly to Director Dave Hansen, bypassing Youtsey, even though Hansen had not yet been appointed Treasurer and Jeremy Diggins’ resignation as Treasurer had not yet been accepted. Youtsey briefly reviewed the paperwork for the proposal for a few moments and said FEMA would reject it for several reasons and might wish to audit the district due to the document’s failure to meet minimal federal standards. The board turned down Youtsey’s request to hire a replacement assistant chief. Representatives of School District 38 gave a presentation on their upcoming high school expansion ballot issue.

Luann Deklava, Ted Belteau, and Keith Jacobus gave the standard D-38 overview of the school district’s four ballot questions that will be on the November ballot. Board members and citizens asked several questions after the short presentation.

Q: Would the portable buildings go away?

A: Not until the new high school or the new ninth grade center are completed and opened. Belteau said the newest portables have wide hallways and restrooms increasing their functionality. He added that the capacity of either option well exceeds the maximum number of high school students at total district build-out which is estimated to be 2,400.

Q: How many high school students would there be at the Monument Academy charter school?

A: 500 with about 200 from outside of D-38.

Q: Is the high school student growth rate in D-38 really 3.2 percent?

A: Yes, but the growth rate is lower in the elementary schools.

Q: What will the district do if housing prices fall sharply as they have in the past?

A: It would be harder to finance bonds, but all D-38 bonds are fixed rate and length.

Q: What if there are cost overruns?

A: The costs listed in the ballot questions cannot be exceeded and D-38 has not had overruns in the past.

Additional open houses for citizen questions will be held at the D-38 headquarters building on Oct. 14 and Lewis-Palmer High School on Oct. 26. Both sessions begin at 7 p.m.

Several questions were asked about the money from a deceased retiree’s pension that was given to the district because the deceased firefighter had no heirs. Originally the amount was reported to be about $322,000 but because of the additional interest that accrued throughout the protracted settlement period, the actual amount was $348,074. This has caused some errors in the financial report. There also appeared to be an error in the equation definition for one cell that caused several other numbers to be in error. Nonetheless, Youtsey said the district’s finances are on track in general and no problems are anticipated through the end of the year.

Budget proposal submitted: Youtsey then submitted his budget proposal for 2005. Special districts must complete these proposals by a state deadline of Oct. 15 He noted that the district must forward the final 2005 budget and mill levy resolution for 2005 to the state by Dec. 15.

Closest Force Response test results: Youtsey said the new procedures, wherein the Woodmoor engine responds to all Tri-Lakes medical and accident calls on I-25 north of exit 161 as well as east of I-25, were working well. The Woodmoor engine also responds to all calls within its district west of I-25. The Tri-Lakes engine responds within its boundaries west of I-25 and on I-25 south of exit 161. No figures were announced to show how many additional engine runs the Woodmoor engine is making in providing service to Tri-Lakes constituents no longer served by the Tri-Lakes engine. There was general agreement that when the new TLFPD station 2 at Roller Coaster and Highway 105 becomes operational that the Woodmoor engine would only respond as far east as Furrow Road, instead of well east of Highway 83 as it is currently doing.

Policy and procedure review completed: Resident Bill Ingram has completed his review of district documentation and submitted a list of his findings; he volunteered to perform the review in August. One issue is the conflict between the policy that there will be no charitable contribution solicitation by employees on duty or on district property and the district’s efforts to raise contributions for muscular dystrophy. This particular charity is endorsed and supported nationally by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF); most of the line crewmembers of W/MFPD are IAFF members. Youtsey’s suggestion that charity contributions only be solicited during off-duty time was rejected by the board. The board unanimously amended the policy to allow the board to make case-by-case exceptions to the rule for such issues as supporting the families of firefighters killed in action in addition to supporting muscular dystrophy collections.

Hiring of Assistant Chief rejected: Youtsey asked the board to allow him to fill the vacant assistant chief position and reviewed all the duties in the position’s job description. Except for Harvey, the board members rejected his request and said he should do the duties or if there was a critical training need, delegate it to a captain. The four members who took this position each said Youtsey should work harder at filling the vacancies created by two more resignations. Harvey disagreed. Youtsey said the replacements were already identified and he was awaiting only the results of their physicals before assigning them line duties. The four board members indicated that an assistant chief was a waste of taxpayer dollars. However, former Assistant Chief Jim Rackl brought in more grant money to W/MFPD than his own salary.

Diggins then suggested that Youtsey also perform ten firefighter shifts per month, like the other line crewmembers, in addition to his duties and those of the assistant chief. When Harvey said Diggins’ proposal was not realistic, Diggins then suggested that Fire Marshal Tom Eastburn and Youtsey perform five shifts each. Youtsey noted that Eastburn is given compensatory time off from his normal eight hour administrative duties after a 24-hour line tour of duty. The adversarial tone of the discussion continued, but no action was taken to require Youtsey and Eastburn to perform line crew duties in addition to their full-time administrative duties with no additional compensation or compensatory time offered.

The board unanimously approved a current safety officer resolution that replaced a long-outdated one.

Harvey asked why Hansen was performing the duties of treasurer in violation of state law that requires the board to appoint him to the position only after accepting Diggins’ resignation. Sibell said Hansen "was only acting in that capacity." Harvey said the district "needs to follow state statute on open meetings" and that the board needed to nominate and vote on his appointment at a public meeting before he started acting as treasurer. Diggins’ resignation was accepted and Hansen’s appointment was then approved.

Then Recording Secretary Donna Arkowski said there was no board secretary for months, following Russ Broshous’s resignation. Diggins disagreed saying that Wilson had been appointed secretary. No one else recalled that. Harvey was nominated then approved to be the new board secretary. Arkowski said Harvey had many documents to sign that had accumulated since Broshous moved out of the district.

MOU dissolved after Feltz speaks: The board then discussed a choice between keeping its MOU with DWFPD tabled or giving 30-day notice to terminate it. All the board members except Bob Harvey said they were tired of the continuing conflicts Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District’s (TLFPD) Chair Charley Pocock and Treasurer John Hildebrandt have with DWFPD Chair Brian Ritz and Treasurer Dennis Feltz. Diggins said the board could not mediate the dispute because of its personal nature. Wilson said he agreed. Harvey disagreed saying there was no such issue between W/MFPD and DWFPD and no reason to void the MOU.

Hansen said he had only attended one joint meeting but was offended by the tone and aggressiveness of the statements by Ritz in addressing the joint board session on Sept. 7. Diggins said that Woodmoor could not patch things up. Harvey said that Tri-Lakes had done a disservice to Wescott in the way they had snubbed and ignored them.

Feltz then stood up, distributed some documents and said that Sibell, Diggins, and Wilson had in fact said they were against Wescott’s participation because they didn’t want to disagree with Pocock. Feltz repeated most of the statements made by Wescott representatives at past joint meetings and colorfully described how the firefighters desire to merge was being denied by the two boards. Hansen said he did not appreciate Feltz’s hostile demeanor and foul language. After further discussion, the board approved a motion to terminate its MOU with Wescott. Many in the audience walked out–including Harvey, Feltz, and former board member Tom Conroy–as the heated confrontation concluded.

However, the controversy continued as the board considered the purchase of bunker gear with the FEMA grant money. Several citizens who attended said it was clear the continuing circumvention of the chief by the firefighters that is encouraged by the newly elected board members causes communication and management problems. Dooley presented a purchase order request to Hansen for review and approval even though the chief had not seen it. Youtsey pointed out several flaws in Dooley’s proposal–not having enough bids, not listing the items correctly, adding numerous items to the proposal that were not part of the grant submitted to FEMA, as well as not performing some specific tasks in Youtsey’s written instructions on how to accomplish the task. The board members then tried to resolve the issues presented by Youtsey. Sibell asked Hansen to make a motion to authorize enough additional funds to cover Dooley’s cost overruns because the bid will expire before the next board meeting. Hansen said he had no idea how to make such a motion. After further discussion, an additional $5,890 was approved to cover the costs of the extra items and higher costs of the items than those that were listed in the FEMA proposal.

Sibell called for an unannounced executive session at 9:25 p.m. on a personnel issue. Gloria Ingram then asked why all the boards wanted a fire authority now, when in the past they would only consider a consolidation. Several board members commented that the fire authority that will now be expected to be created in short order with the departure of Wescott from the process may only be temporary, though it could also become permanent. Board members said they have changed their opinions about consolidation after learning firsthand how difficult it really is.

Sibell told OCN there would be no announcements after the meeting. The next board meeting is on Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at Woodmoor/Monument station at 1855 Woodmoor Drive. Meetings are normally held on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

Flight for Life helicopter visits W/MFPD, Sept. 17

View a photo of the Flight for Life Visit

Centura’s Flight for Life helicopter visited the Woodmoor-Monument Fire Protection District’s Woodmoor Drive station on Sept. 17. The ASTAR B-3 aircraft arrived at 11 a.m. with a full crew, in case they were dispatched on an emergency. The fire district’s physician advisor Dr. Dave Ross coordinated the annual visit. He is also the physician advisor for the helicopter crews, AMR, Donald Wescott FPD, and Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department.

The crew for this flight consisted of registered/flight nurse Nancy Thornton, flight paramedic-critical care technician Robert Good, and veteran rescue pilot Rex Prickett. Thornton also works as an emergency room nurse at Penrose, and Good also works as a paramedic for AMR. Ross coordinates the eight-week upgrade flight training program for nurses and paramedics for Centura. The helicopter is based on the roof of Penrose Hospital.

All three crew members were eager to demonstrate and discuss the capabilities their aircraft can bring to a trauma emergency—which substantially exceed those available on an advanced life support ambulance. In many circumstances, the helicopter can be loaded with specialized equipment, medications, or specific blood types for a specific emergency before takeoff to "bring the emergency room" to the scene.

Prickett said that a call to Woodmoor would require six minutes to arrive, not more than five minutes on scene, and six minutes to arrive at the Penrose trauma center. Though compact, the cabin also allows sufficient room and equipment to perform all the procedures for patient stabilization so the injured person can be taken directly to surgery upon arrival to the hospital.

Even though Colorado Springs is becoming increasingly urban, Flight for Life is a vital asset for county residents who live in rural settings along the Front Range, a long ambulance ride away from hospitals.

View a photo of the Flight for Life Visit

The Board of Directors of the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) tabled further discussions regarding participation or inclusion with the Tri-Lakes and Woodmoor/Monument Fire Protection Districts on Sept. 15. Plans, with two options, for expansion of the Gleneagle Drive station with a third engine bay were approved and will be sent out for bids.

There were no public comments at the beginning of the meeting, although former board chair Bill Lowes asked if he could speak about the district’s consolidation plans before the board went into executive session to discuss future negotiations on unification with the other two districts.

Treasurer Dennis Feltz said the district was still receiving quite a bit of money from the county for the special ownership taxes. Wescott has received about $82,000 to date, though they only budgeted for $40,000. Feltz said, "It is a difficult thing to judge when budgeting." Chief Bill Sheldon said he had given Feltz estimates on how much it would cost to send firefighters to training for the rest of the year and for Sheldon and Assistant Chief Vinny Burns to attend the National Fire Academy Chief Officer Training in late September. The board agreed to cover the overage in the training budget with the unexpected tax revenue.

Board Chair Brian Ritz noted that the district’s TABOR exemption would allow any unspent tax revenue overage to be rolled into the next year’s budget and that it was not "use or lose money." Sheldon added that he is working on estimates for the 2005 budget and getting estimates for specific equipment he would like to purchase next year. The treasurer’s report was accepted unanimously by the board.

Sheldon discussed the purchase of a computer package that would automate and organize many of the district’s reporting and personnel training functions. The package aids the department in NFIRS reporting, making identification badges, hydrant tests, preplans, awards, SCBA, inventory, truck checks, etc. This software system should cost about $5,000 from the administrative budget, although it could also be considered a capital expenditure. Sheldon said he would like to have the testing completed so installation of a new station computer network could be integrated into the building expansion.

The board authorized Sheldon to continue to investigate and begin a 60-day test of the software on a trial basis. The agreement with the vendor will require a bit more negotiation before the test phase can begin. Feltz asked for an interim progress report at the next board meeting.

Sheldon advised that several district personnel had just completed Colorado Springs Police Department Taser training. Ritz, who is also a sergeant in the city’s police department, was the instructor for the training.

Burns presented the run report for August. There was one firefighter injury, a cut on the thumb. This firefighter is back on duty after surgery. The total runs for August were 141, bringing the total for 2004 up to 942. There were 52 district calls including 34 medical, 4 traffic accident, 1 vehicle and 1 other fire, 2 odor, 1 gas-involved fire, 1 public assist, 1 carbon monoxide alarm, and 1 service call. There were 89 mutual and automatic aid calls outside the district, including 1 traffic accident, 1 structure fire, 1 gas-involved fire, and 86 AMR ambulance runs. This is an 8 percent decrease from the August 2003 total of 1,028 runs.

Sheldon also advised that an employee for the department had sustained a serious leg injury in a recent roller-blade hockey game. Surgery was performed on Sept. 9, and it is not known when he can return to duty.

Sheldon introduced Ted Sayer from American Medical Response (AMR) whom he had invited to present a status report on AMR’s Wescott operations. Sayer said AMR has had a very good working relationship with Wescott for quite a while. AMR’s philosophy is to do whatever is best for the patient. All of their ambulances are Advanced Life Support with nationally registered paramedics onboard. If the paramedic is not on the AMR ambulance for any reason, that particular ambulance is taken out of service until another paramedic can be assigned. This policy differs from area fire agencies, such as Tri-Lakes and Black Forest, that staff their ambulances with volunteers rather than always scheduling full-time paid paramedics,.

Each ambulance is equipped with a 12-lead EKG machine that can FAX EKG information to the hospital. They are equipped with capnography—a newer system that gives more information on the condition of the patient. The ambulances also have rapid sequential intubation, which ensures that a patient who is having seizures that close the throat will still be able to receive oxygen.

AMR is audited monthly through the Emergency Services Agreement (ESA), which checks vehicle maintenance, educational services at all levels, and response time. AMR has been compliant with all of these regulations for approximately six years. Each ambulance contains Global Positioning System (GPS) monitors that enable AMR to dispatch the closest ambulance to calls. AMR has also installed a GPS monitor in the Black Forest ambulance so it can be dispatched if it is closer than an AMR unit. Sayer commended Sheldon for his work with their company.

Secretary Dave Cross asked if Wescott could do anything to improve operations. Sayer replied that Wescott was the best model of combined operations in El Paso County. When asked what their policy would be for calls received in Jackson Creek, Fox Run, and Kingswood, Sayer advised that those areas are not in the ESA area. If AMR received a call from a citizen in that area requesting an ambulance, they would respond to the location while also notifying the Tri-Lakes FPD.

The board reviewed the latest stamped architect plans for the addition to Station 3, which were received about an hour before the board meeting. The plans included changes Ritz and Sheldon had requested in a previous meeting with the architect. The plans included an option to add a separate boardroom and storage to the base plan’s expansion of two office spaces in addition to the third engine bay. There is also a new unisex bathroom in the addition. Another option is a parking lot expansion on the south side of the station lot, just west of the driveway. Some existing parking spaces on the north side of the current lot will be taken by the building addition. The cost of the new parking lot option will be approximately $21,000.

A final decision on these two options will not be made until firm bids are received on the base plan and each option. The next step is to take the plans to Regional Building for approval and to advertise for bids on the plans. Director Kevin Gould, who is also a professional architect, will review and monitor the drawings and bid paperwork and report back to the board at each meeting. He estimated that the Regional Building review and bid process would take about six weeks.

Ritz said he invited Captain Bryan Jack of Tri-Lakes and Captain Mike Dooley of Woodmoor/Monument to come to this board meeting and present the latest version of the closest force response (CFR) plan, which would once again include Wescott participation. Wescott had been dropped from the draft plan published on Aug. 27. Ritz said Tri-Lakes Board Chair Charlie Pocock told him there would be a revised CFR plan. However, Jack and Dooley did not show up at the meeting.

Ritz called for Lowes to make his requested comments. He said the following:

The board moved into executive session for an hour. Following that, the board resumed the open session and voted unanimously to table further unification discussions until Tri-Lakes and Woodmoor/Monument present a CFR plan that is in the interest of adjacent Tri-Lakes constituents and what the board may determine to be in Wescott’s interest as well.

The board unanimously approved a 5 percent increase in its contract with AMR. Wescott will be applying to the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) for 90 percent matching funds from the state for the Volunteer Pension Fund. The Firefighters and Police Pension Association has been handling this in past years, but it is now under the control of DOLA. Brian Ritz and Dennis Feltz signed paperwork as chairman and treasurer of the Volunteer Pension Association Board. This paperwork will be submitted to DOLA before the due date of Oct. 1.

Dr. Dave Ross, physician advisor to Wescott, advised the board that he works with Jeff Force of Centura Health and Battalion Chief Mike Badger to schedule and conduct continuing education training for Wescott personnel. Ross is also the physician advisor for AMR, Woodmoor/Monument, Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Black Forest Fire and Rescue Department, Larkspur, and El Paso County Flight for Life helicopter operations. (Tri-Lakes has asked Woodmoor/Monument to change to Dr. Marilyn Gifford.) The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

The next board meeting is at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 13 at Station 2, 15000 Sun Hills Road.

(Courtesy of the Black Forest News, September 23, 2004 issue)

At the Sept. 21 hearing, seven members of the El Paso County Planning Commission approved the update to the Major Transportation Corridors Plan (MTCP). This plan now supersedes all previous road planning, insofar as mapped corridors and alignments are concerned, and brings with it engineering standards and design guidelines that were also adopted at that meeting as part of the major revision to the Subdivision Code. It should be noted that the MTCP is a guidance planning document, while the Subdivision Code is regulatory (i.e., has the force of law).

The Black Forest was essentially the only community within the county that provided organized major input to the updated county road planning effort. Adjustments to road functional classifications, some road deletions, and rewording of several items addressed many of the issues brought up by the Black Forest Land Use and Transportation Committees.

The Planning Department recommended these conditions be added to the plan:

In the month since the initial presentation of the MTCP to the Planning Commission, County Department of Transportation (DOT) staff and LSA consultants made a list of recommended changes that clarified corridor preservation intent, limitations of the MTCP, and other items that were intended to make the document more precise.

DOT staff also recommended that a transportation addendum be developed for the Black Forest Preservation Plan and that a freight plan be developed that contained specific recommendations for truck routes.

DOT staff did not agree with some of the citizen requests—namely, removing all collector roads from the MTCP, including the Milam extension north of Shoup, in the 2050 Plan, and downgrading Milam between Old Ranch and Shoup from four lanes to two lanes in the 2050 plan. Another condition added to the approval of the MTCP was to recommend that the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) provide funding for an MTCP review in three years, coincident with the PPACG funding cycles.

Another recommendation was that the Briargate-Stapleton connection be elevated in priority, to prevent heavy east-west cross traffic on Burgess.

Amy Phillips of the Black Forest Land Use Committee spoke and reiterated the point that the county-level plans took precedence over regional and small area planning issues.

Ed Bracken, president of the Black Forest Community Club, spoke for the Black Forest Transportation Committee, presenting a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the Milam Road issues and Burgess-Goodson-Rex Highway 24 connections.

"Burgess and Milam Roads are lightning rod roads," said Bracken. "Our concerns on these roads have not been fully addressed."

He noted the dramatic changes in the plan that occurred after the flawed Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) units were corrected in May 2004. In his presentation, Bracken said,

"We fail to recognize why there is so much emphasis on the county’s part on two roads that are clearly NOT major transportation corridors [Milam and Burgess]."

"Population densities and projected traffic counts do not warrant the upgrades suggested. This is the case even if the Black Forest Planning Area is built out to the maximum allowed under the zoning policies stated in the Black Forest Preservation Plan. Milam Road, south of Shoup, and Burgess Road are already developed. Securing the required ROW [rights–of-way] would be very costly. The roads in question are not candidates for federal funding or on the RTA’s list of projects. Road design engineering standards in the new regulations targeted for the MTCP have just become available for public review. A considerable degree of uncertainty exists as to how they should be applied (collectors/arterials). Therefore local/collector roads should not be included the MTCP."

"Internal roads such as Milam a Burgess should be modified only in manners consistent with the Black Forest Preservation Plan, these roads serve the local needs of Black Forest are are not significant in affecting regional traffic needs, they provide access into and out of Black Forest for local residents, but are not intended for, and should not be altered to allow for urban intrusion into the Forest. The underlying planning premise appears to be that these improvements are necessary for internal capacity needs but traffic projections at maximum build out do not support this premise."

Bracken proposed that the Planning Commission recommend that the Black Forest Preservation Plan be updated with a transportation addendum. He said, "We would suggest that the addendum address integration of the goals of the trails addendum, business zone and school zone areas, and truck route issues. If the county does not desire to undertake this task at this time, we will develop this addendum independently and present it to DOT and the Planning Commission for approval. Our goal is to maintain the Black Forest Preservation Plan as the best small area plan in the state."

The final MTCP maps and narratives, after the conditions and revisions are added, will be available in a few weeks and posted at www.elpasomtcp.com.

The urgency for completing the MTCP on Sept. 21 was so the plan could become part of the documentation for PPACG’s 2030 and TIP federal funding cycles.

The controversial roads of concern to the Transportation Committee are not in any of the PPACG funding proposals, nor are they on the RTA wish list that will go before voters in November.

Judy von Ahlefeldt, Publisher of the Black Forest News, can be reached at 495-8750 or blackforestnews@earthlink.net

Mayor Nikki McDonald brought the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. All members of the council were present.

The council members first convened as the Liquor Licensing Board. Steve Spry, executive director of the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce, requested a liquor license for the Sept. 21 Business Expo. The request was approved unanimously, and, with business concluded, that board adjourned at 7:08 p.m.

McDonald then convened the town council meeting. A motion to accept all consent items was offered and passed unanimously.

Hugh Eaton, a Lewis-Palmer District 38 School Board member, presented an overview of ballot items 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D. Eaton noted that the order of questions on the ballot is mandated by the state, and that tax issues must precede debt or bonding issues. This requirement has added to the complexity of these ballot issues.

Question 3A is a mill levy override requested by the Monument Charter Academy to supply funds for capital construction. The tax increase associated with this issue is about $310,000 per year.

Question 3B is also a mill levy override that will be necessary to fund the operation of a second high school in the district, if one is built. The mill levy increase would be approximately $750,000 per year and would begin with the 2007-2008 school year. The second high school would hold about 800 students.

Question 3C is directly related to 3B in that it is a request for a bond issue to construct, furnish, and equip that second high school. Both 3B and 3C must pass in order for the second high school to be built. The debt increase for this issue would be about $33.5 million. Some of those funds would be used to renovate and enhance Lewis-Palmer High School.

Question 3D is a request for a bond issue to establish a ninth grade center that would hold about 800 students. The debt increase associated with this issue would be $29,795,000. The cost of the center is expected to be $26,209,000. The additional funds would be used to renovate and enhance the existing athletic facilities, commons area, and the parking lot at Lewis-Palmer High School. The School Board, which supports the ninth grade center, feels a mill levy override will not be necessary for the center as it would be for the second high school.

Dave Dilley, superintendent of School District 38, also spoke and noted that the district is near capacity, with portables now being employed to handle additional students. He stated that ninth grade centers are a relatively new innovation in education and serve to bridge the gap between junior high and high schools while transitioning ninth graders to a high school experience. Dilley also said that with a total projected student population of over 2,000 for grades 9-12 by 2007, a ninth grade center would reduce the numbers at Lewis-Palmer High School to more manageable levels.

If 3D is approved, annual taxes would increase by $2,678,000 and principal debt would increase $29,295,000. Dilley noted that the tax impact to the average homeowner in the Lewis-Palmer Schoold District would be $148 per year if questions 3B and 3C pass, compared to $86 per year if question 3D passes.

Trustee Trish Flake asked where the ninth grade center would be located. Eaton said the school district is negotiating with Jackson Creek for the land to build the center. If an agreement is reached, Higby Road would be re-routed to the south to connect to Jackson Creek Parkway so the high school and the ninth grade campus would be separated by a pedestrian mall. If the land can’t be secured, the center would be built on the existing high school property.

Police Chief Dale Smith presented a request for approval of funds for the final part of a three-part agreement with J. P. Robinson & Associates to perform services for the Homeland Security grant received by the town earlier in the year.

As part of this grant, a Homeland Security exercise was held on Aug. 14. As a result of the exercise, J. P. Robinson now plans to develop a multi-agency response plan for disaster incidents and a corrective action plan to identify and rectify deficiencies noted during the exercise.

Smith noted that the training received to date could also be applied to incidents like train derailments and snow emergencies.

Trustee Max Parker moved to release the funds for the final phase; Flake seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Al Fritz presented an update to the council on recent developments with the Inn at Palmer Divide. He said new partners have come into the project, and he expects to restart construction this fall. In response to questions posed by council members, he noted that the project started in the summer of 1999 and has received all approvals and building permits for five structures. The partnership has an agreement with Mission Training International for water, and he expects there to be enough available water for both facilities.

Roads: A proposal was received from Tom Heck to place gravel on Aurelia instead of paving it. The road is 125 feet long, and would require meeting Douglas County standards with storm sewers. Town Attorney Larry Gaddis advised that the committee could approve a gravel surface if the applicant agrees to pay for three years of dust control. The council approved a motion to allow the gravel surface, pending receipt of a letter from Heck agreeing to pay for dust mitigation.

Water: Trustee Chuck Cornell stated that the Water Committee has had three meetings so far and has developed preliminary working figures, projected expenses, and costs per gallon.

Community and Economic Development–Buildings: Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Steve Spry spoke about a possible grant of $6,000 available from the federal government for promoting growth for the towns of Monument and Palmer Lake.

Parker said a proposal was received from Heather Simpson to conduct an Oktoberfest function the second weekend in October. Gaddis advised the council that if any alcoholic beverages are to be served, Simpson will need to secure a permit from the council.

Parks and Recreation: Flake stated that rock work is being done in Glen Park along the trails. Improvements to the benches in the middle of Centennial Park have also been proposed.

Police: Trustee George Reese reported that the Police Department had 134 calls in August, compared to 145 in July. There were 6 arrests in August versus 5 in July, and 27 cases in August compared to 17 in July. Twenty-seven traffic citations were issued in August, compared with 70 in July. The department issued 17 dog warnings and 1 dog citation.

Fire: Trustee Brent Sumner stated that the Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department had 3 fire, 7 medical, 1 other, and 2 mutual aid calls for the month of August. Year-to-date calls for 2004 equaled 143, with 92 for Palmer Lake and the balance being mutual aid calls. Sumner thanked resident Marni Neise for her continuing assistance at fund-raising for a new fire truck, and cited a letter written to Roads Supervisor Bob Radosevich for his work on the roads in the town.

Mayor’s report: McDonald noted that bus service will be starting this year from Fountain to downtown Denver. A stop is planned in Monument. She also suggested that since so many of the council members were new, a training session would be in order. McDonald suggested that the session be conducted on Oct. 15.

Pamela Hafeman submitted a request for a change in ownership of Salon 105. The council unanimously approved the change.

Kim Makower, publisher of the Palmer Lake Independent News, donated $192.91 to the town from excess funds collected for his publication.

Cornell proposed that the stage 1 water restrictions currently in effect be lifted. After some discussion, the council unanimously passed a resolution to lift those restrictions.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Chairman John Cressman convened the meeting at 7:03 p.m. Commissioner Vic Brown was absent.

Tim Shank presented his proposal to vacate an alleyway in preparation for property development. The property is located near the intersections of Columbine and Page Streets and Highway 105.

In response to questions from Commissioner Gary Atkins, Shank stated that he plans to fill in part of the property that is situated in a floodplain. He noted that he is probably two years away from starting the development due to required planning with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. No public input was received on the proposal.

George "Gerry" Parsons presented a request on behalf of David Bolko and himself to vacate a right-of-way on Loveland Road. Parsons and Bolko own houses close to the road and would like to use the 10-foot strip of land currently defined as the right-of-way. The request, however, depends on their ability to acquire control of additional properties near theirs, and neither expected that to be done by the next planning commission meeting. The commissioners agreed to table consideration of the request at the meeting if nothing had changed by then.

Al Fritz provided a short update on the Inn at Palmer Divide. He noted that new partners have invested in the project, and Fritz intends to resume construction this fall. Commissioner Denise Cornell voiced concern about erosion on the property. Fritz indicated that he had spoken with Roads Supervisor Bob Radosevich about this and had made some effort to mitigate the problem. More work to address the issue is planned once construction resumes.

The rest of the meeting was devoted to Randy Jones’ development plan for his Elephant Acres subdivision on Westward Lane. Jones gave the commissioners updated plan documents and related his discussions with the Roads Committee, noting that their primary concern was to preserve as many of the older trees in the right-of-way as possible.

Jones designed several changes to the road to allow free water flow to a wetland area near the road. The revised plan would require removing five to six large trees; 50 to 60 three- to six-foot-high trees would be relocated at a cost of about $4,500.

Driveways in the development will be built at ground level, with a base of rock to let water flow over the top without washing them out. Jones described the plan for a concrete pan at the crossing that would connect Westward Lane to the northern end of Meadow Lane at the west edge of the turnaround. The pan will be built at ground level to let water flow over its top during times of high flow and to allow the wetland area to recharge.

The Army Corps of Engineers is charged with preservation of wetlands, and Jones said that approval from the Corps has not yet been secured. He noted that approval is dependent on decisions made on his plan by the planning commission.

Atkins noted that the proposed road will be dirt, and chemicals will be regularly applied to mitigate dust. The chemicals used are toxic to trees, and runoff will likely kill the trees Jones has proposed to save with his plan. Atkins believes the concrete pan and rock base will not withstand even a moderate flow of water. He said the reason the culvert under the nearby railroad tracks is six feet wide is because of historically large flows.

Kevin Stiltson from the Regional Floodplain Office said he agrees with the plan and noted that the ground level design will allow unrestricted water flow during floods. He recommended against a culvert under the road, noting common problems with silting and obstructions.

Atkins was not convinced. He said the road was washed out just six years ago and that increased drainage from the new houses and construction would increase the runoff volume during storms. He further observed that access to the development would be impeded if the road were damaged.

Cressman opened the meeting to public comment. Sue Coons echoed Atkins’ sentiments. She suggested Jones rectify problems with properties he previously developed in the area before proceeding with this new development. She asked the commission to reschedule hearings on the development to a later date to let the public review the plans.

Carol Nolan said, "If this project happens, we want it done right." She commented that her property, which is near the development, has an 8-foot ditch at one end that has grown with each flood. "What will happen to us if the water flow increases with 17 or 18 more houses in the area?" Nolan asked.

Several others echoed comments about drainage problems. Les Milligan said he and his neighbors on Meadow Lane "wouldn’t be here if drainage weren’t already a problem." Tom Martinez added that Jones’ plan for the road doesn’t meet Douglas County standards, which is the standard Palmer Lake has adopted for road construction. He suggested the commission require the road be replatted, noting that the town would have greater control over the plan if it did so.

Cressman read a letter from Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department Chief Julie Lokken about concerns she has regarding the development plan. Lokken noted that the area has limited access and argued that fire equipment access should be a primary consideration. She said the area does not have fire hydrants and that water shuttles would be required to fight any fires. In response, Jones said he redesigned the proposed cul-de-sac to provide a 100-foot turnaround diameter as required by the 1997 Fire Code.

Citing the many differing arguments offered in the meeting, Cressman suggested the commissioners meet with Jones at the property on Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. Cressman pointed out that this meeting would be open to the public, but that input and discussion would be limited to let planning commission members review the property in light of the development proposal.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Members of the Palmer Lake Town Council and Planning Commission were joined by town staff members and adjacent property owners in a site inspection of the proposed extension of Meadow Lane. The walking tour of the parcel by about 30 people was guided by developer Randy Jones on Sept. 13.

Jones had asked both town bodies for guidance in August on changes in the location of Meadow Lane required by the Army Corps of Engineers and county floodplain department. Both had suggested that the northward extension of this dirt road be moved east to avoid wetlands and flood zones. The proposed extension lies in the box canyon created by surrounding neighboring homes at higher grade levels to the west and north and the elevated railroad track to the east, two blocks east of Highway 105.

Jones had staked out the location of the 24-foot dirt roadway in the current plat and his proposed alignment around the disputed areas in the parcel. Only a little more than half of the currently platted lots can be used for construction. The realignment will reduce the depth of most of the other lots. Jones also pointed out the drainages within the portion planned for construction, as well as the trees that would be relocated and those too large to be transplanted.

The walkthrough was informal, with numerous question-and-answer conversations among Jones, town officials, and neighboring residents. Residents also asked town officials questions regarding other issues during the hour-long site inspection.

Chairman John Cressman convened the meeting at 7:03 p.m. All commissioners were present. The previous meeting’s minutes were accepted unanimously.

Tim Shank presented his proposal to vacate the alleyway for parcels A, B, C, and D bordering Columbine and Highway 105. The commission agreed unanimously to recommend to the town council that the alleyway be vacated.

Custom Home Theater submitted a request for a new sign, which was approved unanimously. However, the commission noted that the state could request that Custom Home Theater modify the sign if it is found in violation of state regulations.

Dave Bolko addressed the commission on behalf of himself and George "Gerry" Parsons. Bolko noted that he was not able to contact the owner of lot 4 in the Loveland Road development, and requested the commission table their request for vacation of the right-of-way. The commission unanimously agreed to do so.

The commission reviewed the plan submitted by Randy Jones regarding the disposition of trees in the right-of-way for his Elephant Acres development. Jones requested that the commission approve the road as engineered and allow the trees to be removed as necessary. After some discussion, Commissioner David Cooper made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Denise Cornell, to recommend to the Town Council that Jones be allowed to remove the larger trees in the roadway and to relocate the smaller trees "within reason." The motion passed, with Commissioner Vic Brown opposed.

The commission then drafted a list of recommendations for the development to be sent to the Town Council:

Commissioner Gary Atkins noted that paving for the Elephant Acres extension should include paving the original extension to Meadow Lane as well. Brown suggested a curb and gutter design be employed, and Cressman noted that was already part of the Douglas County road standards.

No vote was required on the set of recommendations, which will be sent to the council for review. Cressman adjourned the meeting at 7:57 p.m.

Prior to the regular Sept. 7 meeting of the Monument Board of Trustees (BOT), the board held a workshop with representatives of the Historic Monument Merchants Association. Trustees Brown and Mertz were absent.

Speaking for the group, Lucy McGuire, owner of the Folk Art Gallery, listed four principal concerns:

Woody Woodworth, owner of the High Country Store, said irrigation requirements are key to reducing the effort to maintain the town’s parks and landscaping. He offered to assist the town’s staff in selecting plants that need less water.

Public Works Superintendent Tom Wall said it would be very helpful to have town personnel dedicated to parks and landscape maintenance. He expressed concern about the expense of digging up paving, curbs, and gutters to install irrigation.

Trustee Gail Drumm asked whether the landscaping would be on private property or town land. He also noted that the landscape design would need to be sensitive to vehicle sight distance issues.

McGuire said the landscaping the merchants group had in mind would be on town land.

Mayor Byron Glenn encouraged the group to develop a landscaping plan. He said Mike Davenport, town planner and assistant town manager, and Tony Hurst, town engineer, would look at sight distance issues.

The group’s second point was related to an item on the board’s agenda and was addressed during the regular meeting.

Regarding the group’s third point, Davenport said grants for historic preservation and historic district revitalization generally require the town to assign one person full-time to the project.

Glenn suggested that the proposed additional parks and landscaping person might satisfy that requirement.

McGuire suggested that part of the landscaping plan include a job description for the additional dedicated town employee.

As to the group’s fourth point, Glenn said it is a topic for the Economic Development Committee.

McGuire suggested the town could simplify its procedures and create incentives for businesses that want to locate in the historic downtown area.

Drumm said, "I don’t see a theme for downtown."

McGuire said the town core is the railroad.

Drumm said a depot would be a draw. He added, "We had two nice ones."

Glenn noted that the merchants’ requests are timely since the board will be working on the 2005 budget in October.

The scheduled interviews of candidates for the vacant trustee position were postponed due to the absence of Trustees Brown and Mertz.

Trustee Plank objected to the length of the minutes. The minutes of the Aug. 2 and Aug. 16 meetings occupied about 60 pages each in the trustees’ packet.

Glenn said that in the future, Town Manager Rick Sonnenburg should summarize the minutes. Sonnenburg agreed but suggested that greater detail be retained regarding public hearings or when the trustees request it for a particular item.

With that understanding, the minutes of the Aug. 2 and Aug. 16 minutes were unanimously approved.

Schmidt appointed to police building subcommittee

Police Chief Joe Kissell recommended Leroy Schmidt, owner of the McDonald’s restaurant, as a member of the Police Building Subcommittee of the Police Advisory Committee. The subcommittee is developing plans for a new building for the Monument Police Department

Schmidt’s appointment was unanimously approved.

Elizabeth Miller Evans explained the role of the county health department in addressing public health issues such as restaurant inspections, West Nile Virus, tuberculosis, and bioterrorism.

She spoke in support of the Nov. 2 ballot initiative removing the cap imposed on health department revenues by TABOR. She said the current cap restricts the department’s ability to seek funding sources including state allotments and federal grants and contracts. She said excess revenues currently go to other counties that have removed the cap, not back to the taxpayers.

Evans noted that annual county funding for the health department has been reduced $400,000 over the past three years.

The board voted 3-1 in favor of a resolution supporting the ballot initiative. Drumm voted against the motion.

Architect Brian Bucher presented the revised plan for traffic flow near the parish education center. Under the revised plan, the alley would not be paved as a way of discouraging its use. Davenport said the town’s traffic engineer is generally in agreement with the plan, although a letter from the engineer had not yet been received.

The board unanimously approved the revised plan contingent upon receipt of a letter from the town’s traffic engineer supporting the plan.

Glenn noted that his role in negotiating with the parties has been hampered since this is now the subject of a lawsuit brought by Lewis-Palmer School District 38. He noted that the issue would likely not be settled prior to the Nov. 2 election on the related ballot issues.

Davenport presented the service plan, annexation agreement, development agreement, and design standards. He also noted that the Woodmoor Improvement Association requested that the developer stop using the Woodmoor name since it is trademarked.

Davenport noted that one of the issues was whether the metropolitan district should enforce the covenants and design standards.<