RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ADAMS COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

August 28, 2019

A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Adams County Fire Protection District was held at the District’s Station 11, 1675 W. 69th Avenue, Denver, CO 80229, commencing at 6:39 p.m.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:

  • Jerry Marchese President/Chairman
  • Ken Ciancio Vice President
  • Anthony Spano Secretary
  • Joe Domenico Treasurer

ALSO PRESENT:

  • Patrick Laurienti Fire Chief
  • Stuart Sunderland Deputy Chief
  • Troy Patterson Operations Chief
  • Sandy Danne Administrative Assistant
  • Dino Ross District Legal Counsel

ABSENT:

  • Gene Brienza Assistant Secretary

Secretary Spano made a motion to excuse Assistant Secretary Gene Brienza. Treasurer Domenico seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA:

None. Secretary Spano made a motion to approve the agenda. Treasurer Domenico second the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

MOMENT OF SILENCE:

Chairman Marchese called for a moment of silence for the thirty-three fallen firefighters to date in 2019.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

Chairman Marchese led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC COMMENTS (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY):

None.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES:

Vice President Ciancio made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 24, 2019, regular Board meeting, as presented in the Board packet. Secretary Spano seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

The Board reviewed the July financials. Treasurer Domenico made a motion to approve the July financials, as presented in the Board packet. Vice President Ciancio seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Executive Administrative Assistant Danne read a “thank-you” from student who did a ride-a-long with A Shift at Station 14.

Executive Administrative Assistant Danne read a “thank-you” email from the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) Fire Chief thanking District Firefighter Amelia Engelmann for participating in a CSFD training that is designed to introduce young women to the fire service.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Secretary Spano made a motion to go into Executive Session, pursuant to C.R.S. §24-6-402 (4)(b) and (f), to discuss and receive advice of legal counsel regarding personnel issues. Vice President Ciancio seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Attorney Ross certified for the record that the Executive Session would constitute privileged attorney-client communications and would not be recorded. The Board went into Executive Session at 6:42 p.m.

Secretary Spano made a motion to come out of Executive Session. Treasurer Domenico seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The Board came out of Executive Session at 7:19 p.m.

REVIEW AND APPROVE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SALE OF STATION 15:

Secretary Spano made a motion to approve the Resolution Authorizing The Sale of Station 15. Vice President Ciancio second the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

APPROVE CAPTAINS STEVE WILLIAMS AND CASEY ANDERSEN’S DROP RETIREMENT:

The requests from Captain Steve Williams and Captain Casey Anderson to enter the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) were reviewed.

Secretary Spano made a motion to accept both Captain Steve Williams and Captain Casey Andersen’s participation in the DROP plan. Vice President Ciancio second the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

CHIEF’S REPORT:

Chief Laurienti reported that, in addition to his written report included in the Board packet, he worked with Adams County Manager Ray Gonzales to acquire a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for Station 11. Chief Laurienti reported that he is continuing work with the general contractor, Golden Triangle Construction, on adjusting the sidewalk, which the County is now requiring before approving a final Certificate of Occupancy.

Chief Laurienti reported that he had a meeting with the State regarding the working agreement with Investigator Jerry Means and Arson Dog Riley. It will be a 5- year program.

Chief Laurienti thanked Deputy Chief of Administration Sunderland and his team for the successful accreditation visit, and for successfully getting the District accredited.

The Board had no questions for Chief Laurienti.

DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT:

Deputy Chief of Administration Sunderland, in addition to his written report, thanked everyone for helping the District become accredited. He stated that it was a proud moment to accept the accreditation with Chief Laurienti, Board member Ken Ciancio, EMS Officer Mike Kary and Captain Davidson after the hearing in Atlanta, Georgia at the FRI Conference.

Deputy Chief Sunderland reported that the land where the shingle pile is located has been sold and the new owners have almost completed removal of the single pile.

Treasurer Domenico asked Deputy Chief Sunderland for an update regarding the District’s effort to have Fire Code Compliance Officers classified as Pease Officers. Deputy Chief Sunderland answered that he, Fire Marshall Wilder and Attorney Ross met with the POST subcommittee, which seemed generally supportive of the legislation with some additional education requirements, but staff has not yet heard anything further from the POST subcommittee.

The Board had no more questions for Deputy Chief Sunderland.

OPERATIONS CHIEF REPORT:

Operations Chief Patterson, in addition to his written report, reported that the Chiefs have conducted the interviews for the Captain position. He announced Frank Rotello was offered the Captain position and Lieutenant Mike Tavalez will become the provisional Captain. He also reported that Engineer David Carpenter is being promoted to Lieutenant and Engineer Jesse Gonzales will become the provisional Lieutenant, and Firefighter Tyler Criswell has been offered the provisional Engineer position.

The Board had no questions for Operations Chief Patterson.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT:

Attorney Ross reported that his office continues to work on issues relating to the potential merger with South Adams County Fire Protection District. Attorney Emily Powell will have a draft of the merger IGA to present to both Boards for review and discussion in October.

The Board had no questions for Attorney Ross.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

  • Secretary Spano: Congratulated the District on its accreditation.
  • President Marchese: Nothing to report.
  • Treasurer Domenico: Congratulated Deputy Chief Sunderland and everyone for their hard work on being successful in getting the accreditation.
  • Vice President Ciancio: Nothing to report.

ADJOURNMENT:

With no further business to come before the Board, Secretary Spano made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Vice President Ciancio second the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.

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