Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 18:00 by President Neil Frame

Attendance and Explantion of Absences

Board Members in Attendance: Neil Frame, Mark Villa, Keith Dierking, Branch Russell

Excused absence: Greg Klaiber

Also Attending: Josh Boyles, Kris Kleiner, Peter Greenstone

Zoom:  Christina Jantzef, Max Herte

Approval of the January 21, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes

Motion made, seconded, and unanimously approved.

Public Comment & Announcements

• No public comment
• Update on the EAR – Will Quinby
  • Will Quinby reported that, as of the end of January, the project was 74% complete, both financially and physically. The team is still on track to finish by May 15, 2026. There have been zero safety incidents that caused lost time or required first aid on this project to date. Blasting operations for the EAR were completed successfully on February 5.
  • Work continues on:
    • Cut and fill
    • Stormwater quality basin (to control turbidity that might go into Bear Creek)
    • CMP Culverts being installed
    • Rock lined ditch work
    • Embedded boulders for guardrails for most of the project; metal guardrails will go where embankment slopes away on both sides (the box culvert stream crossings)
    • GFR expansion pad substantially complete
    • One set of gates on hand, coordinating with CEI for installation.
  • We returned the alignment to the original route, crossing under the local Xcel power line. Will is contacting Xcel to see if we can have the lowest cable raised from 12′12′ to 14′14′. The chief confirms there is adequate vertical clearance for the anticipated equipment.
  • Neil is working with Xcel on an access/cost‑sharing agreement for Xcel pads.

Financial Reports

Review of January financials

• The January 2026 financial report was presented by Christina Jantzef.
  • Total revenue for the 2025 budget cycle stood at $1,251,599 at the time of the Board of Directors meeting.
  • It was reported that typically it is a very slow time for revenue collection for the District.
• A motion was made, seconded and approved unanimously to accept the year-to-date financials as presented.

Review of Notable Payables

• Nothing to report. 

Reports of Officers, Committees, Professional Consultants

Administrators/Training Coordinator – Lt. Max Herte

• Two Genesee Fire Rescue recruits are nearing completion of their EMT training.
• Planning is underway for a regional fire training academy that will serve Genesee Fire Rescue, Foothills Fire, Clear Creek Fire, and Central City Fire. Training at the academy is expected to begin in April and will culminate in July.
• Lt. Kris Kleiner passed and completed all required objectives to achieve his Hazmat Tech certificate. At this time, the Genesee Fire Protection District has three certified Hazmat Tech–level firefighters on staff.

Deputy Chief Peter Greenstone

•  The Department has run thirty-six calls for the year.  

Apparatus Coordinator – Deputy Chief Peter Greenstone

• All apparatus are in service.
• 931 is being evaluated for a code warning from Fire Truck Solution the Departments maintenance service.  It will remain in service during this update.

Recruiting Coordinator Lt. Kris Kleiner

• Lt. Kleiner reported no significant changes to the department’s recruitment status at this time. As stated previously, he is continuing to work with Responder Max to implement a three-year recruitment and retention campaign plan for the District.

Facilities Coordinator – Deputy Chief Peter Greenstone

• Chief Boyles provided the Board with an update on the station remodel progress. The project is nearing completion and is under budget, with a significant portion of labor costs managed internally through the skills of talented team members. The total remodel cost was budgeted at $50,000 but was efficiently managed to achieve direct savings, costing approximately $30,000. This amount also included an upgrade to the station’s emergency generator. As a result, the station will be fully operational during any planned or unexpected power outages.

Old Business

Cell Towers/ Power Outage – Chief Josh Boyles

• Chief Boyles reported that he sent a letter on January 26, 2026, urging local communications providers to improve cell coverage and service during emergencies and power outages. He has not yet received responses from any providers. Additionally, he discussed the matter with the Mountain Fire Chief’s Board to seek their support for the request. Unfortunately, the Board declined to participate in the correspondence. During this inquiry, staff conducted tests on the effectiveness of 911 calls when cell service is unavailable. It was confirmed that 911 calls function regardless of location and cell service accessibility.

New Business

Drone – Captain Hank O’Brien

• Captain Hank O’Brien presented an update to the Board of Directors on the department’s implementation of a drone program. The team conducted six months of research on drones and their application for first responders, focusing on capabilities and functions relevant to fire department operations. They explored FAA licensing and requirements, conducted field visits to local agencies — including South Metro Fire and Douglas County Search and Rescue — and attended the UTAC conference.
• The department’s use of a drone for operations can include:
  • Search and rescue
  • Smoke investigations
  • Preplanning for access and egress during the department’s response to highway calls
  • Size-up information and roof assessments for fire operations during structure fires
  • Mutual aid support for our local agencies
• The department has the support of its membership to drive this initiative. A large portion of the drone program’s cost will be covered by the Volunteer Fund. Members are preparing to become drone pilots, and many have already obtained their FAA certification. The GFR drone program will commence in May 2026.

GSFC – Lt. Kris Kleiner

• Lt. Kleiner reports that he attends monthly meetings of the Genesee Fire and Safety Committee (GFSC) as a liaison and representative of the Genesee Fire Protection District (GFPD). Kleiner reports that he tries to work with the GFSC, but meetings often become contentious and disparaging toward the GFPD’s policies and practices. Although meetings often have an unprofessional tone, Lt. Kleiner will continue to attend the monthly GFSC meetings to ensure that the greater Genesee community benefits from collaboration between agencies for the safety and protection of all.

Meeting Adjournment

There being no further business, the board meeting was adjourned at 19:46