APPROVED
Castle Valley Fire Protection District
Castle Valley Fire Commission
AUGUST REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, August 14, 2025 6:00 pm
Electronic Meeting Only Due to Member Illness
Electronic Meeting Determination
Consistent with provisions of the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act, Utah Code Ann. ยง 54-2-207(4), Mitch Stock, Chairman of the Grand County Service Area for Castle Valley Fire Protection issues this Determination supporting the decision to convene electronic a meeting of the Fire Commission via Conference Call without a physical anchor location. Due to the immobility of a member, meetings at the anchor site may present substantial risk to public health and safety. Taking into consideration public health orders limiting in-person gatherings. This determination expires 30 days after the day on which the Chairman has made the determination. The public can join the Conference Call Meetings or submit comments by contacting Bill Rau at brau30@gmail.com. The Zoom link is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84002972642?pwd=Jf4HPXY5XYcxuO7HjyXNREoETLZIHt.1
Attending: Mitch Stock, Bob Russell, Bill Rau, Ron Drake, Greg Halliday, Susan Halliday, Mike Wakely, Maggie Peikon.
Call to Order of Regular Meeting: 6:00 pm
1. Public Comment:
- Susan Haliday: website is up at cost of $36, with monthly fee. Emails not now working, but expected to work by end of year.
2. Approval of minutes of July 2025 meeting
Bob: moved, Mitch second, all agreed
3. Administrative Issues
4. Chief's Report: Ron Drake
- No fires, fortunately, since we last met
- Ron assisted in two EMS calls
- Received 6 water packs at c. $800.
- Greg noted that a hardware store in Moab had connectors on sale; Ron will check
- Ron is on Emergency Plan committee.
- Deposited monies in bank
- Met technician for the generator on Lot 13 generator. He though a part was bad and he replaced it. Ron checked on the system on each Saturday in and it was running.
- Pump on Lot 13 examined by H2o. Sentiment and calcium found in the water. Pump was ok and he though the sediment was fine and should not affect pump. Water was 28 feet below the surface. They said the faster we pump, the more sediment will occur. This summer a contractor pumped 51K gallons and paid $1500.
o Dorje said sediment is solidify in tanks of the Roads Department of the Town.
- Investigating cost of tenders from two providers.
5. Treasurer's Report: Carol Drake and Bob Russell
Carol provided a summary of expenses and income.
6. Discussion and possible action re.: 2026 budget
By next meeting we will propose a final budget. Email Carol and Bob with comments.
7. Discussion and possible action re.: water on Lot 13
If sediment in water is not harming pumps, we can continue to use well and put water in trucks.
Options for water for trucks: a) water from Honeyman's well; b) acquire a large holding tank; c) drill another well; d) upgrade Station 1 well.
Danny will look at the water in a tank of one of the engines and give an opinion. Ron suggests flushing engine tanks once in a while and not sell any more water.
8. Discussion and possible action re.: new water tanker for department
Ron contacted two companies for quotes for a new tender; one company quote was in excess of $450K for either a 2000 or 3000 gallon tank.
Another company had a basic unit for under $400K for either 2 or 3K tanks.
A third company said it could build one, but needs a week to give a quote.
We agreed to go with new, rather than used.
Source of funding: email to Trish that county should provide money to CV fire. We need it as much as Moab Fire. We have never asked Grand County for money for the fire department. Bill will draft email.
9. Discussion and possible action on long term planning, fire dept. needs, priorities, vision and policies: development of standard operating guidelines, policies and procedures.
10. Closed Session (if necessary): personnel matters, awards; recognition program, etc.
11. Adjourn: moved by Bob, 2nd by Mitch, all agreed. 7:25 pm
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify Leta Vaughn at 435-259-2364.