Castle Valley Fire Protection District
Castle Valley Fire Commission
NOVEMBER REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, November 13, 2025 6:15 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/87022888857?pwd=DQoHuKJpiIl3UBzu27kPGtYwZ7datl.1
Attending: Mitch Stock, Bill Rau, Ron Drake, Jazmine Duncan, Carol Drake, Mike Wakeley, Greg Halliday, Susan Halliday, Maggie Peikon
Call to Order of Regular Meeting: 6:08 pm
1. Public Comment:
2. Approval of minutes of October meeting: Motion to approve by Mitch, Bill seconded. Approved
3. Administrative Issues
- 2026 budget-Bill failed to post in TI on time. Will do so for December meeting
- December firehouse sale-Susan Halliday: The event will include a raffle and auction for Christmas shopping; maybe of short parade. Will be help on Friday, Dec 12th c. 5pm; Santa Claus will attend.
- Susan H: filling out forms for fire dept emails. Hopefully the email addresses will be available by end of year
i. Fundraising-Bill Rau---Bill will not continue doing fundraising, except when specifically asked. He will complete the application for the State Fire Grant due to open early in 2026.
ii. A draft outline has been prepared for the Fire department to use for a County sales tax presentation
4. Chief's Report: Ron Drake
- No fires since last meeting
- New battery in engine 39 and the engine running
- During the Gourd Festival, Fire Department received over $1k in donations
- Fire Department received a donation for $2k
- Coffee with the chief was started on Monday's, with 15-25 people coming for gathering
- 1 EMS assist on Buchanan Lane
- Greg and Chief installed wind sock on Station 1
- Ferrell Gas picked up a resident's tank which was 30% full and left it at Station 2 to be connected to the Fire Department's existing tank.
- Final price from Outback for a new water tanker is quoted at $388K
- Leak on existing water tender might be the heat exchanger.
- Chief was contacted by Verizon re. placing a cell tower on property of Station 1
- Veterans Day celebration event collected $1K for the Fire Department.
Bill noted that the Fire Department needed new fire prevention literature and t-shirts for display during public events; Susan H. volunteered to design new literature and Ron will ask fire warden for literature. Ron thinks there are other t-shirts available.
5. Treasurer's Report: Carol Drake and Bob Russell
- Carol-donations above budget; repairs below budget
6. Discussion and possible action re: cell tower on Station 1 lot
- A cell tower needs fiber optic nearby; a tower may be 60-80 feet high, but would have ti be taller with other carriers. If built, Verizon would pay CV Fire $900/month
- It was noted that Grand County had stopped giving permits for cell towers several years ago
- It was noted that cell service was important for emergency services in Valley
- Most towers have flashing red light-disruptive to views
7. Discussion and possible action re.: new water tanker for department
- Latest quote from Outback in SLC at $388K for a 3000 gallon tank
- Jazmine mentioned the value of understanding CIB requirements for being seen by CIB
8. Discussion and possible action re.: year-end event
- Ron has sizes from Fire Department members for proposed shirts. We need someone to sew on patches-Ron will inquire in Moab
- As an alternative for year-end gifts it was suggested items like flash light, emergency radio, all-in-one gadget. It was decided to go with these later suggestions.
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 Bill, Mitch 2nd. Adjourn at 7:53 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.