Castle Valley Fire Protection District
Castle Valley Fire Commission
September REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, September 10, 2026 6:30 pm
2 E Castle Valley Dr, Castle Valley, UT 84532
Attending:
Mitch Stock
Maggie Peikon
Ron Drake
Mike Wakeley
Greg Halliday
Egmont Honer
Carol Drake
Trish Hedin
Jazmine Duncan
Regular Meeting:
Call to Order: 6:31 pm
Public Comment:
Greg asked if a tractor would be needed on Saturday when moving Pat's items.
Egmont asked if we had any further information on radios. Waiting to hear from Utah Communication Authority. We will be getting our own channel, P25. Egmont asked if it was in the 700 megah range, but unsure if that is accurate. The radios will need to be programmed for communication with the town.
Approval of Minutes from August: Approved
Administration Issues:
Dana requested forming document - Ron has this and will send it to Maggie to pass along to Dana for review.
Mitch shared with Trish that we sent in all required documents showing our ask. Asking for around $50,000/year and we shared all documentation for that. Trish shared that if we give you money, we're taking away from another, and thinks it's great we're diving in. She shared she felt badly that despite our asking for things, we weren't getting them and noted that we need to be prudent about formally asking for things. She shared that our request for funding looks good.
Mitch shared that when they met in town with the other departments that they didn't really want to share their money and that we don't want to take money from other first responders, noting that they shared there were other pots for us to be able to take from.
Trish shared that Moab Valley Fire is a taxable entity, and they are bringing in a fair amount of money. Thinks they are in pretty good shape, and EMS with the sales tax is in pretty good shape now. If they are in really good shape, it probably is a good time to make sure other entities are also in good shape and have what they need. She noted again it's great to have our foot in the door, have that ask, and specify what we need.
Carol added that Castle Valley Fire District is part of the overall fire protection for the county so it is a valid argument for them to receive funds as well because they are acting on behalf of the county. Station 1 is also a staging area for SAR helicopters.
Mitch added that, as far as he knows, we have never asked for funding before. We work off of volunteers, no one is on the books, so we are saving the county a lot of money that way. Hopefully the rest of the county will see the value and need to help us out a bit.
Trish shared that the agenda just got posted, her understanding is that it's a pretty light agenda so it should go pretty quickly. Not a bad idea to be either online or there pretty early. Zooming in is great. One or two representatives is great.
Chief's Report: Ron Drake
Not much to report since our last meeting. One call up Castleton, his stove was smoldering/on fire - we disconnected it and hauled it outside. Received several donations since we met last and sent letters out to those that donated. Still doing Coffee with the Chief every Monday morning at 10:00, usually 20-25 people, fun thing to do. Met with Mountain Home Services when they did maintenance on the generator, that cost $410 for that service. Met with EMS and Moab Fire about funding on Tuesday and then Mitch and Mike joined on Friday. Ron went for physical for CDL license.
Mitch asked about the Castleton fire that's not in our district/area - are we just keeping records of resources that we use? Ron said yes, he keeps a record of all of our calls.
Mitch asked if we had anything back from Derek on fittings. Ron is still waiting on quote, but hasn't heard anything yet.
Treasurer's Report: Carol Drake, Mike Wakeley
PTIF: 283,048. 142,658.47 PTIF General Fund.
$150 River Canyon Wireless Pole
Donations $3,350 total for the month
Maintenance for standby generator as chief mentioned
$551 for engine maintenance
At 101% of our budget for donations, engine maintenance we are 156% - over budget there. We have also used our entire fund for equipment line item.
Carol: We heard from Chris and he would love to have by end of month the date and time of our budget hearing for 2027. Put on agenda for November 12th meeting. Mike and Carol to have a draft budget for next month's (October) meeting.
Discussion and Possible Action: CVFD Funding Request - Who will be available to attend the September 15 County Council meeting (via Zoom)?
Ask Jocelyn if this space is open at 3pm
Carol available to join if needed
Discussion and Possible Action: Lot 13 Chamisa water issue
Mitch researched tanks and pumps and finally got some information and a quote for 2 tanks. With the suggested layout (above ground tanks and pumps) we should hopefully not pull up as much sediment. With an above ground tank there is a freezing problem, so we will want to take it down at least 2 feet. How do we keep pumps from freezing, and what is the cleanest and most foolproof way to use them? Maybe a small pump house could be the best way to go. We have to come up with a design and build it. Rough $16,898 for 2 tanks, pump, and water level gauge.
Egmont noted there are pumps that have extended shafts where the body is submerged and the motor is above/outside.
Greg asked about the size of the pump now. It's 5 horse.
Mitch thinks we should put a small pump down in the well and see if the problem of sediment is solved. If it doesn't then we have to turn to Plan B, which is to drill another well. Greg notes 5 horse is pulling a lot of water, fast, and if moving that quickly we'll have dirt with it. It's going to wear the pump out quicker.
Movement to have Danny drop a smaller pump in to test it out (1/2 horse?) - approved to have Danny do a well test for us.
Discussion and Possible Action: Fitness room
Gerry and Mitch finished putting together equipment. Needs to be sectioned off to be a safe space, and to put in one window for air conditioning. Ran this idea through years ago, but would like to continue to update this with numbers as they come together. Will be all volunteer labor. Mitch has a window he can donate (3x5), maybe 2. Put a few interior double doors up there (glass, for natural light). Pat was so generous to donate that to us. Mitch will figure out some type of schedule to put out an ask for help. Maybe down the road, if the gym is getting a lot of traction, possibly put in a mini split. Add TVs - Pat donated one.
Discussion and possible action on long term planning, fire dept. needs, priorities, vision and policies: development of standard operating guidelines, policies and procedures.
Maggie will send out list to team that Tana sent over regarding grant to see if we can put together items we may qualify for through the grant.
Closed Session (if necessary): personnel matters, awards; recognition program, etc.
Adjourn: 7:22pm
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.