DVF SSD Agenda April 17, 2025
1. Call to order/roll call/pledge Ryan Andersen, Chair
2. Approval of Agenda Ryan Andersen, Chair
3. Approval of March 20, 2025 Meeting Minutes Ryan Andersen, Chair
4. Treasurer's Report Curt Shelley, Vice Chair
5. Fire Chief's Report Fire Chief Chris Rieffer
6. Introduction and swearing in of new board members (2) Curt Shelley, Vice-Chair
7. Nomination and vote, board positions Curt Shelley, Vice-Chair
8. Discussion and vote, Amendments to District GRAMA Policy Pat Johnson, Clerk and Records Off
9. Discussion, Patient ground transport Fire Chief Chris Rieffer, Board
10 Public Outreach and Information Committee progress report Pat Johnson, Clerk
11. Insurability Committee progress report Curt Shelley, Vice Chair
12. Public Comment Board
13. Adjournment
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DVF SSD Minutes April 17, 2025
1. Call to order 7:00pm, Ryan Andersen, Chair / roll call: Curt Shelley, Ryan Andersen, Alan Burns, Pat Johnson/ pledge: Kim Doster/ Ryan Andersen, Chair
2. Approval of Agenda: Ryan Andersen, Chair. Motion to approve agenda as published: Pat Johnson. Second by Alan Burns. Passed.
3. Approval of March 20, 2025 Meeting Minutes, Ryan Andersen, Chair
Motion by Curt Shelley. Second by Alan Burns. Note: not all receipts not available. Those missing will be included and noted for next meeting Consent Agenda
4. Treasurer's Report, Curt Shelley, Vice Chair. See attachment to these Minutes.
Notes:
a. annual Ram payment due May 2025 is made out of the capital fund
b. A/R for recent deployments are significant, and will be received over the next 60 days.
5. Fire Chief's Report, Chief Chris Rieffer
a. Special Ops division (deployments + REMS) has generated over $294K revenue this year. An additional $86K was earned from deployments in December 2024.
b. HB0048 has been passed, and will become law defining Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas (Dammeron Valley included) The State and Dept of Natural Resources are determining how the law is to be interpreted.
c. Every property in WUI will be rated
d. DVFR will continue a close relationship with the Insurability Committee to minimize effect (fees and restrictions) on Dammeron Valley residents.
e. It is emphasized that any fees assessed to properties will be assessed by the State of Utah, NOT Washington County, NOT DVFR. Expect fees in 2026. Any misconception as to the origin of any fee assessment must be corrected, as noted by Rick Johnson.
f. Every property will be 'rated'. The ratings will be: high/high, med/high, low/high. It is expected that County Code Enforcement will not issue Certificates of Occupancy unless the property complies with WUI. This could affect properties already under construction. Anyone who currently has a home or building under construction should contact the County building department/Code Enforcement immediately.
g. The DVFR and Board are working to keep the fees impacting our community as low as possible. And if possible, obtain grants from WUI funds for mitigation and compliance.
h. Everyone who lives here gets a fee in 2026. The fees will be for Administration and Wildfire Suppression - possibly grants. It is possible that SB 37 may provide grants that will go toward funding the requirements of HB0048.
i. Properties adjacent to Federal & State Lands adjacent may have their rating affected.
j. The Car Show on May 17 will be a source of info: materials and info will be available there for all facts known to date.
k. A new Survivability rating may be forthcoming: How your home rates with no fire protection at all.
l. A new Fire Academy will be starting soon, with appx. $45K in fees paid for by cadets.
m. The current EMT class wraps up 30 April, 30 cadets.
n. An Advanced EMT class run by our Academy (expecting abt 20 students) will be held in Diamond Valley. Dates to be announced.
o. Chief Rieffer notes that our Training Academy's provides interns (2 per shift) equivalent to $450K staffing per year - at no cash expense to the District.
p. Chief Rieffer noted that Diamond Valley is staffing their station with 2 wildfire staff 8:30am - 5pm.
q. Member of the Month: Faith Davis. Wildland & Structure certified firefighter. Qualified to deploy, triple threat
r. Light the Night: Apr 27 - May 4. Red lights to show support to honor the fallen and their familes. DVFR notes Tory Carlon, killed while on duty. Tory is the son of the late Larry Carlon, former Board member.
6. Introduction and swearing in of new board members (2). Vice-Chairman Curt Shelley introduced new Board members Mark Smasal and Jack Kuntz. Each were sworn in by Curt. Outgoing Chairman and Board member Ryan Andersen was also recognized for his service to DVFR: on the Board for 5 years, has been volunteer firefighter, has organized and led Dammeron Valley Helping Hands. Served as both Board Clerk and Chair. Was instrumental in remodeling the Fire Station and Community Building for housing additional 24/7 firefighters. Has been influential in bringing community together.
7. Nomination and vote, board positions: The Board positions of Treasurer (Curt Shelley) and Clerk (Pat Johnson) require some specialized training, certifications, and a significant time commitment, particularly Treasurer. Ryan Anderson's departure from the Board leaves the Chairman position open. Both Mark Smasal and Jack Kuntz declined nominations as Chairman (at this time). Curt indicated that following an orientation period, Jack or Mark may be comfortable to be nominated as Chairman. Curt noted that his appointment to the Board expires at the end of 2025, and a new Treasurer must be identified and trained. Alan Burns offered to serve as Interim Chairman. A motion to nominate Alan Burns to this position was made by Pat Johnson, second by Curt Shelley: Passed.
8. Discussion and vote, Amendments to District GRAMA Policy, Pat Johnson The Government Records and Management Act, codified as Section 63G-2-101 to 901 describe the procedure for members of the public to obtain records from government entities. It is typically invoked when an entity is unwilling to provide requested information. Respecting DVFR, any needed information may be obtained by:
a. Attending monthly Board meetings (every 3rd Thursday, 7pm) and inquiring during Public Comment
b. Contacting the Fire Chief Directly, who has an open door policy
c. Contacting any Member of the Board in person or in writing
To the knowledge of anyone currently on the Board, no request for information has ever been denied. It is somewhat perplexing when the above avenues are ignored/bypassed and the requestor goes directly to a GRAMA request.
The GRAMA policy contained in DVFR's Policy manual is outdated. Input and guidance was sought from Washington County (which receives over 200 requests per year), and it is decided to amend/update our policy to be aligned with the County. Sections in the Policy Manual of the GRAMA policy to be amended are as follows, with deleted sections struck through, and additions highlighted in red.
The District enforces a uniform fee schedule to charge for record requests. Per Utah Code 63G-2-203(2):
1. Per Utah Code 63G-2-203(8)(a), the District may require a deposit if the estimated cost exceeds $50. If this is determined to be likely, the District requires a minimum deposit of $1,000, to be paid prior to the initiation of response to the request. This is consistent with the current policy of Washington County.
2. Per 63G-2-203(8)(b) Any prepaid amount in excess of fees due shall be returned to the requester.
3. The District will charge the actual cost of providing a record when it is provided in a form other than normally maintained. Black and white photocopies will be supplied at a cost of $.20 $.40 each, color copies at a cost of $.40 $.80 each.
4. The District will charge staff time for direct costs such as search, retrieval, summarization, and compilation, not to exceed the salary of the lowest paid, capable employee. In the case of this District, that charge will be based upon the amount charged by the District's administrative services contractor, Community Association Management, not to exceed $25 per hour. charged by Washington County, currently at a minimum of $60 per hour.
Further, 63G-2 requires that changes to the District's GRAMA policy be approved by the Executive. Pat Johnson confirmed that Alan Burns, Interim Chairman approved the foregoing changes. A motion to approve the aforementioned changes was made by Curt Shelley, second by Mark Smasal. Passed. These changes are effective immediately, and Curt will update the Policy Manual accordingly.
9. Discussion, Patient ground transport Fire Chief Chris Rieffer,
a. Paramedic Patient Ground Transport - application has been submitted: We have everything we need regarding equipment and trained personnel.
b. New Law: SB 215 pushes authority to County to decide. EMS is an essential service by law. County is responsible. We are now ready to stand up.
c. The new SB 215 law takes effect 7 May 2025, we look forward to County's support after that date.
d. What does it mean? Provide the highest level of service. We can bill for transport. Will have new grant opportunities. Provide faster, reliable 24/7 service - advanced life support, best outside of a hospital. This is a Class 2 fire department.
e. Additional information forthcoming, and the Board will be updated as it it received.
10. Public Outreach and Information Committee progress report, Pat Johnson. The committee is working with Chief Rieffer and Robin Fulford of the Community Fire Council to provide updated, timely information to the residents of Dammeron Valley as follows:
a. An informational tri-fold brochure to be mailed to all residents. 14+ possible topics were presented. Pat will work with Chief Rieffer to prioritize topics and message in the limited space available on a tri-fold.
b. Given the upcoming Car Show on 17 May 2025, this venue will be used to provide and distribute critical timely information (WUI, Insurability, Reverse 911, etc). This puts a deadline on collecting and printing the most applicable information. Pat and Chief Rieffer will coordinate. The capable services of Hunter Wolfe will also be requested.
c. It is contemplated that prior to the end of 2025, comprehensive information in magazine form will be compiled and printed that will be a direct source of information to residents and nearby communities. Requests to include relevant messages from Washington County, Chief Rieffer, John Hennessey, adjoining communities, Community Fire Council and others will be made. Advertising pages will be offered to offset the cost of compiling and printing.
11. Insurability Committee progress report Curt Shelley, Vice Chair
a. an information slide compiled by Curt was shown, it is attached. The insurability of communities such as Kayenta are also being affected by a shakeup in the insurance industry, accelerated by the recent California fires.
b. We are in better condition than other communities with FireWise, the chipping program, proactive efforts to insurability.
c. Insurance companies will be required to comply with HB0048.
d. The Goal to do everything possible to get insurance and live here without astronomical premiums, to minimize impact to community
e. Dept well positioned, certified wildland firefighters. ISO 2, 24/7, Triple Threat. We can even call in aircraft.
f. The Committee's report will be issued later this year.
12. Public Comment Board
Rick Johnson - last week's fire in Central. Structure was contained within a very small area. Chief: we get there quickly and take a big swing at it. EMS service underappreciated. All essential services must be managed.
Ryan Andersen: Following discussion with County Commissioners, we have to be able to provide transport because of the service we provide.
Mack Sorensen: within 5 yrs he has personally received service as a result of decisions made 5 yrs ago. Welcome to new Board members.
13. Adjournment 8:28pm. Motion by Curt Shelly, second by Mark Smasal
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations during this hearing should notify the Dammeron Valley Fire Special Service District Chairman of the Board, Ryan Andersen, at least three days prior to the hearing.
Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation
Policy: This shall be known as the Dammeron Valley Fire Special Service District Electronic Board Meeting Policy.
In compliance with Utah State Code 52-4-207
Title 52
Chapter 4
Section 207
Other Information
12 April 2025: Meeting Agenda posted
17 April 2025: Meeting recording posted
22 April 2025: Meeting Minutes posted