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http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007702280340
Originally published February 28, 2007
Timnath, PFA reach agreement on new fire station
Deal will free up Poudre Fire Authority stations 10 and 14
By MEGAN READ
MeganRead@coloradoan.com
Poudre Fire Authority on Tuesday approved an intergovernmental agreement with Timnath to upgrade the rapidly growing community's fire station.
Under the agreement, Timnath and its urban renewal authority will provide PFA with a building site and give back property tax money to the fire protection district. Timnath projects the tax reimbursements to be $1 million by 2013.
In return, PFA will build and staff a new fire station in Timnath, according to the agreement.
In addition, the fire authority would convey to Timnath the property that is the site of Timnath Town Hall, which PFA owns and Timnath leases. PFA leases the existing fire station from Timnath. That lease will terminate when the new fire station opens.
Timnath is served by Station 8, which is staffed by volunteers. The new station is scheduled to open in 2009 or 2010 according to Guy Boyd, director of administrative services with PFA.
Boyd said the station will serve Timnath as well as the East Harmony Road and Interstate 25 areas.
"I think this is a great partnership, and it gives us rock-solid response capabilities," Boyd said.
Boyd said once opened, the new station will help free up stations 10 and 14 to remain in position to serve areas in southeast Fort Collins.
"This provides solidification of the borders, and it will be less difficult to service the area," he said.
According to the agreement, the new fire station will be operated as a volunteer or paid staffed facility until Timnath provides evidence that more than 3,000 certificates of occupancy have been issued for residential or commercial buildings in the town.
When that occupancy is reached, PFA will staff the station with paid firefighters.
Another topic discussed at the meeting was the need for the city to increase funding for PFA's emergency services.
Fort Collins City Manager Darin Atteberry discussed the need for City Council to provide more funding to beef-up PFA.
"The level of services in the community has outstripped the resources," Atteberry said.
He said PFA needs to have "face time" with City Council every year to show the community what PFA provides for services.
"I think the city police and fire authorities are high priorities in this community," he said.
Councilwoman Karen Weitkunat said she is concerned about the voice of PFA in the public realm.
"It's not just another city department looking for money; it's an important entity," she said.
Atteberry said the future of PFA's budget will be put on the council's six-month planning calendar and will be further discussed in May or June, after council elections April 3.
Originally published February 28, 2007
Timnath, PFA reach agreement on new fire station
Deal will free up Poudre Fire Authority stations 10 and 14
By MEGAN READ
MeganRead@coloradoan.com
Poudre Fire Authority on Tuesday approved an intergovernmental agreement with Timnath to upgrade the rapidly growing community's fire station.
Under the agreement, Timnath and its urban renewal authority will provide PFA with a building site and give back property tax money to the fire protection district. Timnath projects the tax reimbursements to be $1 million by 2013.
In return, PFA will build and staff a new fire station in Timnath, according to the agreement.
In addition, the fire authority would convey to Timnath the property that is the site of Timnath Town Hall, which PFA owns and Timnath leases. PFA leases the existing fire station from Timnath. That lease will terminate when the new fire station opens.
Timnath is served by Station 8, which is staffed by volunteers. The new station is scheduled to open in 2009 or 2010 according to Guy Boyd, director of administrative services with PFA.
Boyd said the station will serve Timnath as well as the East Harmony Road and Interstate 25 areas.
"I think this is a great partnership, and it gives us rock-solid response capabilities," Boyd said.
Boyd said once opened, the new station will help free up stations 10 and 14 to remain in position to serve areas in southeast Fort Collins.
"This provides solidification of the borders, and it will be less difficult to service the area," he said.
According to the agreement, the new fire station will be operated as a volunteer or paid staffed facility until Timnath provides evidence that more than 3,000 certificates of occupancy have been issued for residential or commercial buildings in the town.
When that occupancy is reached, PFA will staff the station with paid firefighters.
Another topic discussed at the meeting was the need for the city to increase funding for PFA's emergency services.
Fort Collins City Manager Darin Atteberry discussed the need for City Council to provide more funding to beef-up PFA.
"The level of services in the community has outstripped the resources," Atteberry said.
He said PFA needs to have "face time" with City Council every year to show the community what PFA provides for services.
"I think the city police and fire authorities are high priorities in this community," he said.
Councilwoman Karen Weitkunat said she is concerned about the voice of PFA in the public realm.
"It's not just another city department looking for money; it's an important entity," she said.
Atteberry said the future of PFA's budget will be put on the council's six-month planning calendar and will be further discussed in May or June, after council elections April 3.
