Board Meeting April 15, 2026

The Regular Monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the North Fork Ambulance Health Service District located in the Counties of Delta, Montrose and Gunnison, Colorado, was held at 110 E. Hotchkiss Ave, Hotchkiss, Colorado, on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 11:04 am.
ROLL CALL
Board members present – Dave Kreutz, Blake Kinser and Bonnie Eisenberg attended in person. Peter Pruett and Tyrell Clock attended virtually.
Others present: Kathy Steckel, Diane Perry, Tanya Applegate, Jake Dahlman, David Gallob, Brandon Pehrson, Dave Knutson, Mychaela Beldon and Cindy Owen attended in person. Rueben Farnsworth, Suelyn and Marvin Pemberton attended virtually.
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
The Medical Director Contract requires some last minute changes, so will be tabled until the next meeting.
The addition of an Amendment to the Selection Committee Framework was added under new business yesterday, April 14, 2026.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE
Conflict of Interest forms were filed with the Secretary of State.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from the March 18, 2026 Regular Monthly Meeting were reviewed. Blake Kinser made a motion that the minutes be approved as written. The motion was seconded. All board members voted in favor.
REPORTS
PRESIDENT REPORT
Dave expressed his appreciation to the members of the Selection Committee for the time that they are taking for this project.
SELECTION COMMITTEE REPORT
Blake Kinser gave a report for the Selection Committee. Most of the committee met in person on Monday to discuss the recusal process. They came up with one change to the framework, which will be approved later in the meeting.
May 4, 5 and 7 have been set aside as interview days for the first round of candidates. We have two applications in the portal and expect a few more in the next two weeks.
FINANCE REPORT
Financials for March were presented and reviewed. Dave Kreutz had a question about the large check to an auto repair company. It was the result of a deer strike to an ambulance and was mostly covered by insurance.
DISTRICT CHIEF REPORT
Kathy Steckel gave an overview of her report.
Dr. Ross Orpet has been chosen by the Selection Committee as the last member.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The Medical Director Contract has been tabled until next month, due to last minute revisions.
NEW BUSINESS
Amendment to the Selection Committee Framework. The Selection Committee, after discussion with our attorney, has proposed a change to the recusal process under Section VI Conflict of Interest. It currently reads “Member must excuse themselves from evaluating affected candidate.” New wording would be “Co-Chairs and committee determine whether recusal is necessary.” Blake Kinser made a motion to make the change in the wording. The motion was seconded. All board members were in favor.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Regular Meeting is Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 11 am. Dave wanted board members to know that a Special Meeting of the board may be required before the May 20 Regular Meeting to interview candidates.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further matters before the board, Blake Kinser made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded. All board members voted in favor. Meeting was adjourned at 11:37 am.