Board Meeting February 18, 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, February 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 11:01 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Board members present: Dave Kreutz and Bonnie Eisenberg attended in person. Blake Kinser and Peter Pruett attended virtually. Tyrell Clock was absent.
Others present: Kathy Steckel, Diane Perry, Tanya Applegate, Jake Dahlman, Brandon Pehrson, Niki Carpenter, and Peyton Ayers attended in person. Marvin Pemberton attended virtually.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
No additions to the agenda.
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 January 21, 2026 Regular Monthly Meeting were reviewed. Blake Kinser made a motion that the minutes be approved as written. The motion was seconded. The four board members present voted in favor.
REPORTS
PRESIDENT REPORT
Dave noted the Executive Session to be held later in the meeting and confirmed that board members attending virtually were in a private location.
FINANCE REPORT
Financials for January were presented and reviewed. There were no questions.
DISTRICT CHIEF REPORT
Kathy Steckel gave an overview of her report.
Kathy expressed concerns about potential 2026 budget overruns. An EMS Provider Grant for two new autoload cot systems was submitted. A financial waiver was applied for and received, granting a 20% match instead of the usual 50% match for this important safety equipment. The district will pay approximately $7,000, and NFAA will contribute the same amount to meet the 20% match requirement.
The agency will be interviewing for a PRN ALS position, as Drew Felix injured his knee skiing and will be out for at least three months.
Tanya attended the SafeTech Leadership Conference in Moab at the end of January. She found it highly beneficial, noting that it provided effective leadership tools rather than overarching philosophies.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Hotchkiss Fire Lease: Blake Kinser made a motion to accept the Hotchkiss Fire Lease as presented. The motion was seconded. Discussion followed. Bonnie Eisenberg raised a concern about the lack of a renewal option beyond the month-to-month provision mentioned in item 17. She expressed concern that proceeding directly to a month-to-month arrangement may not be in the agency’s best interest, given that the lease can currently be cancelled with 60 days’ notice. Bonnie Eisenberg made a motion to table the above motion in order to allow time to revise the lease agreement to include renewal language. The motion was seconded. All four board members present voted in favor of tabling the motion.
NEW BUSINESS
Medical Director Contract: Dave Kreutz made a motion to accept Option #2 as presented by Dr. Orpet. The motion was seconded and discussion followed. After discussion, all four board members present voted to approve Option #2. Kathy will finalize a contract reflecting this option and bring it to the board next month.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Dave Kreutz made a motion to enter Executive Session pursuant to §24-6-402(4)(f), C.R.S., to discuss personnel matters at the request of the District Chief. Kathy Steckel was asked to attend. The motion was seconded and all board members present voted in favor. Executive Session began at 11:40 a.m. The board returned to the Regular Meeting at 12:47 p.m. No action was taken.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next Regular Meeting is Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further matters before the board, Dave Kreutz made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded. All board members voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 11:38 a.m.