2019-07-24 Meeting with Fire District 1Meeting with Fire District #1
July 24, 2019
1:30 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Fire District 1 Chair Rich
Bainbridge, Fire District 1 Secretary Amanda Blankenship, Josh Metcalf (1:32 p.m.), County Manager Erik
Martin (1:48 p.m.)
Recorders: Rieva Lester and Candy Hallom
Commissioner Stamper said Fire District 1 is interesting in using or purchasing the old drop box site in
Onalaska.
Fire District 1 Chair Rich Bainbridge said Fire District 1 is interested in using the site to hold trainings for
its district as well as mutual districts.
Josh Metcalf joined at 1:32 p.m.
Fire District 1 Secretary Amanda Blankenship asked if there were any pre-existing agreements for the
property and whether the county would give the district the existing road in addition to the parcel,
parcel No. 32799-2.
Josh asked if the property would be built into a formal training site. Amanda said the district’s plans
center around temporary props, not a permanent structure.
Rich said he believes there was only a gentleman’s agreement regarding the district using the property
for training purposes and that he’d like to see it formalized.
Josh said Public Works uses the site for maintenance and construction stock piles, such as to house rock
and debris. He said he would prefer a long-term interlocal agreement allowing the district to use it
rather than having the county give it to the district outright.
Josh said Public Works’ access needs vary year to year.
Erik Martin joined at 1:48 p.m.
Amanda said ownership of the former dump site would help the district become eligible for grants to
build a training facility for the rural fire departments.
Rich said the district would be open to an interlocal agreement as long as it was able to do
improvements, though he noted he isn’t sure what kinds of improvements the district would need.
Rieva Lester left and Candy Hallom joined as recorder at 1:55 p.m.
Amanda stated purchasing the property is likely not an option but they would like to continue to discuss
leasing the property for a training site.
Josh will meet with the Fire Chief and they will go from there.
Meeting ended at 2:18 p.m.