The Denver City Council on Monday granted initial approval to merging fire-protection services with the city of Sheridan.
“This will be providing government services at its best,” said Assistant Denver Fire Chief Eric Tade, who helped work out the details.
He said the merger will reduce administrative expenses and boost fire protection for the city of Sheridan.
The contract, if given final approval by the council next Monday, would run from Sept. 15 through the end of December 2012.
Sheridan would pay Denver $145,000 per month in 2011 and $150,000 per month in 2012 for the fire-protection service.
Denver would hire Sheridan firefighters and assume control of the existing Sheridan fire station and equipment.
Sheridan officials could not be reached to determine the extent of cost savings.
Denver also has merged fire-protection services with Glendale and the Skyline fire district.
In other business, the council agreed to pay $85,000 to settle a lawsuit brought in connection with a fatal crash involving a Denver police officer.
The crash resulted in the death of Ulises Solis-Dominguez, 38, who was killed in the Oct. 7, 2008, accident, when he was pinned under the Isuzu Rodeo in which he was a passenger.
The lawsuit contended that Denver police Officer Ronald Helm, then 42, was rushing to back up another officer when he sped through a red light and into an intersection at Syracuse Street and East 17th Avenue, striking the Isuzu.
Last year, the council paid $85,000 to settle a lawsuit brought on behalf of the widow of Solis-Dominguez.
On Monday, the council agreed to pay another $85,000 to settle claims brought by the brother of the person killed in the crash. The brother, Jaime Solis-Dominguez, who was 31 at the time of the crash, was the driver of the Isuzu. He contended he suffered serious injuries in the crash.
Christopher N. Osher: 303-954-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com
