GRIZZLY FLATS FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
September 8, 2007

 
  1. CALL TO ORDER
    The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Mark Almer at 10:00 a.m. in the Lodge of the Grizzly Flats Community Church.
  2. FLAG SALUTE
    Rich Englefield led the flag salute.
  3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
    Chairperson Almer asked for any amendments to the agenda. There being none, Dennis Henderson moved the Agenda be approved as presented, and Judie Irwin seconded the motion.
  4. MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 4, 2007 MEETING
    Moved by Dennis Henderson and seconded by Don Cherry to approve as presented.
  5. FINANCE
    Terry Henderson reported that funds on deposit total $7,371.44 as of September 8, 2007.
  6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
    Don Cherry reported that the pond near Mrs. Potts' property was becoming a major problem with regard to trash, stolen picnic tables, parking at all hours and smoking of marijuana. He responded that the Sheriff's Office had been contacted numerous times concerning this problem. As this property is owned by the Community Services District it was requested that this situation be brought to the Board's attention at the next meeting for disposition. Jerry Ledbetter and Larry Armanino, Consumnes Mine Road residents, expressed their concern with the "campground" at Cosumnes Mine and the bridge and the threat to the community because of campfires. Disscussion ensued as to whether is was a campground and Barbara Rebiskie, Fire Prevention Officer of the Eldorado County Forest, advised that persons can camp there, but there should be no fires. She advised that the Forest was lacking law enforcement at t his time to enforce the "no fires" rule. Lulu Silva-Manuel expressed her concern about adequate signage from the North-South Road (alternate evacuation route out and into Grizzly Flats). She said that Ruth Tomlin had experienced similar disorientation while traversing Sweeney Road.
  7. OLD BUSINESS
    1. Evacuation Committee Report - Barry Callenberger, Project Coordinator, advised that the work had commenced recently by Fire Stop, beginning at the Post Office. The $1,700 per acre bid was not sufficient enough to do all the acreage as originally included in the grant request, so the properties along String Canyon had been reduced from 100 feet on each side of the road to 50 feet. The grant received through the U.S. Forest Service was for $167,000. Barry further reported that we had received a grant in the amount of $127,000 to do the Shaded Fuel Break on a parcel known as GF-4, to the west of the Park and contiguous to property already cleared by the Forest Service under the Last Chance Fuel Break. This grant was made with the caveat that matching funds in the amount of $87,000 be obtained. These funds will come from the Community Assistance Grant Project administered by CAL Fire. Permission letters have been sent to all the property owners affected by this GF-4 project, as well as all owners in Unit 8. There will be a presentation meeting on Friday, September 21st at Station 35 at 7:00 to answer any residents' questions or concerns.
    2. BBQ Fundraiser Update - Norma Dawdy advised that this year's BBQ netted approximately $3,200. Income rose over the previous year by $423, with the biggest increase in bar sales. We fed approximately the same number as previous years, however, the increase in the adult ticket price helped to defray the increased cost of the tri-tip. She again thanked everyone who volunteered their time, trucks, grills and refrigerators to make the BBQ such a success.
    3. Sales Tax Issue on BBQ Sales - Rich Englefield advised that now that the BBQ figures were received, the accountant could look at the figures and advise on this issue. He expected a ruling by next Council meeting.
    4. Community Clean-Up - Lynn Shetley advised that there has been a tremendous community response to this service. Last year 59 people took advantage of the clean-up; and so far this year, 105 have signed up. Due to the number of responders, she has assigned blocks of time for people to bring their materials to the site. She indicated that she still needed loaders and passed around a sign-up sheet. This year's clean-up will run from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm and that she would have blank applications for those who did not pre-register but wish to drop off.
  8. NEW BUSINESS:
    1. News Media Advisory
      Mark Almer provided each council member with a media packet for today's news conference to highlight the accomplishments made within our community concerning defensible space and the evacuation route thinning. This news conference will begin at 1:00 p.m. and all were encouraged to attend.
  9. COMMITTEE REPORTS
    1. NEWSLETTER
      Eric Rasbold was not in attendance.
    2. MONTHLY EDCFSC REPORT
      Walt Tyler reported that the meeting several weeks ago was to focus on the plan for grants for the various communities in the County. He advised that the green waste dumpster dollars were gone, but that the chipper program has $40,000 left. The review of the By-Laws is ongoing. Chairman Rich Englefield advised that the Board of Supervisors is looking into providing funds for green waste dumpsters through District II. Vicki Yorty is working on the wording for a weed abatement program which would be acceptable to the Board of Supervisors. Grant dollars are available through the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and such a grant would provide the seed money to get this program off the ground. This program would be managed by the EDCFSC, not the County.
    3. EDCFSC LIAISON
      None.
    4. UNIT VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
      Mark Almer reported that he had no updates or report this month.
    5. COMMUNITY INFORMATION
      Lee Loney reported that the final Burger Night attendance was about 350 people and that the twelve-week run netted a small profit. Walt Tyler reminded everyone of the Founder's Day celebration on Saturday, September 22nd and requested help from those who were able. CERT will handle traffic for this GFORCE event.
    6. DEFENSIBLE SPACE
      Judie Irwin reported that the advisors had completed their first pass of Grizzly Flats. There were two public buildings deemed "red" (unacceptable clearing) and they were the post office property and the Church Lodge building. Units 8 and 9 will be revisited shortly and those properties still deemed "red" will be turned over to the Pioneer Fire Protection District. The balance of the community will be revisited next year for those properties classified as "red".
    7. CERT
      Lynn Shetley advised that CERT has been "hot" since her return from vacation. She will be compiling a monthly report of their calls. Chief Bob Gill has been providing training and he advised that First Aid classes would begin soon. Chief Gill also advised of their new website: www.pioneerfire.org. CERT was called out just this morning for a medical call - response time was 5 minutes.
  10. BOARD COMMENTS/ COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
    Mark Almer spoke to yesterday's fire on Grizzly Flat Road and the tremendous community response by CERT to this event. Norma Dawdy moved that $100 be allocated to purchase items for a family gift basket to donate to the Founder's Day celebration raffle. Judie Irwin seconded and the council agreed to this expenditure. Walt Tyler read a thank you letter from Chief Gill for the Friday Burger Nights. Don Cherry said "there are still cars out there". Don will get a listing of the vehicles, vehicle identification numbers (if possible) and the location to Mark Almer and he will take this issue up with the Sheriff's Office.
  11. AGENCY REPRESENTATION
    1. USFS - Sean Ferrell spoke to the many small burn piles located in the forest and advised that these piles will be burned this fall.
    2. CAL FIRE - No representation
    3. SHERIFF -No representation.
    4. 2nd DISTRICT SUPERVISOR - No representation.
    5. DOT - Don Spear advised that road patching will start in Grizzly Flats on Monday. The roadway has been marked. Sweeping of some gravel at the Grizzly Pines School and potholes in Logan's Grade were mentioned to Don as concerns by citizens. Don also advised that brush removal on Tyler Loop would be done this fall.
    6. PFPD - Chief Gill reported that there were eleven active members in his newly formed Cadet Program open to kids 14 through 20. They meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month at Station 38. He further reported that he had hired a couple of new fire fighters and that he had re-signed the satellite stations with numbers for ease in identification. Phill Dayton moved that a committee be established to look into a repeater in Grizzly Flats to aid in communication. Walt Tyler seconded the motion and the Council agreed. This committee would be comprised of Phill Dayton, Walt Tyler, Chief Gill and Rich Englefield.
    7. GFCSD - Rich Englefield reported that we are in a Stage One Water Alert and requested everyone's cooperation. He said that two major breaks were discovered last Monday and that both were fixed. Four root balls have been pulled from the main line. We have a new plant operator by the name of Leo Rainwater.
  12. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Walt Tyler reminded the Council of the Board meeting of the Pioneer Fire Protection District next Tuesday, September 11th at 6:00 p.m. here at Station 35. Jack Fourie requested items for the Willow School Flea Market on October 13th.
  13. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING - OCTOBER 6, 2007
    1. Evacuation and GF-4 Committee Reports
    2. Sales Tax Issue on BBQ Sales
    3. Community Clean-up Wrap Up
    4. Repeater Committee Report
  14. ADJOURN - The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m. on motion made by Lee Loney and seconded by Dennis Henderson.
     
    Respectfully submitted:
     
    Norma Dawdy, Secretary