GRIZZLY FLATS FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
October 6, 2007

 
  1. CALL TO ORDER
    The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Mark Almer at 10:01 a.m. in the Lodge of the Grizzly Flats Community Church.
  2. FLAG SALUTE
    Barry Callenberger led the flag salute.
  3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
    Chairperson Almer asked for any amendments to the agenda. There being none, Walt Tyler moved the Agenda be approved as presented, and Tom Scepura seconded the motion.
  4. MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 8, 2007 MEETING
    Moved by Marylou Brown and seconded by Judie Irwin to approve as presented.
  5. FINANCE
    Terry Henderson reported that funds on deposit total $6,797.30 as of October 6, 2007.
  6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
    Don Cherry advised that he had found five cars in the forest. He took pictures and forwarded this information onto Deputy Cook. Mark Almer requested a description of the cars and their location so that he would have this information should he need to pursue this item further with the Sheriff's Office. Jack Fourie reminded all of the upcoming Flea Market on Saturday, October 13th in support of the Willow Springs School restoration. Ray Nutting shared an old photo of the Sciaroni brothers who came to this area in 1837.
  7. OLD BUSINESS
    1. Evacuation and GF-4 Shaded Fuel Break Committee Report - Barry Callenberger, Project Coordinator, commented on the speed in which the evacuation route clearing has increased since the arrival of a second chipper. He advised that he would be making a personal contact with owners near Wild Bee, a critical component and an area which needs to be included in a revision of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). With regard to the GF-4 Shaded Fuel Break, he advised of a meeting on Wednesday, October 3rd, in which the positive landowner responses were plotted, as well as the Unit 8 ballot responses, and indicated that an effort would be made to walk the various routes and try to obtain responses from those property owners who had either not returned the landowner agreement or the Unit 8 ballot. He further indicated that CAL Fire would be doing the archiological work for this grant, and that the Prop 40 dollars needed for a match had not been approved yet.
    2. Community Clean-Up Wrap-Up - Lynn Shetley reported that a total of 115 residents participated in this joint endeavor sponsored in part by CERT, GFORCE, Amador Disposal, Pioneer Explorers and the Fire Safe Council. A total of 25.19 tons of material left Grizzly Flats in four 30 yard dumpsters and three compactors. An incredibly successful event.
    3. Repeater Committee Report - Phill Dayton advised that not much headway had been made and requested this item be tabled until the November meeting.
  8. NEW BUSINESS:
    1. State Fire Marshal - Chief Wayne Mitchell, Fire Plans - Chief Mitchell spoke to the Fire Hazard Severity Zone mapping which has just been released. After a brief history of the State Fire Marshal's office and CDF's merge in 1995, he explained that in recent years more attention was being given to structures igniting in wildfires, where previously the concern had been on flame length, rather than "embers". This research lead to the push for conformity through building codes. The two main issues to come out after all the research was compiled was defensible space and ignition-resistant building codes. He indicated that the new code went statewide in January, 2007, with the first half of the year being utilized with getting the word out. The second half of the year will be used for public hearings in the 56 counties in which there are State Responsibility Area Lands (SRA). Next, the Office of Administrative Law will review and then it will be forwarded to the Secretary of State for filing. CAL Fire is working very closely with the local fire departments, building officials and local governments to ensure that today's model is more consistent between the State Responsibility Area Lands and the Local Responsibility Area Lands (LRA), and is looking for adoption by the local entities in July 2008. Lastly, he encouraged everyone to check their property's location on the Fire Hazard Severity Zone map by logging onto www.fire.ca.gov and clicking on "wildland fire and building codes".
  9. COMMITTEE REPORTS
    1. NEWSLETTER
      Eric Rasbold was not in attendance.
    2. MONTHLY EDCFSC REPORT
      Walt Tyler reported that the funds for the chipper program were expended. The council is in the process of prioritizing which projects to finish for 07/08 and which to include for 08/09. He commented that the Home and Garden Show was today. While the green waste dumpster funds are gone, there were still vouchers available from him and Don Cherry.
    3. EDCFSC LIAISON
      None.
    4. UNIT VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
      Mark Almer reported that he had no updates or report this month.
    5. COMMUNITY INFORMATION
      None.
    6. DEFENSIBLE SPACE
      Judie Irwin reported that the advisors had not been out this month, but she had noted that several "red" properties in Units 8 and 9 had been cleared.
    7. CERT
      Lynn Shetley advised that CERT had participated in 7 medical aid, 1 vehicle fire and 1 vegetation fire in September. She said that 14 individuals from Grizzly Flats were attending a First Responder training class taught by Chief Gill. She reminded the Council of the Pioneer Board meeting on Tuesday, October 9th at 6:00 p.m. at Station 38 and of the local Halloween Party on Saturday, November 3rd at Station 35.
  10. BOARD COMMENTS/ COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
    Mark Almer reported on a meeting he had attended on defensible space. He represented the Council at the request of Assemblyman Ted Gaines, serving on a discussion panel addressing this issue. He next asked the Council if members would be interested in procuring polo-style shirts with the Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council logo and name to be worn whenever representing the Council at meetings or outside events and functions. Don Cherry motioned and Phill Dayton seconded having Mark pursue the cost of obtaining and embroidering these shirts and report back next month.
  11. AGENCY REPRESENTATION
    1. USFS - No representation
    2. CAL FIRE - Wayne Mitchell advised of the upcoming International Association of Fire Chiefs meeting to be held in Reno in March 2008 at the Grand Sierra. This meeting will focus on wildland fires and the success stories (both Eastern US and Western US). Chief Gill suggested that he and Mark Almer attend this meeting in early March. Chief Gill will confirm the dates. Chief Mitchell advised that one item of interest at that conference would be a tour of the Desert Research Institute where a virtual reality training simulator for firefighters is located. This simulator depicts a wildland fire environment.
    3. SHERIFF -No representation.
    4. 2nd DISTRICT SUPERVISOR - No representation.
    5. DOT - Don Spear advised that things were starting to slow down. He anticipates a spring project to be improving the sight line at the bottom of Logan's Grade by making the stop more perpendicular.
    6. PFPD - Chief Gill reported 56 calls in September, with 374 for the year There are currently 20 response personnel, plus CERT. New reflective exterior signs have been installed at all six firehouses, and a roof leak at Station 38 will be repaired. He is working with the County on the new fire code and ordinances as set forth by the state.
    7. GFCSD - Bob Hovland, General Manager, advised that the district is now out of the Stage One Water Emergency. Several root balls were blocking 95% of the 8" pipe, which caused decrease flows into the reservoir. He thanked everyone for their commitment in conservation.
  12. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Walt Tyler announced an All You Can Eat Spaghetti Feed on Friday, October 12, at the Church Lodge at 5:30 p.m. There is no cost for this event, but donations will be collected. Mark Almer advised that he had a copy of the video "Controlling Nature's Wrath" should anyone wish to view it. Lynn Shetley reported that CERT is going to sponsor Community Volunteer Awards to be presented annually at the Founder's Day Celebration. One volunteer who was not present at that celebration and who trained and managed others in creating an all volunteer response in Grizzly Flats, who is instrumental in running the flea markets held by the Pioneer Volunteer Firefighter Association, and is known by the kids at Burger Night as the tall man booming "Young man, stop your running." The community thanks Jack Fourie.
  13. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING - NOVEMBER 3, 2007
    1. Evacuation and GF-4 Committee Reports
    2. Repeater Committee Report
    3. Fire Safe Council Shirts
    4. Signage of Evacuation Route in Forest at North South Road
  14. ADJOURN - The meeting was adjourned at 12:12 p.m. on motion made by Norma Dawdy and seconded by Walt Tyler.
     
    Respectfully submitted:
     
    Norma Dawdy, Secretary