GRIZZLY FLATS FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
February 9, 2008

 
  1. CALL TO ORDER
    The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Mark Almer at 10:05 a.m. in the Lodge of the Grizzly Flats Community Church.
     
  2. FLAG SALUTE
    Chief Bob Gill led the flag salute.
     
  3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
    Chairperson Almer amended the agenda to include Jerry Dusa and Vincent Aarts of FireStop speaking under Old Business, Item A on the Evacuation Route. Don Cherry moved the Agenda be approved as amended, and Chief Gill seconded the motion.
     
  4. MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 3, 2007 MEETING
    Moved by Kathy Melvin and seconded by Dennis Henderson to approve as presented.
     
  5. FINANCE
    Terry Henderson reported that funds on deposit total $6,721.78 as of November 3, 2007. She explained that this amount does not reflect any income or expenses associated with the Council shirt order.
     
  6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
    Don Cherry requested anyone with information concerning the theft of the bungee cords stolen from the DOT equipment report it to the authorities. Don Spear responded that their equipment was "down" for 3 hours due to this theft. Considerable discussion followed concerning the. absence of weekly garbage removal during the recent snowfall. Richard Englefield reported that the next Community Services District's board meeting is February 12th . Steve Swensen advised that the community's recent phone service outage several weeks ago prompted discussion concerning a CB radio network as a simple solution to communication during times of emergency. He advised that there were 1012 individuals in Grizzly who could monitor whatever frequency was determined to be utilized. Phill Dayton volunteered to do testing for this type of emergency communication. Concern was voiced by Phill Dayton regarding buses skidding off the road and the nonclosing of our Grizzly Pines School when others in the area were closed. Mel Kelley responded that he would bring up this concern at the next school board meeting to be held on Thursday, February 14 th . Lynn Shetley thanked all the "Santa's Helpers" who donated food and gifts at Christmas. A total of 13 families and many children had a more joyful holiday thanks to the community's generosity. Liz Lawless inquired as to who to contact when a situation arises similar to the one recently when a bus got stuck on Logan's Grade and children were walked down the Grade to a safe place. Chief Bob Gill responded that his department was to be contacted in similar situations.
     
  7. OLD BUSINESS
     
    1. Evacuation and GF4 Shaded Fuel Break Committee Report - Barry Callenberger advised that the evacuation route clearing had been slowed due to snow. Second request letters were sent to ten property owners, affecting eleven parcels, along the String Canyon corridor, with four positive responses, affecting five parcels, received to date. The grant for completion of this work has been extended to August 31, 2008. Jerry Dusa, CEO of FireStop, accompanied by Battalion Chief, Vincent Aarts, thanked the community for their kindness to his crew and reported that their work would reap big benefits for our community. They would continue to motor ahead with a crew of 5 to 20 workers per day. He spoke of their excellent safety record with no injuries and wanted the Council to hear firsthand of yesterday's mishap on the Sanchez property. After completion of the evacuation route clearing, Mr. Sanchez requested the crew take down a tree outside of the normal prescription. The onsite supervisor called the Battalion Chief for approval. Unfortunately, the tree had an "out of specification" power line running through it and so power to the home was cut when the tree was downed. Further, the home was "out of specification" with regard to service so the utility crew would not reconnect power. The FireStop crew procured a generator for the Sanchez family, arranged for an electrician to install new service and acquire the required permit and Jerry advised that all should be accomplished within 3648 hours. Some discussion followed concerning the necessity of "flagger" signage and the resulting liability issue. Jerry advised that FireStop would be in compliance immediately. Barry Callenberger then advised that with regard to the GF4 Shaded Fuel Break project, that the CAG grant was approved this week, resulting in $67,000 in CDF/Prop 40 monies and $120,000 from the USFS. The Request For Proposal (RFP) would be let in several weeks. The SEQA documents and the archeological survey are again moving forward. He anticipates either May or June for the start of the contract. The work will be accomplished with mechanical and hand treatment; chipping is not possible because of the steep and inaccessible areas, so will propose piling and burning. Because of the burning component, there will be a limited number of bidders, however, FireStop in interested in this contract also. This grant will also expire the end of August, but can possibly be extended should the need arise.
       
    2. Repeater Committee Report - Phill Dayton reported that the cost would be approximately $3,500 $ 4,000 and that it is not a quick procedure.
       
    3. Fire Safe Council Shirts - Mark Almer read the list of those council members still owing money and requested they pick up their shirts after the meeting..
       
    4. Master Gardner - Mark Almer reported that Robin Stanley, El Dorado Master Gardner would make a firescape landscaping presentation at the March 1 st meeting.
       
  8. NEW BUSINESS
     
    1. 2008 BBQ Fundraiser - Mark Almer requested input from the Council on whether or not they wanted to host a BBQ fundraiser this year, and reported that Sandi Bush had again offered their property as a site. Terry Henderson moved that we not hold a BBQ this year and Liz Lawless seconded the motion. Discussion followed. The Council was poled, with 9 votes not to hold a BBQ, 11 to have one and two abstentions. Motion failed. Judie Irwin moved that an alternative fundraiser be hosted - perhaps a family oriented event with no alcohol at a politically neutral site. Liz Lawless seconded the motion. Motion carried. Eric Rasbold offered his property as a possible site for this event and a committee comprised of Terry Henderson, Eric Rasbold, Kathy Melvin, Liz Lawless, Judie Irwin, Walt Tyler (Alternate) and Lynn Shetley (Alternate) was formed. Four possible sites (Grizzly Pines School, Station 35, the Community Church and the Rasbold property) are to be looked at and analyzed for availability and appropriateness. The committee is to meet for this purpose, choose a chairperson and report back at subsequent meetings. This committee is then the steering committee for the event.
       
  9. COMMITTEE REPORTS
     
    1. NEWSLETTER - Eric Rasbold reported that there will be a newsletter in March's water bill. It will include an update on the community projects, winter safety items and a listing of the emergency communication services available in our community.
       
    2. MONTHLY EDCFSC REPORT - Rich Englefield reported that he had attended the Gathering of the Councils in Diamond Springs on January 23, 2008. The weather conditions prevented some from attending and he noted there were not as many participants as last year.
       
    3. UNIT VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR - Mark Almer had no report but advised he has packets available.
       
    4. COMMUNITY INFORMATION - Eric Rasbold reported that the Christmas Parade was a wild success and that Chief Gill sent his entire department. GFORCE is planning an Easter dinner at the school, and he will have more information at next month's meeting. He reminded everyone of Bingo every 3 rd Friday at 5:30 p.m.
       
    5. DEFENSIBLE SPACE - Judie Irwin reported that she is attempting to put together several classes and that she is waiting on Jana Newman (EDCFSC) for scheduling. Mark Almer reported that Judie will be attending a defensible space seminar sponsored by FireWise in Sacramento on February 19 and 20. The fee for this seminar is $200, which the Board agreed to fund.
       
    6. CERT - Lynn Shetley passed around an activity log on which CERT responded with Pioneer Fire. Welfare checks were also made during the recent snow event and power and phone outage. She further reported that in January, CERT responded to 9 medical calls, 2 welfare calls and 6 traffic controls. Volunteer firefighter Tom Allgier gave CERT an orientation to Squad 35.
       
    7. FIREWISE - Mark Almer advised of the first meeting of the Firewise committee held on January 11, 2008 and advised of the nofee encroachment permit to put up the Firewise signage at two locations within the community. First at the Grizzly Park sign on String Canyon and the second at the intersection of Grizzly Flat Road/Pine Ridge Road and Logan's Grade next to the population/elevation sign for Grizzly Flats.
       
  10. BOARD COMMENTS/ COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
    Mark Almer proposed that the Council pick up the bill for having the FireStop crew attend the first Burger Night. Terry Henderson seconded the motion. Motion passed. It was requested that they wear uniform shirts and that council members introduce them around to the community in attendance. Mark further discussed having a smoke detector drive by approaching local businesses to donate the items and then having unit leaders provide and install (with the appropriate disclaimer/release of liability) them. Dan Lauther interjected that perhaps that could be tied in with a fire extinguisher check. The Council agreed to putting this item on the agenda for the March 1 st meeting. Jack Fourie reminded everyone to adopt a fire hydrant and clear it 36" around. He also advised of a flea market on April 12 th in support of the restoration of Willow School. Mark Almer reminded everyone of the Pioneer Fire board meeting this Tuesday, February 12 th , at Station 38. Rich Englefield reported that on the hunt for a Joint Use Fire Station and Community Center, that the Forest Service has offered the Community Services District to purchase the 40 acre parcel where the Grizzly Pines School is located. This offer has been confirmed by Duane Nelson.
     
  11. AGENCY REPRESENTATION
     
    1. USFS - No representation.
       
    2. CAL FIRE - No representation.
       
    3. SHERIFF - No representation.
       
    4. 2nd DISTRICT SUPERVISOR - No representation.
       
    5. DOT - Don Spear presented the approved nofee permit for the Firewise signage to Chairman Almer. Don advised that he listed himself as the permit administrator.
       
    6. PFPD - Chief Gill reported that there were a total of 481 calls for service in 2007. The current agency response personnel is 22, with 15 Explorers/Cadets, and the Grizzly Flats CERT. Engine 31 is in for its annual pump test and some cab stability, with Engine 32 to follow for its pump test and safety/service. He further reported that 33% of the District's budget is derived from El Dorado County Augmentation Funds. These funds are for the District's operations. Chief Gill is a new member of the EMS JPA board, holding their first meeting on Tuesday, February 19 th . He has verbally given the OK to put a paramedic on the engine, allowing for a higher level of service. The District has signed off on the 2007 County Fire Code and now goes to the Board of Supervisors at their next meeting, tentatively scheduled for February 26 th . The crab banquets were a resounding success, with an "appreciation dinner" scheduled for March 8 th for the volunteers and staff. He lastly responded to Walt Tyler's question concerning the reduction of development fees, which Chief Gill said he felt were inflated.
       
    7. GFCSD - Rick Englefield discussed the problem of water theft and recited an instance which took six months to resolve. He believes this problem is still occurring within the District, and as such the CSD has set forth a new fee schedule. He introduced Mel Kelley as the newest board member. The CSD has recently completed a Drought Plan, and their yearly audit in addition to revising a 1999 report relating to isolating leaks within the water system and security concerns. They have recently completed two grant requests for approximately $385,000 for lining the reservoir and putting valves in the street. He hopes to have an Open House and Tour this summer for residents to view the reservoir and plant. He continues to evaluate revenue loss due to splitting of parcels. He has gone to the Planning Commission and the CSD will be notified when this occurs. LAFCO recommends the CSD reduce their sphere of influence to the actual Park and some adjacent properties. Mel Kelley did remark that this item will be revisited every five years.
       
  12. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Lulu Silva Manuel reminded everyone of the Eighth Annual Easter Egg Hunt to be held on March 22 nd at Pioneer Park.
     
  13. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING - March 1, 2008
     
    1. Evacuation and GF4 Committee Reports
       
    2. Repeater Committee Report
       
    3. 2008 Fundraiser Report
       
    4. Smoke Detector/Fire Extinguisher Check
       
    5. Court Decision Affecting Forest Service Burning/Clearing
       
    6. Master Gardner
       
  14. ADJOURN — The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m. on motion made by Walt Tyler and seconded by Lynn Shetley.

     
Respectfully submitted:
Norma Dawdy, Secretary