GRIZZLY FLATS FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
July 12, 2008

 
  1. Call to Order
    The Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council Regular Meeting of July 12, 2008 was called to order by Chairperson Mark Almer at 10:01 a.m. at the Grizzly Flats Fire Station #35. Guests were welcomed and asked to introduce themselves.
     
  2. Flag Salute
    Don Spear lead the flag salute.
     
  3. Council Members - Attendance
    Council members in attendance:
    • Mark Almer • Phill Dayton • Judie Irwin • Bill Roloson • Walt Tyler
    • Marylou Brown • Kathie Hawkins • Bob Krieg • Tom Scepura
    • Don Cherry • Dennis Henderson • Dan Lauther • Brent Seibert
    • Kathy Criel • Terry Henderson • Kathy Melvin • Lynn Shetley
    • Norma Dawdy • Steve Hupner • Eric Rasbold • Lyle Tomlin

     
  4. Approval of Agenda
    Chairperson Almer requested: "The chair will entertain a motion to suspend the rules and take up a new Agenda item 8-B, Sphere of Recognition - the Boundary". Norma Dawdy moved and Judie Irwin seconded that the Revised Agenda, with the inclusion of Sphere of Recognition - the Boundary, be approved as presented. The motion carried.
     
    Chairperson Almer reported that Fire Chief Gill will need to leave early and asked if there was no objection, Chief Gill would report on the Pioneer Fire Prevention District at this time. There being no objection, Chief Gill provided his report after Public Comments and before Old Business. Chief Gill's report is located at item 10-F of these Minutes.
     
  5. Minutes of the June 7, 2008 Regular Council Meeting
    Motion
    Walt Tyler moved and Dan Lauther seconded that the Minutes of the June 7, 2008 Regular Council Meeting be approved as presented. The Motion carried. The Chairperson noted that the June 7, 2008 minutes represented Norma's last duty as Secretary as she passed those duties on to Steve Hupner. Chairperson Almer expressed his thanks and appreciation for her services.
     
  6. Financial Report
    Treasurer Kathy Melvin reported that funds on deposit as of July 8, 2008 totaled $5,923.50. Vicki Yorty reported that she had a reimbursement check for the Council in the amount of $516.80
     
  7. Public Comments
     
    1. Grizzly Flats resident Mary Lory requested assistance with opening Old Mine Road to through traffic. DOT Superintendent Don Spear reported that Old Mine Road is private road. Ms. Lory was advised that the issue appeared to be a civil matter.
       
  8. Old Business
     
    1. Evacuation and GF-4 Shaded Fuel Break Committee Reports - Consultant Barry Callenberger reported:
       
      • Evacuation Route funding will be available until August 31, 2008, and that added work to the evacuation route will be done by the Chipping Contractor Mountain Enterprises.
         
      • There has not been a response to brush removal requests on the Bidmar property.
         
      • The Community Assistance Grant (CAG) money for finishing the GF-4 project is currently stalled. Callenberger described the benefits and disadvantages of clearing by mastication. The issue of placing gates at the top and bottom of the access road into GF-4 was discussed and it was reported that no response from County Counsel has been received on this matter. Yorty will talk to Rich Englefield regarding the gates and get back to the Chairperson.
         
      • Callenberger recommended that the GF-5 project needs to start. Vicki Yorty will check with the BLM regarding funding and timing.
         
    2. Sphere of Recognition - the Boundary - Consultant Barry Callenberger discussed:
       
      • The potential for increasing the Sphere of Recognition (SOR) to include the properties/land south of Grizzly Flats known as Leoni Meadows and possibly the properties/land known as Henry's Diggings. He suggested that if one or both these areas were brought into the SOR, they could apply for their own grant funds, in keeping with the Grant application proposed by the Westerly Neighbors when they became a part of the SOR.
         
        Discussion
         
      • Forest Service District Ranger Duane Nelson described the Grizzly Flats community and the Leoni Meadows area as having the same potential wildfire problems. Nelson described the Fire Evacuation Procedure Meeting held on July 9, 2008 in Leoni Meadows Camp with the Camp Executive Director, multiple governmental agencies, CERT, SAR, and GFFSC.
         
      • Members of the Council expressed concerns:
         
        • Bringing the Leoni Meadows Camp into the SOR might create a problem for future grant applications.
           
        • Will adding the Leoni Meadows to the SOR start a wave of other neighboring areas wanting to be added to the SOR?
           
        Vicki Yorty explained that all Fire Safe Council grants are through the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council. She described a Leoni Meadows addition to the GFFSC would not be a problem and it could be a win-win for both parties.
         
        Motion:
        Phill Dayton moved and Walt Tyler seconded that the Leoni Meadows area be added to the Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council's Sphere of Recognition. There was one (1) dissenting vote by Don Cherry. The Motion carried.
         
        Discussion:
        Callenberger reported that the Office of Emergency Services (OES) will be putting on a table top exercise at Leoni Meadows on August 5, 2008.
         
    3. 2008 Fund Raiser Committee Report
       
      • Eric Rasbold reported that clearing the site for the Fund Raiser BBQ was a success and there is work still to be done.
         
      • Treasurer Kathy Melvin announced that the ticket sales are good and requested the Council members turn in their ticket sales receipts to her as they collect the money.
         
      • Marylou Brown reported that the Wilkinson's Portable Toilet Company will provide a toilet at a cost of $75., including delivery, and that $145 had been collected for the BBQ raffle.
         
      • Vicki Yorty reported that there is now a State fee for non-profit organizations to do a raffle. Yorty will do further research on the matter of a fee.
         
      • Chairperson Mark Almer expressed the importance of keeping accurate records of all expenses and income for the BBQ fund raiser.
         
    4. Smoke Detector Drive - Eric Rasbold reported that the first results of requesting Smoke Detector donations was without results, but then things turned around and he has received 65 donated smoke detectors. Rasbold will continue to collect more smoke detectors for the program. Rasbold and his committee are establishing an equitable method to distribute (supply and install) the smoke detectors to homes in the Grizzly Flats community. Homeowners will be required to sign a waiver of liability in order to participate in the program.
       
      Motion
      Dennis Henderson moved and Judie Irwin seconded that the oldest homes in the community should receive the smoke detectors first. Motion carried.
       
      Discussion
       
      • Following acceptance of the motion; it was suggested that homes without smoke detectors should be the first to receive the detectors.
         
      • Rasbold explained that a crew of installers would install the smoke detectors and educate the homeowners as to the use and function of the detectors. The installing crew will include Eric Rasbold, Dennis Henderson, Phill Dayton, Judie Irwin and Mark Almer. Rasbold discussed a marketing strategy for creating an interest within the community for the smoke detector program and said he would be responsible for the advertising.
         
  9. New Business
     
    1. Grizzly Flats Community Church; Use of Facilities - Church Representative Paul Williams addressed the Council and discussed the matter of the GFFSC paying rent for the use of the Church's facilities. Williams explained that the Church was encouraging the GFFSC to use the Church's facilities, and said that the cost (no amount having been requested) could be from "1 penny to $500."
       
      Discussion
       
      • Phill Dayton and Lynn Shetley reported that the CERT will not be using the church, and that if there was a cost for past use, a bill for said use should be sent to CERT.
         
      Motion
      Phill Dayton moved and Don Cherry seconded that the Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council shall use Fire Station 35 as its meeting place. Before the motion was voted on, it was amended and the amendment approved by the maker and the second, that the matter shall be reviewed again in 2 months. The motion carried.
       
    2. Community Evacuation System - In the interest of time, Mark Almer moved this item to the August Meeting.
       
    3. Election of Officers - Mark Almer reported that the Bylaws require the Council hold an election of its Officers annually. Ballets were distributed, Council members voted, the votes were tallied by one member of the Board and 2 people selected from the attending public. After the tally, Almer announced the results. The new Officers are: the Chairperson is Mark Almer, the 1st Vice Chairperson is Eric Rasbold, the 2nd Vice Chairperson is Kathie Hawkins, the Secretary is Steve Hupner, and the Treasurer is Kathy Melvin.
       
  10. Agency Representation
     
    1. USFS - Placerville District Ranger Duane Nelson reported:
       
      • Open fires within the general forest are currently not permitted.
         
      • Engine 65 is being housed at Sierra Springs with 50% of its time scheduled to the Grizzly Flats area.
         
      • There are currently no local wildland fires.
         
      • The roadside directional signs, at the intersection of Caldor road and North-South Road and the intersection of Capps Crossing Road and North-South Road, are still being prepared.
         
      • The ENF crews are removing the Deer Brush along the North-South Road where it has encroached into the roadway.
         
      • The preparations for the Henry's Rx Prescribed Burn are continuing.
         
      Discussion
       
      • In response to a question from Marylou Brown and an e-mail from Sandi Bush, Nelson said the burn piles (on the Forest Service property along Grizzly Flat Road near the Grizzly Flats Forest Service facilities) within 35' to 40' of the road can be relocated or chipped and he would look into the matter. Crew 31 is currently "off forest", so the work will be delayed until their return.
         
      • Dan Lauther inquired if Forest Service signs could be installed to direct traffic going to the National Forest at the intersection of Sciaroni Road and Capps Crossing Road. Nelson responded that the existing road sign(s) at the intersection should be adequate and placing directional signs at intersections to people to the NF are not within the Forest Service Standards.
         
    2. Cal Fire - No representation.
       
    3. Sheriff - No representation.
       
    4. 2nd District Supervisor - No representation.
       
    5. DOT - County Highway Superintendent Don Spear reported:
       
      • The El Dorado County budget is restricting the Dept. of Transportation's (DOT) performance.
         
      Discussion
       
      • Almer asked: What is the status of the fallen trees and branches from this past winter on Tyler Drive. Nelson said he had just surveyed Tyler Drive and it will be taken care of in the next 2 weeks.
         
      • Ray Nutting suggested that the community needs to contact the County Board of Supervisors about adding funds to the DOT budget.
         
    6. PFPD - Chief Gill gave his monthly report, a copy of which can be found at the end of these Minutes. The Chief added that Engine 38 and crew have been deployed to the current fires in Northern California. Engine 31 and then Engine 23 are the back-up apparatus. The Chief emphasized that such deployment does not occur unless the District is covered. The Chief further reported that there are 2 strike teams deployed out of El Dorado County. The Chief reported that he would follow up on a question about work at the Post Office.
       
      Discussion:
       
      • Vicki Yorty reported, in response to a question from Ray Nutting, that Senator Feinstein has a Bill before Congress that will make multiple millions of dollars available to forest land fuel reduction.
         
      • Walt Tyler requested that the PFPD fire trucks and crews continue to travel the roads through Grizzly Flats making their presence known. Chief Gill informed the Council that PFPD money was tight and the PFPD crew's time must be equally distributed to all the communities of the Fire District.
         
      Motion:
      Phill Dayton moved and Lynn Shetley seconded a motion that the Council shall write a letter of support to Senator Feinstein's Bill before Congress. The motion carried.
       
      Discussion:
      Chairperson Almer said he would write a letter on behalf of the Council. Vicki Yorty informed the Council that she would prepare a form letter for general use in writing to Senator Feinstein to support the Senator's Bill.
       
    7. GFCSD - Brent Seibert reported:
       
      • The reservoir has stopped its overflow.
         
      • Stage 1 water conservation is a probability
         
      • Emergency drought plans have been put into effect. The GFCSD Board has been meeting with the State of California.
         
      • A stream gauge is to be installed for flow monitoring.
         
      • The reservoir storage is 26 acre feet of water or 1 month's use of water for the community.
         
      • In response to a question, Seibert said the existing well is not on line due to contaminants, and while the water is adequate for fire suppression, it would be expensive to treat for domestic use.
         
      • More water storage is being considered.
         
      • In response to a suggestion about other local wells, Seibert suggested Ray Nutting contact and discuss the matter with the GFCSD Board of Directors.
         
  11. Committee Reports
     
    1. Newsletter - Eric Rasbold reported that the Newsletter articles included: Fire Safe Projects Update, Emergency Helicopter Services, and Adopt a Hydrant - Summer Edition.
       
    2. Monthly EDCFSC Report - Vicki Yorty and Walt Tyler reported:
       
      • Green Waste Dumpsters are available for individual users on a "weekend basis". Emphasis was placed on the user's responsibility to ensure the dumpster is only used for green waste.
         
      • There are funds to cover the Senior Assistance Program to the end of October 2008.
         
      • The EDCFSC Bylaws have been changed.
         
      • In preparation for an Audit of the EDCFSC financial records, Yorty requested that the GFFSC submit complete records to her office.
         
      • In response to a question, Yorty said that if someone is doing chipping, and it is not Mountain Enterprise, they do not represent the EDCFSC.
         
      • The EDCFSC contact person for the senior/disabled assistance and chipping programs is Darlene at 530-647-1700.
         
    3. Unit Volunteer Coordinator - Chairperson Almer reported that John Rogers has agreed to be the Unit 10 coordinator and that Dennis & Terry Henderson have agreed to be the Unit Coordinators for Units 1 & 5.
       
    4. Community Information - Eric Rasbold reported:
       
      • The July 4th parade was a success.
         
      • A location for a community softball game has not been located. Mary Lory of Old Mine Road spoke up and said she may have room.
         
      • The Founders Day celebration is scheduled for Saturday September 20, 2008 at the Grizzly Flats Pond, pending site approval by the CSD.
         
    5. Defensible Space -
       
      • 84 property evaluations were performed within the Community this past month.
         
      • Irwin is personally doing the senior/disabled program evaluations for the community.
         
      • Requested Defensible Space Evaluations were done in Omo Ranch and Happy Valley.
         
    6. CERT - Lynn Shetley reported:
       
      • CERT has welcomed its newest member, Rebecca Marshall.
         
      • CERT had one day this past month that was busier than normal with 3 call outs, including 1st on-scene for the birth of a baby call and a medical call in Leoni Meadows.
         
      • Grizzly Flats cleanup day is scheduled for September 27th. The location will be Fire Station 35.
         
    7. Firewise - Chairperson Almer reported that the Council is in the process of renewing the Grizzly Flats community Firewise status.
       
  12. Council Member Comments
     
    1. Mark Almer reported:
       
      • The June 21st (Station 38) Safety Fair presentation by PG&E was very good, and suggested if the Council was willing, he would contact PG&E to do that presentation again at a future Council meeting. The Council approved the suggestion and Almer said he would try to schedule the event for September or October.
         
      • Assemblyman Ted Gaines has confirmed that he will be at the August Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council meeting to discuss Fire Safety and Legislation at the State Level.
         
    2. Eric Rasbold said that if there were no objections, while he was talking to the Community Church Board of Directors regarding GFORCE, he would re-discuss the relationship between the Church and the Council and confirm that the Council's decision not to use the Church at this time is not driven by spite. The Council had no objections.
       
    3. Walt Tyler discussed the need for a temporary toilet at the Fire Station during the GFFSC's monthly meeting use of the Fire Station. Tyler stated that he is spending $25. per night (day) for a toilet at each Burger Night, or $32. per month, with service on the toilet covered as an extra cost and as requested.
       

     
  13. Community Announcements
    No presentations
     
  14. Agenda Items for New Business at the Next Meeting - August 2, 2008
     
    1. Representative Ted Gaines will address the Council
       
    2. Happy Valley (community) request for inclusion in the GFFSC Sphere of Recognition.
       
    3. Community Evacuation System
       
  15. Adjourn
    The meeting was adjourned at 1:03 p.m. on a motion by Walt Tyler and seconded by Terry Henderson. The motion carried.
     
Respectfully submitted:
Steve Hupner, Secretary