GRIZZLY FLATS FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
January 3, 2009

 
  1. Call to Order
    The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Mark Almer at 10:00 a.m. at Grizzly Flats Fire Station #35. Guests were welcomed and asked to introduce themselves.
     
  2. Temporary Secretary – Chairman Almer advised that due to a medical issue with Steve Hupner, Norma Dawdy would sit in as a temporary secretary until Steve's recovery.
     
  3. Flag Salute
    Ray Nutting led the flag salute.
     
  4. Council Attendance
    Council Members were asked to affix their signatures to the Attendance Roster.
     
  5. Approval of Agenda
    Item 15 was amended to correct the date to February 7, 2009 as the next meeting. Walt Tyler moved the agenda be approved as amended, with Dennis Henderson seconding the motion. Motion carried.
     
  6. Minutes of the November 1, 2008 Regular Council Meeting
    Item 8 (B) was amended to correct the spelling of "String Canyon". Phill Dayton moved the minutes be approved as amended, with Walt Tyler seconding the motion. Motion carried.
     
  7. Finance
    Kathie Hawkins reported in the absence of Kathy Melvin that funds on deposit total $11,702.12 as of January 2, 2009.
     
  8. Public Comments
    Wil Berndt, representing the Caldor community, asked when their request to be included in our Sphere of Recognition would be addressed by the Council. Mark Almer advised that there was to be a presentation to the Council in March.
     
  9. Council Member Comments
     
    • Mark Almer reported that Jim King had resigned his position on the council on December 29, 2008. Liz Lawless moved and Norma Dawdy seconded the motion to have a plaque made and a letter prepared in recognition of Jim's many contributions to the council. Motion carried.
       
    • Phill Dayton moved and Donald Cherry seconded the motion to not fill the council vacancy until Happy Valley (in February) and Caldor (in March) had made their presentations to the council for inclusion into our Sphere of Recognition. Motion carried.
       
    • Walt Tyler suggested that a committee be organized to see what total build-out might be with regard to our Sphere of Recognition. Mark Almer expressed concerns about our influence and growth and the active participation by the various entities wishing to join us. Mark Almer then distributed a letter he had received from Helen Baumann (attached hereto) concerning the reallocation of $200,000 in unused discretionary funds earmarked for a joint-use fire station and community center in Grizzly Flats. With the loss of these funds and the $100,000 set aside by The Pioneer Fire Protection District, discussion followed concerning other alternatives for a permanent facility in Grizzly Flats.
       
    • Walt Tyler reported that the DOT's road grader had been vandalized (cab windows smashed). Discussion followed concerning various methods of surveillance within the community.
       
  10. Old Business
     
    1. Fire Hazard Severity Sign – Mark Almer presented to the council pricing for two 48 x 64 signs. Discussion followed with regard to the composition of the signs, placement of the signs and the cost of maintenance. No decision was made with regard to ordering any signs until further research into these matters is finalized.
       
  11. New Business
     
    1. El Dorado County Dept. of Transportation Snow Plow Demonstration – Deferred until February.
       
    2. Mid-year 2008-2009 Budget Update – Deferred until February.
       
    3. Sphere of Recognition – Barry Callenberger advised that the Prop 40 Community Assistance funding dollars have been suspended until the budget crisis is settled. The 80 acre parcel remaining on the GF-4 project is on hold. He responded that it is probably too moist to get into that parcel at the present time. The GF-5 dollars are unknown at the present time. Vicki Yorty does not want to start any work on this project until part of that promised funding is received. Barry reported that mastication equipment at Gold Bug Park had been vandalized and that it was being considered a terrorist act. He further responded that he would present a map at the February meeting showing the Sphere of Recognition boundaries.
       
    4. Update of GFFSC Bylaws – Mark Almer presented a draft of the proposed changes to the Bylaws. Marylou Brown responded that Article IX. Committees – Section 2. Executive Board should be composed of the Chairperson, the 1st Vice Chairperson, the 2nd Vice Chairperson, the Treasurer and the Secretary, omitting "and all standing Committee Chairpersons". Walt Tyler moved and Terry Henderson seconded the motion to approve the proposed Bylaws, with the noted correction mentioned above. Motion carried.
       
  12. Agency Representation
     
    1. USFS - In the absence of Duane Nelson, Mark reported that the Forest Service is continuing to make progress on the Henry's prescribed burn. They recently secured the last agreement with private parties at Henry's Diggins to allow the whole project to proceed. The forest service will be working in the area after January 1st to secure the "top" of the burn, to the south of the Caldor RR grade. Crews will be thinning trees and burning in the area the remainder of this winter when weather allows. The Forest Service , in conjunction with County OES, has set up "reverse 911" notification when they do any major ignitions in the area. This service, however, is available to landline customers only.
       
    2. Cal Fire - No representation.
       
    3. Sheriff - No representation.
       
    4. 2nd District Supervisor - District Supervisor – Elect Ray Nutting reported that DOT Director Richard Shepard has resigned. He discussed county funding, the chip/seal program, roadside vegetation management and utilization of volunteers. He said that the climate of the Board of Supervisors has changed and that they will need to be innovative in their approach to issues concerning the county.
       
    5. DOT - No representation.
       
    6. PFPD - In Chief Gill's absence, Volunteer Firefighter Phill Dayton read from the January 2, 2009 Monthly Fire Chief Report (attached hereto). Walt Tyler reported on a point of concern being the retirement system for the paid staff. The Association has brought together some comparison materials for the District's consideration in the effort to increase employee retention.
       
    7. GFCSD - No report.
       
  13. Committee Reports
     
    1. Newsletter - Terry Henderson advised that the newsletters will be quarterly with the next one coming out February 1st. All articles should be sent to her by January 20th.
       
    2. Monthly EDCFSC Report - Walt Tyler reported that there was no December meeting. The changes in the Bylaws have resulted in no term limits for the Directorship and no satellite councils operating independently. The anticipation is that things will go smoother with these changes.
       
    3. Unit Volunteer Coordinator - Mark Almer had no report.
       
    4. Community Information - Eric Rasbold reported that the GFORCE Christmas Parade went well. They have no scheduled events until June. Next Saturday at 1:00 p.m. is Bingo at the Fire House.
       
    5. Defensible Space - Tom Scepura said that while last year was a good year for the defensible space team, they are short handed now with the resignation of Jim King and Judie Irwin still in Texas. Walt Tyler emphasized the importance of recognizing volunteers within the community in order to keep those volunteers. The recruitment of additional members for the defensible space team was emphasized and encouraged.
       
    6. CERT - It was noted that there are currently 12 members responding with CERT and in the absence of Lynn Shetley, Dennis Henderson is acting Captain.
       
  14. Community Announcements - Tom Douglass expressed his concerns on dead "beetle" trees on vacant lots. He was instructed to contact the County BOS in support of a weed abatement program as the Fire Safe Council has no authority on vacant lots.
     
  15. Agenda Items for next Meeting - February 7, 2009
     
    1. Fire Hazard Severity Sign
       
    2. DOT Snow Plow Demonstration
       
    3. Mid-year 2008-2009 Budget Update
       
    4. Sphere of Recognition – Happy Valley
       
  16. Adjourn
    Phill Dayton moved and Kathy Criel seconded the motion to adjourn at 12:11 p.m.
     
Respectfully submitted:
Norma Dawdy, Temporary Secretary