GRIZZLY FLATS FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes of February 7, 2009
Grizzly Flats Fire Station #35, Grizzly Flats, California

 
  1. Call to Order
    The Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council Regular Meeting of February 7, 2009 was called to order by Chairperson Mark Almer at 10:00 a.m. at the Grizzly Flats Fire Station #35. Guests were welcomed and asked to introduce themselves.
     
  2. Flag Salute
    John Rogers led the flag salute.
     
  3. Council Members - Attendance
    Mark Almer Kathie Hawkins Mel Kelley John Rogers Lynn Shetley
    Marylou Brown Dennis Henderson Bob Krieg Bill Roloson Lyle Tomlin
    Kathy Criel Terry Henderson Liz Lawless Tom Scepura Walt Tyler
    Norma Dawdy Steve Hupner Kathy Melvin Brent Seibert

     
  4. Special Presentation
    Chairperson Mark Almer asked Jim King to join him at the front of the meeting room where Mark acknowledged Jim's time, efforts and hard work in the behalf of the Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council as a member of the Council's Defensible Space program with a Thank You plaque.
     
  5. Agenda Approval
    Chairperson Mark Almer asked for any amendments to the Agenda. There being none, Walt Tyler moved and Marylou Brown seconded that the Agenda be approved as presented. Motion carried.
     
  6. Approval of the January 3, 2009 Regular Council Meeting Minutes
    Dennis Henderson moved and Walt Tyler seconded that the Minutes of the January 3, 2009 Regular Council Meeting be approved as submitted. Motion carried.
     
  7. Treasurer's Report
    Treasurer Kathy Melvin reported that funds on deposit as of February 6, 2009 totaled $11,678.89. Treasurer Kathy Melvin discussed Agenda Item 11B at this point in the meeting.. The 2008-2009 Annual Budget Mid-Year Update was distributed to the Council members. Norma Dawdy moved and Walt Tyler seconded that the 2008-2009 Annual Budget Mid-Year Update be accepted as presented.
     
  8. Public Comments
    There were no public comments.
     
  9. Council Member Comments
     
    1. Mark Almer reported that Dan Lauther had requested a leave of absence from the Council for medical reasons. Mark reported that he accepted Dan's request and told Dan that his leave would be reevaluated in 2 months; April 2009.
       
    2. Mark Almer reported that there was an announcement at the Post Office bulletin board announcing a Fill the Boot for Burns program, for the Firefighter's Burn Institute, to take place on March 21, 2009 at the Somerset 4-way stop intersection.
       
    3. Mark Almer provided individual copies of the approved Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council's Bylaws to the Council Members.
       
    4. Kathie Hawkins requested that the Council Members submit their time log accounting to her as soon as possible so she could include their time in an accounting to Vicki Yorty at the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council. The EDCFSC's will be submitting a time log with a grant request on February 20, 2009.
       
    5. Walt Tyler discussed the potential for making improvements to the Fire Station 35 building, including a meeting room and restrooms. Walt expressed his opinion that if there were to be improvements made to Station 35, then the property lease would need to be extended to a "longterm" lease, or the ownership would need to be transferred. Walt further said the issue is "not dead", but that it needed to be tabled for now. Fire Chief Bob Gill provided additional information on the matter, including background on El Dorado County Funding that previously existed, but that had recently was withdrawn by the County. Chief Gill described the other possible uses of an improved fire station.
       
      Rich Englefield and Vicki Yorty discussed other existing and past efforts for a joint use fire station and meeting facility to be placed on the Eldorado National Forest property in Grizzly Flats. Of importance for that facility is its "shovel ready" condition. The site planning and construction drawings already exist and the facility is ready to start as soon as appropriate funding is in place and the NFS coordination and approvals exist. The planned facility will match the Sierra Springs fire station.
       
      Supervisor Ray Nutting discussed the loss of County promised funding for a new fire station, and said he would be looking into the matter and try to return those funds back to their original purpose of a new Grizzly Flats community joint use facility.
       
  10. Old Business
     
    1. Fire Hazard Severity Sign - Mark Almer discussed the results of his Fire Hazard Severity Sign study. Of the several sign design options and several suppliers, Mark suggested the Council use some of the 2008 fund raiser money for the purchase of 2 Smokey the Bear style signs. One sign to be placed on the NFS property and the other to be placed at the Fire Station 31 road frontage. Discussion followed and included sign manufacturer options and alternate sign locations, included placing a sign at one of the Somerset intersection corners. Mark spoke of a discussion he had with Rich Englefield. The EDCFSC expects the GFFSC to spend its fund raiser money on fire safety education. Mark suggested that the purchase of the 2 signs and there necessary installation hardware and materials is a good way to spend some of the fund raiser money.
       
      Motion
      Bob Krieg moved and Terry Henderson seconded that 2 Smokey the Bear style signs be purchased.
       
      Discussion
      Discussion followed regarding the sign placement locations. Chief Gill acknowledged that permission to place a sign on the station 31 property existed. Other options for the sign were discussed, i.e., Somerset intersection. Vicki Yorty discussed using discarded programable signs from CalTrans for Red Flag warning signage. County Road Superintendent Don Spear said he would look into County signage for such an emergency use. Motion carried.
       
      Following the Motion, Vicki Yorty asked who will provide the regular maintenance on the Fire Hazard Severity signs. Mark reported that Phill Dayton agreed to be responsible for those duties. In additional discussion, Mark said the signs would be ordered with anti-graffiti coatings and the money spent would include the necessary installation hardware and materials. Council Members will install the signs.
       
  11. New Business
     
    1. El Dorado County DOT Snow Plow Demonstration - Don Spear suggested that the static demonstration be moved to the end of the meeting.
       
    2. 2008-2009 Annual Mid-Year Budget Update - This item was discussed by Kathy Melvin following her Treasurer's Report.
       
    3. Sphere of Recognition - Happy Valley - Mark Almer reported that the Happy Valley proponents were not present at the meeting. Mark reiterated his prior concern that neighboring communities/areas that wished to be a part of the Fire Safe Council Sphere of Recognition needed to commit to participation in the Fire Safe Council's business if they were included within the Council's Sphere of Recognition. Ray Nutting explained that the absent Happy Valley proponent was do to a family illness. Ray offered to be a spokesperson between the Happy Valley group and the Fire Safe Council, and suggested that there is a Happy Valley resident that would likely be available for the active business of the Council. Mark asked that Ray Nutting coordinate their proposal with Steve Hupner in advance of their future meeting presentation.
       
      Following is information discussed out of order and moved to this locations:
       
      • Sphere of Recognition - Barry Callenberger reported that with the current considerations to enlarge the Sphere of Recognition to include the Happy Valley area and the Caldor Road area, the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) needs to be amended. Barry reported that the Grizzly Flats Sphere of Recognition boundary is coincidental with the CWPP boundary. Barry also reported that the Happy Valley and Caldor Road neighborhoods are not in the current CWPP. In answer to a question, Barry explained that a community requesting grant funds are required to show/prove that they are within a CWPP, hence it is important for both the Happy Valley and Caldor Road communities to be incorporated within a CWPP. Barry recommended that Happy Valley community, due to its location, size, topography and vegetation, have its own CWPP, while it is recommended that the Caldor Road area be incorporated into the Grizzly Flats CWPP. Barry agreed to modify the existing aerial map that shows the Grizzly Flats CWPP to represent his recommendations, and to have the governmental agencies, including (but not limited to) the NFS, CalFire and the Pioneer Fire Prevention District review the document before it is presented to the Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council at its next meeting.
         
      • GF-4 - Barry Callenberger reported that the completion of the GF-4 project is governed by State funding and its progress will be slowed until the State Budget permits.
         
    4. Annual Fund Raiser - Mark Almer suggested that it is time to start the planning for the next fund raiser if it is to take place. Mark further suggested that there are several questions requiring attention and/or answers; (1) Should there be a 2009 Fund Raiser? (2) If so, where should the fund raiser be held? (3) Who will be the Chairperson and commitment members for the 2009 Fund Raiser Committee?
       
      Discussion
      Following much discussion, it was noted that the 2007 event had 190 (+/-) in attendance and the 2008 event had 200 plus in attendance.
       
      Motion
      Liz Lawless moved and Bob Krieg seconded that there shall be a 2009 Fund Raiser. Motion carried.
       
      In answer to Mark's other questions, and in reverse order; (3) Marylou Brown offered to be the Fund Raiser Chairperson; Liz Lawless and Kathy Melvin offered to be a part of the Fund Raiser Committee. (2) Mark asked that the now established Committee be responsible for selection of the venue. Additionally, Mark asked that there be a committee report at future Council meetings. Discussion suggestion for site locations included: Sandy Bush's property, Fire Station 35, and the community pond. Other discussion suggestions were to change the Fund Raiser format to have a more "quality atmosphere".
       
  12. Agency Representation
     
    1. USFS - No USFS representation. Rich Englefield discussed the Henry's Prescribed Burn and said that the FS will be scheduling the burn based on weather and that the reverse 911 telephone calling system will be used to alert the community of the scheduled burn event.
       
    2. Cal Fire - No representation.
       
    3. Sheriff - No representation. Rich Englefield said he had met with members of the Sheriff's office to address vandalism and theft issues in the community. Rich reported that the Sheriff's office will have a more frequent presence in the community and will be "stopping" people to ask questions.
       
    4. County Board of Supervisors - District #2 Supervisor Ray Nutting reported the County is experiencing a Budget crisis typical of most other governmental agencies. Nutting said the 2nd District includes 40% of the County, and he is competing for the District's share of the available funding.
       
    5. DOT - County Roads Superintendent Don Spear reported that funds for road maintenance projects are on hold, however, snow removal funds are available. The road grader was repaired and is currently parked next to Station 35 and is ready for snow removal use. Following recent vandalism to the grader, there has been discussion of parking the grader at the occupied Station 31.
       
    6. PFPD - Chief Gill gave his monthly report, a copy is attached at the end of these minutes.
       
    7. GFCSD - CSD Director Mel Kelley reported that the water facilities are currently up, but the lack of seasonal moisture will likely create an early demand for community water conservation.
       
  13. Committee Reports
     
    1. Newsletter - Terry Henderson reported that the next Newsletter will include an article on the PFPD Senior Citizen Smoke Detector program. Following Terry's request for new material (articles) the GFCSD agreed to prepare a water conservation article for the next Newsletter. The Next issue will be April 2009.
       
    2. EDCFSC - Coordinator Vicki Yorty reported there are currently 11 proposals for funding. Vicki said she is expecting Northern California to get its appropriate share of the 2009 $23,000,000. available funding. Vicki said the recent Gathering of the Councils was successful, and that the next EDCFSC Gathering of the Councils meeting would be on the 4th Wednesday in July. Vicki also reported that there is $7,000. left in the Chipping Program, there are Green Waste Vouchers still available and there is still money available in the Senior Program.
       
    3. Unit Volunteer Coordinator - No report.
       
    4. Community Information
       
      • In Eric Rasbold absence, Liz Lawless reported that Bingo was to take place today at Fire Station #35 at 4:00 p.m., and there was a ladies luncheon scheduled for Tuesday next.
         
      • Lynn Shetley discussed the new Grizzly Flats Community Food Pantry program.
         
      • Mel Kelley reported that the 19th Anniversary celebration of the Grange will include dinner on March 14, 2009; tickets are available from Mel.
         
      • Chief Bob Gill reported that a CPR class is offered at Station #38 on Saturday 2-21-09 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.; The cost is $70.
         
    5. Defensible Space - In Judie Irwin's absence, Tom Scepura spoke for Defensible Space. Tom reported that with the dry weather coming, it is a good time for the community property owners to start their seasonal property cleanup. Mark Almer noted that no one has stepped forward to fill Jim King's position in the Defensible Space Program. Mark encouraged and requested the Council Members to come forward and fill this important position.
       
    6. CERT - Liz Lawless acknowledged the important and valuable assistance provided by many of the community residents to the community at large.
       
  14. Community Announcements - No Announcements
     
  15. Agenda Items for next Meeting - March 7, 2009
     
    1. Fund Raiser Committee Report - Marylou Brown
       
    2. CWPP and Sphere of Recognition Report - Barry Callenberger
       
    3. Presentation by Caldor Road Neighbors for inclusion in the Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council
       
  16. Adjourn
    The meeting was adjourned at 12:56 p.m. on a motion by Liz Lawless and seconded by Dennis Henderson. Motion carried.
     
Respectfully submitted:
Steve Hupner, Secretary