GRIZZLY FLATS FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes of August 1, 2009
Grizzly Flats Fire Station #35, Grizzly Flats, California

 
  1. Call to Order
    The Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council Regular Meeting of August 1, 2009, was called to order by Chairperson Mark Almer at 9:00 a.m. at the Grizzly Flats Fire Station #35. Guests were welcomed and asked to introduce themselves.
     
  2. Flag Salute
    Barry Callenberger led the flag salute.
     
  3. Council Members - Attendance
    Mark Almer Rich Englefield Terry Henderson Kathy Melvin Lyle Tomlin
    Marylou Brown Kathie Hawkins Steve Hupner John Rogers
    Norma Dawdy Craig Heinrich Mel Kelley Bill Roloson
    Phill Dayton Dennis Henderson Dan Lauther Lynn Shetley

     
  4. Agenda Approval
    Chairperson Mark Almer requested that Agenda items 9.D and 10.B be deleted; and a new item 10.B, New Helipad, be added to the Agenda. Mel Kelley moved and Bill Roloson seconded that the Agenda be approved as amended. The motion carried.
     
  5. Minutes of the June 6, 2009 Regular Council Meeting
    Norma Dawdy moved and Mel Kelley seconded that the Minutes of July 11, 2009's Regular Council Meeting be approved as presented. The Motion carried.
     
  6. Treasurer's Report
    Treasurer Kathy Melvin reported the funds on deposit as of July 31, 2009 totaled $13,771.11. The new balance included the 2009 BBQ Fund Raiser proceeds of $5,993.57. Kathy reported the BBQ income accounting is pending receipt of any outstanding expenses.
     
  7. Public Comments
    Mary and Ernie Lory, of Old Mine Road, asked if any assistance was available through the Fire Safe Council with the removal of an accumulation of trash and tires dumped on their forested property. Following discussion, Mark Almer said he would personally look into the matter, but indicated the Fire Safe Council was unable to assist with their issue.
     
  8. Council Member Comments
     
    1. Mark Almer distributed an existing inventory of Firewise lapel pins and refrigerator magnets to interested Council members.
       
    2. Mark Almer discussed the recent Summer time (mid-July 2009) power outage. Mark expressed his concern as the power outage was "coincidental" with the lack of phone service. The Council discussed power and phone outages during the winter when a storm blows down a tree which takes out a power line, noting that AT&T typically has battery backup and/or a generator in service during the winter to provide the necessary power when a power line is down.
       
      The Council expressed its concern with the recent Summer outage, indicating that had the outage been the result of or coincidental with a wildland fire, receiving reverse 911 system calls would not have been available to notify the community of the conditions and/or a need to evacuate. Mel Kelley indicated the GFCSD's auto dialer doesn't work without power. Fire Chief Gill offered his support. Chief Gill reported that during such an emergency, the CERT members can contact Fire Dispatch on the radio in Squad 35 (the fire apparatus stationed in Station 35). Mark said he would be in touch with the Chief and indicated that he would contact AT&T to discuss the Council's concerns. Vicki Yorty (EDCFSC) indicated she would place this matter on the August 13, 2009 OES Disaster Council agenda. In conclusion, Mark requested the Council members contact AT&T and ask the question: Why wasn't there phone service during the power outage?
       
    3. Kathie Hawkins requested all the Council members submit their time cards as it is time to submit the Council's quarterly report to the EDCFSC.
       
    4. Lynn Shetley reported the Adopt-A-Hydrant T-shirts are ready for production.
       
  9. Old Business
     
    1. GF-4, GF-5, GF-6, & GF-7 Committee Report - Barry Callenberger reported: GF-4 - The State of California has released the Prop. 40 money; GF-4 will be completed this Fall. GF- 5, GF-6 and GF-7 - Barry discussed the current status of these projects.
       
    2. Grizzly Flat Road Cemetery Fuel Reduction - in Kathy Criel's absence, this item was moved to September's meeting. Phill Dayton reported that he would take care of any disposal needs for the proposed Cemetery fuel reduction/cleaning project.
       
    3. 2009-2010 GFFSC Budget Review and Discussion - Because the Council members have had the Budget for 30 days, Kathy Melvin and Steve Hupner provided only a brief discussion of the budget and asked if there were any questions. On a motion by Mark Almer and seconded by Terry Henderson, the Budget was approved as submitted. Motion carried.
       
    4. BBQ Fund Raiser Wrap-up Report - BBQ Committee Chair Marylou Brown provided a breakdown of the fund raiser's earnings and thanked all who provided their time and energy to the BBQ's success. Mark Almer thanked Marylou and her Committee and gave them great praise for the success of the annual event.

     
  10. New Business
     
    1. "Seasonal" Signs for the 4-Corners (Somerset) - Dennis Henderson proposed providing a change to the Somerset Seasonal Severity signage during the non-fire hazard seasons. The subject was discussed and well received. Suggestions for other non-fire season signs included a Christmas Tree Safety sign, a Defensible Space sign, a Clean Your Chimney sign, and a Change Your Smoke Detector Battery sign. Mark Almer suggested using Sign-A-Rama in Roseville, and provided a sample of a sign blank material. On a motion by Norma Dawdy and seconded by Mark Almer, the Council authorized Dennis Henderson to proceed with the creation and purchase of 3 new non-fire season signs for the Somerset location. Motion carried.
       
    2. New Grizzly Flats Helipad - Rich Englefield reported on a proposal to develop a new Grizzly Flats Helipad. Rich reported:
       
      • Permission has been secured to use the Potts property (just east of the Old Post Office and near the pond on that property).
         
      • It is proposed the Forest Service cut several trees for the Helipad's development.
         
      • Don Cherry, liaison for the Potts property, will scrape the site to remove the grass.

      Rich suggested that if the community could come together, that the community provide a gravel surface to the access road and helicopter landing site. County DOT Superintendent Don Spear offered to look into getting asphalt road surface grindings as the road and landing site surfacing. Don said this was not a given but he would look into it and get back to the Council.

     
  11. Agency Representation
     
    1. USFS - No representation.
       
    2. Cal Fire - No representation.
       
    3. Sheriff - No representation.
       
    4. 2nd District Supervisor - Supervisor Ray Nutting reported that $7 million of County funds have been lost to (withheld by) the State of California as part of the current financial state of the economy. This loss represents 10% of the County's General Fund and will result in a similar reduction in the County's General Fund services. Ray said the DOT Budget was still in tact as those funds do not come from the General Fund. Ray provided details on how the state of the economy has caused the County to modify its current Budget.
       
    5. DOT - Don Spear reported the DOT budget was stable for right now, however all Projects have been mothballed. Snow removal funding remains in tact and the snow removal equipment will be moved into the area in October. Don discussed weed abatement in response to a question at last month's GFFSC meeting, saying the current budget restraints have limited weed spraying to one (1) application of herbicide, resulting in the return of road side ditch weeds.
       
    6. PFPD - Chief Gill gave his monthly report; a copy is attached at the end of these minutes. The Chief discussed the Fire District's Budget.
       
    7. GFCSD - CSD Director Mel Kelley reported on the following subjects:
       
      • An evaluation of the Water System to reduce reservoir leakage.
         
      • New water supplies and protections.
         
      • Water Rights issues.
         
      • Progress with the reservoir lining Project.
         
      • Grizzly Pond - Fish and Game application submitted for repairs to the collapsed culvert at the overflow.
         
      • Rate Increase - Public meetings are scheduled for October and November, implementation is tentative scheduled for January 2010.
         
      • Budget meetings are scheduled.
         
      • Stage 1 water alert is in effect. Stage 1 = 15% voluntary cutback (not mandatory).
         
  12. Committee Reports
     
    1. Newsletter - Terry Henderson reported the next newsletter will be out in September and it will include discussions on:
       
      • What to do in case of a phone and/or power outage.
         
      • Adopt-A-Hydrant program.
         
      • Community Calendar.
         
      • Community Pantry.
         
      • ALS service information is in the Pioneer Fire Protection website.
         
    2. Monthly EDCFSC Report - Director Rich Englefield discussed the Title 3 funding from the State of California. Rich reported that this has been the "best year the EDCFSC has ever had".
       
    3. Unit Volunteer Coordinator - No report.
       
    4. Defensible Space - No report.
       
    5. CERT - Dennis Henderson reported the next CERT meeting would be at 7:00 p.m. on 8-3-09.
       
  13. Community Announcements
    Lynn Shetley reported on the 2009 Community Cleanup Project:
     
    • Initial contact has been made with Waste Management
       
    • The tentative date is Saturday, September 26, 2009
       
    • Volunteer help is needed! . . . please call Lynn!
       
  14. Agenda Items for next Meeting - September 12, 2009
     
    1. GF-4, GF-5, GF-6, & GF-7 Committee Report - Norma Dawdy and/or Barry Callenberger
       
    2. Grizzly Flat Road Cemetery Fuel Reduction / Cleanup - Kathy Criel
       
    3. Final Report on 2009 BBQ Fund Raiser (to be part of Treasurer's Report)
       
    4. Seasonal Signs - Dennis Henderson
       
  15. Adjourn
    The meeting was adjourned at 11:28 a.m. on a motion by Norma Dawdy and seconded by Dennis Henderson. Motion carried.
     
Respectfully submitted:
Steve Hupner, Secretary