GRIZZLY FLATS FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes of October 3, 2009
Grizzly Flats Fire Station #35, Grizzly Flats, California

 
  1. Call to Order
    The Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council Regular Meeting of October 3, 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
    Kathy Criel led the flag salute.
     
  3. Council Members - Attendance
    Mark Almer Phill Dayton Steve Hupner Liz Lawless Walt Tyler
    Marylou Brown Kathie Hawkins Mel Kelley Kathy Melvin
    Don Cherry Dennis Henderson Bob Krieg Lynn Shetley
    Kathy Criel Terry Henderson Dan Lauther Lyle Tomlin

     
  4. Agenda Approval
    Chairperson Mark Almer asked for any amendments to the Agenda. There being none, Walt Tyler moved and Kathy Criel seconded that the Agenda be approved as presented. The motion carried.
     
  5. Minutes of the September 12, 2009, Regular Council Meeting
    Walt Tyler moved and Marylou Brown seconded the Minutes of the September 12, 2009, Regular Council Meeting be approved as presented. The Motion carried.
     
  6. Treasurer's Report
    Treasurer Kathy Melvin reported the funds on deposit as of October 2, 2009, totaled $11,746.80.
     
  7. Public Comments
     
    1. Jim King (former GFFSC Member) expressed his pleasure and satisfaction with the Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council's Wildland Fire Awareness article just received in the mail. The Council thanked Steve Hupner for his time and efforts in creating the article.
       
  8. Council Member Comments
     
    1. Mark Almer expressed the Council's appreciation and thanks to Walt Tyler for his time and efforts given to the Grizzly Flats community, and presented Walt with a plaque acknowledging those thoughts and appreciations.
       
    2. Mark Almer reported that the 2009 Firewise stickers for the Firewise Community Signs have been received and installed. Mark passed out the latest Firewise Newsletter. Vicki Yorty informed the Council the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council will be recognized as a "Firewise County Council" in the near future.
       
    3. Mark Almer reported on Council Member Brent Seibert's lack of attendance at the last 5 Council meetings and his lack of response to multiple communication attempts regarding whether he desired to remain on the Council. Based on Seibert's lack of attendance and communication, Chairperson Almer declared the Seibert seat on the Council to be vacant. There was no discussion.
       
    4. Mark Almer discussed a misprint in the recent cover page article (entitled Phone Outage Hits Grizzly Flats) of the Pioneer Volunteer Firefighter's Association Turnout periodical.
       
    5. Mark Almer passed out a brochure from Home Fire Fighting System (HFFS) and asked the Council if they were interested in having a HFFS representative make a presentation. Mark said they would like to make such a presentation to people interested in purchasing their product. The Council agreed a representative need not invest the time in such a presentation.
       
  9. Old Business
     
    1. GF-4, GF-5, GF-6, & GF-7 Committee Report - Barry Callenberger reported:
       
      • GF-4 is scheduled to start in November 2009 and will be coordinated by Mark Egbert, Manager of the El Dorado County & Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation.
         
      • GF-5 is out to bidders. It appears there are 3 potential bidders and the award of the Contract is expected within 30 days.
         
      • GF-6 lacks the approval of one property owner. Barry will make another contact with the property owner.
         
      • GF-6, & GF-7 - Contract advertisements are being held until the Grant Agreement is received.
         
    2. Grizzly Flat Community Cemetery Fuel Reduction / Cleanup - Kathy Criel reported the Cleanup will take place on Saturday October 31, 2009, Halloween day, starting at 8:00 a.m.
       
    3. New Grizzly Flats Helipad - Rich Englefield was not present to discuss the matter. Don Cherry informed the Council the subject of locating a new Helipad on the Potts property was no longer an option and need not be continued for further discussion at a future Council meeting.
       
    4. Adopt-A-Fire Hydrant - Lynn Shetley reported there are 4 dozen sign-ups for the Grizzly Flats' Adopt-A-Fire Hydrant program.
       
    5. Community Cleanup Report - Lynn Shetley reported the Grizzly Flats Community Cleanup was a success. The cleanup included 40 volunteers, including 6 teams of volunteers who collected trash from the woods and several teams collecting trash from community residents unable to deliver their trash to the collection site, and 91 residents delivered their trash to the collection site in cars, trucks and/or trailers. Lynn expressed her thanks and appreciation to all those involved.
       
  10. New Business - There was no new business.
     
  11. Agency Representation
     
    1. USFS - Forest Service Representative Mike Beckett reported:
       
      • The Henry's Burn Project scope will be delayed due to a property owner's withdrawing from the burn area.
         
      • The FS is in conversation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding including some of the BLM land into the Henry's Burn Project . That land is contiguous to the Henry's Burn Project and east of Rocky Bar Road.
         
      • The FS is considering a "Salvage (tree) Sale" to remove several hazardous trees at the FS Station. An entomologist is scheduled to evaluate the site.

    2. Cal Fire - No representation.
       
    3. Sheriff - No representation.
       
    4. 2nd District Supervisor - No representation.
       
    5. DOT - In County Highway Superintendent Don Spear's absence, Mark Almer discussed Don's email comments regarding recent community reports of local roads needing attention.
       
    6. PFPD - No representation.
       
    7. GFCSD - CSD Director Mel Kelley reported:
       
      • The new rate increase will be out in January and it could provide a surplus in its third year.
         
      • During a meeting with USDA regarding the Reservoir Lining Project, USDA reported the CSD's Infrastructure and Planning is better than 90% of the other Small Districts.
         
      • The Grizzly Pond Project Permit has been issued by the State Dept. of Fish and Game. If the project can not be done by October 15, 2009, it may need to be moved to the Spring of 2010.
         
  12. Committee Reports
     
    1. Newsletter - Terry Henderson reported the Newsletter went out with the last water billing. Terry reported she plans to place the Newsletter on a regular quarterly schedule.
       
    2. Monthly EDCFSC Report - EDCFSC Coordinator Vicki Yorty reported:
       
      • The EDCFSC website will soon include a calendar of Satellite Council events.
         
      • The County has awarded 80% of the 2009-2010 Title 3 funds to the EDCFSC.
         
      • The EDCFSC is supporting a new Fire Safe Council in Folsom; the first FSC in Sacramento County.
         
      • The EDCFSC first draft of the Strategic Planning Matrix will be ready soon and will be sent to Mark Almer for his input.
         
      • As a result of the recent lack of AT&T service due to a loss of local power, Vicki will be talking with the Disaster Council.
         
      • The California Forestry Challenge, a program for High School Students, will take place at Leoni Meadows; Wednesday (10-14-09) through Saturday (10-17-09).
         
    3. Unit Volunteer Coordinator - Mark Almer reported he had packets available for the Coordinators.
       
    4. Defensible Space - .No report.
       
    5. CERT - Liz Lawless reported First Responder Training is currently taking place.
       
  13. Community Announcements
     
    1. Lynn Shetley announced:
       
      • The Food Pantry is currently providing food to 15 community families.
         
      • December 12, 2009 - Community Pancake Breakfast, supporting the Grizzly Pines School, will include Santa.
         
      • December 20, 2009 - Community Christmas Party and Parade.
         
    2. Walt Tyler Announced:
       
      • The coordination for the Community Halloween event is ongoing and will take place at the Fire Station #35.
         
    3. Dan Lauther reported the CSD is looking for volunteers to assist with "stuffing" the water bills and reading the District's water meters.
       
  14. Agenda Items for next Meeting - November 7, 2009
     
    1. Grizzly Flat Road Cemetery Fuel Reduction / Cleanup - Kathy Criel
       
    2. GF-4, GF-5, GF-6, & GF-7 Committee Report - Barry Callenberger
       
  15. Adjourn
    The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m. on a motion by Phill Dayton and seconded by Kathy Criel. The motion carried.
     
Respectfully submitted:
Steve Hupner, Secretary