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

 
  1. Call to Order
    The Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council Regular Meeting of November 7, 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
    Ray Nutting led the flag salute.
     
  3. Council Members - Attendance
    Mark Almer Phill Dayton Terry Henderson Kathy Melvin Lynn Shetley
    Marylou Brown Kathie Hawkins Steve Hupner John Rogers Lyle Tomlin
    Kathy Criel Craig Heinrich Charlie Lukes Bill Roloson Walt Tyler
    Norma Dawdy Dennis Henderson Mel Kelley Tom Scepura

  4. Agenda Approval
    Chairperson Mark Almer asked for any amendments to the Agenda. There being none, Norma Dawdy moved and Walt Tyler seconded that the Agenda be approved as presented. The motion carried.
     
  5. Minutes of the October 3, 2009, Regular Council Meeting
    Lynn Shetley asked that item 9.E use the word "recyclables" rather than "trash". Lynn Shetley moved and Kathy Criel seconded that the Minutes of the October 3, 2009, Regular Council Meeting be approved as amended. The Motion carried.
     
  6. Treasurer's Report
    Treasurer Kathy Melvin reported the funds on deposit as of November 6, 2009, totaled $11,153.93. Council members were asked to turn in their time cards to Kathie Hawkins.
     
  7. Public Comments - There were no public comments.
     
  8. Council Member Comments
     
    1. Mark Almer reported that Walt Tyler had been recognized by the community with the renaming of Grizzly Pines Elementary School to Walt Tyler Elementary School.
       
    2. Mark Almer reported receiving a letter from Eric & Lori Paulsen, 9060 Grizzly Flat Road, regarding their participation in the Green Waste Chipping Program and their having stacked green waste along Grizzly Flat Road. Vicki Yorty addressed the issue and said she would resolve the matter with the chipping contractor.
       
    3. Mark Almer, on the behalf of Rich Englefield, reported that the Bulletin Board at the Grizzly Flats' Post Office was in need of repair and recommended that the Bulletin Board be replaced. Walt Tyler reported that there was an existing committee who was responsible for the Bulletin Board and that a replacement would require Committee approval, the approval of the G/F Postmaster, and then an approval from the Postal Department in Washington DC. Following further discussion, the Council agreed that the matter be dropped for a lack of Council interest.
       
    4. Mark Almer reported that there is a need for Council member assistance with the set up and disassembly of the monthly Council Meeting tables and chairs. Following a discussion, Phill Dayton, Mel Kelley and John Rogers volunteered to be responsible for setting up and disassembling the tables and chairs for the next 6 months (starting in January 2010).
       
    5. Dennis Henderson provided 2 examples of proposed signage for the Off-Season Fire Severity Sign at Somerset (the 4 corners). The Council agreed they preferred the sample reading "Have a Fire Safe Holiday Season".
       
    6. Walt Tyler reported the Community Halloween Party at Fire Station 35 was a success; the event had entertained 150 participants.
       
  9. Old Business
     
    1. Grizzly Flat Road Cemetery Fuel Reduction / Cleanup - Kathy Criel reported that the fuel reduction and cleanup was a success. The event included an estimated 30 volunteers who spent an average of 4 1/2 to 5 hours each and included much hard work. She expressed her thanks and appreciation to all those who took time to spend their Halloween morning at the Cemetery.
       
    2. GF-4, GF-5, GF-6, & GF-7 Committee Report - Barry Callenberger reported:
       
      • The last portion of the GF-4 Project will be started this month.
         
      • The GF-5 Project has been out to bid. There were 5 bidders and the selection of the Contractor is pending. Once the Committee awards the Contract, the Project Contractor is expected to start shortly thereafter.
         
      • The Roadside Hazard Clearing Project is now completed.
         
      • The GF-6 and GF-7 Projects are waiting for funding approvals.
         
      In further discussion, the PG&E line clearing crews were acknowledged as having done a nice job.
       
  10. New Business
     
    1. GFFSC Meeting Schedule for 2010 - Mark Almer passed out the 2010 GFFSC Meeting Schedule. Following a short discussion, and acknowledging that while January will be the next regular meeting of the Council, the Council was instructed to pay attention to their email for information on January's meeting ... in the past, the January meeting has been canceled due to snow.
       
    2. Council Member Vacancy - Mark Almer reported he had posted a request for volunteers to be considered for a vacant Council Member position on the Post Office Bulletin Board. Mark identified Charlie Lukes as being present and interested in the position, and asked if there were any others expressing an interest in the position. Mark introduced Charlie Lukes to the Council and nominated Mr. Lukes for the position. Tom Scepura seconded the nomination; the Council voted to accept Charlie Lukes as its newest member. "Welcome aboard Charlie!"
       
  11. Agency Representation
     
    1. PFPD - Chief Gill gave his monthly report; a copy is attached at the end of these minutes. The Chief discussed ongoing meetings with AT&T representatives and indicated he would be getting in touch with them to schedule another meeting.
       
      Discussion: Walt Tyler reported there was a vacancy on the PFPD Board of Directors, and provided some of the information for filing a request for filling that vacancy.
       
    2. DOT - County Highway Superintendent Don Spear reported:
       
      • Regarding a request from AT&T for traffic counts on Grizzly Flat Road, such counts are available at the Somerset end of Grizzly Flat Road. Don said he would email those counts to Mark Almer and Vicki Yorty.
         
      • Regarding the name change to the community elementary school, the DOT will be making new road side signs reflecting that name change.
         
      • At the end of October, the DOT crews started providing road side brush removal projects. Don indicated Grizzly Flat Road was included in that Program and that it would include Grizzly Flat Road from Somerset to the Steely Fork Bridge. The Project is expected to take 3 weeks and should be completed before Christmas.

       
    3. 2nd District Supervisor - Supervisor Ray Nutting reported:
       
      • There will be a tour of Pollock Pines area Fuel Reduction Projects for representatives of Senator Diane Feinstein's Office. The tour is to assist the Senator with understanding the needs and methods of preventing Wildland Fires.
         
      • The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on the Fire District Augmentation Funding matter on January 10, 2010.
         
      • The Happy Valley community continues to have an interest in being a part of the Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council. Ray indicated that there is a new (Happy Valley) person who will have the time to dedicate to working with the Council starting in January.

       
    4. GFCSD - CSD Director Mel Kelley reported:
       
      • The GFCSD is busy with their USDA Grant Process for lining the reservoir.
         
      • The annual audit is completed and is ready to be submitted to the Board.
         
      • The rate increase will be presented at a GFCSD Special Meeting on December 19, 2009.
         
      • The next Board meeting is Monday November 9, 2009.
         
    5. USFS - No representation.
       
    6. Cal Fire - No representation.
       
    7. Sheriff - No representation.
       
  12. Committee Reports
     
    1. Newsletter - Terry Henderson requested that any articles for the Newsletter be emailed to her. The next scheduled Newsletter is January 2010, however, if there are no Newsletter articles, the Newsletter would be postponed. Mark indicated he would send an article regarding burning versus air quality versus windy weather (a discussion about common sense).
       
    2. Monthly EDCFSC Report - Coordinator Vicki Yorty reported:
       
      • November 18, 2009, is the next EDCFSC meeting. The meeting will be held at the Gold Hill Fire Station, 6051 Gold Hill Road.
         
      • All FSC input to the EDCFSC 2009 Strategic Planning Report is needed as soon as possible. The EDCFSC will be adopting the Plan at it next meeting.
         
      • The County has sent the Promised $210,000. funds to the EDCFSC for the FSC's programs.
         
      • The Green Waste Dumpster program and the Green Waste Chipping programs are alive and well and are expected to extend thru 2010.
         
      • The Senior Program has started up again and is in need of referrals. Vicki and Lynn Shetley will be in contact to coordinate seniors in the Grizzly Flats community.
         
      • The 4th Wednesday in January (1-27-10) is the next EDCFSC Gathering of the Councils.
         
    3. Unit Volunteer Coordinator - Mark Almer reported a new cover letter has been distributed to the Unit Volunteers for their insertion in the Evacuation Packets.
       
    4. Defensible Space - In Judie Irwin's absence, Mark Almer provide the Defensible Space report from an email sent by Judie. A copy of Judie's email is attached at the end of these minutes.
       
    5. CERT - Dennis Henderson reported that the CERT members have a new Team Leader (Rob Janzen), the Assistant Team Leader (Sandy Dayton) and Training Officer (A.J. Janzen).
       
  13. Community Announcements
     
    1. There has been a request for one or more copies of the Grizzly Flats Community Aerial Photos. The question at this time is, "Who has the Photos?"
       
    2. Mark and Susan Almer donated a new large clock to Fire Station 35. Members of the Council expressed their appreciation.
       
    3. Lynn Shetley expressed her appreciation to the staff of the local Forest Service station for their involvement in the community. Lynn discussed the status and success of the Grizzly Flats Food Pantry, Clothes Closet, and the pending Thanksgiving holiday activities. Lynn explained that this winter's Coat and Clothing drive will be focused to Coats and Blankets. Walt Tyler added that the food drive will include dog and cat food for the pets of those receiving assistance.
       
  14. Agenda Items for next Meeting - January 9, 2010
     
    1. Update on Green Waste Chipping at Paulsen property on Grizzly Flat Road
       
    2. Status of the AT&T meeting
       
    3. GF-4, GF-5, GF-6 and GF-7 Committee Report
       
  15. Adjourn
    The meeting was adjourned at 11:09 a.m. on a motion by Dennis Henderson and seconded by Charlie Lukes. The motion carried.
     
Respectfully submitted:
Steve Hupner, Secretary