ROLL CALL: Board Present:  Nancy Finney, Lawrenc DeVita, Robert Eshleman, and Kathleen Goicoechea.  Absent: Peter Huebner, Bob and Jean Myles. Others Present:  Interim Executive Director- Cindy Noble, Interim Operations Director-Mike Freschi, Professional Foresters- Heather Morrison and Danielle Banchio, Don Yegge, Ernest Finney, James Defenbau, Mike De Lasaux, Cindy Ellsmore, Carl Butz, Frank Stewart, Quentin Youngblood, and Eric Pedersen.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion was made by Kathleen to approve agenda, seconded by Robert, motion passed.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion was made by Robert to approve January 16, 2009 minutes, Kathleen seconded, motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Mike De Lasaux introduced Carl Butz to the group as the 1st Executive Director of SCFSC responsible for the current fire safety plan. Frank Stewart stated that over the past few years, the SCFSC has been absent from the RAC funding opportunities.

NEW BUSINESS:


HUB Zone- Quentin reported that the Forest Service embraces the program giving special preference to 8a, women, and minority contractors.  Mike Freschi would also like the SCFSWC to give preferential treatment to HUB Zone contractors in Sierra County and noted that it should be built into the selection process and contract language.  The SCFSWC web site  ( www.scfswc.com) has a link to HUB Zone applications process.

Potential Community Assistance Opportunities/RAC- These programs are designed to help the Elderly, Disabled and Lower Income Level property owners clear areas within 100 feet, to benefit Forest Service grounds for fuel reduction.,  Ann Westling will be contacted regarding the filing deadline for RAC grants.  Applications are available from the Forest Service.  Quentin or Jeanne, the Grants/ Agreement Coordinator will review the application to assure the intent of the grant is met and provide letters of support for the projects.  Currently there is $180,000 available and openings on the RAC Board.  Cindy Noble has applied for the position.

Potential Collaboration with Sierra County-Community Clean-up days/ RAC- Dave Goicoechea, Supervisor for District 4 is working with the City of Loyalton, Sierra Brooks and Sierra County to plan a clean-up campaign sometime in May. More information will be ready for the next SCFSWC meeting.

Financial Report- There was no change in the check register since the last meeting. Invoices were submitted for payment.

Federal Stimulus Program- Quentin reported 500 million has been assigned with 300 million to the management arm of the Forest Service and 200 million for state and private forestry. The Sierraville district application included 6,000 acres with prioritization considerations for creating jobs, hand work, mastication, and grapel piling within the WUI’s.  An answer to the application is expected in a month.  High on the priority list is Loyalton Pines with 353-420 acres needing treatment, and watershed restoration projects for Carmen Creek 2, Perazzo Meadows and Merrill Davies. The Forest Service was only given 3 hours to reply electronically for shovel ready projects. Cindy was contacted, but was only given 20 minutes to respond on behalf of the SCFSWC.  Quentin was optimistic that funding will shift around in the days and months ahead.  Mike Delasaux asked Quentin what the per acre cost for hand crews. Quentin figured between $650-850 depending on fuel costs at the time of the project.  Contractors with 8a status are limited causing the costs to go even higher.  The council should also go after FEMA funds for Disaster Management Assistance.

Acceptance of resignation from Greg Bulanti- Robert made a motion to accept, Larry seconded the motion, all affirmed.

6.    OLD BUSINESS:

Contractor Updates- Heather has met with several landowners within the Alleghany project.  Due to liability concerns, the land owner agreement is being reviewed by our attorney for completeness.  Once reviewed, the agreements will be delivered to the property owners for their signatures. The project must be done by the end of June, 2009.

Danielle reported applying to California Fire Safe Council for a new grant to do additional work in Calpine, Old Truckee Road, West Willow in Sierraville, and Randolph Hill. Land owners are allowed to contract on their own properties if they meet the specifications for the project, however, if other land owners are tied to the same project, 3 years experience, references, insurance and other considerations must be met before granting the contract.


Review of By-Laws-discussion- The By-Law review has been tabled for now. Cindy proposed re-organization with an advisory group. Bob and Jean Myles would like participate in an advisory capacity. Mike Delasaux volunteered to work on the TRACTS as an outreach, educational facilitator.  Articles of Incorporation are supposed to be updated each year and filed with the Secretary of State.    Kathleen will bring the forms to the next meeting for officer signatures.

Sierra County Fire Safe Plan/CWPP update-discussion-The grant to Sierra Nevada Conservancy will be submitted by Cathy Raymeyer today, February 27, 2009. Mike De Lasaux recommended a map including all of Sierra County as a WUI (Wildland Urban Intermix), to simplify the process of updating the Fire Safe Plan. There has been a lot of support from the fire districts and Disaster Management Assistance was included in the grant application. Title III funding primarily focuses on meeting new specifications and the Council application has been upgraded from a SOG 1 (Strategic Opportunity Grant) to a SOG 2. Agreements include Local Fire Departments, Board of Supervisors and California Department of Fire.   There are $25.5k title 3 funds committed to the Eastern Sierra County Community Fire Protection Project 2009.


Landowner Contracts- As discussed above, landowner contracts may be allowed if they meet all of the requirements for a project.

Web site, E-mail Accounts, Phone Numbers- The web site is up and running, kudos to Mike for successful results. There are 12 more e-mail accounts available if any of the board members are interested. For want of a better solution, Cindy Noble’s cell phone is listed as contact on the web site: 530-249-044.

Other Items- The council will search for a bookkeeper, preferably someone in Sierra County. Robert will talk to Yvonne Warner with the Sierra Arts Council, Mike Delasaux mentioned John Sheehan with Plumas County Fire Safe as a possible source or placing an ad for a bookkeeper familiar with 501c (3) corporations in the local newspapers.

Fish and Game, and CDF units should be invited to our SCFSC meetings.

Next Meeting scheduled on March 27, 2009, 10:00 a.m. at Sierraville Ranger Station

Meeting adjourned at 12:00 noon.