SIERRA COUNTY FIRESAFE AND WATERSHED COUNCIL, INC.
A NON-PROFIT MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION
Meeting Minutes
May 29, 2009
Introductions: Board members attending: Robert Eschleman, Laurenc DeVita, Nancy Finney, Peter Huebner, and Kathleen Goicoechea. Others attending: Mike De Lasaux, UC Cooperative Extension, Gary Shelton, Loyalton City Council, Kaari Carpenter, Forest Service, Camptonville area, Arnold Olsen, Forest Service, Heather Morrison, RPF Alleghany, Danielle Banchio, RPF Easter Sierra County, James Defenbau, Chairman, Fire District 1, Ernest Finney, Member, Cindy Noble, Interim Executive Director, Mike Freschi, Interim Operations Director, Steve Garcia, CAL Fire, and Elsa Huck, VMP, CAL Fire.
Public Comment: Robert Eschleman, brought a Bailey’s Catalogue, 100 foot hose, and a $15. fire hose nozzle to show on the web-site for a possible fire kit to be advertised and sold. Sales and advertising will be necessary for continued SCFSCW success.
Approve May 2009 Agenda: Peter motioned to approve the agenda, seconded by Robert, all affirmed.
Approve April 2009 Minutes: Kathleen made a motion to approve with correction of date for the next meeting as May 29 instead of May 24. Peter motioned to postpone until next meeting as he did not have a chance to read the minutes. Larry seconded Peter’s motion to postpone, all affirmed.
Approve Financial Report: Motion to approve financials was deferred to next month’s meeting to give the Board a chance to review. How and what is financials are disseminated will be reviewed by Mike and Larry. Mike reported that the extension to file taxes was approved to August. Peter suggested combining our checking account with a savings account to earn a little interest. Kathleen will contact Patti Hall at Wells Fargo to set up the account. The liability insurance policy has been upgraded to 2 million per occurrence and 2 million aggregate. The council now has (2) GPS units in working order.
New Business:
Alleghany- Heather reported Dan Lang approved the revised bid for the grant. Clint Pearson is doing a great job and will definitely meet the June 30th deadline. If he gets done early, there is a possibility of including Hells Half Acre. Cindy and Mike were in Alleghany and picked up two more signed contracts for treatment.
Eastern Sierra County Update- Danielle reported the proposal for funding by Sierra Nevada Conservancy was accepted. All deadlines have been met. Requirements for the application include: two years tax records, documented 501 (c) 3 status, fire plan and proof of insurance. Although the fire plan needs updating, it is still valid. There are approximately 140 acres of private ownership expanding to Sierraville which will have the desired outcome of being contiguous with Forest Service ground. There are 15 to 20 possible 5 & 10 acre parcels on Willow Road interested in participating. New parcel information must be received for direct mailing.
Cal Fire-CDF – Steve Garcia and Elsa Hucks from Nevada, Yuba, Placer County were invited by Cindy to inform and answer questions from the group. Cal Fire provides cost sharing to private landowners for fuel reduction projects. Preplanned documents or CWPP-Community Wildfire Protection Plan, will better position the council for successful funding. Steve described the financial significant of acronyms: SRA-State Responsibility Area, FRA-Federal Responsibility Area and LRA-Local Responsibility Area. Brad Harris is the Unit Chief for our area, and Randy Smith, is the Assistant Chief. The phone number to contact is 530-889-0111 x139 for Steve and x127 for Elsa.
Title III Funds- Peter reported at the last Board of Supervisors meeting resolutions had been approved to allocate 45k to update the Fire Safe Plan, 20k for education/outreach and 20k for SNC Application. These are on the agenda for a vote this Tuesday, June 2.
County-wide Fire Plan Update- Mike De Lasaux suggested that outreach to the county begin soon to help inform landowners about projects available to help with fuel reduction around there homes. Danielle and Heather cautioned that starting too soon before funding causes landowners to become disillusioned with the process and decide not to participate. A Sierra City Community meeting has been scheduled for Friday, July 3rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm. at the Sierra City Townhall, to advise property owners of proposed Sierra City Hazardous Fuel Reduction Project. Registered Professional Forester’s expertise will be counted on to help connect SCFSCW activities with the communities.
Website-Calendar, Video and Treatment Maintenance- Due to WUI map work, these two agenda items were postponed.
Spending Cap W/O Board Approval- Peter motioned to approve a “Not to Exceed $500.” Cap on director’s expenditures, Robert seconded, all affirmed.
Bylaw Review and Update Committee- A committee was formed with Nancy, Kathleen, and Mike to proceed via the internet, using Adobe format to update the By-laws.
Membership Applications: Sue Ladner, a Sierra County Landowner was approved for membership to the SCFSCW.
Meeting Adjourned at 11:15 a.m. to allow time for Forest Service WUI map work. Next meeting will be Friday, June 26 at Sierraville Ranger Station 10:00 a.m.
Forest Service WUI- The Gold Project public comment period ends June 12. The project is fuel reduction by commercial thinning, burning, and mastication. SCFSCW will send a letter of support to the USFS Yuba District. The group suggested a 2- mile WUI designation on each side of all major corridors, public parks and gathering places. These areas will be dark, blue and brown on the maps. The rest of Sierra County will be designated as threatened and shown in sage green on the maps. Next meeting the board will further discuss and finalize the WUI maps.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Goicoechea
SCFSCW Secretary/Treasurer
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