MEETING MINUTES
June 26, 2009
Introductions: Board members present: Nancy Finney, Robert Eschelman, Laurenc DeVita, Peter Huebner,
and Kathleen Goicoechea. Other members and guests: Earnest Finney, Mike DeLasaux-UCCE, Dan
Martynn-NRCS, Ruby Burks-USFS, Gary Shelton, Kim Hayes, Chris Hayes, Jerry Hurley, PCFS, Mike
Freschi, Interim Operations Director, Cindy Noble, Interim Executive Director.
Public Comment: Gary Shelton presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Council recognizing SCFSWC’s
work for the Loyalton Cleanup.
Approve Agenda June 2009: Kathleen motioned to approve, seconded by Robert, motion passed.
Approve Minutes April and May 2009: Robert motioned to approve, seconded by Larry, motion passed.
Approve Financial Report: Robert motioned to approve, Larry seconded, motion passed.
1) Alleghany update- Mike Freschi reported that Heather Morrison, RPF was flagging 1 ½ acre of Hells half
acre for treatment. Despite some major hurdles to the project: Poison oak, steep terrain, septic issues, and
notice of two more property owner’s contracts, the work will be accomplished on time and Clint Pearson will be
moving his equipment out this weekend. Robert motioned to have a site review and business field trip in
Alleghany, Larry seconded the motion, motion passed. Nancy cautioned there are no public restrooms;
however, Mike DeLasaux offered to transport a port-a-potty. Mike Freschi and Cindy Noble will make the
arrangements for the field trip.
2) Eastern Sierra County project update- nothing new to report.
3) Sierra City Community meeting- The proposed Sierra City Hazardous Fuel Reduction Project is still on
track for 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 3, 2009 at the Sierra City Town hall. The agenda has been changed to
include a presentation by Steve Fowler, RPF whose property was affected by wild land fire last year in Plumas
County. 244 postcards have been sent out to property owners and Mike D. will e-mail notice to the online
newsletter, Sierra County Prospect. Public and Private entities should co-host meetings so that all questions
can be answered more effectively. Since the SCFSWC does not outline the process step by step, Kathleen
made a motion to adopt the process used by Plumas County Fire Safe Council, motion was seconded by
Robert, motion passed.
4) New Grant Opportunities- Cindy presented information regarding the 2010 Western Wild land Urban
Interface announced on June 18. There are several caveats to the grant, two of which would be 1) competing
with CALFIRE already scheduled to get the funds, 2) must be 50% non-federal match. Mike D. suggested
that Cindy cultivate relations with CAL Fire’s unit chief Brad Harris quickly to try and mitigate competition.
Title III funds could be used for the 50% non-federal match.
5) Loyalton Pines USFS meeting- Ruby Burks reported 6 out of 20 property owners attended the meeting, all
of the property owners and residents have been notified including a road license agreement to temporarily
grant access to Sage Road for transporting men and material. The project will be hand treatment only, the
thinning and piling of ideally 320 acres.
6) Forest Service Update- AARA aka stimulus package has approved 4 projects: 1) Loyalton Pines, 2)
SCRAPS 250 acres of mastication, 3) SCRAPS 500 acres hand thinning and 4) Yuba District Ruby WUI hand
thinning. Quentin Youngblood is focusing on using HUB Zone contractors for the projects.
7) Loyalton cleanup report- The cleanup was very successful with around 80 cars to the landfill for scrap metal
and 10 loads of wood debris sent to the co-gen plant.
8) Title III funding-Funding is still getting sorted out but should be on the Board of Supervisor’s Agenda in
July.
9) Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) update- Still waiting for Title III funds
10) Feather River Regional Water Management Group MOU- Mike reported that the memorandum of
understanding between Plumas and Sierra County and various groups including SCFSWC has been completed
and will be circulated for signatures to cooperatively work together on watershed and water quality issues.
11) Fuel treatment maintenance-Cindy has started the time line for Calpine; two years, while the council will
continue to research and report on maintenance option successes.
12) Sierra County Visitors Guide-Mike F. suggested and the board concurred to have a presence in next
year’s visitor’s guide.
13) Bylaws update- Bylaws are in Word Format so updating will commence soon. Cindy reported that Nevada
County projects are handled by committee rather than a board.
Larry motioned to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 a.m. for Jerry Hurley, Plumas County Fire Safe Coordinator
presentation, Robert seconded the motion, motion passed.
The power-point presentation by Jerry was excellent. Most informative was fire wise points on defining the
WUI areas for Sierra County: North facing vs. South facing slopes, elevations below 6,500 feet, and fuel
reduction of vertical, horizontal spaces.
Respectfully submitted
Kathleen Goicoechea
Secretary SCFSWC
|
|
Agendas/Minutes 