SIERRA COUNTY FIRE SAFE AND WATERSHED COUNCIL
MINUTES August 28, 2009
Roll Call: Board members present: Nancy Finney, Robert Eshleman, Laurenc DeVita, Peter Huebner, and Kathleen Goicoechea. Others: Ernst Finney, James Defenbau, Frank Stewart, Ruby Burke, Dan Martynn, Gary Shelton, Doug Rinella, Paul Roen, and Tim Bordges. Interim Director’s, Cindy Noble and Mike Freschi.
Approval of the Agenda: Peter moved to approve the agenda allowing, Dan Martynn from NRCS, to make an announcement, Robert seconded, so moved.
Dan announced that November 1, 2009 is the deadline for private landowners to submit application for “pre-commercial value thinning”. The harvested timber must be 9 inches or less and the projects are ranked by resource-based and environmental considerations. Treatment for Calpine will compliment the existing work done by the Council and Forest Service.
Old Business:
1) Sierra County Fire Plan-BOS Meeting Update: The Board of Sierra County Supervisor approved Tim Beals directing Andrew Winberry to meet and provide expertise in developing the Plan. The September 2002 edition of the Sierra County Fire Plan needs updating, not a complete overhaul. Included in the plan will be “Municipal Service Reviews” (MSR) and the role of fire districts in the county.
2) Cindy and Dan Lang, grant coordinator, visited the project sites of Calpine/ Sierraville, and Alleghany. He advised that Cindy attend a fall workshop in Chico. Hopefully, the site tours will help with future planning and funding.
3) Tax Update-The SCFSWC taxes have been completed and filed with the registry of non-profit organizations.
4) Cindy was invited to the Clark Station Home Owner’s Association meeting. There were 25 people in attendance for a question and answer format. It was a great opportunity to inform the public about SCFSWC’s scope of services and recommended to the council the area is considered for our next project.
New Business:
1) Insurance Policy Offering-Volunteer Coverage-The premium’s range from $200 per year to $500 per year. Vote was postponed until the Board has a chance to review and compare with the current Worker’s Compensation and General Liability Policies.
2) 3) and 4) Homeowner Insurance-Non-Renewal Notices-Many residents have been given cancellation notices from their insurance providers. Doug Rinella from CALFIRE has an office in Truckee and serves Nevada, Yuba, and Placer units. JD from fire protection district 1 questioned who to call for jurisdiction in Sierra County. Call 530-889-0111 x 00 for Chief Brad Harris and 530-889-0111 x 05 for Matt Reischam. Doug will devote 2 days per month in Sierra County to provide advisory visits, inspections, citations, and if the property owner complies with the fire defensible space requirements, write letters to insurance companies. State Law 4291 Public Resource Code stresses personal responsibility and authority of law to make sure there are defensible protection areas for the safety of firefighters. Tracy Holt, from the Alliance for Workforce Development, will meet with Cindy in Quincy to identify areas of collaboration.
5) Chipping Program-Title II or Existing Funds- SPI will provide dumpsters within a 100 mile radius. Fire Protection District 1 is eager to participate but request the SCFSWC spearhead the projects. A suggestion was made to use existing funds to communicate and organize 2 chipping days in various locations to help disabled, elderly, and low income residents with clearance protection. Laurenc will use the Sierra County Prospect to inform the public.
6) Sierra County Office of Emergency Services-Summer Home Tracts-Forest Service administers the leased property to the owners. Since the property owners are only part-time residents, adherence to the regulations is spotty. The Sierra County Fire Safe and Watershed Council was instrumental with Calpine access to fire suppression water from the old Calpine reservoir.
7) WUI and Master Plan Maps- Discussions for the existing WUI’s and 2 aerial miles on both sides of Highway 49 corridor need to be depicted with a legend that is simple and easily understood. USFS personnel are working on providing GPS mapping.
Meeting adjourned at 11:30. Board members met separately for a Business Meeting hosted by Mike Freschi.
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Agendas/Minutes 