Roll Call:  Board Present:  Peter Huebner, Nancy Finney, Robert Eshelman, Gary Shelton, Laurenc DeVita, and Kathleen Goicoechea:  Others:  Cindy Noble, Mike Freschi, Mike Delasaux, Ernest Finney, Eric Petterson, Frank Stewart and Don Russell.

Public Comment:  None

Approval of August 28, 2009 Minutes:  Robert motioned for approval, Peter seconded, Gary abstained, motion passed.

Approval of November 10th Agenda:  Frank requested adding an agenda item for Quincy Library Group and State Fire Plan.  Item 1a. was added, Gary motioned to approve the agenda, Robert seconded, motion passed.

1a.   Frank reported that there was a favorable ruling for Forest Service and QLG options for thinning the forests.  It has been appealed to the ninth circuit and passed back with few recommendations.  One of which is the Forest Service is required to do a supplemental Environment Impact Statement.  The QLG will undergo alternative analyses for the Sierras.  The 30 inch tree criteria still applies, although not a good management tool for healthy forests.  Only 100,000 acres have been treated for hazardous fuels when 1million acres are needed to keep up with the growth.  AB 32 addresses stewardship alternatives and Frank is a proponent of utilizing stewardship contracts to manage the forests.  The downside to the stewardship program is it eliminates County funding from the Forest Service coffers but on the upside, it stimulates local economies providing goods and services.  Sierra Nevada Conservancy has 23 three counties members with 21 counties having Fire Safe Councils.

1.    HIZ training was a huge success.  Cindy passed out HIZ training manuals to the board.  Nancy and Ernest Finney, and Laurenc DeVita attended the training.

2.    Caltrans PRC 4290/4291 roadside clearance was continued.  Hwy 49 does not live up to the Cal Fire requirements, however, Doug Rinella will not pressure Caltrans.   Laurenc will be e-mailed letterhead to invite Steve Folsom, Caltrans Supervisor from Downieville, to our next meeting.

3.    Chipping-RAC money-The Council will have 17k to use until June 2013 from a grant that Lila secured.  The RAC money must be used for Sierra County defensible space projects, community chipping, and executive director projects.  The Farm Service Agency has a biomass crop assistance program Title 9 funds which recognizes the value of biomass by paying dollar for dollar up to $45 per dry ton.  SPI plant in Loyalton has applied and could be reimbursed for delivery with a hog fuel purchase agreement.  The NRCS has funded a pilot program in Butte County on an Indian Reservation to convert biomass to oil.  Danielle Banchio will be consulted to learn more.  Peter thought that the burn piles in the Summer Home Tract were gone.  Cindy is working with Heather to follow up on any progress.  Loyalton Pines is still in process with the Forest Service.

4.    Consensus Voting-Continued- Attorney Tom Archer provided documentation to support telephone, fax and e-mail communication between board members as long as the by-laws provide for the practice.

5.    Volunteer Insurance-Kathleen motioned to provide volunteer coverage at the $200 per year, option 1 rate.  Peter seconded the motion, motion passed.

6.    Reflective Address Signs- Cindy has been approached by Fire District One- Jeff McCollum to help sell address signs to homeowners.  Gary motioned to subsidize the $20 cost with homeowners, not to exceed $500. Robert seconded the motion, motion passed.  It is a great opportunity to meet and consult with homeowners regarding their defensible space.  A media blitz is planned to inform the public and  proceed with SCFSWC goals through the winter months.

7.    Title III funding- The first of 4 payments has been received for $10k from the County.  Peter stated the resolutions cover updating the county fire plan for $45,924 of Title III and $20k each for two years thereafter for a total funding of $80,924.

8.    Feather River Regional Water Management Group-Brian Morris spearheads the Feather River IRWM and is further along the process in the Sierra Nevada Alliance than CABY (Consumnes, American, Bear, Yuba) or Tahoe-Sierra.   Laurenc motioned to have Cindy participate in all three entities for watershed money, Robert seconded the motion, motion passed.

9.    USFS mapping update-Send all drafts to Sally Hallowell for GIS mapping of treatment areas on federal lands in the Yuba, Toiyabe and Tahoe forests.   American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) are funding projects in Loyalton Pines and Scraps.

10.    Bob and Jean Myles recognition-Laurenc has been assigned to coordinate a luncheon to present a certificate of appreciation to Bob and Jean for their hard work these past seven years.

11.    Meeting Dates- There will be no scheduled meeting in December except for board communications via e-mail or phone.  The meetings will resume the last Friday in January, location to be announced later, possible in Downieville.
Board Member Reports-Woods Fire will be invited to address the Council on fire insurance policy.

Adjournment 11:40

Frank presented the Plumas County Draft Map of treated areas for review by the council.

Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Goicoechea, Secretary/Treasurer