SIERRA COUNTY FIRE SAFE AND WATERSHED COUNCIL
Minutes September 24, 2010

Roll Call/Introductions: Board Present-Nancy Finney, Gary Shelton, Lawrenc DeVita, Robert Eshelman, and Kathleen Goicoechea,

absent: Peter Huebner. Others: Executive Directors Mike Freschi, and Cindy Noble, Danielle Banchio, RFP, Ruby Burks, Frank

Stewart, Ernest Finney, and Karen Sweet.
Public Comment: None
Approve Minutes of May 28, and August 27, 2010: Robert motioned to approve, Gary seconded the motion, motion passed.
Approve September 24, 2010 Agenda: Gary motioned to approve the agenda, Robert seconded, motion passed.
1.    Board Member Reports-Larry commented on the expert work Paul Roen is doing in the woods with logs and chips. Nancy

and the board directed Cindy to reconnect with Arnold Olsen to educated the west side residents with a modified presentation of the

1950 Sierra Buttes fire- Tunnel # 6. This would be a wonderful wintertime activity to keep the public informed of the Council's mission.
2.    Larry nominated and motioned to accept Andrew Winberry to serve as the seventh board member on the council, Robert

seconded the motion, motion carried. Mike reported that Andrew was willing to serve.
3.    Staff Reports-
a. Sierra Nevada Conservancy application status- The application has been completed for 23k to help with CEQA (California

Environment Quality Act)provisions. The requirements of the application were extensive and the same as if you were requesting a

million. After CEQA is complete, the Council will again apply for the Downieville and Sierra City project. Cindy stated that the

previous application was rejected, however, Frank Stewart corrected her by saying the application wasn't rejected, instead, it did not

have the requisite match to qualify. Frank also stated the percentage matches were not law, but policy criteria. Nancy questioned if the

social economic or demographic status of the county were considered for the percentage matches. Linda Frost wanted to get in-kind

forms for matching criteria.
b. California Department of Conservation-Water Coordinator funding application-
Karen Sweet has been approached to help apply for a watershed coordinator grant. The grant would be 350k for three years and

would fund office space, office supplies, mileage, and salary. The position will not be responsible for on the ground work, but represent

the Council at the many non-profit, non-government entity meetings and workshops. The Little Truckee River, was mentioned as a

focus for the watershed efforts as well as numerous other NGO's.involved in watershed issues. RCD (Resource Conservation District)

has been awarded these funds in the past and will not be considered again. The board voiced reservations of accepting Department of

California Conservation funds, since California is already deep in the hole budget-wise and Cindy is already our liaison. However, both

Cindy and Mike pursuaded the board that the task is too much for them and the Council needs to branch into the watershed issues as

part of their mission. Karen Sweet is tasked to use the application guide, grant checklist, develop a workplan and apply online by the

deadline of October 12, 2010.
c. Liability Insurance- Mike reported that it is done.
d. River Cleanup-Saturday, September 25 is the date for the clean-up. Loyalton Rotary will not be involved this year, however, James

Johnston with the Sierra County Fish and Wildlife will coordinate efforts at Packer Lake and downtown Downievlle will be covered by

Cindy Noble.
e. CWPP update-The Community-wide Protection Plan is on hold for Verdi. Mike and Cindy had been working with the fire chief in

Verdi, who has since passed away. Instead, the WUI (Wildland Urban Interface) designation maps will be prepared with Lee Brown's

assistance in Downieville.
4.    Sierra Pacific Industries update-Mike reported efforts to re-open the Loyalton Generation Plant will probably not be until

November, if then. Jim Turner says that the discussions between SPI and NV Energy will not begin until the 91st day, due to

maintenance language in the contract. Until that time, chips and logs are transporting to the Quincy plant.
5.    Eastern Sierra County Community Wildfire Protection Project (ESCCWPP- Banchio, RFP.
a. Ground work status-All of the ground work is completed and Danielle has a Purchase Order from SPI for the small logs.
b. Product Removal-There is a total of 206 acres to treat, 83 acres of product material or 160,000 board feet, 95 acres of mastication,

and 28 acres of hand-thinning. The grant is for 255 acres which will include finishing up 49 acres at Calpine. Calpine has been our most

successful project because the private property is contiguous to federal Forest Service lands. The Forest Service is interested in the

eventual cost per acre to use as a comparable for Forest Service projects. Some of the project issues which may postpone or delay

work are: saturated soil conditions and girl scout camp event next year. Due to the drought, there are many dead and dying white fir

trees exceeding the 21 inch diameter criteria. Cal Fire as given the go ahead to remove those trees in the project area.
6.    Forest Service Report- Ruby Burks reported that the Loyalton Pines area, funded by the American Reinvestment and

Recovery Act was completed in 22 days. More community member education and input is needed to develop a burning plan which will

span over many years due to the many piles of slash per acre. Cindy will follow up with neighboring property owners to possible assist

with chipping some of the slash on private property. Treatment of 787 acres through SCRAPs is 85% complete and mastication of 250

acres in Meyer Valley is also 85% completed.
7.    Closed Session- The regular meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m. to discuss awarding the ESCCWPP contract. Danielle

presented the bids from the contractors with four options to choose from. Danielle has worked with all of them and vouches for their

expertise, equipment suitability, and professionalism. Due to the volatility of the market for logs, Purchase Order concerns with SPI,

needing funds left over to treat the 49 acres in Calpine, and the fiduciary responsibility of the Board for public funds, the contract was

awarded to the lowest bidder or Option 1 in the presentation.
8.    The closed session concluded business at 12:10, Gary, Larry, or Robert motioned to adjourn, Gary, Larry or Robert

seconded, motion passed. Next meeting will be October 29, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., place to be announced.