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KERN RIVER VALLEY FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
Board of Directors and General Meeting
October 18, 2007
Minutes
Those present: Ed Royce, Lloyd Smith, Christine and Gordon
Hancock, Tom Parkin, Margaret Belz, Mark Kingsbury, Debbie Santiago,
Tim Smith, David Brinsfield, Bob Robinson, Patrick Pontes, Cindy
Thill, Chris Ryan, Angela Yearwood, Brian Cosgrove, Sue Rocha, Linda
Kubisiak, Mike Ryan, Ken Stevens, Ray Ramirez, Judy Forbes, Scott
Williams and Robin Wyatt-Little.
President Ed Royce convened the meeting at
8:30 AM
.
Introductions were made.
Minutes: Motion to approve, Lloyd Smith. 2nd ﾖ
Ed Royce. Unanimous approval.
Treasurerﾒs Report: Christine Hancock reports an
operating account balance of $3503.96. The Sequoia Crest grant
project balance is $9900.00 and the State Farm grant balance is
$203.79. Outstanding bills have been paid. Motion to
approve, Robin Wyatt-Little. 2nd ﾖ
Gordon Hancock. Unanimous approval.
Grant Report: Patrick Pontes, Grant Administrator reports that
we are still waiting for Contract Agreement Letters from the State
Fire Safe Council and
BLM
ﾒs
Environmental Compliance Section. Debbie Santiago will check on
the status of the
BLM
Grant. Rich Olson has passed the administration responsibilities
of the Sequoia Crest CWPP Grant to Patrick Pontes. The State
Fire Safe Council will be hosting a Grant Writing Workshop for the
2009 grant period. This will be held
December 11, 2007
in
Bakersfield
,
9am
to 1pm
at the County Fire Department Training Facility on
Victor Drive
.
Ken Delfino is working on the final draft report for Sequoia Crest.
Following talks with the State FSC regarding the Sierra Nevada
Conservancy (SNC) grant program being administrated by the State FSC,
there are still wrinkles yet to be worked out. Not looking that
positive for the 08ﾒ grant applications. However, grant
applications for equipment funding can be submitted anytime and there
is a suggestion we look into that process. Patrick will prepare
two grant applications: 1) Support for pre fuel reduction work and 2)
purchase of a Posi-Track Brush Mulching machine.
Fundraising: Lloyd Smith reports that the Rivernook Campground
donated $250.00 as sustaining supporters. Lloyd also reports
that two Kern County Foundations, Harry and Ethel West Foundation and
the Arkelian Foundation have donated $500.00 each for educational
materials purpose. Lloyd asked for a committee (Christine,
Debbie, Linda and Robin) to help decide what materials are needed.
Lloyd will send thank you notes. Lloyd will submit an article in
the upcoming quarterly issue of the Community Connections Newsletter
regarding our need for funding. Lloyd has scheduled a photo op
for today, honoring Tom Parkin and Thomas Refuse for their respective
financial support of our FSC.
Road Signs: Cindy Thill reports that the second roadside sign
has been installed on
HWY
178 near
Paulﾒs
Place
on
Sunday, October 14, 2007
.
This installation was completed by the FS #8 Engine Crew. Cindy
and Scott have staked the remaining sign locations and have asked Cal
Trans and
Kern
County
personnel to visit the staked sites and give their approval so
installation can take place when the crews are available. Cindy
offered suggestions regarding more comprehensive articles with photos
of the sign installations. Lloyd agreed to do this. Lloyd
reminded those attending that we need to stay focused on the
additional seasonal signs.
Speakerﾒs Bureau: Robin reports there will be a program
given today at the South Fork Womenﾒs Club. This group
has committed a $250.00
donation for our FSC. Robin will pursue contacts in the Havilah/Walker
Basin for FSC Programs. She will work through Captain Grove.
Chipper Program: Margaret reports she is scheduling 08ﾒ
chipper Day Programs. To date she has requests from
Walker
Pass, Frontier Trail Homeowners and Pala Ranches neighborhood.
Tom Parkin will be assisting Margaret with Chipper day events.
KCFSC: Ken Stevens reports that Tehachapi now has their
Native
Plant
Garden
signs in place. At Septemberﾒs meeting a State Farm
Insurance representative explained insurance policy regarding fire
coverage. A grant has been submitted to State Farm for funding
the realtorﾒs wildfire prevention informational packets.
The KCFSC has voted unanimously to support this project county-wide.
Ken has offered to complete the restructuring, signature pages and
printing of the amended KRV CWPP.
Website: Allison Sheehey will assume the FSC website development
effective January 2008. Bob Robinson is working with Allison to
develop a comprehensive native plant list for the website.
New Business:
Lloyd Smith said the October 11th on site meeting with
BLM
,
FS and KCFD at Walker Pass/Jacks Creek neighborhood met all
expectations.
Boundaries and roadside brushing projects were discussed. Chris
Ryan (
BLM
)
will research needed data and will work with Judy Forbes (FS) on
establishing good mapping of the wilderness boundaries.
Old Business:
It was agreed that the KRVFSC History and Accomplishment ﾓpaperﾔ
needs updating. Robin asked for input from those involved with
FSC projects/activities.
KCFD: Ken Stevens announced he will be moving to a Battalion
chief position here in KRV, stationed at
South
Lake
. Ray Ramirez will
assume Kenﾒs former position and will be attending the FSC
meetings.
Lloyd Smith will be attending the State FSC ﾓGoverning
Community Impactﾔ workshop.
Forest
Service: Scott Williams said there will be controlled burning on
the Kern Plateau. Scott also recommends reading the article
ﾓProtecting Communities and Saving Forestsﾔ by Thomas
Bonnicksen, PhD. The McNally Fire is mentioned in this work.
Lloyd Smith asked Scott if we could get a copy of the KQED video
featuring Wildfire and Forest Management. Perhaps Tim Walsh
might be able to send us a copy.
BLM
:
Sue Rocha will be moving up and away. She will be an Assistant
FMO
for the Desert District, stationed in
Riverside
County
.
Don Washington,
FMO
in
Ridgecrest
will assume Sueﾒs former position.
Meeting adjourned at
10:02 am
by Ed Royce, President
Respectfully submitted: Robin Wyatt-Little, Secretary
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