KERN RIVER VALLEY FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
Board of Directors and Stakeholders Meetings
Thursday, August 21, 2008
- Those present: Lloyd Smith, Ed Royce, Patrick Pontes,
Supervisor McQuiston, Gordon and Christine Hancock, Tom Parkin and
Robin Wyatt Little.
- President Lloyd Smith convened the meeting at 8:30 AM. The
agenda was approved.
- Minutes were read, corrections noted as changed. Motion to
approve, Chris Hancock. 2nd, Ed Royce. Unanimous approval.
- Treasurer Christine Hancock reports an operating account balance
of $581.02. Grant balances are: Bodfish Canyon
Project, $2,959.50; Kennedy Meadows Project, $1500.00 and State
Farm Insurance Grant, $592.88. Approved invoices have been
paid.
- Motion to approve, Ed Royce. 2nd, Robin Wyatt Little.
Unanimous approval.
- Calendar updates were noted. Copies distributed. Ed
Royce requested digital calendar updates for the website.
Robin will see to this.
- Updated attendance list was distributed.
- GRANTS: Grant Administrator Patrick Pontes reports
the Kennedy Meadows Roadside Hazard Reduction project is complete.
The final invoice has been paid. The final quarterly grant
report was completed and sent to the State. We exceeded our
$7000.00 match on this project by $7,384.00 for a total match of
$14,384.
- The Bodfish Canyon Escape Route Brushing Project is underway and
as of 9/10/08, 11 acres have been treated. This represents
about 1/3 of the total project area. NOTE: Cal Fire has
been looking for success stories of wildfires stopped or slowed by
Grant funded fuels modification projects. On 9/5 there was a
vehicle accident on Bodfish Canyon Road at a location Kern Fire
Crews had just finished brush clearing and piling. The cleared
area at the accident site
prevented a wildfire that had the potential to destroy homes in the
area. Photos and an account of this have been sent to Cal
Fire. Patrick will also submit this story to the local Kern
Valley Sun.
- KCFD has submitted an invoice for this project thus far in the
amount of $16,532.00. Motion to pay this invoice by Gordon
Hancock. 2nd, Tom Parkin. Unanimous approval.
- 2009 Grant Proposals:
- Pala Shaded fuel break: No new information.
- Bodfish Canyon Phase II Fuel break Project: KCFD is working
on License to Enter letters. BLM is developing the
requirements for environmental compliance.
- Piute Meadows Community Roadside Brushing/Chipping Project: No new
information.
- California FSC’s newsletter: Two new Grant Programs are
available: S&PF Western Competitive Grants Program and
CALFED Watershed Program Grant Program. The Western Competitive
Program requires a 50-50 match which we cannot meet. CALFED
Watershed Grant Program is designed to enhance and monitor Watershed
Management Plans which falls outside the KRV FSC purview.
-
- REMINDER: The KV FSC Collaborative meeting will
follow the October 16th regular FSC meeting to select and prioritize
projects for 2010 grant proposals.
- Another grant task will be to develop the pre-project license to
enter process.
- FUNDRAISING: Nothing new to report.
- CHIPPER DAYS: Tom Parkin completed the data for the
Alta Sierra chipper project. Lloyd will add this to the
ongoing data compilation for chipper days. Tom will send this data
to Penny Lampkins for their records and get a digital copy to Ed
Royce for the website.
- Tom reports that the Pala Ranches chipper day is still in the
planning stage and does not have a definite date as yet.
- SPEAKERS BUREAU: Robin reports that she and Debbie
will give a FSC program to the South Fork Women’s Club today.
Gordon and Christine Hancock will have a FSC information table at
the Peddler’s Faire tomorrow and possibly on Saturday. Next
week the Hancock’s will also host a FSC table at the Health Fair.
BIG THANKS TO GORDAN AND CHRISTINE FOR ALL THEY DO!
- BYLAWS: Nothing new to report.
- PUBLICITY: Patrick will send the photo(s) and article to
the KVSUN re the Bodfish Canyon car accident. Robin will
notify Cathy beforehand that Patrick is sending the info.
Robin will
- write an article to accompany Brandon Muncy’s (KV Sun) photos of
the award plaques presented to Crew 87, Randy Griffin and Supervisor
McQuiston.
- WEBSITE: Ed Royce has received adequate comments
regarding the website and will incorporate them into the updating
process.
- EDUCATION: Message board #9 is complete and will be
stored with the Forest Service. After research by Mark
Kingsbury (KCFD) a parcel suitable for reposting the FSC roadside
sign was located. Lloyd sent a letter to Mark & Dorothy
Mutz asking permission to post the sign on their parcel located at
the NE corner of
Caliente-Bodfish Road and Walser Road. Mr. & Mrs. Mutz
responded with a gracious letter granting permission to post the FSC
sign. Thank you to Richard Grove and Mark Kingsbury for making this
happen.
- Lloyd submitted a funding proposal to “Connections” through
the Kern Community Foundation for Children’s Wildfire Awareness
Poster Contest.
- OLD BUSINESS: Discussion regarding the purchase of
Microsoft Office 2003 so all FSC Board participants can communicate
easily.
- No action taken at this time.
- NEW BUSINESS: Discussion with Supervisor McQuiston regarding
the Sierra Nevada Conservancy grant program. Supervisor McQuiston (SNC
Board Member) asked for a meeting to discuss this. Ed Royce
will coordinate this with Judy Hyatt.
- A gentleman requested the FSC to sponsor a demonstration of the
“barricade gel” that is being used during a wildfire event to
protect structures. This might be a good event for Spring 2009
Wildfire Awareness Week. Lloyd
will coordinate with KCFD and will discuss with KC FSC at upcoming
meeting. To be continued.
- ACTION ITEMS:
- ·
Chipper day data to be sent
digitally to Ed Royce: Tom Parkin
- ·
Ed Royce to coordinate a meeting
with Supervisor McQuiston, Judy Hyatt regarding the Sierra Nevada
Conservancy Grant Program.
- ·
Robin will write article re awards
presented by FSC. DONE
- ·
Robin will update calendar items
and begin 2009 basic calendar.
- ·
Tom Parkin will confirm Pala
Ranches chipper project.
- ·
Ed Royce will refine website per
suggestions.
- ·
Pat Pontes will send article re
Bodfish Canyon car accident and fuels project to KC SUN.
- ·
Robin will notify KV Sun re above
article from Pat. DONE
- ·
Christine will prepare 2009 FSC
budget.
- ·
Lloyd will research Microsoft 2003
information.
- ·
Lloyd to research barricade
gel demonstration.
- ·
Lloyd will discuss barricade gel
demonstration with KC FSC participants.
-
-
KRV Fire Safe Council
-
Stakeholders Meeting
-
- Additional attendees: Cindy Thill, Scott Williams, Debbie
Santiago, Lonnie Blank, KCFD Crew 87, Randy Griffin, Jim Phillips,
KCFD Deputy Chief Phil Castle and KCFD Captain Loren Lange.
- Meeting called to order at 9:20 AM. Introductions were
made.
- Agenda was adopted.
- President Lloyd Smith presented appreciation plaques to Crew 87,
retiring Crew 87 Team Leader, Captain Randy Griffin and to
Supervisor Jon McQuiston. Lloyd expressed FSC gratitude to
the recipients for their commitment to the KRV FSC mission and
fire safe projects. Deputy Chief Phil Castle and Captain
Loren Lange praised the commitment and hard work of Crew 87 and to
Randy Griffin’s years of service. Succeeding Crew Team
Leader Jim Phillips thanked the FSC and Randy Griffin.
Supervisor McQuiston graciously accepted his plaque, expressing
praise for the FSC and KCFD’s outstanding fire protection for
KRV and Kern County citizens. Crew 87 team members individually
thanked the FSC as well as Randy and Jim for the mentorship and
opportunity to plan their futures with KCFD.
- Discussion developed with Supervisor McQuiston and later, Deputy
Chief Castle regarding future FSC projects, funding availabilities
for year round fuel crews and equipment. Supervisor
McQuiston requested ASV and Chipper equipment costs. Deputy
Castle will forward this information to the Supervisor.
NOTE: The point was made that although an ASV is more
expensive than a chipper, the ASV requires only two personnel as
opposed to a minimum chipper crew of 6-8. However, the ASV
is somewhat limited as to topography capabilities i.e. steep
terrain.
- A principle concern is how to fund maintenance of fuel projects
once completed. There was unanimous agreement that
“follow-up” funding is needed to refresh project areas in
order to maintain the integrity of the original grant project.
Currently, grants do not cover maintenance of previous grant
funded projects
- CALENDAR: Robin submitted a calendar for the
remainder of 2008 noting the Pala Ranches BBQ on September 27th
and the Health Faire on September 29th. Robin will develop
the basic 2009 calendar with specific dates added as they develop.
Ed Royce requests the calendar for inclusion on the FSC website.
- Attendance list updates were distributed to those attending.
-
- GRANTS: Patrick submitted a written report updating
the status of all grants, current and future. Report is on
file.
- A reminder that the Collaborative meeting will follow the
October 16th general FSC meeting. 2010 grant proposals,
project prioritization for grant applications and development of
pre-project license to enter process will be discussed.
- FUNDRAISING: Nothing new.
- CHIPPER DAYS: Tom Parkin has compiled the Alta
Sierra chipper day data and will send to Penny Lampkins for their
records. Tom is coordinating with Pala Ranches for a chipper day
date.
- SPEAKERS BUREAU: Robin and Debbie will speak to the
South Fork Women’s Club today. Gordon and Christine
Hancock will have a FSC table at the Peddler’s Faire tomorrow
and also at the Health Faire on September 29th.
- BY LAWS: Nothing new to report.
- WEBSITE: Ed will incorporate website suggestions as he
and the webmaster update the site.
- PUBLICITY: Robin will submit an article about the
FSC awards.
- Robin will notify KV Sun editor of impending article from Pat
Pontes about Bodfish Canyon/Car Accident.
- Education:
Lloyd and Debbie will follow through with distribution of the KRV
FSC CWPP (with fuels projects) to KRV libraries.
-
- AGENCY REPORTS:
- KCFD Crew 87 has completed 11 acres (1/3) of the Bodfish Canyon
Fuels Project.
- The KC FSC meeting is scheduled for September 24th, 1:30 PM at
the Olive Drive KCFD facility.
- FOREST SERVICE: Scott Williams, Ken Stevens and Deputy Chief
Phil Castle will be touring Alta Sierra for the purpose of
monitoring the hazard reduction clearance inspection process and
compliance. Possibility of scheduling a “field trip” to
Alta Sierra for FSC participants during Wildfire Awareness Week in
spring 2009. To be discussed further.
- Scott reminded folks about the FS sponsored Training Opportunity
titled “Fire Effects Monitor” to be held November 18 & 19 at
the FS Kernville Ranger Station. This event targets anyone
interested in doing, or knowledge about fire monitoring duties on
prescribed burns and wild land fire operations. For further
information please call Scott at 760-376-3781 ext. 620 or email at
scottwilliams@fs.fed.us.
-
- BLM: Debbie has printed the needed CWPP copies and will be
getting them in booklet form soon. She will work with Lloyd
distributing them to KRV Libraries.
-
- RC&D: No report.
- PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATIONS:
- Lonnie Blank reports that letters have been sent to residents
regarding hazard reduction work. Lonnie was advised to call
Station 76 and request KCFD to walk the area and make note of those
property owners who are not complying with defensible space
treatment guidelines. The POA BBQ is 9/27, 5PM. Debbie
Santiago, Ken Stevens, Robin Wyatt Little and possibly Lloyd Smith
will attend.
- OLD BUSINESS:
- Spring 2009 Living Green – no action yet.(Robin/Lloyd)
- Assistance for those cited for not clearing on private property
– no action yet. Lloyd
- Robin sent letter of support for RC&D to Sierra Nevada
Conservancy.
-
- ACTION ITEMS:
- ·
Red Zone software evaluation –
Debbie
- ·
FSC brochures/leaflets – Bob
Lechtreck
- ·
Recruiting Alta Sierra residents
for FSC participation – Robin
- ·
Distribute FSC CWPP to KRV
Libraries – Debbie/Lloyd
- REMINDER: October 16th is the next meeting date.
Board meeting at 8:30 AM; General meeting is at 9:30 AM and
Collaborative Meeting to follow General Meeting.
- Meeting adjourned at 11:25 AM.
- Respectfully submitted by Robin Wyatt-Little, Secretary
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