KERN RIVER VALLEY FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
Board and General Meetings*
March 18, 2004
*Board and General meetings are combined as the same people
attended both meetings.
Those attending: Marcine and John Hughes, Margie Clack, Richard Olson,
Ken Stevens, John Smith,
Robin Wyatt-Little, Ginny Cuny, Sharon Rooney, Emily Diggles, Deborah
Santiago, Jim Davis, Matt
Pontes and Scott Williams.
Minutes of the February 19, 2004 meeting were approved. Sharon 1sr,
John Hughes 2nd. Unanimous.
Treasurers’ report shows a balance of $969.21. The California
Secretary of State charged the KRV FSC a late penalty filing fee of
$50.00. Sharon Rooney pointed out the WestAmerica Bank’s $8.20
checking account fee. Sharon will check into this and if it can’t be
waived then she will find a bank that does not charge a monthly fee
for checking accounts. Treasurer’s Report accepted.
Committee Reports:
Sharon Rooney explained the two components of the proposed
insurance coverage for the FSC:
l. Liability and
2. Contents. The Liability will cover Directors and Officers as well
as accident coverage. The Contents coverage will cover the chipper,
camera and other equipment of the KRV FSC. It was agreed that the
crime coverage was not needed. The first premium will cover 1 & ½
years. The billing period of the two components will not run
concurrently. One will be renewed in July 2005 and the other September
2005. Sharon estimates that the total initial premium will be about
$2600.00 ($1800.00 for Liability and $800.00 for Contents.) Robin made
the motion to accept this proposal, Rich Olson 2nd. Unanimous. Sharon
will forward invoice to Robin for payment through KRVR. Thanks went to
Sharon for her expertise in our quest for insurance coverage for the
Council.
Ginny Cuny reported that the March 6th FSC Presentation at the
Boulder Gulch Water Company was well received with fourteen people
attending. Rich Olson and Robin Wyatt-Little were the FSC
representatives. Rich walked some of the neighboring properties
offering defensible space advice.
Jim Davis has rescheduled the Sawmill/Isabella Highlands FSC
presentation to March 27th. He and Jim will discuss the upcoming fuels
reduction grant project with property owners.
Emily Diggles has scheduled another Myers Canyon chipper day for
Saturday, April 24th.
Jim Davis reported that John Malone from Piute Ranches has requested a
FSC Presentation in preparation for a future chipper day. This will be
the FSC’s first foray into the Walker Basin/Havilah area.
Jim Davis also reports that the Plater Road residents have requested a
FSC presentation. This neighborhood has requested help in getting
their clearing underway.
Sawmill/Isabella Highlands: There are a few steps left to complete
prior to on-ground work beginning.
Maps are done. Archaeological, Threatened and Endangered Species &
Migratory Birds studies are done. “License to Enter” agreements will
be mailed soon. While waiting for the license to enter agreements to
return, road brushing will begin.
Rodgers Road: Botany and biology studies are being done at which
point on-ground work will begin.
Alta Sierra Fuels: Botany and biology studies are being done. Ken
Stevens will set a deadline for completion of these studies so work
may begin.
Alta Sierra Firewise: Robin reports that TSS and Hangfire
Environmental consultants have signed
contracts and have received their retainer fees. Both will be in the
KRV soon to begin their initial studies. Robin asked for comments on
the initial draft of the survey to be sent to Alta Sierra residents.
KCFD will mail the survey once they receive the addresses from Cory at
the Forest Service.
The return, stamped envelopes will be addressed to Hangfire
Environmental. Robin will prepare the cover letter to accompany the
survey.
Myers Canyon: Rich Olson and Kevin Chamber of BLM will walk the
project area scoping boundary lines. No archaeological, threatened and
endangered species and migratory birds studies done as yet. Parcel
maps to be obtained in preparation for “License to Enter” agreements
to be mailed. Rich was notified that no quarterly reports are needed
due to late award disbursements.
Coordinator Extension: Robin reported that the grant cannot be
extended again. Discussion followed
regarding agreed upon expenditures under this grant prior to April 30,
2004.
l. Rich Olson has purchased the digital camera for monitoring grant
projects and FSC activities. Also purchased was a tripod, backpack
carrying case, memory card and extra battery. Total cost is $767.86.
2. Motion was made by John Hughes, 2nd Emily Diggles to donate
$5000.00 to High Desert Fire Prevention Association to assist with
their fire safety prevention outreach programs to elementary school
children. HDFPA will also develop and facilitate a poster contest
among the elementary school children in the Trona, Ridgecrest and Kern
River Valley areas. Unanimous vote in favor. Discussion followed with
agreement to let the schools and HDFPA schedule for the children’s
participation and what the winner(s) will receive as a prize. Debbie
Santiago agreed to send an outline of what HDFPA envisions for the
poster contest. It was agreed that the contest will take place in 2005
following preparation in Fall 2004.
3. Motion was made by Richard Olson, 2nd by John Hughes to purchase
an In-Focus projector and a lap-top computer at a maximum cost of
$3500.00 to use for the FSC wildfire prevention presentations.
Currently the FSC has no equipment of its own. This equipment will
integrate with the
digital camera. It was agreed that a common, secure storage area was
necessary. Margie Clack offered a locked file cabinet at the FS Lake
office since the FS Lake Office is open 7 days a week, providing
access for those needing to use the equipment. Estimates for the
equipment are: laptop - $1,500.00, software - $400.00, in-focus
projector – $1,200.00. Rich Olson will purchase the equipment.
Unanimous agreement.
Ken Stevens agreed to update the current FSC power point program,
using recent statistics etc.
4. Red Flag Alert project: Marcine will get an estimate on 10 flags
and necessary hardware per motion by Margie Clack, 2nd Rich Olson.
Unanimous. It was agreed that flags would only be flown at KCFD
stations, Forest Service and BLM buildings in the KRV. Made out of
outdoor resistant material.
Jim Wyly and Steve Spradlin agreed to fly flags. No action taken on
private businesses flying flags. Discussed whether flags should have
“Red Flag Alert” or include the KRV FSC logo on the Flags. To be
determined later. When the red flag alert program is ready to begin,
we will contact the Sun and Courier with photos and story.
5. Robin reported that she will contact Kinkos for estimate on Fire
Plan copies. Previously, the cost for 7 hard copies and 7 CD’s was
$499.10. Margie Clack made the motion to have 25 hard copies made at a
maximum cost of $l,200.00. Rich Olson 2nd.
6. It was agreed that the Demonstration lot signs should be
repainted, omitting “Sacramento Regional Foundation”. Marcine will get
estimate from original paint contractor and Sharon Rooney will look
into Posado Productions here in KRV. John Hughes encouraged FSC to use
local businesses as much as possible.
7. Marcine suggested FSC logo decals and pins as promotional
outreach project. She will research cost for decals, Debbie will
research cost for pins.
Old Business:
Rich Olson submitted his resignation as a KRV FSC Board Member. Matt
Pontes made the motion to
Have John Smith of KCFD replace Rich on the Board. Emily Diggles 2nd.
Unanimous vote.
Discussion followed about developing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for
the Grant Administrator position
Using the job description submitted by the grant committee (3/5/04
meeting). The RFP will stipulate that this position is to be paid as
contract labor. The Grant Administrator Position will be voted on at
the April Board meeting for inclusion into the By Laws naming this
position as a regular Board position versus as a Director.
Discussion regarding the length of the Grant Administrators position
i.e. yearly versus two year renewal. Jim Davis pointed out that this
could be an “at will” position dependent upon grant funding.
Discussion about the norm for grant administration salary: According
to KRVR sources, it is 15% of grant award. However, this cost has to
be sorted out from indirect costs which brought the discussion to the
need for an annual budget for fiscal 2005 (January through December.)
Question was raised whether we can move monies in existing grants
between direct and indirect costs if needed. Opinion was yes, within
grant guidelines. Marcine asked for comments from those present, by
April __________ so the by laws amendment can be worded accordingly.
Robin asked for names and addresses of prospective RFP recipients for
the April meeting. Robin, Margie and Matt agreed to develop the grant
administrator RFP.
Emily Diggles asked for and received a copy of the FSC KRV Fire
Safe Plan to loan to Karen Northcutt who will be the primary
consultant for the KRV Specific Plan. It was agreed that as many FSC
members as possible should attend the public meetings for this plan.
Marcine addressed the need to establish a “membership” list in
order to comply with the by laws and other government agency requests.
Marcine distributed a membership form for those present.
Margie Clack is updating the FSC newsletter. She was advised to
contact KCFD Station 71 to get current list of Hazard Reduction
Providers’ list.
Discussion about participating in the KRV BioRegions festival
(4/30, 5/1, 5/2) with a table for FSC information.
Robin will check with Teresa Benson and see what is involved.
Board meeting adjourned at 9:55 Am. General meeting convened at
10:20 AM, adjourned at 11:55 AM.
Respectfully and wearily submitted by Robin Wyatt-Little, Secretary |