KERN RIVER VALLEY FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
General Meeting
May 18, 2006
Board of Directors – General Meeting
Those present: Ed Royce, Jim Davis, Sharon Rooney, Victoria Leonard,
Gordon Hancock, Christine Hancock, Cindy Thill, Harry Love, Larry
Burkhammer, Robert Robinson, Tom Parkin, Margie Clack, Mike Heffner,
Rick Jones, Patricia Guinto, Ken Stevens, Debbie Santiago, Ruth
Ellison, Carol Ralston, Robin Wyatt-Little.
Jim Davis, Chair, convened the meeting at 8:30 A.M.
Introductions were made.
Minutes: Motion to accept: Sharon Rooney – 1st. Christine Hancock –
2nd. Unanimous approval.
Treasurer Report: Sharon Rooney reports a balance of $281.20 in the
KRV FSC operating account. Frazier Park BLM grant balance is $29,500;
Hungry Gulch BLM grant balance is $45,000; Kennedy Meadows BLM grant
balance is $21,225;
Mount Pinos BLM grant balance is $10,000. Tehachapi FSC grant balance
is $159.28. Motion to accept: Ed Royce – lst. Jim Davis – 2nd.
Unanimous approval.
Taxes have been filed; insurance paid; H&R paid; webmaster and
Earthlink paid for website expenses.
Sharon alerted the FSC that due to business/time constraints she will
not be able to continue as FSC treasurer effective January 2007.
Sharon has offered to train her successor and will provide a back-up
disc for Quick Books software and FSC records. Heartfelt thanks from
those present for Sharon’s contributions to the FSC.
Grant(s) Report:
Ed Royce reports Ken Delfino has been selected as the CWPP contractor
and a signed contract is due any day.
Harry Love reports that the Sequoia Crest CWPP grant application was
only funded for $3,000.00 rather than the requested $30,000.00. The 3k
will be used to complete basic assessments of the Sequoia Crest area
as outlined in the grant request. There are plans for CDF to bring
their chipper to the area to help with downed trees/branches/debris
from the heavy snowfall. The alder Creek FSC 501c3 application is in
process.
Squirrel Valley POA had another successful chipper day with 30
locales/piles chipped throughout the area. Tom Partin had many photos
documenting the effort.
Squirrel Valley POA sent the FSC a $300.00 donation and a thank you
for the KRV FSC contributions to wildfire safety. Robin will send a
thank you for the donation.
Sally Peterson sent a thank you to the FSC for the Walker Pass chipper
day and reports that those who did not participate have said they want
to be included in the next chipper event. She also mentioned how
“great” the chipper crew was.
Bill Dierck, retired from KCFD will carry the FSC message to the
Frontier Trail POA. Robin will keep Bill apprised of pertinent FSC
information and he in turn will report to the POA.
According to Jim Davis, Isabella Highlands has scheduled a chipper day
for June 10th. There has been significant clearing. Food will be
served after the project.
Tom Partin asked if it might be a good idea to supply, for free,
larger pieces of older wood from branches/downed trees to the
surrounding campgrounds inasmuch as the chipper can’t handle this kind
of material. No definite answer at this time.
FOREST SERVICE;
Margie Clack announced an interagency (FS, BLM & KCFD) press release
announcing the 2006 Fire Season.
Cindy Thill reports that in preparation for reforestation of the
McNally Fire, burning of slash piles will begin in 2-4 weeks, weather
permitting. The locale is on Cherry Hill Road near Sherman Pass and
will cover approximately 400 acres.
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT:
Debbie Santiago reports that the BLM has funds to work with KCFD to
refresh the old fuel break in the Pala Ranches/Tillie Creek area. The
Hot Shot Crew is ready to go.
Chimney Peak will have 2 light engines (3143 & 3144) with seven-day
coverage for this fire season.
Debbie showed the two winning HDFPA posters. This year’s contest
involved 3680 Kern County elementary school children, 800 from the
Kern River Valley.
Tehachapi will have a billboard featuring the winning poster.
KERN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT:
Ken Stevens said that the Hungry Gulch BLM grant fuel reduction
project has begun. Crews were on site as of May 17, 2006. Ken
distributed the Wildfire Safety newspaper inserts recently sent to
Kern county residents. This educational project has been funded
through a State Farm Insurance Grant award.
KCFD Crew 87 has been busy clearing a one acre defensible space
demonstration lot in Isabella Highlands and the “Bodfish Park”
demonstration lot across from the Bodfish Post Office.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Publicity-Margie Clack: The KR Courier printed a clarification of the
original article dealing with the Kern County Fire Safe Council and
its relationship to the three independent Fire Safe Councils (Kern
River Valley, Tehachapi and Mt. Pinos.) Marcine had contacted the
Courier asking for the correction.
Congratulations were given to Margie for her consistent efforts in
keeping the KRV FSC message foremost in the local newspapers.
Speakers Bureau-Robin Wyatt-Little: There will be a FSC presentation
this evening at the KRV Rotary Club meeting. Ken Stevens and Robin
will give the presentation. There will be another presentation given
to the KRV Chamber of Commerce on June 7th, noon at the Paradise Cove
Restaurant. On July 5th, there will be a program given to the Kern
River Valley Revitalization Committee at Cerro Coso College. The
Exchange Club is yet to be scheduled.
Chipper Projects: Kudos were offered to Margaret Belz for her
scheduling of the chipper projects.
Fundraising – Jim Davis: Jim gave an overview of answers to questions
posed by his committee as to what direction the fundraising project
should take. After discussion, it was decided that asking people to
pay for a membership in the FSC was not in the best interest of growth
and volunteerism.
It was agreed that it was appropriate to ask Property Owners
Associations and other organizations for donations. It was suggested
that we use the word “associate”, “supporter” or “partner” rather than
member.
There was agreement that personal visits, face-to-face with business
people was necessary for an initial fundraising contact. A letter
thereafter would suffice. Also agreed that it was very important to
follow up with a thank you letter and adequate public acknowledgement
of business and individual financial supporters.
There was agreement that when explaining the FSC need for operating
budget and project(s) funds, that a donor may specify where their
donation may be spent, either for operating expenses or for a specific
project. If not specified it is customary to dedicate a minimum of 15%
for the operating budget.
Cindy Thill wondered if there was a FSC brochure that gives a history
and accomplishments of the KRV FSC? She felt that there was a fair
number of people who did not “have a clue” as to who the FSC is and
what it does. This idea will be expanded upon in conjunction with our
previous annual newsletter.
It was agreed that the website needs updating and that the new contact
person for the webmaster will be Jim Davis.
Projects: Cindy Thill gave a well-researched report on cost, materials
and possible locations for at least two roadside fire safety signs.
She also explained the Kern County “encroachment permit” process and
has the forms needed for this.
The Forest Service will fund the construction of two sign structures.
The initial idea is to have interchangeable signs that can be inserted
into the structure, perhaps for each season. These will probably be
painted metal.
After much discussion about the FSC role in this project, how
maintenance will be handled (Walker Pass residents will maintain the
Walker Pass sign once placed), and long-term responsibility for the
signs, Ed suggested that initially the FSC take on the project, get it
off the ground and hand it off to another accepting entity. Ken
Stevens felt that the FSC needed to move ahead with this worthy
project.
Larry Burkhammer made the motion to proceed with the Road Sign
Project, pending funding. Jim Davis indicated he had talked with SCE
management and they would be interested in receiving a proposal
covering the scope and cost of this project. Ed Royce – 2nd. Majority
approved. One abstaining.
Ed appointed a committee to move forward: Ed Royce, Jim Davis, Ken
Stevens, Cindy Thill and Larry Burkhammer.
New Business:
Ken Stevens received a call regarding overgrown weeds in the Cottage
Grove Cemetery. The caller wondered if the FSC could be involved in a
clean-up project.
Ken is researching who has been responsible before. Robin will contact
Camp Owen to see if the wards could assist in this effort. A formal
request might be needed from the FSC.
Elections: After discussing the contributions Marcine Hughes has given
to the FSC and her recent resignation, Robin nominated Ed Royce for
President. Jim Davis – 2nd. Discussion: Ed said he would serve for one
year; he would delegate much of the FSC workload to those who attend
regularly and will make it a priority to secure and develop his
successor. The vote was unanimous for Ed Royce as President.
Ed Royce asked Ken Stevens if it would be a conflict of interest if
Ken served as the KRV FSC representative to the Kern County Fire Safe
Council. Ken didn’t feel there was a conflict but did feel that
someone from the private sector would be a more appropriate choice as
representative. Jim Davis offered to serve in this capacity. His offer
was accepted.
Larry Burkhammer nominated Jim Davis for Vice President. Ed Royce –
2nd.
Jim accepted the nomination for a one year term. The vote was
unanimous for Jim Davis for Vice President.
It was agreed that Ed Royce and Jim Davis will complete the process at
the bank so they are listed as signers on the checking account.
Unanimous.
Ed Royce, President will assume chairing the FSC meetings.
Jim adjourned the meeting at ll: 16 A.M.
Respectfully submitted: Robin Wyatt-Little, Secretary
Signed: _______________________________ Sharon Rooney, Treasurer
Signed: _______________________________ Robin Wyatt-Little, Secretary
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