KERN RIVER VALLEY FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
Board of Directors and General Meeting
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Minutes
Those present: Ed Royce, Lloyd Smith, Christine and Gordon Hancock,
Richard Grove, Tom Parkin, Scott Williams, Bob and Linda Kubisiak,
Judy Forbes, Ken Stevens, Alison Sheehey and Robin Wyatt-Little.
President Ed Royce convened the meeting at 8:30 AM. Introductions were
made.
Minutes: Motion to approve by Gordon Hancock. 2nd, Lloyd Smith.
Unanimous approval.
Treasurer’s Report: Christine Hancock reports the KRV FSC operating
account balance is $3,721.54. Grant balances are: Sequoia Crest -
$5000.00. Christine reports that the Mountain Enterprise Newspaper
waived their fee for the Wildfire Safety Inserts. Lloyd will send a
thank you. Motion to approve by Robin Wyatt-Little. 2nd, Tom Parkin.
Grant Report: Ed Royce reports (per Grant Coordinator Patrick Pontes)
that the State FSC has signed the 2008 Grant Funding Agreement with
the Forest Service and will be signing the Agreement with the BLM
soon. Our 2008 pending grants are to be funded by BLM. There is no new
information on our pending grants other than Kennedy Meadows and
Bodfish Canyon projects are awaiting grant contract signatures.
Patrick reports that the State FSC has been meeting with the Sierra
Nevada Conservancy (SNC) representatives on the possible opportunity
to coordinate “block” funding for specific projects with the
Conservancy. State FSC is working on a process whereby they would be
the coordinator between an applicant and the Conservancy. The State
FSC has shared the unfunded 2007 Concept Papers with the SNC and if
they decide they want to fund a concept paper project, they will ask
for more specific information.
Ed Royce attended a SNC workshop in Bishop which dealt primarily with
the grant application process. Ed had good conversations with the SNC
Executive Director and also with Cathy Brooks, State FSC. There was
discussion regarding the SNC approving grant applications for
preplanning funding (NEPA and CEQA.) The SNC has the 07/08 funding, 17
million which will be distributed by region.
Fundraising: Lloyd Smith reports that he sent letters to the business
community on September 4, 2007 which was also printed in the Kern
Valley Sun. Lloyd is meeting with local businesses and the response
thus far is enthusiastic. Lloyd has scheduled a photo op with Thomas
Refuse when he and Ed present them with a KRV FSC logo sticker in
honor of their sustaining membership support. Robin suggested we
solicit support from SCE, Verizon and the Propane companies as they
deal with most residents.
Road Signs: Scott Williams reports that the FS Scorpion 4 Team on
September 16, 2007, installed our first wildfire safety sign on Hwy
178, just east of Walker Pass. There was a nice photo and caption by
Lloyd Smith in the Kern Valley sun. Lloyd mentioned the other signs
due to be installed.
Speaker’s Bureau: Robin reports no new programs scheduled. However,
KCFD Captain Richard Grove has asked the KRV FSC to assist in wildfire
education outreach in the Caliente, Havilah/Walker Basin area. Captain
Grove will provide names of those who should be contacted and a list
of the POA’s in the area.
Publicity: Lloyd and Emily submitted articles this month. BRAVO!
Chipper Days: All quiet. Margaret is scheduling 08 chipper days.
KCFSC: Ken tells us that the next meeting will be Wednesday, September
26, 1:30 PM. Ed Royce will attend.
Website: All quiet.
New Business:
Gordon and Christine Hancock provided a FSC booth. They estimated that
approximately 150 people attended. Thank you Hancock’s!
Kern Valley Chamber of Commerce submitted a renewal letter. This
renewal had been previously approved. Christine will send the check.
The native plant sale is taking place this coming weekend. The plant
list is soon to be completed.
FSC informational packets for the Realtors are being pursued. At a
cost of approximately $1.00 each and initially being distributed to
approximately 3000 Kern County Realtors we can figure on a $3000.00
cost. It was agreed that we should include in the packet an
introductory letter from our FSC. Ed Royce asked Robin to find out how
many multiple listings there were this year in the KRV.
Collaborative Meeting: Scott Williams and Judy Forbes distributed an
excellent notebook covering the Collaborative project agreements thus
far. This will be an ongoing record of projects identified,
appropriate maps and data pertaining to these projects. Great job
Scott & Judy & Staff! Captain Grove and others will scope potential
projects in the Havilah, Caliente, Walker Basin areas as these areas
are now officially within the area of influence of the KRV CWPP as
amended within this past year. It was also agreed that a scoping
meeting will take place for the Walker Pass area on October 11, 10Am
at the BLM campground.
Lloyd Smith shared photos of those Walker Pass areas that are in need
of post-fire restoration. Lloyd will send photos and a specific
proposal to BLM.
KCFD: Ken tells us the crews are busy with projects. Ken also asked
all of us to consider supporting the state FSC’s MILLION Who DARE TO
CARE program. This effort asks everyone to donate $1.00 (or more) to
the California Fire Safe Council which enables them to help homeowners
prepare ahead of time for a wildfire. Ken also brought additional FSC
brochures.
BLM: all quiet.
FS: Previously noted.
Alison Sheehey invited the FSC members to the Kern River Preserve
meetings. There was discussion about a possible chipper day at the
preserve. They are involved in ongoing fuel reduction work.
Meeting adjourned at 11:00 AM by President Ed Royce.
REMINDER: Next Fire Safe Council meeting is Thursday, October 18, 2007
at 8:30 AM, Supervisor McQuiston’s conference Room, Lake Isabella. |