Manton Firesafe Council Community Meeting Notes from January 10, 2022 at MVFD
MANTON SAFE FIRE COUNCIL Minutes of the Meeting of the COMMUNITY
January 10, 2022
6:00 PM
Location of Meeting: Manton Volunteer Fire Department
Present at Meeting: Board Members, Janet Jensen, Joanne Paquin Sproul, Elliott Proffitt, Renee Timmons, Heather Boone.
Attending, Jeff, Jones, Ken and Regina Bell, Brian Wright, Jon Barrett, Brand Carter, Paul Crabtree, David Sproul, Philip Lee, Hal Sawyer, Carl Gehassi, Mary Parker, Pat Dwyer, Tom Carrier, and Bob Cords.
The meeting was called to order at 5:59 PM on January 10, 2022 at Manton Volunteer Fire Dept. by Janet Jensen.
I. Review of Previous Minutes
The previous meeting notes were approved with no objections. This is the third community meeting since the inception of the council in November 2021.
II. New Business:
Jon Barrett, and Brian Wright Guest speakers from the Tehama County Resource Conservation District and Cal Fire were introduced.
Jon Barrett began his presentation explaining their role is to assist the community with efforts from project development, assisting with planning and permits, environment compliance and actual on the groundwork. He suggested we involve the Unit Forester from inception which helps considerably with approvals. (Dawn Pedersen). He discussed the work that has been completed and what future projects are scheduled. Right now, they are in the process of masticating and clearing along 36. They have projects developed for Forward Mill Road and Wilson Hill Rd. (They are currently working with the Shasta RCD for the clearing, traffic control and funding to clear the Wilson Hill of dangerous fire fuels. The council offered to utilize our website, and facebook page to notify the community when the work begins as their will be traffic control going on throughout the project.) They are also working
with Sky Ranch and Mineral on water projects for fire protection and wildlife habitat. Lanes Valley and Ponderosa Way are also on the list for clearing. We learned that private property projects and equipment requests need to go through a different approval process with Cal Fire. Projects are submitted to Susanville. Hazen clearing will continue the next phase of grant funding next year. Some clearing has already been done. He further explained the deadline for Cal Fire grants for this year is February of 2022. Cal Fire has a lot of funding to give out for fire prevention, prescribed burns etc. Once we know our priorities, they will assist with us with funding. Renee explained that the council is not yet ready to submit projects for Cal Fire Grant funding, however we will be submitting requests for funding from the RCD block grants that are currently available. Additionally, a survey will be sent shortly to the entire community for needed projects, they will then be prioritized and submitted for future funding. You can go to RCD's website to see their current projects. Resource Conservation District of Tehama County (tehamacountyrcd.org) Jon suggested we begin the process of becoming a Fire-Wise Community which enables us to obtain more assistance etc. Our formation of the Manton Fire Safe Council has already begun that process.
Guest Speaker, Capt. Brian Wright, Cal Fire Tehama County. Brian was asked to cover evacuation procedures during a fire. Tehama County Sheriff's office is notified immediately of a fire. If they are not available, Cal Fire personnel will go house to house notifying residents they need to evacuate. (Manton Fire Safe Council will continue working on evacuation plans as part of our project development.) Sierra Pacific is also notified so they can open the gates on their properties. Sierra Pacific monitors the radio and is alerted.
Residents can go to Tehama County fire.org and register for alerts on your phone for emergency updates. Brian also discussed inspections of homes in Manton. A new Defensible Space Coordinator has been hired and is currently being trained for our inspections. Assembly Bill 38 for the State of California now requires home inspections for any home sold in California. Pat Dwyer asked about structures that currently do not have defensible space clearing. Brian explained that the only structures they can enforce the defensible space requirements are habitable structures. Out buildings, RV's, and all other structures they can not enforce. The question was asked about absent landowners that have not cleared their property of dangerous fuels as there are quite a
few in Manton. RCD can assist with locating these landowners and assisting with the requests to clear the property. Concerns were expressed about the process PG&E has used during the tree removal process this fall. Dead and fallen trees are laying throughout Manton, resulting in additional fire and road hazards. The sub-contractors did not communicate with each other or with the homeowners on many occasions. We are unable to get PG&E to respond to the cleanup, in fact the sub-contractors are still coming back and marking additional trees for removal. Brian and Jon suggested we contact our State Representative. Manton Fire Safe Council, will draft a notification to Assemblyman Gallagher and Supervisor Garton for resolution. Tom Carrier provided valuable insight into the PG&E ditches and the entire process of how and why the Manton Fire Safe Council began. It's not feasible to take over the ditches ce we do, we are responsible for the maintenance and safety of the water delivery systems etc. He suggested we install overflow tanks throughout the town along the ditches for fire prevention. The water comes in from the overflow of the ditches and the fire apparatus can then be attached to fight the fires. The California Wildfire Prevention Plan, (CWPP) was approved in 2017 and has the water tank purchases written in the document.
Note: For future projects, the Manton Fire Safe Council will be establishing committees under the direction of our Project Chair to coordinate and complete those assigned projects.
III. Survey and Proposed Projects.
Janet explained that a survey will be sent shortly to all residents of Manton requesting ideas for needed projects. All suggestions will be considered. Bob Cords presented the MVFD priorities as the Assistant Fire Chief for the Volunteer Fire Department.
The biggest threat is the Battle Creek (South Fork) drainage. The fuels have not burned and the slope, wind direction and the fuel load make it very susceptible to fire. Suggested requesting funding to clear that area. Evacuation Planning- Cal Fire has fundamental plans in place and we need to work with them on getting the plans out, identify first what has already been done. Identify and mark water sources, stand-pipes, addresses. Especially the Shasta side of the town, as there are limited water supplies for fire. The Tehama side has the Boole ditch. Crooker/Harrison ditch ponds are so full of debris and have not been
taken care of. They cannot pull water into the water tender during a fire. Rehab the ponds.
These projects could also be a financial incentive for the insurance companies. Defensible space, Chipper program, clearing, labor and education. Bob also suggested we request funding from the Apple Fest Board for start-up funds.
He also suggested working with the Conservancy (or on our own) to address invasive species, i.e., Scotch Broom and Star Thistle. Both fire prone. Brad Carter said that if we wish to seek funding through the Lassen Fire Safe Council, until we get our 501c3, the BCWC would be willing to sponsor us with their 501c3.
IV. Approval of Bylaws
The draft Bylaws were sent out to the community, and we received no comments. Janet asked if there were any objections to the bylaws as they are currently written. No objections were raised. Heather Boone made a motion to vote, and Pat Dwyer seconded. The vote was unanimous in favor of approval. Since the bylaws are now approved, the Board members will submit the request for the 501C immediately as well as the official Non-Profit status registration with the State. (Note: Both have been completed as of 1/11/21)
Janet then let the members know that we sent a letter to the Battle Creek Watershed Conservancy requesting to work together on projects and asked for a status of remaining funding from the previous Fire Safe Council. There has been no response yet.
V. INSURANCE
Joanne notified all that we are still pursuing insurance with Matt Isles threw Farmers Insurance. Matt stated, "It may take a while, to find an underwriter but we will get it." The Board needs to maintain insurance for personal liability as well as for fundraising events.
VI. TREASURER REPORT
Renee reported on the status of private donations and provided a spreadsheet of all the funds that have been spent for start-up of the council. We are working on a Scope of Work to submit a request for funding for our first year from RCD from their Block Grant Funding. We have also begun accepting donations. We will have a chili cook off in the spring to raise additional dollars.
VII. PROGRESS REPORT
Renee discussed the Board's accomplishments during the last 2 months. We have become a stand-alone organization, developed our mission statement, officers were elected, applied to become a 501c3, passed new bylaws, established a website, email, phone number, bank account, tax i.d. number, mailing address, and started a face book page.
VIII. ACTION ITEM CHART
As Project Chair, Elliot developed and displayed an Action Item Chart that effectively explained how we would begin the process of committees and action items covering the diversity of the community, languages, locations etc. Wild Fire Recovery actions, Public health, Safety Evacuation, Wildfire Response, Plans and Regulations, Landscape Treatments and Community Engagement was also included. Elliott was also thanked for his efforts developing our website at Mantonfiresafecouncil.org. Email is MFSC@mantonfiresafecouncil.org
IX. Agenda and Time of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held at 6:00 PM on February 14, 2022, at: the Manton Volunteer Fire Department. Volunteers for projects will be needed. Please email us if you are interested. Please spread the word. We need all hands-on deck.
X. Adjorn
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM by JANET JENSEN.
