MINUTES
El Dorado County Fire Safe Council
November 15, 2006
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Gold Hill Fire Station, 6051 Gold Hill Road
The meeting was called to order by Vicki Yorty, Executive Coordinator, at approximately
1:00 p.m. Members and guests present were: Penny Humphreys (EDCFSC Chair), Ray Griffiths
(Vice Chair), Bill Cave (Director), Bill Robinson (Director), Bob Berry,
Hugh Council, Ken Kumpe, Patrick McDaniel, Phyllis Banducci, Joan Jennings (Treasurer),
Allen Jaeger (Director), Richard Englefield (Director), Walt Tyler (Secretary),
Gene Murphy.
Penny Humphreys proposed a motion to approve the agenda as submitted.
Second by Ray Griffiths. Approved by all present.
Allen Jaeger proposed a motion to approve both the October 25, 2006 EDCFSC
and the October 25, 2006 EDCFSC BOD minutes as submitted. Second by Ray Griffiths. Approved by all present.
Phyllis Banducci (CDF) reported that fire season is closed within El Dorado County but
remains open to the south. Grant applications will be received and reviewed on a year around basis.
Patrick McDaniel added that Prop. 40 funds could be used for Gold Bug Park project. Phyllis described
a 37-year-old white fir tree grown in a study area and cut for display at the State Capitol.
Ken Kumpe (USFS) advised of intentions to initiate burning waste piles, weather permitting.
Penny reported use of dumpsters to successfully remove waste in Rescue area. The
dumpsters were located in a parking lot next to the Rescue fire station. Vicki added that permanent
dumpsters for green and yard waste have been considered but past experiences of various communities have
not been too successful. Residents and others tend to dispose garbage, appliances, and other non-recyclable
materials into dumpsters not monitored.
Ray reported that he had received the final signature to the amendment of the Georgetown
CAP so he can now submit grant requests for CWPPs.
Bill Cave described the recent chipper activity within Auburn Lake Trails area. He
was impressed. Bill complemented the content and activities of the conference he and Vicky attended at
Denver.
Phyllis added that rumors have been heard indicating that CDF will discontinue fuel
break projects. She stated that CDF has no intentions to abandon fuel break projects. She advised that
when these erroneous rumors are heard we should go to the source. Verify truth with Chris Waters and
find out what is going on.
Bill Robinson reported on progress of grant project at Chrome Ridge. The contractor
is completing the first eight acres of the project and will then move to about 13 acres. The plan is to
eventually connect evacuation route to Fort Jim area.
Joan reported on Garden Valley meeting activities and progress of development of
objectives and mission statement. Future meetings will be held on the second Monday of each month.
Allen reported that Sand Ridge is beginning to be active again and a meeting is
planned soon. The contracts for evacuation route clearing have been signed and he hopes that work
will begin by end of '06. Efforts are being made in Log Town area to identify ridge tops that may
qualify for future clearing projects. He described development of evacuation plans and community
involvement. MORE helped by putting information packets together. Discussion continued regarding
proposed CWPPs to combine Log Town and Sand Ridge. Diversity of population and topography of areas
do not seem to support a combination. Rich identified an area off Union Mine Rd. adjacent to BLM
land where approximately 30 homes exist. Fire danger is extreme. The area may qualify for BLM grant
applications. Rich is contacting BLM.
Walt reported progress of GFFSC of clearing evacuation route examples on two
parcels at Grizzly Flats. Barry Callenberger has approved clearing done on both parcels and
recommends before and after pictures to be included with requests for property owners' approval to
clear along evacuation route. The progress of the defensible space volunteers was updated.
Representatives from the EDC Building Dept. have been scheduled to attend the Jan. '06 GFFSC meeting
to discuss building inspectors interpretation and enforcement of defensible space applications.
Confusion continues to exist.
Vicki proposed a meeting to identify project proposals and organization. December
6th was agreed upon. 9:00 a.m. - noon.
Vicki advised that proposed projects need to be identified for the appropriate
agency-CDF, USFS, BLM, --- to avoid possible overlap and/or duplication. Allen commented that he
has discovered that occasionally there are BLM funds available for grant applications to be
submitted during a very short application period. Specific qualifications must be met. Vicki asked
that the Strategic Planning Project Matrix be approved with the minor changes discussed. All
agreed to approve.
Submitted by Walt Tyler, Secretary EDCFSC
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