Minutes for Sept. 15, 2016

Beckwourth Fire District

Meeting called to order at 6:29 PM by George Bundy.

Roll Call: Board Members: George Bundy, Denisce Downs (absent), Donald Ball, M.D. and Stephen Waldeck Chief: Greg McCaffrey Admin. Assistant: Fran Zeits Public: Dwight Ceresola, Robert Marshall, Toodie Marshall, Peggi Vernon, Henry Johnson and KaSandra Gamboa.

The Pledge of Allegiance: Recited by all.

Approval of Minutes for the Board Meeting held on August 18, 2016. Donald motioned to approve Minutes for August 18, 2016 and Stephen seconded, all in favor. Motion passed.

Approval of the Account Receivables, Expenditures, Revenue and Balance Sheet for the month of July, 2016 and August, 2016. Donald motioned to approve the Account Receivables, Expenditures, Revenue and Balance Sheet for the month of July, 2016 and August, 2016 and Stephen seconded, all in favor. Motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

Consent Agenda Items: None

Secretary’s Report: Fran informed the Board the Sept. invoice from Plumas Sierra Telecommunication reflected a “no charge” honoring Plumas Sierra’s promise to compensate for internet disruption last month. Posted the public notice “Board Vacancy” on August 22nd. Reminded the Board the Golden State Risk Management Authority’s annual training conference is being held on Oct. 20th & 21st. George, Greg, Fran, Denisce (maybe) and Stephen (maybe) will be attending.

Chief’s Report: Cal Fire 2016 Grant was approved for $2,175.00 and Beckwourth Fire District needs to match the approved amount. Greg will start ordering approved items. FEMA BEC Grant for air compressor replacement was sent January 7, 2016. Received notification it was denied. Instead of replacing the complete air compressor system Greg will peruse replacing the internal filter system, which will be less expensive and BEC will be able to handle the expense internally. FEMA BEC Grant initiated by Loyalton Fire Department for a multi agency radio grant was sent January 15, 2016. May install a VHF repeater. The benefit associated with the VHF repeater is the firefighters will be able to use an additional repeater other than the County’s. No word. Anticipating it will take about one year. If approved the Board would need to discuss the option to participate and share cost. Training: The Sierra Valley Task Force met in Sierraville for training last Monday. The Beckwourth Fire District will host the next Sierra Valley Task Force training, pending date. International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) class is being hosted by Portola hospital on September 29th and 30th. Both Greg and Don Bliss will participate. Stephen Waldeck informed Greg that the hospital is also hosting a Zoll auto pulse and X series trainings on Sept. 19th, 20th and 21st. Greg will check his schedule availability. Engine Updates: Mentioned the 2006 Ford Expedition #9400 has been paid off and wanted the Board to consider replacing #9472, which has 222,000+ miles. Pending. Awarded (FEPP) a slip-in unit for #9472, which is 15 years newer than the existing unit. Unit is free and is the property of USFS. Greg picked up the slip-in unit in Grass Valley, painted and installed. The present unit will be sold after the Board’s discussion and surplus acknowledgement, which is on the agenda. Station 1: Frontier Builders, contractor, installed the bay door and did a great job. Park/lawn committee (Greg, Fran, Ed & Don) have met their goals and were publicly thanked for their dedication. Greg met with Ken Roper, engineer from Quincy, and went over the preliminary generic plans for an addition/closure/laundry/shower room renovation at Station 1. Denisce definitely feels the shower is a necessity and asset to the fire department and community. Received Ken Roper’s engineer plan/report and the Board reviewed at a previous board meeting. Ken Roper explained to Greg whatever the total cost for the new renovation the District will need to add 20% for handicap improvement towards the existing facility. Greg has been in contact with USDA. Department of Agriculture has a funding program for small districts. A grant is for one objective but the funding program can include a list of objective items. Greg has started the application procedure, which normally takes a year. Interest rate would be less than 2% and can be amortized over 40 years, if needed. Station 2 – Property: The IIPP committee met at Station 2 and did a walk through evaluating OSHA mandatory requirements. Greg met with the staff at Station 2 and went over the corrective requirements and the staff agreed to cure the OSHA requirements pertaining to USFS. The safety committee will inspect Station 2 quarterly/bi-yearly. BEC is considering motion sensors in the hallway, rewire overhead lights on separate switches and install a fan to circulate air. Pending, a winter project. Correspondence: Dixie Valley – Received correspondence from an investment company (Dara Investment Company) expressing interest in purchasing Beckwourth Fire District’s parcel in Dixie Valley. The parcel is located in BFD’s sphere of influence and was obtained foreseeing the development of Dixie Valley in the future. A possible site for a future fire station. Received a letter from Grizzly Ranch Association pertaining to their entrance gates. Wishing to install electrical gates for emergency services. Suggested using Spring Valley Ranch as a model, which was implemented by Beckwourth Fire District and works with a special code programmed in BFDept’s radios to automatically opens the gate. Obtaining information.

Moment of Silence – Joseph Gottas: All present stood for a moment of silence in honor of Joseph Gottas. George wrote and read a tribute (see attachment) honoring Joseph. A public memorial was held in Graeagle on August 27th. Denisce Downs, Leslie Rogers and Fran Zeits attended. Joseph will be missed deeply.

Appointment – Board Member: There were three candidates, Peggi Vernon, Dwight Ceresola and Karen Taylor Partlow. The Board received a copy of their letters of interest prior to the board meeting. Greg read the Beckwourth Fire District’s policy #4055, “Filling a Vacancy within the Board of Directors”, so the candidates understood the procedure. Dwight Ceresola suggested postponing appointment until October’s board meeting since Karen Taylor Partlow is unable to be present. The Board decided to proceed to meet the 60 day criteria stated in policy #4055. The candidates had the opportunity, in the order their letters of interest were received, to address the Board and shared their credentials and interest for the vacant seat. Karen Taylor Partlow call before the board meeting and apologize she would not be present because Cal-Trans had a 911 traffic control incident. After Peggi Vernon’s, Dwight Ceresola’s presentations and the reading of Karen Taylor Partlow’s letter of interest the Board voted for the candidates in the order their letters of interest were received. First nominee was Peggi Vernon. George Bendy, Stephen Waldeck and Donald Ball unanimously voted for Peggi Vernon. Appointment voting procedure was discontinued because Peggi Vernon received the majority. Peggi Vernon read/signed the oath and took her place on the Board. An orientation package was given to Peggi for reference. Fran told Peggi Vernon she would obtain the website addresses for the IS 100, IS 700 and ethics training requirements. Also, form 700 (Statement of Economic Interest) was given to Peggi Vernon.

Resolution 2006-001 - Adopting a Commercial/Industrial Fee Schedule: Requested by Robert Marshall: Robert Marshall took the floor and addressed the board members. He stated the fee schedule that the Beckwourth Fire District operates under is illegal according to Prop 218. Stated Jim Krantz was not a registered CA professional engineer at the time he developed the fee schedule, which is a requirement under Prop 218. Robert Marshall feels the airport was already in the fire district and the District can’t go back and charge fees and the Board should rescind the fee schedule approved /adopted on April 27, 2006. Robert Marshall stated that in the fee schedule it refers to “aircraft repair hangars license business” but all the hangars are storage hangars not repair hangars, so on that note it should be rescinded. Greg responded with a history presentation (35 minutes) pertaining to the revenue generated/approved/calculated for TRA 142 where the aircraft hangars are located. Stated fee schedules are implemented by fire departments to cover different cost for the safety of the public. In the tax world terminology has to be precise. Assessments have to be voted in by the public. Fee schedules, a live document, do not have to be voted in by the public they can be adopted by a resolution/ordinance after a public hearing is held. A package of the presentation was handed out to everyone to follow along. After the detailed presentation Robert Marshall read statements from “Understanding Proposition 218” that confirmed his position. Robert Marshall stated he is not concerned with the $60.00 yearly fee but is concerned that the District is breaking the law. Robert Marshall asked the County why they implemented the fees if it is illegal according to Prop 218, but the County stated they have a “hold harmless agreement”. Toodie Marshall stated their only intent is to confirm the District is following the laws of CA. Lawsuits can destroy a District. The Beckwourth Fire District’s attorney, Joshua Nelson, confirmed in a number of correspondence that the fee schedule was properly adopted by Resolution 2006-001, amended correctly in 2014 and justified. Further stated that a certified engineer is not required for a fee schedule. Final comment was the Board agrees to disagree. George requested a copy of the “Understanding Proposition 218” and Robert Marshall handed the Board his copy.

Declare “Slip in Unit” (Pump) #9472 as Surplus/Disposal – Policy #3085: Refer to Chief’s Report under Engine Updates. Donald motioned to declare the “Slip in Unit” (pump) #9472 as surplus and the disposal of the “Slip in Unit” (pump) and Stephen seconded, all in favor. Motion passed. Ads will be placed in local newspapers for bids. _

Plumas County Fire Chiefs Association – Local Fire Service Mutual Aid & Rescue Plan: Greg went over the Local Fire Service Mutual Aid and Rescue Plan with the Board and suggested attaching BEC attachment “A” requirements that do not apply to Beckwourth Fire District. George motion to approve and sign the Plumas County Fire Chiefs Association – Local Fire Service Mutual Aid & Rescue Plan; and motioned to approve and sign BEC attachment “A” and Donald seconded, all in favor. Motion passed.

Enclosure for Generator: Rolled over.

Station 1 Renovation – Addition/Closure/Laundry/Shower Room: Rolled over. Also refer to chief’s report under Station 1.

Battalion Chiefs’ Reports: None

Division Chief’s Report: None

Directors’ Reports: George Bundy – None; Denisce Downs – Absent; Donald Ball – None; Stephen Waldeck –None.

Old Business: NIMS Requirement: Denisce: IS100 and IS700. Completed both but was unable to print certificates (pending). Donald Ball: IS100 & IS700: 2015 Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interest): Donald/Received Ethics Class: Donald Bay Doors – Update: Refer to Chief’s report under Station 1. 18+- Acres at Station 2: No Updates

New Business: Next Board Meeting October 13th or 27th, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Regular scheduled board meeting for October 20th needed to be changed because GSRMA’s annual training conference is being held on October 20th & 21st. George motioned to schedule the next board meeting on October 13th at 6:30 p.m. and Donald seconded, all in favor. Motion passed.

Adjournment: Adjourned at 8:02 p. m. Donald motioned to adjourn and George seconded, all in favor. Motion passed.

I, FRAN ZEITS, SECRETARY OF THE BOARD, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE FOREGOING MINUTES OF SAID MEETING OF THE BECKWOURTH FIRE DISTRICT HELD ON September 15, 2016 ARE CORRECT AS RECORDED.

__ _____________________

Fran Zeits, Secretary of the Board

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ APPROVAL SIGNATURES: Minutes for September 15, 2016.

George Bundy: ___________________________________Date: _______________

Denisce Downs: __________________________________Date: _______________

Donald Ball, M.D.: _________________________________Date: _______________

Stephen Waldeck: ________________________________Date: _______________