DRAFT

Minutes for April 19, 2018

Beckwourth Fire District

Board Meeting called to order at 6:30 PM by George Bundy.

Roll Call: Board Members: George Bundy, Denisce Downs, Donald Ball, M.D., Peggi Vernon & Dwight Ceresola. Chief: Greg McCaffrey Admin. Assistant/Board Secretary: Fran Zeits Public: Constituents (10), BEC’s Fire Fighters: Don Bliss, Dustin Langston, Jennifer Langston, Floyd Meyers, Ruben Villa

The Pledge of Allegiance: Recited by all.

Approval of Minutes for the Board Meeting held on March 15 and Special Board Meeting held on March 22, 2018. Denisce motioned to approve Minutes for March 15, 2018 and motioned to approve Special Board Meeting Minutes for March 22, 2018 and George seconded, all in favor. Motion passed.

Approval of the Account Receivables, Expenditures, Revenue and Balance Sheet for the month of March 2018. Accounts Receivables: Dwight asked if the owners at 80835 Hwy 70 (Salem Fire) received a bill from Fire Recovery. The Salem property is in the fire district and Fran confirmed the owners will receive a bill, and it will be on the April’s accounts receivables next month. The Beckwourth Fire District’s policy is all structure fires are billed in and out of the District. The reason the Board approved the policy is because there is a hidden clause, per Fire Recovery, in home owners’ insurance policies for fire suppression. The amounts are normally less than $750.00. Dwight Ceresola stated people pay a fire tax for protection. Greg stated LAFCO documents states the fire tax is for prevention (training, education, equipment, medical supplies & etc.) not suppression (putting the fire out). Dwight Ceresola wanted to know what it states in the District’s by-laws and where are the District’s by-laws? Denisce intervened and stated the Board is discussing the accounts receivables and recommends that Dwight Ceresola put his request in writing and can be discussed at the next board meeting. Dwight Ceresola replied, as a director, will make his request in public comment. Expenditures: Dwight requested to have a breakdown of fuel usage for each vehicle, and separate payroll amounts for each paid position on the monthly expenditures. Fran will accommodate. Dwight motioned to approve the Account Receivables, Expenditures, Revenue and Balance Sheet for the month of March 2018 as presented and Denisce seconded, all in favor. Motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENT: A constituent asked if the charges for residential services typical for volunteer fire departments in this area. Greg stated he does not know what all the local volunteer departments do. The universal charges are used by our company (Fire Recovery), and several local fire departments (Sierra Valley, Eastern Plumas and Graeagle) use that same company and same charges. Another constituent addressed the balance in BFDistrict’s checking account or was it an interest baring account. Fran stated it is a checking account which the County maintains/monitors. Cody McCollum was questioning the process of the independent investigation. Spoke to the investigator and he was told he can’t discuss anything because there is a law suit pending. He stated how can you do an investigation if you don’t speak to the witnesses. Denisce reiterated the investigation is between the insurance companies. The District has no control over the independent investigation. George recommended Cody to refer the question to his attorney. Dwight informed the Board he has presented several passed actions of the Board to the FPPC. Does not know the process but FPCC will review and pursue, if necessary. District attorney may be involved.

Consent Agenda Items: None

Secretary’s Report: Last November 2017 sent Loss Prevention Subsidy Fund (LPSF) Applications to GRSMA for reimbursement ($1,200.00), which GRSMA provides funding for educational/training purposes. Accidentally, GRSMA filed applications in our file but will pull and process. Received Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interest) from Donald Ball, Peggi Vernon and Greg McCaffrey. Asked Dwight Ceresola for the documentation that was presented by him at the March 15th board meeting. The other board members/public were not provided copies for review. A “Public Record” violation. Dwight requested the photos that were in Greg’s presentation at the March 15th board meeting. A CD will be given to Dwight per his request. Dwight stated he would drop off his photos by Monday, April 23rd. Checked with attorney (Josh Nelson) and auditor (Robert Johnson) regarding Dwight Ceresola’s concern with “advance pay” issue. Both counsels felt comfortable with the internal procedure but recommended the procedure be written/stated in the policy and procedures manual #2130 Pay Periods, which will be on the agenda for the May 17th board meeting. Researched a question that was asked at the last board meeting on March 15th. The original purchase price for #9471, which has been declared surplus, was $27,500.00 and being replaced with #9462 ($21,180.00).

Chief’s Report: Cal Fire 2017 Grant ($5,047.50) invoices has been sent in for closure/reimbursement. The second Cal Fire 2017 Grant ($438.75) invoices has been sent in for closure/reimbursement. Pending reimbursement. Applied for Cal Fire 2018 Grant ($5,035.00). Training: Will be starting wildland classes soon. Engine Updates: Need front tires for #9475, which is on the maintenance list for last fall. Still pending. Haven’t received any bids for #9471 from any local fire departments and will place an ad in Portola Reporter. If no local bids are received will listed it on the internet. Picked up #9462 from Texas and equipping for service. Station 1: FEMA/AFG Grant (Jan. 18, 2018 -laundry room), waiting for answer, which will take six (6) months or more. Station 2: Nothing to report. Conferences: Annual conferences will be sometime this fall. Corning in October and Chico in November. Airport: Greg has been working on installing address signs on the hangars located at the airport for three (3) years. Greg met with the new County facility manager (Kevin Correira), Becky Heron and Becky Osborn and all agreed to issue assign address numbers and upon receipt will install reflective number signs. Update: The County has issue addresses for all the hangars and will send out notices to inform the owners that the BFD will be making/installing the address signs. The airport installed a new fueling unit but did not schedule an inspection. Inspected and there were many violations. Wrote a letter to Dony Sawchuk and Mike Sandchez giving a thirty (30) days, until March 1st, to correct the violations. California Fire code states if there’s a paid fire chief it is his responsibility to enforce. A state fire marshal needs to enforce when there’s a volunteer fire chief. Inspections are to improve safety. Update: Re-inspected and all violations were cured but one (1). Need a power shut off switch, if there is a potential fire. Given a two (2) week window to cure. Update: Final inspection pending. Was contacted by Grizzly Ranch, CSD, in creating a MOU for the hydrants. Delayed because Texas trip was scheduled, and Greg will follow up. John Reynolds (Grizzly Ranch) stated there is a scheduled meeting on May 15th at 9 a.m.

Resolution 2018-002 – Conflict of interest: Dwight Ceresola requested to roll over the item to give the public time to read/review. Rolled over.

Policy and Procedures #2170 Performance Evaluation: Received an email from the attorney with revisions to policy and will be on the agenda for next board meeting. Dwight Ceresola requested to have the policy #2170 available for the public to review prior to the next board meeting. Packages will be available to the public the Tuesday-Thursday, between 8 a.m. – noon, before the scheduled board meeting at Station 1, 180 Main St., Beckwourth, CA.

Policy and Procedures #2130 Pay Periods: Regarding Advance Paid – Pending language/thermology from the attorney’s office. Rolled over.

Review Paid Employees Job Descriptions: Dwight Ceresola asked where are the BFD’s by-laws? Greg has never seen any by-laws, and the remaining Board acknowledged that the Policies and Procedures are the District’s guidance. The Policies and Procedures governs the way the District does business and were adopted from CA Special District Association, which were prepared by their attorneys. Jeff McCollum, Sierra County Fire Dept., stated the Secretary of State might/will have a record of the by-laws, if by-laws were drafted when BFD’s “Charter” was filed (1949). Sierra County Fire Dept. is dealing with the same issue. Paul Roen stated special districts in Sierra County file their policies and procedures and by-laws with the County clerk’s office. No discussion was address regarding “Paid Employees Job Descriptions”. Possible rolled over. George suggested to Dwight to mark his/public concerns regarding the job descriptions for board members to review before the next board meeting for discussion.

Review Pay Raises Given on January 1, 2018: George stated the BFD’s policy and procedures regarding pay raises states the Board meets in close session and discuss evaluations and determine if a 2% pay increase is warranted. When the close session has concluded the Board returns to the open session and reports the Board decisions, and Fran reports those decisions in the board minutes which are reviewed/approved at the next board meeting. The Board did not realize the Board was obligated to hold the approval/denial of the pay increases until the following board meeting in open session. Policy #2170 Performance Evaluations will be revised and will be on the next board meeting’s agenda.

Ratify the Pay Decisions Approved at the November 16th Board Meeting: George disclosed to the public the actual pay increases that were approved in close session at the November 16, 2017 starting January 1, 2018. Greg McCaffrey, Chief, rate was $30.19 increased to $30.79; Greg McCaffrey, Mechanic on Call, $12.39, no pay increase was discussed; Ed Dillard, Fire Fighter, rate was $13.24 increased to $13.77; Fran Zeits, Admin Assistant, rate was $12.27 increased to $12.52. The Plumas County personnel action form (2261) is sent to the County with the signed approved board minutes to verify Board’s approval of pay increases. Dwight Ceresola was confusion regarding Greg’s two positions. Greg works Monday thru Wednesday at the chief’s rate and Thursday at mechanic on call rate. Don Bliss asked if the 2% reflects the cost of living increase. Yes, it is in the policy but not automatically given, it depends on the financial status of the District. Don Bliss stated the 2% is so minimal it should be automatically given. Denisce stated the District is very fortunate to have paid employees to run the District’s Fire Department. George made a motion to Ratify the Pay Decisions Approved at the November 16th Board Meeting by a roll call vote. George Bundy – Yes, Denisce Downs – Yes, Donald Ball – Yes, Peggi Vernon – Yes, Dwight Ceresola – Yes. Motion passed without objection.

Review Annexation Procedures #6030; Out of Area Service Agreements #6035; Plumas County Fire Chiefs Assoc. Local Fire Service Mutual Aid and Rescue Plan: There were a lot of miss information shared with the public regarding the three (3) documents when Dwight Ceresola presented them at the March 22nd special board meeting. Greg took each one separately and explained/interpreted each, which are to protect the District. No questions from the public.

Battalion Chiefs’ Reports: None

Division Chief’s Report: Don Bliss has been with the BFDept. for the last seven (7) years. He was present at the last two (2) board meetings and felt the anger, frustration, and even hatred from the public. Heard name calling, figure pointing and derogatory remarks and that was very distressing. Stated there are 18 members of this department that go out 24/7 to serve the community. A “thank you” once in while would be nice. He addressed Dwight Ceresola directly and stated a special meeting was called specifically to discuss the Industrial fire and he brought up two (2) items that were inappropriate and totally irreverent. Observed Dwight laughing and joking with constituents after the meeting. He questioned how an individual who hates the fire department and hates its members can by on the Board. Unless the motivation is to dismantle the department and drive a wedge between them. A board member needs to support the department and district not tear it apart. Removal from the Board would be appropriate. Dwight stated you have the right to petition for removal. There was a brief discussion between Cody McCollum and Don Bliss. Don stated that the fire department is like family and if one of the members is criticized we all are. Cody McCollum feels that the fire was handled wrongly. Cody McCollum mentioned the independent investigation and referred to the Brown Act, which he feels Dwight is keeping the Board honest and making fire inquires. Denisce stated it has taken twenty (20) years for the District to develop into a sound District, financially with professionally trained fire fighters. This has been accomplished through the years with the help of all the volunteers (fire fighters and board members) and paid employees. Prior and present Boards have been transparent and honest throughout the years. Floyd Meyers has been part of and had prior experience with other fire departments and stated that the BFD’s Board is professional, and he is proud to be part of the Department. Stated we are all entitled to our opinions and feelings, but he wished that the discussion would be more civil. Tami McCollum stated that her husband (Jeff McCollum) at the first meeting (March 15th) thanked all the volunteer that were at the fire, but that seems to have been forgotten. The first meeting was packed and very vocal the “thank you” was missed and Don Bliss acknowledged and express gratitude.

Safety Officer’s Report: None

Directors’ Reports: George Bundy – George agrees with everything Don Bliss expressed and recap other issues address in the meeting (item 15, 16). George would like Dwight to stop blind sighting the Board. Professionals start resolving problems at the lower level. Denisce Downs – Denisce asked Dwight what are his positive goals for the District? Dwight answered he would like to see more information put out for the constituents in the District and that would answer a lot of questions. Watch how the Board does the procedures and policies, and that probably is based on his military background. Then Dwight mentioned safety at the Portola Bowling Alley Fire (Ponderosa Fire August 28, 2015). Mentioned photos in the newspaper showed fire fighters with no PEEs. Confirmed by Don Bliss the BEC’s fire fighters were properly equipped and follow protocols as trained. Denisce stated she appreciates his input and knowledge and hopes to work together without feeling it is a battle. Denisce stated she would like to see a load of gravel put on the side of the building (muddy). There is a possibility it might cause flooding in the building because it has been built up over the years. Will research. Donald Ball – None; Peggi Vernon – None; Dwight Ceresola - None.

Old Business: NIMS Requirement IS100 and IS700: Denisce Downs (IS100 & IS700), Donald Ball (IS100 & IS700) and Peggi Vernon (IS700) and Dwight Ceresola (IS 100 & IS 700). Ethics Class Renewals: George Bundy, Peggi Vernon and Fran Zeits. Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) Annual Statements: Peggi Vernon - Received, Donald Ball - Received, Greg McCaffrey - Received. All required Form 700 have been received and filed.

New Business: Next Board Meeting on May 17, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.

Adjournment: Adjourned at 8:12 p. m. Denisce motioned for an adjournment and Donald seconded. Motion passed.

Note: BEC’s fire fighters expressed their concerns and sadness for the losses endured by Cody’s family throughout the meeting.

I, FRAN ZEITS, SECRETARY OF THE BOARD, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE FOREGOING MINUTES OF SAID BOARD MEETING OF THE BECKWOURTH FIRE DISTRICT HELD ON April 19, 2018 ARE CORRECT AS RECORDED.

__ _____________________

Fran Zeits, Secretary of the Board

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ APPROVAL SIGNATURES: Minutes for May 17, 2018.

George Bundy: ___________________________________Date: _______________

Denisce Downs: __________________________________Date: _______________

Donald Ball, M.D.: _________________________________Date: _______________

Peggi Vernon: ________________________________Date: _______________

Dwight Ceresola: ___________________________________Date: _________________