Minutes

Greater Laguna Coast Fire Safe Council

Laguna Beach City Hall

Minutes for June 15, 2002

I. Welcome, Introductions and Announcements

A. Carole Zavala, Consultant/Facilitator, opened the meeting and welcomed the audience

B. David  Horne asked for introductions.  Those attending included:

Pat Cooper – Red Flag Patrol

Ken Crumley – Volunteer

Ilsa Lenschow - Volunteer

Tracy Turberville – Fire Fighter

Mike Mahoney – Consultant

Mark Beckwith – LBFD

Warren Cleary – Volunteer

Barbara Norton – Volunteer, Park Ranger Laguna Wilderness Park

Kessler – Laguna Wilderness Park

Wayne Peterson – Past council member, develop fire safe landscaping

Mary Applegate – Interested Citizen

Linda Leahy – Volunteer

John Fox – Volunteer

Chris Hirschfield – Interested Citizen

Pam Adams – Interested Citizen

Paul Johns – Interested Citizen

Jerry Silva – Interested Citizen

Wayne Sterns – Interested Citizen

Additional guests came in during the session. 

C. Announcements:

1. Grant #2 results – delayed until further notice.

2. Grant #3 Opportunities – David asked for ideas if new money becomes available.  Suggestions included:

·New money will be available, possibly in July 2002 for next year.                       

·Radio Frequency Program – opportunity for up-to-date information, possibly on KSBR, 530 am, or other, on a continuous loop

·Early Warning System - a siren or something to alert community in times of crisis would be useful

·City web site should contain emergency information

·Fire Safety Check – additional emergency information for residents

·Community communication process – need to find ways to assist seniors and other for pet rescue, check on neighbors, etc.

·Develop plans for groups of people in times of evacuation i.e., Annaliese’s, Art Institute, Boys/Girls club (part of #5 fire safety education). 

·Chipper Project

a. Funding – cost to buy - $50,000

b. It was suggested that it might be better to lease from Waste Management – No. Laguna, LANO, and local tree trimmers might be approached for helping – looks good for grants

c. Recycle fuel as mulch on ground to retain moisture and deter future fires.  It was felt that the chipper program was the most attractive possibility.

3. Members were asked to please log their volunteer time

·Important to keep track of volunteer hours, etc. for future grant applications.

II. Disaster Resistant California Meeting

·  The three representatives—Pat, Ken, and John—did a great job representing Laguna Beach at the statewide meeting in the City of Industry.  Laguna Beach was the only volunteer Fire Safe Council at the meeting.  They heard an interesting talk from the Mayor of Berkeley describing a volunteer program their city put together that involved many similar elements of our program, including red flag patrol.

·There will be a meeting of the state Fire Safe Council on July 18 in San Diego, 1:00 pm, call David for location

·California Fire Alliance—an interagency collaboration—will present a Fire Wise Community Workshop in Agoura Hills, August 28-29, with a focus on pre-emergency fire prevention.  The Workshops are sponsored by the CFA.  The cost will be picked up by FSC funds.

III. Red Flag Progress –

·There has been good PR locally with announcements in the local paper, fliers handed out at the Farmer’s Market.  There was a rood response with approximately 30 applications—more expected.

·David checking on database software to track schedules.

·Training will consist of 3-hrs each.

·Patrols will consist of 2-hour stints.

·Volunteers will be called 3-4 times per year.

A. Focus of the Project:

·Get businesses to fly red flags to alert community.

·Conduct safety patrols based on Fire Department’s directions.

·CDF will define red flag days, then we will be being informed – watch 72 hours out.

·Need a phone number as well as the city web site -  497-0700 (LBFD)

·Logo for FSC has been designed by students – the background is blue for the ocean, but the flags will have a red background – saying “Fire Alert” on the logo.

B.  Applicant Pool

·Red Flag Training Date:  Saturday, June 29, 9:00-Noon, City Hall—as volunteers, we will serve as the “eyes and ears” for the Fire Dept.  Focus will be on community awareness.

·Liability and insurance issues included on application – volunteers should be insured.

·Volunteers to sign disclaimer form.

C. Flags

·Equipment “Ready Bags” to include camera, binoculars, maps, cell phones (Personal one for dialing 911.)

IV. Adoption of the Greater Laguna Coast Fire Safe Council’s By-Laws –

·Reviewed and revised by attorney who “beefed up” the gift section and the indemnification of board members—honorary advisors.

·Moved, seconded, to approve by-laws.

·By-laws approved unanimously.

V. Selection of Board of Directors 

·By-laws call for selecting a board, and nominations can come from anyone.  The initial Board will serve staggered terms.  The number will be between 5 and 11.

A. Obligations of Directors:

·Don’t need to ask for money

·Must try to attend meetings

·Will provide input at meetings

·Will assist in identifying funding sources

·Will read the financial reports

·Will help implement new projects

B. Board Selection         

·Chairman – David Horne

·Secretary/Treasure – John Fox

·Need a minimum of 5 – a maximum of 11

·Need people who represent different projects

·Recommend Pat Cooper, Ken Crumley, Wayne Peterson, Barbara Norton, Ilse Lenschow, Warren Clearly

·Need to determine 1-, 2-, 3-year terms

·There must be a minimum of 4 meetings a year

·The nominating process will ensue after the first selection

·Linda moved all those nominated be elected, Jerry seconded

·Selection of Board of Directors approved unanimously

VI. Strategic Plan Discussion – Dated June 2002

·Keep to three-five pages, it serves as a “road map” for the organization, and let’s the Board know how it is doing.

·Strong Strategic plan is important when seeking funding

A. Result of input:  Carole provided a brief overview of the sections of the plan.

·Page 2 – identify current situation within the community/state pressing concerns, i.e., early fire threats, etc.  This needs to be added.

·Current opportunities and challenges to accomplishes goals, i.e., funding cuts, and how they could impact goals, become measurable supported by activities

·Create high visibility in community

·Key areas – create community relations program,

·Section 3 – creating self sufficient organization

·It is important to conduct an ongoing assessment – are you doing what you said you would do, are there any unexpected benefits?

·Donors want a detailed assessment of how money was spent.

B. Mission Statement/Vision Statement Comments:

·Expand the Mission statement to include South Coast Region

·Maintain a sustainable fire safe community

·Vision - be a credible source of information

·Add “initiate projects” as well as a source of information

·Not just creating, but carrying on in perpetuity

·Representation from communities just inland from us could be stronger – Aliso Viejo, SJC, San Clements, Laguna Woods . . . need an interrelationship

·Goal #1 – areas, identify specifically areas to be served

·Introduction – could identify what is currently happening

·Email suggestions for the Strategic to David dhorne@csulb.edu

Next Meeting:

August 10, 9:00 am – City Hall (will be on the website shortly)

Adjourned at 11:30

Submitted by Beverly Farrier – CZ Associates