Sutter Basin Fire District Minutes 1/9/2024

Opening

The regular meeting of the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District was called to order at 8:09 a.m. on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at the Robbins Fire Department by Mark Richter.

Present

Mark Richter, Samuel Martin, Anthony Van Ruiten, Kim Richter, Joan Stephens, and Mike Bush were in attendance.

Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved. Motion by Anthony Van Ruiten. Second by Samuel Martin, and unanimously approved.

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the December 5, 2023, meeting was approved. Motion by Anthony Van Ruiten. Second by Samuel Martin, and unanimously approved.

Fire Chief Report 

Robbins Fire Chief, Marty Creel reported on upcoming events, firefighter status and grants. There will be a fire training opportunity for our volunteer firefighters in Woodland on January 24 – 28, 2024.  At this training two classes will be offered for Robbins Volunteer Firefighters to become officers.

Fire Chief Creel locating NFPA 1582 compliant Physicals for all volunteer firefighters.  NFPA 1582 will cover the costs of the new turnouts for the fire personel.

FEMA Grants applications will be available in February and March of 2024. To facilitate the grants the SBFPD will need a DUNS and SAM number.  The Sutter Basin Fire Protection District does not qualify for the USDA grant Chief Creel was looking into.

In addition, Chief Creel is working on a five-year plan that will include apparatus repair, development of company officers, and facility’s needs. 

Old Business

Status of Volunteers was provided by Commissioner, Mark Richter.  Mark Richter shared that Hayden Samply has been added to the Robbins Volunteer Fire Department roster.  Hayden Samply and his wife are new to Robbins, and eager to participate in the community.

Hiring of a Paid Firefighter was shared that there has been no response yet.

Tax Assessment Discussion spoke to the cost of commercial and Industrial agriculture in the Sutter Basin and the concern that the burden of the assessment will be with those entities. Discussion continued as to whether to place an inflation factor into the assessment package to ensure adequate monies to the SBFPD as costs increase.  Also, the commissioners discussed the number of acres under review for assessment, and the concern that SCI may not have accounted for all acres in the Sutter Basin in their tally.  As the Commissioners discussed next steps, Mark Richter volunteered to speak to Marty Creel to schedule a meeting with SCI representatives to address these questions and concerns.

Parking Lot Repairs for the Robbins Community Hall’s parking lot are almost complete.  The culvert created issues with grating and drainage but is being rectified.  At the end of the process, the parking lot will be lined for parking and handicapped parking.

Insurance Quotes for 2023 – 2024 Fiscal Year are still waiting for the Loss/Run reports from Driver’s Insurance.

New Business

Correspondence was from LexisNexis who provided Insurance Claim monies for Bret DeMartini’s harvester fire. Statement from the IRS declaring the tax exempt status for the Robbins Volunteer Fire Department, and OSHA documentation on 2023 OSHA claims by the Robbins Volunteer Fire Department.

Approval of monthly bills was discussed. At present there is a balance of $419,037.25 in the Sutter County Treasury, and $47,920.68 in the First Northern Bank account.  All bills were approved, a claim for $48,442.21 to restore the First Northern Bank account was approved and signed. In addition, all invoices and timecards were reviewed, and payable checks were signed by the Commissioners.

Agenda for Next Meeting

Review hourly wage for the Fire Fighter Position.

Closed Session

There was no closed session.

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 a.m. by Mark Richter. Motion by Anthony Van Ruiten. Second by Samuel Martin, and unanimously approved.

Minutes submitted by:	Kimberly Richter
Approved by:	Mark Richter