Sutter Basin Fire District Minutes 10/4/22

​​Opening​

​​The regular meeting of the​ ​Sutter Basin Fire Protection District​ ​was called to order at​ 8:07 a.m. ​on​ ​Tuesday, October 4, 2022​ at the Robbins Fire Department ​by​ ​Mark Richter​.

​​Present​

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

​​Approval of Agenda​

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

Public Comments

Joan Stevens inquired on how property taxes are shared with the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District. Commissioners Mark Richter and Anthony Van Ruiten explained how the property taxes of all of Sutter County are proportioned out to all Fire Districts, and specifically the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District.

​​Approval of Minutes​

The minutes of the September 6, 2022, meeting was approved. Motion by Sam Martin. Second by Anthony Van Ruiten, and unanimously approved.

Fire Chief Report

Robbins Fire Chief, Marty Creel, reported on communication, training, equipment needs, and next projects for the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District. The Fire Chief, Marty Creel, recommended the purchase of four to five Kenworth Radios, with chargers, at about $1,000 each. eDispatch is working well for the volunteers on their Smart Phones. Monthly meetings and trainings are ongoing with presently the continuing training of firefighting. Extrication training will begin this winter. The Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting a Sausage Feed fundraiser on November 21, 2022. Equipment repairs and maintenance are ongoing with a special thanks to Mark Richter and AJ Anderson for their dedication to maintenance of apparatus. Engines 648, 348, and E48 all need various repairs, however the repairs to Engine 648 are the Fire Chief’s priority. Next projects are specifically the hiring of a paid Firefighter to provide weekly equipment checks. In addition new turnouts are needed for the new volunteers. Fire Chief Creel explained how the volunteers can defer the cost of the turnouts by completing a medical physical.

Fire Chief Marty Creel recommended joining the Fire District’s Association of California, at a cost of $200 a year, to access additional fire district related resources. The motion was given by Anthony Van Ruiten. Second by Sam Martin, and unanimously approved.

Old Business

Status of Volunteers was provided by Fire Chief, Marty Creel. The status of volunteers is holding at fourteen.

Hiring of a Paid Firefighter was discussed and debated. Due to the great need for all Fire District equipment to be checked weekly, Fire Chief Creel felt strongly that a paid Firefighter would benefit the SBFPD. It was discussed that the position would be $17.00 an hour, an eight-hour shift, with up to twenty-four hours within a work week. It was presented to the Commissioners, that to gain confidence within the community, the SBFPD should hire a paid firefighter.

A motion to authorize Marty Creel to go forward with the process and hiring of a paid fire fighter at $17.00 an hour, eight hours a day for up to 24 hours in a week was given by Anthony Van Ruiten. Second by Sam Martin, and unanimously approved.

SBFPD Strategic Plan was discussed. Commissioners have spoken to John Shalowitz, who recommended that the SBFPD create a template to use for assessment. The LAFCO consultant is currently developing a report on the Sutter County Fire Department procedures and responses which may impact the SBFPD Assessment process.

​​New Business​

Correspondence was shared with the Commissioners and Fire Chief. The Pipeline Publication, information on new pipeline requirements, was shared.

Approval of monthly bills was discussed. At present there is a balance of $404,201.76 in the Sutter County Treasury, and $10,367.63 in the First Northern Bank account. All bills were approved, a claim for $6,517.53, 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​

Agenda items for the next meeting is to discuss a paid firefighter, SBFPD Strategic Plan, and engine and equipment updates. Next meeting is November 1, 2022, at 8:00 a.m.

​​Adjournment​

​​Meeting was adjourned at​ 9:29 a.m. ​by​ ​Mark Richter​.

​​Minutes submitted by:​ Kimberly Richter ​​Approved by:​

Mark Richter