Sutter Basin Fire District Minutes 10/8/2024

Opening

The regular meeting of the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District was called to order at 8:04 a.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 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 with an amendment to include wages for paid firefighters as a discussion item.  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 September 10, 2024, meeting was approved. Motion by Anthony Van Ruiten. Second by Samuel Martin, and unanimously approved.

Fire Chief Report

 Robbins Fire Chief, Marty Creel, presented the Fire Chief Report.  On October 29^th the Robbins School students will participate in Fire Safety Day.  Chief Creel and the Robbins Firefighters will provide fire safety instruction and promotional items to encourage fire safety at home.

The ongoing equipment needs were discussed.  There will need to be ongoing pump, ladder and SCBA testing.  To facilitate these ongoing testing a line item will need to be added to the SBFPD budget.  All apparatus needs are presently in working order, but additional repairs on the electrical and communication needs at the Fire Department will be addressed in the coming month.  In addition, there is still a need to provide a light source to the Flag Pole.  

Lastly, Chief Creel spoke about upcoming meetings and training. A Pumping Class training will be on November 9^th and 10^th.  The funding of the training class will be federally funded.  A Sutter County LAFCO meeting will be held in November to address the need for a Sutter County Fire Safe Council.  The council would help with providing fire risk reduction to rural areas, mitigate fire risk on the riverbanks, and establish evacuation protocol for the county.

Old Business

Status of Volunteers was provided by Chief Creel.  The volunteer list is static.

Status of the Paid Firefighters were discussed.  Presently, no retired firefighters have applied to the firefighters’ position.  On November 7^th, Chief Creel will meet with Yuba College student fire fighters to present the opportunity of employment by the SBFPD.  To encourage future firefighters, Anthony Van Ruiten motioned to increase firefighter wages from $17 an hour to $20 an hour.  Discussion incurred, with Samuel Martin providing the second.  Mark Richter called for a vote, and the wage increase was unanimously approved.

Tax Assessment with SCI was discussed.  Mark Richter presented a Timeline that was created by SCI.  The Commercial assessment has been reduced, and a commercial definition will be determined.  A Zoom meeting will be on October 18^th to determine ongoing Commercial assessment concerns.  Discussion followed on the need for the Assessment to be specific of its needs and outcomes.  The need to provide very specific needs and outcomes in the Assessment was demonstrated through the Esparto Assessment not passing due to the ambiguous high level of costs.

New Business

Lot Line Adjustment needs were discussed. Anthony Van Ruiten has begun the Lot Line adjustment process with a surveyor.

Equipment Manager Position was discussed.  An Equipment Manager would be a designated person that would be responsible for purchasing equipment for the SBFPD in a timely manner.  Discussion followed on cost limits of purchased equipment and how the purchasing of equipment would be communicated to the Fire Chief and firefighters.  After discussion, Anthony Van Ruiten crafted a motion to have Mike Bush be the designated Equipment Manager with a cost limit of $1,000.  Samuel Martin second the motion, and it was unanimously approved.

Correspondence was from the A.R.M insurance stating the transfer from Driver’s Insurance.

Approval of monthly bills was discussed. At present there is a balance of $347,784.16 in the Sutter County Treasury, and $53,266.65 in the First Northern Bank account.  All bills were approved, a claim for $8245.57 to restore the First Northern Bank account was approved by Commissioners and signed. In addition, all invoices and timecards were reviewed by Commissioners, and payable checks were signed by the Commissioners.

Agenda for Next Meeting

There were no new agenda items presented.

Closed Session

There was no closed session.

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 9:23 a.m. by Mark Richter. Motion by Anthony Van Ruiten. Second by Sam Martin, and unanimously approved.

Minutes submitted by:	Kimberly Richter
Approved by:	Mark Richter