Sutter Basin Fire District Minutes 11/7/2023

Opening

The regular meeting of the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District was called to order at 8:03 a.m. on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 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

Additional public comments were given by those in attendance concerning the application for the truck lot on Highway 113.  The proposed truck lot on Highway 113 is considered a dangerous impairment to public safety on Highway 113 in the Sutter Basin Community.  Documents from community members and the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District were given to the Sutter County Supervisors for their continued review.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the October 3, 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. Next year 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. Presently, volunteer firefighters are working on the annual Sausage Feed Fundraiser on November 20^th.  It is in its final planning.

Fire Chief Creel has placed an ad for a Sutter Basin Fire Protection Department part-time paid firefighter.  Creel will be at the Career Fair at Sierra College on November 8^th to further the recruiting efforts of a paid firefighter.  After some discussion, it was also decided that Creel will market the position to retired firefighters and specifically Latino personnel.

FEMA Grants applications are approaching, along with a USDA grant of $50,000.  To facilitate the grants the SBFPD will need a DUNS and SAM number.  Kim Richter will investigate how to receive the DUNS and SAM numbers.

Other shared information concerned the delivery of the radios by Sutter Buttes Communication and the arrival of the turnouts.  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.  The status of the volunteers is static at ten volunteer firefighters.

Hiring of a Paid Firefighter was discussed within the Fire Chief Report.

SBFPD Tax Measure was briefly discussed.  The SBFPD is moving forward with the Tax Measure proposal, and the SCI representatives will be at the December 5^th SBFPD Commissioners’ Meeting.

Parking Lot Repairs for the Robbins Community Hall’s parking lot was discussed.  The quote of $126,000 was the lowest bid.  With a cost of $126,000 the SBFPD discussed providing $42,000 to the cost of the parking lot repair, with the remaining monies coming from Robbins School and the Robbins Community Hall.  Samuel Martin motioned to approve one-third of the parking lot cost at $42,000.  Anthony Van Ruiten second the motion, and it was unanimously approved.

New Business

Insurance Quotes for 2023 – 2024 Fiscal Year have been tabled until additional information and quotes are available.

There was no Correspondence.

Approval of monthly bills was discussed. At present there is a balance of $469,994.52 in the Sutter County Treasury, and $13,830.37 in the First Northern Bank account.  All bills were approved, a claim for $6,311.42 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.

An addendum to the SBFPD Budget was motioned by Anthony Van Ruiten.  An additional $42,000 would be added to Budget Line #52130, Maintenance – Structures, to accommodate the cost of the Parking Lot repairs.  The Budget for #52130 would be changed from $6,500 to $48,500. Samuel Martin second the motion, and it was unanimously approved.

Agenda for Next Meeting

SCI Representatives will be in attendance to discuss the SBFPD Tax Measure at the next Commissioners’ meeting.

Closed Session

There was no closed session.

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 9:22 a.m. by Mark Richter. Motion by Samuel Martin. Second by Anthony Van Ruiten, and unanimously approved.

Minutes submitted by:	Kimberly Richter
Approved by:	Mark Richter