Sutter Basin Fire District Minutes 3/13/2025

Opening

The regular meeting of the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District was called to order at 9:05 a.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the Robbins Fire Department by Anthony Van Ruiten.

Present

Samuel Martin, Anthony Van Ruiten, Kim Richter, Matt Lichenstein, Joan Stephens, Mona Sakurada and Mike Bush were in attendance.  Commissioner Mark Richter was absent.

Approval of Agenda

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

Public Comments

There were no comments from the public.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of February 7, 2025, meeting was approved. Motion by Samuel Martin. Second by Anthony Van Ruiten and unanimously approved.

Fire Chief Report

Robbins Interim Fire Chief, Matt Lichenstein, gave the Fire Chief Report.  During the month of February 2025 there were eight answered calls, and one unanswered call.  There are now four active, part-time firefighters, and eight active, volunteer firefighters.  All active firefighters are working through the newly established Driver Program that certifies all drivers.

Matt Lichenstein spoke about the equipment concerns and needs of the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District. Engine E48’s extension ladder is expected soon.  All ladders will be tested in April of 2025.  The outdated extraction equipment has been donated to Mexico, and the firefighters will be holding two extraction trainings on the newly purchased equipment in April of this year also.

Other upcoming training courses were shared by Interim Chief Lichenstein.  There will be two additional training courses, in addition to the two extraction training courses.  One of the additional training courses will be a Helicopter training course with Knights Landing’s Fire Department.

Many tasks were left to be completed by retiring Chief Creel and have been competed by Interim Chief Lichenstein such as: LAFCO questionnaire, FDID number update, Federal Grant access, and ISO Inspection Rating. In addition, Grants have been missed, but another grant – The Gary Sinise – we have not heard back from yet.  

Old Business

Status of Volunteers was provided by Interim Chief Lichenstein.  The volunteer list was updated, with the expectation of a Fire Academy graduate asking to volunteer soon.

Status of the Paid Firefighters were discussed.  There are presently four active paid firefighters.

Tax Assessment with SCI was discussed.  The SCI discussion was paused during the LAFCO discussion, but the Commissioners expressed the need to move forward with the assessment. The Commissioners will ask LAFCO to put in writing that the SCI proposed assessment will benefit the SBFPD.

Lot Line Adjustment visual documents were presented to the Commissioners for review.  Since a permit will be required for the needed car port, there will need to be ongoing discussions with the Community Hall Board on permits and lot lines.

New Business

Outsourcing Payroll was discussed.  Kim Richter will investigate the best available services and provide an estimate.

Structural Estimate for Fire House repairs were provided.  Due to the leaks and dry rot in the SBFPD Fire Station, Joan Stephens contacted a contractor to provide an estimate for the repairs.  The estimate covered: window replacement, gutters, sown spouts and dry rot.  The total estimate was $4,680. After discussion, there was a motion by Samuel Martin to have the repairs made for $4,680. Second by Anthony Van Ruiten and unanimously approved.

There was no Correspondence to report.

Approval of monthly bills was discussed. At present there is a balance of $408,149.04 in the Sutter County Treasury, and $49,843.34 in the First Northern Bank account.  All bills were approved, a claim for $5,040.22 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 was a request by Commissioner Van Ruiten to have a Fee Schedule action item placed on the April agenda.

Closed Session

There was no closed session.

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 9:35 a.m. by Anthony Van Ruiten. Motion by Samuel Martin. Second by Anthony Van Ruiten and unanimously approved. 

Minutes submitted by:	Kimberly Richter
Approved by:	Mark Richter