Sutter Basin Fire District Minutes 3/7/2023

Opening

The regular meeting of the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District was called to order at 8:05 a.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at the Robbins Fire Department by Mark Richter.

Present

Mark Richter, Samuel Martin, Marty Creel, Kim Richter, Joan Stevens, Mike Bush, and Mona Sakurada were in attendance.

Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved. Motion by Samuel Martin. Second by Mark Richter, and unanimously approved.

Public Comments

Joan Stephens spoke and provided a written comment for all present.  Joan Stephens specifically spoke to establishing a functioning fire department, making sufficient fiscal allocations for repairs and equipment, providing protection for volunteer fire firefighters, and the need to reach out for more potential firefighters.  After Joan Stephens comments, Mark Richter shared that repairs were not put off, but that the engine that is easily driven by the volunteer firefighters was without a siren, but was at all times in commission.    

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the January 31, 2023, meeting was approved. Motion by Samuel Martin. Second by Mark Richter, and unanimously approved.

Fire Chief Report

Robbins Fire Chief, Marty Creel, spoke to firefighter training, Safer Grant, and paid firefighters. Upcoming firefighter training will be March 11^th and 12^th to provide sixteen hours of pump training in Madison, California.  This is an opportunity for the firefighters to network with other stations and is no cost to the SBFPD.  Wildfire Training will begin in May.

The Safer Grant is open for applications.  The SBFPD has a new grant writer, who has begun the grant process.  The Safer Grant is for firefighter staffing of partial or full time employment, and fully funds the firefighter.

Currently, both Scott Bravo and Jacob Rodriquez have chosen to take paid shifts, four to five times a month, to provide district coverage and to maintain equipment and engines.

Old Business

Status of Volunteers was provided by Mark Richter.  The status of volunteers remains at twelve active firefighters and two inactive firefighters.  Those non-attending firefighters have been notified.

Hiring of a Paid Firefighter has provided two professional firefighters, Scott Bravo and Jacob Rodrigues.  Both Bravo and Rodrigues are willing to do paid shifts, four to five times a month, for $17 an hour. The fireman’s specific tasks will be to maintain and repair equipment.  

SBFPD Strategic Plan was discussed with nothing new to report.

700 Forms were shared and completed.  Kim Richter will deliver them to the Sutter County Clerk of the Board.

New Business

Correspondence was the request for a firefighter patch, along with a donation of $7.00.

Approval of monthly bills was discussed. At present there is a balance of $428,978.05 in the Sutter County Treasury, and $12,022.40 in the First Northern Bank account.  All bills were approved, a claim for $8,231.32. to restore the First Northern Bank account, was approved and signed. Motion by Samuel Martin. Second by Mark Richter, and unanimously approved. In addition, all invoices and timecards were reviewed, and payable checks were signed by the Commissioners.

Agenda for Next Meeting

Agenda item for the next Commissioners’ meeting is to provide a year in review evaluation. The next meeting is April 4, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. in the Robbins Fire House.

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 9:09 a.m. by Mark Richter.

Minutes submitted by:	Kimberly Richter
Approved by:	Mark Richter