Sutter Basin Fire District Minutes 4/4/2022

Opening

The regular meeting of the Sutter Basin Fire District was called to order at 12:34 p.m. on Monday, April 4, 2022 at the Robbins Fire Department by Mark Richter.

Present

Mark Richter, Samuel Martin, Anthony Van Ruiten, and Marty Creel were in attendance.

Approval of Agenda

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

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the March 8, 2022 meeting were approved. Motion by Anthony Van Ruiten. Second by Samuel Martin, and unanimously approved.

Fire Chief Report

The Fire Chief, Marty Creel, reported on volunteer status, apparatus status, and training status.  Eleven volunteer fire fighters are involved in ongoing training, with a new recruit of Jacob Rodriquez who has been trained through Cal Fire as a firefighter.  All trainings are being documented with the newly purchased Fire Station Software.  Engine 48 is in service, yet it needs a 200-watt generator to complete its equipment. All other repairs on fire equipment have been completed.  C. Shalowitz provided radio/pagers to all volunteer fire fighters with the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District. However, there is ongoing discussion to activate a Smart Phone App that would provide live 911 updates to all volunteers.

Old Business

Status of Volunteers was provided by Fire Chief, Marty Creel.  One new fire fighter has volunteered, Jacob Rodriquez. This brings the total number of volunteer fire fighters to eleven active volunteers.

Hiring of a Paid Firefighter was discussed. Fire Chief Creel spoke to Fabian Castillo about the part-time firefighter position with the SBFPD.  F. Castillo indicated interest.  The position will be three to four days at minimum hourly wage. F. Castillo will complete his EMT1 and provide his Live Scan for employment.  Further discussion followed that the SBFPD’s firefighter program should be an ongoing process that recruits interns for firefighter status.

SBFPD Strategic Plan was discussed.  The need to hire a Grant writer was discussed to complete the Safer Grant.  In addition, there was discussion concerning the LAFCO Representative’s information as discussed with Mark Richter.  The LAFCO Representative shared that there would be a cost to SBFPD of $20,000 for lawyers to create an assessment policy for SBFPD to collect taxable funds.

New Business 

SBFPD Bank Account information was shared with the Commissioners and Fire Chief.  The meeting of Mark Richter and Kim Richter with Nathan Black, Sutter County Auditor, explained how the SBFPD can create a checking account outside the Sutter County Auditor’s office monies.  After discussion, it was motioned by Anthony Van Ruiten to charge the new checking account with $15,000.  Second by Samuel Martin, and unanimously approved.

SBFPD Financial Restructuring was discussed.  It was determined that the SBFPD Bank Account would be through First Northern Bank, and that all three Commissioners would be the signers of the account.  In addition, there would be one ATM card through the account.  All checks will need a two-person signature as motioned by Anthony Van Ruiten, and second by Samuel Martin. The motion was unanimously approved.

Correspondences were read.  A Sutter County Public Notice was discussed, and safety concerns were outlined. The ninety-six truck yard on Hwy 113 would create dangerous traffic conditions if a turn lane is not included on Hwy 113.  A notice of public safety concern will be sent to Sutter County Development Services Department.

Approval of monthly bills was discussed.  At present there is a balance of $376,762.75.  All bills were approved, and all claims were signed by the Commissioners.

Agenda for Next Meeting

Agenda items for the next meeting are updates on purchases, grants, and financial restructuring.

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 1:50 p.m. by Mark Richter.

Minutes submitted by:	Kimberly Richter
Approved by:	Mark Richter