Sutter Basin Fire District Minutes 4/4/2023

Opening

The regular meeting of the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District was called to order at 8:05 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at the Robbins Fire Department by Facilitator Name.

Present

Mark Richter, Samuel Martin, Anthony Van Ruiten, Marty Creel, Kim Richter, Joan Stevens, Mike Bush, Jacob Rodrigues and Mona Sakurada were in attendance.

Approval of Agenda

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

Public Comments

Kim Richter thanked the Robbins Volunteer Firefighters for their volunteerism at the Robbins School Foundation Spaghetti Dinner.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the March 7, 2023, meeting was approved. Motion by Samuel Martin. Second by Anthony Van Ruiten, and unanimously approved.

Fire Chief Report

Robbins Fire Chief, Marty Creel, spoke to firefighter training, paid firefighters, and public outreach. Basic pump operations class was a success for volunteers and three other agencies.  Those volunteers in attendance of the sixteen-hour state fire training were state certified. The state training was paid through grant funding. Wildfire Training will resume in May.

Fire Chief Creel spoke to the ongoing search for volunteers and paid firefighters.  Creel is working with Yuba College to get the word out to firefighting students.  Jacob Rodrigues, a Robbins Volunteer Firefighter, is currently picking up days at the Robbins Fire Station. In addition, the SBFPD has the opportunity to bring on a volunteer who wants to help develop the SBFPD prevention program a few days a month.  The volunteer has his FF1 but will only be able to drive Engine 648. 

On April 1^st, Fire Chief Creel spoke at the Robbins School Foundation Spaghetti Dinner.  With an attentive crowd Chief Creel updated the community on the status of the SBFPD and encouraged community members to volunteer for the Robbins Volunteer Fire Department.

Additional shared information was a request for a needed Command Vehicle, preferably a truck.  In addition, Chief Creel stated that the Firefighters are still waiting for the purchased radios.

Old Business

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

Hiring of a Paid Firefighter was discussed.  The goal is to have a paid firefighter two to three days a week on duty at the Robbins Fire Station.  Jacob Rodrigues has begun taking shifts at the fire station four to five times a month, for $17 an hour. Rodrigues’s specific tasks will be to maintain and repair equipment.  

SBFPD Strategic Plan concerning upcoming grants was discussed.  With a new grant writer in place, grants are being generated that will be up for application in the fall of 2023.

New Business

Correspondence was from Sutter County concerning the proposed Truck Stop on Highway 113.  The Commissioners took the correspondence under consideration.

Approval of monthly bills was discussed. At present there is a balance of $421,009.07 in the Sutter County Treasury, and $12,061.11 in the First Northern Bank account.  All bills were approved, a claim for $7,968.98 to restore the First Northern Bank account was approved and signed. Additionally, amendments to the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District budget were made.  Budget Code 52060 (Communications) was increased to $4,500, Budget Code 52120 (Maintenance of Equipment) was reduced to $41,000, and Budget Code 52180 (Professional and Personal Services) was increased to $4,500.  With each amendment, the overall budget of $115,900.00 was unchanged. Motion by Anthony Van Ruiten. Second by Samuel Martin, and unanimously approved. In addition, all invoices and timecards were reviewed, and payable checks were signed by the Commissioners.

Agenda for Next Meeting

No new agenda items were discussed.

Closed Session

The Commissioners and Fire Chief Creel held a Closed Session on the annual Fire Chief review.

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 8:56 a.m. by Facilitator Name.

Minutes submitted by:	Kimberly Richter
Approved by:	Mark Richter