Firewise Meeting                                                                                                                                 October 8, 2025

LCMC Board Room

Meeting was called to order at 10:05am by President Alec Pennington

Present were board members: Alec Pennington, Gary Nelson, Paul Bogacz and Vicki Knox

Ray Menard attended in person, Mr. Wilkey attended via Zoom.

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Review of Previous Minutes

Minutes from the September 10, 2025 meeting were reviewed.  Gary Nelson moved to accept the minutes, Paul Bogacz seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer Report – Gary Nelson

The treasurer’s report had been previously published separately.  Gary provided detailed information regarding the acquisition of some marker numbers, some donations which were received, some interest earned and some Kroger rewards.  Total assets come to $15,873.38.  Vicki Knox moved to approve the treasurer’s Financial Report, Paul Bogacz seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

Assessments and Address Markers – Angelina’s assessment was delayed and there are 3 other assessments pending.  7 markers (4 at Colony Surf) are expected to be completed soon.  A brief discussion of the Basecamp program occurred.

Banners Update – The committee spent some time tweaking spacing and grouping on the Burn Ban Banners.  The addition of grommets was discussed.  Gary and Alec will have to measure for correct spacing and cost will be established. 

Update Annual Report Status – Alec Pennington advised that the annual report is complete and has been submitted.

Procedures Outline Project Status – The established members of the Firewise committee asked Vicki and Paul to spend some time thinking about how to best identify the best way to create a Firewise Procedure and Process Notebook.  Discussions included looking at it from the highest Standard Operating Procedure higher level and breaking out areas for expansion:  Financial, Reporting, Operational and Marketing processes need to be outlined and identified. 

Ideas floated:  What do we need to know?,  How do we do_____?,  Contacts, Banking and taxes, Required activities, National Firewise information and guidance, Business license, Annual NFPA requirements, Assessments, Markers, Website Management and Access to materials (like ⅛-inch screen).  Both Vicki and Paul agreed to make progress on this project during the month of November.

Disaster Day Social Media videos, photos or comments – Alec inquired what we have from the Disaster Preparedness Day event to share on Social Media.  Paul advised that he had shared some.  Perhaps we can find a place to put some of the materials on the LCMC Website. 

Volunteer Recruitment Activities – Alec will be adding a Firewise page to the next LCMC Newsletter coming out in October.  We need to step up efforts here.

NEW BUSINESS

There was a discussion about connecting with Tree Businesses and possible advertising with them. 

There was discussion of having greenbelt cleanup events attracting volunteers with food.  Could we partner with Block Watch in these events?  When conducting greenbelt cleanup we need to use the Hold Harmless forms. 

Firewise Board Members would like to have “Official” shirts or windbreakers so people know we are actually representatives.  Gary will check into that as well as getting some logos screened onto some vests that we already have. 

Gary moved to adjourn the meeting and Vicki seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

The next regular meeting will be on November 12, 2025, at 10:00am in the LCMC Boardroom.