Minutes – August 9, 2023

Firewise meeting

August 9, 2023

LCMC Board Room

Attendees: Ray Menard, Gregg Dahmen, Dennis Wicks, Alec Pennington, Maggie Schmidt, Gary Nelson, Dave Peterson and Cathy Stafford.  On line Debbie Reamy and Jackie

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

Minutes of July 12, 2023 meeting were approved.

Treasurer Report- Gary Nelson presented financial report.  The balance at Umpqua bank is $17,728.40 

Credit card vs Debit card discussion.  Voted unanimously to have Gary investigate our best option and proceed with what he chooses.  New Umpqua Bank checks are $88.25 for 80 checks with 2 signature lines.  Gary will see what COSTCO offers and will proceed with the better option.

New Business:

Barbara Kastama needs assessment scheduled.  New assessment form is finished and posted on our Google Drive. Discussed adding helpful links to the last page of assessment form.  Gary and Dennis will do Kastama assessment.

NFPA renewal.  Alec will take care of it and write instructions.- He needs total hours spreadsheet.  Maggie will send.  The hours should be posted on our shared Google drive but need a folder.  Next year we need to submit a 5 year plan.

Greg Dahman investigated buying/renting a chipper. Range $3k to $60k.  LCMC has been looking for

A large chipper for a long time.  Greg will check with landscape services to see if they would come to divisions with a chipper and truck- Discussed renting a chipper and going door to door and leaving chips.  Dave advised it takes about 8 people to schedule and manage this activity.  We are currently not able to offer this service. A fall Stump Dump is not possible.  With the full burn ban in effect and no end date it’s too dangerous.  The chipper/landscaper/tree service discussion will resume in October.

Ray & Dave have admin rights to the LC Firewise Facebook page.  In the fall Ray will have more time to

devote to the project.

Website- Dave may remain as webmaster.  Suggestion to link the Facebook Page and the Website. 

Suggestion to add informational links. Dave, Ray, Dennis and Gary will have admin rights.  Website does not need much attention.  Post minutes- looking to add the Facebook link.

Updating our Firewise Booth.  Burning house poster is done.  Discussed ways to recruit new members. Flyers at Post Office or Forest Service Office suggested. Consider giving away Ice Cream at booth.  Individual packaging easier- Need a food service permit to scoop. Will resume this activity in the fall.

Google Workspace is up and running.  Alec Pennington has Admin rights. Director email addresses are by title not name to keep history with Director turnover.  The loading of all Firewise documents to the shared drive is in process. Maggie to send all Directors the email addresses Alec created.

The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) guidelines are in conflict with some of the LCMC Architecture Committee policies.  Ray has submitted an RFA to LCMC Architecture Committee to change current policy to match NFPA policy.  Ray has offered to attend A/C meetings to help.

 Old Business

Still first on the list for golf cart garage

The Firewise By-laws & Articles of Incorporation & Member vs Contributor need to be reviewed and updated. Will devote September mtg to discussion.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:45 Next meeting will be September 13th, 10 am in LCMC boardroom.