Minutes – Feb 11, 2026

Firewise Meeting                                                                                                                                 February 11, 2026

LCMC Board Room

Meeting was called to order by President Alec Pennington at 10:00 a.m.

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

Ray Menard and Uriel Hansen attended in person.

Wilkey attended via Zoom.

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Review of Previous Minutes

Several minor edits were made to the January 14, 2026, Firewise Meeting Minutes.  

Gary made a motion to approve meeting minutes with edits noted.  Alec seconded the motion and the minutes were approved unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report

Financial Report was distributed prior to the meeting.

  • No changes of concern.
  • $16,020.94 – total assets.  

Vicki moved to approve the financial report.  Alec seconded and the financial report was approved unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

Address Marker/Assessment Update:

Gary advised that per the status spreadsheet, Paul has added a few initial contacts for address markers that were made but are not yet scheduled.  There is a third one that has been added.

There are a total of 4 pending and 2 on hold.

No Assessments are pending.

Google Workspace Site:

Uriel spent a great deal of time developing the new site.  The Website has built in processes that trigger notifications, starts the work flowing through the flowsheets, and gathering the data necessary.  Further business processes need to be fine-tuned.  

Next Steps:  

  • Determine a timeline for completion of this project.
  • Uriel will create a list of items that require decisions.  
  • The Board members need to review the forms and processes she has created.  The information she has already created is available in your email or on the Google site. 
  • Alec and Uriel will communicate with each other to refine the site.  
  • The hosting of the Google site will need to be decided as well.  
  • February 18th workday is on the LCMC Boardroom calendar at 10:00.  To determine content and fine-tune worksheets.

Annual DNR Grant:

Alec advised that the $4,000 grant is now open and Alec will take care of submitting the grant.  It should be easy to copy last year’s format and structure.  Gary has already lined up the contact for the plants for the event.   He will need to decide what plants to order.

Wildfire Preparedness Day:

Alec suggested we present our normal Firewise items, with a focus on address markers. 

Ray will be meeting with the commissioners today and will attempt to get one of them to speak.  Tanya from Dept of Energy Management may be another possible speaker if a commissioner won’t agree.  Alec or Ray will speak to Tanya at the CERT meeting tomorrow, February 12.

We need to confirm the room at the Fire Hall on May 2nd from 11:00 to 4:00.  Ray will confirm this today at the Fire Hall.

Any vendors or informational groups that would like to set up a table could be included:

  • PUD3
  • Blockwatch
  • Humane Society
  • Mason Conservation District
  • CERT

Gary will obtain the raffle items.

Volunteer Recruitment Activities:

Paul will be talking with Lisa regarding publishing the recruitment post on the weekly email blast.  He also suggested another recruitment email to the Event Volunteer contact list especially aimed at these “warm” volunteers.

Official FW Shirts and Jackets:

Gary provided pictures of some possible jackets for us to consider.  Alec moved to hold off on the ordering of jackets until after the volunteer drive in the event we get new Board volunteers we will need additional jackets., Gary seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

Ongoing Website Expenses – Alec:  Delayed until next month

Hosting expenses for renewal need to be considered.  Alec will follow-up.

The Greenshield challenge grant has been tabled for this year, the due date snuck up on us.  Ray commented that the Fire Department rollup would not be on their priority list, but there could be some participation if participation activities were cut back a little.  The structure of the plan is in our pocket and we could be more prepared next year.  

Gary advised that some of the rock veneers have fallen off the Firewise cabin.  He will repair it when the weather warms up.  

Gary moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:27.  Paul seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Next regular meeting will be on March 11, 2026, at 10:00 am in the LCMC Boardroom.