To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Humboldt County Fire Safe Council Membership and Resolution Update
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Review the staff report and supporting documentation regarding the appointment of new Humboldt County Fire Safe Council members;
2. Approve the attached list of Humboldt County Fire Safe Council member appointees and alternates; and
3. Adopt the attached resolution which expands the membership of Humboldt County Fire Safe Council members.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Title III of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act Funds (1720289)
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Fire Safe Council (“HCFSC”) was formed in November 2002 for a term of two (2) years to oversee the preparation of the Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan, which was renamed the Humboldt County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (“CWPP”) in 2013 and subsequently updated in February of 2019. Since its initial formation, the term of the HCFSC has been extended eight (8) times so that the HCFSC could continue to guide the maintenance and implementation of the CWPP. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors last extended the term of the HCFSC on October 11, 2016, with the adoption of Resolution No. 16-119. The current term of the HCFSC will end on October 11, 2021.
The HCFSC membership consists of individuals representing a variety of groups in fire management and community emergency preparedness. The HCFSC has proven to be an invaluable resource for the county as strategies are developed and funding is sought to carry out the recommendations of the CWPP. In recent months new active partners have emerged and current HCFSC members have moved on.
Long time non-voting member representing Six Rivers National Forest, Robert Rivelle accepted a new position with the National Park Service in San Francisco. Consequently Mr. Rivelle resigned from the HCFSC and two (2) new nominees have been put forward to replace him. Staff is recommending that Josh Eichamer, Forest Fire Planner, and David Markin, Fire Prevention Officer, are appointed as non-voting members on the HCFSC, representing Six Rivers National Forest.
In addition, long time at-large member Jean-Louis Carmona, representing the Van Duzen Watershed Fire Safe Council, is resigning from the HCFSC. Although Mr. Carmona will continue to work with, and provide guidance to, the Van Duzen Watershed Fire Safe Council, as able, he has nominated one (1) new member and one (1) new alternate to replace him on the HCFSC. The Bridgeville Community Center, which provides an administrative umbrella for the Van Duzen Watershed Fire Safe Council, supports the nominations. Staff is recommending that Lyn Javier is appointed as the primary member with Elliot Brown as her alternate to fill the at-large vacancy left by Mr. Carmona.
Lastly, the University of California Cooperative Extension (“UCCE”), Fire Advisor, Lenya Quinn-Davidson, has become an essential participant in the maintenance of the CWPP and key project development and implementation partner. Staff is recommending that the UCCE is added to the HCFSC membership, and that Ms. Quinn-Davidson be appointed as the primary member with Yana Valachovic, UCCE Forest Advisor and County Director, as her alternate.
Staff recommends that the Board approve all the above-mentioned nominations as set forth in the attached list of HCFSC member appointees and alternates. It is also recommended that the Board adopt the attached resolution which includes more accurate and updated wildfire mitigation terminology and expands the membership of the HCFSC (substantive changes to the previous Resolution No. 16-119 are marked in track changes). Recommended membership changes include the addition of the UCCE representative, mentioned above, as well as a representative from the Humboldt County Prescribed Burn Association, which will be recruited for and brought back to the Board for formal appointment. These actions will allow the HCFSC to continue to provide guidance to the county as the CWPP is implemented and maintained.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The work of the HCFSC gives the County of Humboldt a competitive advantage when seeking grant funds related to the CWPP. Maintaining an active HCFSC is expected to have a net positive financial impact for the county and other program recipients. County staff will only provide the level of support to the HCFSC allowed by the availability of Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, Title III funds (revenue line 1720289-505010) and/or other grant funding sources as they become available. As a result, the recommended actions will not impact the General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health and protecting vulnerable populations.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
University of California Cooperative Extension
Humboldt County Fire Safe Council
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board discretion.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Updated Humboldt County Fire Safe Council Member and Alternate Appointments 2016-2021
2. Humboldt County Fire Safe Council Member Resignation and Nomination Letters
3. Updated Humboldt County Fire Safe Council Resolution (with track changes)
4. Updated Humboldt County Fire Safe Council Resolution (clean)
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-2, C-10, C-8, C-10
Meeting of: 9/21/10; 9/4/12; 9/2/14; 10/11/16
File No.: N/A