To: Board of Supervisors
From: Clerk of the Board
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
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Humboldt County Fire Safe Council Membership Appointments and Resolution Update
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Review the staff report and supporting documentation regarding the resignation and 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 expanding the membership of Humboldt County Fire Safe Council.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Title III of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Fire Safe Council (HCFSC) was formed in November 2002 for a term of 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 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. The term of the HCFSC has been extended eight 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 Oct. 11, 2016, with the adoption of Resolution No. 16-119. The current term of the HCFSC will end on Oct. 11, 2021.
Per the Board of Supervisors Protocol dated June 20, 2017, the Fire Safe Council is included in Exhibit 1 of said protocol and is an exception to the appointment protocol requiring only one agenda item under “Consent” before the Board which can be brought by the Clerk of the Board as recommended by the Council.
The HCFSC membership consists of individuals representing a variety of groups in fire management and community emergency preparedness. While representation of these groups generally remains constant, HCFSC members change over time as current HCFSC members move on to other positions and new partners emerge. Recommended changes to the HCFSC resolution and new member nominations are described below. More details can be found in the documents and letters attached to this item.
It is recommended that the Board adopt the attached resolution expanding the membership of the HCFSC and reorganizing the designation of seats by agency and organization. The recommendation is to retain the designation of three (3) non-voting members and five Supervisorial District appointments; add the four at-large members to the seven members representing specified agencies and organizations and designate their affiliation accordingly; and add one California State Parks seat and one additional Tribal representative.
This will bring the total number of HCFSC members up to 21; 18 voting members and three non-voting member advisors. These changes will provide the HCFSC with a membership structure that is well rounded and equipped to provide guidance and support as the CWPP is implemented and maintained. Substantive changes to the previous Resolution No. 20-63 are marked in track changes in “Attachment 3 - Updated Humboldt County Fire Safe Council Resolution”.
Longtime HCFSC member Ian Sigman, a member of the Lower Mattole Fire Safe Council, is resigning from his seat on the HCFSC representing Supervisorial District 1. Mr. Sigman was a founding member of the HCFSC in 2002, serving as Chair for much of his tenure. In his letter of resignation, Mr. Sigman nominated Ali Freedlund as his replacement. Supervisor Rex Bohn confirmed that he supports the nomination of Ms. Freedlund as his district appointee to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Sigman. No nomination was made for an alternate for this seat.
In addition, a nomination was made by the Southern Humboldt Fire Chiefs Association to fill their seat on the HCFSC vacated by Mike Lake, Fruitland Ridge Fire Protection District Chief. Their nomination is Nickolas Pape, Shelter Cove Fire Department Chief and current President of the Southern Humboldt Fire Chiefs’ Association. No nomination was made for an alternate for this seat.
Finally, the Chairman of the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council nominated Gregory Moon, Director of the Hoopa Fire Department and Office of Emergency Services to replace Chief Rod Mendes who moved on to a new post with the Yurok Fire Department. No nomination was made for an alternate for this seat. Chief Mendes proposes to secure a nomination from the Yurok Tribal Council and continue to serve on the HCFSC. Staff and current members of the HCFSC support that proposals and recommend adding a second Tribal Representative seat to the group (this is reflected in “Attachment 3 - Updated Humboldt County Fire Safe Council Resolution”.
Most of the above recommendations were discussed with and supported by the current members of the HCFSC at their Nov. 19, 2020 meeting. The nomination to fill the Southern Humboldt Fire Chiefs’ Association vacancy was submitted after their November meeting, however it is the practice of the HCFSC to support nominations made by the respective representative agency or organization and objections are not anticipated. Accordingly, staff now recommends that the Board approve all the above-mentioned changes to the HCFSC resolution, and the member nominations as set forth in the attached list of HCFSC member appointees and nomination letters. Staff will then recruit for nominations to fill vacancies.
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 of Humboldt 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 Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health and protecting vulnerable populations.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The 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
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-2, C-10, C-8, C-10, C-19, C-4, C-7
Meeting of: September 21, 2010; September 4, 2012; September 2, 2014; October 11, 2016, July 30, 2019, February 11, 2020, July 28, 2020
File No.: N/A