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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011.09.21 Wildfire Safety Committee Minutes MINUTES ASHLAND FIRE WISE COMMISSION Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Conference Room,Ashland Fire Station #1 455 Siskiyou Blvd. I. CALL TO ORDER: 12:02 II. INTRODUCTIONS: Krista Bolf, Rogue Valley Association of Realtors Present: Eric Olson,Kathy Kane, Ron Parker, Mike Morris, Kelly Gustafson, Ron Bolstad, Jim Hardt, Chief John Karns,Administrative Assistant Anne Crispino-Taylor Absent: Pete Norvell, Firewise Communities Coordinator Ali True III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 20th minutes approved IV. PUBLIC FORUM: Krista understood that there was a discussion by the Firewise Commission to make changes at"point of sale transactions"and to require sellers to disclose whether or not their homes were Firewise certified. She stated if that was required,that it would be opposed by the members of the association. The commission assured her this was not the case. However, sellers are required to disclose whether or not their home is within the wildfire hazard zone. She stated that was a fine,but emphasized that realtors do not want to place additional disclosure requirements onto sellers. Realtors are required to participate in continuing education each year. She will make a suggestion that members participate in an educational opportunity/training about Firewise so they can share the information with sellers and buyers. This will help sellers and buyers understand that certification—although not required—might be an enhancement to a home. Ali will contact Krista to schedule a lecture with the Realtors' Association. V. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: None VI. BUSINESS: A. Appoint a chair person and identify a vice chair. One of the jobs of the chair and vice chair is to push for fuels reduction. Eric Olson—Chair elect; Ron Parker—Vice Chair elect. Nominations closed. B. Updates by community: 1. Briscoe— a. Held a nice ceremony at Blossom Estates which was well attended. Hoping the publicity from this event will push Jackson County to cooperate with weed abatement. b. Lithia Creek Estates (Ashland Creek Drive off Granite Street)—completed their Firewise Day using a city Firewise contractor. Their application for National recognition will be submitted soon. c. Strawberry Lane Meadows will be recognized 9/29 at 3:30 at Strawberry Lane and Birdsong Lane Common Area. Commissioners are encouraged to attend. Strawberry is comprised of a patchwork of participation because it's not a structured neighborhood. Also, many of the homeowners are out of state. The area has multiple homeowner associations that could be brought in and there is an increase in awareness in the area due to the work being done on the city property. There are concerns about the Alnutt neighborhood—it's very overgrown. 2. Grove— a. Presentation made on 9/2 to Mountain Meadows, and they decided to join the program,but still have to determine who will serve as Firewise Board. Will start the assessment process and plan for work for in 2012. 3. Lincoln— a. Merrill Circle achieved National recognition and will be recognized soon. Details TBA. b. Application for Quailhaven(S. Mountain and Elkader)was submitted and is currently under review for National recognition. c. Roca Canyon is still planning their Firewise Day work. 4. Terra— a. A juniper round-up event was complete in the West Terra neighborhood (Indiana/Palmer/Woodland). 5. Oak Knoll—none C. Confirmation of City-wide Firewise project ideas for 2012—volunteer liaisons are requested to work with the fire marshal,the Chief, and the forest resource specialist. 1. Ron Boldstad agreed to head the Firewise Week and Day to tied in with Wildfire Prevention Week in Early May 2012 2. Kathy Kane agreed to head the poster contest 3. Ron Parker agreed to head the Clean-up day 4. Eric Olson agreed to spearhead ideas for community tours focused on different audiences D. Upcoming events: 1. 9/29/11 3:30: Celebration of Firewise third neighborhood—Strawberry Lane Meadows 2. Late September/Early October: Facebook event with calendar giveaway—needs to be coordinated with management analyst—put on hold for now. 3. 10/27— 10/29/11: Backyards and Beyond conference—would need to be at own expense this year due to the short notice. Will work on funding for next year's conference. E. 10-minute training—passed out handout VII. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS—Would like to have weed abatement models on the internet. Would like the city to have enforcement control over the zone that's 1/8 mile around the city that the City of Ashland could regulate. Open to ideas for getting Firewise out in the community and capture the public's attention. Could have our own logo. Offer a free home inspection program. Going door to door. Not sure why there's reluctance to the inspections. Could identify vegetation that's dangerous—have nurseries identify the plants better. Have nurseries identify plants as "Firewise acceptable."Juniper in landscaping is from a previous generation— historically used to hold banks. Promoting Firewise could promote a change in attitude. Opportunities for PSAs—Tidings could take a case study of before and after pictures. Television is expensive. Could have a weekly box in the Tidings; "Has your home been inspected yet?" Make a banner. Rather than an"inspection,"call it an"assessment" or a"consultation." Within the letter that the city sends out regarding weed abatement,put information about Firewise. Regarding the weed abatement letter, it's a bit"strong." Last year's was too a bit weak. Need a balance between the two. Publish an annual report: #of incidents around fire; #of people had weed abatement letters; #of people who received fines. Suggestions about how to deal with the vegetation problem and encourage changes in weed abatement and fuels reduction. Will not get to 100%reduction, short of outright banning certain shrubs. Invite a representative from a nursery to speak at an event. Is there some leeway on the weed abatement date of June 15th? This year it was a little early; other years it's too late. People complied,but then everything grew back. VIII. REVIEW AND SET COMMISSION CALENDAR/NEXT MEETING IX. Adj ourn 1:08 pm In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Public Works Office at 541-488-5587(TTYphone number 1-800-735-2900). Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting(28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title I).