HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018.05.16 Wildfire Safety Commission Minutes MINUTES FOR A MEETING OF THE
WILDFIRE MITIGATION COMMISSION
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
11:00AM to 1:00PM
Training Room, Ashland Fire Station#1
455 Siskiyou Blvd
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Doug Kay, Tanya Graham, Tracy Peddicord, Stephen Gagne, Julie Smitherman,Asa Cates, Chris
Chambers, Bruce
Debra and Judy from Wingspread Mobile Home Park
Hazel Wheeler, Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Fran Ryan,Wingspread
II. INTRODUCTIONS
III.APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 21, 2018, No April Minutes
Change B.b.i the word"electrical"to "utility"
C.b.i second sentence, strike "Does the WMO....."
J.i. change "Adaption"to"adaptation".
IV. PUBLIC FORUM
Presentation was made from Wingspread Mobile Home Park residents on weed abatement on
adjacent lands in the county,in this case railroad-owned land. Commission agreed to place this as an
ongoing agenda item to make a recommendation to Council.
Priscilla Franco explained her background in the Forest Service and wants to get involved in issues
locally. She has a second home near Weed and Mt. Shasta and hears about efforts happening there
and would like to be able to share to and from Ashland.
Hazel Wheeler introduced himself and his background in emergency management and planning in
California.He is working to integrate OSF's plans with the City's plans for emergency response.
V.ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA
VI.BUSINESS
A. Commission Business
a. New Chair Election
Stephen Gagne was nominated as chair. Peddicord and Graham motioned to elect Gagne, all voted in favor.
B. Old Business
a. Presentation to the City Council
Bruce Moats reported on his presentation to City Council, including the success of the free debris drop-off
day last weekend.
b. Wildfire Mitigation Ordinance
i. Alarm Box was printed in May.
ii. Measure 56 Letter does not need to be sent according to legal review.
iii. FAQ were updated on the fire department website at ashland.or.us/whz.
Planning also has a site at ashland.or.us/wildfire ordinance
iv. May City Source has an announcement about the ordinance and meeting.
c. Firewise Demonstration Trailer
Contract is in process for the trailer. Doug is overseeing the process and it will take 6-8
weeks to get it built.
d. Firewise Landscaping
i. Station 1: plants have been torn out in front of the station in prep for
ii. North Mountain Park
iii. Parks Office
e. Intterra Data Update: All data is now downloaded into the City's GIS system. Chambers
is working on an exposure rating for the City based on wildfire modeling. A group of
researchers from Colorado are helping to develop a portal for communities to engage with
data from their own property.
C. New Business
a. Overview of the Tree Commission(Asa)
Asa Cates presented about the tree commission's current situation and ongoing duties and work.
They meet first Thursday of the month. Discussed overlap between tree protection and the new wildfire
ordinance proposal.
b. Strategy for the inventory(resources: video,print brochures,plants, rock etc.) and using
the Fire Wise Demonstration Trailer. Doug confirmed this was in progress.
c. WMC Presentation to the City Council-Already covered.
D. WMC requests the Council approach the County for permission to enforce, as necessary, the
City's weed abatement ordinance and penalties in the urban growth boundary as part of efforts to
reduce wildfire risk within the City limits.
All voted in favor of sending to Councilor Seffinger along with Wingspread letters and contacts.
E. Committee Reports: (2 minutes each)
a. Chamber Wildfire Task Force
i. Smoke: Chamber
ii. Evacuation/Communication: Chris will convene internal Fire Dept meeting
before next WMC.
iii. Business Resiliency
b. Plant List Subcommittee (Waterwise/Firewise)
Final version due next month with drafts/edits done.Need to address asterisks.
c. Community Wildfire Protection Plan
d. Farmer's Market
e. FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant
f. Tree Commission
g. Forest Lands Commission
h. Firewise USA Update
i. AFR Update
VII. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Stephen recommended that we have snacks at meetings.
VIII.REVIEW AND SET COMMISSION CALENDAR/NEXT MEETING
A. WMO City Council Study Session: May 14, 5:30pm(Council Chambers)
B. Mayors Brown Bag Lunch: May 25, 2018, 12:00pm(CommDev)
C. Wildfire Task Force: June 5, 2018, 10:30am(Station 1)
D. Next WMC Meeting: June 20,2018, 11:00am(Station 1)
IX. AGENDA ITEMS FOR June 20,2018
X. ADJOURN:
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 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).