MINUTES FOR A MEETING OF THE
ASHLAND FIREWISE COMMISSION
Wednesday, September 18th, 2013
12:00PM to 1:00PM
Conference Room, Ashland Fire Station #1
455 Siskiyou Blvd
I. CALL TO ORDER
Note meal source and amount: Pasta Piatti $122.85, $104 to Firewise account # Number Attending: __8__
Council Liaison Greg Lemhouse, Pete Norvell, Matt Warshawsky, Kelly Eaton, Kathy Kane, Staff: Kimberley Summers, Chris Chambers and Ali True. Absent: Annette Herron, Eric Olson.
II. INTRODUCTIONS: Guest, Chris Chambers
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 21st, 2013 meeting minutes approved 12:04 Kelly Eaton approved, Matt Warshawsky 2nd.
IV. PUBLIC FORUM -NONE
V. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA- Ali True will talk first then Chris Chambers
VI. BUSINESS
- Report on Fire Adapted Communities: Chambers. Review PowerPoint and address questions by Commissioners and liaisons- It was asked will the Fire Adaptive Communities Steering Committee address codes and ordinances and if they will bring that to Council for approval. That is the intent for the future commissioners when we revise the ordinance that defines the scope of the new Commission. Greg Lemhouse would like to see this presented at Study Session to Council and thinks it is a good direction to move in and progress with wildfire preparedness in the City.
- Funding update: Ali: allowed use of Title III funds for Commission meetings. It was discussed the difference between the two missions of FAC and Firewise and what can be funded appropriately with Firewise grant dollars. Firewise will still have program updates, education & materials for homeowners and Firewise Clean Up Day. Firewise will not be the whole focus of the meetings, we are shifting to the Fire Adapted Communities approach. Title III funds cannot be used for the poster contest or food at future meetings because we are shifting over to the Fire Adapted Communities. Clean up Day and other homeowner education materials and events can still be supported by Title III as long as they are within the scope of the grant. Firewise work will continue under the scope of FAC, but it is just one aspect of the bigger effort.
- Discussion of current Commission ordinance and possible revisions to incorporate new scope, and potential different meeting time. – Kelly Eaton had said she would like to research the Fire Adapted Communities more and see if this is a move she is willing to make. It would be good to think about where we all fit in and where we go from here with Firewise vs. Fire Adapted Communities. What is the skill set that they are looking for in the future and what kind of commitment is needed? Kathy Kane asked to do a Doodle poll to determine increasing the number on the commission, meeting hours, day of the week. Matt Warshawsky recommended speaking with members of the bike and pedestrian commission, who have done something similar when merging with Traffic and Safety Commission and becoming Transportation Commission. It was agreed that more members were not needed, and keeping current number would be most appropriate. Poll will focus on possible new monthly meeting times.
VII. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
VIII. REVIEW AND SET COMMISSION CALENDAR / NEXT MEETING
- Next meetings: October 16th, 2013 and future meetings TBD based on poll results.
IX. ADJOURN: 1:00 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 488-5587 (TTY phone 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).
