SOURDOUGH RURAL FIRE DISTRICT MINUTES
February 17, 2003

The regular monthly meeting of the Sourdough Rural Fire District was held on February 17, 2003 at the Fire Station on 4145 South Third Road, Bozeman, Montana. Chairman Kraft called the meeting to order at 7:45 PM. All Trustees and Chief Crandell and SFD Supporter President Kandy Rose were present; no members of the public attended.

The minutes of the regular January meeting were presented. Geddes moved for approval with compliments to the Secretary for clarity of record; Kraft seconded. Passed and placed in the record.

The Treasurers Report was presented. The trustees reviewed the report. Geddes moved for approval of the report and approval of warrants > $300. Dayhuff inquired about the OSHA mandated expenses for wellness and prevention. There is a FEMA grant program for related program expenditures. Chief Crandell related that SFD and RAE is pursuing such a grant for fitness equipment for the Sourdough Station. The trustees complimented the Chief on his foresight in maintaining a fit and healthy cadre. Bachman seconded. Passed and placed in the record.

The Chief's Report was presented and is included in the record. Apparatus assembly is proceeding on schedule and should be completed by the end of April. Phase 1 station construction work continues with the delivery of the steel building anticipated for mid-March. Web page development was proceeding through server security requirements.

Chief Crandell asked that the trustees, through resolution, request from release of impact fees by the Gallatin County Commissioners. A suggested sense of the resolution was discussed as follows: "The Sourdough Rural Fire District hereby requests that the Gallatin County Commissioners release all impact fees held to date on behalf of the Sourdough Rural Fire District equal to or greater than $26,000 to be applied to capital projects including, but not limited to apparatus and station facilities." Bachman is to draft with the help of the Clerk of the Commission, and submit for action at the earliest possible meeting. Bachman moved that such a resolution be drafted and submitted; Geddes seconded; passed.

After some discussion and review of the draft Governance Policy developed by Randy and Kandy, it was decided that Pete would prepare a second draft and circulate by e-mail. A final draft policy would emerge from this process and would be reviewed and possibly voted upon at the March meeting.

Pete reported on the meeting he and Brian had on behalf of the SFD with the Gallatin County Commissioners. Their meeting was duly noticed and attended by Commissioners Murdock and Vincent. SFD requested incident pre-planning response from the Commission including use of Nash Park as a IC and staging area and a 2 mil release contingency to cover extraordinary costs incurred by an extended wildfire or disaster circumstance. The Commission was asked to acknowledge the absolute management responsibility of the elected trustees of the fire district and the fiduciary responsibility of the Commission to the county citizens. The meeting went very well and will be memorialized by the commission through correspondence with the SFD Trustees.

Kandy Rose reported on neighborhood meetings aimed at wildland fire and disaster preplanning. NOAA weather radio access to information is now available to our customers. Information specific to Gallatin County can be relayed through the NWS office in Great Falls. An alert process activated by neighborhood contacts, directs our customers to turn on 1600 or 1700 AM frequencies broadcast from mobile transmitters that, along with message boards can be deployed adjacent to areas of concern. Individual board member role in such situations will be primarily as information conduits to neighbors, agencies and media.

Brian requested staff development and funding considerations for subdivision review representation. The board concurred with the problem of the staff time commitment extending our resources. The Board looked favorably toward recruiting, and sharing along with other departments, a person to assume these duties. Further discussion will be held at the March meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 PM.

Submitted and approved March 17, 2003