SOURDOUGH RURAL FIRE DISTRICT MINUTE

Regular Meeting Minutes July 12, 2004

The meeting was called to order at 8PM by Chairman Dave Kraft. All trustees were present as was Chief Crandell, and Community Outreach Coordinator, Kandy Rose.

• Minutes of the Regular Meeting (prepared by Steve Dayhuff, Acting Secretary) were presented. Geddes moved for approval and Dayhuff seconded. Passed and placed in the record.
• The treasurer's report was deferred until the August meeting due to previously approved absence of Audria Bloch.
• Geddes proposed that the Bookkeeper be authorized to sign warrants up to $500. This request is offered in the spirit of efficiency and trust. Geddes moved for approval and Dayhuff seconded. Passed.
• Elections of Trustee Officers. Geddes expressed interest in running for the position of Chairman. He suggested that the impending needs assessment would require considerable time commitment, and that he was prepared commit such time as chairman on behalf of the trustees. The discussion focused on whether the effectiveness of such work would be diminished if it were not vested to the Chairman. The consensus was that trustees, acting in accord with the wishes of the Board as a whole, were not less effective by virtue of position title, and that the present make-up was working fine. Larimer moved retention of each Trustee in their current position: Kraft – Chairman; Dayhuff – Vice-Chairman; Bachman – Secretary; Geddes – Treasurer. Bachman seconded. Passed. ( Officers serve for one fiscal year with terms up on June 30.)
• The Chief's report was presented and placed in the record.
• Geddes presented the supplemental report on the Chief's evaluation . After review the Trustees and the Chief signed the Evaluation according to the Governance Policy, which was then placed in the 2004 evaluation record. The Trustees, by so doing, ratified their vote of confidence in the Chief who is in compliance with the Executive Limitations and is guiding the SFD in an exemplary manner.
• Needs Assessment. The Trustees discussed the need to begin a process to determine how our service community can be characterized, and then tailor the department to fit those needs. The discussion brought out the concept of combining this exercise with the Rae Service Area, since we operate together seamlessly in service circumstances, and through our Cottonwood Station. Chairman Kraft will contact RAE chairman Lucas to set up a joint work session to this end. The Interlocal Agreement will serve as the template for the discussion, with the eventual amalgamation of the two boards as an objective. Chief Crandell will provide a white paper on combing the two jurisdictional bodies.
• Restructuring the meeting format. It was decided to combine the secretary and treasurers report into a consent agenda format in order to move the meeting more efficiently. In line with that desire, it was also decided to set the following month's agenda at each meeting, with the provision that agenda items can be added up to 10 days prior to the meeting by contacting the Secretary. A final meeting format change will be the appointment of a time-keeper, who will be Steve Dayhuff.
• By-law revision. Attorney Chris Gray has provided copies of revised by-laws for review by the Trustees. This review will be conducted in consideration of the potential combination with the RAE board and should be ratified at the October meeting. In the mean time, Trustees will review and comment through staff on the document in hand and be prepared to discuss at the August meeting.
• Cottonwood Station landscaping. Bachman brought up the traffic pattern observed at the valley-wide wildland training exercise last month. A driveway needs to be designated along the south side of the building. Dave Lucas is working on the landscape plan and Bachman will coordinate with him.
• Public Comment. Kandy Rose will coordinate the grand opening now scheduled for September 19 from 2 – 4. Plans will be solidified at the August meeting.
• Next meeting agenda items: Service Assessment (replacing “needs” assessment); Open house; By-law Revision – Trustee Input.
• The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 PM.