Firewise – Southwest Colorado
Council Meeting -- Meeting Outcomes
August 19, 2003

 

Present: Laurie Robison, Jenny Newcomer, Kristie Borchers, Joy Mathis, Holli Pfau, Lisa Hutton, Carolyn Hunter, Pam Wilson, Brian Kimmel, Ben Cordova, Dan Noonan, Jerry McGeorge, PJ O’Connell, Janet Slater, Nancy Lauro and Howard Rachlin.

1. The group approved the previous month’s meeting notes. La Plata Electric was thanked for offering the meeting place.

2. Kristie Borchers, Pam Wilson and Jenny Newcomer all gave a report on a project arising out of the “education team.” A series of brochures will be produced and distributed regionally around wildfire prevention and education and targeted to specific groups (e.g. realtors.) The San Juan Mountains Association is providing funding. And, this organization also offered to be the fiscal agent on any grants for the Council. Kristie and Pam are writing the brochures and welcome any input by email (info@fireready.com or plwilson@fs.fed.us) A logo for the Council will be done as well.

3. After much discussion, it was decided that the name of the group will be “Firewise – Southwest Colorado” pending approval from the Firewise organization. This name is much easier, more clear and allows the Council to do work that has applicability regionally.

4. The group decided that while this is a La Plata County effort, if people from other counties want to attend meetings, they certainly can. Some of the Council’s work (e.g. the brochures) may serve the region as well as our county. If other communities want to set up Councils, we can offer technical assistance. Finally, while the group is about wildfire prevention and mitigation, where appropriate issues of emergency preparedness can be worked on.

5. Nancy Lauro and Dan Noonan presented a range of various fire prevention and mitigation policy ideas to the group ranging from voluntary to non-voluntary. They said a separate working group has been set up by the Board of County Commissioners to develop policies for the County which would be voted on and hopefully approved. At the next meeting, the draft and content of these policies will be discussed extensively. Community support will be critical.

6. Marsha handed out a document that outlines some of the Council organizational issues that will eventually need to be dealt with (see below). She asked everyone to think about the issues raised (note: We will be discussing how the Council should be organized at the October meeting.)

7. Lisa and Howard, with Carolyn, expressed interest in following up on the Firewood Clearinghouse idea raised at the last meeting. Carolyn said there might be an opportunity to get wood to a domestic violence shelter in Shiprock. It was made clear this project will take more volunteers so email List if you are interested in helping (earthsurfn@yahoo.com) Next Meeting: 9/16/03

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Firewise – Southwest Colorado
(second draft.)
1. The name of the group shall be Firewise –Southwest Colorado.

2. The purpose of the Council is:

The purpose of the Firewise – Southwest Colorado Council is to mitigate the threat of wildfire, floods and other potential threats to homes, lives and properties. This will be done by educating residents, initiating and lobbying for effective policies, implementing "on the ground" projects, finding ways to reduce the cost of fire mitigation for homeowners, and bringing key stakeholders together.

3. The Committees of the Council are:

a) Community Education
b) “On the Ground” Mitigation Projects
c) Policy
d) Other: _________________

4. Requirements and Terms of Membership
- Attend meetings monthly.
- Report back to your organization (if you are tied to an organization).
- Be active and work on Council Committee.
- Terms are either for one or two years beginning 9/03.
- Agree with the purpose of the Council.

5. Leadership, Voting and Quorum
- Council will consist of no more than 20 members (see item 6.)
- Council uses consensus model where possible.
- If consensus is not possible, Council uses ___% quorum.
- By 12/03, Council will have voted on: President (or Chair); Vice President; Secretary; _____________; _____________________ (to be defined.)

6. Composition of the Council
- The Council has a maximum 20 members representing: homeowners; homeowner associations; businesses; realtors; landscape designers; architects; interested citizens; LPEA; private fire mitigation companies; disaster preparedness organizations; insurance agents; home builders; etc.
- Those interested to date will be asked whether or not they want to commit to membership at the 9/03 meeting.

7. Community Partners
- The Council is supported by “Community Partners” as follows: Colorado State Forest Service; San Juan Public Lands Center; La Plata County Planning Department; Durango Fire and Rescue Authority and other interested fire departments in La Plata County; and___________________(are we missing anyone here?)
- Community Partners can attend meetings, and, they offer help, support and in-kind resources.
- Partners are voting or non-voting?????

8. The permanent meeting location of the Council is the La Plata Electric Board Room, 45 Stewart Drive in BoDo Industrial Park.

9. What else needs covered?