CRESCENT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
255 W. WASHINGTON BLVD. CRESCENT CITY, CA 95531 office: 707- 464-2421
MINUTES OF THE
CRESCENT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING HELD
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2020
AT 5:00 P.M.
DIRECTORS PRESENT: ABSENT:
Chairman Jim Nelson Vice Chairman Dave Short Director Jim Erler
Director Rick Kelley
Director Allen Winogradov
OTHERS PRESENT:
Vanessa Duncan, Clerk of the Board Bill Gillespie, Fire Chief
Abigail Seaman, Bartle Wells Associates Colette Metz, Planwest Partners, INC. Joy Kummer, TBWBH
Alissia Northrup, Del Norte County Clerk/Recorder Eric Wier, City Manager
ROLL CALL:
Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order at 5:04 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice Chair Short.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No public comment at this time.
CONSENT CALENDAR
3.1 APPROVE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2020.
3.2 APPROVAL OF WARRANT CLAIMS FOR PERIOD COVERING JULY 2020.
On a motion by Director Winogradov, seconded by Vice Chair Short, motion carried unanimously 5/0; the Board of Directors approved the regular meeting minutes of September 14, 2020 and the warrant claims for period covering September 2020.
NEW BUSINESS
NO NEW BUSINESS AT THIS TIME.
OLD BUSINESS
5.1 RECEIVE AMENDED BENEFIT ASSESSMENT REPORT,
CONSIDER AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 20-005; AND WAIVE FULL READING, READ BY TITLE ONLY AND RE-INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 20-001, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CRESCENT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT LEVYING A FIRE SUPPRESSION ASSESSMENT,
BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2021/22
RECOMMENDATION
1. Receive staff report and presentation 2. Take public comment
3. Board Discussion
4. Consider and adopt RESOLUTION NO. 20-005; A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CRESCENT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT AMENDING ENGINEER’S REPORT
5. Review and waive full reading, read by title only, and re-introduce ORDINANCE NO. 20-001, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CRESCENT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT LEVYING A FIRE SUPPRESSION ASSESSMENT, BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2021/2022.
The Board received a staff report from Chief Gillespie. The report provided the background of the assessment and Engineers report.
Colette Metz, Senior Planner with Planwest Partners, noted that there are several changes to the Assessment Report and went on to explain the
changes in further detail. Senior Planner Metz noted that after the report was adopted by the Board at the August 10, 2020 Regular Board meeting, it was found that the property classification listing as provided by the County
Assessor Office had 14 parcels classified as “Residential” or “Commercial” that were actually vacant. Additionally, 15 other parcels classified as “Commercial”
with building square footage EBU’s should be rounded down. The resulting changes to the 29 referenced parcels had a total revenue impact of $-1,187. This lowered the estimated fiscal year 2021-2022 assessment revenue from $433,746 to $432,559. These changes also highlighted the need to work with the County Assessor’s Office to update use codes for properties within the District.
Director Winogradov questioned Appendix A – wondering if any of the parcels listed received a ballot; Senior Planner Metz explained that the parcels on Appendix A did receive a ballot, but they have land use classification
revisions. Director Winogradov questioned if the parcels listed, that are now updated to vacant, will have ballots tabulated; Senior Planner Metz explained that the vote will not count if the classification revision was updated to
vacant. Director Winogradov questioned what would happen if someone claims they did not receive a ballot; Senior Planner Metz explains that the Clerk of the Board has been in contact with anyone that has called to
question if they should have received a ballot or not. Senior Planner Metz also explains that unfortunately, the Accessor’s Office did not have up to date land use codes and there are many property owners that will not be charged due to land use being listed as vacant. Director Winogradov questioned when the ballots will need to be submitted; Senior Planner Metz explained that if the Board approves the adjustments on land use that is now being listed as vacant that the ballots will need to be submitted by the end of the public hearing at tonight’s meeting.
On a motion by Director Erler, seconded by Vice Chairman Short, motion carried unanimously 5/0; the Board of Directors adopts THE AMENDED BENEFIT ASSESSMENT REPORT, RESOLUTION NO. 20-005 ; AND WAIVE FULL READING, READ BY TITLE ONLY AND RE-INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 20-001, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CRESCENT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT LEVYING A FIRE SUPPRESSION ASSESSMENT, BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2021/22.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board Members of the
CRESCENT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
This 12th day of OCTOBER 2020, by the following polled vote: YES: 5
NOES: 0 ABSENT: 0
6. PUBLIC HEARING
6.1 CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED FIRE PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES BENEFIT ASSESSMENT OF THE CRESCENT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
RECOMMENDATION 1. Open Public Hearing
2. Receive staff report and presentation 3. Take public comment
5. Continue tabulation of ballots**
* To be counted, mail-in and in-person assessment ballots MUST be received by the close of the public hearing on October 12, 2020 at the Washington Station. For those wishing to drop off their ballot at the station, a secure drop box was provided during the 45-day balloting period. In addition, the District Clerk and County Registrar will be on-site during the public hearing to accept in-person ballots. If you lose your ballot, require a replacement ballot, or want to change your vote, call the Crescent Fire Protection District at (707) 464-2421.
** Tabulation of the returned ballots will be conducted by the Del Norte County Election’s Office:
Ballot Tabulation October 13th, 10:00AM
Board of Supervisors Chamber 981 H Street, Crescent City
Members of the public are welcome to view ballot tabulation live via zoom at the following link:
Zoom link to watch live:https://media.co.del-norte.ca.us/
Note: If, according to the final tabulation, ballots submitted against the assessment exceed the ballots submitted in favor of the assessment, weighted according to the proportional financial obligation of the affected property, a “majority protest” exists and the Crescent Fire Protection District shall not impose the assessment.
The Board of Directors will formally accept and certify the balloting results at its regularly scheduled meeting on November 9th at 5:00PM. If
approved, the Board will conduct a second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 20-001 on November 9th.
Chief Gillespie shared his screen giving a presentation on the background of the 10-year financial plan. He presented the call volume increase over the last six 10-years and went over the critical needs of staffing, volunteer, support, apparatus replacement plan, and fiscal sustainability. It is noted that CFPD will deplete reserves in
approximately two to three years following the sunset of the 2006 benefit assessment. Chief Gillespie then went over additional funding priorities which includes volunteer staffing programs, admin/operation staff, apparatus/equipment, and a training budget. Chief Gillespie also explained the requirement of the election and that the assessment requires majority approval by property owners, with ballots weighted based on the relative special benefit to a property in relation to a single-family home, the type of property, and its size. Each ballot included the total assessment proposed for the owner’s parcel and a summary of the procedures applicable to the completion, return and location of the public hearing. Chief Gillespie noted that individuals that own more than one developed property would
have received a ballot for each property that is owned. It was also explained that properties that were vacant would not receive a ballot, as vacant properties were not assessed. To be counted, mail-in and in-person assessment ballots were required to be received by the close of the public hearing on October 12, 2020 at the Washington Station. It was further explained that the County Registrar was on-site during the public hearing to accept in-person ballots.
Chief Gillespie reported that the County Registrar would take possession of the ballots following the public hearing, and tabulation of the returned ballots would commence after the close of the public hearing and be conducted October 13th beginning at 10:00 AM in the Board of Supervisors Chamber, 981 H Street in Crescent City. The Del Norte County Election’s Office (County Registrar) would handle all ballots, conduct tabulation, and retain all ballots in their archives for a minimum of two years. Following the tabulation of all ballots, the Board of Directors would formally accept and certify the balloting results at its regularly schedule meeting on November 9th at 5:00 PM. If the assessment is approved, the Board will conduct a second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 20-001 at that meeting.
Director Winogradov questioned if this benefit assessment passes and the City’s measure S does not pass, if CCF&R (Crescent City Fire & Rescue) will continue with the ten-year master plan. Chief Gillespie stated that it is important for both parties to pass. City Manager Wier explained that this master plan was developed with intent of both the City and the District obtaining additional funds. The City Manager noted that the City will not be able to allocate any additional funding without
Measure S passing. The District will be in a secure position (if the benefit
assessment passes) and the City will have to come up with a plan to implement the rest. Director Winogradov posed a question to Chief Gillespie regarding how many times the Fire Department arrive at scene before the ambulance; Chief Gillespie noted that approximately 60-70% of the time the Fire Department shows up ahead of the ambulance. He also explained that the firefighters can be on scene before the ambulance since they are in various locations around the City/District. Director Winogradov questioned if Del Norte ambulance uses the Fire Department as a transport. Director Winogradov would also like to state his observation of “having a volunteer firefighter show up from their house and be on scene before the paid ambulance”.
Chairman Nelson opened the public hearing.
Dana Reno stated his gratitude towards the Board and the City of Crescent City. He stated how both agencies have been working hard to have the benefit assessment passed. He doesn’t want to see the level of service change if this doesn’t pass. No other persons requested to speak via Zoom, and no email correspondence Chairman Nelson closed the public hearing at 6PM.
UPDATE ON CURRENT MATTERS AND THOSE IN PROGRESS.
7.1 RESPONSES OCCURRED BETWEEN: 09/01 – 09/30/2020 Chief Gillespie briefed the Board on the recent calls.
BOARD COMMENTS
NO BOARD COMMENTS AT THIS TIME.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Nelson adjourned the meeting at 6:25 pm of the Crescent Fire Protection District Board of Directors to the next regularly scheduled meeting November 9, at 5:00PM.
___________________
Vanessa Duncan, Clerk of the Board Crescent Fire Protection District
