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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWildfire Advisory Committee 2019-07-10 Minutes WILDFIRE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019 AT 4:30 P.M. REGULAR MEETING SAN RAFAEL COMMUNITY CENTER, ROOM 5 618 B STREET, SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA MEETING MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Gary Phillips, Mayor Maribeth Bushey, Councilmember Romeo Arrieta Robert Chatham, Alternate Gina Daly Larry Luckham Sandra Luna Stephen Mizroch Tom Obletz Gregory Poulos Tom Unterman Thomas Vogl Lauren Withey MEMBERS ABSENT: Lisa DelGallo Kevin Hagerty Paula Kamena Rich Rusdorf Brian Waterbury OTHERS PRESENT: Cristine Alilovich, Assistant City Manager Quinn Gardner, Emergency Manager Coordinator, Staff Liaison Robert Sinnott, Deputy Fire Chief David Catalinotto, SRFD COMMUNITY MEMBERS: Stan Burford, Steve Farac, Kate Lawson, Bonnie Morse, Gary Morse, Victoria Dewitt INTRODUCTION Mayor Phillips welcomed and thanked committee and members of the public in attendance. OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION A resident spoke about difficulty seeing addresses. Also, resident lives on a dead-end street that is 9-10 feet wide. She expressed a concern about a fire in 2016 and challenges with response engines and residents attempting to get off the hill. She expressed concern about the risk to firefighters and to residents. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JUNE 19, 2019 MEETING No adjustments received from minutes that were sent out to committee members. Motion to approve: Luckham motion, Mizroch second, approved on voice vote, none opposed. MATTERS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE Mayor Phillips summarized events leading to the development of the Wildfire Action Plan in March 2019 and purpose of committee. Committee members were provided with the committee guidelines (included at the end of the minutes). Quinn discussed handouts provided at the meeting, including Firewise brochures, which show the different zones of defensible space: 0-5 feet (Zone 1), 5-30 feet (Zone 2), and 30-100+ feet (Zone 3). Several committee members took the 30-minute quiz on how wildfires spread that Quinn had sent out in advance of the meeting. a. Discussion of Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan (WPPAP) #1: This would add 2 species – Acacia and Italian cypress – to vegetation regulations in Title 4 of municipal code, which currently include juniper and bamboo. General consensus reached on the 4 plant types should be removed within a set distance (yet to be determined) of structures and roads before a 2021 fire season as deadline, with potential for tiered enforcement (by geography – e.g., Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) first). Concern for providing resources for residents who do not have financial resources to comply with ordinance. Group discussed concerns with Eucalyptus. There was general agreement that time of home sales will be a backstop for implementing vegetation ordinances, but that whether this will be mandated prior to sale (or title change) or can be passed off to the new owner after is still up for discussion. #2: Quinn clarified that the actual term “WUI” would not be extended to the entirety of the city. Instead, all homes would have the same vegetation standard. WUI would still exist, potentially for other purposes. City staff will work on preparing a list of requirements that the committee can decide on whether to make citywide vs. WUI only. The group decided to continue the conversation on this topic at the next meeting. #3: Creation of regulations within immediate zones for structures. Fire Chief recommends that immediate zone be defined as 5 feet from base of structure, with accounts for embers falling from roof over hangs. Quinn recognizes that this is an onerous requirement but explained its impact on reducing ember ignitions. Spirited discussion about how strict city can be w/r/t enforcement, granting of variances, application to WUI vs. citywide, etc. The group generally agreed that having a list of plants that would be approved or recommended, such as the FireSafe Marin plant list, would be beneficial, although there was some disagreement about how specific or limiting such a list should be. The group supported working with nurseries and other points of sale or planting to reduce hazardous plants in San Rafael. In general, the committee understood compliance may be a challenge, but was generally in support of moving forward with ordinance updates. The committee generally agrees that avoiding a large wildfire tragedy and the associated costs are with the investment and potential hardships. Committee will meet again on July 31, B Street Community Center at 4:30 pm. Topics will include citywide vegetation standards and items related to home hardening. NOTE: On July 26th, the meeting was changed to August 1st, with the same time and location. Meeting Adjourned at 6:03 P.M. City of San Rafael Wildfire Advisory Committee Guidelines Mission Statement: The mission of the Wildfire Advisory Committee is to help improve Citywide resiliency and protect the community and firefighters by reducing wildfire risk. The Committee will use the City’s “Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan” as a starting point and will provide input on implementing measures such as the development of new City ordinances, assist in the prioritization of implementation measures, provide input on cost effective implementation strategies, and assist in disseminating information and obtaining wider public input. Anticipated Term: The Committee is intended to be temporary in nature as opposed to the existing standing Boards and Commissions of the City of San Rafael. The Committee will remain in place for approximately twelve months but serves at the pleasure of the City Council who may adjust the term as necessary. Organization and Membership: Committee members must live in San Rafael or own/operate a business in San Rafael to serve. The Committee shall be comprised of 15 members of the community. Members will be selected by the City Council’s ad hoc Subcommittee for Wildfire Prevention, which includes Mayor Phillips and Councilmember Bushey. The City Council’s ad hoc Subcommittee has already identified approximately seven members and is now seeking to call for applications for the remaining eight positions. Criteria for Committee members include such factors as: background/experience in topics related to wildfire prevention, diversity, and availability for and commitment to the goals of the Committee. The meetings will be collaborative and a place to bring forward innovative ideas for consideration. Specific Duties: The committee’s advisory and review function on matters related to implementing the Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan include, but are not limited to: 1. Participating in the development, review, and prioritization of wildfire-related City ordinances. 2. Providing input to strategies related to collaboration, education, coordination for plan implementation, and funding. 3. Reviewing and commenting on existing conditions, ordinances, and mitigation measures within the City relating to wildfire prevention and protection. 4. Participating in the City’s efforts to inform and educate the public on wildfire risk, mitigation measures, ongoing and planned efforts, and opportunities for public input. 5. Reviewing and providing feedback on significant wildfire mitigation projects including but not limited to, fuel mitigation, fire road improvements, and evacuation enhancements. Meetings and Community Involvement: Initial meetings will be held twice a month and will shift to monthly and bimonthly as directed by the City Council ad hoc Subcommittee. Meetings will be open to the public and held in City Hall and the Community Center’s as scheduling needs require. Information about the committee meetings, including upcoming agenda, will be posted online and as otherwise required by law. The public will be invited to comment at every meeting. Draft ordinances and other public records reviewed or recommended by the committee will be shared for public comment via community meetings and/or scheduled City Council meetings. City Staff Role Mayor Phillips and Councilmember Bushey will be the co-chairs of the Wildfire Advisory Committee. Primary responsibility for staffing the Committee will rest with the Fire Chief or his designee – and will involve other City staff as necessary. City staff will prepare meeting agendas and prepare summary meeting minutes. Staff will facilitate committee meetings, advocating for productive exchanges of ideas. City representatives will take the feedback, comments, and suggestions of the committee under consideration during plan implementation. City staff will support sharing the committee’s feedback with the public through community meetings and/or online forums.