EASTERN SIERRA COUNTY FIRE
SERVICES was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held Tuesday, December 19, 2017 in Loyalton. Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals stated a committee of the Board met on November 16th. The meeting was conducted at the Loyalton Social Hall as a result of the April meeting to review the two contracts in place. Beals stated the agreements have some issues and were discussed. One of the tasks was to determine the progress that has been made for an alternative to substitute for these agreements. This meeting on November 16th followed a Sierra Brooks meeting held a week prior and was well attended. He stated another meeting followed the November 16th meeting by the Sierra County Fire Protection District. Beals explained this District was not related to Sierra County, adding it is an independent special district with no oversight from the Board of Supervisors. He continued by stating this District on the 12th of December took action to file a formal application with LAFCO for annexation of the unprotected areas in Sierra County, which would include Verdi, Long Valley, and everything east of the boundary of the existing Sierra County Fire Protection District in Sierra Valley. Beals said this was a Motion of Intent to bring the formal application back to the full District board for approval.
MOTION OF INTENT: Following almost two years of public involvement and multiple community meetings, the Board of Commissioners of Sierra Co. Fire Protection District #1 hereby sets the following direction for resolving public safety concerns for structure fire and emergency medical service for those portions of Eastern Sierra County that are not currently offered service though an organized District.
1. Adopt a Sphere of Influence for all of that portion of North Eastern Sierra County (except the City of Loyalton). Develop a Resolution to trigger the LAFCO process for this Sphere of Influence.
2. Initiate processes through Sierra Co. LAFCO to annex all of the North Eastern portion of Sierra County that is not currently within a District. Develop a Resolution to trigger LAFCO process for this annexation.
3. Work with Sierra County to create a special assessment area to include all of Verdi, California to generate the additional resources necessary to cover the cost of fire protection service under the auspices of Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (or another source).
4. Work with Sierra County to create a second special assessment area to include Sierra County portion of long valley to cover the cost of service VIA Truckee Meadows Fire (or another source).
5. Prepare a Formal Application of Annexation to include all unserved territories in the Eastern Portion of Sierra County, excluding the City of Loyalton. Anticipate development of a Service Agreement with the City of Loyalton for these services near Loyalton.
Beals felt this was good news and moving in the right direction, adding he had not heard anything further on a formation of a new district. He stated the issue before the Board of Supervisors was the recommended action with the two old agreements. Beals continued and said the committee of Supervisors Peter Huebner and Scott Schlefstein were recommending the old agreements be continued through the end of their
contracts on June 30, 2018 anticipating the Fire District will be in a strong position by that time. Supervisor Lee Adams said the end of the term was actually December 30th. He had two ideas: one was to extend it 90 days to see where they were or extend through June 30th but with an April 1st notice to terminate on June 30th. He wanted to keep some “feet to the fire” to get this done. Schlefstein said if this didn’t get done, there’s no fire protection in Sierra Brooks, adding why would they want to put anybody in jeopardy. Adams said because it puts the other taxpayers in the county in jeopardy. Schlefstein felt they were putting an “unnecessary cliff in front of the trail.” Supervisor Paul Roen encouraged Schlefstein to have someone from Sierra Brooks attend the next meeting to show support for this idea, adding it’s no given that this will happen. Adams made motion to extend though June 30th, but will revisit in April. The motion passed with Schlefstein and Supervisor Jim Beard voting no.
SERVICES was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held Tuesday, December 19, 2017 in Loyalton. Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals stated a committee of the Board met on November 16th. The meeting was conducted at the Loyalton Social Hall as a result of the April meeting to review the two contracts in place. Beals stated the agreements have some issues and were discussed. One of the tasks was to determine the progress that has been made for an alternative to substitute for these agreements. This meeting on November 16th followed a Sierra Brooks meeting held a week prior and was well attended. He stated another meeting followed the November 16th meeting by the Sierra County Fire Protection District. Beals explained this District was not related to Sierra County, adding it is an independent special district with no oversight from the Board of Supervisors. He continued by stating this District on the 12th of December took action to file a formal application with LAFCO for annexation of the unprotected areas in Sierra County, which would include Verdi, Long Valley, and everything east of the boundary of the existing Sierra County Fire Protection District in Sierra Valley. Beals said this was a Motion of Intent to bring the formal application back to the full District board for approval.
MOTION OF INTENT: Following almost two years of public involvement and multiple community meetings, the Board of Commissioners of Sierra Co. Fire Protection District #1 hereby sets the following direction for resolving public safety concerns for structure fire and emergency medical service for those portions of Eastern Sierra County that are not currently offered service though an organized District.
1. Adopt a Sphere of Influence for all of that portion of North Eastern Sierra County (except the City of Loyalton). Develop a Resolution to trigger the LAFCO process for this Sphere of Influence.
2. Initiate processes through Sierra Co. LAFCO to annex all of the North Eastern portion of Sierra County that is not currently within a District. Develop a Resolution to trigger LAFCO process for this annexation.
3. Work with Sierra County to create a special assessment area to include all of Verdi, California to generate the additional resources necessary to cover the cost of fire protection service under the auspices of Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (or another source).
4. Work with Sierra County to create a second special assessment area to include Sierra County portion of long valley to cover the cost of service VIA Truckee Meadows Fire (or another source).
5. Prepare a Formal Application of Annexation to include all unserved territories in the Eastern Portion of Sierra County, excluding the City of Loyalton. Anticipate development of a Service Agreement with the City of Loyalton for these services near Loyalton.
Beals felt this was good news and moving in the right direction, adding he had not heard anything further on a formation of a new district. He stated the issue before the Board of Supervisors was the recommended action with the two old agreements. Beals continued and said the committee of Supervisors Peter Huebner and Scott Schlefstein were recommending the old agreements be continued through the end of their
contracts on June 30, 2018 anticipating the Fire District will be in a strong position by that time. Supervisor Lee Adams said the end of the term was actually December 30th. He had two ideas: one was to extend it 90 days to see where they were or extend through June 30th but with an April 1st notice to terminate on June 30th. He wanted to keep some “feet to the fire” to get this done. Schlefstein said if this didn’t get done, there’s no fire protection in Sierra Brooks, adding why would they want to put anybody in jeopardy. Adams said because it puts the other taxpayers in the county in jeopardy. Schlefstein felt they were putting an “unnecessary cliff in front of the trail.” Supervisor Paul Roen encouraged Schlefstein to have someone from Sierra Brooks attend the next meeting to show support for this idea, adding it’s no given that this will happen. Adams made motion to extend though June 30th, but will revisit in April. The motion passed with Schlefstein and Supervisor Jim Beard voting no.
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