WRA Organization

Board Meeting Minutes

Annual Report (pdf)

Flow Chart

SMPERS (pdf)

Board Meeting Minutes

WILDLAND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
A CALIFORNIA NONPROFIT CORPORATION
95-3737837
September 10, 2005

The Annual Meeting of the General Membership of the WILDLAND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION, a California nonprofit corporation, was held at Cold Spring Tavern on September 10, 2005.

DIRECTORS PRESENT: Mike Williams, President; Dean May, Treasurer; Karen May, Secretary; Bonnie Blau, Peter Burgess, Susan Del Real, Beverly Holliday; Rocky Siegel, Area Coordinators.

ALSO PRESENT : Craig Jennings

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by President Mike Williams. The meeting began with introductions of the board members. Approximately 18 members of the Wildland Residents Association and volunteer fire departments attended.

PRESENTATION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT:
Mike Williams discussed the Wildland Residents Association 2005 Annual Report, which is incorporated into and made a part of these minutes by this reference. Final editing of the report was delayed to assist in the response to the Hurricane Katrina emergency. The report will be available on the website in the next week.

During the past year, the WRA has received public exposure from various means. Community and state Public Information Officers have created the EPIC group to improve and coordinate disaster communications. The Tri Counties Training Officers Association participated in HELOPS. WRA volunteer firefighters and board members participated in hurricane response work at the Red Cross. WRA has been involved with the California State Firefighters Association, CARE (Raytheon), and the Family Services Agency 211 program.

WRA received a two year grant from the U.S. Forest Service, to be administered by the Fire Safe Council, for community brush clearing.

Events during the last year included the landslides of January 10 and the consequences thereof. The Red Cross was prepared to supply trapped West Camino Cielo residents with food and water, but the blocked road was cleared in one day thanks to Tierra Construction’s bulldozer. The Red Cross supplies went to La Conchita. Windermere Ranch allowed residents to exit across their property.

During the long road blockage, residents were encouraged to patronize Cold Spring Tavern, a popular idea in the community.

The obvious need for better communication to the public led to the creation by WRA of the SMPERS 1040 AM radio station to provide information for travelers and residents of the San Marcos Pass area. The station provides 14 minutes of pre-programmed audio information, and can be easily accessed to provide updated or real-time information as needed. It was funded by the Wood-Claeyssens Foundation. It is proposed that two more WRA AM radio stations mounted on trailers be made available to lend to agencies such as California Highway Patrol, with possible funding from State Farm.

The California Highway Patrol asked WRA to create identification stickers color-coded to the yearly license plate registration stickers and provide them to residents. They are now provided to WRA members with their membership materials, and are available to  non-WRA members for $10.

The newsletter will now be published on the WRA website (www.firedept.net/wra/ ) rather than being printed at great expense and placed in or around residents’ mailboxes. Also available on the website are the HELOPS training photos and information.

Insurance costs of $12,000 per year continue to be difficult to cover. Members of the municipal insurance pool receive a discount of 75%, but nonprofits are not eligible. Creation of a fire district would draw funds away from County and State taxes and would not be supported.

WRA was audited, with risk management plans and vehicles being closely inspected. It went well. Mike noted that WRA could use help with keeping risk management policies and procedures current.

A goal for this coming year will be to line up people to assist with and eventually maintain the website and radio station.

PRESENTATION OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT:
Dean May presented and explained the Financial Statement, which is hereby incorporated as a part of these minutes and is made a part hereof by this reference.

Net income for the year was $71,000, most of which went for capital expenses.

FIRE DEPARTMENT: 
Under the Memorandum of Understanding with the County Fire Department, San Marcos Pass Volunteer Fire Department’s area covers the area between Windy Gap and Stagecoach Road, East and West Camino Cielo, and two miles into Paradise Road (ending at Rancho San Fernando Rey). An exception would be made for a major fire, in which case appropriate response would extend past boundaries as needed.

Locating addresses in Paradise Canyon continues to be a problem for emergency responders, with many residents refusing to post their house numbers.

NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
Re-election of the current slate of officers was moved, seconded and unanimously approved by the membership.  

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen May, Secretary