Dixie Fire criminal case settlement update – 1 year later

The DFC will proceed to take a look at methods to maintain leveraging our greenbacks, nevertheless, our first precedence working straight with Catastrophe Case Administration will probably be to assist complement the gaps for particular person survivors.

Attachments-

Expenditures:

NVCF Charges $60,000

Web site $11,458

Safety Cameras $5,426

Hope Disaster Rebuild $59,825

Copper Creek Workforce Housing $75,000

Dixie Fireplace Easy Unmet Wants Roundtable $50,000

Planning and Visioning Section 1A $20,000

Plumas Rural Providers August 4^th Fireplace Anniversary Transportation $1745

Harvest Truthful Occasion Insurance coverage $100

Meals/Meals for Two CCA Scholar Workshops $1,008

Canyon Dam Tree Elimination $87,450

NVCF Payment for Donation $30

Audio Gear for Conferences $861

Whole Expenditures $372,904

Commitments:

Clear Up Historic Buildings $150,000

Indian Falls Water System Phases 1& 2 $48,500

Zoom Account $149

Communications Technician – 6 months $4,000

ToolBANK Insurance coverage $2,430

PRS Out of doors Youth Program $2,430

Whole Commitments $244,679

• $19,014 on supply of the spring 2022 chipping program. These funds allowed us to proceed uninterrupted companies throughout a spot that we encountered in grant funding. In 2022 this system chipped at a complete of 300 areas.
• $67,266 on a feasibility examine for a firewood processing and wooden warmth utilization facility at our workplace location in East Quincy. The power would make the most of hazardous fuels from our tasks and group inexperienced waste to generate kiln-dried firewood and electrical energy. The feasibility examine led to a profitable grant utility from the USDA Forest Service Wooden Merchandise Innovation Grant for $1 million to begin Section I of the venture. If permitted by the Fireplace Secure Council Board, as much as $1.1 million of the PG&E funds will probably be used because the required match for the grant.
• $9,673 on publication of an up to date Dwelling with Fireplace journal. 15,000 copies are at the moment being distributed throughout Plumas County. Copies could be picked up from the Fireplace Secure Council workplace or from Feather River Publishing.

Future plans for the funds embody:

• Establishing a $500,000 reserve fund that enables the Fireplace Secure Council to pay native contractors in a well timed method. This may be a revolving account that’s frequently reimbursed by grant funds, however that enables invoices to be paid when acquired somewhat than ready for reimbursement from the grant. I do know that this doesn’t sound significantly thrilling, however it’s a large profit for supporting native contractors who can’t carry working bills for the 60-90 days it normally takes for reimbursement from grantors.
• Earmarking as much as $2 million for grant matching for Section II of the firewood processing facility. These funds enable the Fireplace Secure Council to have the required match essential to make giant grant proposals, which successfully leverages the cash for a higher profit.
• The remaining funds will probably be housed, quickly, in low-risk funding accounts to generate curiosity for reinvestment into the Fireplace Secure Council packages till such time that the Fireplace Secure Council Board identifies an acceptable use for the funding.

The a million {dollars} has been devoted to the next actions:

Creating architectural plans for Roundhouse Council Indian Schooling Heart rebuild in Greenville. A novel roundhouse design is getting used. $125,000 (Accomplished draft design beneath.)

Upgrading the sawmill on the Indian Valley Wooden Utilization Campus in Crescent Mills.  $125,000

Cross laminated timber (CLT)—a a lot improved hearth secure constructing panel—designs for constructions and panel manufacturing operation $225,000

Workforce Housing $150,000

Assist for area crews to conduct panorama cleanup and restoration $150,000

Conducting an evaluation of Dixie Fireplace: what labored, what didn’t, and what could be improved $100,000

Constructing organizational capability for native enterprise and housing improvement and assembly different native wants $125,000

The PCOE Basis has not but spent the $2 million acquired.  The inspiration has now been formally arrange and we’ve got an advisory board set as much as make a spending plan.  Our data could be discovered right here:  https://www.pcoe.k12.ca.us/apps/pages/PCOEFoundation

2.     What was the contribution spent on?     Nothing but

3.     Is there any cash left?             $500,000

4.     What is going to you do with the remaining cash?  The purpose for the PG&E settlement funds was/is to buy a chunk of land after which construct a staff headquarter construction that features a place for all of our gear.  The true property market being what it’s, we’ve got been having problem to find the correct piece of property.  Now we have submitted presents and so they have both been turned down or awaiting a counter supply response.  I anticipate will probably be not less than one other 12 months earlier than we discover a place and construct what we’d like.

2)    What was the contribution spent on? Largely the Indian Valley Innovation Hub efforts. We dedicated $50,000 to that program and have spent about $30,000. The opposite $20,000 is able to go. By the way in which, we’ve got leveraged that cash with one other $50,000 for the IVIH. The opposite cash has been used to buy gear and provides to boost the fairgrounds as a resiliency and evacuation middle; barricades, electrical enhancements, scissor raise, extra refrigeration.

3)    Is there any cash left? Sure! However we’re making an attempt!

4)    What is going to you do with the remaining cash? Because the mission of the PSCF Basis is to profit the Truthful, it may well solely be spent on Truthful associated tasks. It’s a secure wager we’ll proceed to discover investments in gear and acceptable enhancements to the ability. Moreover, because the Innovation Hub continues to broaden it’s companies to the residents of Plumas County, the Basis is able to assist these companies as wanted. The course of the Innovation Hub has advanced because the wants, primarily financial, have emerged. There are some thrilling packages within the works that can assist small companies get better, not solely in Indian Valley, however all of Plumas County. Glad to offer updates as they come up.

$149,000

What was the contribution spent on?

Housing help, utility help, motel sheltering, different

help equivalent to meals assist through meals pantry and meals financial institution.

Is there any cash left?

Sure

What is going to you do with the remaining cash?

We’re growing a plan for the steadiness and it’ll go earlier than the

PCIRC Board in June.

Please let me know if there are any questions.  I do know the cash has been right here for over a 12 months, nevertheless it has taken that lengthy for the bachelor’s diploma approval to get up to now.

Now we have utilized our funds as follows:

$44 Thousand allotted to the Tasmam Koyom Fencing Challenge to assist with the protection efforts of Tasmam Koyom with a purpose to open the campgrounds for group use.

$30 Thousand allotted to the Tribal Monitoring Challenge to help work crews on all parcels affected by the Dixie Fireplace to guard and look after artifacts and culturally vital sights.

Each of those tasks will help the Maidu Summit to insure all properties are secure for group use.

The Maidu Summit nonetheless has 126 thousand {dollars} to spend, we’ve got plans to make the most of these funds to proceed the cleanup efforts on our properties insuring they’re secure for public use.

Commercial

Now we have spent many of the founds awarded, roughly $28000 as of at the moment.

What was the contribution spent on?

Beckwourth hearth district spend the founds on upgrading our communications, particular to radios. Beckwourth hearth utilized for a cal-fire matching grant, and we used the PG&E founds to assist offset the grant cash we owed.

Is there any cash left?

Now we have roughly 7 thousand {dollars} left.

What is going to you do with the remaining cash?

We plan to spend the remainder of the cash on wildfire PPE (private protecting gear) as we strategy this coming hearth season.

The hearth division is at the moment working with a $730,000 finances deficit so it’s arduous to specify precisely what the funds paid for – they helped fill within the hole with operational bills

1.  The entire funds have been spent
2. The entire funds have been spent on the District’s insurance coverage protection.  Our premiums went from roughly $24,000 per 12 months to $49,500 on account of wildfires
3. There isn’t any cash left

5/11/22     Sierra Electronics     $2,046.21   Pagers

2/17/23     KR Nida                        9,213.64   Radios/Chargers

4/5/23        LN Curtis                     3,886.26   Construction Boots

4/24/23      LN Curtis                   38,474.87  Jaws of Life Gear

TOTAL    $53,620.98

2. Construction firefighting turnouts

3. Sure, roughly $5k

4. To be decided, however will doubtless be an infrared imaging digital camera for recognizing scorching spots

Hamilton Department: Used for power effectivity upgrades.

Relating to purchases- we’ve got purchased wildland hearth private protecting clothes for all 17 volunteers, emergency responder knives with seat belt cutters & windshield breakers, construction helmets & boots, repaired/repainted the interiors of North Arm & Genesee Fireplace Stations, bought & put in new BK radios into IVFD Fireplace Engines, bought new hearth pagers and in addition partially paid for engineering blueprints/plans for the brand new IVFD Fireplace Station to switch the station that was burned down through the Dixie Fireplace in Greenville.

Now we have no cash left over from the $50k fee and at the moment are utilizing our insurance coverage cash to maneuver ahead in rebuilding the IVFD.

2.  The great religion contribution has given us hope for the longer term by permitting us to plan for enchancment tasks to our infrastructure that we’d have in any other case needed to ignore or postpone for years into the longer term. These embody a brand new roof for our hearth corridor, a carport for our emergency response car and to switch outdated hearth combating gear.

We’re a really small group and the settlement that Mr. Hollister and different county officers helped facilitate has introduced us from the brink of economic hardship to with the ability to present the medical first response and firefighting help that our group wants and expects.

We’re very grateful for this monetary help and ship honest because of everybody concerned.

2. The funds have been spent on Extrication instruments, Wildland coaching (S-290 intermediate Wildland coaching, Engine, and Crew Boss courses), Radios, Wildland pants, boots, and shirts.

3. No cash is left. The overall we spent is $56K.

What was the contribution spent on? Station 1 generator venture: $16,484.54 was used to pay a portion of a $58,423.58, 48kw Generator to provide energy to the 505 Lawrence Avenue hearth station, truck bay, and the coaching facility the place we function our hearth academy. Truck 8161 restoration venture: $24,870.79 has been used to offset the fee related to the restoration and certification of a 2001 American LaFrance hearth truck.

Is there any cash left? Sure

What is going to you do with the remaining cash? The remaining $8,644.63 will probably be used for car upkeep and alternative.

2.     What was the contribution spent on? N/A

3.     Is there any cash left? All – 300,000

4.     What is going to you do with the remaining cash? Proposed bills embody new web site improvement; construct tourism middle or kiosk; insurance coverage for group occasions, and so forth.

As I discussed we’re very cautious with these funds and are delicate to them being one time monies.

Now we have used some for the Recreation Economic system for Rural Communities efforts, a small quantity for our Administrative Director to attend a Rural Chamber of Commerce convention and we used some towards the Plumas Sierra County Truthful Parade.

At this level we’re not positive what else we’ll do with the funds however I can inform you they are going to be in keeping with the financial pursuits of our group.

In Could we gathered our membership to debate their needs for the usage of the cash. There was consensus that it created a chance to construct on financial initiatives we had already been engaged on.  Following is a quick description of what we’re doing with the funds this 12 months.

Staffing. Now we have been counting on half time employees and volunteers to create many wins for our group these previous 5 years. These funds enable us to go from a $30,000 part-time worker to a full-time place at $60,000. The funds will assure 3 years of the elevated wage. Nevertheless, a situation of employment for the place is to switch this funding with elevated members and sponsorships, for sustainability.

Winter Actions.  The Chamber is a part of a non-public/public partnership being labored on with Plumas County and The Almanor Basis to develop a City Plaza at Chester Park.

The City Plaza is an initiative for the development of group well being, training, and cultural and leisure alternatives.  It is going to be a group vacation spot that can function instructional occasions, music, festivals, craft gala’s, youngsters’s actions, cultural performances, and public artwork.

As an financial improvement driver, it should include a public market area that can create alternatives for numerous meals and retail entrepreneurs to begin and develop companies.  As an occasion and year-round actions location it should turn into a regional vacation spot that can deliver native residents in addition to vacationers into the City of Chester, stimulating the economic system of the city.

Ice Rink. $80,000 will probably be used to entrance the price of an ice-skating rink at Chester Park this winter. The rink is artificial with an anticipated life span of 15-20 years. We estimate that with a 10-year life span the rink would price about $8000/12 months. $8000/12 months will probably be re-couped by means of sponsorships and admissions prices.

Group Tree. $36,000 was spent to buy a business Christmas tree for the Plaza. This tree will has an extended life span and creates further market actions all through the vacation season for our companies and entrepreneurs, in addition to contributes to the sense of place our group has so desperately wanted, particularly for the reason that hearth.

Investments. Funds not utilized this 12 months are being invested in laddered CDs at Edward Jones.

To reply your questions:

How a lot of your contribution has been spent? Reply: Thus far, we’ve got spent $44,000 of the unique $300,000 allotted to our Chamber.

What was the contribution spent on? Reply: As our new Board turned concerned in Chamber actions, we found many monetary and operations programs wanted updating to assist the Chamber and the Misplaced Sierra Guests Heart situated on the nook of Highways 70 and 89 – the one brick and mortar Customer Heart in Plumas County.

·      We spent a portion of funds upgrading our Level of Service fee and bookkeeping processes.

·      We employed a brand new Chamber of Commerce Administrative Assistant staff member in October 2022 to assist Chamber operations, communications, membership and monetary monitoring together with improved accounts payables and receivables, aiding in lease negotiations, and serving as back-up assist for our sole, pre-existing employees member who was making an attempt to run each the Guests Heart and Chamber operations beforehand. Now we have additionally expanded each the Administrative Assistant and Customer Heart employees roles into 20 hour per week jobs to assist the quantity of inquiries and curiosity we’re receiving. The Board can also be discussing wage will increase for our employees to acknowledge their arduous work and regulate for rising residing prices.

·      Now we have invested in growing two new web sites: one for the Chamber of Commerce (lostsierrachamber.org) that debuted at our Chamber Launch Occasion in October 2022 and went dwell in February 2023; and the opposite is a Misplaced Sierra Recreation web site (discoverthelostsierra.com forthcoming) set to launch in Could 2023.

o   One among our Board Members is a advertising skilled who created each websites at a reduction of solely $4,250 per web site.

o   Because the Chamber web site launched, we’ve got had 3,000 guests monthly and a median learn price of over 5 minutes.

·      To enrich the web site launches, we’ve got additionally invested in social media outreach creating Misplaced Sierra Chamber of Commerce accounts for Fb and Instagram and commenced selling native companies. We will even create related social media presence for the Misplaced Sierra Recreation web site when it launches.

o   Investing in social marketing campaign and e-mail blasts totaling $1,500 monthly.

o   Over 57,000 impressions since lively administration has taken place on the Uncover the Misplaced Sierra Instagram account, and the Misplaced Sierra Chamber Fb and Instagram account.

o   Engagement price is over 60% on all platforms.

As well as, we’ve got had some successes that didn’t require use of this funding:

·      We changed our antiquated telephone system with telephones that have been donated to us and created a financial savings over our prior telephone system.

·      Now we have held two Chamber ‘mixer’ occasions that engaged native enterprise homeowners/members educating them in regards to the launch of the brand new Chamber of Commerce actions and soliciting their enter and assist to help their companies. Now we have additionally elevated our Chamber memberships.

·      We held our Christmas in Portola occasion in December 2022 that was a group success as we gave away over 150 presents to Portola group youngsters.

·      Created, utilized, and launched a Wikipedia web page defining the Misplaced Sierra to reply the numerous customer inquiries acquired in regards to the title, the place the title got here from, and this area that accommodates Plumas and Sierra Counties. This was a Board of Administrators initiative that came about within the final seven months that took a big effort to compile analysis and info.

·      We even have new county-wide, interactive journey promotion encouraging folks to go to the world and our companies set to begin this spring/summer time.

Is there any cash left? Reply: Sure, roughly 85% ($256,000) of the unique funding stays in our checking account. We plan to carry a lot of those funds in an curiosity incomes CD, spend on actions as wanted, and to assist our ongoing digital advertising campaigns. Moreover, the Chamber has posted a place for a Program and Occasion Coordinator to be employed to assist medium and large-scale Chamber and tourism income producing occasions. We intend to make use of a portion of the PG&E funding to pay for this place through the first 12 months, with the expectation that the place will probably be funded by means of the occasion and fundraising income generated thereafter.

What do you propose to do with the cash? Reply: One of many initiatives that our Chamber helped provoke is the formation of a Chamber Coalition that features all 4 Plumas County Chambers and the 2 Sierra County Chambers. The Coalition started assembly in January 2023 and proceed to fulfill on the primary Wednesday of every month. Throughout the Coalition, we’ve got labored on creating draft Bylaws of how the Chambers can work collectively on frequent pursuits equivalent to pursuit of grant funding and hiring shared assets (e.g., grant writing and reporting assets) in addition to alternatives to determine and promote regional occasions to attract extra tourism {dollars} to our space. We’re additionally discussing occasions within the shoulder seasons that funding would additionally assist.

Starting PG&E Steadiness               $50,000

Rotary Closet                                  ($3,500)

RYLA                                                 ($3,000)

Tutorial Scholarships                 ($1,500)

Ending Steadiness June 2023           $42,000

·      The Rotary Closet supplies each Quincy Elementary Faculty college students entry to heat jackets, snow boots, tee shirts, sweat pants/shirts, socks and hygiene merchandise.

·      RYLA is every week lengthy management improvement camp for college students previous to their senior 12 months of highschool. Sometimes 4-5 college students attend.

·      Tutorial scholarships are given to college students slated to attend both 2 or 4 12 months colleges after graduating highschool.

2) What was the contribution spent on? $10,000.00 (earmarked; not but expended) – Indian Falls Water System-Section 2 $ 289.57 – Picnic Tables (supplies for 30 tables; wooden donated & Rotary constructed) $ 500.00 – Dixie Fireplace Collaborative Intern Assist $ 2,626.62 – Vacation Tree Lights Substitute (2 giant bushes by colleges) $ 190.87 – Greenhouse Tarp (Rotary constructed Greenhouse bought by companions)

3) Is there any cash left? $36,392.94

4) What is going to you do with the remaining cash? We’re ready for the Dixie Fireplace Collaborative-Lengthy Time period Rebuilding Challenge Technique to be accomplished and can apply funding the place it should take advantage of sense with different companions. Our focus is on tasks with some permanence.

Different feedback: We additionally acquired small donations from non-public events and have been utilizing these for issues like group suppers & picnics, insurance coverage, and so forth. Our Rotary Group offered us with $30,000 instantly following the fireplace for $500.00 reward certificates to assist rapid wants of 60 households

We’re reserving the remaining funds – roughly $42,000, I imagine. We hope to mix these funds with different Rotary Golf equipment with a purpose to obtain a grant from Rotary Worldwide to fund a big joint venture, “as soon as the mud settles”.