by Richard Uhlhorn
Tax Increment Financing issue:
The City of Chelan’s TIF (Tax Increment Financing) plan continues to concern Chelan Fire and Rescue. At the department’s Wednesday, July 16 fire commission meeting it was brought up during commissioner comments.
Commissioner Russ Jones remarked that after attending an AWC (Association of Washington Cities) meeting where TIFs were on the agenda said, “I now know for sure much less. The problem is that nobody understands it.”
Jones stated that no one really knows how it will work and how it will be calculated. “We need more answers,” stated Jones.
Fire Chief Brandon Asher remarked that it is up to the Washington State Department of Revenue to determine how it works. Commissioner Mark Donnell asked if anyone is currently implementing a TIF? Asher replied that the DoR will have to come up with a concrete way to implement. Commissioner Simmons asked who the DoR is taking directions from? “Great question,” said Asher.
Jones added that pressure needs to be kept on the DoR to figure out how it really works.j “That did not happen.” Donnell said he would talk to Representative Mike Steele.
The TIF district in question only covers two percent of the total Fire district, but it includes
The taxing districts continue to receive property taxes based on a base assessment within the TIF district, but any increase in property tax revenue generated from higher property values is diverted to a special fund for the TIF project.
Chelan is in the process of planning for and funding the East Chelan Water Project which includes a one million gallon reservoir and a much needed water system to serve that portion of Chelan. The city has accrued a $9 million dollar grant from the federal government to build the reservoir.
Boat 72
Chelan Fire and Rescue’s newest acquisition, Boat 72, has been put to good use. Moored in Manson Bay the boat was used to transport 2,000 pounds of fire hose and fire equipment to Lucerne in support of the Pomas Fire.
IBHS certification:
Commissioner Mark Donnell reported that he attended a fire resilience meeting recently. “I didn’t know what I got into,” he said. The meeting covered a program that is recognized by California called IBHS (Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety). “Homeowners can get certified,” said Donnell. “The state is considering adopting it.”
BHS certification refers to improvements to a building’s resilience to severe weather. It involves specific construction practices and design standards that go beyond standard building codes. The aim is to create stronger, more storm resistant structures making them better prepared to withstand events like hurricanes, high winds and wildfires.
“The research and models they use are incredible,” said Donnell. “It’s different than the risk map. There are three more meetings.” The team working on this program is 35 strong and will begin formulating the program next.
Fire Chief’s report:
Chief Asher reported that the department responded to 62 calls in June. “We had an effective work force turn out. I’m happy. We had a great turnout for the wildfire.” The department provided initial attack on the Apple Acres Fire.
State mobilization was called for the Kettle Falls and Omak fires. “River-Com called agencies from around the state to mobilize.”
River-Com is still working on Slide Ridge radio apparatus.
Asher said the department is waiting on $5 million in grants. “We hope we will get some of them.”
Asher also reported that the Fourth of July was safe with only three illegal pops during the week. “We didn’t have people lighting off fireworks.”
Assistant Chief’s report:
Shaun Sherman reported that the department has five volunteers on rotation between the hours of 7a.m. and 5 p.m.
On July 24, those members who have attended the Fire Academy graduate. Sherman invited the commissioners and staff to attend the graduation.
Fire Association:
Commissioner Ron Simmons remarked that the association is trying to figure out how to bring people back in. The association does a number of events throughout the year in conjunction with the department. Fund raisers are one of the primary effort which have benefited the department with funds to expand.
SOG:
The commission discussed the department’s standard operating guidelines (SOG). Simmons wants to separate department policies from its standard operating procedures.
The board will move forward with SOG discussions.
It was reported that the department has received an $8,900 bid from Interwest to install security cameras. The bid covers camera coverage outside and in the department’s hallway. “We haven’t had a large problem,” said Sherman who added that the doors to the department are open 24 hours seven days a week.
Hillary Franz – special guest:
Past Commissioner of Public Lands Hillary Franz was invited to the department’s commission meeting by Chief Brandon Asher. She presented a slide show on wildfire resilience on the west coast.
“We’ve made incredible progress on wildfire,” she said. “We still have a lot of work to do.” Franz’s leadership over her eight years as commissioner helped change the entire framework of how the state Department of Natural Resources deals with wildfires and wildfire risk.
After eight years, under Franz’s leadership the DNR and other fire agencies have developed a rapid response to all wildfires which includes initial attack and immediate aerial attach. “The local fire departments have been incredible,” said Franz.
This rapid response has helped keep Washington State’s fire damage under 300,000 acres as compared to Oregon’s three million acres burned with the same number of fires.. “We’ve been so successful. This is 100 percent leadership at all levels,” exclaimed Franz.
“When a fire starts in a local district, we don’t have to wait 24 hours for a response.”
Currently, there is also an effort to treat the wildlands. “We are building containment lines,” she stated. The DNR is also encouraging homeowners within the wildland/urban interface to accomplish landscape modeling. “Communities need to be doing this. It gives the highest rate of return for safety.”
Increasing community engagement keeps Franz up at night. “It hasn’t gone as fast and far as I want,” she said. “4,100 homes are affected by wildfire (potential) in the Chelan – Manson area. Adapting to wildfire is not easy.”
Franz would like to see more home assessments. Chelan Fire and Rescue and Manson District 5 Fire Department offer home assessments for free.
Commissioner Russ Jones said Washington is the only state that doesn’t recognize hardening. Commissioner Mark Donnell added that many home owners in the area are either losing home insurance coverage or seeing their insurance rates go up. “It’s a real challenge,” said Donnell who said he didn’t know how to get insurance companies together to address the issues.
NOTE: Just in – Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) reported that the government is releasing $280 million to states for firefighter training and new equipment. Washington DNR will receive $20 million of those dollars which may also be used for forest management and restoration.
All Things Lake Chelan 