Council met last week to discuss progress on some ongoing projects, as well as assess budget issues and analyze funding sources. Executive Director Kathy Koos-Breazeal reported on several items, including the recent completion of three fuel breaks, which greatly reduce the threat of wildfire by removing vegetation along a strategic strip of land. The Marz Shaded Fuel Break, comprised of 60 acres adjacent to Clinton Road, the Jackson Fuel Break, a 50 acre strip along Tebeau and Clinton Roads, and the Antelope Fuel Break, 160 acres in Buckhorn were all completed this year. The total cost of the projects was $307,800, and all three are to be funded using the CDF Fuels Reduction Program within the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Act of 2002, more commonly known as Proposition 40. Although Koos-Breazeal commended the council for their efforts in the completion of three major projects, she also noted that some serious discussion had been taking place regarding continued utilization of Prop 40 money.

She stated that although the projects have been completed, several of the contractors had not been compensated for their work. “It seems that the invoices just sit at the state office for months,” said Koos-Breazeal. “It gives Prop 40 and the AFSC a bad name for not paying.” The council went on to discuss some of the AFSC’s other projects and funding sources. Work is underway on a Low Income Senior/Low Income Disabled Defensible Space Project funded by the US Forest Service. The AFSC received funding for 140 homes, and Rubini Tree Services has completed work at 80 homes so far. The AFSC was also awarded funds from the Bureau of Land Management for a Chipper Program, and is awaiting those monies. In addition, the AFSC has been working on receiving funding from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy for the implementation of a County Wild Fire Protection Plan, and will soon begin the bidding process for that work.