Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

WILDFIRE COMMISSION

Date:06/29/2012
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:01 PM to 03:39 PM
Davis
E
Gerou
X
Place:HCR 0112
Levy
X
Nicholson
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Roberts
X
Senator Roberts
This Report was prepared by
Bo Pogue
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Selection of Chair
Review of Commission's Charge
Committee Discussion		Pass
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only
Rules of precedure and meeting perameters adopted


01:02 PM -- Selection of Chair

The commission was called to order. A quorum was present. Ms. Kathy Sasak, representing the Department of Public Safety (DPS), filled in for Commissioner Davis. The commission discussed the selection of a chair.
BILL:Selection of Chair
TIME: 01:03:37 PM
MOVED:Gerou
MOTION:Moved to select Senator Roberts as the chair of the Lower North Fork Wildfire Commission. The motion passed on a vote of 4-0.
SECONDED:Levy
VOTE
Davis
Excused
Gerou
Yes
Levy
Yes
Nicholson
Yes
Roberts
Yes
Final YES: 4 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



01:04 PM

Senator Roberts, newly elected chair, provided opening remarks about the commission and its charge. Committee members received a binder with information about the Lower North Fork Wildfire and wildfire mitigation generally (a copy of the binder is on file with Legislative Council Staff).

01:05 PM -- Review of Commission's Charge

Mr. Bob Lackner, Office of Legislative Legal Services, provided an overview of the commission's charge, as required by House Bill 12-1352. He discussed certain requirements of early versions of the bill that were removed by amendment, and the effect of House Bill 12-1361, concerning claims against the state arising under the "Colorado Governmental Immunity Act." Discussion ensued regarding the ability of the commission to discuss issues of statewide interest as they pertain to wildfires. Mr. Lackner responded to questions regarding the potential impact of commission activities on ongoing civil litigation pertaining to the Lower North Fork Wildfire.

01:15 PM

Mr. Lackner responded to questions regarding providing notice to the public about testimony to be taken by the commission. Discussion ensued regarding notices of claim filed against the state pertaining to the Lower North Fork Wildfire, and the potential for the activities of the commission to affect those claims. Discussion followed regarding the potential for a legal memorandum to be drafted about the potential for the commission to affect ongoing civil litigation. Discussion returned to the commission's charge.

01:21 PM -- Committee Discussion
BILL:Committee Discussion
TIME: 01:22:11 PM
MOVED:Roberts
MOTION:Moved to adopt the Senate rules of procedure as the rules to be observed by the commission. The motion passed on a vote of 4-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Davis
Excused
Gerou
Yes
Levy
Yes
Nicholson
Yes
Roberts
Yes
Final YES: 4 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



01:23 PM

The commission discussed their goals and expectations for the commission going forward, including the scope of testimony to be taken by the commission at future meetings. Discussion ensued regarding the transfer of wildfire mitigation responsibilities from the State Forest Service to the Department of Public Safety, and the impact of this changeover on the commission's charge. Ms. Sasak provided the perspective of DPS on its new role in combatting fires, particularly as it pertains to the commission's charge. Discussion followed regarding the potential for the commission to address wildfire issues that may have been beyond the commission's initial scope.

01:35 PM

Discussion continued regarding the commission's scope of consideration. Discussion ensued regarding its schedule for future commission meetings, and the implications of postponing future meetings until after Labor Day, since it is currently wildfire season. The commission also discussed issues to be covered at future meetings.
BILL:Committee Discussion
TIME: 01:36:17 PM
MOVED:Roberts
MOTION:Moved to postpone further meetings requiring the attendance of witnesses currently in the field with fire fighting operations until after Labor Day 2012. The motion passed on a vote of 4-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Davis
Excused
Gerou
Yes
Levy
Yes
Nicholson
Yes
Roberts
Yes
Final YES: 4 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



01:47 PM

The commission discussed its staffing expectations, particularly with regard to using resources provided by DPS. Ms. Sasak provided input on this point. Discussion ensued regarding submission of suggestions for future meeting subject matter and testimony, and the potential for touring the Lower North Fork Wildfire site and holding a meeting in Conifer.

01:58 PM

The committee adjourned.