Saturday, July 5, 2025 @ 9 a.m.

Twin Lakes Firehouse

Welcome / Meeting called to order at 9:13 am: President Carlos Gomez

• Pledge of Allegiance: Treasurer David Lawrence

• Welcome new members: Clarence and Sheila Prado, at 245 Hunewell

• In memoriam: Bob Bush, survived by wife Deanna

>> Sharon Cook: He was a big-hearted man. He’d get on his quad and go rolling.

>> Fazia McClure: He was a World War II veteran who did amazing service. It’s important to recognize that today.

Scheduled guest speakers: Neither one could make it.

• Bridgeport Fire Department — Chief Nick Way, on Mono County Emergency Medical Services

• California Department of Fish & Wildlife — Daniel Gammons, on bears in our community

Carlos Gomez turned to the business at hand. We decided not to read the minutes of last year; they’re available on the website, Wendy Marcus emailed it to everyone, and she has copies here if anyone wants one. Pat Cates seconded the motion.

David Lawrence, the treasurer, spoke:

I emailed the treasurer’s report out to everybody. There are copies here. We have the biggest cash balance since my four years as treasurer, so its really been a good year, especially with the grant money that was brought in for fire prevention. We did do the float this year. The money was reimbursed, straight to the Reeds.

Someone asked which organizations get annual donations from us. We added one new one: the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center. So we donated $250 to each one:

* Bridgeport Elementary School

* Bridgeport Fire Department

* Bridgeport Historical Society

* Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

* Friends of the Library

* Sheriff’s Search & Rescue

David Holcomb: Did we get any acknowledgement from them?

David Lawrence: I think we got something from every one of them.

Sorry if I haven’t cashed your checks so well this year. Haven’t been here much this year. Some have been dated since March.

David Holcomb: If it weren’t for the grant money, we’d have less this year than last year. One reason is chipping day is now each year, and it’s expensive. And we take out extra insurance on the directors. The reason that the insurance is there is, in order to get grant money, we have to have the insurance. The objective of the association is to build reserves and to try to have chipping day every year.

Steve Norgord: Are we going to have chipping day every year? At some point our lots are kind of clean. Consider going back to every other year.

Pat Cates: Chipping days also included raising of the canopy last year. Also, just because we have chipping day, you shouldn’t leave your piles out. We have vouchers for the dump, so why put it out? Gone up to $7 from $5 last year. Don’t know if we’re doing it this year, board hasn’t approved yet. Extra cost of canopy was $3,000 per day for chipping. We’re good customers, so he knocked a grand off. Did it for certification and to get the fire engines in for the street, but can we get them into your driveway? Assess your own property for access. The grant was $2,700 this year. Last year it was $5,000.

David Holcomb: The budget is different from actual expenses. So last year, we had $11,000 in expenses for chipping day. We had a grant for $7,750, right?

Pat Cates: Two separate checks came in during the year.

DH: So then it’s going to be for what we can project, a $5,000 decrease in grant money.

PC: Generally two-day process for chipping for that $6,000. So we have $2,750, about half covered for chipping day. Another member suggested looking at another person. Already made a commitment. Will shop around for next year. So will stay with them (Rick Edney).

DH: We’re looking for direction from what the membership would like. And if they would like to continue with a chipping day every year. We’re going to have to analyze that again after this year.

DH: Make a motion to approve treasurer’s report.

Rita Evasovic seconded.

Pat Cates, who worked for the fire department for 32 years, on fire safety:

Last year we were recognized as firewise because of your help.

Threefold: Safeguard your house. Maintain your insurance, because so many people are getting dropped. Get a reduction in your premium.

Last year, after we became a firewise community, Ginny and I received $97 back on our premium. Maybe you get at least a 10% reduction in your premium.

The intermediate zone is 5 to 30 feet. An extended zone is 30 feet to 100 feet. Cal Fire in their infinite wisdom said, if we can’t use those terms, we’re going to use zone 0 and zone 1 and zone 2—it’s the exact same thing.

After the Palisades Fire last year, Governor Newsom passed a law that there will be nothing burnable within 5 feet of your property. Embers are what are start the fires, then the houses start the forest fires.

Inspections by Cal Fire are starting very soon, if not now. They don’t want branches within 10 feet of your chimney. If they write you up for a problem, you will have 30 days to comply. One lady is doing the entire county. She started in Bishop, then Virginia lakes, then Bridgeport and us. The people she told in the southern part of Mono County, she hasn’t gone back yet; she’s too busy. Notice, not citation. Get another 30 days. As long as you work with them, they’ll work with you.

You want your firewood pile at least 30 feet away from your structure. You need 10 feet of bare dirt around a woodpile, a propane tank, and any flammable objects. Or, if closer, fire-retardant tarps will keep it safe. A lot of common sense on what they’re doing. Any grasses cut down to 4 feet or less.

Clarence Prado: If a little structure, can you put a tarp over it?
PC: Her call what she wants. Gotta keep tarps on. If wind blows off, it doesn’t do any good. Problem is with embers. Palisades ran out of water. Couldn’t get embers down. Cabins burned completely to the ground. Forest can survive an ember attack, but cabins can’t. Goal: Relocate firewood 30 feet away or use fire tarps.

And start looking at your vents. Embers go through that vent and get your attic on fire. They suggest 8-inch or 16-inch mesh, like the Wilsons.

Diane Wilson: I heard about these vents from the Marin County fire safe council, way back when, getting everyone to buy these products, you put on the inside of your vent. If it senses any kind of fire activity, it closes the vent.

PC: By hardening your home, you help prevent your home from burning and maybe saving your neighbors too.

Jed Jupiter: If you have a baseline of hose and a way to get these [firefighting] guys in, then you have a better chance in the winter. Wanted to talk with Nick Way about this today.

PC: Someone asked me about firehose. Bob Wilson has some by his fire hydrant.

Pat Ulm: Clancy has one behind his.

PC: Problem, smaller ones only have about 200 to 300 feet of hose.

JJ: Enough to tap in in the summer.

Heather Grant, vice president: Question of community—how interested are members in participating in the float on the Fourth of July? We got several donations, and we’re appreciative. But as far as participation, there was very little. Is this something that the community wants to look at, or is it something that we should just put on the back burner until a future date?

Yesterday our float won first place. It was a beautiful float. A lot of work went into it, but it’s not fair that one family did a big majority of the work for it. Then we have Fauzia over there, and you guys really did fantastic work, and there are others who helped, but it was really small. Rockey and Ramona [Reed] were like superstars. They really need to be given a lot of credit. It’s been a long time, seven years ago or so . A lot of people come to the parade, and it was really pretty impressive. It would be good to decide in advance. What happened this year is that it came up later in the year, so I think that was hard. Not everybody saw the email.

Steve Norgord: Maybe take a vote. If our community wants to do it, take a vote. I personally want to.

Greg Dahl: Is it important that we have a presence? I would say it’s important. Ten years ago, my family presented the float, provided a jeep, and won an award. Don’t think it needs to happen every year. If someone wants to do it, no rule against it.

Ginny Cates: I’d like to thank Rockey and Ramona, Chris [Danfelt] and Sharon [Cook], thank them all. Really appreciate it.

Carlos Gomez: Want to make sure if we move forward, that it spreads among the entire community and feel the participation of it.

Pat Cates: Same day as construction, firewise community meeting. Maybe more lead time on when stuff is happening, so we can participate better.

CG: Show of hands: participate in float yearly? 24.
Ginny: Every other year? Or whenever?
CG: When someone in the community wants to take the lead, then we as the board can step in to help contribute. That it spreads more among the entire community so everybody gets involved and feels the participation.

Sharon Cook: I know Mona and Rockey put in hundreds of hours. Such a remarkable job . See her effort. She was so tired yesterday. Poured herself into it. Not just come to talk, come to work. That’s what’s needed. When you can get away and donate your time.

CG: When we get community interest, put committee together to help.

Heather: Anyone interested today in volunteering for float committee? Mona might not be interested. Throw it out there.

DH: I think it went well this year. Someone wanted to have the float. Some people got on board. Worked out that donations came in. People who worked on it had fun. Successful. Organic movement from the start. It happened. Do it when people have the ambition to do it. Board will support it then.

HG: At annual meeting, our impetus. Tons of credit. As a community, good to think about it a year in advance, so maybe go from here.

Heather Grant, on upcoming events: Free fishing day is today. Adopt-a-Highway is on 7/12 at 6:30 a.m.; contacts are Therese Brady and Ron Vilarino. The potluck picnic & raffle is on 8/30 at 1 p.m.

CG: The committee chair for lakeshore cleanup resigned recently. Anyone interested in taking on position?

Sharon Cook: More than once a year. Everyone should pick up as they go.

CG: Everyone does it. One time a year isn’t enough. You don’t get that many participants for this event, so maybe having it a couple of times a year would be another option. But we’ll leave that to whoever wants to chair the committee, if there’s anybody interested in that.

Bob Wilson: Maybe Sharon!

CG: Are you interested?

Sharon Cook: Yes. I’ll do it.

Heather Grant: Toy donation today and at potluck too and Carlos’s at 187 Westwood Drive. Maybe more info on signage.

Carlos Gomez: Ron [Vilarino] has a plan for signage repair. He’s been dealing with some issues but has been in contact with me in the last couple of days. We’re going to be posting some of the signs that fish and game gave us for over by Robinson Creek, noting that it’s closed for 250 feet downstream. Fish & Game trusted us to go ahead and put those signs there. We’ve also got some fallen street signs that are going to be repaired, and Ron will be sending out exact dates on stuff like that.

Greg Dahl: I’ve noticed that there are a lot of floaters, fisherman. Many signs point out, so when people cast up, they don’t see signs. Are you allowed to float? Then signs need to face in, so people can see them.

David Holcomb: Fisherman are responsible to know the code. People try to cheat on it all the time. If they get caught by Fish & Game, their equipment can be confiscated. Do you have a place where signs could be better?

GD: Two-sided signs or face in?

DH: Where are they actually entering water? Additional sign?

GD: Could’ve floated all the way up from Bridgeport with that rig. I don’t want to chase people off every time.

CG: I’ll work with Ron, right where the 250-foot post is, we’ll see if we could put one right in there, facing a tree or something that’s facing toward the creek.

DH: Add an additional one on the other side.

CG: Would be great.

Ginny Cates, Fire Safety Council secretary: Pat Ulm has agreed to be part of our firewise community. Incredibly knowledgeable, she’s lost two homes to fire. Fire Chief Nick Way was supposed to be here and bring coupons for the dump. You can get coupons for the dump from Bob Wilson, Ronda and David Amatore, Jerry Schmiedeberg, and Pam Fine. And anytime Nick’s Dodge Ram is at or near the fire station, just walk in there; he’ll give you a coupon for the dump. You have to have the blue ones this year. If you have red ones from last year, they’re no good.

Download the Watch Duty app [real-time wildfire and flood tracking and alert platform]. When power goes out, you need a Starlink connection. On Watch Duty app, they have the evacuation zones and tell you the evacuation warning. This is our zone up here, MCU-00-E015. Don’t necessarily wait for the go. We’re in the canyon; we gotta get out. Know where your keys are. Keep at least a half a tank of gas in your car. App called Windy.com. Nick is figuring out a way to notify people up canyon.

We also have our new helipad, which Nick got put in for the helicopters to be able to come up canyon. Nick also has a new side by side with tracks on the trailer, and they were able to rescue that gentleman who couldn’t get out of his house at Devil’s Gate. Nick now has five volunteer firefighters out of Rancho Rio; he will put them here, to get us help faster. August 2 hoping to have grand opening of this station.

Pat Cates: Evacuation zone, most important thing is life safety. The best thing you can do is get out as quick as you can and get to safety. Watch Duty can give you info about fire in your area. Even if your cellphone isn’t working, it can tell where you are. Computer knows. Called reverse 911. Don’t rely on it. It doesn’t always work. And website called Windy.com. So you can make an informed decision before waiting. Envision all the people looking to get out. Get out before the Mono Village RVs get in the way. Nick had 18 firefighters. Now has 25. The only thing he’ll do is get people out. Doesn’t have time at first to fight the fire. Not doing us any good by staying. Take out firefighters from their main task.

Carlos Gomez: Any volunteer for the potluck picnic and raffle? For next year. I’ve got it for this year.

Wendy Marcus, website chair: I always think that there’s room for improvement. I could update the website more regularly, and I will continue to strive for that, but I would love to hear more from you. And if you have great pictures you want to share, send them my way and I’ll post them. I’ll happily attribute them to you as well. If you have any ideas about how to make the website more useful to you, then please let me know.

[back to donations]

Dennis Parrish: Give Fish Enhancement a little help?

David Holcomb: Historically, we did for about five years. A motion came up to drop them. Motion to include the Bridgeport Fish Enhancement Foundation?

Robert McLure seconded.

Carlos Gomez: Take a vote on adding Fish Enhancement donation: 39, a majority.

Sharon Cook: Do we have the money, though?

David Lawrence: Yes. We do.

DH: Motion to approve now added donation?

Pat Cates: Second keeping six and new one.

CG: All in favor say, “Aye.” Motion passed.

Heather Grant: Add float?

Diane Wilson: But not every year.

Heather: Don’t see any reason not to.

DL: About $1,500. If need it. Board could kick in.

Polly Potocar: Do we know how much the float cost? Was that $1,500 for the float only?

Carlos Gomez: We don’t know yet. We asked Ramona to submit receipts for it. Yeah, so when those receipts come in, David will be able to put out a ledger on it.

David Lawrence: Yeah, and I still got to go over there and take them the money that I’ve got since, because I just got some today.

David Holcomb: Two positions that are open this year. One person who would like to take over treasurer’s position. That’s a great first step. Goals are to build up that reserve, chipping day, continue contributions to the community, and then it’s nice to get together and find out any of the problems, complaints, or actually successes, such as the float. So do we have anybody who’s willing to step forward and join the board? If we dissolve the association, it goes away. There will be no one here to fight for our common goals.

Pat Ulm: I nominate David Holcomb for president.

DH: I can’t be at the potluck. Have trips planned. Not difficult to correspond by email, but when I’m here, I don’t get email. If you even have an inkling. Anyone on the board? More than willing to help anyone who wants to step into that position.

Bob Wilson: We need new blood.

Ginny Cates: The problem is that you’re all too good at your job.

DH: Any have reasons for not wanting to be, so I can help? Any questions about what it takes to serve on the board? It’s important but not hard. I nominate Rita Evasovic for treasurer of the board.

Bob Wilson: I second it.

Carlos Gomez: Working with David Lawrence as our treasurer has been a real blessing. Anytime I have a question for him, or need information, he replies immediately and has the information right at hand. It’ been a real joy. Thank you for your time.

DH: Carlos Gomez had agreed to serve one more year as president because we couldn’t get anyone else to volunteer. Hearing crickets. Have thought about putting everyone’s name in a hat and drawing.

Pat Ulm: It would be helpful if you could list the duties.

WM: I sent it out . I don’t have it here.

David Lawrence: This is my sixth year on the board.

Wendy Marcus: We’re at a standstill, folks. Also, it doesn’t seem entirely fair to pressure the good people who came here today when we have so many other members, which is why we put it out in an email message pleading for some volunteers.

DH: Well, if I were to take the president’s job, then we have a vacancy in the vice presidency, and how many want to be vice president of the organization? The VP is basically here to support everybody and steps in when the president can’t. The VP would have to be at the potluck, etc., because I won’t be there.

Pat Ulm: I nominate David Holcomb as president.

Candy Carvalho: I second it.

Wendy Marcus: I suggest musical chairs. Move to member at large, less work.

Ginny Cates: I might have more time to take on VP.

Stuart Scofield: I nominate Ginny Cates for VP.

Voted seconded: President, VP.

DH: I would like to thank the outgoing board members, six years [David Lawrence] and three years [Carlos Gomez] of service. We appreciate it. Thank you.

Pat Cates: We got our grants this year under firewise.

David Holcomb: The Fire Safety council doesn’t only cover Twin Lakes. It’s also Mono Village, Eagle’s Nest, and Rancheria. When first formed, in 2009, when we started taking out insurance on officers, we needed it to get grant money.

Carlos Gomez: We don’t have to have a checking account.

PC: Do need a 501(c)3 to get the nonprofit check, grant.

David Lawrence: I got the nonprofit tax return that I do every year for the association. We fall into the category of a nonprofit homeowners association.

David Holcomb: Won’t be here for potluck on August 30 at 1pm. Probably not next year either, because I’m booked out, and I knew that. That’s why I was hesitant to take the presidency. So I won’t be there for the potluck, but I hope you guys all have a great time.

DH: Question: Does this location work out well for our meeting? Prefer over elementary school?

David Lawrence: Attendance is better here.

Candy Carvalho: What are the bank fees?

DL: Everyone who pays via PayPal has a charge on it: $1.03 is PayPal’s fees. Paying by check is cheaper for us.

David Holcomb: Open for discussion.

Jack Smith: Lost trees at 125 Crest Drive, so I have free firewood.

Stuart Scofield: Chipping day has been fantastic since it started. To me a lot more than just how many cubic yards we put out every year. It’s a challenge too. Support it for every year.

DH: We’re going to continue it every year but monitor our goals. Our goals is to build a reserve fund to have a chipping day. One of the other goals is to increase the donation to the Bridgeport Fire Department, which we haven’t done in three years. If you can haul your debris to the dump with the coupon, I urge it. The 14 years of chipping day, every other year, as you keep cutting it, it grows every year, and dies every year.

Diane Wilson: It’s still $7.

Polly Potocar: For those who can’t rake or haul, I have the name of two people who do fabulous work. If you need help — pay them of course — they will rake, weed-whack, etc. Can supply names. One retired nurse from Mammoth Hospital. Will provide names.

DH: If a tree is old and dies, it can fall on the power lines, so Edison will come and remove it.

DL: I had to fight for three years to get them to remove a dead tree.

DW: ATV, Edison supplier, if you get the right one. If you really talk to them, say it’s an emergency, they’ll come out in a week.

Pat Ulm: Larry Schwartz took picture, said he’d send it to insurer, and they came right out.

DH: Woman walking around wearing an orange vest. Edison woman has a little computer, and three years ago took a complete inventory of every tree that could possibly hit their power lines. So they already know if you start talking to them about a tree, they can go in, look in their inventory, believe it or not.

John Carlin, 145 Charley Day Drive: A couple of years ago, we discussed short-term rentals. How much teeth do we actually have in doing anything with HOA and rental? More the county as an enforcer than the HOA?

DH: About three years ago, we had a vote of all the property owners, not just the association, but all the property owners in our tract voted and approved a change to CC&Rs to rule out short-term rentals. That’s what our reserve fund is for and basically, that is what the association was created for: to try to maintain the quality of our surroundings in our tract. With that, we want to enforce our CC&Rs. Going to a lawyer to enforce it will cost a little bit of money. The reserve fund will allow us to start the ball rolling.

DL: And then we do have the authority. We filed it with Mono County, and they accepted it, so it is a rule even for them, even to try a short-term rental around here, they’re supposed to go to Mono County first, anyway. Then we get notified of meetings. Stop it before it starts.

Ginny Cates: Bring to board’s attention.

JC: Do we know what the fines are?

Carlos Gomez: They don’t tell us what the fines are. Bottom line: They want the tax money. If we notify them, they will do something. One resident sent me a photo of one of the houses that’s on one of these websites, so I sent it over to code enforcement. They tell me they’re looking into it. It’s income they’re missing out on.

DH: Motion to adjourn.

David Lawrence seconded.

Meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.