Adopted 2.18.2020

Coffee Creek Volunteer Fire District Municipal Service Review & Sphere of Influence Update Trinity Local Agency Formation Commission Adopted February 18, 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 1 Trinity LAFCo 1 Fire-Related Districts In Trinity Count 1 Municipal Service Review Determinations 2 Sphere Of Influence Determinations 2 Review Methods 3 California Environmental Quality Act 3 AGENCY OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................... 4 Formation 4 Services 5 Boundary 5 GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE .................................................................................................... 7 Governing Body 7 Management & Staffing 8 Public Outreach 8 Accountability 8 OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY ................................................................................................... 10 Service Overview 10 Service Demand 10 ISO Rating 10 Personnel 11 INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES ....................................................................................... 12 Challenges and Needs 12 Regional Collaboration 12 Other Service Providers 13 Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update ii FINANCING .......................................................................................................................... 14 Revenue and Expenditures 14 Grants 15 Audit Information 15 Financing Constraints and Opportunities 15 GROWTH AND POPULATION ................................................................................................ 16 Existing Population and Projected Growth 16 Existing and Planned Uses 16 Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities 16 MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEW DETERMINATIONS .................................................................. 17 SPHERE OF INFLUENCE DETERMINATIONS ........................................................................... 19 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................ 21 LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES Table 1: Coffee Creek VFD Agency Profile 4 Table 2: Coffee Creek FPD Board of Directors 7 Table 3: Coffee Creek VFD Calls for Service 10 Table 4: Coffee Creek VFD Apparatus 12 Table 5. Coffee Creek VFD FY 2019-20 Budget 14 Figure 1 Coffee Creek VFD Boundary and SOI ................................................................................ 6 Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update iii INTRODUCTION This Municipal Service Review (MSR) and Sphere of Influence (SOI) Update was prepared as part of a mandated review of the municipal services of all government entities in the county by the Trinity Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo). This report focuses on the Coffee Creek Fire Protection District (FPD). The purpose of this study is to assess existing and future public service conditions and to evaluate organizational options for accommodating growth and ensuring critical services are provided efficiently. This MSR presents a discussion, analysis, and recommendations regarding services provided by the Coffee Creek FPD. Trinity LAFCo Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCos) are quasi-legislative, independent local agencies that were established by State legislation in 1963 to oversee the logical and orderly formation and development of local government agencies including cities and special districts. There is one LAFCo for each county in California. LAFCo is responsible for implementing the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (California Government Code Section 56000 et. seq.) in order to promote orderly growth, prevent urban sprawl, preserve agricultural and open space lands, and oversee efficient provision of municipal services. LAFCo has the authority to establish and reorganize cities and special districts, change their boundaries and authorized services, allow the extension of public services, perform municipal service reviews, and establish spheres of influence. Some of LAFCo’s duties include regulating boundary changes through annexations or detachments and forming, consolidating, or dissolving local agencies. Trinity LAFCo has a public Commission with seven regular Commissioners and three alternate Commissioners. The Commission is composed of three members of the Trinity County Board of Supervisors, two Special District Representatives, and two Public Member-At-Large. The Commission also includes one alternate member for each represented category. Fire-Related Districts in Trinity County The majority of structural fire protection services in Trinity County are provided by special districts. A special district is a local governmental agency that delivers public services to a specific area. They are most often established by residents to supply local services in areas not being served by another service provider. Special districts provide critical services such as fire protection and emergency response and are governed by a board of directors and have defined boundaries in which it provides services and facilities. Special districts must have a statutory authority in order to be established. This authority can take the form of a generic statute which applies to all special districts of that type Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 1 or may be formed by a special act tailored to the unique needs of a specific area. In Trinity County, there are 20 special districts. Fire Protection Districts (FPDs) are independent special districts governed under Fire Protection District law (Health and Safety Code § 13000-14960). An FPD can be authorized to provide services including: a) Fire protection services. b) Rescue services. c) Emergency medical services. d) Hazardous material emergency response services. e) Ambulance services f) Any other services relating to the protection of lives and property. Municipal Service Review Determinations Government Code § 56430 requires LAFCo to conduct a review of municipal services provided in the county by region, sub-region or other designated geographic area, as appropriate, for the service or services to be reviewed, and prepare a written statement of determinations with respect to each of the following topics: 1. Growth and population projections for the affected area 2. The location and characteristics of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the sphere of influence 3. Present and planned capacity of public facilities, adequacy of public services, and infrastructure needs or deficiencies (including needs or deficiencies related to sewers, municipal and industrial water, and structural fire protection in any disadvantaged, unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the sphere of influence) 4. Financial ability of agencies to provide services 5. Status of, and opportunities for, shared facilities 6. Accountability for community service needs, including governmental structure and operational efficiencies 7. Any other matter affecting or related to effective or efficient service delivery, as required by Commission policy State Guidelines and Commission policies encourage stakeholder cooperation in the municipal service review process. It also provides a basis to evaluate, and make changes to Spheres of Influence, if appropriate. Sphere of Influence Determinations An SOI is a LAFCo-approved plan that designates an agency’s probable physical boundary and service area. Spheres are planning tools used to provide guidance for individual boundary change proposals and are intended to encourage efficient provision of organized community services, discourage urban sprawl and premature conversion of agricultural and open space lands, and prevent overlapping jurisdictions and duplication of services. Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 2 LAFCo is required to establish SOIs for all local agencies and enact policies to promote the logical and orderly development of areas within the SOIs. Furthermore, LAFCo must update those SOIs every five years. For a SOI update, LAFCo is required to conduct an MSR and adopt related determinations. It must also make the following SOI determinations: 1. The present and planned land uses in the area, including agricultural and open-space lands 2. The present and probable need for public facilities and services in the area 3. The present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services that the agency provides or is authorized to provide 4. The existence of any social or economic communities of interest in the area if the Commission determines that they are relevant to the agency 5. The present and probable need for public facilities and services related to sewers, municipal or industrial water, or structural fire protection of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within the existing sphere of influence Review Methods The following information was considered in the development of this service review: Agency-specific data: responses to LAFCo Requests for Information o Demographic data: U.S. Census Bureau; Department of Finance o Finances: budgets and audits o Personal Communications with District staff including David Overly and Tony Valls o Other Reports: Trinity County Community Wildfire Prevention Plan Update 2015, o California Strategic Fire Plan. 2010 Information gathered was analyzed and applied to make the required determinations. All information gathered for this report is filed by LAFCo for future reference. California Environmental Quality Act The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is contained in Public Resources Code § 21000 et seq. Public agencies are required to evaluate the potential environmental effects of their actions. MSRs are statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to § 15262 (feasibility or planning studies) and categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15306 (information collection). CEQA requirements are applicable to SOI Updates. The CEQA lead agency for SOI Updates is most often LAFCo, unless an agency has initiated an SOI expansion or update. Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 3 AGENCY OVERVIEW Table 1: Coffee Creek VFD Agency Profile Formation Agency Name Coffee Creek Volunteer Fire District Formation Date July 1, 2004 Fire Protection District Law (Health and Safety Code §13000 et Principal Act seq.) Contact Main Contact Tony Valls, Fire Chief Alternate Contact George Lawrence, Board President E-mail coffeecreekvfd@gmail.com District Mailing Address PO Box 3951 Trinity Center, CA 96091 District Office Address 1 Cedar Rd, Trinity Center, CA 96091 Phone/ Fax (530) 266-3955 Governance Governing Body Board of Directors Board Meetings Fourth Wednesday monthly in the Coffee Creek fire hall Fire chief, Tony Valls; Assistant chief, Steve Renten; Secretary, Staffing Gene Casey Services Fire protection, rescue, emergency medical services, and Services Provided ambulance services Unincorporated community of Coffee Creek and adjacent rural Areas Served residential areas along Highway 3 Formation The Coffee Creek Fire Protection District was formed on July 1, 2004 pursuant to LAFCo Resolution No. LAFCO-04-01. The District assumed all responsibility for providing services from the Coffee Creek Volunteer Fire Company, which disbanded upon formation and transferred all assets to the District. Shortly after formation, the District officially changed its name from the Coffee Creek Fire Protection District to the Coffee Creek Volunteer Fire District (VFD) on November 9th, 2004. The District was formed without an election due to sufficient registered voter petition in favor of district formation. For the initial Board of Directors, eight of nine Board members were appointed by the Trinity County Board of Supervisors, with the remaining member appointed by the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors as set forth in Section 13836 of the Health and Safety Code. Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 4 Services The Coffee Creek VFD is an independent single purpose special district authorized to provide fire protection, rescue, emergency medical services, and ambulance services pursuant to the Fire Protection District Law of 1987 (Health & Safety Code §13800, et seq.). The District has a mutual aid agreement with the Trinity Center CSD and jointly responds to all calls with the Trinity Center Volunteer Fire Department. Boundary The Coffee Creek VFD boundary comprises approximately 123 square miles (79,200 acres) and encompasses the unincorporated community of Coffee Creek (Figure 1). The District includes virtually all private lands north of Hatchet Creek, which flows into the northwestern edge of Trinity Lake. State Highway 3 traverses the District in a north-south direction and is the primary transportation route in the area. The District also extends to the northwest along Coffee Creek Road and includes approximately 2,000 acres in Siskiyou County. Currently, the District’s Sphere of Influence (SOI) is coterminous with the District boundary. Because of the District’s relatively recent formation in 2004, the SOI is comprehensive and does not need updating at this time. Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 5 Figure 1 Coffee Creek VFD Boundary and SOI Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 6 GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE Governing Body Coffee Creek VFD is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors elected at-large to serve staggered four-year terms (Table 2). In order to be elected to the Board, candidates must be registered voters residing within the District boundaries. If there are insufficient candidates for election, or if the number of filed candidates is equal to the number of vacancies, then Board members may be appointed in lieu of election. The Board of Directors appoints officers, including a President (Chairman), Vice- President, and Treasurer. There are no term limits for serving as an Officer of the Board. Board members do not receive a stipend for attending meetings. The Board meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the Coffee Creek fire hall but there is interest in reducing the frequency of meetings. Fire Protection District Law notes that fire district boards must meet at least once every three months (H&S Code § 13855). In accordance with the Brown Act, all meetings of the District Board are open to the public and are publicly posted a minimum of 72 hours prior to regular meetings and a minimum of 24 hours prior to special meetings at the Fire Hall, Post Office and the Coffee Creek Country Store. Meeting information is also posted online at www.northtrinitylake.com and minutes are kept for all Board meetings and are available upon request. Table 2: Coffee Creek FPD Board of Directors Board Member Title Term Expiration George Lawrence President 12/1/2020 Laurence Fitzsimons Vice-President 12/1/2022 Linda Bullock Director 12/1/2022 Lorrac Craig Director 12/1/2020 David Overly Treasurer 12/1/2020 Robert Rangel Director 12/1/2022 vacant - - vacant - - vacant - - The District Board has expressed interest in reducing the number of Board seats from nine to five due to the difficulty of recruiting new Board members in a rural area. There are currently four vacant positions on the Board, so board reduction must be timely to avoid loss of a quorum for conducting district business. According to Fire Protection District Law, the number of members of a district board may be increased or decreased if a majority of voters are in favor of the change at a general district or special election (H&S Code § 13845). To initiate the process, the District Board may adopt a resolution placing the question on the ballot. Alternately, a similar ballot question can be initiated by petition signed by at least 25 percent of the registered voters Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 7 of the district. The District is determining whether an election can be waived if a petition is signed by a majority of the voters of the District (corresponding with the threshold for a favorable election). According to the District, there are 160 registered voters within the District boundaries, therefore it is possible that the District will be able to obtain enough signatures on a petition in favor of board membership reduction. As mentioned previously, the District was formed without an election due to sufficient registered voter petition in favor of District formation. If the voters approve of decreasing the number of directors, current board members will continue to serve until the end of their current terms. Management & Staffing The District is staffed entirely by volunteers. All agency decisions are overseen by the Board of Directors upon consideration of public input and discussion. Public Outreach In addition to public meetings, the District works to reach constituents through community outreach efforts. The Coffee Creek VFD is very involved in community events and fundraising, including an annual spring chili feed and auction and summer pancake breakfasts held by the VFD Auxiliary known as the “Fire Flies”. The Fire Flies also host craft and bake sales and dinners on a regular basis to raise money for the District. The District does not maintain a website. However, the Trinity Lake Revitalization Alliance maintains a website at www.northtrinitylake.com that provides information regarding the District and Board of Directors, history of the VFD, and contact information. SB 929 (McGuire) was signed into law on September 14, 2018 requiring all independent special districts to maintain a website by January 1, 2020. Only hardship-based findings, identified in a board resolution approved at a regular meeting, would allow a district to be exempt from establishing or maintaining a website. The findings may include inadequate internet access; significantly limited financial resources; or insufficient staff resources. Since Coffee Creek VFD is staffed completely by volunteers, it would likely qualify for hardship-based findings, making the District exempt from the website requirement. The resolution would be valid for one year and would need to be adopted annually so long as the hardship exists. Accountability The Coffee Creek VFD has an adopted Policy Handbook that addresses administrative, financial, and general operating policies and procedures for the District. The Policy Handbook is being updated as of 2019. The Political Reform Act requires all state and local government agencies to adopt and promulgate a Conflict of Interest Code pursuant to Government Code §81000 et seq. The Political Reform Act also requires persons who hold office to disclose their investments, interests in real property, and incomes by filing a Statement of Economic Interests (Fair Political Practices Commission Form 700) each year pursuant to Government Code §87203. Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 8 According to AB 1234, if a local agency provides compensation or reimbursement of expenses to local government officials, then all local officials are required to receive two hours of training on public service ethics laws and principles at least once every two years and establish a written policy on reimbursements pursuant to Government Code §53235. In addition, AB 1661 went into effect in 2016 and addresses local government sexual harassment prevention training and education. The District complies with the above requirements. They currently hold insurance through Golden State Risk Management, which offers programs and trainings as well as an annual conference regularly attended by the District. Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 9 OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY Service Overview The Coffee Creek VFD is an active member of the fire service community in Trinity County. The department provides a full range of fire protection services, including emergency medical services, auto extrication, search and rescue, and general public assistance. Ambulance or medical transport service is provided within the District. The Coffee Creek VFD has an automatic aid agreement with the Trinity Center VFD and jointly responds to all emergency calls. The entire District is located within the State Responsibility Area (SRA) and the department works closely with CAL FIRE to respond to wildfire incidents during the fire season. Service Demand The Coffee Creek VFD receives an average of 1-2 calls per month, with call volume increasing in the summer months. The District responds to an average of 70 to 100 calls per year, with the majority of calls being medical-related. Other calls such as vehicle accidents may also involve the delivery of emergency medical services. The District maintains an emergency response log and training records (Table 3). During the District Board meetings, the Fire Chief provides a report on all emergency calls that occurred since the prior meeting and provides an update on Coffee Creek VFD activities. Table 3: Coffee Creek VFD Calls for Service Response 2016 2017 2018 Fire 10 10 9 Fire Training 14 22 20 Medical 50 52 29 Medical Training 5 10 6 Search and Rescue 0 0 0 Motor Vehicle Crash 2 5 4 Public Assist 0 1 0 Other 1 0 4 Total Responses 82 100 72 ISO Rating There are several benchmarks by which the level of fire service provided by an agency may be measured, and the Insurance Services Office Public Protection Classification, or ISO PPC, is one such measure. The ISO is a rating commonly used by insurance companies to determine fire insurance rates, with 1 being the best rating which indicates the highest level of fire protection and the lowest is 10. Based on a recent ISO audit in 2018, the Coffee Creek FPD has a “5/5Y” rating (Personal Communication with Fire Chief, 2/12/20). Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 10 Personnel The District reports six active volunteer personnel. All firefighters are CPR and First Responder certified. Two members are EMT certified and one member has emergency transport BLS authorization. The District is always looking for more recruits. Recruitment is conducted on an annual basis as well as through the Auxiliary group, the Fire Flies, and fundraising events. All staff members work as volunteers. The District Fire Chief, Tony Valls is certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and works with Trinity County Life Support. The Assistant Fire Chief is Steve Renten and the volunteer Secretary is Gene Casey. There is always ongoing need for both responders and administrative volunteers. Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 11 INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES The Coffee Creek VFD operates from one fire station located at 1 Cedar Road in the community of Coffee Creek. A kitchen remodel at the firehall is underway and will be completed in early 2020. Apparatus used by the District includes a Type 1 Engine, Ambulance, Type III wildland brush rig, and a Type II Tanker (Table 4). The District has extrication equipment including Jaws of Life, Hydra-Ram, vehicle stabilizer, circular saws, cutters, rescue kits, and more. Each volunteer is equipped with a hand-held radio and pager. Table 4: Coffee Creek VFD Apparatus Apparatus Pump Capacity Apparatus Make/Type Purchase Date Purchase Description Number (GPM) Title III Grant from 1311 1991 KME Engine 6/30/2007 1000 GPM Trinity County Title III Grant from 309 Ambulance 1/31/2002 n/a Trinity County Loan from Bureau of 1332 1991 Dodge Brush Rig 1/31/2002 31 GPM Land Management 1341 2005 Kenworth Tanker 7/1/2005 FEMA grant 1002 GPM Challenges and Needs Like many rural departments, Coffee Creek VFD is challenged with aging equipment and volunteer recruitment. The District specifically noted that it needs a new brush rig engine. It only has 2-wheel drive capabilities, and 4-wheel drive is preferred to serve more isolated areas and off-road terrain. Another engine also needs replacing due to age. The District is providing matching funds to a countywide grant to upgrade their wildland gear in 2020. Regional Collaboration Coffee Creek FPD has mutual aid agreements with all of the fire protection districts in Trinity County, as well as the National Park Service, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), and the U.S. Forest Service. In addition, Coffee Creek FPD has an automatic aid agreement with the Trinity Center Volunteer Fire Department. Coffee Creek FPD is a member of the Trinity County Fire Chiefs Association and the Trinity County Fire Safe Council (FSC), and helped develop the first comprehensive Trinity County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) between 1999 and 2005, with the most current CWPP published in 2015.1 1 Trinity County Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update 2015 Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 12 CAL FIRE is responsible for the suppression of wildland fires within State Responsibility Areas (SRA). CAL FIRE stations are staffed during declared fire season, typically June to October, and engines may respond to calls other than wildland fires if they are available and the call will not affect their core responsibilities. Although the State is responsible for wildland fire suppression within the SRA, CAL FIRE relies on local fire departments to respond to such incidents and provide initial attack to ensure that the fires are suppressed at the earliest possible stage. District volunteers participate as needed on CAL FIRE strike teams and also loan equipment to CAL FIRE as needed. Other Service Providers Community water in the Coffee Creek area is provided by private water companies including Coffee Creek Mutual Water Company (MWC), Coffee Creek Acres MWC, Treasure Creek Woods MWC and the Seymour’s Mutual Water System. These companies operate water systems that serve different areas of the Coffee Creek community. Treasure Creek Woods MWC has 32 service connections and two active groundwater wells. Seymour’s Mutual Water System serves 27 service connections from three springs. Water service in the area is also provided by individual wells. Community wastewater services are not provided in this area; the community relies upon individual septic tanks for sewage disposal. Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 13 FINANCING Revenue and Expenditures Coffee Creek VFD receives no property tax funds or special tax allocations. It relies purely on donations from the community to cover its operating expenses. Fundraising by the “Fire Flies”, the District Auxiliary group, provides about one third of needed income. It also receives income from North Coast Air Quality Control Board burn permits, liability insurance reimbursement from the County, and grants. Donations are received in conjunction with the District’s annual newsletter that details needed funds. Maintenance of equipment, structures and property, and training and travel are some of the larger expenditures incurred by the Coffee Creek VFD. Fees for professional services are also an expense incurred by the District. As reported to the California State Controller’s Office, revenues were $59,897 for FY 2017-18 and $75,197 for FY 2018-19, while expenditures were $32,248 for FY 2017-18 and $27,372 for FY 2018-19. Total revenue for FY 2019-20 is projected to be $39,800, while total expenses are estimated at $56,560, giving a cost overrun of $16,760. This is due in large part to the cost of the remodeling the station kitchen, which is listed as a $24,000 expense in the FY 2019-20 Budget. Table 5. Coffee Creek VFD FY 2019-20 Budget Income Donations $37,400.00 Misc. Income $1,200.00 Interest Income $1,200.00 Total Income $39,800.00 Expenses Travel and Training $420.00 Spring Dinner/Auction Expense $1,500.00 Printing/Copying $182.40 Office Supplies/Postage $710.00 Kitchen Remodel Purchases $24,000.00 Purchases less than 1K $1,200.00 Fire/Medical Team Gear $3,600.00 Maintenance– Equipment $3,840.00 Maintenance–Buildings/Grounds $780.00 Medical Supplies $600.00 Fuel-Vehicles and Equipment $600.00 Licenses and Fees $111.00 Administrative & Accounting $4,500.00 Advertising & Promotion $2,500.00 Utilities $3,000.00 Telephone & Internet $720.00 Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 14 Insurance $8,297.00 Total Expense $56,560.40 Revenues Over (Under)Expenditures (16,760.40) Grants An important source of funding for the Coffee Creek VFD comes from grants. Grant funding organizations include FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and Title III funding. These grants are usually dedicated to specific equipment needs such as fire suppression equipment, rolling stock, uniforms, and SCBA's (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) for example, as well as partial reimbursement of Workers Compensation insurance. The District dedicates significant effort and diligence to stay on top of grant opportunities that can benefit the Coffee Creek VFD. Audit Information The District conducts periodic audits and documents were provided for FY 2015-16 and 2016-17. The audit for these fiscal years indicates that the financial health of the District is strong; specifically, assets exceeded liabilities by $241,614.00 at the end of FY 2016-17 and that net assets increased by $23,476.00. The District has no long-term debt as of the end of FY 2016-17. Based on information from FY 2015-16 and 2016-17, the actual donations often exceeded the budgeted amount by a significant margin. The District is in the process of undergoing an audit to be completed November 2019. Financing Constraints and Opportunities Like many rural departments, the Coffee Creek VFD relies on grants and donations to replace aging apparatus and equipment. The North Lake communities are very generous and Trinity Center VFD fundraising events are typically very successful. The District dedicates significant effort to stay on top of grant opportunities that can benefit the District. Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 15 GROWTH AND POPULATION Existing Population and Projected Growth According to the US Census, the total population in Trinity County was 13,786 in 2010. The Department of Finance 2019 (DOF) reports a 0.3% increase in the unincorporated population of Trinity County between 2018 and 2019, for a total County population of 13,688 estimated in 2019. According to the District, the Coffee Creek VFD serves approximately 200 residents. In addition, Coffee Creek is a Census Designated Place (CDP) and has an estimated population of 298 based on 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-year population estimates. The District will likely continue to grow at or less than the current county-wide growth rate of 0.3% per year, increasing the population by only nine people in ten years, putting the District population at approximately 307 in 2030. Existing and Planned Uses The Trinity County General Plan (1988) and Zoning Code guides land use decisions within Trinity County including the community of Coffee Creek. The area served by Coffee Creek VFD is largely agricultural, commercial timber production lands, recreation areas, and low density residential. Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities LAFCo is required to evaluate water service, sewer service, and structural fire protection within disadvantaged unincorporated communities as part of this service review, including the location and characteristics of any such communities. A disadvantaged unincorporated community (DUC) is defined as any area with 12 or more registered voters where the annual median household income is less than 80% of the statewide annual median household income. According to the 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, the California median household income (MHI) is $55,625 for Coffee Creek, which is 82% of the state average MHI of $67,169; therefore, this area does not qualify as disadvantaged. There are no disadvantaged communities immediately adjacent to the District that require evaluation. Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 16 MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEW DETERMINATIONS 1) Growth and population projections for the affected area Coffee Creek FPD has approximately 298 residents within the district boundary based on 2013- 2017 American Community Survey 5-year population estimates. Currently, the district has adequate infrastructure to serve the existing population and service demand. While the growth rate within the district is projected to be low (less than one percent annually) there are undeveloped areas designated for residential use and some underutilized commercial areas along Highway 3 and in the Coffee Creek community. The District should continue to work with Trinity County and be involved in the review of new development proposals to ensure that adequate access and fire safe provisions are incorporated into project design. 2) The location and characteristics of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the Sphere of Influence The unincorporated community of Coffee Creek and surrounding rural residential areas is the population center within the District. According to the 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, the California median household income (MHI) is $55,625 for Coffee Creek, which is 82% of the state average MHI of $67,169; therefore, this area does not qualify as disadvantaged. There are no disadvantaged communities immediately adjacent to the District that require evaluation. 3) Present and planned capacity of public facilities, adequacy of public services, and infrastructure needs or deficiencies (including needs or deficiencies related to sewers, municipal and industrial water, and structural fire protection in any disadvantaged, unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the SOI) The District’s engines, water tenders, and other vehicles are all in operable condition. Like many rural departments, Coffee Creek VFD relies on grants and donations to replace aging apparatus and equipment. The Coffee Creek fire station is adequate to support the existing and foreseeable levels of service of the District. A kitchen remodel at the firehall is underway and will be completed in early 2020. 4) Financial ability of agencies to provide services The Coffee Creek VFD appears to receive adequate donations from the community to finance services. In addition, they receive grant funding, reimbursement for services provided to other fire agencies, and other revenues. 5) Status of, and opportunities for, shared facilities The Coffee Creek VFD has an automatic aid agreement with Trinity Center VFD, which is a department of the Trinity Center CSD. Both agencies jointly respond and train together, and likely there are only limited opportunities for expanded facility and service sharing opportunities. In addition, the Coffee Creek FPD has a comparable number of volunteers and facilities Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 17 compared to other similar sized districts in the county. The District conducts all of its business, meetings, and training from its Coffee Creek station. 6) Accountability for community service needs, including governmental structure and operational efficiencies The Coffee Creek VFD Board of Directors meets regularly, and district board meetings comply with the provisions of the Brown Act. In addition, District representatives coordinate training and response activities with the Trinity Fire Safe Council and participate in the Fire Chiefs Association. This allows the District to keep current on community service needs. District representatives also coordinate training activities with other districts and entities, giving greater operational efficiencies for the staff and the district overall. The District is committed to maintaining these relationships and continuing with joint training and operations programs. 7) Any other matter related to effective or efficient service delivery, as required by commission policy The Districts response area generally matches the District’s boundary. No change to the District’s coterminous SOI is proposed at this time. Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 18 SPHERE OF INFLUENCE DETERMINATIONS 1) The present and planned land uses in the area, including agricultural and open-space lands Present land uses in the District include rural residential, agriculture, timber, resource conservation areas, public lands and related uses. The planned land uses are similar, with future residential development expected to occur at existing county-wide rates of 0.3 percent per year for rural areas. The provision of fire services is not expected to change planned land uses in the area. 2) The present and probable need for public facilities and services in the area Coffee Creek FPD is a regional partner in the overall fire suppression and prevention effort in Trinity County. While CAL FIRE is responsible for wildland fire protection for non-federal land within the majority of the district and SOI areas, Coffee Creek FPD provides enhanced fire protection services in the local community for structure fire, medical aid, vehicle accidents and extraction, and similar traditionally local fire department type services. Prior to considering expanding services outside the current service area, the District must demonstrate the ability to provide fire protection services to those areas. 3) The present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services that the agency provides or is authorized to provide Based on present and projected demand for fire protection services, the District has the ability to meet the level of demand for at least the next five years of projected growth within the district boundaries. Coffee Creek FPD makes an ongoing effort to build volunteer capacity and to improve response times to the surrounding areas. Overall, the District currently functions efficiently and there are no service gaps or underserved areas. There is enough revenue to sustain the District at its current capacity. 4) The existence of any social or economic communities of interest in the area if the commission determines that they are relevant to the agency Coffee Creek FPD is located along State Highway 3 approximately 37 miles or a 50-minute drive from Weaverville. It is located near many trailheads into the Trinity Alps in Trinity County, California, just south of the Oregon border and sees a large influx of seasonal tourists. There are no social or economic communities of interest immediately adjacent to the District that require evaluation. Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 19 5) The present and probable need for public facilities and services related to sewers, municipal or industrial water, or structural fire protection of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within the existing sphere of influence Coffee Creek FPD is not considered a DUC. The California median household income (MHI) is $55,625 for Coffee Creek, which is 82% of the state average MHI of $67,169. There are no disadvantaged communities immediately adjacent to the District that should be considered for inclusion in the SOI. Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 20 REFERENCES California Strategic Fire Plan. 2010. State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. URL: http://resources.ca.gov/climate_adaptation/statewide_adaptation/climate_change_and_wildfir e.html Personal Communications with David Overly and Tony Valls, November and December 2019 Scores and PPC Ratings. ISO Mitigation Online. URL: http://www.isomitigation.com/ Trinity County Community Wildfire Prevention Plan Update 2015, Report to the Trinity County Fire Safe Council from the Trinity County Resource Conservation District and the Watershed Research and Training Center US Census Bureau. American Fact Finder, Trinity County, California. URL: http:// https://factfinder.census.gov Coffee Creek VFD MSR/SOI Update 21