SIERRA BROOKS

SENTINEL
Summer Edition August 2019

NEWS FROM THE BOARD

Well, here we are, full throttle into the Summer of 2019. Everyone at the Sierra Brooks Property Owner’s As-
sociation hope everyone is fully enjoying their summer. It’s a whole new year for the association business wise
and there is lots to talk about as there has been a lot going on, so let’s not waist anytime and get right into it.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

BOARD MEMBER FILMAN RESIGNS

& ANDALUZ JOINS THE BOARD

The new business year started off well with the annual meeting being held at the lodge on June 27, 2019. For
more information on the meeting please view the minutes from that meeting on the Sierra Brooks Website.
Shortly following the meeting, Board Member Chuck Filman presented his resignation letter to the board.
Chuck explained although he enjoyed his time on the board and appreciated all the help he continuously re-
ceived from the board and lodge office staff, he was just too busy at the time to commit to another year, he
thanked everyone involved and wished everyone well. With that news, the association was in search of a new
board member to appoint to the position since the election period for new board members had recently passed.
Fortunately for the association and the board, association member Gabe Andaluz stepped up to the responsibil-
ity and the board couldn’t be more appreciative or thankful. Gabe attended the regular meeting of the board on
July 17, 2019 where he was appointed to the board and from all appearances, it looks like the board of Perez,
Loubet and Andaluz will be a well working board, good luck to them all, the entire association owes them their
thanks and gratitude for all their volunteer hours devoted to the smooth running of everyone’s association!
_________________________________________________________________________________________

SIERRA BROOKS FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT

In late Spring, Board Member Loubet met with members of the Loyalton Volunteer Fire Department regarding
the Associations’ Parcels and the need for fuel reduction on these parcels. As always, summertime poses a seri-
ous threat of wildfires in our area and as in years past the association has encouraged property owners to create
a defensible space around their property as per recommended by Cal Fire. The Sierra Brooks Association takes
this matter very seriously that is why in early July a contractor was hired to reduce the vegetation/fuel on the
association’s 19 acre parcel located south of the electric substation along Smithneck Rd, by the time this news-
letter goes to print, the project should be complete. So, if there was curiosity to what all the happenings were
along Smithneck Road a few weeks ago with an excavator, that would be it. The area located behind the lodge,
just above the creek was in question as well but since a lot of that property is in the area of the creek which is
under Fish and Wildlife Jurisdiction, that area has been left alone for the time. But please, if your property
needs clearing, please do so or contact the association either by, mail, phone or email and we can help arrange
to have it cleared at the property owners cost. Let’s have a safe and fire free year!
 OUTDOOR PERSONAL FIRE PITS/FIREPLACES

White on the subject of fire protection, recently a property owner had a question regarding fire pits on property
in Sierra Brooks. Since I didn’t really have an answer to that, I did a little research and contacted the Northern
Sierra Air Quality Management District Office in Grass Valley, CA. I spoke to a very helpful gentleman
named Don. I explained my situation to Don and told him information was scarce on the subject to say the
least but I assumed they were much like vegetation fires or controlled burns and that you would have to con-
tact the NSAQM District Office to see if it was ok on any particular day to have afire in your pit. Don ex-
plained to me that personal fire pits are not vegetation fires or controlled burns, they are what they refer to as a
“recreational fire”. What that means is, even if air quality management calls for a no burn day for vegetation
fires, recreational fires are still ok, they are exempt from that. However, common sense dictates that if the day
is in the least bit breezy, a pit fire is probably not recommended and as told to the association by the local fire
department, any potential catastrophic event or damages that may occur due to an out of control pit fit, the
property owner would be held civil responsible for all damages. So enjoy your outdoor pit fire/fireplace but
please do so in a very safe manner to keep you, your loved ones and your neighbors safe.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

LODGE REPAIR UPDATES

Over the course of the last few years, the lodge office has been having issues with water leaks in the roof
which has caused some extensive damage to the lodge’s office as well as the roof itself. There has been some
repair work done over these years but as recent as this July 2019, Bracher Construction has taken over the pro-
ject and completed the work. The roof leaks were resolved with the previous work done however, the lodge
office was quite the mess. Reid, along with his crew was able to complete the repairs inside the office and all
work is now complete. Bracher Construction did a great job and they were wonderful to work with, thank you
again Reid and your crew! Bracher Construction also removed water damaged siding from the exterior kitchen
wall and completely replaced it with new siding. Also removed was the concrete slab that was poured original-
ly right to the siding and not allowing for proper drainage, this was the cause of the siding damage to begin
with. The concrete slab will be replaced at a future date with a step to the kitchen door as well as a ADA com-
pliant ramp to the slider.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

SIERRA BROOKS WATER PROJECT UPDATE

According to Sierra County Supervisor Sharon Dryden, there have been three bids received for the water pro-
ject. The lowest bid came in $1,000,000.00 over the estimated proposal. What does this mean for property
owners? Because the vote has already passed amongst the property owners, the county would not be able le-
gally to charge the property owners for the difference. This being said, Sierra County and Tim Beals plan to
appeal to the USDA and Sacramento for extra monies for the project and hope, if successfully in their re-
quests, they anticipate breaking ground on the project this year. Check back for future newsletters with more
updated information regarding the project
________________________________________________________________________________________________

LODGE & CAMPGROUND VOLUNTEERS WANTED

The Board is seeking community members who would like to volunteer to assist with the lodge duties as well
as someone who would like to be the playground keeper. Lodge duties would entail assisting Board Member
Alyssa Loubet with reservations and the upkeep of the Lodge. The playground keeper would be responsible to
maintain the playground area and report any maintenance issues to the lodge office for repairs. If you or some-
one you know are interested in either one of or both of these volunteer jobs, please contact the lodge office at:
(530)993-4917 or email too: sierrabrookspoa@gmail.com, thank you.
 BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2019

All Sierra Brooks Monthly Board Meetings are

scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of every month
The Sierra Brooks Property Owner’s Association at 6:00 pm in the SBPOA Lodge Office. Every-
is actively seeking an on-call maintenance worker. one is invite, please join us!
$20-$30 per hour depending on experience.
This position will perform a variety of duties at
both the lodge and campgrounds as needed. This
includes the winterization and spring maintenance
of the water and restrooms at the campgrounds as
well as the sprinkler system at the lodge. Candi-
dates must possess strong plumbing and electrical
skills and knowledge.
All inquiries: (530)993-4917 or
Email: sierrabrookspoa@gmail.com

CONTACTS

COMMUNICATION Board of Directors………....993-4917

Rebekah Perez, President

Alyssa Loubet
Gabe Andaluz
WEBSITE:
www.sierrabrookspoa.com Treasurer

EMAIL: sierrabrookspoa@gmail.com Ron Powell ….993-4917

PHONE: 530-993-4917 Office Manager

Tracy Smith…..993-4917

Lodge/ Campground Reservations:

loubet3500@gmail.com

District 5 Supervisor—Sharon Dryden ….993-4048

Is there something you would Architect Committee………..993-4917

like to see in our future Water Operator………...…...993-1045
newsletters?
Pump House……………......993-1705

Email: Tim Beals ………………….289-3251

sierrabrookspoa@gmail.com