4/1/25 Board of Supervisors Meeting Summary

By Linda Margaretic

Meeting overview:
https://plumascoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1457/overview
 
Meeting video:
https://plumascoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1457/media
 
Public Comment:
Robert Zernich invited the BOS to attend the May 26th annual Memorial Day tribute in Dame Shirley Park.

A woman who worked in the assessor’s office until 2023 defended the performance of her fellow former appraisers and assessor. She encouraged current assessor, Cindie Frogatt to take ownership of her mistakes rather than to insinuate the current property tax situation was due to the prior assessor’s office staff.  

Rose Buzzetta gave a report about the 4th spayathon conducted by the Plumas Feral Spay-Neuter Project.  Five veterinarians and 7 vet techs were on board along with about 25 trappers and volunteers from all parts of Plumas County. Eighty nine cats were neutered. This brings the total to over 300 feral cats that have been spayed or neutered. 

Kelsey Hostetter, Assistant Tax Collector and daughter of former HR Director Nancy Selvage spoke to the board in defense of her mother’s innocence. 

Jack McLoughlin brought a handout for the board regarding the power generator he spoke about at the last meeting.
DA David Hollister gave a recap of the recent trial of the HR Director who was convicted of self-dealing per government code 1090. 
 
Department Head Announcements: 
Marcy DeMartile, Clerk Recorder announced there will be election presentations focusing on special districts in various parts of the county. May 14 at Quincy Fairgrounds; May 15 Chester Memorial Hall; May 21 Portola Memorial Hall.  For more information call her at 283 6256. 

Tracey Ferguson, Planning Director had several reports including the Recover California Housing Program application due by April 15th.  For more information call Tracey at 530-283- 7011 or the program at 916-202-1764. 

Willo Vieira, Ag Commissioner reported they have a new crane.  

Sheriff Todd Johns announced he will be having shoulder surgery for a work-related injury.  He expressed disappointment that he was denied coverage by workers’ comp insurance Trindell.  He encouraged the board to look into the coverage provided by this company adding that the service provided is not equal to what we are paying.
 
Updates and Reports:
Tracey Ferguson is working on the Wildfire Recovery Plan.

US Forest Service fire crews are fully staffed.

Martee Graham, Auditor regarding Munis payroll module progress said she will have an update at next meeting.

Julie White Tax Collector announced that the investment policy and investment software is in place.  She is balancing out 2023.  Should be able to have 2024 report soon. RFPs out for investment advisors.  Treasury Oversight Committee will be formed soon.  Julie is putting together an oversight handbook. 

Martee Graham said audit report will be presented along with mid-year budget at April 15th meeting. 

Adam Cox, Indian Valley Community Services District Contract General Manager reported on status of Indian Valley Public Safety Center.
 
Consent Agenda:
All were approved.
 
Department Matters:
3 B 1)
Renaming of Squaw Carpet Lane.  Tracey Ferguson contacted all tribal members involved and the name suggested by Maidu leader Mr. Harvey Moreno, Demtatoko Trail, was approved.  Tracey will bring this back as a resolution for the board to sign.  Kevin Goss asked Tracey how many hours she’s spent on this.  She said about 40 hours.
 
3 B 2) 
Tracey reported on the USFS “Objector” meeting.  Among other issues, a main objection was use of herbicides.  We (the county) asked for this to be used only as a last resort.  USFS said they will use herbicides judiciously.  They agreed to look into the use of grazing animals to mitigate noxious vegetation.
 
3 B 4) 
Tracey led the Public Hearing regarding a zone change ordinance in the Lake Almanor area.  This is the first of two public hearings on the issue.  Quite a few public comments were read and spoken.  Environmental Health and Ag Commissioner were present as well as numerous property owners from the Almanor area including the applicant, Nicole Staniger.  The applicant is requesting a zoning change from F1 (small animals “hooveless”) to F (farm animals, large animals “hooved animals”).  Adjacent property owners’ concerns were odors, vectors, well water safety, property values, predatory animals.  Ag Commissioner, Willo Vieira, Environmental Health Officer Pat Sanders and District 4 Planning Commissioner, Dane Lewis, all expressed approval for this zoning change.  Deb Hopkins suggested creating a new zone for homesteading. This topic will be resumed at the April 8th meeting.
 
3 B 3) 
Tracey presented the annual General Plan Progress Report which has also been sent to the State.  The slide presentation can be seen at hour 2 minute 30. The entire report is in the agenda back up material.
 
3 D 1)
 Julie White, Tax Collector announced that there are 107 defaulted properties that will be up for auction on June 19th.
 
4 A
Engie project update.  If you want to watch go to hour 3 minute 11.  Here is a link to the research report the BOS and Facilities Director have done in an attempt to eliminate extraneous pieces, refine the project and reduce the total costs.
 
BOS presentation of assessment of Engie Project and possible mitigations
https://plumascoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1457/files/attachment/4043
 
In the report you will see that the BOS and Facilities Director have found  ways to reduce costs by over $3 million.  Recently the BOS met with Engie to discuss this and it appears that Engie is very willing to work with us on contract revisions.  Nick Collin, Facilities Director urged the board to act soon – time is of the essence because once Engie has purchased equipment for the county we won’t be able to make revisions. He said we need to see if they will “stop” while the board is working on the changes. Julie White spoke of the complication of changing the project financing.  The Engie issue will be on the agenda until any and all possible changes are finalized.  I urge you to read the report above and to listen to the video.
 
I strongly believe that the board’s judicious review of the $10.8 million Engie Project would not have happened if not for concerned citizens who spoke up, wrote to the board and posed many questions. I credit Mimi Hall for her lead on all of this. Stay tuned!
 
4 B
Property tax continued.  Mimi met with Tax Collector and Auditor.  Tax deferments would be very complicated to do.  It was decided not to pursue this avenue of relief.  Mimi said that the board has taken some remedial actions such as rescinding the 2012 resolution which allowed the county to only announce the tax increases on line.  Now letters will be sent out and in a timely manner – as soon as tax rolls close (July or August) An analysis of those whose tax payments are currently delinquent shows that most of these have been habitually delinquent in paying property taxes. Nick Collin asked questions about who and how properties were taken out of prop 8. He also asked if the same person who assessed the property values is the person who will reassess decline in value requests. Jeff Engel responded and a dialog ensued. Mimi added there have been 60 Decline in Values submitted.  About half resulted in a decline in value. The assessor is still in the process of resolving these issues.  Engel reminded the board that the BOS will convene as the County Board of Equalization to further resolve these issues. It was decided that the property tax issue will not continue to be on the agenda but that the BOS will work with assessor to present continuing information during Department updates.
 
As an aside, here is information sent to me by a community member – property tax forms and resources.  Click on Plumas County on the map.  Property Tax Exemption form BOE-261-G apparently is for disabled veterans OR low income households.
 
4 E
​Letter of opposition to assemblywoman Tina McKinnor regarding AB 470 to abolish landlines.  Please read their letter.

The first virtual public hearing by CPUC will be April 17that 2:00 p.m          
Virtual only, remote access via webcast or phone.
Live video broadcast with English or Spanish captions via webcast:  
www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc
Telephone number to comment publicly and/or listen:
1-800-857-1917, Passcode: 6032788#  
Press *1 to comment  
 
Assembly bill 470 seeks to allow any “carrier of Last Resort (COLR) telephone service provider to abandon its obligations to provide reliable and affordable access to basic telephone service.
 
Here is more information on AB 470 from RCRC:
https://www.rcrcnet.org/general/bill-of-the-week-assembly-bill-470-mckinnor-telephone-corporations-carriers-of-last-resort/
 
 
Because the meeting went so long it was decided to give correspondence and weekly meeting reports at next meeting.
 
5. Closed Session
A. Board acknowledges HR Director terminated as of March 25
B.  C. No reportable action
D. Withdrawal from motion to ammend
E. No reportable action
F. All three claims denied
G. Claim denied
H. I. J. No reportable action