4/15/25 Board of Supervisors Meeting Summary

By Linda Margaretic

Meeting Overview
https://plumascoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1653/overview
 
Meeting Video Link
https://plumascoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1653/media
 
Public Comment: 1) Man from San Jose announced the motorcycle rally which will held at the fairgrounds June 16-21. On June 19. There will be a bike show and the public is invited at no charge to look at vintage motorcycles.  He thanked businesses and the fairgrounds for hospitality. 2) Julie Threet, covid activist from Chico and former health worker, asked the BOS to stop administration of the covid vaccine.  She said she was vaccinated and now has many vaccines related injuries. She asked people to do their own research.  She gave resources.  3) Ronald Owens Jr., former public relations officer for California Department of Health (14 years)and whistle blower. He said he’s presented or sent this information to the BOS twice before.  His request was for the county not to promote, administer or distribute the covid vaccine. 4) Diana Dreiss, frequent zoom caller, called in and read from various resources data about the covid vaccine being a bioweapon.
 
Department Heads:   Marcy DeMartile, Registrar, gave a speech about the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act). She emphasized that it is not final and is going through legislation. She explained how voter citizenship is ensured. She enumerated how many voter laws and processes are in place and how rigorously her office follows them.  She invited anyone to who questions the process to come spend a day work one election cycle.  Special Districts presentations coming up in May in all parts of the county. May 14 in Quincy at Mineral Building 6 p.m. Nick Collin, Facilities, and the entire Facilities department, honored Bruce Robbins who is retiring, with a plaque. Chad Hermann, Sheriff Department, acknowledged the dispatchers, by name, for their hard work under very stressful and chaotic conditions. Tracey Ferguson, Planning Department, introduced the new assistant planner, Amanda Harmon.
 
Announcements and Reports:  Brenda Narayan, PG&E gave a slide presentation of the 2025 underground project
 
Consent Agenda:  Approved
 
Board of Supervisors: 
5. B.& C. 
The board approved and authorized Chair to sign a Letter of Support to Fish and Wildlife Director Bonham regarding impact of grey wolf in Plumas County. Dwight Ceresola and Rick Roberti gave an update about the increasing grey wolf problems in Sierra Valley. It is not just about ranchers anymore, it’s becoming now an issue of public safety. Supervisor Engel said “we’re fully in support.  We’ll do whatever we can.”
 
Time Certain Action Agenda:  This was an appeal hearing regarding two properties on 4th Street in East Quincy. Citizen complaints had prompted code enforcement to issue citations to the property owner. The question for the BOS today was did a violation occur and who is the responsible party.  County Counsel will craft a letter to the defendant, David Elwood, based on the BOS findings, within 10 working days.
 
Departmental Matters: A. 1) Planning Department – Tracey gave a review and update of the LRA (Local Responsibility Area) Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map. Since the 2011 LRA there are significantly more parcels considered for adoption into the 2025 LRA.  Some 2500 property owners will be affected.  The board approved sending out yellow post cards to all property owners affected by the change in fire hazard designation. The new LRA will be brought back to the BOS for final approval in June. More LRA info on the Plumas County website.

4. A. 2) 
Tracey continued with a report on the Forest Recovery Project Environmental Assessment.  Gia Martynn, Plumas Corp Director said they are partnering with the Plumas National Forest.  She invites the public to contact Plumas Corp or Forest Service with questions and concerns. Kevin Goss and Jeff Engel volunteered to meet with County Counsel and Planning Director to write a letter of support for the project.
B. Social Services; C. Sheriff’s Office; both approved D. Public Health, Nicole Reinert gave a slide presentation about the utilization of opioid settlement funding. Apparently this funding has been “parked” in the CAO’s budget for the past couple of years – partly because the public health department was “in flux”.  Nicole assumed the director position only recently. She seems to be quite a capable leader. At this point Rick Foster asked Nicole and the BOS, what their “stance” on vaccines is.  (Rick had privately and briefly met with the two public commenters, Julie Threet and Ronald Owens to discuss the topic.)  Kevin Goss reminded Rick that this if off topic and not on the agenda.  Kevin went on to say that this topic should be agendized for a future meeting.  
 
5. Board of Supervisors
A.  Engie update.  Kevin said he didn’t think there was much of an update but Mimi (bless her) chimed in saying that there is a current “work stoppage” with Engie (exceptions to stoppage are the solar project and the HVAC unit for Health and Human Services building) while  Nick Collin, Facilities Director, researches the proposed cost cutting measures he brought to the board. He is checking with all departments regarding these proposed cuts.  Tax Collector, Julie White, has reached out to KNN, our financial advisors to see how a reduction in the scope of work will affect the financing.  This topic will come back to the board after Nick has more information from the departments.
 
5.H.1) Auditor Controler, Martee Nieman. Go to hour 2 minute 23 for Martee’s fiscal year 24-25 budget review and adjustments. Martee presented the info along with  Auditor Consultant Rodney Craig Goodman Jr. via phone.  Martee is currently working with each department on personnel worksheets.  Mimi stressed the importance of all departments working closely with Martee so the budget will be as accurate as possible. (in other words – communicate)  Jeff moved to approve, Mimi interjected to add her approval with the changes discussed in this session. She seconded.  Approved by all.
 
5.G. Priorities for Use of Dixie Fire PG&E Settlement funds.  Mimi led this discussion and said that this session is not about amounts of money but about priorities. January 17, 2023 PG&E funds were granted to our count in the amount of $7.8 million. July 16, 2024 an ad hoc committee was formed by BOS.  Nothing constructive came of this.  Now here we are – today’s goal is to set guide posts and a set of goals and rules to follow in using these funds.  Then to use these goals and rules as the county moves ahead.  She explained that due to the Stafford Act, the county will need to repay FEMA and OES from those funds.  This will reduce the county’s PG&E funding by a considerable amount.  To date this funding has been used by Plumas Feral Spay-Neuter Project ($10,000 to buy 100 traps) and by over $440,000 for a new position – Recovery Coordinator. Mimi explained the distinction between the $7.8 million PG&E funds with the North State District Attorney Settlement of $17 million. Their purposes and uses are different.  The goal for this presentation is to come up with principles and priorities for the use of PG&E funds.  They will be brought back to the BOS May 6th to be formalized.  The principles presented come from many community sources and other counties’ feedback. County Counsel was directed to come back May 6 with a resolution as to principles and priorities so that this money can be properly allocated into to 2025-26 budget. Mimi wants to ensure there is not duplication of services. Jane B. Little asked if the BOS is aware of settlement money that’s come to other county entities.  The board did not seem to know the answer. Kevin suggested another ad hoc committee to gather more information about using the PG&E money.  Mimi quipped “I think you and I are the ad hoc committee”. The two will work with Martee Nieman on the process. Jeff moved Tom seconded – all approved to bring back a resolution at May 6 meeting.  This presentation is worth a watch if you have the patience for it. It starts at hour 3 minute 8.
 
5.D. Entertainment Zone creation within Chester – Tom explained there is a new State law that would permit people to walk between events and functions with an open container. He asked that the county consider a zoning revision to allow this for special events in the Chester area. County Counsel asked the BOS to weigh the pros and cons and decide if the expense of time and resources is worth it. Tom explained that today is just exploring the possibility.  Todd Johns called in and said we already have a county law that allows this for two events.  July 4th  in Taylorsville and Gold Diggers in Greenville. He said these events are always disastrous – the sheriff jail van is always full.  10-15 arrests per night. Todd also said sheriff office is short staffed, especially in Chester area. His opinion is that it will be a public safety disaster. Tom explained more about the idea and it was decided that further discussion is needed. Mimi suggested that before this kind of discussion comes to the board more preparatory research could be done. No decision was made.
 
Correspondence and Meetings  Mimi was asked to talk to the scout troup.  They wanted to know how government works. She asked them questions about what they think could be done to make our community better.  They had many good suggestions, including “more cops”.  Kevin announced the Town Hall meeting this Thursday night.
 
Closed Session
A.B. C. no reportable action.
D. (and here I quote) We would like to let Debra Lucero know that we appreciate her work here in Plumas County and thank her very much, and wish her well and we will be terminating her contract.”
 
                REMINDERS
Town Hall Meeting with Mimi Hall and Kevin Goss – Thursday, April 17th -  6:30 at the Quincy Library Community Room.
 
 
Regarding our landlines - The first virtual public hearing is this Thursday April 17th at 2 p.m.
 
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  
 
To email your comments to California Public Utilities District:
https://apps.cpuc.ca.gov/apex/f?p=401:65:0::NO:RP,57,RIR:P5_PROCEEDING_SELECT:R2406012