4/8/25 Board of Supervisors Meeting Summary

By Linda Margaretic

Meeting Overview
https://plumascoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1446/overview
 
Meeting Video
https://plumascoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1446/media
 
Public Comment
Michael Ballard – from assessor’s office said based on comments made at last BOS meeting the public and some board members don’t understand prop 13 vs prop 8.  He offered to give training to anyone interested.  He also said the assessor’s office has received hostile calls regarding the property tax issue.  He asked the public “not to shoot the messenger”. He also alluded to the previous assessor’s office possibly not having done things correctly.  Janet Crain said “this issue is not done” she’d like to see more discussion on this issue.  Deb Hopkins appreciates the work on special districts and encourages them to continue. Zoom caller – re the dangers of mRNA vaccines. Chris Rouse Islas Hernandez, Plumas Arts Director said the Town Hall Theater has been remodeled and invites people to come see.  Plumas Arts is expanding to all parts of the county.  Dan Kearns offered a prayer of thanks.  Rick Foster applauded Chris and Plumas Arts for all the good work.  He also addressed the zoom speaker, questioning her credentials vs his credentials and challenging her to a debate.
 
Department Announcements
Public Health – spoke to Federal budget cuts. Public Health staff and services have not been cut thus far.  Facilities – surplus vehicle auction is happening now.  $80,000 so far.  Library – Federal budget cuts have had no direct impact so far to our library services. There’s an open house at Quincy Library April 10 (see attached flyer). Planning – Tracey said she received notice from the Fed that the BRIC grant has been terminated. She is not yet sure about how this will affect the county. She said her website will have updates. Assessor – gave a brief report on status of decline in values and appeals. She said this year they will be doing about 2200 appraisals.
 
Updates and Reports
Clint Koble gave a business and economic development report (see attached)
 
Consent Agenda – all approved
 
Closed Session – time certain 10:30 – No reportable action.
 
Departmental Matters
5.B.1,2,3,4  
Sheriff Office – All approved
 
5.A. 1)
Time Certain 11:00 – Continued Public Hearing.  Tracey Ferguson gave a lengthy summary of this zone change application submitted by Jason and Nicole Staniger in July 2023.  Their property is located on the east shore of Lake Almanor on Hwy 147.  They are requesting a zone change from S1 (small animals) to F (hooved animals). Included in Tracey’s summary was the fact that this change is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. Tracey listed all the county departments and agencies that were contacted for comment and no hazards were identified. She read the resolution in its entirety.  This was a very long session.  It begins at minute 45 of the video and goes to about 2 hours 45 minutes.  There were many written and in person public comments.  Too many to innumerate here. The objections were smell, attracting predator animals, possible water contamination, protection of water shed, decrease in property values.  Supportive comments spoke to the value of family self-sufficiency and neighborly harmony. Dan Kearns stated this is a case when the law might not be serving the best interest of the people. He (as Deb Hopkins did at the last meeting) suggested the creating of a new ordinance to allow for something in between S1 and F. A homesteading zone. He brought up the Right to Farm resolution in Plumas County.  A new ordinance could support this while also respecting property owners’ rights. Jack Montgomery, District 3 Planning Commissioner gave his objections, mainly that adjacent properties were bought “under one context” and now this will be changed. Dana Flett urged people to come together as neighbors with good will – treat each other with human respect and dignity.  Nicole Staniger spoke in defense of her application for zoning change.  She said they did their due diligence before buying the property and since there is a nearby farm over-lay, they felt a farm precedent has been set. She said their property access is on the north side and that her family has developed good relationships with property owners on that side. She went on to say that though she has tried to meet and engage in dialog with the other property owners she has not been able because they are not regularly at their properties.  She pointed out that it is not “every neighbor” who objects to the zone change. She said she’s asked the oppositional neighbors what they would have her do.  There was no response. Tracey went on to read other letters of objection.  One from a realtor who stated Lake Almanor is not known for farming and that property values will decline with this zone change. Although it seemed the BOS would approve this zoning change, Mimi Hall, who had been out to see the property for herself, suggested considering reducing the 9 acre area designated for farm animals thereby reducing the number of farm animals allowed. Today’s discussion concluded with 4/5ths vote to research this option and bring it back to the BOS for final vote on May 6th. Kevin Goss addressed Dana Flett directly and said the only reason he’s agreeing to continue this discussion is so that we can find a way to “live together in harmony”.  The dissenting vote today was Jeff Engel who was ready to approve the zone change.  To view the files and documents for this item go to “meeting overview”.

My Thoughts:
I must say that both sides of this issue are compelling.  It is easy to sympathize with those who want to preserve their forested homes from possible disruptions and hazards.  And it’s also easy to support the Staniger’s desire to create a family homestead.  I have doubts that a suitable compromise can be reached but it certainly is worth a try.  I appreciate Mimi Hall’s desire to find a way. And Tracey Ferguson, as usual, has done a good job working within the rules and laws that govern her position as planning director.
 
Closed Session (after which Mimi as vice chair conducted the rest of the meeting) She announced that they will postpone closed session items 7 A. and C. to next week.  She said for the remaining items there is no reportable action.
 
Resuming Action Items
5. C. 1) Jeff Engel questioned the status of the HR salary.  Mimi responded that the board’s intention is to correct that salary but for now we are required by law to post current salaries. She went on to say they won’t be hiring a permanent HR Director until that correction is made; D.1), 2); Ag extension gave a thorough report on their activities. They also requested funding for a new truck. This was approved unanimously.  

E. 1) Approved

F. 1), 2), 3) Approved.
 
Board of Supervisors
A. Engie – Continued from April 1st.  Due to the length of today’s meeting, it was decided to carry this over to May 15 the meeting.
B.   Letter of Support to Fish and Wildlife re. grey wolf will also be carried over.
C.  Appointment of Ashley Simpson to First 5 was approved.
D and & E will carry over to next week’s meeting.            
 
Additional Information
Please mark your calendars for two important events April 17th
1)The first of two virtual CPUC public hearings regarding abolishing landlines:
2:00 p.m           Virtual only         Remote access via webcast or phone.
Live video broadcast 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  
2)Town Hall Meeting with Mimi Hall and Kevin Goss – 6:30 to 8:30 at Library Community Room.  Mimi has committed to Town Hall Meetings through September.  They are scheduled at the library for every third Thursday of the month 6:30 to 8:30.