5/6/2025 Board of Supervisors Meeting Summary

by Linda Margaretic

Agenda and Materials
https://plumascoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1593/overview
 
Video
https://plumascoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1593/media
 
 
YIKES! Standing room only for nearly the entire meeting.  At times the meeting was contentious.
 
Public Comment:  Dan Kearns offered a prayer of gratitude; Deborah Breiss expressed her frustrated opinion that the Board doesn’t follow the Brown Act, doesn’t disclose conflict of interests and only gets things done for their “cronies” not for the public.
 
Department Head Announcements: Planning – Tracey announced a RERC (Recreation Economy for Rural Communities) Community Collaborative meeting on May 13th 4 to 6 p.m. at Veteran’s Hall. Quincy and East Quincy residents are invited to attend.  (see flyer)
Facilities – Nick Collin announced that to date $160,000 from surplus vehicle auction will go into the general fund.  He said there are still more vehicles to auction.  Public Works – Rob Thorman said that PG&G will be working on high voltage wires above Belden and there will be traffic controls on highway 70 during the work.
 
Department Updates and Reports:  Forest Service has a new district ranger.  She will assume her position on May 18th.  Many campgrounds are starting to open. Housing Council – Tyler Pew – first model home for the Welcome Home Greenville project has been built. (see flyer)
 
Consent Agenda:  Deborah Breiss requested a contingency plan from the departments who are requesting approval to enter or extend agreements that require any amount of federal funding.  There was much discussion.  Mimi Hall explained the various streams of funding coming into the county.  The majority of which is not federal funding, nonetheless there would be some impact if federal funds are cut.  In the end it was decided that the items on the consent agenda involving federal funding would be approved and that the department heads will provide a plan to mitigate the situation should federal funding be halted.
 
Department Matters:  Planning – Tracey summarized the Staniger zone change issue.  She reported that a new law that she wasn’t aware of at the time requires a 20-day notice for a public hearing.  The public notice for the March 20th Staniger public hearing with the planning commission was given on March 10th.  To remedy this, public notice will be given again.  The soonest the planning commission can review this zoning change request will be at their June 5th meeting.  After the planning commission review, the resolution will go to the BOS for a final ordinance adoption. Janet Crain spoke of the need for pastureland for domestic livestock.  She said the topography of the Staniger parcel is not pasture.  It is sloped forest land and not suitable for livestock.  Bill Wickman expressed gratitude that due to the 20-day notice requirement the neighboring residents will now be able to attend the planning commission hearing and have their voices heard. Tom McGowan commented that it should be noted that the Stanigers have followed all the rules. He also recommended that notification be given to neighboring properties beyond the 300 foot requirement.  He suggested 1000 feet.  Tracey said the planning department would consider the suggestion.
 
Board of Supervisors: A. Adopt RESOLUTION establishing Principles and Priorities for the expenditure of Dixie Fire PG&G Settlement Funds.  (see resolution) Mimi Hall gave an extensive overview. (This topic begins at 1 hour 34 minutes on the video.) Discussion went on for over an hour and became contentious at times.  There were many Indian Valley residents in the audience and numerous public comments – mostly expressing frustration and anger about how little has been done in the nearly 4 years since the fire, how little input and involvement from community members has been solicited, how little accountability and transparency there has been regarding the utilization of funds and conflicts of interest. (see “Who Controls the Four Corners”) Laura Kearns spoke. Her overwhelming plea was “listen to the locals”. (see hour 2 minute 2) Laura Wheeler spoke passionately about the lack of transparency and dearth of accomplishment. (see hour 2 minute 6) A Greenville resident spoke of how little support she has gotten from the collaboratives. (see hour 2 minute 10) A very vocal Deborah Breiss spoke out forcefully to the board and called out conflicts of interest as she sees them and said “collaboration starts with the public.  Throw this paper out (referring to the resolution presented at this meeting)” (see hour 2 minute 18) There were several in the audience who defended the work of the committees and entities involving fire recovery. Dave Preston said “we have to work together”. He asked for a stop to the negative comments, disinformation and slander.  Kest Porter said he can see both sides.  Having worked with these committees he appreciates their efforts. He said he’s worn out after 3 ½ years of getting public input. He urged the BOS to pass the resolution. He urged his neighbors to work together to make things happen. Josh Huddleston said patience is required. Patrick Joseph, Dixie Fire Collaborative (DFC) Coordinator explained the community minded projects the collaborative has funded as well as the constraints as to how the funds are appropriated (hour 2 minute 31).  There were a number of zoom callers – mostly expressing frustrations with how the fire recovery has been handled.  At one point Mimi said, “I feel like we are all saying the same thing….” She emphasized that the point of this resolution is to usefully direct the recovery funding.  Dan Kearns asked about FEMA reimbursements to replace the library. Mimi and Tracey explained how Trindell insurance and FEMA collaborate to rebuild government buildings. Dan also spoke with concern about an agreement between Sierra Institute and IVCSD to rebuild community facilities and the lack of transparency as to where the money is going.  He added that locals want to be part of the discussions. (hour 2 minute 40) Adam Cox, Indian Valley Service District (IVCSD) called in support of the DFC and of the handling of recovery and to explain the legitimacy of the agreement Dan had referred to between IVCSD and Sierra Institute. Todd Johns spoke explaining that so far only $10,000 of the PG&E funds has been disbursed, to the Feral Spay-Neuter Project, which he said he had adamantly opposed, and that another $400,000 is earmarked for a 3-year disaster coordinator position. He defended Goss in terms of any conflicts of interest. He encouraged people to attend meetings and urged that the resolution be passed today (hour 2 minute 48) At hour 2 minute 51, there was a zoom call from an unidentified caller who’d called in earlier and strongly accused Goss of conflicts of interest.  Upon hearing her voice Goss immediately cut her off saying she’d already had her say. She argued, he persisted. Phil Noia said “we need this resolution to pass.  Yes, it’s precisely vague but at this part of the process, that’s what it needs to be…” (hour 2 minute 51) Jeff Engel closed out the session by reiterating that the burn scar area needs to be the focus of the funding.  He moved to pass the resolution.  The resolution passed unanimously.
 
Closed Session
Items A,F,G,H – no reportable action
Items B,C,D,E - denied
 
As always, pass this summary along to anyone interested.
 
How to Contact Your Local Government
I encourage you to reach out to your supervisor via phone or email with suggestions, comments, concerns.  Anything you email become part of public record.
 
Here’s the directory of supervisors with their contact info:  
 
If you’d like to automatically receive BOS meeting agendas and packet contact Clerk of the Board, Allen Hiskey: [email protected]
 
 
Other Information and Upcoming Events
Shannon Lawson’s latest Plumas Ponderings and Perspectives post. If you’ve ever wanted to make a public comment at a BOS meeting but didn’t quite know how – here’s the information you need.
 
Landlines - Two virtual public hearings Tuesday, May 13th at 2 p.m. and at 6 p.m.
 
Remote access via webcast or phone.
Live video broadcast with English or Spanish captions via webcast: 
www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/hearing
 
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
 
PUSD Special Board Meeting  is set for Monday, May 12th at the District Office – 5:30 p.m.
 
Special Districts Presentation – Marcie DeMartile, County Registrar.  First one is in Quincy May 14, 6 p.m. Mineral Building; Portola May 15, 6 p.m. Memorial Hall; Chester May 21st 6 p.m. Memorial Hall. (see flyer)
 
 
Next Supervisor Town Hall Meeting is Thursday, May 15th 6:30 to 8:30.  This meeting will be a Q & A with District 4 supervisor Mimi Hall and District 5 supervisor Jeff Engel.
 
Children’s Fair May 17th (see flyer)