6/17/25 Board of Supervisors Meeting Summary

By Linda Margaretic

​Agenda and Meeting Materials
https://plumascoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1732/overview
 
Meeting Video
https://plumascoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1732/media
 
Additions/Deletions to the Agenda
Chair Kevin Goss announced removing 3.B.3) from today’s agenda. County Counsel announced that last Friday after today’s agenda was posted, interim HR Director Josh Mizrahi  resigned from his interim position.  Until the position can be filled Sara James, Assistant County Counsel will step in as needed on a temporary and minimal basis, retaining her primary role as Assistant Counsel.  An new agenda item was added regarding adopting this change.
 
Public Comments were made by: 1)  Dave Preston, incoming Greenville Rotary President. He itemized all the ways the Rotarians have used the PG&E DA settlement money they received.  The list was long and worthy – Christmas lights to give a sense of normalcy to the town, picnic tables, Indian Falls water project, tree planting project, PRS ageing grace senior program.  They have half of the money received left.  They plan to help remodel the Greenville Park and also support the Welcome Home re-building project. 2)  Janet Crain appreciated Deb Hopkins’ Outdoor Pavilion concept with ADA bathrooms.  She said she has been requesting public bathrooms for a while now. 3) Rick Foster (for the 8th, 9th, 10th time, he said) requested that the issue of fines and fees paid by County Departments be put on the agenda.  Tom McGowan pressed for a timeframe.  Kevin said it would be on the next meeting’s agenda. 4) Deb Hopkins asked for guidance and support from the BOS regarding responsibility for maintaining the Chinese Cemetery. She is receiving calls regarding this and there is confusion about who is in charge.
 
Department Announcements
Marcie DeMartile, Registrar announced that the last of the Special District talks will occur June 24th, Vets’ Hall, 5:30.
Sheriff Todd Johns said HR has been doing a great job recruiting and hiring qualified staff for his department.  Currently we are only down one dispatcher. There are three applicants for this position. He gave credit to Josh Mizrahi and regrets that Josh has resigned.
 
Action Agenda
1.Updates and Reports
A.Business and Economic Development Report – Clint Koble (see attached)   Clint’s report was upbeat and quite encouraging. He said lots is going on in the county.  New businesses are coming on line, Lake Almanor Chamber will be hosting a new Main St. Market event every second Friday, the Quincy Chamber is putting out a monthly calendar which can also be seen at the HUB on a dedicated TV screen.
1)Samantha Bliss gave a lively presentation on the MOVE IN Packagea digital marketing program to encourage repopulation of our county. (minute 26 in video)  Samantha disclosed that she runs the digital marketing company. She emphasized that there would be transparent financial reporting throughout the process. The presentation seemed to be well received and it inspired much discussion and many comments from the audience. Some people stated that if this program isn’t implemented the county will continue in a downward spiral. Concerns were also expressed such as the target age range of the population to be recruited. Why not a younger demographic with young children? Possible lack of  diversity was also a concern.  The total ask for the first year budget was $125,000.  Many people gave support for this program.  Mimi Hall provided clarification on the resolution the BOS approved. She said that the three priorities set in April and at the June 6th special meeting in Greenville were 1) replace county infrastructure losses; 2) non county owned public infrastructure; and 3) supporting recovery and rebuilding programs in the most affected Dixie Fire recovery areas.  She said that addressing these priorities would encompass the rest of this year and into 2026. She said the county needs the Move In program and that addressing the priorities set by the BOS will give time to create things people need to live here. She said there will be an application process for these funds.
 
2.Consent Agenda – All items were approved
 
3.Departmental Matters
B. 2) Recruitment and hiring of a CAO was approved.
B. 2.5) The Board approved Sara James, Assistant County Counsel, as supporting HR on a limited basis until the position is filled.
B. 4) The Board approved recruiting and filling the HR position.
 
E. 1) Agriculture – Willo Vieira read  letter from the Plumas Sierra Cattlemen’s Associating asking the BOS to adopt a resolution to accept the CEQA document to bring back a critical program for wildlife management and the protection of the ranching community. This document is from a federal agency, Wildlife Services. (see attached letter) As usual, this issue and all of the federal and state agencies involved make it quite hard to grasp. (Willo’s talk begins at 1 hour 54 minutes.)  The resolution was adopted.
 
4.Board of Supervisors
A.Approve BOS to sign an agreement between Plumas County and PG&E to grant utility easement to serve Greenville. County Counsel explained that this item is on the agenda because previously the CAO had given consent for the easement without proper authorization. Conversation ensued. Sheriff Johns said “if PG&E wants an easement they should pay for it.”  A PG&E representative was present.  She verified that this issue is not time sensitive and so the BOS decided to carry it over to the next meeting for further discussion and a decision.
B.Correspondence.  Of note, Mimi announced the upcoming Town Hall, June 19, 6:30, Quincy Library. Dwight Ceresola talked about the Fish and Wildlife teams that are patrolling Sierra Valley areas 24/7. There are 3 shifts of 8 hours each per day.  He said it started 10 days ago and that during  8 of the 10 days the teams had contact with wolves to deter them.  He said there have been 2 kills in that time but that the kills seem to be lessening.  Todd Johns noted that this is a pilot program in Sierra Valley which if successful will be in other parts of our county.  He said the cost to the state for this pilot program is 2 million dollars.
 
As the meeting ended Rick Foster spoke again requesting that the proposed Treasury Oversight Committee be formed “sooner than later” and that he has been asking to be on that committee.
 
5.Closed Session
A.B. C. D. – No Reportable Action
Additional Things to Know
Supervisor Town Hall with Mimi Hall this Thursday, June 19th, 6:30 at the Quincy Library Community Room.  The topic is Strategic Planning.  There will be time for Q&A.  Please try to come.
 
Next regularly scheduled BOS meeting will be Tuesday July 1.  Special BOS meeting Monday June 30th. (not sure of the time) This meeting is to adopt the recommended 2024-2025 Budget.