Sharing Information  |  Encouraging Engagement

 

Today’s board meeting began with the recognition of Director of Transportation Panos Kokkas, a proclamation regarding Human Trafficking Prevent Month, and a presentation regarding the Hayfork Chamber of Commerce’s strategy for cannabis tourism.  The agenda also included nine items on the Consent Calendar and six items under County Matters – including the appointment of the District 5 Planning Commissioner, finalizing board and committee appointments, discussion about pursuing a sales tax increase initiative, and a mid-year budget review.

A. PRESENTATIONS

A.1. County Administrative Office – Recognize Director of Transportation, Panos Kokkas for his selection as the County Engineers Association of California’s 2024 Engineer of the Year. No fiscal impact.

  • CAO Trent Tuthill recognized Director Plano’s Kokkas and his team – acknowledging their great work with limited resources.

A.2. Health and Human Services – CWS – Adopt a proclamation which recognizes January 2025 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month. No fiscal impact.

  • Director Liz Hamilton & Ashley Johnson shared additional information regarding this subject – including shocking numbers regarding the number of children reported missing during a recent/brief window of time. Ashley highlighted the use of social media by predators and described specific steps our teams are taking to protect and support individuals.

A.3. Board of Supervisors – Receive a presentation regarding the Hayfork Chamber of Commerce Cannabis Tourism Strategy. No fiscal impact.

  • Brian Applegarth presented information regarding existing and proposed efforts to promote cannabis tourism in the North State region. The “Cannabis Trail” covers eight counties in the region – including Trinity County. Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Alameda, Oakland, Sonoma, Mendocino, Humboldt, and Trinity.
  • Two cultural landmarks are recognized in materials – Cali Love (cannabis retail in Weaverville) and Northern Delights (Coffee/ Bakery Café in Hayfork).
  • The Cannabis Trail Coop Campaign Coop – established last year to promote tourism along the trail.
    • Four Seasonal Content Stories
    • Shared promotional materials, showed event booth presence, describe interactive app, etc.
    • $480,268 in total estimated earned media value
    • 476 press pickups
    • Shared logos of the various brands that are actively participating in the coop
    • Ba@brianapplegarth.com
  • Participation in Trinity County could take different forms
    • Funding – $7,500 to $25,000 per year
    • Estimate that for every $1.00 spent by cannabis tourists on cannabis products, an additional $2.80 is spent in other businesses while in the area
  • Experiences can include Farm Stays, curated visits, etc.
  • A study focused on cannabis legacy in the region may provide valuable content/focus
  • Target Audience – mid-30s to mid 40’s… which could be a good fit for our outdoor recreational activities
B. PUBLIC COMMENT
  • Concern was shared that the smoke shop carries CBD products – wondering if this is a conflict since it is adjacent to the dance studio which the board recently determined was a youth-oriented facility.
  • Colusa Glenn Trinity Action Committee – Dan Frasier provided an update since no other sitting County Supervisor was in attendance. He was seated as the Chair of this organization. Meetings will be quarterly this year. The next meeting is in mid-April. Form 700’s will be due prior to attendance.

 

C. REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

C.1. Report from Department Heads – none

C.2. Report from County Administrative Officer

  • HCD Grant – We were recently notified that we will receive a $65,000 HCD grant to help pay for the new Housing Element of our new General Plan.
  • Secure Rural Schools Act Funding – highlighted Jamie Green‘s video-taped interview – noting that a potential negative impact is likely if funds are not approved. Shared information about work with Congressman Huffman’s office, CSAC, RCRC, etc. Still hopeful that this new Congress will approve funding through the Secure Rural Schools Act. Encouraged outreach focused on finding a funding vehicle.
  • Homeless Encampment Ad Hoc – discussed during Ad Hoc Update section of the agenda.
  • Recognition – shared another positive public comment regarding another member of our staff.

C.3. Reports from Members of the Board of Supervisors

  • District 1 | Ric Leutwyler
    • Tourism Development Advisory Committee – drafted bylaws for consideration today.
    • Economic Forecast Conference – informative conference. Dr Eyler shared Trinity-specific data afterward. It’s easy to track the arrival and departure of people at the (beginning and end of the) Green Rush.
    • James Gore – met briefly with the NACO President and recently-announced candidate for State Senate
    • Fire Chief’s Meeting – a lot of great training planned this year. Updates from participating organizations, including The Fire Safe Council, Trinity County OES, and more.
    • NACO Telecommunications & Technology – shared concerns about the decision to not run fiber alongside Highway 3. Will follow up to clarify how they plan to provide services to people in these areas. Information provided
  • District 2 | Jill Cox
    • Out-of-County Travel for two events.
    • RCRC in Sacramento
      • An updated version of the Homeowners Insurance Survey was shared with all participating counties… encouraging them to launch the survey in their counties
      • Several counties offered to share best practices regarding homeless encampments
    • Economic Forecast Conference in Chico
    • PSA2 – Roderick Hayfork Senior Center is once again under contract.
  • District 3 | Liam Gogan
    • Hoopa Tribe Visit – joined CAO Tuthill for discussions on water-related matters.
    • Town Hall Meeting tomorrow night at the Roderick Center
    • Disaster Council – participated in onboarding for his role as Chair.
  • District 4 | Heidi Carpenter-Harris
    • India – was there for two weeks on a humanitarian trip. Shared that returning home reminds her of all that we have to be grateful for.
    • Post Mountain Community Services District – continuing to work with them.
    • North Coast Resource Partnership – the organization is providing funds so that both supervisors from Trinity County can attend.
    • NACO – working with CAO Tuthill and Jamie Greene regarding SRA
    • Tribes – continues work with tribal representatives
    • Storm Damage – fielding many emails and calls regarding concerns.
    • James Gore – took him on a road trip to see more of the county. Shared information about a proposal she is working on – to extend the time after a fire during which damage can be reported.
    • NACO High Performance Leadership – graduated in December.
  • District 5 | Julia Brownfield
    • Monthly Town Hall meetings are scheduled at the Community Hall in Ruth. Working on other locations as well.

C.4. Reports from Ad Hocs

• Homeless Encampment

  • Some committee members met to establish the framework for the first meeting of the full committee, which is scheduled soon.
  • Arrangements have been made for clearing brush in the area of concern
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
  • The board approved all items on the Consent Calendar as presented.
E. COUNTY MATTERS

E.1. Board of Supervisors – Discuss and/or take action to appoint Supervisor Brownfield’s selection for Planning Commissioner – District 5 to serve a term concurrent with the District 5 Supervisor. No fiscal impact.

  • The board approved this matter as presented

E.2. County Administrative Office – Adopt the proposed bylaws for the newly established Tourism Development Advisory Board. Unknown fiscal impact.

  • Ric Leutwyler shared information regarding the intent of the bylaws
  • Public Comment
    • Shared concerns/questions about the bylaws and the focus on hiring someone to support tourism.
    • Comments were shared in support of the cannabis tourism presentation delivered earlier today. Encouraged this committee to include cannabis tourism in their deliberations
    • Questions were raised regarding the intent/process of the Tourism Investment District. Suggested adding a definition of “excused absences.” Question about the limits/focus of this board.
  • Board Discussion
    • Some concerns about the need for an outside consultant
    • Ric Leutwyler shared more information about the work the consultant (likely Civitas) would do on behalf of the board/community.
    • Motion made to modify language:
      • to reflect funds come from General Funds.
      • to modify the language to reflect the use of Rosenberg vs. Robert’s rules of order
    • The board approved this matter as modified above.

E.3. Clerk of the Board – Appoint Supervisors to represent the county on various boards, commissions, committees and task forces for 2025. No fiscal impact.

  • The board worked through all assignments some changes to historical assignments. Julia Brownfield assumed most of the roles previously held by Dan Frasier. 
    • Supervisors are appointed to about a dozen boards and committees.
    • Ric Leutwyler assumed primary role for Behavioral Health Advisory Board
    • Liam Gogan assumed primary role with Disaster Council
    • Emergency Food and Shelter Program – hasn’t met in years, deleted for now.
    • Ric Leutwyler to replace Liam Gogan on Forest Counties School Coalition (Secure Rural Schools)
    • Ric Leutwyler & Liam Gogan were appointed to the newly adopted Tourism Development Advisory Board.

E.4. County Administrative Office – Adopt a resolution delegating certain signature and approval authorities to the County Administrative Officer. No fiscal impact.

  • The board approved this matter as presented

E.5. County Administrative Office – Discuss and provide direction to staff regarding a potential ballot measure for an additional use and transactions (sales) tax in Trinity County on the June 2026 or November 2026 ballot. Potential additional 1% sales tax revenue for county services

  • CAO Tuthill
    • Primarily asking if the board wants staff to continue working on this… or should efforts be put on hold/delayed.
    • Butte County had a 1% sales tax increase approved in November. Shared language from resolution related to this endeavor by Butte County. Approximately 68% positive vote. Their approach was to highlight services that needed financial support vs. a ballot that committed funding to specific uses.
    • This is focused on a sales tax increase because of potential financial impact, across-the-board impact/benefit, less administrative burden, etc.
  • Public Comment
    • Shared information about Friends of the Library fundraising efforts. Noted input from others that money will have to be committed to specific uses to be successful.
    • Shared feelings that this will be a very heavy lift. Suggested that we focus on the financial support of two or three things – Library, Animal Shelter, and Fire Departments (including a contract with CalFire). Suggested consolidation of local VFDs.
  • The board directed staff as follows:
    • District 4 – Support offered for pursuing this matter further. Indication that focus on law enforcement and roads is important
    • District 5 – open to discussion, not generally in support of increasing taxes. Focus on Roads
    • District 1 – Support moving forward. Sees this as necessary to avoid a more drastic reduction in services in the coming years. Does not see this as a means of re-funding the Animal Shelter and Library nor of enhancing services beyond their current level. Additional revenue sources would be required to achieve these goals.
    • The board’s direction was for staff to continue the pursuit of this matter.

 

E.6. County Administrative Office – Receive a mid-year budget review for FY 24/25 and authorize the CAO and Auditor/Controller to sign the budget adjustments necessary to provide contingency in the amount of $89,878 to Risk Management – Dept 1890. Increase in general fund appropriations in the amount of $89,878 for Risk Management.

  • CAO Tuthill shared information regarding areas of concern highlighted in the mid-year budget review materials. Overall, I feel good about being on target for the budget at year’s end.
  • Board Questions
    • Questions were raised (and answers were provided) regarding specific funds/departments.
    • Areas of focus included Environmental Health, Natural Resources, Planning…. All but Natural Resources are expected to be on track by the end of the year. CAO Tuthill is addressing challenges associated with the Natural Resources division.
    • Jail Health is making progress on training/tracking, which will hopefully lead to additional funding.
    • Jail – reports don’t reflect 2nd quarter general fund contribution.
  • Public Comment
    • none
  • Board Discussion
    • A suggestion was made to delay this next year by a few weeks to allow for more up-to-date data to be included in the presentation.
  • The board voted to support the $89,878 budget adjustment as presented.
F. ADJOURN

 

Sharing Information  |  Encouraging Engagement

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