Board of Supervisors Meeting | 5.6.2025

by | May 25, 2025 | Get Involved, Stay Informed, Your Opinion Matters

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This board meeting included five presentations including one focused on readytrinity.org – our replacement for Code Red here in Trinity County. The board approved all items on the Consent Calendar and all items under County Matters. Closed session focused on labor negotiations and performance evaluation for our CAO, Trent Tuthill.

A. PRESENTATIONS

A.1. Health and Human Services – Behavioral Health Services – Adopt a proclamation recognizing May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness month. No fiscal impact.

  • The board approved this proclamation and presented it to Liz Hamilton and other members of staff.
  • Liz Hamilton | Director – shared a presentation
    • 1 in 5 people will experienced mental illness in their lifetime.
    • 310 individuals being served by members of the Behavioral Health team this year.

A.2. County Administrative Office – Adopt a proclamation recognizing May 4 – 10, 2025 as Public Service Recognition Week. No fiscal impact.

  • The board approved this proclamation and presented it to CAO Trent Tuthill
  • CAO Trent Tuthill – shared that Liz Hamilton recently received recognition from CSAC – the organization that represents all California Counties.

A.3. County Administrative Office – Receive an update from U.S. Forest Service representatives regarding matters of interest in Trinity County. No fiscal impact.

  • Tara Jones  U.S. Forest Service presented an update
    • Highlighted the recent 87 acre prescribed fire in the Weaverville Community Forest
    • Bowerman Project – expect work to begin in June
    • Staffing – operating with “staggered staffing” for now. We will be more fully staffed this year than we have been for some time.
    • Big Ranch Scoping Document should be released this month
    • Junction City Fuels Reduction Project being led by The Watershed Center
    • South Fork and other projects mentioned
    • Training – opening up training opportunities to partners
    • Partners – mentioned several partners including Cal Poly Humboldt, The Watershed Center, The Hoopa Tribe, North Coast Resource Partnership, Ascend Wilderness, The SMART Center, and more.
    • Partner Event in June.
    • Ironside Camera Placement – working on this now.
    • Lake Responsibility Transfer – this is happening in May. This brings lake recreation under Tara’s leadership.

A.4. Transportation – Receive an update from Caltrans District 2 regarding current projects within Trinity County. No fiscal impact.

  • Bill Barnes | District Representative for Caltrans
  • 2025/2026 included 87 construction projects
  • Larger projects include:
    • Mad River Culverts
    • Douglas City Chip – July, 10-15 minute delays expected
    • Del Loma Combine – all this year and some of next year.
    • Tangle Blue CAPM – still in design phase. Replacing 34 culverts, adding 13 new culverts. Will most likely start next year. $23.4 million budget
    • Bridge Maintenance – $5.2 million covering 16 bridge locations. Most of the work on Highway 3
    • Curve Warning Signs
  • 2026
    • Burnt Ranch – mid Summer 2026 $11+ million
    • Poker Bar Culverts – mid Summer 2026 – 72 culverts will be replaced. $7+ million
  • Supervisor Heidi Carpenter-Harris asked for consideration of economic impact when planning logistics.
  • Supervisor Jill Cox mentioned ongoing cross walk safety concerns

A.5. Health and Human Services – Office of Emergency Services – Receive a presentation from the Trinity County Office of Emergency Services regarding ReadyTrinity.gov. No fiscal impact.

  • Caleb Jensen | Health & Human Services presented on this matter
  • ReadyTrinity.org replaces Code Red
  • Build a Kit Locally – information is on the website to help you find the products you need for your “go kit”
  • Everyone is encourage to register using this link – https://www.readytrinity.org
  • Each user will have a dashboard that includes a score to indicate progress in leveraging resources.
  • The website contains much more information than we are used to on the Code Red app.
  • The website will notify you of emergencies based on your registration.
  • Justin Caporussa – presented the advertising plan for the transition to the new platform
    • This includes social media, yard signs, Trinity Journal ads, The Trinity County Newsletter, and more.
    • Organizational Toolkits will be shared to support other organizations who want to promote.
B. PUBLIC COMMENT
  • Humboldt In-Home Care organization – shared information regarding their organization and encouraged establishment of an advisory board within Trinity County. This board provides a voice for the public regarding services. $6,000 in funding available to Advisory Boards to cover formation costs. The Board of Supervisors would need to support this process through an ordinance. Contact information was provided.
  • Caltrans – encouraged the BOS and CAO to write Caltrans regarding guardrail funding
  • Daylight Law – encouraged the county to enforce this law that impacts parking near crosswalks
C. REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

C.1. Report from Department Heads

  • No live presentations. Reports can be found on the county website.

C.2. Report from County Administrative Officer

  • Written department heads are posted online
  • Emergency Communications – meeting with key contacts helped us understand capabilities, limitations and the steps required to pursue the option of using the CRIS… system. We may need to engage an expert to help us determine the best way forward – including ways in which we can access funding.
  • Insurance – met with PRISM & Alliant Insurance leaders. They are seeing increases across the board and provided information regarding the impact of large payments/claims, discussed ways to help limit claims (via risk management), etc.
  • Information Technology – nine candidates interviewed. Dan Reid, our only internal candidate was unanimously supported by the committee. Dan was promoted to
  • Recycling – Hambro Recycling is moving forward with anticipated opening in July. The new facility will be at 31 Davis Road
  • Supportive Housing Project (part of the “Home Key” program) – HCD constraints on the project led to the planned project to not meet financial requirements. We are now pursuing other options – which will have fewer constraints from HCD. We have funds designated for this purpose via previous grant applications.
  • Employee Recognition – Suzie Hawkins was recently recognized as the Trinity County Employee of the Quarter.

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

  • District 1 | Ric Leutwyler
    • NoRTEC Executive Committee – chaired two meetings to address the recently announced retirement of NoRTEC’s Executive Director.
    • Collaborative Tour – joined members of the Collaborative, Trinity River Lumber, Trinity County RCD, BLM, and others for a tour of lands in the Lewiston area that are scheduled for fuels management treatments.
    • PSA2 Board Meeting – meeting held on April 21st.
    • Tourism Development Advisory Board – met on April 21st and May 5th. I was late for the meeting on the 5th due to a scheduling conflict with another county assignment.
      • The ad hoc committee continues to meet and is scheduling webinars, key stakeholder meetings, etc.
      • All Advisory Board members are reaching out to lodging business owners in their areas or responsibility.
      • The current priority is to gain feedback from lodging business owners regarding the proposed structure and focus of the Tourism Development District.
      • Materials for use in the petition will be finalized based on feedback received during this initial outreach period.
      • The Advisory Board does not feel that the scope of the initiative should be expanded. There may be a request for an additional $6,000 to fund one more month with Civitas as we collaborate with lodging owners.
      • If successful, the new district is estimated to generate upwards of $200,000 per year that would be committed to tourism development.
      • The County website now includes the advisory board meeting calendar and a link to sign up for notifications.
    • CSAC Legislative Conference – attended this two day event in Sacramento. Shared notes and materials with staff. Much of the focus was on changes in federal policies and funding – and how these will impact California counties. Even State-level leaders were still facing uncertainty regarding the impact to programs.
    • CSAC Board Meeting – held the day after the Legislative Conference in Sacramento.
    • Indivisible Town Hall Meeting – joined Jamie Green and Assemblymember Damon Connolly for the gathering at the Trinity Alps Performing Arts Center.
  • District 2 | Jill Cox
    • Golden State Connect Authority – application was submitted well ahead of the deadline. The area (10:22 am).
    • Digital Equity – $215,000 being sought via a separate grant by the GSCA.
    • Firewise Fair – great event with helpful information and resources
    • Community Stakeholders Meeting –
    • HRN is providing tips, resources, etc on May…
    • RCRC Ad Hoc Committee – the focus is on recruitment, retention of personnel
    • First Responders – shared appreciation for all that these individuals do on our behalf and acknowledged the impact this type of work can have on everyone involved.
  • District 3 | Liam Gogan
    • Hayfork Defensible Space – met with The Watershed Center who is working with grant funding in the greater Hayfork area.
    • Town Hall Meetings – concerns regard homeless encampment were raised. Hayfork residents asked for attention via the Ad Hoc Committee
    • Roads – appreciation offered for temporary work done recently in this district.
  • District 4 | Heidi Carpenter-Harris
    • Air Quality Control Board Meeting in Eureka
    • LAFCO – met after our last board meeting. Focus on Post Mountain PUD
    • First Responders – Appreciation offered for response to the Hyampom Fire
    • Local Tragedy – acknowledged the tragic loss of a very young life experienced here in Trinity County… and the heroic efforts of all those who responded to the call for help.
      • Trinity County Search & Rescue led all the efforts associated with this.
    • School Bus Safety – asked for extra attention to bus safety as the end of the year means more field trips, etc…
  • District 5 | Julia Brownfield
    • Colusa Glenn Trinity Alliance Meeting – Dan Frasier is the Chair of this organization.
    • Town Hall Meetings – priorities have been roads and coming together regarding industry/economic development.

C.4. Reports from Ad Hocs

• Homeless Encampment

    • Ordinance Revision – County Counsel is now reviewing proposed changes which will be brought to the board for consideration.
    • Camp Walk – another camp walk is planned in the near future.
    • Vegetation Management – work continues in areas highlighted by the ad hoc committee
    • May 15th is the next ad hoc meeting.;

D. CONSENT CALENDAR

  • The board approved all items as presented.

E. COUNTY MATTERS

E.1. Auditor/Controller – Approve a budget adjustment for FY 24/25 for County Audit – Dept 1101 increasing Services & Supplies by 23,531; and approve a budget adjustment for FY 24/25 for General Fund Contingency – Dept 9901 decreasing Appropriations For Contingency by $23,531. Increase in General Fund appropriations in the amount of $23,531.

  • The board approved this matter as presented.

E.2. Community Development – Cannabis – Waive the reading of and enact an ordinance amending Trinity County Code Section 17.43 pertaining to Commercial Cannabis Regulations and Code Section 17.32 pertaining to Use Permits, introduced April 15,2025. Unknown fiscal impact. fiscal impact.

  • Public Comment
    • Support offered for the item as presented.
  • The board approved this matter as presented.

E.3. County Administrative Office – Select proposals for funding pursuant to Title III Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 and authorize the County Administrative Officer to sign the agreements and any future amendments. $241,500 from Title III funds.

  • CAO Trent Tuthill – noted that all parties offered support for recommendation.
  • The board approved this matter as presented.

Closed Session Report

  • Staff Direction regarding litigation
  • CAO Performance review survey approved for distribution to the board for supervisors

F. CLOSED SESSION

Public Comment

  • Suggestion for more transparency in the CAO Performance Review process to help alleviate potential concerns that were previously raised by a Grand Jury Report.

F.1. Government Code Section 54954.5(e) – Public Employee Evaluation: County Administrative Officer

F.2. Government Code Section 54954.5(f) – Labor Negotiations County’s Designated Representatives: Laila Cassis, Suzie Hawkins and Margaret Long Employee Organizations: Deputy Sheriffs Association, General Unit, Management and Confidential Unit, Probation Peace Officers Association and Skilled Trades Unit.

ADJOURN

 

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