Sharing Information | Encouraging Engagement
The presentation scheduled for this board meeting was postponed due to the federal government shutdown. All items on the Consent Calendar were approved, as was the one item under County Matters. Three items were handled in Closed Session.
A. PRESENTATIONS
A.1. Clerk of the Board – Receive an update from U.S. Forest Service representatives regarding matters of interest in Trinity County. No fiscal impact.
- This presentation was rescheduled.
B. PUBLIC COMMENT
- COVID-19 Vaccine Concerns – comments from someone who opposes the state’s position on these vaccines, which is not aligned with the new CDC position. Attributes health concerns she experienced to receipt of the vaccine. Called for Trinity County to take a different position than the State.
- COVID-19 Vaccine Concerns – shared that statements had been made that the vaccine had a higher morbidity with minorities than with the Caucasian population. Referred to studies highlighting health and morbidity concerns. Encouraged the County to stop administering these vaccines.
- In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Compensation – encouraged the BOS to support wage increases. Noted increases in cost of living. Shared that $17.85 per hour is insufficient to make a living.
- IHSS Compensation – shared information about the care/services provided. Shared information about the personal challenges she faces due to low wages.
- Zenia Lake Mountain Road – shared information about work being done in the area, but not on these roads. Encouraged the County to prioritize work on this road.
- IHSS Compensation – asked the County to re-engage negotiations regarding compensation and benefits for this group.
- IHSS Compensation – individual who receives support from this group. Shared how important these services are to him. Asked the County to find a way to increase wages for this group.
- Priorities – feels that we have the money to put in places that need it, but we choose not to. Highlighted $70,000 set aside for Tourism, raises for leaders, etc. Suggested that Supervisors consider waiving their right to compensation to free up funds for other uses.
- Observations – visited south county roads. Noted the damage and risk. Noted cautionary messages received regarding the recent hire of a consultant. Referenced what she feels is corruption.
C. REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
C.1. Report from Department Heads
- Liz Hamilton | Director of H&HS Agency
- Federal Government Shutdown – we expect impact on services starting in November if the shutdown doesn’t end very soon. CalFresh benefits could stop at the end of October.
- Beneficiaries will be notified by the State directly.
- We will use our communication channels to support awareness
C.2. Report from County Administrative Officer
- Environmental Health – pursuing grants for projects in Trinity County.
- CalRecycle – working with them on a grant. Site visits took place last month.
C.3. Reports from Members of the Board of Supervisors
- District 1 | Ric Leutwyler
- Red Ribbon Poster Contest – participated as a judge in the “Live Drug Free” themed contest.
- Candlelight Walk – participated in the walk to bring attention to Domestic Violence concerns and resources.
- Behavioral Health Advisory Board – participated in the recent board meeting.
- Cannabis Tourism – hosted a panel discussion at the Economic Development Summit with Brian Applegarth, Dana Houser, and Adrien Keys.
- California Jobs First Regional Meeting – participated in this meeting to learn more about progress with regional initiatives.
- Capital Summit – attended this event for small businesses held in Weaverville at the Trinity County Brewery.
- Workforce Housing – participated in an information-sharing meeting with organizations in Oregon and Maine who have been successful in launching initiatives to increase the availability of workforce housing.
- PSA2 – participated in the recent board meeting.
- NoRTEC Board Meeting – I will co-shair this meeting later this week.
- District 2 | Jill Cox
- PSA2 Board Meeting
- Recently appointed a new person to the Advisory Board. Still have one vacancy.
- Red Ribbon Contest
- Fire Chiefs Association
- Red Cross representative shared the “sound the alarm” program that can help people obtain smoke/fire alarms.
- Red Cross also responds to wildfires by visiting those who have been impacted to learn of their needs and assist where possible.
- Weaverville Community Forest 25th Birthday
- RCRC
- Opposes proposition 50
- Retrospective View – shared regret over her decision to change her vote regarding the appointment of a new Registrar of Voters/Tax Assessor…
- PSA2 Board Meeting
- District 3 | Liam Gogan
- North Coast Resource Partnership – meeting out of county last week.
- Ad Hoc focused on cleanup of illegal cannabis sites – work continues
- Vape Shops – shared that all three smoke shops in the area have been charged with selling to underaged individuals.
- Public Comment – shared information regarding
- North Coast Resource Partnership – meeting out of county last week.
- District 4 | Heidi Carpenter-Harris
- PATH – attended recent meeting
- Noted increase in vaping, increase in the THC levels, and related health concerns.
- Shared that smoke shops often have items that
- Trinity County has more smoke shops per capita than other CA counties
- Glenn, Colusa, Trinity
- Recognized great work of Trinity County staff
- North Coast Resource Partnership – participated in this meeting
- Siskiyou County requested a state of emergency declaration due to chemical contamination from illegal cannabis grows. The State declined.
- Public Comment
- Shared that BOS pay equates to less than the amount referenced in public comments. Noted that Supervisors often subsidize the cost of representing the county in events related to their committee/board appointments.
- PATH – attended recent meeting
- District 5 | Julia Brownfield
- Post Mountain PUD – meeting with them soon regarding progress
- Constituent Meetings – continues to meet with residents to better understand priorities.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
- D.5 Pulled for Discussion
- The board approved all other items on the Consent Calendar as presented.
D.5. County Administrative Office – Adopt a resolution which waives CUPA fees for Trinity County Volunteer Fire Departments (VFD). Loss in revenue is estimated at approximately $7,000 per fiscal year.
- Supervisor Cox noted that she pulled this for discussion because it involved the potential use of General Funds
- Shared information about the reason/impact of this proposal. This provides an opportunity for our volunteer fire departments to reduce costs associated with some aspects of their operations.
- The board approved this matter as presented.
E. COUNTY MATTERS
E.1. Community Development – Planning – Receive a presentation and provide direction to staff regarding the HCD Pro Housing Designation Program. No impact to the General Fund.
- Drew Plebani | Interim Planning Director
- The recently adopted Housing Element positions Trinity County to qualify for the Pro Housing designation.
- The request is for the board to direct staff to pursue this designation, including making the zoning changes required to align with the new Housing Element.
- The majority of residents could benefit from this initiative.
- Senior centers could also benefit from this initiative.
- Ryan Lester | Mintier Harnish
- What is the Pro-housing Designation
- State program that incentivizes local jurisdictions to help accelerate housing production.
- Includes access to special funding sources – Over $10 million awarded in 2025
- This regional funding is available until depleted.
- There are not many jurisdictions in our region that have the Pro-Housing Designation
- Eligible Uses includes
- Predevelopment, development, acquisition, or rehabilitation programs supporting affordable housing.
- Affordable rental and ownership housing supporting workforce (up to 120 percent of AMI)
- Assisting persons experiencing homelessness (or at risk); rapid rehousing, rental assistance, navigation centers, shelters, transitional housing
- Accessibility modifications
- Rehabilitation of foreclosed or vacant homes
- Homeownership opportunities
- Fiscal incentives to encourage affordable housing
- Designation is good for three years.
- Currently less than 75 Pro-Housing Designations statewide
- March 31, 2026 Deadline
- 2026 Funding: $8 million
- What would it take to apply?
- Adopt updates to zoning ordinance to ensure consistency with State law.
- Complete Pro-housing Designation Program application
- Complete the PIP application
- Considerable effort required to meet data requirements of application
- Initial evaluation indicates that Trinity County will achieve at least the 30 points required for eligibility
- Schedule
- October: Draft required ordinance updates for State law compliance
- November: Draft applications for designation and PIP; conduct hearings on ordinance updates
- December: Public review of applications, including public meeting(s)
(December) - Early January 2026:
- Adopt ordinance update and resolution authorizing application (Early January)
- Submit applications for 60-day review
- March 31, 2026: PIP application deadline
- Propose working with Mintier Harnish to support this initiative.
- County Staff would be responsible for draft application, facilitate hearings and public meetings.
- Benefits
- Housing in Trinity County
- Funding to make it happen
- Extra points on State funding applications
- Opportunity to begin implementing the Housing Element action plan and to expedite the permitting process
- HCD technical assistance available.
- Questions & Answers
- No matching funds are required
- Benefit developers through streamlining. They could also partner with the county. The county could apply for grants on behalf of projects.
- General Plan Funds could be used. Estimated cost is $25,000 (of available $300,000)
- No negative impact on the General Plan timeline
- Limited number of qualifying jurisdictions is somewhat driven by the limited scope of their Housing Element.
- Board Direction
- The board provided direction to staff to pursue this Pro-Housing Designation as proposed.
- What is the Pro-housing Designation
Previous Closed Session Report
F. CLOSED SESSION
F.1. Government Code Section 54954.5(f) – Labor Negotiations County’s Designated Representatives: Margaret Long, Laila Cassis, and Suzie Hawkins Employee Organizations: Professional Peace Officers Association
F.2. Government Code Section 54954.5(c) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation No. of Cases: One
F.3. Government Code Section 54954.5(e) – Public Employee Appointment: Interim County Clerk/ Recorder/ Assessor/ Registrar of Voters
ADJOURN
Sharing Information | Encouraging Engagement
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