Sharing Information | Encouraging Engagement
This board meeting opened with a presentation on the CalRec Vision project and the state’s Joint Strategy for Sustainable Outdoor Recreation and Wildfire Resilience. Updates were provided by our department heads, our CAO, and each member of the Board of Supervisors.
The board pulled one item (D.7) from the Consent Calendar for discussion and approved the remaining items as presented. Under County Matters, the board took action on opportunity-zone designations and on a letter opposing SB 254. The meeting closed with one item in closed session.
A. PRESENTATIONS
A.1. County Administrative Office – Received a presentation on the CalRec Vision project regarding the Joint Strategy for Sustainable Outdoor Recreation and Wildfire Resilience, and the possibility of adopting the strategy. No fiscal impact.
John Wentworth presented.
- The Joint Strategy is part of the Governor’s Wildfire Task Force — a state-published, advisory (non-mandated, no-cost) framework that helps jurisdictions align wildfire resilience with the rural recreation and tourism economy.
- It sets four goals supported by 31 key actions, offered as a flexible menu each jurisdiction can draw from: integrate forest health and sustainable recreation; advance inclusion and access; promote the health and well-being of all Californians through outdoor recreation; and support economies tied to sustainable recreation.
- A local example from Mammoth Lakes was shared, where multi-use paths were converted into fuel breaks and firefighter access routes—reducing wildfire risk while keeping trails and the recreation economy open.
- The ask is for the board to adopt the strategy as an advisory document to inform the county’s ongoing work, with benefits including updated GIS for incident command, identification of critical economic assets, and a growing “community of practice” across counties and land managers. The presentation materials include links to all associated documents and resources.
- The board asked staff to bring this matter forward for board consideration at a future meeting.
B. PUBLIC COMMENT
- Lowden Park Cellular Tower – suggested the county consider a different location, as the current site is not appropriate and the county could save money by stopping consideration now.
- Community Plans – noted that cannabis was not addressed in the Lewiston, Weaverville, or Trinity Center community plans and is not adequately addressed in the Post Mountain plan; asked the board to revisit these plans.
- Draft EIR – shared disappointment that the item was not on the agenda, pointed to aspects felt to be inaccurate or incomplete, emphasized the need for a land-based capacity analysis, and asked that the draft return to the board and public for further review.
- Revitalization – asked what the county’s plan is for revitalization and for increasing revenues.
C. REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
C.1. Report from Department Heads
- Liz Hamilton | Health & Human Services Agency Director
- Public Health Accreditation – the application has been submitted, a heavy lift by staff that could open the door to greater access to funding.
- Opioid Settlement Funds – shared how funds are being awarded through an RFP process, with just under $250,000 proposed for awards to applicants and a strong focus on youth and access to resources. Approximately $1.2 million has been received and awarded to date.
C.2. Report from County Administrative Officer
- A budget update was provided.
- Recruitment Videos – will launch at the next meeting.
- 9/11 Remembrance Event – planning is underway.
C.3. Reports from Members of the Board of Supervisors
- District 1 | Ric Leutwyler
- NoRTEC – participated in another Executive Committee meeting.
- Jail Health Hub – met with staff to discuss next steps, provided handoff materials, and offered to continue collaborating.
- Women Entrepreneurs Initiative – we now have 128 women entrepreneurs. The website is live, and outreach continues; a few have chosen not to participate, but most are excited about the initiative.
- County Fair Community Meeting – agreed to facilitate a community meeting on Thursday evening.
- Funding – shared perspective on the research into funding opportunities, the efforts underway, and the options that remain.
- District 2 | Jill Cox
- Forest Supervisor Quarterly Meeting – held out of county earlier this month, including a tour of the North Ops Center and clear signs of collaboration among the U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE, and others.
- RCRC – local wildfire cost recovery.
- Airport Advisory Committee – toured Trinity Center Airport facilities with a focus on safety and access.
- NorCal EMS – participated in the meeting.
- CSAC Women’s Leadership Forum – attended.
- PSA2 Board – Roderick Senior Center’s contract was renewed; two Trinity County applications were received for the Advisory Committee.
- Fair – noted she is hearing similar concerns from other rural counties and recognized those coming together to support our Fair.
- District 3 | Liam Gogan
- Fairgrounds – hosted a town hall with 60–70 participants and received helpful feedback; a Fair Board–hosted meeting is planned for August 20th.
- Community Plans – referenced ongoing discussions, guidelines, and plans.
- District 4 | Heidi Carpenter-Harris
- Staff Meetings – met with staff and was impressed with the strong leadership and initiative.
- Grizzly Bears – recognized sheriffs across the state who opposed the matter, which is now not moving forward.
- Wildfires – heavy smoke has moved into District 4 from a Humboldt County fire, alongside strong collaboration to prevent and address wildfires.
- NACo Public Lands – most of the focus is on fire.
- Old Helena – followed up on public concerns about damage to these privately owned buildings, called for an end to vandalism, and encouraged community-driven revitalization.
- District 5 | Julia Brownfield
- General Plan / EIR / Zoning – a meeting is taking place in District 5 with Drew Plebani.
- Funding – agrees this needs further review.
- Fair – grateful for the recent meeting and looking forward to the next one.
- Cannabis – feels there are remaining concerns to address.
- SCED – participated in discussions with Nina Natina regarding funding sources.
C.4. Reports from Ad Hocs
- Tourism Funding – no updates.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
- Public Comment – a request was made to pull D.7 for discussion, with concern that the project has not moved forward more quickly and a request for related documents and details.
The board approved all items on the Consent Calendar other than D.7, as presented. These included approval of the August 4th meeting minutes, a letter supporting Hayfork Elementary School’s 2026 Halloween Parade, and a series of agreements putting Opioid Settlement Funds to work with local partners (including Burnt Ranch Elementary School District, Human Response Network, Tri Counties Community Action Partnership, and the Trinity County Office of Education).
D.7. County Administrative Office – Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement with Whitchurch Engineering, Inc., extending the term to June 30, 2027, increasing the maximum cost by $6,000, and updating Exhibit B with change order #1, to provide grease trap redesign and upgrade within the Weaverville Veterans Memorial Hall project. No impact to the General Fund; an additional $6,000 from AB 102 Veterans Hall Modernization Funds.
- CAO Trent Tuthill
- The amendment addresses an unforeseen issue related to the incorrect placement of the grease trap and extends the contract term.
- The county does not have dedicated staff to manage this project; the CAO is managing it based on the priorities assigned to him. He noted the county paid $1.2 million for project management on the new jail and that available funds could be used to hire a project manager.
- Plans are 95% complete and under review, and an RFP (based on another county’s template) is nearing completion, with hopes of launching soon. Priorities include the kitchen, HVAC, ADA compliance, and electrical work.
- He noted the complexity of state-funded public works projects, including the county’s liability for any work done by volunteers.
- Public Comment – additional concern was shared about the pace of the project, along with an offer to help, including with obtaining additional funds if needed.
- Board Discussion – The board offered support for the work being done and the importance of the project.
The board approved this matter as presented.
E. COUNTY MATTERS
E.1. Community Development – Planning – Discuss and/or authorize the Chairman to sign a letter supporting the designation of qualified census tracts as opportunity zones. Unknown fiscal impact.
- Drew Plebani | Community Development Director
- Three zones within Trinity County meet the criteria, and the county submitted all three; only one was recommended by the state. Statewide, 550 of a target 618 tracts were recommended, leaving room for roughly 68 more.
- This “2.0” version of the program uses different criteria and moves from temporary to permanent designations. Opportunity Zones provide investment incentives — not direct funding — for project types such as job creation, housing, broadband, tourism, and agriculture. No prior investments are known in previously approved zones in Trinity County.
- The Weaverville-inclusive zone does not currently meet the criteria; the county has asked that it be reconsidered.
- Board Discussion – supervisors noted how complementary initiatives (opportunity zones, the Economic Development element, PIP funding, a Technical Review Committee, streamlined processes, and future tax incentives) can build on one another, and supported including all three qualifying zones.
- Motion – authorize the Chair to sign three letters, one for each census tract, reflecting the key points agreed to by the board; authorize the Chair and Community Development Director to add tract-specific information to each; take an approach that does not prioritize one tract over another; and authorize staff to issue a template for local and regional organizations that may wish to support the effort.
The board approved this motion.
E.2. County Administrative Office – Authorize the use of the county logo and sign-on to a letter opposing SB 254 (Becker) – Energy. Unknown fiscal impact.
The board approved this matter as presented.
F. CLOSED SESSION
F.1. County Counsel – Government Code Section 54954.5(c) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation. No. of Cases: 1.
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