Board of Supervisors Meeting | 11.5.2024

by | Nov 7, 2024 | Economic Development, Get Involved, Stay Informed, Trinity Resources, Your Opinion Matters

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Today’s board meeting included three presentations – including an update on broadband initiatives by Connie Stewart, an update from Ben Sundall regarding U.S. Forest Service matters of interest to Trinity County, and an update from our Veterans Services Officer, Jennifer Dobbs, regarding support of veterans here in Trinity County. We also adopted a proclamation supporting Operation Greenlight and recognizing November 2024 as Veterans and Military Families Month. Assemblymember Jim Woods was unable to join us for his scheduled update.

All (21) Consent Calendar items were approved as presented. The board denied two requests for waivers of appeal fees, upheld the appeal focused on a cannabis distribution center permit and approved the financial aspects of  “Golden Handshake” being offered as part of our efforts to create a balanced budget.  There was one Closed Session item for which direction was given to staff.

A. PRESENTATIONS

 A.1. Community Development – Planning – Receive a presentation from Connie Stewart regarding county broadband efforts. 

  • Executive Director | Connie Stewart
    • Shared a presentation regarding the status of broadband efforts in our region.
    • Shared the definition of “middle mile” vs. “last mile” and “open access”
    • $3.25 billion for open access middle mile… $800,000+ per mile for cost of adding
    • Dropped 2,000 of 10,000 miles… which means the Hwy 3 (Trinity) project has been put on hold.
    • Attempts to add $1.5 billion failed.
    • Hwy 299 Update
      • 90% of the conduit is in the ground
      • 30% of the fiber has been pulled
      • Project completion in June of 2025
    • BEAD (broadband equity, access, ad deployment) program $1.8 billion in CA
      • She spoke with four companies interested in last-mile services in Trinity County
    • Frontier Communication has withdrawn its three projects (may be acquired by Verizon)
    • The focus now is on funding for last-mile service and “affordability.”
    • Need community input
      • Identify Anchor institutions
      • Promote low-cost programs to get local providers engaged
  • Supervisor Cox asked that our board be “brought along” regarding her efforts to lobby on our behalf.

A.2. County Administrative Office – Receive an update from Assemblymember Jim Wood regarding what is happening at the state level. This was canceled due to a scheduling conflict.

A.3. County Administrative Office – Receive an update from the US Forest Service regarding matters that concern Trinity County.

  • Ben Sundall | Acting District Manager
    • Shared updates regarding several matters of interest here in Trinity County
    • Landscape Team – absorbed into larger/permanent forest organizations.
    • Trinity Center Airport – work to improve landing strip access is underway.
    • Deputy District Ranger – Fred Perrin is now on board (temporarily until Tara returns)
  • Supervisor Carpenter-Harris – offered appreciation for all the work supporting use and access.
  • Supervisor Cox clarified that CalFire announced that residents are now required to obtain a free CalFire permit.
  • Supervisor Frasier – asked about the “early” closing of some campground locations.

A.4. Health and Human Services – Veterans Services – Receive an update on services provided locally and adopt a proclamation supporting Operation Green Light and recognizing November 2024 as Veterans and Military Families’ Month.

  • Jennifer Dobs | Veterans Services Officer
    • Thanked the board for supporting efforts and shared a presentation
    • 1,013 veterans estimated in Trinity County
    • 349 not receiving benefits (monthly payments)
    • Served 440 individuals in 2024
    • $744,100 in retroactive payments in 2024
    • Requested a Veterans Council
      • Veterans, stakeholders, etc.
      • Come together to discuss issues, opportunities, etc.
  • CAO | Trent Tuthill
    • Shared more details about the positive impact that Jennifer’s efforts are having in the lives of those veterans she serves.
B.  PUBLIC COMMENT
  • Comments were offered in support of our local first responders who were recently able to save someone whose heart had stopped and emphasized the importance of CPR training… for all.
C.  REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

C.1. Report from Department Heads

  • Transportation Update – Director Kokkas had other commitments today but shared an impressive update via email. In addition to completing repairs in record time in Southern Trinity, the team was able to repurpose funds to support our Transit programs.  I appreciate the special efforts and the creative, solution-oriented approach demonstrated by these efforts.

 

  • Christine Gaffney | Auditor-Controller – shared that we received recognition for the quality of our fiscal efforts and offered appreciation to everyone involved in fiscal matters throughout the county.

C.2. Report from County Administrative Officer | Trent Tuthill

  • Staff Achievement – Acknowledged significant progress made in catching up on a backlog of financial transactions.
  • Department Head Reports – will be available online once we launch the new website (anticipated in mid-December).
  • Southern Trinity Road Project – the additional (part-time) engineer we hired recently made this possible
  • Sister City – Weaverville, NC, has now adopted a similar resolution. HRN has launched a fundraiser for the month of November to provide short-term recovery support.
  • Property Clean-up – acknowledged great work by staff and volunteers for recent clean-up efforts.
  • No camping on County lands – will be stepping up enforcement.
  • CACE – (California Association of County Executives) attended this event that brings county leadership together.
    • Many similarities in the challenges faced
    • Funding Sources – will come back to the board with thoughts about how to move forward
  • Library – MOU was signed, and a part-time assistant librarian was hired. Changes to hours of operation will begin on November 12th.
  • Animal Shelter – he hopes to have MOU signed by the end of the week and offered appreciation to all those involved in the process.
  • County Seal – the new replica created by High School students is now displayed predominantly in the board room.

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

  • District 1 | Ric Leutwyler
    • Economic Development – met with representatives of the Siskiyou Economic Development Center and the Small Business Development Center about services and support that can be provided in Trinity County. Presentations to the Board and the Disaster Council are being scheduled.
    • Workforce Development – I attended the recent NoRTEC board meeting in Chico, where Susan Marie (Highland Arts Center & Foundation) was elected as Chair of the Workforce Board, and I was elected as Chair of the Governing Board.
    • Tourism – I met with members of the Trinity County Chamber of Commerce and their new consultant, who is leading efforts to establish a solid foundation for their marketing efforts.
    • Community Plans – attended the Lewiston & Weaverville meetings. Public comment is open until 11.15.24. I strongly encourage people to review the draft plans and share your thoughts.
    • Senator McGuire – joined the Fire Chiefs as they met with Senate Pro tem McGuire, where he informed the group of funding for all new battery-powered extrication equipment.
    • Water District – met with representatives of a water district regarding concerns and plans to bring matters before the board.
    • Airport Advisory Committee – joined Supervisor Cox. The agenda included discussions about funding opportunities, project progress, and potential changes to hangar lease agreements.
    • Insurance Matters
      • I joined the CSAC Working Group meeting, where we learned about disaster modeling and finalized input on the CSAC Platform document, which will be presented during the annual meeting later this month.
      • Submitted comments to the Little Hoover Commission regarding the document they are reviewing this month. I am concerned that data regarding smaller, rural communities is being lost in the averaging across our large and diverse state.
      • Collaborated with FireSafe Council on a survey. We hope the data will help us elevate the realities we face to those making decisions about moving forward.
    • Library – joined a meeting of the Friends of the Library. This group is digging into the details of how they will move forward to support our libraries in the face of reduced funding by the county.
  • District 2 | Jill Cox
    • Senator McGuire – joined Fire Chiefs for the award of $1 million for updated vehicle extrication equipment.
    • Weaverville Community Plan – sparse attendance with strong engagement.
    • CA Rural EMS – participated in a recent meeting.
    • PSA2 Meeting – met late last month. Acknowledges the strong contributions of the Advisory Committee. Trinity County still has a vacancy on the Advisory Committee. Roderick Senior Center – funding is still on hold due to ongoing audit work.
    • FireSafe Council Meeting
    • Out of County Travel for meeting with Forest Service District Ranger
    • First Five – worked on MOU for temporary leadership support from the County.
    • Airport Advisory Committee Meeting – met late last month. Shared some items of interest from the meeting.
    • Community Forest Annual Meeting – participated in a portion of the meeting.
  • District 3 | Liam Gogan
    • North Coast Resource Partnership Meeting in Del Norte County – discussed funding for five projects. Also discussed was the Ad Hoc Committee focused on Illegal Cannabis Clean-Up. This group will allow more time for this committee to meet/work on this matter. NCRP may fund the costs of a second person from Trinity County participating in future meetings.

 

  • District 4 | Heidi Carpenter-Harris
    • LAFCO Meeting – some discussions were focused on the Post Mountain community.
    • Big Ranch Tour – joined the Collaborative for their recent tour.
    • NACO Rural Action Caucus – participated in recent meeting

 

  • District 5 | Dan Frasier
    • No Out of County Travel
    • LAFCO Meeting – adopted a resolution of intent for dissolution of Post Mountain PUD. This allows 12 months for progress. If sufficient progress is not made, the County and/or other local service providers will take over.
    • North Coast Air Quality Management Meeting will be held later this meeting in Eureka.

 

    C.4. Reports from Ad Hocs

1. Tribal Relations (Heidi Carpenter-Harris) – work continues. Presentation to the board on 12.17

  2. Tourism Partners Funding (Jill Cox & Ric Leutwyler)

    • Due to scheduling conflicts, Ric Leutwyler will take Supervisor Gogan’s place on this committee.
    • All presentations were reviewed and rated by a panel. These results and recommendations will be submitted to the board during the December 3rd meeting.
D.  CONSENT CALENDAR
  • The board approved all (21) items included in the Consent Calendar.
  • Note – one of these items was to recognize this as Clerk of the Board Week. Thanks were offered to all involved in providing these services – Leah, Mary, Suzie, and Trent. “We simply couldn’t do it without you. Also would like to acknowledge that, thanks to a lot of special effort, we are now caught up on meeting minutes – no small feat.”
E.  COUNTY MATTERS

E.1. Clerk of the Board – Pursuant to Trinity County Code Section 8.90.170 consider Stephan Colby’s request for exemption from the Code Enforcement Appeal Fee of $1,050 for Notice of Violation No. 1514. Potential loss of General Fund revenue in the amount of $1,050.

  • Tom Balanco spoke on behalf of the applicant and shared a document for review by the board.
  • Public Comment
    • Shared support for denial of exemption.
  • The board denied this request for an exemption to pay the appeal fee.

E.2. Clerk of the Board – Pursuant to Trinity County Code Section 8.90.170, consider Stephan Colby’s request for exemption from the Code Enforcement Appeal Fee of $1,050 for Notice of Violation No. 1515. Potential loss of General Fund revenue in the amount of $1,050.

  • Tom Balanco spoke on behalf of the applicant – requesting that we approve the exemption since he believes there should be only one notice of violation.
  • The board denied this request for an exemption to pay the appeal fee.

E.3. Community Development – Cannabis – Conduct an appeal hearing to uphold, modify, or overturn the Planning Commission’s decision to approve a conditional use permit for cannabis distribution located at 50 Nugget Lane Unit #C, Weaverville, APN: 024-500-050-000.  (Applicant: Melissa Wight & Stephen Sutton – Main Street Distribution LLC;  Appellant: Timbre Beck) (Cannabis Planning File CDL-24-01). Unknown fiscal impact.

  • Drew Plebani | Cannabis Division Director
    • Provided a brief review of how this matter came to this point.
    • Answered clarifying questions from supervisors
    • The Cannabis Division did not reach out to the appellant for client data. They used the publicly available information regarding classes, etc.
  • Appellant | Timbre Beck
    • Owner of the Dance & Karate Dance Studio near the proposed location
    • Appealing the commissioner’s decision to “skip over” the issue of youth-oriented facility
    • Historical Data – 80+ hours, 6 hours for adults.
    • the inside of the building is very focused on youth
    • Feels that the measurements provided are not correct.
    • Believes that her business is a youth-oriented facility
    • Feels that information used to determine this business might not be a youth-oriented facility did not reflect the realities of the business.
  • Applicants |Mellisa Wight & Stephen Sutton)
    • Firm belief that the appellant’s business is not a youth-oriented facility
    • The content they saw and relied upon to make their decision to proceed has since been taken off the site
    • Described a Distribution Facility
      • Not open to the public
      • Believes that Zoning allows for this type of business. It does not support the Dance & Fitness Studio
      • Significant Odor mitigation measures will be in place.
      • No live plants, no trimming, etc.
      • 24/7 video surveillance and alarm system
      • All business will be conducted through the back door
      • Cali Love retail center has generated more tax than any other commercial cannabis operation in the county.
      • Believes this business could increase cannabis taxes by approximately $1 million.
      • 2.5% tax on dispensaries. Offered 2% not as a bribe… but as a gesture of goodwill to the community.
  • Public Comment
    • Believes the county needs a distribution center. Feels the applicants are good community partners.. But we were led down the wrong path about this location being appropriate for this use. Believes this is not the right location.
    • Shared personal story to illustrate that this is a youth-oriented facility.
    • The owner of a property near the proposed site shared his plans to open a youth-oriented facility in that location. Supports having a distribution center but feels this is not the right location. Their location was chosen due to its location. He chose not to purchase the property closer to the bar/restaurant.
    • Questioned the reasons we are still referring to cannabis as dangerous. Noted that the appellant’s business shares a wall (and maybe a bathroom) with a smoke shop. Noted that children could not walk into the proposed business… but could walk into the smoke shop. Supports the applicant and believes the appeal should be denied.
    • Representative of the building owner – has been open to other applications to use this space… felt the applicants provided the most business-like application.
    • A parent whose child uses the bus raised concerns about how the bus stop was moved. Feels the county needs a distribution center. Offered support for the applicant and asked that the appeal be denied. Feels her business will be more secure if/when this new business is allowed.
    • Shared difficulty of cannabis users finding acceptance now that cannabis has been legalized. Highlighted the smoke shop connected to the Dance Studio. Supports denial of the appeal.
    • Resident within 350’ of the proposed business. Shared his concern about vacant buildings on Nugget Lane. Feels it’s great that a gymnastics business will be coming in. Not concerned about distribution center’s impact on his children who take the bus. Not a fan of the smoke shop… and that their door is always open.
    • Shared support for the applicant – noting their successful track record with the retail business, their plans to enhance security of the area, and the potential for increased tax revenues.
    • Acknowledged the positive impact the applicant has made within the community. Asked why we continue to demonize cannabis. Questioned how the smoke shop was ever approved. Offered support for the applicant.
    • Offered support for the owners of the Dance Studio and planed gymnastics business. Also offered support for the applicant, their track record, etc. Questioned why we aren’t addressing concerns related to the smoke shop. Feels this might not be the best location for the distribution center.
    • Applicant noted that their business fully meets the C2 zoning requirements for this location. C1 zoning is for youth-oriented businesses.  She’s not asking for them to move… just acknowledging that there are very limited C2-zoned parcels that can be used for distribution and noted that even the 2-month delay has caused cannabis business operators to lose a lot of money.
  • Board Discussion
    • Motion made to uphold the planning commission decision. Supervisor Gogan referred to staff recommendations as the basis (finding) for support of this motion.
    • Motion made to uphold the appeal with the following findings:
      • the appellant’s business does qualify as a youth-oriented facility.
      • Clientele since opening has been 90% or more children
      • Advertising primarily targets minors
      • Furniture and décor is focused primarily on youth
      • Classes are primarily focused on youth
      • The board approved this motion 4 to 1
    • Supervisor Frasier shared concerns about having watched the recording of the planning commission. He feels that the commission focused on whether the distribution center would have a negative impact instead of focusing on their obligation to rule on whether the Dance Studio was, in fact, a youth-oriented facility. Feels the applicant was not offering a bribe… but that doesn’t mean it was okay – acknowledging the obviously favorable response by commissioners to the potential of the contribution.
    • Supervisor Gogan shared that he does not feel the funding offer was a bribe. Feels the Dance Studio is not a youth-oriented facility.
    • County Council – emphasized the importance of determining the criteria for a Youth-oriented facility.
    • Supervisor Frasier – highlighted that based on the advertising, the records of participation, etc.. It is predominantly focused on youth.
    • Supervisor Carpenter-Harris – feels the dance studio does qualify as a youth-oriented facility – noted that this dance studio is on the list of vendors for home-schooling offerings. Also noted that the enrollment data provided to the board. Clarification was provided that being on the homeschooling vendor list doesn’t mean that you are primarily youth-oriented.
    • Supervisor Cox – feels the dance studio does qualify as a youth-oriented facility based on 90% of students being kids.
    • Supervisor Gogan – feels the dance studio does not qualify as a youth-oriented facility. References the number of classes available to adults (and teens). Also referenced staff’s recommendations.
      • Drew Plebani noted the ambiguity and the requirement for a subjective decision.
    • Supervisor Leutwyler expressed frustration that the wording of our ordinance means that the correct legal decision could have a negative impact on the county. Also noted that many children walk past the cannabis retail site (dispensary) on a daily basis as they go to/from the grocery store, Subway, and CVS without any issues… yet we are concerned about them being near a distribution center, which is not open to the public.
  • The board voted to uphold the appeal. This means that the permit for this cannabis distribution center is denied.

 

E.4. Human Resources – Acknowledge the costs of providing two years additional service credit (Golden Handshake) to eligible employees of the Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department, Library, General Services and Behavioral Health and eligible employees in the Public Health Branch Director classification. No fiscal impact.

  • CAO | Trent Tuthill presented this matter.
    • Shared some adjustments made based on clarifying/correcting the category of roles for some positions.
  • Public Comment
    • Question were raised regarding the qualifying criteria.
      • Response – There are several factors that come into play.
  • The board approved this matter as presented

 

PRIOR CLOSED SESSION REPORT

F.1. Government Code Section 54954.5(f) – Conference with Labor Negotiators County’s Designated Representatives: Laila Cassis, Suzie Hawkins, Margaret Long Employee Organizations: General Unit.  

  • Direction was given to the negotiators.

 

F.  CLOSED SESSION

F.1. Government Code Section 54956.95 – Liability Claim Claimant: EE ID: 02032 (Claim No. TIBZ-600077)

  • Direction was given to staff.

 

G.  ADJOURN

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