Board of Supervisors Meeting | 2.4.2025

by | Feb 7, 2025 | Economic Development, Get Involved, Stay Informed, Your Opinion Matters

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Today’s board meeting was delayed due to technical difficulties with the Zoom Meeting platform we use to support virtual participation. Once underway, the meeting began with an update from CAO | Trent Tuthill regarding the county’s Vehicle Abatement program. The presentation scheduled by the U.S. Forest Service was rescheduled.

One item was pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion. All items on both the Consent Calendar and under County Matters  were approved as presented.

A. PRESENTATIONS

A.1. County Administrative Office – Receive an update from U.S. Forest Service representatives regarding matters of interest in Trinity County. No fiscal impact.

  • This presentation was rescheduled

A.2. County Administrative Office – Receive an annual Abandoned Vehicle Abatement program update from the County Administrative Officer. No fiscal impact.

  • CAO | Trent Tuthill
  • Calendar year 2024 $15,000 annual budget
  • Six vehicles removed/towed
  • One vehicle moved by the owner after initial tag/notification
  • 527 private party assists – DMV form issued by General Services

 

B. PUBLIC COMMENT
  • Cellular Tower – Concerns were shared regarding erosion related to the AT&T Tower in Lewiston. Concerns were initially shared years ago. Damage to their property has already occurred. Shared that Verizon has started the process to use the same tower, which she fears could cause more problems. Feels the permitting process was not followed. Feels that if the problems were related to a cannabis farm, something would have been done much more quickly. Called for a moratorium on further cellular tower projects until this is resolved and also called for the existing tower to be repaired (camouflaging branches have fallen).
  • Cellular Tower – Additional concerns were shared regarding the cellular tower. Feels that no formal permitting process exists for the placement of cellular towers. Noted concerns about damage to the property and danger (due to radiation) from signal to surrounding areas – including the elementary school. Statements included asking for the county to compensate the owners of the property that has been damaged.
  • Cellular Tower – Additional comments regarding the cellular tower – noted that studies and plans were shared with the planning commission. Acknowledged the benefits of having the tower. Referenced erosion-related aspects of cannabis permitting… suggesting the county could refer to these and engage the water board.
  • Tax Increases – Concern was shared about what he saw as lackluster support by supervisors for an increase in sales tax. Encouraged the board to focus on tax measures and give them our full support. Mentioned property taxes that could be applied to those who own properties in Trinity County but don’t live here and don’t rent to local residents.
  • Trump Administration Funding Impact – suggested that the board have a presentation/discussion regarding the anticipated impact of funding decisions made by the Trump administration.
  • Cellular Tower Concerns – a Hayfork resident shared health & safety concerns regarding cellular towers. Called for a moratorium on new cellular towers in Trinity County.
C. REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

C.1. Report from Department Heads – None

C.2. Report from County Administrative Officer

  • AT&T Cellular Tower – Currently working with AT&T representatives. On December 19th, AT&T provided an update indicating that they did a site walk on 12.12.2024. They estimated 60 to 90 days for site analysis. He will reach back out for an update.
  • Federal Funding Pause – Insufficient data is available at this time for an organized/informative update on potential impact. He will arrange a presentation when sufficient information is available.
  • Recycling – Working with a third party (Hambro Recycling) to bring CRV recycling back to Trinity County. 31 Davis Drive is the anticipated site for this service. It could happen within the next 60 to 90 days.
  • CD Hall Renovations – public meeting held; work is progressing on key items such as ADA, Structural Support, HVAC, Kitchen, Sound System, Plumbing, and Electrical. All are still in the design phase at this time. Planning for a $1 million construction project. The balance of the funds will go to planning, permits, etc.
  • Library ADA – new ADA-compliant door installed. The door stays open for a set amount of time, then auto-closes. Sensors would re-open the door if it hits something when closing.
  • CSAC Leadership Institute – Two more employees (Treasury & Auditors offices) joined this program in January.
  • Housing Element – February 13th – 2:00 PM – public workshop (joint BOS & Planning Commission) to review the document and gather public input.
  • County Newsletter – The first newsletter was released yesterday. Working through reports of platform-specific challenges. A different department will be highlighted each month.
  • Storm Impact – reports are coming in regarding landslides, flooding, etc.

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

  • District 1 | Ric Leutwyler
    • Assemblymember Rogers met with Heidi McHugh, Field Representative. Shared information and connected her with key contacts for additional insights regarding Trinity County
    • Weaverville Chamber – I shared information about community development and the recently approved Tourism Development Advisory Board
    • Tourism Development Advisory Board
      • Civitas – Met with a representative to gather information that will be shared with the full board and advisory board. I propose a presentation to the full board at our next meeting. This would include details regarding the process, timeline, decision points, etc.
        • Initiation & Infrastructure
        • Stakeholder Engagement & Consensus Building
        • Document Preparation & Revision
        • Petition Preparation & Petition Drive
        • Local Government Hearing Process
      • Advisory Board Roles – Here is information to help set the expectations of advisory board members.
        • Civitas recommends 1.0 to 1.5-hour meetings every two weeks
        • Civitas estimates this will be a 6-month process
        • Advisory Board Member roles include:
          • Leading efforts to gather petition signatures
          • Deciding the scope/focus of the improvement district
      • Budget – the Civitas proposal included $30,000 plus $3,000 in admin expenses
  • District 2 | Jill Cox
    • Needs Assessment – met with Alec Dompka to provide input
    • NorCal EMS – converting from nonprofit to JPA. Access to DOJ reports needed to do their work will be easier this way. This move will not cost the county any money. Likely to be on the next BOS agenda.

 

  • District 3 | Liam Gogan
    • North Coast Resource Partnership – Trinity County has not received much funding through this organization. Feels that we should work to get projects funded through NCRP.
    • Town Hall Meeting – cellular towers and homeless encampments were key subjects.
    • Post Mountain PUD & LAFCO – good progress.

 

  • District 4 | Heidi Carpenter-Harris
    • TMC – participated in a recent briefing. Covered flow reports, anticipated impact of storms, etc. They are looking for ways to better engage with the community (example – Science on Tap), share information, gather input, etc.
    • North Coast Resource Partnership – met last week. Costs were covered by NCRP. The focus was on Climate Resilience.
    • Wind Farms – encouraged Trinity County to get/stay involved so that we can benefit from efforts to bring generated power inland.

 

  • District 5 | Julia Brownfield
    • Natural Services Divison – Requested an update regarding the Natural Services Division
    • DOT – met with leadership and was not satisfied with the answer. Read a letter from a District 5 resident that focused on road damage/repair concerns.
    • HHS – informative meetings. Evidence of strong collaboration
    • HRN – met with Sherri White
    • Post Mountain PUD & LAFCO – encouraged by progress.
    • Town Hall Meetings continue.

C.4. Reports from Ad Hocs

• Homeless Encampment

  • Meeting on January 3rd. Action Plan drafted and items assigned
    • Crisis Tracker – a platform that can be used to document/track encampments
    • Land Management – awaiting response regarding brush clearing
    • Outreach – working on ways to enhance communication.
      • Probation Department – stepped up to make site visits.
      • HRN also engaged
    • Ordinance Updates – Supervisor Cox led efforts. The group is now working through options.
    • February 6th – next meeting of the committee

 

D. CONSENT CALENDAR
  • Public Comment
    • Two comments suggesting that the items related to Planning Commission appointments be pulled for discussion.
    • Comments focused on the importance of training for Planning Commissioners.
    • CAO Tuthill explained that training does take place for Planning Commissioners and pointed out that these were not new appointment to the commission.
  • Item D8 was pulled for discussion
  • The board approved all other items on the consent calendar.

 

D.8. Probation – Approve an agreement with Partnership HealthPlan of California to provide ECM authorization and reimbursement. No fiscal impact to the general fund. This will bring in unknown amount of revenue to the Probation Department.

  • Ruby Fiero | Chief Probation Officer
    • Shared information regarding the work that is done within the scope of this agenda item.
    • A previous source of funding expired so they have been pursuing other funding sources.
    • This process is more cumbersome than what was in place… but necessary to ensure that needed services are delivered.
    • Behavioral Health will be handling the billing for the Probation Department.
    • Projects $100,000 in revenues from the new source… more than replacing the $25,000 lost through the source that has expired.
  • The board approved this item as presented.

 

E. COUNTY MATTERS

E.1. Human Resources – Take the following actions for Health and Human Services – Public Health Division: 

1. Approve the revised job description for a Public Health Nursing Supervisor and revise the salary range to H204;

2. Approve the job description, set the salary range, add to the alphabetical listing of classifications and allocate to the department a Health Education Specialist Supervisor at Range H193; and

3. Approve the job description, set the salary range, add to the alphabetical listing of classifications and allocate to the department a Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at H189; and

4. Approve a side letter agreement with the Health and Human Services bargaining unit adding the new classifications.

The approximate cost in salary and benefits per month at A step for a Public Health Nursing Supervisor is $10,404, for a Health Education Specialist Supervisor is $9440 and for a Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator is $9114.

    • Human Resources Director | Laila Cassis
    • The board approved this matter as presented.
  • The board approved this item as presented.
F. ADJOURN

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