Board of Supervisors Meeting | 3.18.2025

by | Mar 24, 2025 | Economic Development, Get Involved, Stay Informed, Trinity Resources, Your Opinion Matters

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This board meeting began with the recognition of women from each district who have made significant contributions to their communities. Heidi McHugh, a representative for Assemblymember Chris Rogers, then presented to the board. One item on the Consent Calendar was pulled for discussion. All items on the Consent Calendar were approved. The agenda also included a public hearing, two items under County Matters, and two under Closed Session.

We experienced technology challenges that created echoing in the boardroom. County staff are researching and responding to this problem.

A. PRESENTATIONS

A.1. County Administrative Office – Receive a presentation from each District Supervisor on a constituent from their district in recognition of Women’s History Month. No fiscal impact.

  • District 1 | Katie Quinn
    • Started and managed the Lewiston De-Litter Bugs, the Lewiston Sparkies and managed the Lewiston Neighborhood Watch for decades.
    • The Bugs American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life efforts brought in over $100,000 in 10 years.
    • Joined the Red Cross Lewiston Disaster Action Team and locally taught CPR and First Aid, plus deployed on four national disasters, starting with Hurricane Katrina, ending with wildfires in San Diego.
    • Authored  40 successful grants. Earned over $200,000 for various community projects, including new flooring and storage for the Schoolhouse Library and a new van for the Food Pantry but primarily for the Lewiston Fire Department.
    • Co-wrote the narratives on several FEMA grants and raised over $900,000 which allowed for the purchase of a new engine as well as a mobile oxygen machine for multiple fire departments.
    • Project managed the Lewiston Deer Meadow Disc Golf Course from start to finish, involving community donors, the work efforts from the Trinity River Conservation Camp and various grants to complete the project.
    • Favorite accomplishments:
      • Completion of the Lewiston Fire Station in 2018, a personal project for over 14 years from start to finish.
      • Renovation of the old community gym into a two-court pickleball facility.  Sign-in logs show that over 100 players are there each month.
      • Turned the front of the Lewiston Community Center into a prolific botanical garden that is now over 20 years old.
  • District 2 | Serena Brown
    • 40 years in Trinity County
    • Obtained hundreds of thousands in grant funding supporting the volunteer fire department and emergency response.
    • Volunteer Fire Fighter and Paramedic
    • A strong supporter of programs that support our youth
    • Introduced several key programs to support our communities
    • Supported grant applications that brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars.
  • District 3 | Charlene Dunaetz
    • Moved to Hayfork in 1979
    • Raised puppies to be service dogs for the blind
    • Organized nurses and county staff for PERS
    • Trinity Trust Board Member
    • Began work at the Trinity Hospital in 1980
    • Served on several boards, including the Hayfork Rotary Club
  • District 4 | Sadie Fagan
    • Led the Boosters Club and much more
    • Audio challenges interrupted Supervisor Carpenter-Harris’ presentation regarding Sadie.
  • District 5 | Shelly Rodgers
    • The first person to show up when others are in need
    • Served on the Grand Jury
    • Provides food and goods for those in need.

 

A.2. County Administrative Office – Receive a presentation from Heidi McHugh, Field Representative for Assemblymember Chris Rogers, 2nd Assembly District on matters of interest to Trinity County. No fiscal impact.

  • District covers Del Norte, Trinity & Humboldt Counties
  • Already engaged with individuals and organizations in Trinity County
  • Supervisor Cox arranged introductions, site visits, and meetings for the two days she is here in Trinity County
  • Assembly Bill 263 – Scott and Shasta River Instream Flows – would allow the emergency regulations that are currently in place on the Scott and Shasta River Watersheds to remain in effect until permanent rules establishing and implementing long-term instream flow requirements are adopted.
    • Asked the board to consider providing a letter of support for this bill.
  • Assembly Bill 330 – Extension of the Local Prepaid Mobil Telephony Services Collection Act
  • Assembly Bill 439 – Coastal Commission Streamlining
  • Assembly Bill 472 – Offshore Wind Port Infrastructure Plan
  • Assembly Bill 531 – Accelerating Geothermal Power
  • Assembly Bill 612 – Highway Design Manual Update
  • Assembly Bill 928 – The Cockfighting Cruelty Act
  • Assembly Bill 1014 – State Highway Speed Limits
  • Assembly Bill 1378 – Preventing Tribal Children from Entering Foster Care
  • Senate Bill 666 – originally established as a placeholder, focuses on highlighting Sasquatch.
B. PUBLIC COMMENT
  • Federal Funding Concerns – Read a letter from a local group with concerns regarding federal administration actions that put funding at risk for critical services here in Trinity County. Called on the board and staff to develop and share a plan for responding to this situation. This letter was shared with all Supervisors prior to the board meeting.
  • Planning commission Concerns – shared regarding the Planning Commission denying a variance for fully licensed commercial cannabis holder – not because of something he did or changed, but because the property next to his now has a new homeowner who objected to the operation.

C. REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

C.1. Report from Department Heads – None. You can find them online with this link – https://www.trinitycounty.org/603/Department-Heads-Reports

C.2. Report from County Administrative Officer

  • Comminted on the Planning Commission decision mentioned during public comment that will come before the board soon.
  • HB 1383 – focus continues on Secure Rural Schools funding with letter of support for bill that will provide funding.
  • PRISM Board of Directors Meeting – all jurisdictions are experiencing rate increases. Working on training, etc. to reduct the frequency and magnitude of claims.
  • Artificial Intelligence – a policy is in the works and will be brought before the board for approval
  • CSAC Disaster Recovery Event – attended this event. Shared Trinity input and questions.

 

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

  • District 1 | Ric Leutwyler
    • Sierra Nevada Conservancy – attended the board meeting in Murphy’s, CA. The Watershed Center is currently working an a project that will move Trinity County up on the list of project-ready regions for future grant opportunities.
    • Firenet – shared concerns retarding emergency communication challenges from the Lewiston Volunteer Fire Department with the Fire Chief’s Association, Trent Tuthill, Sheriff Saxon, and Supervisor Cox. Resolution of the problem was escalated, and work continues on a longer-term solution.
    • NoRTEC – joined the RFP Ad Hoc Committee to finalize the review of proposals. NoRTEC will move forward with the same three service providers that have been serving the region for the last four years.
    • Housing – met with representatives of the Human Response Network for an update regarding their housing-related services.
    • PSA2 – attended the board meeting with Supervisor Cox
    • Tourism – met with Civitas representatives regarding our contract. The 2nd meeting of this advisory board was canceled due to Brown Act-related challenges with the agenda. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 24th, from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM in the Weaverville Library Conference Room.
    • Elected Officials—I will join Heidi McHugh, the field representative for Assemblymember Chris Rogers, on March 19th for two portions of her agenda while here in Trinity County.
    • SCED – the strategic plan ad hoc committee will meet in Redding on Friday, March 21st.
    • Redwood Coast Region Economic Summit—I am working with a group to finalize plans for this year’s event, which will take place in September. Trinity County can (and does) benefit from these efforts.
  • District 2 | Jill Cox
    • USFS Rachel Birkey – meeting in Redding
    • NorCal EMS – things are moving forward
    • Emergency Communications – action was taken to respond to concerns from first responders. The next steps include additional efforts to assess the status of our system/infrastructure. She is working with Senator McGuire’s office regarding potential funding for analysis and upgrades.
    • PSA2 – Trinity County has an opening on the Advisory Board.
    • Homeless Encampment Ad Hoc Committee Meeting
    • Heidi McHugh – organized her visit with RCD, Mill, Fire Safe Council, Collaborative, Hospital, Office of Education, Trinity River Lumber Company, PUD, TCDC, and Weaver Creek Project.
  • District 3 | Liam Gogan
    • Disaster Council Meeting – uncertainty regarding federal funding is an issue for this group
    • Local Child Planning Council – hosted by Office of Education. Addressed recent support from the Dolly Parton Imagination program that provides free books to children under five years old
    • Trinity Management Council – virtual meeting tomorrow.
    • Town Hall Meeting in Hayfork next week.
  • District 4 | Heidi Carpenter-Harris
    • NACO
      • USFS and BLM discussions indicate funding for fire prevention will continue to flow
      • Ferrel Horses and Burros – work on a program to support adoption.
      • California Caucus – discussion regarding Gas Tax,
      • Rural Action Caucus –
        • Artificial Intelligence with some concerns regarding the need for policies to protect sensitive data.
        • Rural Development was another key topic with focus on housing.
        • Business Development – focus on connection between Health and Wealth
        • Addiction, Domestic Violence, Mental Health issues, etc.
        • Tribal Policy Intergovernmental Agency
        • Nation Center for Public Lands
      • Death Tax – discussions regarding potential repeal
      • Western Regional Meeting – forest, fuels, water, fire
      • Veterans Affairs
      • White House representatives – plans to restore “County Days”
        • Focused on Forest Management, Timber Harvest, Fuels Management, Water, Tribal Recognition
      • Jaime Green – joint visits to members of Congress. Hand delivered letters regarding PILT, SRS, etc.
    • Salyer Volunteer Fire Department has a new engine.
  • District 5 | Julia Brownfield
    • Department Head meetings
      • Solid Waste – addressed concerns regarding site in District 5
      • Building & Planning – discussed ways to streamline
      • Transportation – sharing ongoing concerns
      • Sheriffs Department – need for more presence in District 5
    • Post Mountain PUD meeting had to be rescheduled to due weather
    • Town Hall Meetings – hope to have others come to speak at these meetings

C.4. Reports from Ad Hocs – Homeless Encampment

  • Meeting on March 6th – update on progress.
  • Community Engagement plans under development
  • Ordinance Changes should be before the board soon.
  • Next meeting April 10th.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
  • The board pulled item D.1 for discussion
  • The board approved all other items on the Consent Calendar as presented.

D.1. Board of Supervisors – Appoint Ben Reed as District 5 Tourism Development Advisory Board Member to serve a 3-year term expiring March 2028. No fiscal impact.

  • Supervisor Leutwyler shared concerns about having to work through a third party to communicate with this individual inbetween meetings.
  • Support provided for this individual and the arrangements made for a third party to handle online communications.
  • The board approved this matter as presented
E. PUBLIC HEARING

E.1. Solid Waste – Conduct a public hearing to consider adopting a resolution which establishes a schedule of fees for waste disposal and provides for appropriate exemptions and credits for the 2025-2026 annual solid waste parcel fee billing. No impact to the General Fund. Estimated revenue of $940,000 to the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund.

  • Diane Rader | Director of Solid Waste
    • Parcel fee remains the same
    • Slight increase in other fees
  • The board approved the resolution as presented.

 

F. COUNTY MATTERS

F.1. Clerk of the Board – Select proposals for the 45-day public comment period pursuant to Title III Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. No fiscal impact.

  • CAO Trent Tuthill
    • Recommends the board submit all projects for review during the public comment period.
  • Public Comment
    • Shared concerns regarding audio quality online.
  • The board approved this matter as presented.

F.2. Human Resources – Take the following actions to change the Deputy Director of Behavioral Health – Clinical Services to Behavioral Health – Clinical Services Manager: Approve the classification title change; Approve the revised job description; Authorize the Director of Human Resources to update the classification title on the alphabetical listing of classifications, the  departmental allocation list and any other places it may be referenced; and Approve a side letter agreement with the Management and Confidential unit regarding this change. No fiscal impact.

  • CAO Trent Tuthill
    • This action is regarding a currently unfilled position
    • This reflects leaderships view of the appropriate level for this role as part of the newly combined agency.
  • The board approved this item as presented.
G. CLOSED SESSION

G.1. Government Code Section 54954.5(c) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation No. of Cases: 1 Ortiz v. County of Trinity (Trinity County Superior Court Case Number 2:21-cv-02248-JAM-DMC).

  • Direction given to staff.

G.2. Government Code Section 54954.5(e) – Threat to Public Services or Facilities Consultation with: Trinity County Sheriff

  • Direction given to staff.
ADJOURN