Board of Supervisors Meeting | 3.4.2025

by | Mar 10, 2025 | Economic Development, Get Involved, Stay Informed, Trinity Resources, Your Opinion Matters

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This board meeting included two presentations. The first was to proclaim March as Social Work Appreciation Month. The second presentation was an update from the U.S. Forest Service. Two items were pulled from the Consent Calendar for board discussion. All matters presented on the agenda were approved by the board.

A. PRESENTATIONS

A.1. Health and Human Services – CWS – Adopt a proclamation recognizing March 2025 as Social Work Appreciation Month. No fiscal impact

  • Presentation by staff – Amy Scribner and Angela Birkland… focused on the services provided by staff and the impact it has within our communities.
    • 190 child abuse reports last year
    • Team members drove over 30,000 miles last year to reach the people they serve
    • Four major programs under Adult Services
    • 229 reports regarding adults last year
    • Case load of 245 cases
    • 17 clients are currently in a conserved status
  • The board approved this proclamation as presented.
  • The proclamation was presented to members of staff.

 

A.2. County Administrative Office – Receive an update from U.S. Forest Service representatives regarding matters of interest in Trinity County. No fiscal impact.

  • Ben Sundall | Deputy District Ranger
    • Federal Funding – Referenced changes coming via federal administration. No details available at this time, the teams remained focused on their core duties and responsibilities
      • 2,000 employees cut within the U.S. Forest Service… some impact on Shasta/Trinity
      • Frozen Funds – some movement in this area but still awaiting clarity.
    • Staffing – Expect to fully staff firefighting crews
    • Planning efforts continue on projects representing 18,000 acres of forest health and fuels management
    • Minersville Boat Ramp – now at 60%. Asking engineers to look for additional parking options. This appears to be the same status as last year.
    • Trinity Lake Recreation – will transfer to Tara and the team by end of May
    • Fuel Burns – 1,200 acres year-to-date, more to come. Active burns today.
    • Youth Programs – working with Jamie Green on opportunities to engage youth in forest-based programs.
    • Recreation – lining up annual trips for fieldwork.

 

B. PUBLIC COMMENT
  • ADA – Comments regarding the ADA requirements mentioned in the agenda. Asked that agendas be posted earlier so that people have time to provide the three day notice referenced in the posted agenda.
  • Forest Matters & Funding – Trinity County RCD is 100% grant funded. Federal funding freezes and reductions are impacting the organization and work on our forests. Still waiting on updates regarding millions of dollars – $45 million at risk across organizations who support our communities.
  • Cellular Tower – shared that the Trinity County Water Board recently approved a cellular tower for Verizon services in Hayfork. Shared concern with the manner in which this can impact health & safety – in water and in humans.
  • Weaverville Blight – shared concerns about the blight seen as you come into town from the East. Wondered why the county is not taking more enforcement action. Referred to another county’s ordinances that address matters like these. Called for the board to take action on our own ordinances.

 

C. REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

C.1. Report from Department Heads

  • Sheriff Saxon:
    • Training – participated in training with other members of staff – including the District Attorney’s office. This is a 5 county partnership
    • Grant Funded Nonprofit – focused on protecting humans and the environment, with special focus on Human Trafficking.
    • Sheriffs’ Meeting – 48 of 58 counties represented. FBI, Homeland Security and others also participate in these meetings. Some time focused on Artificial Intelligence.
    • Staffing & Office Hours
      • Several senior members of staff accepted the “golden handshake” offer and retired on 2.28.2025. These departures on top of other staffing challenges resulted in the need for a reduction in office hours and the need for some services to be provided by appointment only.
      • Continue efforts to recruit, test, and train new staff.
      • Three recent resignations within Jail staff.
      • Some discussion regarding impact of previously funded “retention bonuses.” Sheriff Saxon felt it had a positive impact at the time.
      • Sheriff Saxon indicated that he feels something has to be done to prevent further resignations – referencing people having to do work they were not hired to do.

 

C.2. Report from County Administrative Officer

  • Departmental Updates – Acknowledged written reports from Department Heads
  • Accela – received a presentation regarding this platform that can streamline and enhance service delivery. May bring this back to the board after additional research is conducted.
    • The Cannabis and Tax version of this platform was already purchased and will go live in March
  • Broadband – last mile funding is available to Trinity County. We are researching options. Working with Golden State Connect and arranging a board presentation.
  • Home key Plus – working on an application and have identified a potential partner. Will bring more information to the board.
  • River Releases – inflows to Trinity Lake are still higher than releases and safety of dam releases continue for the foreseeable future.
    • March forecast due next week – will provide more information regarding the volume of water that will be released for river restoration this year.
  • Heidi McHugh (Assemblymember Roger’s representative) will present to the board during the March 18th meeting. We will coordinate a public gathering while she is in town.

 

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

  • District 1 | Ric Leutwyler
    • Behavioral Health Advisory Board Meeting – Appointed Liz Hamilton as the Mental Health Director and AOD Administrator – pending approval by DHCS.
    • Amity – met with representatives. This is an organization that an organization that helps people facing marginalization due to a variety of factors, including poverty, incarceration, and addiction. They work with local jurisdictions to obtain funding via grants. Additional information will be shared with staff when received.
    • SCED Board Meeting – established an ad hoc committee to finalize strategic plan for board approval. Meeting held in Redding. SCED is our regional economic development organization.
    • Grand Jury Report – worked with staff to prepare board response.
    • NoRTEC Board Meeting – addressed RFP responses from service providers that will support workforce development efforts for the next four years. NoRTEC is our regional workforce development organization.
    • Tourism Development Advisory Board Meeting – first meeting of the board. I was appointed as Secretary. The Advisory Board approved the Civitas proposal. Next meeting scheduled for Monday, March 10th from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. Unless conflicts impact our plans, we will meet every other Monday at this time.
    • TCDC Grant Application – submitted an application for USDA Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) funding for the Weaverville Forward: A Business Plan for Downtown Revitalization project to help revitalize Trinity County’s largest community.
  • District 2 | Jill Cox
    • No out of county travel
    • First Five Commission Meeting
    • LAFCO – will serve as Chair of this board for 2025
    • NorCal EMS – on our consent calendar today
    • RCRC – public sector recruitment and retention ad hoc being established. She will serve as Vice Chair
    • Trinity County PUD – bill to extend marine rights permanently failed but one to extend through 2029 was successful.
    • CPUC – public forums regarding Carrier of Last Resort. These are meetings focused on the responsibilities of the entity designated as COLR to ensure coverage for all members of the public. Offered to help individuals who would like to participate.

 

  • District 3 | Liam Gogan
    • LAFCO Meeting – took place after our March 4th board meeting.
    • Trinity Management Council – 2 hour call last week with much of the focus on funding uncertainty.
      • May be following up on informal (TMC) ad hoc committee to represent the community.
      • Hatchery – $80 million funding is now uncertain.
    • River Matters – participated in a meeting focused on the 50,000 acre feet of water that might be able to be monetized
    • Town Hall Meeting in May in Hayfork
    • Weaverville Girls Basketball – our team is playing in district championships
  • District 4 | Heidi Carpenter-Harris
    • Absent due to participation in NACO Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
  • District 5 | Julia Brownfield
    • Transportation – working with staff on road crew personnel to support the district.
    • Ag Commission – met with Commissioner regarding agriculture options for this district
    • Assessor – discussed concerns for the area due to fire-impacted properties.
    • New Supervisor Training – participated in another session in Sacramento
    • Town Hall Meetings – continue with these meetings

C.4. Reports from Ad Hocs

• Homeless Encampment

  • CAO | Trent Tuthill presented an update
    • Included images showing progress with vegetation management on county properties. The teams working on this were pulled off for another assignment but will be back to the Lance Gulch Bridge area next week.
    • Sheriff Deputies joined others to remove over one ton of trash from these areas
    • Next meeting March 6th, 1:30 PM –  will include review of draft ordinance.

 

D. CONSENT CALENDAR

Public Comment

    • Shared concerns that work done with the funding represented in item D16 Sheriff could further strain the department. Shared concerns about guardrails put in place to avoid problems we experienced in the past.
    • Comment that TASA obtained the grant funding reflected in item D.14. Asked that the funds they raised by carried over to next year vs being utilized for other purposes. Total of $70,000 contributed by TASA this year. TASA continues to pay for spay and neutering program. Working on two more grants – in part to support building renovations.
      • D.14. Sheriff – Approve a budget adjustment for FY 24/25 for Animal Control Dept. 2284 increasing Revenues by $18,000, Salaries & Benefits by $4,000 and Service & Supplies by $14,000. Increase in Sheriff General Fund appropriations in the amount of $18,000; current cash balance for Sheriff General Fund – Fund 110 is – $1,857,740.52.
  • D13 & D16 were pulled for discussion
  • The board approved all other items on the consent calendar as presented.

D.13. Human Resources – Approve the departmental allocation listing effective March 4, 2025. No fiscal impact.

    • CAO Tuthill – added on Branch Director to the listing (increasing from 2 to 3).
    • The board approved this matter as modified by CAO Tuthill.

D.16. Sheriff – Ratify the Sheriff’s signature on an agreement with the US Department of Justice to provide $75,000 in funding for investigation and eradication of cannabis. Revenue in the amount of $75,000 to the Sheriff’s Office.

    • Sheriff Saxon explained the program, funding process, etc. Work done with this funding is done with over time hours – so does not pull team members away from their normal duties and general funds.
    • The board approved this matter as presented.

 

E. PUBLIC HEARINGS

E.1. County Administrative Office – Conduct a public hearing to discuss the completion of the following Community Development Block Grant projects and authorize County Administrative Officer Trent Tuthill or Senior Financial Analyst Suzie Hawkins to sign any documents necessary to complete the closeout process.

• Trinity County Food Assistance Program – Grant Award Number 20-CDBG-12020

• Hayfork Park Upgrades – Grant Award Number 20-CDBG-PI-12012

• North Fork Grange ADA Bathroom Upgrade – Grant Award Number 20-CDBG-PI-12014

• ADA Accessibility Upgrades – Grant Award Number 21-CDBG-PI-00038

No fiscal impact.

  • Suzie Hawkins presented information regarding this matter
    • All of the programs mentioned above have been completed.
    • This is the final step required to close out this particular grant.
  • Public Comment
    • North Fork Grange representative shared appreciation for support through this initiative. The ADA-compliant restroom is an important enhancement that would have not easily been funded by the organization.
  • The board approved this matter as presented

 

F. COUNTY MATTERS

F.1. Board of Supervisors – Approve the Board of Supervisors’ response to the Grand Jury Report: 2024 Trinity County Grand Jury Report – Deaths at the Trinity County Correctional Facility. No fiscal impact.

  • The board approved this matter as presented.

 

F.2. Health and Human Services – Office of Emergency Services – Accept donation of 22 kw Generac generator and 200A transfer switch from The Trinity Center Community Services District (TCCSD) to be used at the IOOF Hall in Trinity Center, CA. No impact to the general fund; installation costs will be paid for by OES, contingent upon state and federal project modification approval.

  • Liz Hamilton provided an explanation regarding this process for accepting a donation for equipment that will be used in a county building.
  • Public Comment
    • Trinity Center Community Services District representative provided background regarding this matter.
      • Shared examples of residents having to sleep in cars to stay warm during past power outages.
      • Worked with local organizations and staff to obtain funding for the equipment and installation.
      • Clarified that the North Trinity Lake Community Association will be responsible for ongoing maintenance. This is the same group that maintains the (county owned) building.
  • The board approved this matter as presented

 

F.3. County Administrative Office – Appoint a Board Chair and a Vice-Chair for the Tourism Development Advisory Board for the calendar year 2025. No fiscal impact.

  • CAO Tuthill presented this matter.
    • Staff recommendation to appoint Ric Leutwyler as Chair and Ryan Crockett as Vice Chair.
    • Board discussion regarding potential conflict of Ric Leutwyler being both Chair and Secretary. No prohibition found. The advisory board may have another discussion regarding the Secretary position.
    • The board appointed Ric Leutwyler as Chair and Ryan Crockett as Vice Chair of the Trinity County Tourism Development Advisory Board.

F.4. County Administrative Office – Take the following actions to create a Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and transition Behavioral Health Services to HHSA effective March 1, 2025:

1. Approve the job description, set the salary range, add to the alphabetical listing of classifications, and allocate to Health and Human Services – Director of Health and Human Services Agency at Range D110;

2. Pursuant to County Code 2.60.360 reclassify Employee ID 01728 from a Director of Health and Human Services to a Director of Health and Human Services Agency at range D110 step E;

3. Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code 5607, appoint Elizabeth Hamilton as the Local Director of Mental Health Services;

4. Pursuant to Department of Health Care Services Program Certifications Section 13005, appoint Elizabeth Hamilton as the Alcohol and Other Drug Program Administrator.

5. `Adopt a resolution designating the Director of Health and Human Services Agency as the Director of Emergency Services.

Approximate cost in salary and benefits for a Director of Health and Human Services Agency at A step is $19,115 and at E step is $ 22,980.

  • CAO Tuthill – presented this matter
    • The board previously discussed moving in this direction
    • This process formalizes the restructuring and appointments previously discussed.
    • The transition to an integrated agency vs. separate departments is one that other counties have made. The goal is to provide a more streamlined, cohesive, efficient, and effective delivery of services.
  • Public Comment
    • Question asked and answered regarding salary data presented.
  • The board approved this motion as presented

 

Closed Session Report
  • Direction was given to staff on the single closed session item on our last agenda.

 

ADJOURN

 

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