Board of Supervisors Meeting | 7.7.2026

by | Jul 31, 2026 | Get Involved, Stay Informed, Your Opinion Matters

Sharing Information | Encouraging Engagement

This board meeting included two presentations: a proclamation celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America, and an update from the U.S. Forest Service. Updates were provided by our CAO, our Community Development Director, and each member of the Board of Supervisors.

The board approved all items on the Consent Calendar with the exception of D.6, which was pulled for discussion and will return at the next meeting. A public hearing was held regarding unmet transit needs. Under County Matters, the board approved two items. The closed session included three items.

A. PRESENTATIONS

A.1. Board of Supervisors – Adopt a proclamation celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America. No fiscal impact.

  • The board approved this matter as presented.

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

  • Fire Updates – five fires due to lightning strikes. Proactive training prepared the team to address these quickly.
  • Fuels Management – 40 to 50 people working in this arena. 60 acres completed of a total area of 800 acres. Work will continue into next year. This is part of “emergency action” plans.
  • Road Resurfacing – some work planned later this year.
  • Resource Advisory Committee – 15 slots to fill, with only 3 filled. Will need a member of county staff or an elected official.
  • Trails – work underway in the Trinity Alps and in other areas as well.
B. PUBLIC COMMENT
  • Courthouse & Board Engagement – shared history of better opportunities to engage with the board.
  • Story – shared stories from youth. Participated in thousands of funerals for veterans. Requested information and was instructed on the best way to move forward.
  • Petition to Address the Board – requested an opportunity to address the board regarding election concerns.
  • Meaningful Participation – voiced a desire for opportunity to engage outside of public comment. Recommended release of drafts in advance of the agendas to allow public input.
  • Recognition – shared appreciation for elections staff who assisted them during their first time participating in a Trinity County election.
  • Trinity County Fair Website – shared concerns about the website, download issues, errors, etc. Noted that the date is incorrect. Volunteered to help with website development, content review, and more.
C. REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

C.1. Report from Department Heads

  • Drew Plebani | Community Development Director – updating the template for online reports to streamline the process. Volunteered to participate in the Resource Advisory Committee on behalf of the county.

C.2. Report from County Administrative Officer

  • State Budget – local impacts were minimized in the final budget.
  • Local Budget – the process is underway, with plans to release on September 8th.
  • Library – participated in a meeting focused on allocation of funds and related matters.
  • Employee Picnic – offered appreciation to all those who participated.
  • Salmon Fishing – started July 1st. Offered appreciation for the board’s efforts in this area.

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

  • District 1 | Ric Leutwyler
    • Behavioral Health Advisory Board – chaired this month’s meeting.
    • Trinity County Child Abuse Prevention Council – participated in this meeting.
    • Employee Appreciation Picnic – joined for a few hours and enjoyed the opportunity to help serve food to our amazing team. I applaud the department heads’ commitment to planning, funding, and staffing this event on behalf of their team members.
    • Tourism – participated in the Two Six Digital webinar focused on small business marketing, and joined the ad hoc committee for the Tourism Funding Quarterly Meeting.
    • NoRTEC – participated in both the Executive Committee meeting and the Hiring Committee meeting. We are searching for a new Executive Director.
    • Economic Summit Planning – joined the most recent virtual planning meeting. Two Trinity businesses may be highlighted in the summit.
  • District 2 | Jill Cox
    • Employee Picnic – participated and offered appreciation to the department heads.
    • RCRC – an online initiative is underway to support Fundraising Basket efforts. Local businesses are able to use an online form to submit their donations and to learn more about the program.
    • RCRC Photo Contest – encourages people to submit their entries.
    • Tourism Funding Committee – participated in the meeting and recognized the efforts and contributions of the Trinity County Chamber of Commerce.
    • Minersville Boat Ramp – NEPA is complete and other milestones have been reached. Finalized plans are expected this month, with contracting likely to happen next year. Funding needs to be obligated within the year. Permit requests are underway.
    • Forest Supervisor Quarterly Meeting – Rachel Birkey is still on special detail. The meeting will take place with the new interim representative.
  • District 3 | Liam Gogan
    • Humboldt County TMC Meeting
      • Hatchery – initial funding was $68.8 million; $125 million is now estimated to complete all the work. They are proceeding with work that can be completed with available funding.
      • Patrick Flynn – offered appreciation for his contributions.
    • Availability – noted that he is available for public engagement.
    • Salmon Fishing – shared details regarding guidelines.
  • District 4 | Heidi Carpenter-Harris
    • NACo RAC Meeting – working on policies for the annual conference.
    • DOT Transit – joined Supervisor Brownfield for this meeting. Acknowledged the diligence of this group in ensuring scheduling fits the needs of our residents.
    • NACo Public Lands – participated in the meeting, which focused on preparations for the annual conference.
    • Post Fire & Storm Funds – her proposed policy was adopted by NACo Transportation for presentation during the annual conference.
    • NACo Annual Conference – later this month.
    • RC&D – ongoing work with this group.
    • Fuels Reduction – applauds ongoing work in Trinity County and in District 4.
    • Bigfoot Day – participated in celebrations in Willow Creek.
  • District 5 | Julia Brownfield
    • Transit – met with the group that works with DOT regarding transit needs. Hoping for new services in District 5.
    • Local Parade – emceed the local parade in District 5.
    • Transportation – appreciation offered for all the great work done by the road crew in District 5.
    • Ruth Rodeo – July 31 to August 1.

C.4. Reports from Ad Hocs

• Tourism Funding

  • Joined Supervisor Cox, Drew Plebani, and Terri McBrayer for the first quarterly meeting with the Trinity County Chamber of Commerce. We received a comprehensive update that led to a unanimous decision to approve the release of funds for the next quarter. Feedback was provided regarding desired enhancements for the next quarterly meeting.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
  • Public Comment
    • D.6 – feels this is not routine and noted there is no map of the area. Noted the value of this to the public and shared that he feels this should have been shared with the public.
  • The board approved all items on the Consent Calendar other than D.6, as presented.

D.6. Community Development – Planning – Adopt a resolution which recommends census tract 06105000102 for designation as a qualified opportunity zone. Unknown fiscal impact.

  • Drew Plebani | Community Development Director
    • The Governor’s office recently notified the county (and others) of the opportunity to apply.
    • Shared information in the agenda backup materials.
    • Some conflicting information is available online.
    • Recommends that the board include all four qualifying tracts in the resolution.
  • Board Discussion
    • Discussed adding additional zones.
    • Noted that public engagement would be more appropriate if and when the tracts are approved.
    • Applying does not involve any commitments on the part of the county.
    • MOTION: Direct staff to bring this matter back to the next meeting to ensure we meet the July 25th deadline. Include staff’s recommendation to include other tracts, and a brief presentation.
    • The board approved this motion.
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS

E.1. Trinity County Transportation Commission – Conduct a public hearing to consider if there are any Unmet Transit Needs in Trinity County as required by the Transportation Development Act. No fiscal impact.

  • Public Comment – none
  • Board Discussion
    • Public Engagement – discussed the benefits of engaging the PIO early in this process (and similar processes) in the future, to generate greater awareness and to encourage greater participation.
F. COUNTY MATTERS

F.1. Community Development – Planning – Adopt a resolution which establishes guiding principles for use by the Planning Commission while reviewing Zoning Code updates. Unknown fiscal impact.

  • Drew Plebani | Community Development Director
    • Referenced the previous listening sessions and board meeting focused on decoupling of the Zoning Code and Map from the General Plan and EIR.
    • This item addresses board direction to staff during the last meeting, which approved decoupling and called for changes to the schedule and guidelines for the commission and board as this process continues.
    • Highlighted that work on the zoning code should be carried out in alignment with the General Plan and EIR. Zoning code changes that would be inconsistent with the General Plan and EIR should be brought to the board for consideration.
    • Table 2.2 – the recommendation to remove it from the General Plan is based on listening sessions and public engagement. This should minimize confusion.
  • Public Comment
    • Guiding Principles – appreciates the effort to produce this. Feels that this is an example of something that should be shared with the public for input. Suggests that this be accepted as a draft, shared with the public and commission, then reconsidered with the input gathered.
  • Board Discussion
    • The first motion was to approve as presented.
    • Supervisor Brownfield offered a motion to delay, allowing time for public engagement before approving.
    • Discussion focused on whether additional time was needed to review these guidelines.
    • Timing – noted that the next commission meeting takes place on July 9th, and that having this in place prior to that meeting is important.
  • The board approved this matter as presented.

F.2. Health and Human Services – Budget Adjustments – Approve a budget adjustment for FY 25/26 for Public Guardian – Dept 5105 increasing Intra-Fund Expenses by $8,500, and Interfund Expenses by $32,500; and approve a budget adjustment for FY 25/26 for General Fund Contingency – Dept 9901 decreasing Provisions for Contingency by $41,000. Increase in General Fund appropriations in the amount of $41,000; current Contingency balance is $535,425.

  • Liz Hamilton | Health & Human Services Agency Director
    • Shared that this will cover administrative costs only, and noted some complex cases that required extensive investment of time and resources.
  • Public Comment – none
  • The board approved this matter as presented.
G. CLOSED SESSION

G.1. Government Code Section 54956.95 – Liability Claim. Claimant: Crystal Green (Claim No. TIBZ-600133)

G.2. Government Code Section 54954.5(c) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation. No. of Cases: One. Ismail v. County of Trinity, et al. (Trinity County Superior Court Case No. 22CV010)

G.3. Government Code Section 54954.5(f) – Labor Negotiations. County’s Designated Representatives: Laila Cassis, Margaret Long and Suzie Hawkins. Employee Organizations: Health and Human Services Unit

ADJOURN

Sharing Information | Encouraging Engagement