Board of Supervisors Meeting | 8.6.2024

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This meeting included two presentations – one from representatives of the US Forest Service and another from Health & Human Services. The agenda also included a public hearing regarding solid waste fees.

PRESENTATION

A.1. Clerk of the Board – Receive an update from US Forest Service regarding matters that concern Trinity County. No fiscal impact.

  • Tara Jones, Sara Acridge, Ben Sundall
  • Organizational Update – changes being made regarding leadership within our region
    • Trinity Lake management will move from Sara to Tara… centralizing all US Forest Service natural assets under one unit/leader – effective May 1, 2025.
      • Existing projects will stay under Sara’s leadership during transition period
    • Staffing Update
      • Tim Richie will become local representative for Fire-related matters.
      • Archeologists – difficulty in recruiting
      • Fuels Crew – 8 of 10 positions staffed
      • 10 of 11 engines are now staffed – last year was 4 of 11
    • Temporary Assignment – Tara will be working outside of our region for a few months. Shared Stewardship will continue and evolve.
  • Project Updates provided.
    • Trinity Camps – forest health and fuels reduction
    • Highway 3 – 8.16 field trip with Trinity County Collaborative
    • Minersville – working to incorporate input in engineering and water board approval steps
    • Trinity Lake Trail at Stuart Fork – contract should be signed soon. NEPA is complete
  • Field Trips – several planned in the near future.
  • Good Neighbor Agreement – modifications underway to add $1.5 million for projects.
  • Project Implementation – described status of several projects that are now ready for implementation
  • Recreation Update – examples of enhancements and maintenance.
    • Climbing anchors removed from Natural Bridge
  • Fire Cameras – work continues to enhance coverage
  • Communications – responded to Trinity Journal article with description of efforts to enhance communications.
  • Local Area Advisors – offered gratitude for RCD and Fire Safe Council for establishing these roles.

A.2. Health and Human Services – Public Health – Receive a presentation from Health and Human Services Public Health Branch regarding the Trinity County Equity Strategic Plan. No fiscal impact.

  • Marcie Jo Cudzoil, Kirsten Ford, Cameron Asher Brown | Public Health
  • Equity Assessment – first step of the process
    •  …everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.”
  • Goals include establishing a framework for addressing a targeted set of health equity challenges.
  • Timeline – FY2024 through 2025
  • Plan Components are included in the presentation
    • Environmental Scan – assessment of health indicators, environmental strengths, opportunities, and weaknesses to determine priority areas of focus and strategies.
  • Priority Areas of Focus
    • Mobilizing Healthcare Unites to Reach Underserved Regions
    • Substance Use Disorder Prevention
  • Plan Strategies include coordinated outreach, developing resource guides, establishing critical partnerships, etc…
  • To learn more – www.trinity-equity.com.
  • Board Discussion
    • Supervisor Carpenter-Harris asked about ways in which we can help people understand the need for establishing their own primary care arrangements so they aren’t totally reliant on mobile outreach (that can be interrupted by things like fires, the pandemic, etc.)
    • Supervisor Gogan highlighted challenges in gaining access dental services
    • Supervisor Leutwyler suggested making the most of the contact that Volunteer Fire Departments and Trinity Life Support (ambulance services) have with people experiencing health challenges.
    • Supervisor Cox o
PUBLIC COMMENT
  • A Camp Host shared concerns about the lack of law enforcement resources in his area (Ruth Valley). Example given was that between the time calls were made for support and arrival of law enforcement (over 2 hours) several people were injured. Concerns with people speeding on Ruth Lake.
REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

C.1. Report from Department Heads – No reports

C.2. Report from County Administrative Officer

  • Department Hours – provided an update regarding public-facing departments which, due to staffing limitations, are not open during all the hours normally required by ordinance. The CAO approves all requests to adjust staffing levels.
  • Central Valley Project Reconsultation – update provided. Trinity River will be revisited in more detail (biological opinion) at a later time. BOR leadership is expected to present to the board during our 8.20 meeting
  • Flood Management Plan…. Update provide regarding response to finding. Response is due 9.1.2024
  • General Plan Update – initial public draft scheduled no later than 8.16.2024. Every parcel in the county now has a proposed zoning designation.

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

  • District 1 | Ric Leutwyler
    • NoRTEC – Facilitated the final session of the ad hoc committee that has focused on strategic planning. Our final step was to conduct a survey focused on board effectiveness.
    • Board Chair Effectiveness Survey – Working with CAO – Trent Tuthill and CSAC COO – Paul Danczyk on a survey of the board and selected staff regarding my performance as chair. My hope is that this will clarify expectations of the chair and a baseline from which I hope to improve.
    • SCED – Preparing for another round of strategic planning with the SCED Board of Directors. This will provide SCED with clarity and alignment regarding strategic priorities and measures of success.
    • Travel Policy – working with CAO Tuthill and Suzie Hawkins to draft a new policy to guide board travel decisions/funding allocations.
  • District 2 | Jill Cox
    • PSA2 – Advisory Council had a runoff for Chair position – Mike Cottone was elected to this role.
    • RCRC – attended meetings last week.
      • Baskets (including items from each county) are sold at these meeting to raise funds for nonprofits. This is a great opportunity to highlight Trinity County assets.
      • Research – there is an opportunity for people to provide input regarding ways in which we could expose policy makers to the unique needs of Trinity County during a site visit.
    • Homeowners Insurance | Building Industry Association – seeking our support in seeking an executive order to drive changes in insurance policies that will lead to greater availability of policies within Trinity County.
    • Communications – equipment to support radio broadcasts on Oregon Mountain need to be replaced. Request for people to consider donating funds to support this initiative.
  • District 3 | Liam Gogan
    • TTG Gap – focused on oral healthcare for children. Recent meeting focused on challenges and potential solutions
    • Zoning Ordinance Public Workshop – Hayfork meeting attendance was lower than in previous meetings. Encouraged input from all interested parties.
  • District 4 | Heidi Carpenter-Harris
    • Fire Fighting Appreciation – gratitude expressed for everyone involved in this field during this wildfire season.
    • Community Outreach – met with constituents regarding concerns.
      • Frontier Communications – It appears that Frontier Communications is abandoning their land lines.
    • NACO – watching the Farm Bill and Secure Rural Schools Act.
      • CAO Tuthill noted that we don’t have funding for attendance at the next meeting.
  • District 5 | Dan Frasier
    • North Coast Air Quality Board – appointments made to appeals board.
    • Colusa Glenn … reworking vision and mission statements

C.4. Reports from Ad Hocs

1. Tribal Relations

  • Working with tribal representatives to schedule presentations to the board
  • Land Stewardship Agreements – in development.
CONSENT CALENDAR
  • Item D7 was pulled for discussion and deliberation.
  • Item D15 was pulled from the consent calendar and will be brought back at a later time.
  • The board approved all remaining items as presented.

D.7. Community Development – Building – Approve a budget adjustment for FY 23/24 for Cannabis Equity Grant – Dept. 7239 increasing Revenues and Inter-fund Expenses by $453,183.

  • CAO Tuthill
    • Cannabis website has details regarding all aspects of this grant.
    • This is a reimbursement of funds expended in the program. Another 25% will be requested at the end of the next quarter.
  • Drew Plebani
    • $605,000 dispersed to date for fee waivers – 129 participants
    • Funds are dispensed in 25% increments
    • $2.8 million total – 18 month window for use of these funds
    • Will apply for another round of equity grant funds
    • There are additional uses of funds allowed by the grant. Some of these are planned.
  • The board approved this matter as presented.
PUBLIC HEARING

E.1. Solid Waste – Conduct a public hearing to receive any objections or protests to the 24/25 Delinquent List for Solid Waste Parcel Fees and adopt a resolution which confirms this list. No impact to the General Fund; any changes made to the report will impact the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund.

  • Diane Raider
    • The list included in the board materials were updated to reflect payments made since the list was published on Friday.
    • 20% to 25% is the normal range for delinquent fees
  • Public Comment
    • Request for payment options to be update to allow for online options
    • Individual requested an extension
  • The board approved the resolution with the supplemental payment list.
COUNTY MATTERS

F.1. Auditor/Controller – Approve a budget adjustment for FY 23/24 for Public Defender – Dept. 2170 increasing Services & Supplies by $15,230; and approve a budget adjustment for FY 23/24 for General Fund Contingency – Dept. 9901 Decreasing Provisions for Contingency by $15,230. Increase in General Fund appropriations in the amount of $15,230; current General Fund Contingency balance is $158,039.

  • Buck Simmons | Auditor Controllers Office
  • The board approved this matter as presented.

F.2. Clerk of the Board – Waive the County Fee Waiver Policy, find that the Golden Age Center roof replacement project provides a public benefit, and approve their application for waiver of County fees waiving Building Department fees in the amount of $1,200 and Trinity County Solid Waste Fees in the amount of $1,980, total $3,180. Potential loss in revenue in the amount of $3,180; $1,980 from Solid Waste and $1,200 from Building.

  • CAO Trent Tuthill
    • Recommends waiving 50% of fees. This is in line with how we have handled similar request this year.
  • Dave Albeiz – representing the board of the Golden Age Center. Running a $25,000 deficit in efforts to provide services. This is an all volunteer organization. No county funds are provided to the organization. Services include transporting individuals needing urgent health care. Also a community facility during heat/smoke emergencies. They are providing all the resources to make this happen. A $57,000 grant fell through at the state level… leaving the organization to address all the costs associated with this project.
  • Additional comments offered in support of the organization’s request. Noted that this organization saves the county funds by providing their services.
  • Board Discussion
    • PSA2 Funding – this organization has not applied for PSA2 funding – partially due to administrative workload associated with administration of program funding.
    • Question regarding the costs associated with the roof replacement project. Response – plan review, site visit, etc.
  • The board considered two motions – waive all fees, waive 50% of fees
  • The board approved staff’s recommendation to waive 50% of the fees.

F.3. Grand Jury – Approve a budget adjustment for FY 23/24 for Grand Jury – Dept. 2050 increasing Services and Supplies by $3,165; and approve a budget adjustment for FY 23/24 for General Fund Contingency – Dept. 9901 decreasing Provisions for Contingency by $3,165. Increase in General Fund appropriations in the amount of $3,165; the current General Fund Contingency balance is $142,809, if other requests are approved.

  • CAO Trent Tuthill – this is to cover costs from the last fiscal year. The board will be reviewing a recommendation to reduce the number of people on the Grand Jury to help keep costs in line with budget and available resources.
  • The board approved this matter as presented.

F.4. Human Resources – Adopt the Side Letter Agreement with the Trinity County General Unit adding the Peer Specialist position to the list of classifications eligible for Standby/On-Call Compensation effective July 1, 2024. No impact to the General Fund.

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

F.5. Human Resources – Take the following actions regarding the Legal Secretary III and the Legal Secretary, Senior Classifications effective July 1, 2024:

1. Approve a side letter agreement with the General Unit adding the classifications of Legal Secretary III and Legal Secretary Senior; and

2. Approve a side letter agreement with the Management and Confidential Unit removing the classifications of Legal Secretary III and Legal Secretary Senior; and

3. Revise the salary range for Legal Secretary III to G182 and Legal Secretary Senior to G192.

No fiscal impact, both classifications are currently vacant.

  • Laila Cassis | Human Resources Director
    • Moving this position to the correct category
  • The board approved this matter as presented.

F.6. Information Technology – Authorize the reallocation of ARP (American Rescue Plan) Funds to cover the implementation and first year costs associated with converting the County’s Website to a new platform hosted by CivicPlus; and authorize the County Administrative Officer to sign any necessary contracts associated with this change. No impact to the General Fund.

  • Michael Singleton | CIO
    • Funds were already allocated to the IT Department. Plans for the website were expanded to address website-related issues.
  • The board approved this matter as presented.
PREVIOUS CLOSED SESSION REPORT

F.1. Government Code Section 54954.5(c) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation No of Cases: two

• Claim TRI24-0009; Inmate Swain; incident at jail. – No Action Taken.

• Claim TRI23-0017; Inmate Lewandowski, incident at jail. – Direction to staff

CLOSED SESSION

G.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 given to staff
ADJOURN

 

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