Sharing Information | Encouraging Engagement
This board meeting was a full one. It opened with five presentations — updates from the U.S. Forest Service and Trinity River Lumber, a look at the proposed “Weaver Forward” project, a proclamation recognizing Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, and a first look at the county’s new recruitment videos.
We held an extended public comment period focused on bringing electricity to the Post Mountain community. Updates followed from our department heads, our CAO, and each Board of Supervisors member. The board approved all items on the Consent Calendar and, under County Matters, took up a resolution on state separation, its response to the Grand Jury’s code-enforcement report, and how to put our Prohousing Incentive Program funds to work.
A. PRESENTATIONS
A.1. Clerk of the Board – Receive an update from U.S. Forest Service representatives regarding matters of interest in Trinity County. No fiscal impact.
- Fuels reduction continues, with the peak emergency area now a little over half complete. The Hyampom project has been awarded — a 193-acre manual fuels reduction, with a handline placed around the unit ahead of future pile burning.
- Trails – the crew on the trail to Sugar Pine Lake will wrap up its field season by the end of the month, and volunteer groups have been maintaining trails in the Trinity Alps Wilderness.
- Fire – staffing is in place locally while other personnel support fires in the Pacific Northwest. Several small fires this season were each caught at around an acre. Forest Service crews plan to take part in the September 11th remembrance.
- NEPA projects – work continues, with estimated completion dates provided for the North Trinity County, Big Ranch, Junction City, Divide Lake fuel break, Wildlife Forest Resilience, and Weaverville fuel break projects. The Lemonade timber sale has been advertised.
- North Lake/campground tree-marking – the District Ranger will follow up in person with residents who raised concerns, walking the site to explain the thinning and the goal of maintaining a healthy forest.
A.2. Board of Supervisors – Receive a presentation from Trinity River Lumber on the current state of timber operations in Trinity County. No fiscal impact.
Dee Sanders, Vice President, presented.
- Trinity River Lumber operates as part of the Schmidbauer family of sawmills, with facilities, log yards, and a biomass power plant across the North State; logs and lumber move in and out of Trinity County constantly.
- The mill processes roughly 80 million board feet a year, with only a small share of it sourced within Trinity County. Log markets have been competitive, but lumber demand is currently soft and expected to stay that way through the fall, which is why the mill builds large log decks to keep running and keep crews working through winter.
- Rising transportation costs and poor road conditions remain real challenges. Mr. Sanders noted the significance of Mr. Schmidbauer’s decision to rebuild the mill after the 2009 fire — a generous, lasting commitment to a county that lives inside a forest and needs to manage it.
- Board support – he asked the board to write a letter to the U.S. Forest Service Chief supporting the more aggressive, well-aligned forest-management work now underway across the region and encouraging continued investment. The board expressed support for sending that letter.
A.3. Trinity County Transportation Commission – Receive a presentation from the Watershed Research and Training Center regarding the proposed “Weaver Forward” project and a potential FY 2027/28 Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant application. No fiscal impact.
Josh Smith, Program Director at the Watershed Research and Training Center, presented.
- Weaver Forward is still in the conceptual stage — an idea to reimagine the streams, trails, and walkways through the center of Weaverville, coordinating several projects already underway by different groups so they work together rather than in isolation.
- The concept links instream restoration (coho salmon live in Weaver Creek), reduced flooding, and safe walkways and bikeways, with potential economic-development benefits. At least eight partners are engaged, including the Yurok Tribe and Caltrans.
- The grant proposal is due October 9th. Because a nonprofit cannot apply directly, the county would need to be the lead applicant, with the Watershed Center and partners doing most of the work and providing the match—leaving a small administrative burden for the county.
- Board direction to staff is to prepare this matter for a future Transportation Commission agenda.
A.4. Health and Human Services – Behavioral Health Services – Adopt a proclamation recognizing September 2026 as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. No fiscal impact.
Brian Marshall-Weeks, Health Services Branch Director, presented.
- Rural counties carry unique risk factors — geographic isolation, long distances to care, provider shortages, higher stigma — that can contribute to higher suicide rates. The key message: suicide is preventable, and timely support saves lives.
- Warning signs include talking about suicide or having no reason to live, expressing hopelessness or feeling like a burden, withdrawing from friends and activities, increased alcohol or drug use, and extreme changes in mood or sleep.
- Resources: the Trinity County Behavioral Health 24/7 crisis line at (530) 623-5708; the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text); and the Trevor Project’s LGBTQ-focused line at (866) 488-7386.
- The board expressed appreciation to the eight members of the Behavioral Health Crisis Team who provide this around-the-clock service.
The board approved this matter as presented.
A.5. County Administrative Office – Receive a presentation on the Recruitment Video project. No fiscal impact.
CAO Trent Tuthill presented.
- The board viewed a countywide recruitment video, one of a set that also includes department-specific videos (Sheriff’s Office, Probation, Health and Human Services, and more) and roughly 30-second vignettes for social media and other platforms.
- The county fully owns all content, which other organizations may use, and the videos now appear on the county’s website home page.
- The county offered appreciation to the many staff members who shared their stories on camera. These videos are expected to strengthen the county’s recruiting for its many open positions.
B. PUBLIC COMMENT
- Post Mountain community electricity – most public comment came from Post Mountain residents and supporters urging the county to help bring electricity to their community. Speakers noted that roughly 400 residents would benefit; that the requirement to rely on alternative power sources raises real costs, quality-of-life burdens, and even wildfire risk; and that the community contributes a meaningful share of the county’s building permits, cannabis-cultivation permits, and property taxes. Several urged the county to act quickly to meet an end-of-September grant deadline for funding up to $5 million (the project itself was estimated at $1–2 million), and some expressed frustration with how the matter has been handled to date.
- Economic development – a commenter thanked the county for its letter of support for a cannabis legacy-genetics initiative, mentioned another grant-eligible project that could support the industry, and shared disappointment that this year’s Fall Harvest event was canceled, noting how far Trinity County’s early leadership in this area had spread.
- Board response and direction – the Chair reaffirmed that the county supports both this community and the goal of bringing electricity to it, and that her standing invitation to meet with the Post Mountain PUD remains open. The CAO confirmed the county can serve as a lead applicant but must do so in partnership with the PUD, and reaffirmed his support for electrification. The board directed staff to move forward with a meeting between the county and the Post Mountain PUD before scheduling a meeting for public consideration of the matter.
C. REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
C.1. Report from Department Heads
- Sheriff Saxon
- Flock cameras (automated license plate readers) – four cameras are in use on Highway 299, with three more planned for Highway 36. Data is retained for 30 days. Since implementation, 50 searches have been conducted, and the system has identified 132 vehicles of interest from outside Trinity County and helped recover stolen property. The Sheriff emphasized the value of speed in such a geographically large county, and described the protocols in place to prevent misuse: no federal or out-of-state agency access to our data, searches tied to investigations, trained personnel, and monthly logging and audits. One audit found a single instance where the case number was not entered on time, due to a technical issue.
- Association meetings – out-of-county meetings covered issues shared across counties, including a sharp rise in AI-related cases, narco-terrorism, and ways law-enforcement agencies can collaborate and share resources.
- Emergency communications – additional parts continue to arrive and be installed, with positive feedback at the recent Fire Chiefs Association meeting.
- Staffing – recruiting, screening, and testing continue.
- Volunteer fire departments – offered appreciation for their strong, rapid, and effective response to this season’s fires.
C.2. Report from County Administrative Officer
- EIR – comments have been received, and responses are being drafted, with no schedule changes at this time.
- Weaver Creek Restoration – this project is nearing completion.
- District Attorney’s Office – an update was provided on temporary coverage for the District Attorney while he is out.
- 9/11 Remembrance Event – set for 9:00 AM.
- Post Mountain – the CAO responded to accusations raised during public comment and restated his support for electrification.
C.3. Reports from Members of the Board of Supervisors
- District 1 | Ric Leutwyler
- NoRTEC – attended the board meeting in Chico.
- CSAC – participated in the board meeting virtually.
- Sierra Nevada Conservancy – took part in a sub-region meeting and will attend the board meeting in June Lake this week.
- Artificial Intelligence – continued collaboration with staff.
- County Fair – the community meeting I was scheduled to facilitate has been rescheduled to a date that conflicts with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy board meeting; I hope people throughout the county will take part.
- Women Entrepreneurs of Trinity County – we now have over 135 women nominated, and the directory has drawn 3,897 page views from 1,340 unique visitors. The initiative was highlighted at the Fall Economic Summit in Humboldt.
- Tourism Funding – the preliminary budget again allots $70,000 for potential distribution to tourism-focused entities; the committee needs to decide how to move forward so we can communicate with potential recipients.
- District 2 | Jill Cox
- RCRC – attended the out-of-county board meeting, where policy positions were discussed; Eric Weismann’s photo placed second in the RCRC competition.
- SB 254 – the county sent a letter of opposition and provided relevant data; the bill has since been modified into SB 492, in a form the county supports.
- Weaver Creek Restoration – continued participation.
- Fire Safe Council – recognized Gina Moon for her work.
- 9/11 Remembrance – continued work to plan and organize the event.
- District 3 | Liam Gogan
- TMC – participated in meetings on salmon-focused studies.
- County Fair – the community meeting is now set for September 3rd at 6:30 PM in the Dining Hall.
- Hayfork bridge – the pedestrian bridge that recently caught fire is not county property; he will work with the community to find solutions.
- No out-of-county travel.
- District 4 | Heidi Carpenter-Harris
- Fuels reduction work continues in District 4.
- NACo Public Lands – her role representing Trinity County will continue and pass along to whoever takes on the primary role going forward.
- River matters – with four lives lost on the river this year, she addressed community concern about recent increases in flows; the releases were intended to keep downriver water temperatures at safe, healthy levels and to manage water quality.
- District 5 | Julia Brownfield
- Watershed flyover – observed debris from fires that has entered waterways in her district.
- Ruth Festival – this week’s HTRA event featured 37 vendors and plenty of music.
- Town hall – Drew Plebani attended in person to address residents’ questions.
C.4. Reports from Ad Hocs
- Tourism Funding – awaiting the last quarter of the calendar year; I remain hopeful that lodging business owners will embrace this opportunity to generate roughly $200,000 to support tourism here in Trinity County.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
The board approved all items on the Consent Calendar as presented. These included adopting the 2026/27 secured tax rates; letters of support for the Humboldt Trinity Recreation Alliance’s Resilience Center project and the North Fork Grange’s Resilience Center grant application; approval of the August 18th meeting minutes; agreements with Silver Top Tree Services and Watkins Tree Services for tree work countywide; an MOU with Partnership HealthPlan of California for WIC services; an extension of the Kings View telepsychiatry agreement; replacement of jail window glazing; and an on-call construction services agreement funded through FEMA, CDAA, and related transportation programs.
E. COUNTY MATTERS
E.1. Board of Supervisors – Adopt a resolution supporting Assembly Joint Resolution 23 regarding the formation of a new state. No fiscal impact.
- Supervisor Cox brought the resolution forward not because it will create a new state, but because it helps demonstrate the need for change. A resident recalled that Trinity County voted in favor of a similar effort (the State of Jefferson) in December 1941 and offered support.
- Board discussion – a second, more measured motion was offered, agreeing that rural and inland California suffer from inadequate representation and supporting serious examination of structural reforms, but calling for further analysis of the fiscal and service-delivery consequences before endorsing state separation. That motion failed, with several supervisors concerned it would dilute the message.
The board approved the original motion as presented.
E.2. Board of Supervisors – Approve the Board’s response to the 2025 Trinity County Grand Jury Report: Code Enforcement Crackdown. No fiscal impact.
- Supervisor Brownfield conducted interviews with key stakeholders and agreed there is a lack of communication and coordination, and with the recommendation against deputizing others.
- Board discussion focused on how reported violations are routed among departments, and how a person filing a complaint learns which department is responsible. Staff acknowledged the concerns and noted they are researching ways to get more out of existing systems — and potentially new technology — to improve the process. Staff also flagged that some findings referenced the wrong code or misnamed the responsible department.
The board approved this matter as presented.
E.3. Community Development – Planning – Receive a presentation and discuss the use of Prohousing Incentive Program (PIP) funds. No fiscal impact.
Drew Plebani, Community Development Director, presented.
- The county’s Prohousing designation made it possible to apply for special funding, and the Governor recently approved a $650,000 allocation in PIP funds. The county now needs to submit a plan to the state that reflects its priorities and estimated costs, with nearly all of our Housing Element objectives currently unfunded and no guarantee of funding in future years.
- Staff recommendations included pre-approved ADU and single-family building plans (including a list of qualifying pre-fab models); addressing displacement through preparation (tied to Fire Safe Council programs) and through preservation (refurbishing and remodeling); reopening the housing rehabilitation program, beginning with a conditions study; addressing infrastructure constraints such as water capacity and quality; and developing a place-based framework, with a timeline that leaves room for budget adjustments.
- Public comment was supportive, highlighting the impact of housing rehabilitation, home hardening, water infrastructure, fuel management, and low-income and transitional housing, and the need for someone to lead efforts to pursue complementary grants.
- The county needs to provide HUD a budget totaling $650,000 by around September 10th.
F. CLOSED SESSION
F.1. Real property negotiations regarding 1450 Main Street (Government Code Section 54954.5(b)).
F.2. Public employee evaluation – County Counsel (Government Code Section 54954.5(e)).
F.3. Labor negotiations – Probation Peace Officers Unit (Government Code Section 54954.5(f)).
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