COBB AREA COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING
Thursday April 19, 2018 DRAFT MINUTES
New Location this week only
Cobb Elementary School – 15895 Hwy 175
PRESENT: Cindy Leonard, Jessica Pyska, Eliot Hurwitz (Chair), Ron Haskett, Gary Prather
38 people in attendance
• CALL TO ORDER 6:06 (shut down cell phones; rules of participation)
New agenda slightly changed to switch slots and add Denise Rushing’s item.
Welcome to new attendees
2. SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS
John Carlisi- get together at Pub tonight to discuss the video editing from last Saturday
Glenneth May 2nd his neighborhood group will be meeting at the Little Red Schoolhouse.
3. TREASURER’S REPORT Gary reports after donations were deposited for the Cobb Safe event, checking account balance is $3,803.32. Cindy submitted $602.00 reimbursement for lunch expenses.
4. Karl Parker’s report on Hoberg’s Since last CAC Meeting March 15:
• March 21 meeting @ Hobergs: Glenneth Lambert & Karl Parker met with Scott Skellenger and Dan Nelson, together with new Director of Environmental Health, Jasjit Kang and Environmental Specialist James Scott.
• Reviewed the current status of the project, plans for completion of work required by the March 2016 abatement order, and future plans for development of the site.
• Toured the property.
• March 27 – BOS meeting
• At the request of the Abatement Monitoring Committee, Supervisor Rob Brown requested an update on the status of the project. The bulk of the report was given by the Director of Environmental Health. Supervisors were assured that toxic materials and asbestos have been removed from the site, as certified by former Director Ray Ruminski.
• Report from Scott Skellenger 4/18/18:
• The main focus over the winter has been on erosion control and management of water runoff. Progress on the site has been impeded by rain. In addition, Hobergs management had been waiting to see if additional labor would become available through another California Human Development Recovery Grant. However, it has now been established that this resource will not be available.
• That being the case Hobergs management plans to complete the project with their own employees. They plan to be done by the end of July.
• It appears the weather is improving and soon the ground will be firm enough to resume work with heavy equipment. Some wood processing has been done through the winter, but will resume in earnest as things dry out.
• Although work on site has been slow through the winter months, a lot of work on the project has been going on behind the scenes. They have been working with their architect, engineers, and consultants on the next round of design evolution. They plan to present progress drawings and an application submission timeline when we address the Cobb Area Council in May.
• Introduce Jasjit Kang, Director, Environmental Health Department and James Scott
DISCUSSION
John Carlisi- what is the general timeline? Karl: New projection of completion of clean-up is by July. James Scott: presentation of proposal will go for Community Development. Many agencies will need to review the proposal before they begin construction.
The Hoberg’s group will attend the May CAC meeting to give a more detailed presentation.
4. County Administrator Carol Huchingson presentation on: Reimagining Lake County: Ten Years, Ten Key Priorities (http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm)
After the 5 Visioning Forum meetings, the community input was collected and they created a priority list, in summary:
• local development
• marketing
• grant writing
• robust volunteer program development
• more community collaboration
• strengthen county workforce (25% job vacancy)
• tap cannabis for income
• Disaster preparedness
• delinquent tax collection….sales tax measure on ballot?
Since April we now have a grant writer being trained by Karen McDougall.
In May they will ask the BOS for guidance in prioritizing grants
Volunteers are being utilized more. Interns are being utilized in the county offices
Tourism Improvement District (TID) is planned. Also planning to collect hotel (TOT) taxes that are not being collected in Lake County.
Another round of Visioning Forums to promote what industry we want to bring to Lake County.
Cannabis cultivation ordinance is now in effect. Each cultivator is issued a permit.
10 year plan for Lake County has been created by the BOS. Ten Key Priorities for our county to work together.
Carol recognizes that the County does not have funds, so if we don’t generate some money then the staff that is funded by the General Fund then many of those jobs will be eliminated.
Lake County lost 5% of their housing stock, compared to 3% lost in the recent Sonoma County fires.
New sales tax measure is on the June ballot to help us increase Lake County funding.
5. Jeff Lucas: New funding program for single family homes
-After living here for many years, he now observes an administrator that is doing positive things and he thinks Carol is doing a wonderful job
-The Board has committed much money for the Cobb Water Consolidation
-The USDA sees we have a big need, so they are spending more time and resources in Lake County. For low to moderate income families there are 30 year loans at 1% interest. Call Jeff directly: office: 707-279-1540, cell: 707-489-4943.(you can text him) Income guidelines: under $47,900 annual income for family up to 4 people Other loan guarantees available for households with income of $78,000 USDA 502 program. May 25th will be the first housing fair at Beckstoffer targeting hispanic farm workers. The second one will be in June or July here in Cobb.
6. Ben Murphy, Cobb Water District: Update on Rainbow Bridge Project –
-Eight months ago Jeff Lucas approached him to let him know there is grant money available. Part of the money that Ben and Robert Stark applied for will go to the Rainbow Bridge, if the water line goes under the bridge.
Ben has committed to going forward with reconstruction of the 80 ton bridge, but he does not want to have the responsibility of bridge maintenance. There is half a million dollars available for the bridge that we do not want to lose.
Ben is hoping that someone will step forward to form the assessment district. If we can get all our ducks in a row, the bridge project will be going out for bid in Spring 2019.
(At the end of the meeting a list of names of people who are willing to work on the creation of an assessment district was created and Robert Stark took the list to give to Ben)
7. Cobb Area Council Board Procedure:
Eliot wants to have our election at the fourth Thursday of June. A vote was taken and all approved to move the Cobb Area Council meeting for the month of June from June 21 to June 28.
Barbara has moved to Kelseyville so Ron will take Barbara’s spot. Magdalena moves that Ron takes Barbara’s spot now, all in favor. Jessica nominates Cathy McCarthy as alternate. All in favor.