Author: admin_cac

Draft Meeting Minutes- January 16, 2020
COBB AREA COUNCIL
PUBLIC MEETING
Thursday January 16, 2020
Little Red Schoolhouse/Cobb Mountain Lions Club
15780 Bottle Rock Rd., Cobb, CA 95426
Draft Meeting Minutes by Cindy Leonard
• CALL TO ORDER (shut down cell phones; sign in please) at 6:37
Roll Call: Cindy Leonard Secretary, Cathy McCarthy not present, Jessica Pyska, Eliot Hurwitz Chair, Frank Lincoln Treasurer, Jake Strickler not present, Alternate
11 community members present.
• Approval of Minutes from November, motion Frank, seconded Jessica, all approve
SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ben Murphy from Cobb Area Water says the Pine Grove (Rainbow) Bridge project goes out to bid around next Wednesday.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Cobb Area Council General $1,745.35
Cobb Resilient $1,456.28
Cobb Safe $ 851.23
Economic Development $1,300.00
Blackberry Cobbler $3,316.53
T-shirt Fundraising $3,498.29
(Outstanding check #1089 $50.00)
Wilder than Wild $ 161.31
Total $12,329.59
Our new AHEAD grant for our Economic Development Committee:
$200,000 has been put into our new, separate account
-one check of $2,200.00 has been written to Cobb Mtn. Lions Club
PUBLIC and BOARD COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS (3 mins./individual):
Gemini Garcia brought a list of homeowner rights and information she compiled to help the public address issues they are having with PGE tree removal. She is collecting letters from individual homeowners to give to a PGE manager who is focusing on all the issues that Cobb is having with tree removal.
Council informed all attending that next month there will be a PGE official at the Cobb Area Council meeting.
She is suggesting that we have an ordinance. She will research into similar ordinances that other towns have.
Here are the documents that she has written:
“To the council:
PG&E has not provided the public with an official EIS, Jessica told me Rob Brown, district supervisor is checking on that.
James, a supervisor and subs contractor for this program with a degree in environmental studies feels it is worrisome for our community that PG&E is lacking the impact study because he feels this programs is “definitely impacting the environment.”
This program is designed to make our community safer from electrical fires. It will not make Cobb safer from wildfires.
(SB754 section 1) states
“The risk of severe fires is increased by removing large, fire-resistant old growth trees from the forest, because those trees shade out flammable undergrowth and preserve moisture in the forest.”
Every assessment is done multiple times by inexperienced pre-inspectors. It has been documented and verified in writing they have marked more trees than necessary for the scope of work.
I was told today the scope of work is 4’ from power lines, but until today I have been told multiple times and on PGE website the scope is 12’ minimum.
The supervisors seem to be in conflict of what the actual scope of work is. The preinspectors and work verifiers are also unsure of the exact scope of work and are notorious for mislabeling tree names, status of tree health and have failed repeatedly to gain permission for access before entering. They are not required to consider hazards to the environment.
For all of these reasons I’d like the council to consider an ordinance to protect our old growth and heritage trees.
I would also like to ask for your help to pause all tree cutting and removing until an environmental impact study has been completed and provided for the public. Cal trans his is available at the library for public viewing but no one can verify PGE was required to do this.
During the time PGE prepares a study, they will be able to employ their current contractors to contact every property owner and examine each parcel independently and gain permission for the proper work to be done with inspectors present.
I was told this is an 8 year program and if true, that’s ample time to do efficiently with community support “ Gemini Garcia
Second document:
January 16, 2020
Some things residents should know:
Paint color is not consistent with the amount of trees to be removed. If a tree does not have spray paint or tape, it may still be marked for removal. You can wrap pink tape on your trees if you feel any of them may be marked inappropriately. The tree cutting company, AERI should confirm with you before cutting across it.
There is no discrimination between dead or heathy trees. The inspections have repeatedly shown heathy trees being marked as hazardous or within scope of power lines incorrectly.
All companies are required to notify owners and tenants of presence in advance and must ask permission before entering property. If you have pg&e service, they already have your contact information. You are not required to have a trespassing sign, your property is your property. Trespassing is illegal. Residents should call the police if anyone is trespassing and ask the workers for identification and take a picture.
All tree companies are required to obtain written permission before cutting or removing anything from any property. If they fail to do so, take a picture, call the police and report theft. Again, ask for Identification and take a picture of it.
Crews do not check IDs to confirm homeowners when giving permission to cut or remove. If crews say they have permission to cut your trees, ask for proof, take a copy, and report them if you did not give permission.
To request a copy of your parcel’s evaluation, call pg&e. Also call the company supervisors, you can request a personal walk through and re-evaluation by a certified arborist.
7. If you have any particular experience or issue with pg&e or the subcontractors, please write a letter with full description. You may include pictures, but be sure to write your parcel number and include your contact information.
I will collect all letters at a community meeting on this subject next Thursday, January 23rd at the little red schoolhouse. Your letters will be delivered to pg&e’s vegetation manager who has promised to address each resident and their concerns individually.
Or email them to me, Gemini Garcia at thirdeyris@gmail.com
Council informed everyone in the meeting that we don’t have the power to issue an ordinance but that we can bring the concerns of residents to the notice of the county board of supervisors so that they can include these whenever they talk with PG&E. Also, Council rep Jessica Pyska is in regular conversation with California Senator Mike McGuire’s office (and also Aguiar-Curry?) updating him about these and similar cleanup issues and setting a course for action.
Local Fire Season Update – Firewise Community organizing update
-new grants submitted to North Coast Opportunity EPIC grant (3 from the Cobb area out of 27 grant submitted from Lake and Mendocino
-Working on a “scotch broom eradication day” for February 17. Volunteers needed.
-new combination Cobb storefront for Disaster Preparedness and Economic Recovery/Development. Hoping it can open mid-February. Present possible names of storefront office.
List of Resources to be available at the “Resource Hub” office:
Emergency Preparedness Projects:
Cobb Mountain Firewise Communities
CERT Training
EPIC Training
Homeowner insurance in the WUI (California Fair Plan and insurance discounts)
Homeowner grant information for defensible space clearing
Lots of handouts about defensible space clearing and Home-hardening
-Red Cross, FEMA, NFPA, etc.
Scotch Broom Eradication Project (Broom Busters/Scotch Broom Challenge)
Tool Lending Library (Weed wrench)
Economic Development Projects:
Low-interest business loans
Cobb Merchants Association
Community Events (Blackberry Cobbler Festival, What’s Up on Cobb?)
This is also where the Community Visioning oversight is going to be done out of, and people can come and talk about the economic recovery and development of our area. We really want to emphasize that conversations and meetings will be held here, not just distribute information.
Jessica states that the moratorium on cancelling homeowner insurance is now in effect for certain ZIP codes near the Kincade Fire, but for some reason Cobb was not included. Jessica is in contact with Mike McGuire’s office to find out why people who are in newly rebuilt homes are getting cancelled. We hope to get to the bottom of this issue soon!
Lots of burn piles happening
Supervisor’s Comments
Community Reports
Cobb Mt. Economic Development Project
Eliot states that we have created the two contracts to implement the grant. One is the consulting agreement with SSCRA to create online resources, the community Drop-in office space, Visioning meetings with the community and local businesses, and a final report.
The updated contract (incorporating the changes requested at the Economic Development meeting Monday) was presented to the group. It was accepted as amended and formally signed in front of the group.
Next economic development committee meeting is Monday February 17 at 6:00, at the Cobb Resource Hub to
help plan input to our community plan.
Gemini reports that the new teen center has opened, although one of the owners has just been diagnosed with cancer so it will be re-opening again soon. It is called “Giant Step”. It will be a safe, comfortable space for teens to go and have fun and hang out after school till their parents get home.
Motion to adjourn meeting at 7:25 by Jessica, seconded by Magdalena, all approve.

Draft Meeting Minutes December 19, 2019
COBB AREA COUNCIL
PUBLIC MEETING
Minutes by Cindy Leonard
Thursday December 19, 2019
Little Red Schoolhouse/Cobb Mountain Lions Club
15780 Bottle Rock Rd., Cobb, CA 95426
Draft Meeting Minutes

• CALL TO ORDER at 6:30(shut down cell phones; sign in please)

• Roll Call Present: Cindy Leonard Secretary, Cathy McCarthy, Jessica Pyska, Eliot Hurwitz Chair, Frank Lincoln Treasurer, Jake Strickler arrived 6:40.
38 community members present

• Approval of Minutes from November:

Amendments:  Eliot would like to insert the text of the resolution and also the outline of the project and a few other documents to be added in.
Cathy clarified that the money donated to the Lion’s Club will go toward the installation of the generator that had been donated by the South Lake Fire Protection District

• Motion as amended- Cindy    Seconded-  Laurie and   all in favor

• SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Jessica Pyska says that Cindy, Jake and herself were appointed for another term on the Cobb Area Council
Lions Club generator will be installed on January 13, 2019

• TREASURER’S REPORT, Currently $12,304.59 in account (spread across several distinct accounts) according to Frank

• PUBLIC and BOARD COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS (3 mins./individual)
• Eliot states that the Economic Development funds have now been transferred to the Cobb Area Council. The grant funds will begin the programs starting in January.  The specific ways that the grant money will be spent was in the grant application.

-Five specific tasks outlined in the grant award program:
1.Conducting an in-depth community assessment
2.Conducting a local economic development analysis
3.Establishing a small business revolving loan fund
4.Establishing a Cobb Area Merchants Association
5.Drafting a Cobb Mountain economic regeneration strategy
Jessica states that this new grant will be one part of updating the Cobb Area Plan.

• Local Fire Season Update – Firewise Community organizing update

-New Firewise Certificates will be helpful for the community members that live in a Firewise Community to show proof to their insurance company.
-Neighborfest/NCO grant application deadline January 7th.
Upcoming dates for 2020:
Sunday March 29, 3-6:00 Wilder Than Wild at Twin Pines 
Saturday April 4, Cobb Safe at Cobb School, 10-3:00 
Saturday May 2, National Wildfire Preparedness Day
Saturday August 29, noon-5:00 Blackberry Cobbler Festival, Whispering Pines Resort
Saturday October 17, Cobb Resilient at Cobb School
Update on brush clearing grant money (up to $1250). Reimbursements are now being accepted.
Paul Duncan says that the burn ban has been lifted for the season.
Jake says that it has been difficult to get the actual permit at the office in Middletown.  Paul says you can call the office to arrange ahead to go pick up the permit. Community members say that you can also get this permit online.
CAVERN Update: there are now 80 radios out around the community. It is a combination of Gmrs and Frs radios.
Update on Hazardous Abatement Ordinance will happen in January 2020 at the Board of Supervisor’s meeting.

• Supervisor’s Comments

Community Reports: 
Trees, PG&E and CalTrans a community discussion-
-Caltrans: Gary Lambeth and Andrew Huntley consultant for Caltrans. Priority hazard tree removal program (1.9 million dollars) HWY 29 and HWY 175. Duration is undetermined due to weather.  Priority is removal of damaged trees, due to burn, beetles, rot, etc.   Estimate of 1,000 to 1,500 trees along the routes.  Cutting is happening along the Caltrans right of way and has been going on about 53 days.  Coordination is between Caltrans and the property owners along the route.  8:00 till 4:00 are the hours on Cobb. The removal process is suspended now through the holidays. Their color is a blue line. The Right of Way Department deals with the homeowners if there is a dead tree on private roads that need to be removed. Completion is estimated for March 2020. All trees have now been marked that will be removed.
-Sean Barrett from Family Tree (working with PGE).  He is not representing PGE, but they are a service working for them. Things are constantly shifting within the program, but he will talk about what he knows.  His company is the primary tree maintenance (routine work) that will be happening in Lake County.  Several other contractors will be doing other types of work, including the evaluators who look at the work that has been done. (like Enhanced Vegetation Management).
He suggests that you ask for identification if anyone comes on your property to do work. They should all have I.D.s- you could take a photo of their id. Also, ask what program they are working, and also who is their manager.
Color codes:
-Four colors are rotated yearly: white was last year and next year is green
-Numbers are sprayed directly on tree to indicate diameter
-The 12 foot removal program does not use spraypaint, so you won’t know what trees they plan to remove until they are removed
You can call PGE Hazard vegetation department to let them know your preferred contact information/method.
Comment that the workers from 1996-2015 Western was the company that would come to do the work on the property.  After the Valley Fire there are so many different tree companies that have come and gone and the work has been shabby. Today their work trucks pulled into Blackrock and destroyed the asphalt. On Monday there was a big truck that blocked the road and created a road hazard.  A tree was felled at the winery and left there. The concern is what can be done going forward to make sure that the workers are accountable. There has been trespassing and spray-painting when this is specifically been requested to not be done.
All companies have a policy to notify the homeowner before they come on the property, but this has not been happening all of the time. The workers need to have identification every time. (and a reflective vest and hard-hat)
 
Motion to adjourn by Laurie, Gary Seconded.  Motion adjourned at 8:29

Draft meeting minutes November 21, 2019
COBB AREA COUNCIL
PUBLIC MEETING
Thursday November 21, 2019
Little Red Schoolhouse/Cobb Mountain Lions Club
15780 Bottle Rock Rd., Cobb, CA 95426
Draft Minutes by Cindy Leonard
• CALL TO ORDER (shut down cell phones; sign in please) 6:36 p.m.
•PRESENT: Jessica Pyska, Eliot Hurwitz (Chair), Cindy Leonard (Secretary), Jake Strickler arrived 6:40, Cathy McCarthy, Frank Lincoln (treasurer)
25 people in attendance
• Approval of Minutes from October, Inez motions, Cathy seconded, all approve
SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS
-Glenneth states that there are 3 Cobb people done with CERT training. Next training is in February on Cobb (it is full, but you could get on waiting list)
-Kelly’s Lion’s club news: -There is a go-fund-me for the cost of installing the generator that we were given from South Lake Fire. So far there is about $300 of the $2500 needed to do that raised so far. Kelly Fletcher is helping.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Frank says there is $12,298.94
• PUBLIC and BOARD COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS (3 mins./individual)
Local Fire Season Update – Firewise Community organizing update: Cindy has encouraged all Firewise groups and any other interested forming groups to apply for the new EPIC grant that NCO is offering. It is due December 31, application is here: https://www.ncoinc.org/disaster-recovery/epic/
Jessica states that a grant to RRA from Rebuild NorthBay will bring an event in March to the southshore, showing Wilder Than Wild and having a discussion panel
There was discussion that the CAVERN mesh network was very helpful during the power outage and during the house fire on Rainbow Court. There are 85 radio users now.
Wendy Collins talked about her solar power generator. It cost $2500 to buy, but no fuel will be needed, and maintenance will be minimal because there are no moving parts.
David Theissen reported that there are almost 7 miles of trails rebuilt by the Friends of Boggs Mountain now. There was another volunteer work day this past Saturday. The creek trail is not open, but there are several trails open and are marked. The bathrooms are rebuilt at the campground now. Overnight camping is not yet allowed, but the area is open for picnics. Everyone needs to be patient with trail closures as the trails get compacted during the rainy season. If there is a lot of rain initially, it will turn the dusty trail to mud. Overall, the rain helps compact the trails, but we need to stay off them during this process.
Supervisor’s Comments: Rob Brown not present
Community Reports
Cobb Mt. Economic Development Grant – Community vote on Resolution to Authorize CAC Economic Development Committee to award contracts.
At each CAC meeting we will hear an update on the AHEAD grant and the Economic Development Committee progress.
INSERT DOCUMENTS that Jessica discussed
The motion by Glenneth was seconded by Cathy. All in favor, none opposed.
Jessica moves that $2200 of the grant is given to the Lion’s Club to install the generator, the CAC will need to use the building for future meetings. Glenneth seconds. All in favor, none opposed.

CAC Draft Meeting Minutes- October 17, 2019
COBB AREA COUNCIL
PUBLIC MEETING
Little Red Schoolhouse/Cobb Mountain Lions Club
15780 Bottle Rock Rd., Cobb, CA 95426
Draft Meeting minutes by Cindy Leonard
1. CALL TO ORDER (shut down cell phones; sign in please) 6:05
• Roll Call:  Present: Cindy Leonard Secretary, Cathy McCarthy, Jessica Pyska, Eliot Hurwitz Chair, Frank Lincoln Treasurer,
• not present: Jake Strickler
38 community members present
2. Approval of meeting minutes from September 19, 2019
Jessica moves to approve, Chris seconds.  Minutes approved
3. Treasurer report: $16,675.00  One outstanding CHP check for $750 and the P.O. Box renewal.
4. Short announcements- 
-bear has been reported East of the Golf course
-PG&E can be called to remove the vegetation management, if you get no response then file an online complaint. They will remove 4” or smaller.  Madeline said her neighbor called and they had a good response.
-Maggie at NCO is filling up the CERT class to be held on November 2nd. Find out more this Saturday at Cobb Resilient
-Cobb Mtn. Artists Open Studio Tour is Saturday October 26 and 27 from 10:00am to 5:00 pm.  You can pick up a map of the studios to visit at Mountain High Coffee and Books.
-My Shake app is available to put on your phone for earthquake notification
-Lion’s Club from 9-1:00 this Sunday is an outdoor clean up party for the Lion’s Club outdoor areas
-November 2nd Lion’s Club Harvest Party, 15 vendors, food, band, bar (noon-8:00)
Loch Lomond October 26 5-7:00 Trunk or Treat. There will be a map of all homes participating.
6. Public and Board Comment on non-agenda items 
-Jessica announced the new Lake County marketing campaign that has been rolled out.  It emphasizes the fun nature of Lake County residents “Clearly Different”. They recognize the elements that represent Lake County.  We will be seeing more ad campaigns using this new logo in the spring.
-Disaster Council meeting today it was announced that ATT was not at all prepared for the PSPS.  There are some cell areas that are still not back to correct service.   At the Board of Supervisor meeting on this coming Tuesday they will be taking public comment regarding the PSPS. We agreed to gather public comments this Saturday at the Cobb Resilient event.
-The Board of Supervisors has decided to move forward on the area plans.  It is still some question about who will go first (possibly Cobb, possibly Lower Lake), but regardless they have decided to move forward in some way.  Supervisor Brown said that he will help us to get the ball rolling.  
We will be nominating the committee soon. We would like representatives from all of these areas:
Citizens’ Committee Makeup – approx 12 members altogether covering the following:
• Business Commercial
• Residential Construction/Development
• Commercial construction and zoning
• Resort/Tourism
• Education
• Timber Management/ forest property owners
• Energy resources, Geothermal, local generation (solar, wind, microgrids) 
• Environment
• County Government
• Fire Safety/Management
• public safety (Fire District, Sheriff [substation?], Community Watch)
• Hazard mitigation and emergency planning
• Agriculture
• Tribal issues
• Micro Enterprise/Small Business
• Parks and Trails and recreation
• health/ healthcare/ senior care/ ATOD rehab/ behavioral health
• Infrastructure (water, roads, electrical, broadband)
• Historical perspective
• Arts
• Transportation 
Cross cut to make sure all geographic segments of the community are represented
Coordinate/ cross reference with other plans (Fire, County, Special Districts etc.)
Ben Murphy reports that the paperwork has finally been completed and approved for the Summit-Rainbow water projects.  Hill 9 and 10 will go out to bid the first week of November, the Summit and Rainbow Bridge project will go out to bid the second week of November. 
-re: Gifford Springs loop, he is waiting for the word on FEMA funding.
-Mt. Hannah and Alpine Meadow and Entrance Road projects will be the next projects.
-Pine Grove would be 2022
Ben asked if everyone still had water during the PSPS.  All said yes.  He said that they were very happy that the generators worked.  They were notified ahead of time by Mike Wink to get the generators set up before the power was cut. 
Eliot stated that he wanted to thank Jeff Lucas for all the time that he spent to help make the water company grants work.
Robert Stark now is working up in Paradise to assist with the rebuilding of their water company for at least the next 8 months.
Economic Development Planning Grant:
• We have just been notified that we are receiving a Disaster Recovery grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLB) of $200,000 to create a strategic plan for the Cobb Fire Recovery and Economic Development.
• Goals of this grant:
-implement a strategy
-build a bridge between disaster recovery and economic development
-navigate our challenges
-concrete results to regenerate the Cobb community, stronger than ever
Components of the grant:  
1. In-depth Community Assessment using “Asset-Based Community Development” tools 
2. Local Economic Development Analysis  
3. Small business revolving loan fund  
4. Establishment of Cobb Area Merchants Association 
5. A final report will be put together as a supplement to the Lake County Economic Development plan.
We will measure and evaluate success. We will get a baseline assessment and then a post-project measurement. 
Timeline:
Part 1 Sept 19-Feb 21 Meetings with community, survey, maps
Part 2 March 20-Sept 20 Economic development analysis and May ’20-Sep ’20 local site inventory and needs analysis
Part 3 Jan 20-March 21 Revolving small business loan fund
Part 4 Oct 20-March 21 Establish Cobb Area Merchants Association
Part 5 Nov ’20 – March ’21 Draft and print Cobb Mountain Economic Development Strategy document
Reports on this project will be given at each CAC meeting.  The funds will be at Community First Credit Union, which was the FHLB member that facilitated the grant application. Funds will be kept separate from the CAC funds that are at Bank of the West.
A committee will be established to oversee the parts of this grant.
Monday 21 6:30 will be the Economic Development Committee meeting at the Brick Oven to decide the procedures and procurement process. Request for Qualifications.  They submit the proposal.
~Cindy moved to have the events contribute $30 to the Lion’s Club Community Center. Jessica motioned, Magdalena seconded.  All approved
Tom Slait says he will attend the Risk Reduction Authority meeting on Monday
Paul Duncan with CalFire says that it is grant season and he would like to see Cobb acquire a chipper/masticater that will stay on Cobb 
Local Fire Season update/ Firewise Community organizing updates:
-Cobb Resilient this Saturday at 10:00a.m., Cobb Elementary School
-Presentations:
Battalion Chief Mike Wink CalFire
Gary Prather- local forest owner
Pat Lambert- Farmers Insurance
Rebecca Enberg and Maggie Willhite, NCO CERT trainings
Magdalena Valderrama SSCRA fuel reduction grants
Jessica Pyska What’s Up on Cobb? Economic Development
Cindy Leonard CAC- Firewise Communities on Cobb
Door Prizes
Booths and Exhibits
Eliot moves to adjourn, Jessica seconds, all agree. 8:03 p.m.

COBB AREA COUNCIL
PUBLIC MEETING
Thursday September 19, 2019,
6:30-8:30pm NOTE NEW START TIME
Little Red Schoolhouse/Cobb Mountain Lions Club
15780 Bottle Rock Rd., Cobb, CA 95426
Draft Meeting minutes by Cindy Leonard
• CALL TO ORDER (shut down cell phones; sign in please) 6:05
Roll Call: Cindy Leonard Secretary, Cathy McCarthy arrived late, Jessica Pyska, Eliot Hurwitz Chair, Frank Lincoln Treasurer, Jake Strickler arrived 6:40, Alternate
28 community members present
• Approval of Minutes from August, no comments Magdalena motions to approve, Michael Davies second
SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS
-Glenneth announces the Cobb Open Studios on October 26 and 27th, 9 art studios will be open and there will be a website soon.
Sunday September 29th lobster boil at Lion’s Club.
Dave says he has a couple of people creating a website called “CobbWebb” for local events. Look for it soon.
Madeline says Tuesday night the South Lake Fire Station voted to give their two old generators to the MUSD and also to Little Red Community Center. Eliot states that there will be a GoFundMe site when we put together all the quotes for the installation of the generator at Little Red to cover installation costs.
TREASURER’S REPORT Frank reports that there is currently $9,745.00 in the Cobb Area Council checking account, taking in to consideration the outstanding bills. We are transferring all the accounting into a new Quicken program, so we will have exact amounts next month, but these are pretty close figures:
General Fund
$3,000.00 Calpine Donation
1,100.68 misc expenses
1,899.32
Cobb Safe
$1,800.00 Donations
25.64 remaining SSCRA
1,000.00 Rebuild North Bay Donation
-2,251.91 expenses 2 years
$ 573.73
Wilder Than Wild
$600.00 donation NCO
448.00 event donations
-886.64 expenses
$161.31
Cobb Resilient
$4,000.00 Rebuild North Bay donation
2,000.00 Calpine donation
$6,000.00
Blackberry Cobbler Festival
$2924.86 (estimated remaining)
T-shirt fundraiser
need to find out what we owe John Carlisi
We still have shirts to sell, so not quite break even yet
Economic Development general fund
$1,300 Calpine donation
PUBLIC and BOARD COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS (3 mins./individual)
Mel states radios are still available for anyone who would like to purchase them. There is a prototype for the mesh network still being tested. We need 3 locations to get started. Ultimately we would like to have 10 locations. It is about $140 each. CAVERN.mobi is where you could go to find a wordpress site with information. It is like rooftop wifi network. The goal is to have a dense mesh, no longer than 200 yards between the nodes.
Inez said that she had elevated levels of lead in her system as a result of wildfire smoke. After several treatments, lead is now pulled out of her system. She also had water and soil tests done and it looks good.
Supervisor’s Comments: not present
Community Reports:
Cindy update on potential ideas for contributing to the Little Red Schoolhouse maintenance fund and also funding the CAC General Fund. She suggests that the Cobb Area Council pays $30 per month to the Lions Club for the use of Little Red and that this comes out of the CAC general fund. Because there is currently no fundraiser or income source for the CAC general fund, she is proposing that for each event that the CAC does, we put $100 into the general fund for “Administration”. For example, when we have Cobb Safe or the Blackberry Cobbler Festival, one of the expenses would be $100 into the general fund. That way we don’t have to figure out a new fundraiser to fund the general fund.
Other expenses that come out of our general fund are: $54/year post office box rental, website fees, tax preparation, checking expenses, etc. If we add $30/month contribution to Little Red, our annual general expenses would be around $600.
Cindy asked for community members to think about this and then we can put it on the October agenda to discuss and vote on these ideas.
Cindy reports that she and Magdalena have been working on planning the Cobb Resilient event that will be held on October 19th at Cobb Elementary School. There are lots of speakers and there will also be the catered lunch where the Firewise groups can meet and plan. Look for banners and posters around town promoting this event.
Many community members commented that PGE has been cutting trees and not removing the brush, creating a very dangerous fire hazard. Anyone who has this on their property should write to the supervisors and to PGE.
Economic Development Committee updates:
Konocti Challenge on October 5th cheer station was an idea, but this year they are not coming to this end of the county.
Jessica states that the issue of area plans came up at the supervisor’s meeting. She stated that updating the Cobb Area Plan was one of the priorities when the CAC was formed. We understand that the resources at the county are stretched so we want to help facilitate the process. The CAC and MATH have the updating of the area plans as part of the bylaws.
Rob was concerned that the Area Plans still have not been updated, so he instructed Community Development to start working on the area plans. The supervisors will put it on the agenda.
Jake and Jessica had a meeting in the spring with Lars Ewing with public works regarding building a park in Cobb. Lars recommended that we wait for our park visioning for the November meeting. We need to talk about what the community wants for a community park. Mariette took part in the August visioning (about other Lake County parks) and she hopes the people who helped with that one can help with ours here on Cobb. The visioning process here will be up to Rob Brown and Lars
August 24 Blackberry COBBler Festival Report
Jessica says we were very happy that over 1,000 people showed up and we sold out of everything. We made about $3,000 and have begun planning for next year.
Cobb Mt. Economic Development Planning Grant
We have just been notified that we are receiving the Fire Recovery grant of $200,000 to create a strategic plan for the Cobb business development.
Goals of this grant:
-implement a strategy
-build a bridge
-navigate our challenges
-concrete results to regenerate the Cobb community, stronger than ever
Four components to the grant: community assessment, development analysis by the CDS, Small business revolving loan fund, and to establish a Cobb Area Merchants Association.
A final report will be put together as a supplement to the Lake County Economic Development plan.
We will measure and evaluate success. We will get a baseline assessment and then a post-project measurement.
Timeline:
Part 1 Sept 19-Feb 20 Meetings with community, survey, maps
Part 2 March 20-Sept 20
Part 3 Jan 20-March 21
Part 4 Oct 20-March 21
Part 5 Nov ’20 – March ’21 Draft and print Cobb Mountain Economic Development Strategy document
Reports on this project will be given at each CAC meeting. The funds will be at Community First Credit Union, separate from the CAC funds that are at Bank of the West.
We were one of five awards that were given in a tri- state area.
Robert Stark reported that several employees of the Cobb Area Water Company went to the town of Paradise to help them repair water systems for two weeks, just like other water companies had come to Cobb to repair our water system after the Valley Fire. In Paradise they previously had over 10,000 homes and now they have about 1,500 homes.
Motion to adjourn Rich, seconded Robert at 8:05p.m.