Categories2019 Minutes, Uncategorized by

Minutes- March 21, 2019

DRAFT Minutes
COBB AREA COUNCIL
PUBLIC MEETING
Thursday March 21, 2019,
6:00-8:00pm
Little Red Schoolhouse/Cobb Mountain Lions Club
15780 Bottle Rock Rd., Cobb, CA 95426
Draft Agenda
• CALL TO ORDER at 6:01(shut down cell phones; sign in please)
PRESENT: Cindy Leonard, Jessica Pyska, Eliot Hurwitz (Chair), Cathy McCarthy, Gary Prather, Frank Lincoln
22 people in attendance
-Eliot has one line to amend in the minutes from last month:
replace: The company that was saddled with developing this is suggesting that we on Cobb develop our own “Economic Development Strategy” because much of what is in the larger document does not apply to us.
with:
Community Development Services, of Kelseyville, the company that has been tasked with managing the new Countywide Strategy, has suggested that we on Cobb develop our own “Supplement” to the Strategy, to better reflect the unique development challenges the Cobb community is facing.
Approval of Minutes as amended from February 21, 2019 Motion: John, Seconded David.
SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-Cathy announces second annual disc golf tournament on March 30th at Black Rock golf course.
April 20th Easter Egg hunt sponsored by Lions club to be held at Black Rock
TREASURER’S REPORT Gary states total balance $2,424.43.
PUBLIC and BOARD COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS (3 mins./individual)
Short reports from CAC Committees as needed
Update on BOS Hazardous Vegetation Ordinance (Mary Jane Montana, Fire Marshal)
-Initial reading on March 19th, second reading next Tuesday March 26th. It can go into effect 30 days following that. 30 foot setback is listed, 100 foot recommended by CalFire vegetation management on all improved parcels. Sovergn Immunity we do not have the authority to impose authority upon other governmental authority. All parcels will have inspections using (probably) the CalFire LE-100 forms. Over the next 5 weeks we will coordinate with CalFire and other organizations so the work is not duplicated. New technology will be imployed (like the CalFire online program).
There will be details to be worked out as the inspections proceed. The results of the inspections will be given to the owner (and residents if rental). For the first couple of years it will be flexible as we work out the details.
We need programs to help people harden their homes, replacing windows, screening on vents, covers for gutters, etc. We will review this in 6 months and update needed changes.
After reports of the inspections are given, work will need to be done within 30 days. If it is not complete, note will be made. If there is nothing done, one more abatement letter will be give, stating work must be done in 10 days. If still nothing is done, a contractor will be hired to do the work. There is an appeal process where you can go to the board and the board will decide how to proceed.
She spoke to the contractor license board and if no heavy equipment is used, no license is required. Insurance and indemnity will be required.
The database will be most likely accessible by the public and insurance companies.
Initially the hope is that the highest risk properties will be done first, then in six months there will be a hard review.
Is there a way to request areas to be inspected? It is worth emailing to give information about high-risk properties. In particular it is good for organized Fire Safe Councils and Firewise groups to give information on high-risk areas.
The fines are $100 for first, $200 for second, $500 for third. And this can be per day. If it presents a great hazard to the community, then the county will be doing the abatement and then there will be a lien on the property taxes of the owner.
Will the CalTrans 40 foot setbacks be followed? They will be notified, but with sovereign immunity they can’t be made to do the work.
Information will be put on the Cobb Area Council website.
Firewise Community Update: (Cindy)
-Announce Cathy’s group certified- total of 4 in Cobb now
-Continue to collect Homeowner work recording sheets
-May 4th National Wildfire Community Preparedness day $500 grant for clearing (also Win Cary from Wolf Creek in Spring Valley) 5 x $100 grants for printing, supplies
-Wendy’s event (plan for May 4th) (pool as safe area)
-Vestra demo by Ken Kelsen (retired firefighter from Clearlake Riv) They are trying to track 3,000 parcels and it was a logistical nightmare. They are using an outside agency to rate the lots for fire safety. This helps them to know where to concentrate their resources. A big problem is finding people we trust to do the work. They can log the information on the parcel numbers and they know that the work is scheduled for the future. They have a benefit assessment and will be working closely with the county on the abatement process. There is such a dense population that they want to assist the firefighters to make sure that it is easier to protect the community.
There is a biomass plant going in by Scotts Valley Pomo Indians. This will be a private partnership. This will help get rid of the biomass surrounding Clearlake Riviera. It will be another tool in the toolbox when it comes online.
CalFire Grant: Homeowner defensible space reimbursement (Magdalena)
-Cobb Area Community Fuel reduction grant for individual homeowners.
Planning for “Cobb Safe 2019” on April 13 (Cindy)
-RCD will have trees and forester Jim Bridges
-Maybe siren testing?
-free lunch, plan for May 4th lot clearing
-Cobb beautification (Scott Parady, Native plant society, Plant giveaway?)
Wilder Than Wild Film Screening Friday June 14th Soper Reese
-Partner with Sierra Club, NCO, SLFSC, CAC, SSCRA
Supervisor’s Comments
Presentations
Cobb Area Supplement to the Lake County Economic Development Strategy (Jessica)
Eliot, Cathy, John, Frank, Jessica, Jake Strickler, Jeff Lucas all met on Monday to discuss ways to energize the Cobb business community. Jeff Lucas is working to find a way to micro-finance small businesses and businesses that are already here.
-They discussed forming a group to market the resorts, restaurants, wineries, golf courses, pools. Become a hub of marketing by looking at the Kelseyville business association. They decided that perhaps having an event like a Blackberry Festival at the end of the summer with music, cobbler, food, fun. We need to get everyone together and focus on a central hub of information.
Formalize an Ad Hoc committee so that we can work on this process: Cindy motions that we formalize a committee, Jessica seconds that motion. All are in favor of the committee.
Jessica, Eliot, Cathy will be on the committee. The next meeting will be April 8th at 6:00 at Little Red Schoolhouse.
Motion to adjourn Robert, seconded by Magdalena at 7:28

Categories2019 Minutes, Uncategorized by

Minutes- February 21, 2019 DRAFT

Draft Meeting Minutes- February 21, 2019

COBB AREA COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING
Thursday February 21, 2019
Little Red Schoolhouse/Cobb Mountain Lions Club
15780 Bottle Rock Rd., Cobb, CA 95426
Draft Meeting Minutes

  • CALL TO ORDER  6:01 p.m.(shut down cell phones; sign in please)

PRESENT: Eliot Hurwitz, Jessica Pyska, Cindy Leonard, Cathy McCarthy, Frank Lincoln. Not present Gary Prather
24 community members present

  • Approval of Minutes from January 17, 2019. Move to approve, Rich, seconded by John Carlisi, all approved.
  • SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • John Carlisi announced the Yoga classes at Mandala Springs.  His wife has participated and said it is reasonably priced and a very beautiful place.  Lots of plans for that place for this summer!

Eliot reports that Harbin is reopened and is very happy to report that the pools are open!
Kelly Lion’s Club:  reports there are still some tickets left for the crab boil on March 2nd, $60 each.
On Sunday March 17 there will be a Corned Beef dinner in conjunction with the Middletown Lion’s club.  $15/ticket.
Lions Club of Lake County has High School student speaker contest on March 15. 6:30

  • TREASURER’S REPORT Gary not present

• PUBLIC and BOARD COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS (3 mins./individual)

  • Short reports from CAC Committees as needed
  • Emergency Water Board meeting on Monday night, especially important for those who live at Starview
  • Firewise Community Update: Cindy

Here are the takeaways from the Northwestern California Community Wildfire Resilience Gathering, organized by the California Fire Safe Council and Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network, attended by Cindy and Magdalena:
-States and the Federal Government are realizing that it is better to pay to prevent wildfire than to pay to clean it up.  Disasters are becoming so huge that they have to act now! These agencies realize they need us and want to know what we need.
-Things are moving so quickly!! Lots of new policies being submitted for approval, new money going to CalFire for things like home inspections, clearing evacuation routes, etc.  It made me think that it is even more important for us to have Cobb Safe and Cobb Resilient so that we can help convey all of this to our community members
-There is a lot we can learn from our neighboring counties… and even from those doing work on the other side of our county!  Different forms and methods that are being created… evacuation planning worksheets, ideas on how to communicate with each other in an emergency.  The Resource Conservation District in Yolo county wants to work with us, they are just over the hill from Middletown. Some groups are figuring out ways to help homeowners pay to retro-fit homes to be more fire-resistant (better roof/ siding, enclose under deck, etc)
-In general, communities are not waiting for the government!  They are acting now. We have our part to do.
-It was an opportunity to let them know what our challenges are in Lake County.  I also asked about insurance discounts… perhaps only Firewise areas can get insurance.
Cindy’s Firewise Community update:
-Firewise Group 1 (aka Jones Creek Crossing) submitted their application on February 6. This brings the total to 4 applications submitted!
-Cindy has an application in for a grant through the Firewise website.  This money (if we get it) would be available for our Firewise groups for neighborhood clean-up.
-All groups will meet at Cobb Safe on April 13
Terre Logsdon- Now working with the Pomo Indian tribe for a gasification process for producing biochar.  They submitted a grant to CalFire for job production for bringing the biomass to the plant.  Tom Jordan says that 20% of the Forest Health grant applications were from Lake and Mendocino County.
Suggestion made to send a letter of support from the CAC for the grant
County of Lake Solid Waste public services contract will be soon be re-negotiated so we should get involved in the discussion.  Perhaps we could negotiate that we could get two yard waste bins for no extra charge.

  • Cobb Area Supplement for the Countywide Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Magdalena

-August 2009 was the year this document was created, and although it is supposed to be updated every year, it has never been updated.  The document is referred to by many agencies and really needs to be updated. We could create a Cobb Area supplement to add to the Lake County document. The South Lake Fire Safe Council is a 501c3 so they could help us fund a project like updating this document.

  • Planning for “Cobb Safe 2019” on April 13, update by Cindy:

-Cobb Safe will be April 13 at Cobb School again.  Magdalena and Cindy are working on the agenda.  We plan to use the morning session to again get updates from agencies and share up-to-date information.  We are hoping for noon testing of siren.
Free lunch again…. neighborhood meeting will slightly change as groups become more independent. Some small groups will break apart from Group 2.  Magdalena and Cindy will meet with the organizers of these groups to help make the lunch efficient and well-thought out.  We are trying very hard to make sure no one feels they are wasting their time!  After lunch the groups will report out and then there will be time to visit the booths.
-Please let us know if you have an idea you would like to be addressed at Cobb Safe or Cobb Resilient.  We had very good feedback on the feedback forms.
What is the best way to communicate to you? We are hoping to have a newsletter to mail or email, but for now we have the board at the P.O. and CAC meetings

  • Wilder Than Wild Film Screening.  WILDER THAN WILD: Fire, Forests and the Future is a one hour documentary that reveals how fuel build-up and climate change have exposed Western wildlands to large, high intensity wildfires, while greenhouse gases released from these fires contribute to global warming. This vicious cycle jeopardizes our forests and affects us all with extreme weather and more wildfires, some of which are now entering highly populated wildland-urban areas.

Report on Rob Brown/Riviera assessment meeting Eliot: $100 assessment per resident, one time.  Self-funding way to get community members to clear their properties. You just need 50% of the vote, of those who vote. When is the vote? Soon.
Fire Resiliency Summit hosted by Mike Thompson, report by Jessica Pyska:
One speaker from Pepperwood Preserve talked about climate change and rebuilding, A CalFire speaker shared all the grants that they are now receiving, the Mendocino National Forest spoke about the waste in the forest and how it is the perfect time for biochar. Moke Simon was also part of the discussion.

  • Supervisor’s Comments: Rob Brown not present

Presentations

  • Update on the Lake County Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Ordinance

-Eliot reports that he and Terre met with Anita Grant and many of the recommendations from the Cobb Area Council ad hoc committee were taken into the new draft. For example, who would be qualified to make determinations about what needs to be done? A lot of the nuance will be about proximity to your neighbor’s property.  If you are going to require clearing on your neighbor’s land, you much shoulder half the cost. And some clarification about the penalties, liabilities. It addresses standing dead trees on both improved and unimproved lots (as combustible material).  It needs to be explicit, not just combustible material. All fines should be directed toward abatement activities.
March 5th is the next meeting of the Board of Supervisors, so any new comments that we want to make about new suggested revisions would need to be done early next week.

  • Report on the new Lake Co. Economic Development Strategy and what it may mean for the Cobb Area: Eliot

-This was presented and adopted by Lake County.
They hired Rob Eiler from Sonoma State to create a strategy. The strategy is sort of halfway there.
The company that was saddled with developing this is suggesting that we on Cobb develop our own “Economic Development Strategy” because much of what is in the larger document does not apply to us.
So Eliot proposes that we establish our own committee to develop our own economic development plan.
Jessica suggests that having housing in our area.  Housing stimulus for building on rebuilding on burned lots.  We can be innovative to bring people back here, and not just wait for people to move here.  Rob Brown feels that the county has no way to push something like this, so this would be driven by private investments.
Recovery: Housing Stimulus
Prepared by: Jessica Pyska
Cobb Area Council
February 19, 2019
It is time to take an innovative approach to help Lake County recover from the devasting wildfires of the last five years, starting with the staggering loss of housing.  Most insurance-sponsored rebuilds have been completed from the Valley Fire, which had the most significant loss of housing inventory. Recovery from the most recent fires is just getting started.  The primary path to re-establishing the communities that were hit hardest is to make sure that houses get built.
A focus on economic development in the burned areas will help secure grant funding to establish programs that will aggressively stimulate recovery of housing inventory, which will increase property tax revenue throughout the county.
Programs designed to encourage builders and families to invest in Lake County:

  1. Grant funding to reduce permit fees for houses being built on burned lots.
    1. Stimulate “spec” homes to be built by local contractors, lowering their risk, as well as lowering the cost of the home.
    2. Encourage individuals and families within and outside of Lake County to invest in new construction.
    3. Can be integrated into USDA housing programs
    4. No income restrictions
    5. Securing future property tax revenue for the County.
  • “Whole Home” package
    1. This plan is designed to make “stick built” homes competitive with modular homes by streamlining the building process.
      1. The package will include locally designed plans, a lumber package, and finishings that can all be supplied through Kelseyville Lumber, with a list of qualified, local contractors who understand the package.
      2. Local contractors can build these houses faster and more efficiently than modular homes, with the ease of an “in-house” Design Center.
      3. Can be integrated into USDA housing programs
      4. No income restrictions
      5. Increase property tax revenue
      6. Neighborhoods will have a permanent “look and feel”
  • Gap Financing for Re-Builds
    1. Coordinate financing that closes the gap between insurance coverage and the real costs of a rebuild.
      1. Rebuilding after a major disaster has unique challenges
        1. Building costs rise dramatically throughout the process
        2. Payment structures from insurers and mortgage holders are not realistic.
        3. It is impossible to obtain a construction loan once building has begun.
      2. Recognize that these circumstances require special consideration, and analyze income, assets, current debt ratios, equity, building plans and commitment to the project and community.
      3. Gap financing would be a short term loan to get the homeowner through construction to final payouts or until new debt structure is secured.
    2. Encourage homeowners to upgrade new homes
      1. Upgrade neighborhoods
      2. Increase property tax revenue
  • Continue to support and promote existing housing programs
    1. USDA housing programs
    2. CAL Home grants
      1. Habitat for Humanity
      2. Hammers for Hope
      3. Hope City

The Cobb Area Council will be considering applying these programs, or programs like these, in conjunction with a localized economic recovery plan to stimulate growth, of which housing is a crucial component.  If successful in the Cobb Area, these programs could expand to the other burned and depressed areas of the County.
Eliot entertained a motion to adjourn. Robert so moved. Seconded by John. Meeting adjourned at 7:48p.m.

Categories2019 Minutes, Uncategorized by

Minutes- January 17 2019

Draft Meeting Minutes- January 17, 2019
COBB AREA COUNCIL
PUBLIC MEETING
Thursday January 17, 2019
Little Red Schoolhouse/Cobb Mountain Lions Club
15780 Bottle Rock Rd., Cobb, CA 95426
Draft Meeting Minutes
PRESENT: Gary Prather, Eliot Hurwitz, Jessica Pyska, Cindy Leonard, Cathy McCarthy
24 community members present
CALL TO ORDER at 6:04 (shut down cell phones; sign in please)
Approval of amended agenda
MOTION to approve Cathy, seconded by Gary, all approve.
Approval of Minutes from December 20, 2018 postponed….
ELECTION OF NEW CAC BOARD ALTERNATE
-nominations: Jessica nominated Frank Lincoln, seconded by Rich Curtola
-nomination of Glenneth by Gary, seconded by Trina
All nominate Frank and approved
SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kelly- Lion’s Club info:
Super Bowl party starting at 3:00 on February 3.
March 2nd is Crab Feed fundraiser tickets $60
March 17 $15 St. Patty’s day event
All donations welcome
~Fundraiser for Cobb Mountain Elementary School Garden, February 2nd at Moore Family Winery. Crab Boil tickets at http://www.moorefamilywinery.com/event/crab-boil-2/?instance_id=194
Silent Auction items needed by January 28, drop off at Cobb School office.
TREASURER’S REPORT Gary states total balance $2,674.43
Proposal of one-time donation to Lion’s Club: $250.00 Motion by Jessica, seconded by Glenneth. All in favor.
PUBLIC and BOARD COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS (3 mins./individual)
~Dead trees falling in the storm: Jessica says that a dead tree fell on a home on Gifford. Rob Brown says that it is something we need to continue to pursue. Cathy says that sending a certified letter helps with the insurance process when a tree fell at her home.
Andre Ross (attorney) came to a previous CAC meeting to inform us about drafting a letter to send certified letter.
Rich doesn’t understand why the county doesn’t come take down the dead trees and bill the homeowner. There was a hazardous home next to Rich and the county tore it down, removed it and billed the property owner. Why are they not doing anything with the dead trees? It seems the county should be responsible if/when someone gets hurt.
Eliot: The ordinance that the BOS is maybe going to include the dead standing trees.
Ben: The county doesn’t have the funding to do anything, even if they do pass an ordinance, how will they enforce it?
This could help us get funding if they have some sort of ordinance.
Jessica: FEMA funds might be eligible for taking down trees now.
Eliot: What can the county do, What can we do ourselves? Eliot, Charlene Hamilton, Tom, Jessica and Terre will be on a committee to explore this.
Jessyca Lytle: precedence was set in Napa county for litigation. Code enforcement is funded by the fees charged.
Cindy: Update from Dale Carnathan, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Manager regarding sirens:
Four sirens have been installed and communications/activation verified.
ENSS (Emergency Notification Sirens System) address locations.
Loch Lomond Fire Station 64
10331 Loch Lomond Road
Replacement of existing Siren
Cobb Fire Station 62
16547 Hwy 175
Replacement of existing Siren
Anderson Springs
10350 Socrates Mine Road
New siren placed at request of community
Middletown Fire Station 60
21095 Hwy 175
Replacement of existing Siren
This list does not include Hidden Valley Lake, or any proposed sites. I understand several HOA’s and Communities are actively considering additional systems.
Agreements for operation and maintenance have been signed.
What we are working on: a Standard Operating Procedure for activation, which must be approved by the Sheriff, CalFire and the Fire Districts. That SOP must also ensure that there is supplemental or directional information available before we push the button(s);
We also need to solidify a public information campaign about the system(s), and what it means when they hear the sound. We MUST standardize that message, as we have many folks that travel throughout the County, and the sound needs to mean the same thing regardless of your location. The message we wish to convey is that the siren sound is a notification to look for more information, and to be aware of your surroundings.
Also, regarding new police car emergency siren info:
We’re enabling it on our newer units. There is a post on the Sheriff’s Facebook page about it, with a sound bite. It’s a unique hi-lo sound that will ONLY be used to advise of an emergency or evacuation.
Update on Rainbow Bridge repairs:
Ben is waiting on the government funding before project goes out to bid. Jeff Lucas says that paperwork is submitted, block grant funds and water resources control board is confirmed. Rainbow pipeline project is being funded by HUD. Ben is hoping to get started in the spring.
Short reports from CAC Committees as needed:
Glenneth states that the wattles have been installed at Hoberg’s
FireWise Community: Update on CalFire Grant for Cobb Mt. Hazard Reduction
~Magdalena and Cindy will be attending the Northwestern California Community Wildfire Resiliency Conference which is presented by the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network Feb 8-10. About 7 people will represent Lake County. We hope to learn about Policy Updates & How to Engage, Fuels, Evacuation, Permitting, Prescribed Fire, Fundraising, etc.
Magdalena: South Lake Firesafe Council looking into developing a local Community Wildfire Protection Plan that can be aligned to the countywide plan
There has been a proposal by Raymon Baltar for a BioChar demonstration on Cobb. 30 people minimum needed, cost $35 per person, during burn season. They bring flame cap kilns.
Magdalena is working with South Lake Fire Safe Council to make an index of documents you need to present for grants and what grants are out there.
Calfire grant to SSCRA is ready to be implemented.
Last week Magdalena and Wendy went to a meeting to find out what the details are for the grant that has already been awarded. Please sign up for more info at the front table: Cobb Area Community-Based Fuel Reduction Project. Depending on the demand priority will be given to residents residing in a Firewise community or a group that is preparing to be one, participating in a community firebreak, a house along major evacuation route, or any neighbors who are willing to band together in a contiguous minimum of 5 acres to use goats or sheep.
The Cobb Area Community-Based Fuel Reduction Project (the “Project”) in Lake County, California is accepting applications for participation. The Project is a state-funded reimbursement program for qualified homeowners owning residences in Cobb and its environs and who wish to be reimbursed for 75% of their expenses for certain lot-clearing activities there, and up to no more than $1250.00 total.
Volunteer activities through the Firewise Communities(R) program count twice – once towards the Firewise Communities certificate and a second time towards the match needed from the community for the Calfire grant. Stay in touch with your Firewise coordinator.
Reimbursement is possible only for “new” projects, i.e., no work done previously for 6 months, due to the need for CEQA (pron. SEE-kwuh) clearances before beginning any work that needs to be reimbursed. CEQA = California Environmental Quality Act; it covers but is not limited to native species, air quality, archaeological significance, watershed effects.
Reimbursement is $1250 per acre, homeowner pays 25% and the $1250 can cover up to 75%. The grant money comes from the State’s Cap and Trade fund. Need to get everyone’s application soon because we have 18 months from December 2018 to get all the CEQA clearance work submitted.
The Project application period is open from January 15, 2019 until May 31, 2020. Reimbursement requests may be submitted until May 31, 2022 and paid until the end of June 2022, or until funds are no longer available, whichever condition occurs sooner.
More information at: firewise@sscra.org, phone (707) 812-1853.
Reminder: Cobb Safe on April 13 at Cobb School. Save the date! This event will have updated information regarding Emergency plans, grant information and we will have neighborhood break-out meetings. And free lunch!
Supervisor’s Comments
Supervisor Brown was not present to give any remarks.
Presentations
CalFire will be present to discuss progress on the Bottle Rock Rd Brush Clearing Project. Due to mis-communication, this is postponed.
Presentation on the new Lake Co. Economic Development Strategy – Jeff Lucas, Lake County Economic Development Corporation
-small businesses can contact www.westcenter.org for help getting loans, marketing, building your brand, etc.
-They will have an emergency preparedness workshop on March 4th from noon-2:00 at the Lakeport City Hall. Call 707-964-7571 to register.
New Lake County Economic Development strategy: this is something that is being developed since 1983. Helps with loans for businesses, educational workshops, and help with loans for housing for employees.
Short term goals:
1) find 25 commercial sites to market
2) expand broadband services
3) fund infrastructure improvements (like public bathrooms and wastewater treatment at Lampson Airfield) This will attract businesses to go there.
Jeff encourages us to create our own vision of what we want for Cobb to be included in the Economic Strategic Plan. The more we can do for ourselves on our own the better. Economic path to prosperity to give our input on what we want for that and the Cobb Area Plan.