Categories2022 Minutes by

Minutes | December 15, 2022

COBB AREA COUNCIL

Hybrid PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday December 15, 2022 at 6:30pm

In person and online via Zoom and Facebook

Draft Minutes

 

  1. 6:34 CALL TO ORDER

By acting chair , Chris Nettles: Secretary

  1. Roll Call
  • Present – Chris Nettles: Secretary, Frank Lincoln: Treasurer Jake Strickler: Member-at-large
  • Not present, Cathy McCarthy: Chairperson, Joe Schneider: Alternate

 

  1. Approval of Agenda and Minutes
  • Agenda approval motion:
  • Frank moved to approve the Dec 15, 2022agenda
  • Eliot seconded
  • Passed unanimously

 

  • Motion to approve November 2022 Minutes
  • Eliot moved to approve June 2022 minutes
  • Magdalena seconded
  • Passed unanimously
  1. Short Announcements

 

  1. Public and Board Comment on Non-Agenda Items (3 mins./individual)

 

  1. Nominations and Elections

The regular annual nominations and elections to fill one vacant seat on Cobb Area Council for the two-year term beginning January 2023 and ending December 2025.

Frank moved to table this item until next meeting

Tom seconded

Motion to table passed unanimously

 

  1. Treasurer’s Report- Frank

In the black!

  • General Fund: $ 2,860.77
  • Blackberry Cobbler Festival: $14,998.25
  • Cobb Resource Hub: $1,124.62
  • Emergency Preparedness: $2,417.62
  • T‐shirt sales: $2,603.89
  • Total assets: $24,005.15

8. Fire Season Update-Paul Duncan – No report

  1. Cobbite of the Year Presentation

Congratulations to the 2022 Cobbites of the year:

The Cobb Mountain Lions Club – President Robert Stark accepted the award

Chief Paul Duncan

  1. Next Meeting

Consideration of the Findings Required by AB 361 to Allow Teleconferenced Meetings by this Body to Continue ( AB 361 Brown Act and Virtual Meetings)

Motion made by Eliot

Seconded by Jake

Motion approved unanimously

Date of Next Regular Meetings: January 19, 2022.

7:06 Adjournment

Social Hour followed! The Mountain Lions Club opened their lounge for us. Thank you Mountain Lions.

Categories2022 Minutes by

Minutes | November 17, 2022

COBB AREA COUNCIL

Hybrid  PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday November 17, 2022 at 6:30pm

In person and online via Zoom and Facebook

Draft Minutes

  1. 6:36 CALL TO ORDER
    1. By chair Cathy McCarthy
  2. Roll Call
    1. Present – Cathy McCarthy: Chairperson,; Christopher Nettles: Secretary;; Frank Lincoln: Treasurer, Joe Schneider – Member-at-large:, Jake Strickler: Member-at-large, Mel McMurin – Alternate
    2. Not present:; none
  • Vacant – Vice-chairperson
  1. Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag.
  2. Approval of Agenda and Minutes
    1. Agenda approval motion:
    2. Chair made amendments to the agenda (strike County Supv report, Fire Chief Report. And move Tourist Ambassador program to January)
  • Chris moved to approve amended agenda, Frank seconded
  1. Passed unanimously

 

  1. Motion to approve Octoberr, 2022 Minutes
  2. Chris moved to approve October 2022 minutes
  • Frank seconded
  • Passed unanimously

 

  1. Nominations and Elections

 

  1. Christopher Nettles & Jake Strickler elected by voice vote to 2-year terms (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024)
  2. Alternate seat election tabled
  3. Frank Lincoln provided resignation letter.
  4. Election for vacant seat (1 year) term will also occur at the Dec meeting

 

  1. Short Announcements
    1. Geothermal committee
    2. Americorps team arriving Dec. 19
    3. Risk Reduction Authority meeting Nov 21st.
    4. Breakfast with Santa at school Dec 3rd

 

  1. Public and Board Comment on Non-Agenda Items (3 mins./individual)

 

  1. Lake County Broadband Solutions – John Carlisi, CFO
    1. Discussion with public comments
    2. Watch on Facebook from 35:25 to 1:56:33: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=826567341949878

 

  1. Treasurer’s Report- Frank

In the black!

  • General Fund: $2860.77
  • Blackberry Cobbler Festival: $14, 988.25
  • Cobb Resource Hub: $1124.62
  • Emergency Preparedness: $2417.62
  • T‐shirt sales: 2603.89
    • Total assets: $24, 005.15

 

  1. 7:50 Committee Reports (3 minutes/individual)
    1. Firewise Communities:
      1. Magdalena – Firewise is a recognition program that may open the door for insurance benefits. Safer from Fire framework may also offer insurance discounts. We are close to 7 Firewise communities in Cobb. Lake County Prescribed Burn Association is meeting. Got to tribalrestoration.org for more details on prescribed burns and cultural land management practices.
      2. Cindy – Estates neighborhood. No Report
  • Glenneth – Jones Creek Crossing neighborhood
  1. Gene – BottleRock neighborhood
  2. David T. – Cobb View neighborhood
  3. Laurie – no report

 

  1. Communications Committee- Mel
    1. Non-fire season mode. Only have about 30-40 people checking-in on Wednesdays.
    2. Reasons for check-ins: 1) to hear test alert; 2) make sure radios work; 3) to get used to speaking and listening to the radio “jargon”; 4) get acquainted with Calfire use of radio frequencies; 5) log volunteer hours for Firewise communities.
  • These types of radio networks are important because they do not go down the power goes out.
  1. For more information go to cobbalert.net

 

  1. Budget Committee- Chris

Working on CAC 2023 budget. Will present for approval in January

 

  1. Forest Health Committee- Eliot

Committee will be meeting next week

Another test burn of the ACI will happening next week

Text Greg if you are interested in getting some of the wood –707-529-2048

Will be starting a Watershed Stewardship Program for property owners along Kelsey, Adobe, & Cole creeks. Economic Development Committee- Joe

 

  1. Cobbite of the Year committee -awards will be given at December meeting

 

  1. Consideration of the Findings Required by AB 361 to Allow Teleconferenced Meetings by this Body to Continue ( AB 361 Brown Act and Virtual Meetings)

Moved, seconded, and approved to continue hybrid format for next meeting.

 

  1. Date of Next Regular Meeting: December 15, 2022, Hybrid meeting
  2. 7:50p Adjournment

Moved by Magdalena, seconded by Chris, unanimously approved.

 

Categories2022 Minutes by

Minutes | October 20, 2022

COBB AREA COUNCIL

Hybrid  PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday October 20, 2022 at 6:30pm

In person and online via Zoom and Facebook

Draft Minutes

6:32 CALL TO ORDER

By chair Cathy McCarthy

Roll Call

Present – Cathy McCarthy: Chairperson,; Christopher Nettles: Secretary;; Frank Lincoln: Treasurer, Joe Schneider: Alternate

Not present:, Jake Strickler: Member-at-large,

Vacant – Vice-chairperson

Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag.

Approval of Agenda and Minutes

Agenda approval motion:

Chris moved to approve the agenda

Laurie seconded

Passed unanimously

Motion to approve September, 2022 Minutes

Eliot moved to approve September 2022 minutes

Joe seconded

Passed unanimously

Nominations and Elections

Current Alternate, Joe Schneider to assume vacant seat for the remainder of the term (end of 2023).

Nominations and Elections of New Alternate to serve the remainder of this term (end of 2022).

Mel McMurrin nominated by Cathy McCarthy

Nomination seconded by Chris Nettles

Mel accepted nomination

No other nominations put forward

Mel Mc Murrin unanimously elected to Alternate seat

The regular annual nominations and elections to fill vacant seats on Cobb Area Council will take place at November Meeting for the two-year term beginning January 2023.

Alternate election for 2023 (1 year) term will also occur at the November meeting

PG&E Spokesperson Melinda Riviera re: Vegetation Management and Undergrounding

Discussion with public comments

Watch on Facebook from 10:15 to 1:01:19: https://fb.watch/gR_o5QJvac/

Public and Board Comment on Non-Agenda Items (3 mins./individual)

Statements from candidates in November elections

  • Cherise Reynolds
  • Harris – Yuba Community College Board
  • Larry Allen – MUSD
  • Allison Berlogar – MUSD
  • Annette Lee / Chris Ochs – MUSD

Tom Slaight – Regarding Lake County Recreational Center

Treasurer’s Report- Frank

In the black!

All in balance one check outstanding for $5.60

General Fund:$3036.76

Blackberry Cobbler Festival: $14,998.25

Cobb Resource Hub: $1124.62

Emergency Preparedness: $2417.62

T‐shirt sales: $2603.89

Total assets: $24,186.74

Supervisor’s Comments- Supv. Jessica Pyska

  1. Thank you to all who attended to hear from PG&E. PG&E needs to do the tree work because it has been neglected for so long and to keep the community safe. PG&E also needs to clean up after themselves. Email or call PG&E if they leaving behind slash. If you do not get a response email Supv. Pyska with the details Jessica.Pyska@lakecountyca.gov, They also need to following appropriate standards and rules. They also need to be accountable to the public, which they’ve now tried to do with the phone number provided.
  2. Applied for a grant to develop a Climate Action Plan.
  3. Hope to have the Climate Resiliency Officer in place within the next few weeks.
  4. Brought in $17M in the past year.
  5. Broadband strategic plan is moving forward at the county level. More to report in Nov
  6. Tree mortality – PG&E is doing the heavy lifting for getting Tress down. Calfire is doing their part. County Public Works is still trying to get their tree program going. Declared emergency in May, but have not heard from the state. Trying to have a regional approach.  The required match is difficult for a small county like Lake – we need help from the state for these $ matches.
  7. Community Wildfire Protection Plan is out for comment now.
  8. Ballots went out without the COBB Water Board candidates on them. If you are service by Cobb Water and don’t have the board election on you ballot, a new ballot is on its way soon.
  9. Clearlake recreation center is being constructed behind the Safeway. Aquatic center is still under consideration. $45M for both projects.

Fire Season Update – Paul Duncan

  1. Still are in fire season. No unpermitted burns until fire season is officially over (declared).
  2. CalFire will be using a new online-only burn permit system – coming soon.
  3. Full staffing will continue in to December
  4. Equipment received to help with Access Road egress improvement project.
  5. Several controlled burns are going on around the county – TREX/ Tribal burns are happening.
  6. Air Curtain Incinerator will be burning next week.
  7. Does not make sense to keep pines on ground because they rot within two years.

7:50 Committee Reports (3 minutes/individual)

  1. Firewise Communities:

Now is a good time to turn in recording sheets for Firewise Community certification.

Magdalena – Firewise is a recognition program that may open the door for insurance benefits. Safer from Fire framework may also offer insurance discounts. We are close to 7 Firewise communities in Cobb. Lake County Prescribed Burn Association is meeting. Got to tribalrestoration.org for more details on prescribed burns and cultural land management practices.

Cindy – Estates neighborhood. No Report

Glenneth – Jones Creek Crossing neighborhood

Gene – BottleRock neighborhood

David T. – Cobb View neighborhood

Laurie – no report

 

Communications Committee- Mel

Non-fire season mode. Only have about 30-40 people checking-in on Wednesdays.

Reasons for check-ins: 1) to hear test alert; 2) make sure radios work; 3) to get used to speaking and listening to the radio “jargon”; 4) get acquainted with Calfire use of radio frequencies; 5) log volunteer hours for Firewise communities.

These types of radio networks are important because they do not go down the power goes out.

For more information go to cobbalert.net

Budget Committee- Chris

Working on CAC 2023 budget. Question raised about whether T-shirt fund is restricted. It is not.

Forest Health Committee- Eliot

Committee will be meeting next week

Another test burn of the ACI will happening next wek

Text Greg if you are interested in getting some of the wood –707-529-2048

Will be starting a Watershed Stewardship Program for property owners along Kelsey, Adobe, & Cole creeks.

Economic Development Committee- Joe

LCBS and Cobb Water Company have a contract and ready to more forward with the broadband trial in several Cobb neighborhoods.

 

Need to form the Cobbite of the Year committee

Consideration of the Findings Required by AB 361 to Allow Teleconferenced Meetings by this Body to Continue ( AB 361 Brown Act and Virtual Meetings)

Moved, seconded, and approved to continue hybrid format for next meeting.

 

Date of Next Regular Meeting: November 17, 2022 Hybrid meeting

 

7:50p Adjournment

Moved by Chris, Seconded by Dave,  unanimously approved.

Categories2022 Minutes by

Minutes | September 15, 2022

COBB AREA COUNCIL

Hybrid  PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday September 15, 2022 at 6:30pm

In person and online via Zoom and Facebook

Draft Minutes

 

6:37 CALL TO ORDER

By chair Cathy McCarthy

Roll Call

Present – Cathy McCarthy: Chairperson, Cindy Leonard – Vice-Chairperson, Jake Strickler: Member-at-large

Not present: Christopher Nettles: Secretary, Joe Schneider: Alternate- Frank Lincoln: Treasurer

Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag.

Approval of Agenda and Minutes

Agenda approval motion:

Magdalena moved to approve the agenda

Cindy seconded

Passed unanimously

 

Motion to approve June Minutes

Eliot moved to approve June 2022 minutes

Cindy seconded

Passed unanimously

 

Short Announcements

September is Disaster Preparedness Month. First week of October is Fire Prevention week

Lion’s club distributes free food on first Wed & third Thursday from 8a-10a

Cathy gave a special thank you to our video crew: Alan Horwitz, Tom Stiles, & Eliot Hurwitz.

 

Public and Board Comment on Non-Agenda Items (3 mins./individual)

Eliot announced OURCO beta testing – Cobb app for passing news and commenting on issues

Annette Lee running for MUSD school board.

Cindy Leonard resigned from the Cobb Area Council effective 9/16/2022

 

Treasurer’s Report- Frank

 

In the black!

General Fund: $3096.64

Blackberry Cobbler Festival: $14686.85

Cobb Resource Hub: $1124.62

Emergency Preparedness: $2417.62

T‐shirt sales: $2603.89

Total assets: $23,929.62

There are two outstanding checks from Cobbler Festival

Supervisor’s Comments- Supv. Jessica Pyska

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make the Cobbler Festival a success.

There is form available on the county website for self to county boards and concils. Filling out that form is one way to get your name in the running for the open alternate seat on the Cobb Area Council

Government to Government meeting regarding the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Plans are to make it a living document. October 5th will be public comment on the CWPP at the Lake County Board of Supervisors chambers.

Supv Pyska is looking for volunteers to sit n the committee revising the Lake County hazard Mitigation Plan. Please email Supv. Pyska if you are interested.

Need two volunteers from Cobb for the Geysers Geothermal committee which meets to discuss issues to geothermal power generation. Also, need one person from the Cobb Water Board,

PG&E invited to county board meeting to discuss hazard tree mitigation and other forestry work they are doing around the area. PG&E has a new hotline for wood removal – (800)564-5080. You can also email them at treesafety@pge.com .

Jessica had a meeting with State Senator McQuire. He is facilitating a meeting with PG&E’s regional VP.

Tree Mortality emergency requires hel from multiple agencies and companies. The county is preparing to apply for disaster act financial assistance to contract out tree removal along county righ-of-ways. Focusing on evacuation corridors first.

 

Fire Season Update – Paul Duncan

Camp operations are doing well. May have a 3rd crew here. A lot equip is out in Siskiyou and Nevada counties fight fires, although, they try to keep as much personnel and equipment here to put out local fires quickly.

Doing work on the Air Curtin Incinerator. Moved it and have a lot of material delivered there. Will start burning when the weather permits. Also, they have developed a go/no-go list to determine operation based on a list of conditions.

Heliopods are tin operation They are tanks that help with water supply for firefighting helicopter.

Chief Duncan discussed the Hwy175 construction with CalTrans. Flaggers are now in place until fire season is done (instead)

Powerline undergrounding has started in various areas around the Cobb Area

No burning until fire season is over!!

Jessica acknowledged the 7th year anniversary and all Chief Duncan did to help the community during and after that disaster.

 

Blackberry Cobbler Festival report

Many thanks to all the donors, volunteers, and vendors who made the

Watch drone footage on the recording of the CAC on Facebook from 47:32 –

County estimated that over 3500 people attended (based on cars)

600 pieces of Cobbler sold by the Cobb Mountain Lions

100 people for the Harvest Dinner – made 600 dollars for the CAC from the dinner

Festival made $11,800 after expenses.

Tab on Explore Cobb website with more details for next year.

Created a plaque for the winners of the Kelly Stuckey Blackberry Cobbler award

There will be many other improvements for next year.

 

7:50 Committee Reports (3 minutes/individual)

Firewise Communities:

Magdelena – Seigler Springs Fire wise community has nothing new to report

Firewise community re-certifications are due in November for the year.

SSCRA is working on the Community Wildfire Defense Grant. Also now need an action plan for three years.

Also discussed need to identify street signs for dead ends, etc. email Magdalena at magdalenavh@sscra.org

 

Cindy – Community met in may and gathered sheets. Already submitted and was rejected. Apparently, there is a new form to streamline things. Every three years must update action plan.

 

Glenneth – Jones creek – bringing down trees and digging trenches of power lines.  Richie Bucher will be taking over this Jones Creek Firewise neighborhood group.

 

Gene – Not available

 

David T. – no report

 

Laurie –no report

 

Communications Committee- Mel

13 radios sold at Cobbler festival

 

Budget Committee- Chris

No report

 

Forest Health Committee- Eliot

Working on comprehensive list of potential projects for future grants.

 

Economic Development Committee- Joe

No report

 

Consideration of the Findings Required by AB 361 to Allow Teleconferenced Meetings by this Body to Continue ( AB 361 Brown Act and Virtual Meetings)

Moved, seconded, and approved to continue hybrid format for next meeting.

 

Date of Next Regular Meeting: October 20, 2022 Hybrid meeting

 

7:50p Adjournment

Moved by Magdalena, Seconded by Cindy, unanimously approved.

 

 

Categories2022 Minutes by

Minutes | August 18, 2022

COBB AREA COUNCIL

Hybrid  PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday August 18, 2022, at 6:30pm

In person and online via Zoom and Facebook

Draft Minutes

 

6:32 CALL TO ORDER

By chair Cathy McCarthy

Roll Call

Present – Cathy McCarthy: Chairperson, Chris Nettles: Secretary, – Frank Lincoln: Treasurer

Not present, Jake Strickler: Member-at-large, Cindy Leonard: Vice-Chairperson. Joe Schneider: Alternate

 

Approval of Agenda and Minutes

Motion to approve current agenda:

Frank moved to approve the August 18, 2022, agenda with no changes

Chris seconded

Passed unanimously

 

Motion to approve past meeting minutes:

Frank moved to approve July 2022 minutes with no changes

Chris seconded

Passed unanimously

 

AB 361 Brown Act and Virtual Meetings-

Consideration of the Findings Required by AB 361 to Allow Teleconferenced Meetings by this Body to Continue

Motion made by Chris to continue Zoom, Facebook (hybrid) meetings by the Cobb Area Council for September 2022.

Frank seconded

No discussion

Passed unanimously

 

6:35 Short Announcements

Still looking for Cobbler Festival volunteers – send Message to CAC Facebook page if interested. Shout out to Laurie Lincoln

Glenneth Lambert. – Sculpture Jam will be delayed until next year.

Offering Clay classes – if interested, reach out on (707) 295-6934

 

Cobbler contest – question about what is acceptable. Must be Cobbler & Must be made from blackberries.

 

 

6:40 Public and Board Comment on Non-Agenda Items (3 mins. /individual)

Tom Slaight – Tom delivered a letter to Supervisor Pyska regarding Lake County Board of Supervisor disrespectful treatment of citizen comments.

 

 

6:50 Treasurer’s Report- Frank

 

General Fund: $3359.44

Blackberry Cobbler Festival: $7105.11

Cobb Resource Hub: $1173.21

Emergency Preparedness: $2417.62

T‐shirt sales: $2603.89

Total assets: $16, 659.27

 

6:55 Supervisor’s Comments- Supv. Jessica Pyska

Climate Resiliency Officer job ad was released by the county – go to the county website if interested.

Tree mortality: PG&E has cut down over 3200 trees in the last couple of months. CLERC has reallocated some of their Fire Protection funds to Fox Dr. neighborhood. Spoke with Sen. McGuire regarding Tree Mortality/beetle kill 2 weeks ago one-on-one. Several big grant opportunities county is working on. In equity around rural counties not being able to compete effectively on certain grant opportunities. Discussing how to level the playing field.

Jessica mentioned that at the state level, they are noticing what we are doing here in Lake County, and she recognized the work that everyone in Cobb is doing on the fire prevention, forest health, and disaster mitigating fronts.

Mentioned large $22M home hardening project funded by FEMA with matching fund from CalOES.hardening 500 homes in 3 years.

Met with Napa and Mendocino supervisor regarding Tree Mortality, building a regional coalition. Declaring emergency using the Lake County template. Also pulling together task forces in their counties. Lake Co continue to remove hazard teres around our roadways and infrastructure.

Resource Conservation District (RCD) and Fire Safe Councils (FSC) are the avenues where the state funnels money for fire protection. We are not strong in either institution. We don’t have a county-wide FSC. RCD has lost a director and board members they are recruiting and there is a set open for L.C. District 1 and At-large/. Jessica ais looking for someone to be on that board.

Projections are that the drought will continue. Remember that Cobb is at the top of several watersheds. Even though there is still much water up here, there needs to be enough to flow downstream. Keep conserving.

District 4 LC Board of Supervisors, Tina Scott, resigned. Rest of the board is stretched thin. Governor will appoint. If you know anyone in District 4 who can run/apply, please encourage them. There is an application on the Governor’s website. Jessica picked up the Diversity Equity and Inclusion meeting. Public forums will start in the winter on Health Equity, Race & Law Enforcement, Education. Great opportunities for the public to contribute

Community Development Director quit.  Maria Turner will be interim director. Recruitment for the new director continues.

New Climate Officer will be responsible for creating a Climate Action Plan.

 

7:10 Fire Season Update – Paul Duncan

Clarified that there are 3 separate programs PG&E is running now:

Hazard tree mitigation

Enhanced vegetation clearance

Normal maintenance

May look intense.

One of our helicopters is being maintained in Sacramento and will return.

2nd crew put in place at Konocti, 31 engines, 6 dozers.

Konocti lookout is not closed. Volunteers are not allowed to be in the tower because it is unsafe. Will fix it after a structural survey

Operation Force Multiplier continues. Handed out of all equipment (Fire extinguisher and McCleod tool). Tools have been used to extinguish 7 fire events. Program will continue next year.

Helipod program: a tank that stays full – portable tank. This is really helpful during this drought. Fire Sirens donated fund to purchase two – $70K

Copters close the ground don’t necessarily mean a fire – may be identifying water sources.

Goats cleared Pine Summit – Tommy the Goat Guy is available for large lot clearing

Reminder: Do not use a metal blade mower for grass – only string weed trimmers.

 

 

Committee Reports (3 minutes/individual)

Firewise Communities:

Magdelena:

General state of Firewise communities – we are growing. Loch Lomond has applied and is waiting. Brings Firewise associations to six in the Cobb area.

Had a special meeting to consider Community Wildfire Defense Grant released by US Forest Service. Which non-profit will take the lead? Many opportunities for funding here. Collecting project ideas to include in a grant application. May require matching (in-kind is possible).

County has released the plan for Community Wildfire Protection Plan public input process. Sept – government leaders. October 7th – general public input. Need CWPP for access to grant programs

Cindy – not present

Glenneth – No update for Jones Creek Firewise. PG&E working in neighborhood with undergrounding projects.

Gene – No update

David – No update

Laurie – No update

Communications Committee- Mel

Cobb Alert Net is having 30-40 check-in, about half of last year.

Loch Lomond group is taking off

Watch Duty while good, not as fast, or personal as the Cobb Alert net

Find out more at cobbalert.net or email questions to cobbalertnet@gmail.com

Radios are available at the Cobb Resource Hub

Budget Committee- Chris

Will begin meetings next month

Forest Health Committee- Eliot

Work on ACI continues – MOU signed, Checklist for use is being developed

Next meeting 9/2 at 4p

Moving forward on the Cobb Mountain Watershed Education Program

Economic Development Committee- Joe

Joe not present – no meeting during August

Need liaisons to from Cobb to Middletown Merchants Association or Kelseyville Business associate

Cobbler Festival 2022- Cindy/Cathy

Multiple vendors and other big announcements about the 2022 Cobbler Festival. 59 booths to come visit, August 27th

Blackberry Harvest Diner on 8/26

Sat night Mandala Springs 8/27

Sunday morning hike with Friends of Boggs Mountain 8/28

Pine Grove events on Sunday evening 8/28

 

Date of Next Regular Meeting: September 15, 2022

Adjournment at 7:57pm

Categories2022 Minutes by

Minutes | July 21, 2022

COBB AREA COUNCIL

Hybrid  PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday July 21, 2022 at 6:30pm

In person and online via Zoom and Facebook

Draft Minutes

 

6:31 CALL TO ORDER

By chair  Cathy McCarthy

Roll Call

Present – Cathy McCarthy: Chairperson, , Chris Nettles: Secretary, Joe Schneider: Alternate- Frank Lincoln: Treasurer

Not present, Jake Strickler: Member-at-large, Cindy Leonard: Vice-Chairperson

Approval of Agenda and Minutes

Agenda approval motion:

Chris to approve the agenda

Frank seconded

Passed unanimously

 

Motion to approve June Minutes

Eliot moved to approve June 2022 minutes

Chris seconded

Passed unanimously

 

6:35 Short Announcements

Blackberry festival coming up on Aug 27 – CAC expresses our full appreciation to the sponsors od our 2022, 2nd Annual Blackberry Cobbler Festival

 

6:40 Public and Board Comment on Non-Agenda Items (3 mins./individual)

 

Tom Slaight requested clarification on the conduct of participants when addressing issues in front of the Cobb Area Council. Cathy acknowledged her role in maintaining order and setting the appropriate tone in CAC meetings.

 

Mel announced a post-op meeting of the Cobb Alert Net exercise on Saturday at Mountain High

 

6:50 Treasurer’s Report- Frank

 

In the black!

General Fund: $3359.44

Blackberry Cobbler Festival: $5715.86

Cobb Resource Hub: $1723.33

Emergency Preparedness: $2417.62

T‐shirt sales: $2603.89

Total assets: $15, 820.14

 

6:55 Supervisor’s Comments- Supv. Jessica Pyska

Updated CAC on fuel reduction projects with CLERC (Clear Lake Environment Research Center) – contractor back on the Fox Drive neighborhood.

North Shore Fire Protection District built out a fuels crew this season in partnership with the tribal community. Supvs Pyska & Simon allocated some discretionary funds to equipment to that crew. They will also be working in the Fox Dr. neighborbood.

 

PG&E is taking down many trees in the Wildcat and Salmina Meadows area. PG&E is having difficulty obtaining the cooperation of some landowners. Please work with them, because fuel reduction helps the entire community.

 

Bookmobile coming soon to Cobb. Will have books has well a Chromebooks, WiFi, hotspots, etc.

 

$640K will fund a Climate Resilience Officer for the county. The job add will be going out early in the next couple of week.

 

$1m allocation from geothermal resources to fund a Cobb parks project – Forest Lake and a trail to peak of Cobb Mountain identified.

 

7:10 Fire Season Update – Paul Duncan

2nd Fire crew added at Konocti Camp.

Air Curtin Incinerator will be back up & running when weather permits

There were two recent fire incidents along Bottlerock road, Crews all did an excellent job keeping those fires contained.

Fire Sirens purchased new helipods for portable water tanks on the helicopers

A masticator is coming soon for clearing important escape routes

One final signup for Operation Force Multiplier (last round in 2022)

No open outdoor burning right now.

 

7:15 CalTrans HWY 175 Bridge Project Information- Presented by Cal-Trans

 

May watch the presentation on Facebook live video from 34 to 38 mins,

 

There was a discussion about a signaling system for managing 1 lane traffic both ways. The community was concerned about the one-way traffic control not being managed by live people at the actual site. CalTrans agreed to reconsider this arrangement. If there are complaints about the construction please contactor Granite Construction or Danielle Ruiz at CalTrans. There will be no impacts to water quality as the clean water from the creek will be diverted around the project.

 

7:45 Cobb Mountain Water Update – Ben Murphy, General Manager Cobb Water District

 

Water levels are two weeks ahead of normal, seeing what we normally would in August. – Please conserve! (Expect to be ok for the full season)

 

Working with Lake County Broadband Service for an agreement to put antennas on one of the water tanks that will support a broadband services trial in a few Cobb neighborhoods.

 

Grant updates – 3 new applications for drinking water improvements to Pine Grove, Alpine Meadows, Starview & Adams Springs. These projects are behind the Mount Hannah & Pineview Heights.

 

Weight capacity and speeding questions presented. Speed bumps were placed on the bridge, but doesn’t seem to deter people from speeding. Bridge had 80k capacity, it is well beyond the specs for this capacity. Bolts are regular checked.

 

7:50 Committee Reports (3 minutes/individual)

Firewise Communities:

Magdelena

Had an evacuation fire evacuation safety training for a small

summer camp along North Siegler Road and it involved

four adults and six kids – kids inspected cars for evacuation supplies

 

2 new volunteers for the home assessment program – 9 homes assessed, 5 scheduled, 17 waiting to be conducted. Need additional volunteers.

 

Conducted Fire Safe Council workshop Firewires Communities have grown to 17 from 4 in 2018 and two more in the works.

 

No chipping in August. Too dangerous in the high heat.

 

Cindy – Not available

 

Glenneth – Not available

 

Gene – Not available

 

David T. – CLERC starting on smaller parcels in Fox Drive area

 

Laurie – starting new Firewise Community in Gordon Springs area

 

 

Communications Committee- Mel

 

Cobb Alert Net has 240 – 265 members, 25 total GMRS radios

Cobb Resource Hub has $10 Retivis rt22 radios for sale

 

Budget Committee- Chris

Starting 2023 Budget planning in August, Chris N, Frank L. & John Carlisi are on the committee. If you want to contribute to this committee, contact Chris Nettles: cdnettles@gmail.com

 

Request from chair to add Communications Committee to 2023 Budget

 

Forest Health Committee- Eliot

 

ACI will start burning material from the contractors working on local projects

 

Announced Watershed Education Program, stay tuned for more details soon. (kicking off in Feb

 

Economic Development Committee- Joe

 

Glenneth proposed a Sculpture Jam weekend in Oct.

 

Econ Development committee taking a month off because of the activities associated with planning for the Blackberry Cobbler Festival.

 

Need liaisons between CAC and Middletown Area Merchants Association or Kelseyville Business Owner’s Association.

 

Need volunteers for the Blackberry Cobbler Festival, please contact Cobb Area Council if interested. Cobbmccarthys@gmail.com for vendor applications. ($35 for goods, $50 for food vendors

 

8:15 Motion for Special Saturday Meeting

Tabled until further notice.

 

8:20 Date of Next Regular Meetings: August 18, 2022

 

8:15 Adjournment

 

 

Categories2022 Minutes by

Minutes | June 16, 2022

 COBB AREA COUNCIL

PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday June 16, 2022 at 6:30pm

In person only due to technical issues

Draft Minutes

  1.  6:32 CALL TO ORDER by chair Cathy McCarthy
  2. Roll Call (3 required for quorum)

Present – Cathy McCarthy: Chairperson, Cindy Leonard: Vice-Chairperson, Chris Nettles: Secretary, Joe Schneider: Alternate

Not present – Frank Lincoln: Treasurer, Jake Strickler: Member-at-large

  1.  Approval of Agenda and Minutes

Agenda approval motion:

Rich moved to approve the agenda

Chris seconded

Passed unanimously

 

Motion to approve May Minutes

Paul moved to approve May 2022 minutes

Frank Lincoln seconded

Passed unanimously

  1. Short Announcements

Guests present:

  1. Descendants of the Anderson family
  2. Alex Hall, Master’s student from George Washington University, working on thesis related to fire recovery, using photovoice method

Cakes & More opening July 1 (Elvin & Mona are the owners)

Pine Grove Pool Open 9a-6p, also Farmer’s Market on Tuesdays from 3p-6:45p.

Pancake Breakfast at Lion’s Club on July 3

Public and Board Comment on Non-Agenda Items (3 mins./individual)

Boggs Mountain – 3 new trails open. 10 miles of new trails. Bike Monkey race a success, about 400 riders.

Rich requested that we consider changing the format of the meetings to have more written reports or presentations online so that we make more space for community discussions. Also asked that we consider opening up the CAC meetings to vacation home owners.

May have a community meet & greet for vacation homeowners on Saturday, August 6th – need to add to July CAC agenda

  1. Treasurer’s Report- Cindy for Frank

In the black!

General Fund: $3359.44

Blackberry Cobbler Festival: $6004.50

Cobb Resource Hub: $2273.36

Emergency Preparedness: $2417.62

T‐shirt sales: $2603.89

Total assets: $16, 734.75

  1.  Supervisor’s Comments- Jessica Pyska

 

Community Wildfire Protection Plan (last updated in 2009) new draft is posted on the county website. Administrative office is working on a comment process Seeking comments from Municipal Advisory Councils (Cobb Area Council, Middletown Area Town Hall, etc.).

Tree mortality update – Continues to be an issue. Tree Mortality Taskforce is meeting. Jessica is working with our state congressional reps to pull together some state funding to address this issue.

Geothermal funds were allocated to new parks and trails around the Cobb Area: Forest Lake Community Park, Regional Park will include trails to the top of Cobb County.

There are also plans for phase 2 of trail development on Mount Konocti.

  1.  Fire Season Update – Paul Duncan

`       Air tankers doing practice runs in the Geysers

Fully staffed now for the fire season.

No burning allowing now (unless you ger an exception permit)

Please do not post fires to Facebook without calling 911

Use string trimmers for weed eating now instead of a mowing blade – blade can

throw sparks

320 now on the list for Mcleods and pressurized water fire extinguishers

  1.  Hwy 175 Project – Caltrans moved to July

Rich C. expressed concerns about people detouring via Rainbow Bridge

  1.  Committee Reports (3 minutes/individual)
    1. Firewise Communities:

Magdelena – Loch Lomond moving ahead with community risk assessment. Personalized home risk assessment program is ready for homeowner referrals.

Cindy – Reviewed community work day priorities and plan. Would like to take load or two of brush to the Air Curtin Burner

Glenneth – Registered letters sent to high-risk properties. Many were returned undeliverable. Jessica to help with identifying property owners. A second exit from neighborhood has been identified.

Gene – Nothing to report

    1. Communications Committee- Mel

Continue weekly check-ins on Wednesdays at 6:30p for information go to https://cobbalertnet.wordpress.com/

FRS (short distance) radios are available of the Cobb Resource Hub

Eliot was asked about the Lake County Broadband Solution trial for high-speed internet services in Cobb. – Still waiting for antennas to delivered and installed on water tower.

    1. Budget Committee- Chris

Planning to begin meetings in August to create our 2023 budget

    1. Forest Health Committee- Chris/ Eliot

Announced that there is work being done (funded by Clear Lake Blue Ribbon Committee) to create a watershed education program for Cobb Area landowners and leaders.

Showed video of first chainsaw safety education program.

Discussion around the details for the Air Curtin Burner trial. Some concerns were raised about the fees. The committee will continue to assess this as we bring on potential commercial uses for the burner.

Motion to Approve/Disapprove  MOU#2 061322  re: Curtain Burner with Cobb Forest Stewards was presented by Eliot

 

Chris made motion to accept the MOU for signature

Gene seconded

Passed unanimously

  1. Economic Development Committee- Joe

Cobbler Festival 2022 will be Saturday, August 27 from 11a to 5pm at Mountain Meadow Gold Course location. Planning underway – meeting every two weeks. If you are interested in serving on the committee, contact Cindy Leonard.

If interested in being a vendor, contact Jennifer at bottlerockcandlestudio@gmail.com

Cobb Arts & Ecology open house on June 25th & 26th.

  1. Date of Next Meetings: July 19, 2022 at 6:30p – hybrid meeting planned
  2. 8:15  meeting adjourned