COBB AREA COUNCIL
PUBLIC MEETING
Thursday December 19, 2024 at 6:30pm
In-Person and Online Participation Available
MINUTES (Approved 1-16-2025)
CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:31pm
ROLL CALL:
Present: Cathy McCarthy, Chris Nettles, Darlene Warner, Jake Strickler
Absent: Joe Schneider, Mel McMurrin (in Australia)
Attendance: 20, Cobb Area voters: 18
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion by Paul, 2nd by Chris. All in favor, none opposed. Agenda approved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Chris, 2nd by Mary. All in favor, none opposed. Minutes approved.
SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Robert – PTO Breakfast with Santa was a tremendous success. Annual Crab Feed will be March 1st. Thanked CAC. Lion’s Friendsgiving had 75 people and was community spirited, hoping to double the size of it next year.
Magdalena – 6 Firewise groups submitting their renewal applications: 2 are approved, 2 are pending, working with the other 2 to get their applications in.
Mary – Gleaners overview. The Gleaners started in 1981 and are the stewards of the USDA food program. Started with 1 site, now have 8, bringing food to 2,500 families (6-7K meals monthly, 250K meals annually). Gleaners has a warehouse but needs another one. Bought the Worm Farm in Kelseyville a couple years ago. Trying to create a drive-thru in Finley off of Stone Drive. The property has one existing warehouse and needs to build another one with refrigerator space. Looking for volunteers in developing these properties. Anyone with building expertise to please contact the Gleaners. Please see handout – attached and incorporated herewith as Attachment “B”
Undersheriff Luke Bingham – Introduction. Sheriff-Elect to be sworn-in January 6th.
Grew up in Lake County, moved here in 1980. Went to Middletown Elementary, Middle and High schools. Served 4 years in the USAF. Been in law enforcement with Lake County for 26 years. Community oriented philosophy.
PUBLIC AND BOARD COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
NONE
THE REGULAR ANNUAL NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS:
Nominations and Elections to FILL TWO SEATS on Cobb Area Council for terms that begin January 2025 and end December 2026. (Chris Nettles and Jake Strickler)
Darlene moved to nominate Chris Nettles and Jake Strickler by slate. Eliot 2nd. Chris and Jake accepted nomination. All in favor, none opposed. No other nominations were submitted.
Nominations and Elections of NEW ALTERNATE to serve the term beginning January 2025 and ending December 2025.
Chris nominated Chief Paul Duncan. 2nd Eliot. All in favor, none opposed. No other nominations were submitted.
Jessica noted each nominated person needs to submit their application to the County as soon as possible so they may be appointed in time for our next CAC meeting in January.
In January of each year, the C.A.C. Board of Directors will hold a roll call election from its regular members to select the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT: Jessica Pyska
Thanked members of CAC. Congratulated Luke. Tree mortality surveys were finalized and sent to Cal OES. Asked to complete this survey to find out how many dead and dying trees are along the County right-of-way roads. 3,100 trees killed by Bark Beetle identified up here. New problem identified is Red Ring Rot, affecting Douglas Fir trees. For this to be covered under the disaster assistance act, it must be tied to drought. The pile of trees along 175 towards Middletown are all the dead trees that PGE has cut down and left behind. It took a lot of effort to get PGE to get them to move the trees. Another machine coming called a pyrolizer, which will produce biochar. There is an agreement with Water Resources to use the biochar in different ways experimentally. Has been appointed to a national task force with the National Association of Counties (NACO), which gives an opportunity to do some reform work on FEMA. Finding on a National scale that coverage for Counties is inadequate. Manager of OES is Sheriff Luke Bingham; will be collaborating with him to meet County thresholds needed for Federal Disasters, as we don’t have the necessary population. A new threat to our Lake is Golden Muscles, detected in our Delta, first time they’ve been detected in North America. Not much information on how they affect freshwater yet. Immediate need for $350K in order to be as proactive as possible. Quagga Muscle dogs are being trained now for detecting Golden Muscles. In the summer of 2021, our Treasury pool was $400M, with about half being held for Special Districts. Since then, the investment strategy was implemented, significant interest was earned – in the 3rd Quarter of 2024 budget report, the County’s treasury pool increased substantially to $16.7M. South Lake Fire Protection District has earned $274K in interest so far. Expecting continued growth but will level out. Memo is attached and incorporated herewith as Attachment “C”
Treasurer’s Report- Chris
Submitted. Attached and incorporated herewith as Attachment “A”
CAC website: Minutes and Agendas discussed.
Fire Season Update – Paul Duncan
Burn permits are now obtained through Air Quality. Been doing a lot of work at Boggs and around the elementary school nature trail. Goal is to clean up the area, so kids don’t walk out of their classroom and see dead trees. NWS Weather Spotter class has been rescheduled to January 18th at Station 60 in Middletown. If trees don’t have bark on them, they are in high danger of coming down in wind events. Check batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless.
CalTrans has been working on shaded fuel breaks all along Highway 175, from Middletown through Cobb. This project has been in the works for the past 2 years or so. If your property borders Highway 175, please complete a right-of-entry form so they can do the work. Jessica gave thanks for an epic Candy Cane Run this year. Paul gave thanks to J.R. Rogers from Napa for the live Santa Tracker during the Candy Cane Run.
Cathy Awarded Division Chief Paul Duncan the 2022 Cobbite of the Year award! (Finally)
COBBITE OF THE YEAR PRESENTATIONS
Madelyn Martinelli – Business Cobbite of the Year
For 34 years, has owned and operated Loch Lomond Mail Express, and continues to despite challenges. For 24 years, has been on the Lake County Fire District Council, and has signed up for another 4 years.
Angie Winchester – Individual Cobbite of the Year
Special recognition for outstanding work running the Cobb School Garden, and avid fundraising efforts.
Darlene Hecomovich – Legacy Award
Presented by: Laurie Lincoln
Darlene has lived all of her life in Cobb. Her parents owned Seigler Springs Resort – she grew up there. Over the years has been active member of Redbud Audubon Society, Lake County Land Trust, and Friends of Boggs Mountain for over 20 years. She was instrumental in creating the interpretive signs in Boggs Forest and Cobb Elementary School. Volunteered for the literacy program in Lakeport for many years. Recently committed to the eradication of Scotch Broom. Avid bird watcher and identifier.
NEXT MEETING: January 16, 2025
ADJOURNED AT 7:33PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Secretary Warner