Tag: June

COBB AREA COUNCIL

PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday June 20, 2024 at 6:30pm

MINUTES (Approved July 18, 2024)

CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:40PM

ROLL CALL

Present: Cathy McCarthy, Darlene Warner, Jake Strickler, Mel McMurrin

Absent:  Chris Nettles, Joe Schneider

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Approval of Agenda: Motion by: Darlene, 2^nd by: Jake. All in favor, Agenda approved.

Strike Jason Taormino from Agenda

Approval of Minutes: Motion by: Mary, 2^nd by: Jake, All in favor. Minutes approved.

Short Announcements (3 minutes each)

Robert – the Lion’s Club campfire was successful. July 6^th will be having a Chicken Que, next one will be in August. Bingo is every Saturday night at 7:30pm, with bar open before Bingo at 6:30pm.

Inez – PGE will cut down trees and take the wood away. Took care of two oak trees for free. Pleased with the work they did.

Cathy, from Paul – reminder that it is critical that neighbors maintain their defensible space, especially keeping their Zone Zero (5 feet) clear – it makes homes much more defensible and survivable. Nearly all fires this year have been reburns in areas that have burned before. Dead and downed trees are a component that adds to the difficultly with containment.

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

Magdalena submitted in writing, and read aloud by Darlene:

SAVE THE DATE: Friday, August 2 – Cobb Watershed Education and Restoration Program

The Cobb Watershed Education and Restoration Program (Cobb WERP) will hold its next workshop in the sub-watershed of Schwartz Creek behind the Cobb fire station on August 2 from 9:30AM – 3:30PM.

Our education and restoration team will be taking a new, ambitious approach in this workshop, the sixth in the series. We’ll be focusing on the full stretch of Schwartz Creek and its watershed behind the Cobb fire station. The results of the workshop activities will be compiled into a comprehensive, long-range stewardship “prescription” for the creek. Special attention will be given to a tribal-centric, traditional whole-system, “all our relations” perspective on the watershed including an evaluation of how the subdivision, on septic systems, can most gracefully occupy the land. The final prescription will be offered to the area property owners for their voluntary application. The prescription may also be used on a collective basis to apply for substantial grant funding for its partial or full implementation. It’s our hope and expectation that the assessment and prescription model we develop together as a community at Schwartz Spring can become a template for restoration and land resilience work in the entire Cobb Mt. watershed, flowing from the mountain to Clear Lake. We are grateful for the leadership being demonstrated by the Cobb Area Water District in co-hosting this workshop along with several homeowners/landowners in the subdivision, and we invite all members of the Schwartz Spring community to participate. Past participants in the Cobb WERP workshop series, please RSVP today to secure your place in the Schwartz Spring Workshop. For workshop details, email us at directors@sscra.org.

Supervisor’s Comments – Jessica Pyska

The County has hired several new Directors: Social Services Director, Rachael Dillman Parsons; Public Works Director, Glen March (BOS will be approving road work projects at July 9^th meeting); Water Resources Director, Pawan Upadhyay, Ph.D. (begins July 1^st ); Special Districts Director, Robin Ruddock Borre (begins July 1^st). The County is looking to seat LAC committee members – need 9 people from Cobb, need as many people to apply as soon as possible. 4 to 6 meetings, some virtual, some in-person. The first meeting will be the end of July. Visit www.lakecounty2050.com. Risk Reduction Authority Town Hall available for viewing on the RRA’s YouTube channel. Dr. Michael Jones of the UC Davis Co-op Extension did a presentation with Jessica on the Mediterranean Oak Borer Beetle attacking blue and valley oaks in South County. Please watch it. If you think you have these beetles, please call the Agricultural Commissioner. This beetle infestation originated in Calistoga, believed to have come from French oak barrels. Also there is the Lantern Fly attacking the Tree of Heaven. Pilot program funded by PGE in coordination with Earth Foundries and CLERC, have been stockpiling trees at the Air Curtain Burner location to help dispose of 700 trees that PGE left behind. This is not happening anywhere else but here. Earth Foundries will be installing a “Carbonizer” which will run 24/7 for a couple weeks. Guaranteed tonnage is needed before project can begin; County signed an MOU with LakeCoSAN. Carbonizer makes biochar. Water Resources will be experimenting with using biochar created from carbonizer as a filtration method for creeks that feed into Clearlake. If successful, carbonizer would be the local source for biochar. Needs everyone who was mailed a “Right of Entry” permission form to complete it. To fill out online, visit: www.lakecountyca.gov/1748/TreeMortality. This survey will help to adequately account for the number of dead and dying trees along County right-of-ways to prevent road hazards. This program also provides for removal of dead and dying trees on private property at no cost. This is for County roads, not state highways. This Right-of-Entry (ROE) is two-part: 1) gives permission to enter property to do the tree survey; and 2) gives permission to remove the identified trees.  Presented video on Tree Mortality and ROE from Tetra Tech. A Flyer was provided by Tetra Tech which is attached and incorporated herewith as “Attachment B.”

Introduction: Ray Buenaventura, Chief Public Defender

Presented a slide presentation giving an overview of background and experience, how Lake County public defender’s office is organized and its oversight, and volunteer work. 30 years as a criminal defense expert attorney including Public Defender, Certified Criminal Law Specialist, has tried over 100 cases from basic shoplifting case to death penalty case and everything in-between, on the Board of Trustees of the State Bar Association, has taught law school courses in Evidence, Election Law, Paralegal Studies, and Legal Research and Writing. Former Mayor of Daly City for 4 terms, resigning in December 2023 at end of 4^th term to become Public Defender in Lake County. Accepted position because he saw a need and a purpose – he could make a difference and a change in establishing the Public Defenders Office in Lake County, moving away from the court-appointed LIDS group of contracted lawyers, and into a government/county-funded public defenders office, taking a holistic approach to how defendants are treated from arrest to post-conviction. Currently there are 7 Deputy Defenders, 2 Investigators, and 2 Administrative staff. In January 2025, will begin representing Juvenile cases. Also a Captain with the Civil Air Patrol, and a Command Pilot with Angel Flight Network, a network of volunteer pilots who provide free transportation to people in need for medical treatments, especially in rural areas. For more information visit Angel Flight West’s website: www.angelflightwest.org

Introduction: Jason Taormino, Local Government Affairs, Pacific Gas & Electric

Treasurer’s Report – Chris

Report for May submitted. Attached and incorporated herewith as “Attachment A.” Darlene summarized revenue and expenses from 2/15/24 to 5/16/24. General fund beginning balance at 2/15/24 was $7,449.02 with an ending balance of $6,809.77. Ending balance at 5/16/24 was $6,201.08. Expenses were for storage, Lions Club meeting fees, new checks, and final PG&E bill for the Hub.

Discuss/Approve Authority to continue to rent storage for HUB materials until new location is determined.

Motion by: Robert, 2^nd by: Inez. All in favor. Motion approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS (3 minutes/individual)

Firewise Communities – Magdelena, Cindy, Glenneth, David, Laurie

No report.

Communications Committee – Darlene

Darlene – Cobb Aler Net now has funds transferred over to the CAC general fund. The new repeater is back on the Mountain after a few months. Check-ins have increased from 30 to 50 weekly. Have had a lot of interest, and several new members have joined recently. Gearing up for the Cobbler Festival; will have a booth and a new logo.

Mel: – Ham “Field Day” – Saturday, June 22^nd Mel will be in Bogg’s Forest setup at Ridge Camp with other Ham’s, and even more at CalPine Visitors Center from 11am to 11pm. Every 6 months, County Health Services does a test of their Ham radios in hospitals and clinics, which will be on Monday.  There was a fire about 500 feet behind house in Siegler Springs area; emphasized importance of having radios on and ready. Explained why alert was localized and chose not to “wake-up” entire mountain.

Forest Health Committee – Eliot

No report.

Economic Development Committee – Chris

An extensive, detailed report was submitted in writing by Sally regarding the ExploreCobb website and social media. Darlene read aloud the summary provided, as well as a few highlights of the report. Written summary: “Engagement increased primarily [due] to increased frequency of posting and to the use of video reels, plus lots of tagging relevant pages. Lots of sharing of video posts done by Visit Lake County and other local sites. Plan is to continue and include a pending series of video ‘interviews’ with local businesses. Also increase sharing to travel websites’ social pages.”

Blackberry Cobbler Festival – Cathy

Vendor spots are full, there will be 96 vendors. Need volunteers. The poster is in the works. The Lion’s Club will be making 1,250 servings of Blackberry Cobbler.

Next Meeting: July 18, 2024 (Cathy will be absent; on vacation)

Adjourned at 8:03pm

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Darlene Warner, Secretary

COBB AREA COUNCIL

PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday June 15, 2023 at 6:30pm

In Person and Online Participation Available

Minutes (Approved 7-24-2023)

 CALL TO ORDER at 6:42pm

Roll Call

Present: Cathy McCarthy, Chris Nettles, Darlene Warner, Mel McMurrin

Absent: Jake Strickler, Joe Shneider

Pledge of Allegiance

Approval of Agenda

Motion by Chris, 2^nd by Robert Stark. All in favor, Agenda approved.

Approval of Minutes (As Amended)

Motion by Chris, 2nd by Paul Duncan. Minutes approved as Amended.

[Amendments: Public Comment by Tom Slaight wording correction; Adjournment Motion at last meeting was made by Chris, not Cathy. Determination made a Motion is not necessary in order to Adjourn, per Rosenberg’s Rules of Order.]

Short Announcements

Robert Stark – Bingo every Saturday night at the Mountain Lions Club. Free food to take at the front door.

Austin/PEG TV – will be doing setup at meetings to bring community together. Little Red Schoolhouse does not have the internet bandwidth. Internet speed needs improvements. Recordings of meetings will be available on PegTV website and County YouTube channel.

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

California Allen, Cobb Area County Water District will be taking care of the pipeline under the Rainbow Bridge, not the road itself. Geothermal Commission (Pyska and Simon) will be contributing the financial difference for the work to the road submitted by Rees Winkleman. Cory Draper offered to pay for repair, along with Calpine sharing the cost. Open Mountain (Bottlerock Power) will be at our July meeting.

Robert Thomas – able to get through the log deck at the ACI and was able to “rehome” the chips; post-fire there was lots of energy in the product; would like to see this and biochar blended together, working with SLCFD on food composting. Asking for support from SLCFD and CAC. 707-928-8082. robertthomas@R2company.com.

Supervisor’s Comments- Jessica Pyska

Thanked PEG-TV for providing audio/video. Thanked Cathy for her presentation to the County BOS. CLERC has asked every MAC to come do a presentation now that Cathy/CAC has “set a high bar.” Budget hearings wrapped up this evening, adopting a $380M budget, not all discretionary. Hazardous trees – IRA Grant application submitted to BOS 6/27/23 to offset OES 25% with the full support of Congressman Mike Thompson. A few million have been set aside to start work, and for when project is accepted by CalOES. Bottlerock work – thanks to CLERC, North Shore Fuels, CalFire, Paul Duncan, and timber operators. The Risk Reduction Authority (Pyska is Vice-Chair) along with the County’s Climate Resiliency Officer, has applied for $649K grant. This will be building in capacity, diversity, equity, and inclusion in our programs. Priority is assessing vulnerabilities in developing our Climate Action Plan (CAP), implementing specific actions identified in our local Hazard Mitigation Plan, providing for enhanced public education and awareness of natural hazards, and increased public understanding of disaster preparedness. The CAP also includes a County-wide Evacuation Plan, as well as a Climate Adaption plan. The Climate Resiliency Officer is funded via a grant through the Jumpstart program. We are mandated to update safety element. Pilot project will be the Soda Bay corridor. Next Monday the County is adopting Juneteenth (June 19^th) as a County holiday. There will be no BOS meeting next Tuesday, and County offices will be closed.

Fire Season Update – Paul Duncan

Middletown Days is this weekend and will be in the parade. By the 19^th staffing will be at 1 Engine per Station, by July 1^st will be at 2 Engines per Station. Boggs landing zone clearing is almost complete. Operation Force Multiplier extinguisher and hand tool distribution will be Sunday, June 18^th from 9am to 3pm at Station 60. Highway 175 repairs – flaggers will be 24/7, anytime there’s single-lane traffic during peak fire season, there cannot be lights, it must be manned. Highway 175 bridge work (by Hardester’s) is supposed to begin 6/15 – 6/16, per Jessica. Burn permits have been suspended – unless there is an urgent need to burn. This needs to go to Paul and must articulate the need to burn and have an inspection first to obtain an exemption permit.

Treasurer’s Report- Chris

 Operating Budget Balance at May meeting $22,050.61

Transactions since 5/18/2023

General Fund:   Received $0.00

Paid from General Fund: 835.36 – rent at Hub $500, electric bill for Hub $230.43, Zoom $104.93

Blackberry Cobbler Festival Fund

Received: $1,825 in vendor fees

Paid: Square fees $71.11, Payable app $8.25

Net addition to Festival account: $1,753.89

Current Account Balances

$ 11,797.63 General Fund

8,753.89 Blackberry Cobbler Festival

0.00 Cobb Resource Hub (no currently restricted grant money)

     2,417.62 Emergency Preparedness Fund

$ 22,969,14 Operating Budget Balance (6/15/2023)

$ 48,082.63 Small Business Loan Fund (originally from S.F. Home Loan Bank grant)

$ 71,051.77 Net Assets (30-day increase to net assets of $918.53)

 

Approve/Disapprove Letter re: Cobb Mountain Water’s decision to cease maintenance of Rainbow     Bridge- Robert Stark

This is still in progress – no action taken. Question by Jessica regarding Lions Club/Friends of Cobb funds balance and meetings: funds balance is approximately 61K; there are 6 members that meet once per year.

Committee Reports (3 minutes/individual)

Firewise Communities – Magdelena, Cindy, Glenneth, David, Laurie

Inez – PG&E removed 3 trees in 2 days in the Rainbow-Estates neighborhood; there’s a new Firewise sign on Rainbow Drive.

Glenneth – Daniel/CERT teams are in-process of getting activated.

Chris – Magdalena reports that some Firewise communities have signed up for an AmeriCorps team.

Communications Committee – Darlene

Starting to see an increase in the number of weekly check-ins. New repeater is still at the “Hill” location; still planning to move it to “Mountain” location in July. Approximately half of the GMRS radios have been reprogrammed. Have 3 new GMRS licensed users, and Boggs leader is back. CAN is chasing down the source of the static being heard on the radio. Mel commented to be sure to leave radios on, turn to alert channel. All hours volunteering with CAN count towards Firewise hours.

Forest Health Committee – Eliot

No report

Economic Development Committee – Chris

Meets last Tuesday of each month. Next meeting is June 29^th at 6pm at the Hub.

Blackberry Cobbler Festival – Cathy

Vendor applications are available, email cobbareacouncil@gmail.com. Sponsorship request letters have gone out; received verbal notice that Calpine will be sponsoring this year (first sponsor). The festival is Saturday, August 26^th, from 11AM until 4PM. Next meeting is July 6^th at 6pm at Cobb Mountain Pizza.

Next Meeting: July 20, 2023

Adjournment at 7:34pm by Chair, Cathy McCarthy

 

Respectfully submitted,

Darlene Warner, Secretary