Categories2023 Minutes by

Minutes | September 21, 2023

COBB AREA COUNCIL

PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday September 21, 2023 at 6:30pm

In-Person and Online Participation Available

MINUTES (Approved 10-19-2023)

CALL TO ORDER at 6:31pm

ROLL CALL

Present: Darlene Warner (Acting Chair), Chris Nettles, Joe Schneider

Absent: Cathy McCarthy, Jake Strickler, Mel McMurrin

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Chris, 2nd by Eliot. All in favor, Agenda Approved.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Robert, 2nd by Chris. All in favor. Minutes approved as amended. Amendment: Regarding Tom S. non-agenda comment item, add the words: “Asked Jessica to respond to the book “Cause Unknown.”

SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Robert – October 14th the Lions Club is having October Fest. Tickets are$20. Poster is at Post Office and coffee shop.

Inez/Rosie – fire mitigation measures have caused stumps to remain, causing insurance companies to deny discounts for homeowners. How do we get rid of stumps? Are there funds available for stump removal?

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

Robert – regarding the PG&E undergrounding work on Bottlerock Road at Hwy 175 in Cobb (South end). Has not seen any County inspectors, it’s the worst work he’s seen, would like to see it fixed now. Inez agrees.

John Wilcox – introduced himself, is here to observe, is a member of the County Grand Jury, and had a fantastic time at the Blackberry Cobbler Festival.

Supervisor’s Comments – Jessica Pyska

No Report

Fire Season Update – Paul Duncan

The weather has been favorable, did not get the high wind as expected. There will be some precipitation come Monday. We’ve sent some resources to Northern California to assist with the wildfires. If you’re planning on doing any yardwork on a red flag day – do it another day. Plastic string trimmers can start fires. Remember to mow early in the morning. Tom S. had question regarding PG&E reclosers – used to try 3 times to stay on. We now have EP circuits that don’t try to stay on, they will shut off power within 1/10 of a second.

Treasurer’s Report – Chris

Operating Budget Balance at July meeting $27,117.12

Transactions since 7/27/2023

General Fund, Received:       $  19.02 (Hub community group)

General Fund, Paid:   $500.00 (Toye, August 2023)

530.00 (Toye, September 2023)

129.85 (Cobb Water)

59.88 (Quicken)

97.18 (PG&E)

Total from General Fund <$1,297.89>

Blackberry Cobbler Festival, Received:         $13,250.65 (+ $1,500 = $14,750.65)

Blackberry Cobbler Festival, Paid:                 <10,869.47>

Total to Festival Account:      $3,881.18

Sculpture Jam: No transactions since 7/27/2023

Current Account Balances

$10,052.74      General Fund

16,980.05      Blackberry Cobbler Festival

  • Cobb Resource Hub (no currently restricted grant money)

2,417.62      Emergency Preparedness Fund

250.00      Sculpture Jam

$29,700.41      Operating Budget Balance (9/21/2023)

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

$77,783.94      Net Assets

            $2,583.09 Increase to Net Assets since 7/27/2023

Laura asked about use of funds to support the Cobb Community Center

Mary asked about use of small business grant funds

Discussion/Approve: CAC to pay Cobb Community Center for use of facilities for monthly CAC meetings: $300 per meeting

Had discussion. Motion by Eliot, 2nd by Chris. All in favor, motion approved to begin paying the Cobb Community Center (Lions Club) $300 per month to hold CAC meetings at facility. Motion Amended to add: starting with this meeting (September 21, 2023). Motion Approved as Amended. Chris noted it is within the budget to do so.

Update: Report progress on finding new location for Hub

Eliot/Ad Hoc Committee had full and frank discussions. Eliot, Chris, Robert, and other Lions will be meeting on Monday and will be looking at the needs of the Lions Club, the old portion of Little Red, and other possible facilities.

Discussion/Approve: CAC to terminate lease for the Resource Hub

Had discussion. Motion by Eliot, 2nd by Laura. All in favor, motion approved to submit 30-day notice of termination October 1, 2023, to terminate lease (month-to-month) effective October 31, 2023.

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

Motion by Chris, 2nd by Laura. All in favor, motion approved to give CAC the authority to rent a storage unit for Hub items should it become necessary. Chris stated there are funds available to do so. Motion Amended to be a recurring Agenda item for monthly reauthorization. Amended Motion made by Robert, 2nd by Eliot. All in favor, Amended Motion approved.

Offer of space at the Loch Lomond Fire Station to be used as storage at no charge (in kind) made by Chief Duncan. Suggested building a 10×12 foot shed from Kelseyville Lumber (they will build it on-site for us for $4-6K) to be used for the Hub in the Cobb Community Center parking lot. Also recommended using PODS container.

Discuss/ Approve: RFP Explore Cobb webpage/ social media management proposal

Had discussion. Motion by Chris, 2nd by Mary. All in favor, motion approved to disseminate Request for Proposal with suggested edits, with a 30-day submittal period.

Committee Reports (3 minutes/individual)

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

No reports

Communications Committee – Darlene

Check-ins continue to be about the same number. Had interesting thing happen with mountain repeater during last night’s check-ins when alert tones went over the air. Mountain repeater responded by shutting off. Larry physically went to site and manually rebooted the repeater. Had repeater back up within the hour. Mary P. commented that she/family has been experiencing interference on their private family GMRS network and suggested that we talk privately with Mel.

Forest Health Committee – Eliot

Reviving the Committee. Next meeting is Friday, September 29th. Committee will now meet the last Friday of every month. Will be applying for a significant grant to do the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. October 3rd the County is adopting a County-wide plan.

Economic Development Committee – Chris

Was out of town the entire month of August. The Economic Development Committee will evaluate RFP (Request for Proposal) for the Explore Cobb Facebook page and social media management.

Blackberry Cobbler Festival – update on financials

Chris – a few checks are still floating, so final amount may differ by $100-$200. Net income was $9,918. Chief Duncan estimates attendance to be between 4K and 5K people. Last year’s net income was approximately $7K, have been seeing an increase each year.

Next Meeting: October 19, 2023

ADJOURNED at 7:53pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Darlene Warner, Secretary

Categories2023 Minutes by

Minutes | August 17, 2023

COBB AREA COUNCIL

PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday August 17, 2023 at 6:30pm

In-Person and Online Participation Available

 MINUTES (Amended, Approved 9-21-2023)

 

CALL TO ORDER at 6:39pm

ROLL CALL:

Present: Cathy McCarthy, Darlene Warner, Jake Strickler, Joe Schneider

Absent:  Chris Nettles, Mel McMurrin

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Motion by Paul Duncan, 2nd by Jake Strickler. All in favor. Agenda Approved.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Motion by Paul Duncan, 2nd by Jake Strickler. Letter attached to previous minutes had edits, primarily grammatical – not changing anything substantial to overall letter. All in favor. Minutes approved.

SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cathy – restaurant at Mountain Meadow venue is now open. Wayne from Cobb Mountain Pizza is now open at Mountain Meadow. Wayne sold Cobb Mountain Pizza to Sean who used to work for Pogo’s Pizza in the Rivieras. The new restaurant will be called Parmesan & Peppers.

Inez – commented on Air Quality requiring an additional permit for commercial burns, expressed that the guidelines of what can and cannot be burned must be followed. There is a burn ban in effect.

Cathy – Blackberry Cobbler Festival is August 26th. Talked about traffic congestion last year, and measures being taken this year.

Bottlerock Road – undergrounding road project is to begin soon: will be 6-day per week work.

 

PUBLIC AND BOARD COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS (3 MINS./INDIVIDUAL)

Tom S. – expressed concern regarding solo accidents, Jessica advised to contact our new public health officer. Commented about transparency in use of name and last initial. Asked Jessica to respond to the book “Cause Unknown.”

Mike Davis – commented on the poor condition of Pine Summit Road. Inquired about road paving plan for Cobb area. Jessica commented and referred to the County website for more information.

 

SUPERVISOR’S COMMENTS – JESSICA PYSKA

Missed last month’s meeting due to being at the National Association of Counties conference in Austin, Texas for four days. IRA money for housing, broadband, climate. Important to be ready, proactive planning. Tree Mortality Plan – submitted package to CalOES May/June. Visited Tuolumne County Resiliency Center; Lake applying for planning grant due beginning of September for Community Resiliency Center funds. The Red Cross has dedicated funds available to resiliency centers – available to Lions/Little Red. Hired a full-time Public Health Officer. JPA: Marin, Mendocino, Napa, with Lake – Career Point Office Building, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, next to Library Park. More grants are being worked on. Road Plan – there was a presentation back in May from DPW, cost for entire road projects in the County is $340M. According to the Concrete Paving Index, most of the County’s roads are at the failure point. The proper way to submit a complaint about road conditions is through the DPW website. The water company must first do their consolidation project(s) before roads can be improved, and PG&E must finish their undergrounding. There is a moratorium on new roads. Our Tax Collector has onboarded an Asset Management firm; previous County revenue per Quarter was $80K/Q. Our current County quarterly revenue is $2M/Q.

 

FIRE SEASON UPDATE – PAUL DUNCAN

Rainbow Fire cause is under investigation. Local resources are still here. Cyclone Hillary is current focus. There will be a funeral for the Captains and Pilot lost in the fire down south. IC-1 sent a Strike Team to assist with Maui fire. 4×4 feet is a residential burn. 4291 PRC – PG&E tree removal issue: PG&E is responsible for removing the trees. Requests must come from the property owner. CPUC Advocacy – on 8/31 the BOS will be addressing the CPUC.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT – CHRIS

NO REPORT

Discussion/Approve: CAC to possibly take over lease for the Resource Hub

Rent is $540. Corrected: rent is $530 per month. Hub being underused; not worth keeping open. Can it be at Lions Club; Lions Club is willing to support. The number of people visiting the Hub is approximately 6 people per day, 3 days per week. Lions Club needs financial help from CAC. $300 rental fee for CAC meetings at the Lions club. Jessica added that there are funds available from the Red Cross and suggested considering other resources within the Ad Hoc Committee. Motion to continue a month-to-month lease at the Hub (if acceptable with Timothy Toye) until such time an Ad Hoc Committee is formed to work out alternatives with Lions Club/Little Red to serve the purpose of the Hub. Motion by Eliot, 2nd by Mary P. All in Favor. Motion approved. Chief Duncan offered to host CAC meetings in their training/conference room at the Cobb Fire Station as an alternative and suggested purchasing 10×12 foot shed(s) (as the FD uses) to put in Little Red parking lot to serve as the Hub.

Discuss Explore Cobb Facebook Page management Proposal

Consensus is the current offer is too expensive. Glenneth suggested getting other bids. Cathy mentioned internship or Communications major graduate. Cathy appreciates the relations cultivated by Abby. Jim W. suggested exploring options with Kelseyville schools/student programs. Jessica suggested partnering with high school students; Freshman dual-enrollment. Motion to refer to Economic Development Committee with recommendations. Motion by Paul, 2nd by Eliot. All in Favor. Motion passes.

Discussion/Approve Donation of Funds to Mountain Lions

Folded into Ad Hoc Committee formed above.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS (3 MINUTES/INDIVIDUAL)

Firewise Communities – Magdelena

Two events coming up: 1) Firewise USA – has a set of Regional Community Coordinators (Magdelena is one of them). They’re Having a quarterly meeting, which is scheduled for 9/5. Covering a guide for the regional coordinators which includes a bunch of CalFire coordinators, who are the official coordinators; also covering risk assessment and 3-year action plan. CalFire now has an agreement with Firewise USA that any community in this State must meet a 3-year action plan instead of the normal 5-year action plan. Several of our Firewise communities are up to task. Also going over Spanish Firewise resources. Resources for Firewise leaders to track risk reduction investments. When asking for a grant must show dollar equivalent. Must prove that the community has invested the time and work when asking for financial assistance. Did that as a group of Firewise communities at the beginning of this year. Still waiting to hear from the Resource Conservation District whether the grant money is coming through. 2) Firesafe Marin has put together a Wildfire Watch Special coming up on Monday from 6-7pm. Email Magdelena if interested.

Communications Committee – Darlene

The new repeater is on the Mountain. Had first week of check-ins on the new repeater. Some users had issues being on the correct channel, overall, it went well. People can hear each other better and further away from each other. Still have a few GMRS users needing their radios reprogrammed. Mel will be gone to Australia for 6 weeks. Cathy commented on the Rainbow Fire that Cobb Alert Net put out an alert, and that Watch Duty post was 15 minutes after Darlene put out Alert on the radio. Darlene commented on the communications during the Rainbow Fire. Darlene clarified with Chief Duncan who puts out evacuation warnings, orders, and asked what an evacuation request is. The Sheriff issues all notifications related to evacuations.

Forest Health Committee – Eliot

Will resume activities in September

Economic Development Committee – Chris

No report

Blackberry Cobbler Festival – August 26th – Cathy

Cathy – mentioned all the activities offered, the restaurant at Mountain Meadow will be open during the festival, listed all the sponsors. Boggs Mountain guided hike the following day (Sunday), Lake County Amateur Golf Tournament at Adam Springs Golf Course opens on the 25th (Friday). Lions Club will become a “cobbler factory” on Friday the 25th – making 1,400 cobblers. 2 shifts, 9A and 1P. There will be Bingo after the festival.

 

NEXT MEETING: September 21, 2023

Cathy (Chair) will be absent, Jake (Vice-Chair) will be unavailable, Darlene (Secretary) will chair.

ADJOURNED at 8:20pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Darlene Warner, Secretary

Categories2023 Minutes by

Minutes | July 27, 2023

COBB AREA COUNCIL

PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday July 27, 2023 at 6:30pm

In Person Only

MINUTES (Approved 8-17-2023)

 

 

CALLED TO ORDER at 6:39pm

 ROLL CALL

Present: Cathy McCarthy, Darlene Warner, Mel McMurrin

Absent: Chris Nettles, Jake Strickler, Joe Schneider

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Approval of Agenda Motion by Glenneth, 2nd by Robert. All in favor. Agenda approved.

Approval of Minutes Motion by Robert, 2nd by Glenneth. All in favor. Minutes Approved.

 

Short Announcements

Cathy – commented regarding PegTV technical difficulties; should be back to normal in August.

Inez – AmeriCorps visited the Hub and was very impressed with it. Hours are Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from Noon to 4pm. Eliot is there until 6pm sometimes on Thursdays.

Rich C. – commented that the tools at the Hub worked so well, he purchased his own.

Glenneth – call for artists for Sculpture Jam. Interested persons contact via Fine Art Café Facebook page.

Robert Thomas (via Cathy) – the ACI will be able to intake material soon

 

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

Inez – July 4th there were gunshots and fireworks in the Meadows neighborhood, needs to stop. Has been going on for the past 3 years.

Tom S. – has been listening to scanners and commented on his notice of single-vehicle traffic collisions and solo falls with head injuries. Presented the book, “Cause Unknown.”

Mel – there was a large male mountain lion at 6am on Shenandoah in Loch Lomond

 

Fire Season Update – Paul Duncan

No report – Paul out of area

TREASURER’S REPORT – Chris

[Report read by Darlene. Typo discovered, clarified totals are correct]

Operating Budget Balance at June meeting: $22,969.14

Transactions since 6/15/2023

General Fund: Received – $53.00 (Hub meetings)

Paid – $500 (Hub rent)

Total – $447 from General Fund account

Blackberry Cobbler Festival:

Received – $1,585.08 (vendor fees)

6,000.00 (sponsorships)

Paid –   $  220.45 (Square fees)

14.00 (Payable app fees)

3,005.45 (K cups)

Total – $4,344.98 to Cobbler Festival account (should be $3,240.10 per Darlene)

Sculpture Jam Fund:

Received – $250 donation. Balance is $250 (new account)

 Current Account Balances

$ 11,350.63     General Fund

13,098.87     Blackberry Cobbler Festival Fund

0                       Cobb Resource Hub (no currently restricted grant money)

2,417.62      Emergency Preparedness Fund

       250.00      Sculpture Jam Fund

$27,117.12      Operating Budget Balance (7/27/2023)

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

$75,199.75      Net Assets (increase of $4,147.98 to net assets since 6/15/2023)

 

Discussion: CAC to possibly take over lease for the Resource Hub

Rich C. would like to table item. SSCRA is pulling out. Current rent is $500/month. Utilities are approximately $75/month. Rent is to increase by $40/month. Rent is anticipated to be $615/month at its highest. Discussion about continuing current Hub location, possible alternative locations, doing a month-to-month v lease, and outreach ideas.

 

TABLED: Approve/Disapprove Explore Cobb Facebook Page management Proposal

Motion made by Robert, 2nd by Laura to table this item. All in favor, motion passes. Tabled until such time we receive results from Abby of previous efforts. The proposal is for a contract of $800/month to provide online presence, analytics, reports, marketing, public relations, annual event promotion. Any additional work would be $40/hour.

 

Approve/Disapprove Letter to County of Lake regarding property taxes for Little Red Schoolhouse (Attachment “A”)

Motion by Laura, 2nd by Frank. All in Favor. Letter Approved. Letter read aloud by Cathy and is attached herewith as “Attachment A.” Discussion regarding the issue.

 

Approve/ Disapprove Donation of Funds to Mountain Lions to aid tax payment- Laura Patrick

RESCINDED – NO ACTION TAKEN

After the previous discussion approving the Letter, the understanding is that the Lions Club has paid all properties taxes in arears and is taking appropriate measures to address future taxes and tax status due to the Little Red Schoolhouse being utilized as a community center first and researching questions regarding historic site designation and ownership/title.

 

Committee Reports (3 minutes/individual)

[Secretary’s note: we no longer had a Quorum present, so no Committee Reports were presented]

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

No report

Communications Committee- Darlene

No report

Forest Health Committee- Eliot

No report

Economic Development Committee- Chris

No report

Blackberry Cobbler Festival August 26 – Cathy

Next committee meeting is Thursday, August 3rd at the Loch Lomond Roadhouse, 6:30p

 

Next Meeting: August 17, 2023

ADJOURNMENT at 7:55pm

 

Respectfully submitted,

Darlene Warner, Secretary

Categories2023 Minutes by

Minutes | June 15, 2023

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, 2nd 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 19th) 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 19th staffing will be at 1 Engine per Station, by July 1st 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 18th 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 29th 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 26th, from 11AM until 4PM. Next meeting is July 6th at 6pm at Cobb Mountain Pizza.

Next Meeting: July 20, 2023

Adjournment at 7:34pm by Chair, Cathy McCarthy

 

Respectfully submitted,

Darlene Warner, Secretary

Categories2023 Minutes by

Minutes | May 18, 2023

COBB AREA COUNCIL

PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday May 18, 2023 at 6:30pm

In person only

Minutes (Approved 6-15-23, As Amended)

 

CALLED TO ORDER at 6:33pm

Roll Call

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

Absent: Jake Strickler, Joe Schneider

Pledge of Allegiance

Approval of Agenda as Amended

Strike 7:35p Item: Approve/Disapprove Letter of Support for Friends of Boggs Mountain

Motion by Chris, 2nd by Paul. All in favor. Agenda approved.

Approval of Minutes

Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Chris, 2nd by Robert. All in favor. Minutes approved.

Special Meeting Minutes – Motion by Chris, 2nd by Eliot. All in favor. Minutes approved.

Short Announcements

Paul Duncan – Pine Summit Pool Cleanup Day is this Saturday from 10am to 3pm

Robert Stark – Lion’s Club will be offering refreshments before CAC meetings, and a social after meetings during the hotter months.

Case Kees Winkleman – presented a bid for paving the Rainbow bridge on both sides

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

Tom Slaight – comment regarding 9-1-1 calls and apparent possible increase in solo falls and vehicle accidents resulting in head injuries.

Mireya Turner, Lake County Community Development Director – general update on the department

Three Divisions in the CDD Department: 1) Building and Safety, 2) Code Enforcement, and 3) Planning Division. Cannabis is a sub-division under Planning. Has a staff of 37 people.Three top priorities of CDD Department: 1) Staff retention, 2) Professional Development, and 3) Fiscal Sustainability. Planning and Code Enforcement is not self-sustainable. Building and Safety has issued 1,600 building permits in the past year and just under 4,000 inspections in the County. All technicians, Plans Examiners and Building Inspectors have achieved ICC Certification. Two certified in ADA compliance. Code Enforcement has been awarded a new grant of $2.9M over the next 5 years, which funds two Officers with the Sheriff’s Office assistance. Last year was the first year that we completed Annual monitoring for everyone. This is funded by Cannabis grants from California. Cannabis Code Enforcement removed 25,000 plants, inspected 82 legal grow sites for compliance. Combination of on-site visits and satellite imaging. Shut down 54 unpermitted grows and removed 9,833 pounds of debris. Almost all the staff are 100% trained and have received CASIO certification. The Board of Supervisors established a two-year pilot program called Road Map Task Force which allotted funds going to the Sheriff’s Office and Code Enforcement focus on a community and chose Clearlake Oaks area. 226 cases were opened, of which 64 were vehicles, and 126 cases closed (4-10 to 12-31 of 2022). The goal is get property owners to self-abate. Planning Division: 430 planning permit applications. Whole variety of Ordinances. Consistent with General Plan/Zoning Ordinance, to be consistent with community visioning and Local Community Area Plan. Advanced Area Planning: General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, 8 Local Area Plans. Five-Year General Plan (handout). Need to perform a Climate Vulnerability Plan and County-wide Evacuation Plan. Next Hazard Mitigation Plan. Would like Area Plans broken into two phases. Elements first phase, and Visioning is the second phase, hearing from the community during an outreach period. The General Plan update comes after all this.

Complaints can be submitted at CDD counter, online, and can be submitted anonymously.

Planning to ask the BOS for 2 new positions for grant-writing: 1 grant writer, and 1 grant manager. Building Permit fees discussed. Some fees are mandated, some are approved by BOS.

 

Supervisor’s Comments- Jessica Pyska

Economic Development Department – CEO has arrived. Last week went to Santa Cruz for Wildfire Forest Health Task Force Meeting. Governor appointed task force. Networking with tree mortality issue. Spoke with Secretary Crowfoot again, asking specifically for a Tree Mortality working group within the Task Force. Met with Cal EPA Secretary Garcia to be part of the North Coast Region Biomass Pilot Program. Tree mortality in our area from Hwy 29 south of the Kelseyville Riviera area and all of the Cobb area, has 10,000 dead trees within the 200-foot buffer zone of roads. At a cost of $4k per tree to remove, that’s a $40M project. Working on putting together an Application to CalOES under the CA Disaster Act to get this project going, had to contract out. There is a 25% match. CalFIRE previously was able to provide this match but is not available this time. IRA (Infrastructure Reduction Act) is an option; putting together a grant due June 1. Applying for Federal money. Is a 1:1 match. 22k dead trees throughout the County. Tree work happening on Bottlerock – combination of North Shore Fuels Crew, CLERC, and Chief Duncan. Big trees needed different operators to come in to do the work. Funding from previous fire prevention grant from CalFIRE that CLERC was able to shift around. Two items on the BOS Agenda for Tuesday, May 23rd: 9:15am item is a presentation from the CA Dept. of Insurance regarding wildfire and home insurance issues, discounts, and CA Fair Plan; will be approximately a 15-minute presentation; and 10:30am item (Item 6.5) regarding the County 10-Year Pavement Management Plan.

 

The Bike Monkey Race at Boggs Forest was 2 weeks ago. There were about 400 registered riders. This race started in 2006, and is one of the first big mountain races in CA. They have invested heavily in Boggs Forest, have planted over 1k trees, and ran the promotion last year.

 

Mandala Springs Vibe Fest – brought in about 1,300 people. A lot of complaints on social media regarding the noise level past 10pm. Mireya informed on how to submit complaints. Noise ordinance for entire County. Most amplified music requires a use permit. No record of a permit for this event. A letter was sent to them explaining what is allowed and what isn’t. Begin with a courtesy letter. Permits can be revoked. CDD doesn’t know if no complaints are received by them from the community.

 

Fire Season Update – Paul Duncan

New Battalion Chief in Middletown, ride #1417. Worked as a paramedic for 3.5 year in the district, worked in camp for 2 years. We have 1 engine per Battalion current staffing, then 1 engine per station, then 2 engines per station which is peak staffing level by July 1st. There is tree work going on at Boggs. Ongoing issue with the landing zone being too tight for the helicopter, the approach is unsafe. Trees are flagged, and the Prather’s are the licensed timber operator for this operation. Attended an event at the Lake County Museum, which was a memorial for Firefighters and Police Officers. One of the Mendocino firefighters killed in the 1987 Lauder fire, Denis Lee Cullin, was put on the plaque. Denis was actually killed in Lake County. His death prompted the start of the helicopter long-line hoisting program. South Lake Fire District is starting the Operation Force Multiplier in June. Last year tools were used 7 times to put out fires.

 

Treasurer’s Report- Chris

Paid in the past 30 days: Rent at Hub ($500), Water Bill for Hub ($35)

Current Balances:

$ 12,632.99 General Fund

$   7,000.00 Blackberry Cobbler Festival

$          0.00 Resource Hub (No currently restricted grant money)

$   2,417.62 Emergency Preparedness Fund

$   22,050.61 Operating Budget Balance

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

$ 70,133.24 Net Assets

 

Budget Report (spreadsheet handed out; Incorporated Herewith by Attachment “A”):

Annual rent at hub is largest expense $8,000

Total expense budget for 2023 expected to be $12,240

Communications Committee has funds in SSCRA to be transfer to General Fund. TBD

Income projection from the Cobbler Festival: $18,000

Spoke with Jenavive Herrington, County Auditor, for advice and ideas on how we can incorporate annual auditing into CAC Bylaws and best practices for financial controls

 

Approve/Disapprove 2023/2024 Budget as discussed at April 24 Special Meeting

TABLED to Next Regular Meeting

 

Approve/Disapprove Letter of Support for Friends of Boggs Mountain

 

Approve/Disapprove Letter of Support for County of Lake’s USDA Service Forest Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grant (Incorporated Herewith by Attachment “B”)

Motion by Eliot, 2nd by Chris. All in favor. Letter Approved.

 

Committee Reports (3 minutes/individual)

Firewise Communities– Magdelena, Cindy, Glenneth-/Richie, Gene, David, Laurie

Cathy – Communications Committee partnered with Jones Creek Firewise Group to hold an event on May 6th for Wildfire Community Preparedness Day in the Cobb Hardester’s parking lot from 8am to Noon.

 

Communications Committee- Darlene

The event on May 6th was a success. We signed up 8 new members, and sold-out of the radios we had on-hand. We programmed a couple radios and got to meet the faces behind some of the voices we know on the radio. We’re finally testing the new repeater at the Hill location and beginning to get more check-ins. We’re going to be increasing our Facebook presence and doing more outreach.

 

Forest Health Committee- Eliot

Yolo County Resource Conservation District approved the payment of $15k through CalFire that will go towards the expenses owed for the ACI. We will be able to payoff our outstanding bills. The Cobb Mountain Watershed Education and Restoration program continues this weekend. Will be doing restoration work along Cole Creek. This is the 3rd weekend we’ve been doing that, helping to restore part of the creek. This is SSCRA in partnership with the Forest Stewardship Committee. The Forest Stewardship Committee is kicking around ideas to do a Cobb Mountain Forest symposium sometime after Labor Day to do a full-day or two-day workshop on helping the future of the forest. The CAC liaison for this Committee was Chris Nettles and will now be Jake Strickler.

 

Economic Development Committee- Chris

Now chaired by Chris. The committee will be rehabilitated since it hasn’t met for several months. Will be meeting the last Tuesday of every month. Time and place TBD. May 30th is the next meeting. We may wait a month to get things moving again.

 

Blackberry Cobbler Festival – Approve/Disapprove Statement- Cathy

 

Blackberry Cobbler Festival – Statement of Purpose:

The Blackberry Cobbler Festival allows the Cobb Area Council to continue offering support to the people of Cobb, as well as local businesses, artisans, and community organizations. The festival provides a platform for Cobb community organizations to raise money for their individual projects. We showcase local businesses and artisans. The festival encourages our local businesses to create events in conjunction with the festival to create a community wide celebration of what Cobb has to offer. By attracting visitors to Cobb Mountain for one more weekend this summer, the Cobb Area Council comes closer to our community development goal: to improve the local economy and improve visibility of the Cobb Area to the rest of the county.

 

Motion by:Chris, 2nd by Paul. All in favor. Statement Approved.

Next Committee meeting is June 1st at 5:30pm at Mountain Meadow.

 

Next Meeting: June 15, 2023

Will have full audio and video capabilities, PEG and YouTube channels.

 

Adjournment at 8:15pm

Motion by Cathy Chris, 2nd by Eliot. All in favor.

Discussion at 6-15-23 meeting that no Motion is needed for Adjournment according to Rosenberg’s Rules of Order.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Darlene Warner, Secretary

Categories2023 Minutes by

Minutes | Special Meeting April 24, 2023

COBB AREA COUNCIL

PUBLIC SPECIAL MEETING

Monday April 24, 2023 at 6:00pm

In person only

Minutes (Approved 5-18-2023)

 

CALLED TO ORDER at 6:10pm

Roll Call

Present: Chris Nettles, Cathy McCarthy, Darlene Warner, Jake Strickler

Absent: Joe Schneider, Mel McMurrin

Pledge of Allegiance

Approval of Agenda and Minutes

Motion to approve Agenda made by Chirs, 2nd by Eliot. All in favor. Agenda approved.

Discuss Goals, Strategy, and Budget to be approved at regular Board Meeting on May 18, 2023:

Last Year’s budget/finances

Chris presented spreadsheets of 2021’s budget/finances and 2022’s budget/finances. The expense budget was $10K last year. Discussed whether we are exempt from P.O. Box fee.

Priorities raised in the strategic plan

Economic development, Outreach. Suggestions: Cobb Night Out, Memorial Day weekend. “Cobb Future” contest, and “what would a day on Cobb look like?”, a photobook, information booth at the Post Office, Open House Day at the Hub, Copter 104 visits – who is CalFire outreach.

Priorities for rest of this fiscal year

Economic development, Cobbler Festival. Possible split of funds 50/50 between General Fund and Cobbler Festival Fund for the Explore Cobb Website and marketing. Cost is estimated at $1,000 per month. Consensus CAC cannot afford this; proposes approximately $500 per month, or hourly basis not-to-exceed. Chris suggested training a couple board members in WordPress. Darlene proposed that funds for the Cobb Alert Net be transferred from SSCRA to the General Fund, with these funds being restricted for CANs use, a spreadsheet accounting of funds that are within SSCRA account to be transferred was provided; all future radio sales/purchases CAC will be fiscal body.

Review committee liaisons, meeting times, fiscal responsibility to report to Cobb Area Council

Chris is now the CAC Liaison for the Economic Development Committee. The Economic Development Committee includes the Cobbler Festival Committee. The Economic Development Committee meets the 2nd Monday of each month, which will be changing soon.

Cathy remains the CAC liaison for the Communications Committee. The Communications Committee meets the 2nd Friday of each Month online from 5pm to 6:30pm.

Jake is now the CAC Liaison for the Forest Health Committee. The Forest Health Committee meets the Last Friday of each Month (starting in May) from 4pm to 5:30pm.

The Awards Committee is an Ad Hoc Committee

ADJOURNED at 7:42pm

Motion by Eliot to Adjourn, 2nd by Chris. All in Favor.

Respectfully Submitted,

Darlene Warner, Secretary

Categories2023 Minutes by

Minutes | April 20, 2023

COBB AREA COUNCIL

PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday April 20, 2023 at 6:30pm

In person only

Minutes (Approved 5-18-2023)

 

CALLED TO ORDER at 6:34PM

ROLL CALL:

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

Absent: Jake Strickler, Joe Schneider

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion by Chris, 2nd by Paul Duncan. All in Favor. Agenda Approved.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Secretary comment discussed. No changes to Minutes.

Motion by Robert Stark, 2nd  by Chris. All in Favor. Minutes Approved.

SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Friends of Boggs Forest – have been in the process of repairing all the trails, have finished 10 miles of trails with 10 miles to go. Requesting a letter of support from CAC for application of a $100,000 grant. Deadline is June 15th. Letter of Support can be issued at next regular meeting.

Robert Stark – small potatoes. Water main project in 2021 was $328,000

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

Inez – commented on what can be burned and how to burn in commercial permitted burns. Metal items in burn piles at the motel remodel. She has talked with Ryan Wangberg, Air Quality Technician at the Lake County Air Quality Management District about their role. Paul Duncan spoke about the Fire Department’s role; that all burn permits are issued through the fire department, and the burn ban starts May 1st. Inez mentioned there is an event at the CalPine Visitor’s Center this Saturday 4/22 for Earth Day focused on fire-retardant/resistive plants.

SLCFD Burn Permits are done online, on website under Fees & Permits

Lake County Air Quality Management District: www.lcaqmd.net  707-263-7000

Glenneth – starting two new clay classes on Tuesdays and Saturdays, they’re two separate classes. Saturday’s class is 2-5pm, Thursday’s class is 4-7pm. Fee is $120, which includes all supplies and firings.

Mike Walsh – dead trees cut down by PGE have not been taken away. Jessica gave her email address for him to contact her regarding this.

Treasurer’s Report- Chris

Paid in the past 30 days: Rent at Hub $500, USPS (stamps) $12.60, Bank Check printing $25.70. Received in the past 30 days: Group meetings at the Hub $76.75

$23,047.16 Operating Budget Balance at March meeting

Current Balances:

$  5,454.11 General Fund

$14,589.26 Blackberry Cobbler Festival

$     124.62 Cobb Resource Hub

$  2,417.62 Emergency Preparedness Fund

$22,585.61 Operating Funds Balance, April 20th

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

$70,590.49 Net Assets

Supervisor’s Comments- Jessica Pyska

The Universal Bylaws throughout the County did not happen, however there is a universal Code of Conduct. Would like to see an annual audit of CAC finances, and update CAC Bylaws to reflect this, and put Bylaws back on CAC website. Darlene to review Bylaws with Chris. Attended a 2-day CSAC Conference. California’s priority is homelessness. Participated in a conversation with State CalFire officials and gave input on Fire Severity Maps – has 30 days to adopt fire maps. Had conversations regarding tree mortality with CalFire and other rural Counties that are in worse conditions than Lake County. The US Forest Service released reports two weeks ago for all of California; Lake County is not the worst. Mendocino and Napa Counties have been helpful. Trying to get more Counties on-board. Wildfire and Forest Health Task Force – going to Santa Cruz in May, focusing on developing a long-term strategy for tree mortality for the State. We have a contractor that is preparing the Application to CalOES to get the trees removed along infrastructure and roads. There are 4,000 dead trees in Right-of-Ways, with a cost of $3k per tree. Turns out there are 10,000 dead trees within 200 feet of the roadways. $12M project ends up being $30M project. With the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), there are possible funds available for this, with a possible funds match. Looking at another grant with a deadline of June 1st. Met with Senator McGuire, Representative Curry, and Congressman Thompson regarding tree mortality. Thompson is up to speed on the $30M. Getting some momentum. Proclamation to be made at County BOS meeting on May 2nd to proclaim National Wildfire Preparation Week as May 3-8th. Reached out to the Insurance Commissioner’s Office re fire insurance. They will come out the end of May to do a presentation to the BOS with a Q&A session, and then again in August with a more in-depth presentation. An update to the Roads Plan is expected the end of May, is supposed to be a 5-year strategic plan, and believes Cobb has moved to the top of the list. There is a new person in the position of Economic Development Deputy, who will be developing an Economic Development plan for the entire County. There will also be a Housing Deputy focused on Housing Plan and implementation. May bring in a company to do this if position can’t be filled. Both positions are funded by ARPA. There was a Park Visioning session last week to develop Park Master Plan. Tight schedule for plan updates. South Lake Refuse mailer received regarding recycling bins. Lake County Waste Solutions. 60% of recycle bins contains contaminated trash. Update on Bark beetles per Dr. Michael Jones – with all the rain, it may have flattened the curve. Populations are still really high. April/May is when we should first see the emergence of bark beetles.

Fire Season Update – Paul Duncan

Burn ban goes into effect May 1st. Open house at SLCFD main Fire Station is Saturday, April 29th from 10A to 3P. Copter 104 training begins next week, be prepared to be buzzed overhead. One engine per battalion. Middletown and Clearlake Oaks will be fully staffed. There will be pile burning on Fox Drive April 24 to April 28. There’s a lot of debris – an engine will be in the area.

Approve/Disapprove Donation of funds to Cobb Mountain Lions Club to cover the cost of purchasing a generator. Cathy suggested we contribute $2,000 towards a new generator to start. Chris made a motion to approve $2k from the General Fund going to the Mountain Lions Club, Cobb CA for the purpose of purchasing a new generator. Eliot 2nd. No discussion, motion passes unanimously. Supervisor Pyska notes that Senator McGuire is working to bring 3 or 4 generators to Lake County, jointly with the State of CA and PG&E for Resiliency Centers. Funds can be moved from Cobbler Festival Fund to General Fund if necessary.

 

Approve/Disapprove CAC Sponsorship of Sculpture Jam Art Explosion – Glenneth & Company Jennifer Barry and Wendy Collins. A two-weekend workshop for local artists to make sculptures. Goal is to have some sculptures placed with businesses and throughout the community. Has a jury to decide which sculptures will go out in the community, to include plaques with the name of the artist, etc. Will have a reception. Would help with the local economy. Presented handouts with budget and timeline. Would like to use CAC logo on their material, and have monies raised go through CAC, with CAC acting as the fiscal body and sponsor (logo and advertising). Funds to go through the General Fund. Motion made by Chris, 2nd by Jessica to Approve. All in favor. Motion passes.

Discussion: How to get broader community input. Increase social media presence, food-related event(s), cross-promotion, hold informal Saturday meeting(s) on a big weekend, pop-up booth(s) at the Post Office, the Hub, and Cobbler Festival, raffles, online presence

COMMITTEE REPORTS (3 minutes/individual)

Firewise Communities – Magdelena, Cindy, Glenneth/Richie, Gene, David, Laurie

May 6th is Wildfire Community Preparedness Day.

Communications Committee – Darlene

Cobb Alert Net will be having an event on May 6th  in conjunction with Wildfire Community Preparedness Day in the Hardester’s parking lot. Time to be determined.

The new repeater has arrived, very excited. It will be tested up at Hoberg’s Hill soon, and eventually end up at the mountain location. Testing of the new repeater has been going well. There will be reprogramming necessary of all the GMRS radios. Need to get existing members re-invigorated.

Budget Committee – Chris

There will be a special meeting of the CAC on Monday, April 24th at 6pm at the Hub. Open to the public.

Forest Health Committee – Eliot

Air Curtain Incinerator (ACI) Financial Account Summary, spreadsheet handed out. This started in November of 2021 when the ACI was in Hidden Valley. SSCRA has been handling the funds. Cobb Forest Stewards is a “dba” account. There were a couple of expenses that were erroneously run through this account, which has been corrected and reflected on the spreadsheet. Expected to be able to burn 10 tons per day, turns out it will not do this due to logs not burning well, and had many logs to dispose of. Able to get rid of all the logs in a 2-day period with “the Beast”/chipper. Anticipating $5k and another grant of $15k within the next 15 days. In order to operate the ACI to allow community members to drop-off slash and small logs (6 inches in diameter or smaller) a couple times per month, it would cost $5k per month to operate the ACI. It is not cost effective to burn logs. Paul Duncan notes it would cost $4k to move ACI with a crane, plus all the setup costs again to relocate it to a different location.

Economic Development Committee – Chris

No report. Chris will be taking over.

Blackberry Cobbler Festival – Cathy

Received an estimate for parking management for $2,500. Rosie is doing the poster again. Have a strong team. Need more help. Email cobbareacouncil@gmail.com. The Cobbler Festival will be held on August 26th. There’s a group called Bags Against Police that would like to hold a Cornhole tournament. Description of what An Explosion of Art on Cobb Mountain will be doing at the Blackberry Festival this year.

NEXT MEETINGS:

Date of Next Regular Meeting: May 18, 2023 at 6:30pm

Date of Next Special Meeting to discuss Cobb Area Council Goals, Strategy, and Budget: Monday, April 24 at 6pm at the Hub, in person.

ADJOURNMENT:  Motion to adjourn by Chris, 2nd by Eliot. All in Favor. Adjourned at 8:36pm

 

Respectfully submitted,

Darlene Warner, Secretary

Categories2023 Minutes by

Minutes | March 16, 2023

COBB AREA COUNCIL

PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday March 16, 2023 at 6:30pm

In person and Online via Zoom

Minutes (Approved 4-20-2023)

 

CALLED TO ORDER at 6:34pm

 

ROLL CALL/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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

ABSENT: Chris Nettles, Joe Schneider

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion to approve made by Darlene Warner, 2nd by Jake Strickler. All in favor, Agenda approved.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to approve made by Magdelena, 2nd by Robert Stark. All in favor, Minutes approved.

SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Glenneth Lambert – Sculpture Jam has had 3rd Committee meeting. There will be a main event and kid’s activity. There are 2 potential sites. Need more people on the Committee. Call Glenneth at 707-296-6934 for more info.

Robert Stark – the Lion’s Club had a successful crab feed. Thanks the community for all the support. 500 pounds of crab wasn’t enough. Asked on March 5th to open Lion’s Club/Little Red as a warming shelter. 225 Grab & Go bags were handed out. Had about 172 people come on the 1st day. PG&E finally took the generator back after it ran continuously for 15 days.

Tom Slaight – commented about treatment at Board of Supervisors meetings, and commented on hearing of more single vehicle rollovers and falls with loss of consciousness on the scanner lately.

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

Cathy McCarthy: Left something off the Agenda. There’s enough money for a new generator for the Lions Club. Will be voted on in April.

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Nomination and Election of New Alternate to serve the term (beginning January 2023 and ending December 2023). Darlene Warner nominated Mel McMurrin. Mel present and accepted nomination. Darlene moved to approve Mel as new Alternate, Eliot 2nd. All in favor, Mel McMurrin elected as Alternate to Cobb Area Council.

 

Treasurer’s Report – Chris (Given by Cathy McCarthy)

Charges in the past 30 days: $500 rent for The Hub; $49 for Zoom Webinar Service

$  5,415.66        General Fund

$14,589.26        Blackberry Cobbler Festival

$     624.62        Cobb Resource Hub

$  2,417.62        Emergency Preparedness Fund

$23,047.16        Operating Funds Balance

$48,082.63        Small Business Loan Fund (Originally from S.F. Home Loan Grant)

$71,129.79        Net Assets

Supervisor’s Comments- Jessica Pyska 

A huge thank you to the Lion’s Club for opening up as a warming center. There is a way for private property owners to report snow damage related to this 2nd Federal Disaster declaration by reporting it to our OES office. Leah is the manager of our OES. You can also visit the County Facebook page and Sheriff’s page. Two CalFire grant applications were submitted this week – RCD for $5M and CLERC for $5M, all for CWPP fire mitigation projects. The Sheriff’s Department and OES is having their Hazard Mitigation meeting in Hidden Valley Lake on the 23rd. The Lake is full! Another County Supervisor is working on creating Bylaws for all Advisory Councils around the Lake/Lake County.

Fire Season Update – Paul Duncan (Given by Battalion Chief Brian York)

With 10 days of snow, and snow down to Lake level, it was a rare time that SLFD utilized it’s SnowCAT and plow equipment to assist in plowing local roads, as County crews were limited to 3 plows and 600 miles of roads throughout the County. A thank you to PCF’s Robert Manning, Mike Hess, and Hunter Duncan at the Cobb Station. Several houses were red-tagged due to tree falls and vehicle damage. CalFire is hiring back firefighters the 1st week of April, with peak staffing mid-May. Operation Force Multiplier will continue this Spring, the program is working.

Presentation – Terre Logsdon, Chief Climate Resiliency Officer, County of Lake

Handed out Survey, presented slide presentation regarding climate impacts on Lake County. Her position is funded by CalOES’s Jump Start Grant that was awarded last July, she was hired in December. She is the Liaison between County Departments, programs, grants, and the community; there are now 20 Climate Resiliency Officers. She will be focusing full-time over the next 5 years on the HMP. The HMP wants to see 10 projects in the County by April 5th. Will work with CLERC to see what more we can do regarding working on evacuation routes for entire County; working with CWPP on how to do evacuation practice runs. Reviewing several funding projects. Lake Tahoe has an excellent program “Tahoe Central Initiative – The Pillars of Resilience” that she would like to use as a framework for Lake County. Each County will be getting a toolkit based on this in September of this year. The CLERC has a Hitch Observation form that can be filled out online.

Letters of Support

Harbin Hot Springs seeking a grant – Chris (Cathy) – deadline has passed, no action taken

Mountain Lions Club seeking multiple grants – Cathy was contacted by Kyle Noble asking for a Letter of Support of the Mountain Lions Club as a “Community Resiliency Center” for the purpose of applying for the available grants. Cathy asks the Board for permission to write an official letter of support. Motion made by Eliot, Magdelena 2nd, all in favor – motion passes.

COMMITTEE REPORTS (3 minutes/individual) 

Firewise Communities – Magdelena – submitted Cobbview and Loch Lomond projects to RCD for consideration for inclusion. Loch Lomond is divided up; grants are not able to take entire number of projects. Attended the 150-year fire trends meeting and report on the Pepperwood Preserve, which focused on the Cobb Area mostly. Would like the presenter to come out here to Cobb area; Mel is a friend of presenter, and will ask.

Communications Committee – Darlene and Mel

Darlene: A lot of testing has been going on at the new “Mountain” location. There are two repeaters currently in use, “Hill” and “Mountain.” Most users are hearing really well on “Mountain.” GMRS users have had their radios reprogrammed to access the “Mountain” repeater. Some areas are not hearing “Mountain” as well as they could hear “Hill” previously. Hoping this will improve with the new Bridgecom repeater arriving towards the end of March. This will require further testing and reprogramming of radios, and hope to have it up and running by July. Check-ins have been about 30 each week. Small radios are available for sale at The Hub.

Terre Logsdon: asked about funding for the repeaters. It was mentioned the new repeater was made possible by a large and very generous donation from a private party. Terre stated there may be funding available specifically for communications and alerts. Sirens used to be in that. Terre believes the funds are within the HMP, with some funds coming from CalFire. She is putting out an email to CalFire heads with related information, having a meeting April 5th. Darlene mentioned she has received calls that the Siren cannot be heard in the Hoberg’s area unless you’re outside. Terre will bring that up to CalFire.

Mel: Expressed excitement for how things are progressing, gave a big thank you to the Prather family, and to Precision Wireless for use of their equipment at Seigler. We need to “wake up” the 250 or so members that we already have, with only 30 or so of them checking in weekly. Talked about how we have a dual tone system, one for day-to-day use and one for emergency alert use.

Budget Committee – Chris (not present) 

Forest Health Committee– Eliot, Robert Thomas

Cobb Mountain Watershed Restoration is underway and having an event at Mandala Springs which will be in-depth education and action. Forest Stewardship Committee in April, May, June looking at 3 other sites along key tributaries managed by Siegler Springs Redevelopment Association. Brought up Robert Thomas to speak regarding the ACI (Air Curtain Incinerator). The ACI is active as of today, 1st time in quite a while. Residential community drop-off days and place(s) needed. People from Clean Burning Company in Napa came to visit and offered pro tips on efficiency and provided demos. Other options include grinding, mulching, bio char, composting. Want ACI’s throughout the County. Need funding.

Economic Development Committee – Cathy

Cobbler Festival Committee – Cathy

Next meeting is April 6th at 5:30pm at Cobb Mountain Pizza

Note of Thanks: Alan Hurwitz Media will no longer be providing audio/video services for CAC meetings. Cathy thanked them for their years of providing their services to CAC. Stated will need to find other audio/video provider, and there may be an option with the County.

Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, April 20, 2023

TBD: Date of Next Special Meeting to Discuss Cobb Area Council Goals, Strategy, and Budget

ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Eliot to adjourn, 2nd by Magdelena, all in favor, adjourned at 8:05pm

 

Categories2023 Minutes by

Minutes | February 16, 2023

COBB AREA COUNCIL 

Hybrid PUBLIC MEETING 

Thursday February 16, 2023 at 6:30pm 

In person and online via Zoom and Facebook 

Minutes (Approved 3-16-2023) 

CALL TO ORDER – at 6:32pm

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

Present: Cathy McCarthy, Chris Nettles, Darlene Warner

Absent: Jake Strickler, Joe Schneider

Approval of Agenda and Minutes

Motion by Chris Nettles to approve Agenda, 2nd by Robert Stark. All in favor. Agenda approved.

Motion by Chris Nettles to approve Minutes 2nd by Darlene Warner. All in favor. Minutes approved.

Brown Act Training as it pertains to advisory commissions – Anita Grant

County Counsel, Anita Grant, gave a PowerPoint presentation, “Ralph M. Brown Act – Ten Things to Know” via Zoom to Cobb Area Council. The presentation gave a general overview of the purpose of the Brown Act, and overview of the changes relating to AB-361 ending on 2/28/2023 (to sunset January of 2024) as it relates to the Brown Act, and also new teleconferencing requirements as it relates to AB-2449, effective 1-20-2023 (sunsets in 2026). Anita is preparing a how-to guide on AB-2449.

Certified Tourism Ambassador Program – Michelle Carson

All volunteer group, non-profit under the Chamber of Commerce umbrella. Distributed presentation handout, “2022 Year in Review” – Lake County Tourism Ambassador. Goal for 2023: refresh window signs and deliver 2023 lists of fishing tournaments to businesses county-wide. Membership has steadily increased since 2019. There is a certification class to become a CTA (Certified Tourism Ambassador) on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 8:30am to 12:30pm (4-hour class) at Lake Event Design in Lakeport. Registration deadline is April 1st, cost is $25. Visit www.ctanetwork.com, or call Mae at 707-263-5092.

SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Robert Stark – has tickets to the crab feed for $75 each. Has ordered 500 pounds of crab. Friends of Cobb Mountain have been notified that Open Mountain Energy wants to take over Bottlerock Power. Mr. Olson would like to present to us.

Glenneth Lambert – Sculpture Jam is moving forward, doing a call for artists soon. Will be held October 14/15 and following weekend. Has an Agreement with Mountain Meadow venue to have it there. Next committee meeting is next Wednesday at 3:45p at the Hub. Looking to have bi-monthly meetings. Looking for volunteers.

Cathy McCarthy – the Blackberry Cobbler Fest committee meeting will be next Thursday at Cobb Mountain Pizza at 5:30pm.

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

NONE

Nominations and Elections

Nominations and Elections of New Alternate to serve the term (beginning January 2023 and ending December 2023. No action taken, continue to next Council meeting.

Treasurer’s Report- Chris Nettles

We changed all of our banking over to Umpqua Bank effective 1-31-2023

The T-Shirt fund has been combined with the General Fund.

One charge was made for last year’s BMI license (Cobbler Festival) for $408.99

$  5,464.66 General Fund

14,589.26 Blackberry Cobbler Festival

1,124.62 Cobb Resource Hub

    2,417.62 Emergency Preparedness Fund

$23,596.16 Operating Funds Balance

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

$71,678.79 Net Assets

Supervisor’s Comments – Jessica Pyska

Was on a call early this morning with CPUC, PGE, and RCRC talking about Vegetation Management – fuel crews will be back next week; fewer contractors, more PGE personnel for more oversight. Continue to reach out to Jessica via phone and email if there are any issues. The US Forest Service released their aerial survey annual report last week showing extensive tree mortality all over Northern California. Hoping that this will generate momentum with other counties. Had a meeting with Mike Thompson’s DC staff last week; having another meeting tomorrow morning. Looking for more funding, will keep posted. CalFire grants – applications are being worked on; a lot has to do with tree mortality projects. One of the applications is due about a month from now, awarded in Summer, funded in the Fall. Each grant can go up to $5M, believes there are two Fire Prevention grants being applied for, so there’s the potential for $10M. There is a County Park Survey circulating about the Parks and Trails Master Plan. We are two months into the process, with another year to go to develop the Master Plan. At Tuesday’s County Board meeting we appointed a negotiating team to start working on the Cobb Park concept, and a possible location. There is allocation of $1M from our Geothermal Royalty Fund. More information on the County website and Facebook page.

Fire Season Update – Paul Duncan (Report given by Supervisor Jessica Pyska)

Lots of winter work happening. Copter 104 crew could be doing some training before normal staffing in April. A reminder to folks doing burning: please be sure not to create a smoke hazard for your neighbors.

High Fire Severity Mapping Letters deadline has been extended until April 3, 2023.

(Jessica’s note: CalFire is redoing their High Fire Danger Severity Mapping and looking at 50-year forecasting. We would like to see a 10-year forecast. If anyone is interested, you can review the County Board meeting from 1-24-2023 and submit letters).

Approve/Disapprove Scheduling of a Special Meeting of the CACs to determine budget, goals, and strategies, to make recommendations at a Regular scheduled meeting. – Chris 

Chris Nettles moved to have a half-day meeting on a Saturday within the next two months. 2nd. Motion approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS (3 minutes/individual)

Firewise Communities– Magdelena, Cindy, Glenneth-/Richie, Gene, David, Laurie

Magdelena – Firewise groups have been meeting with each other. Two workshops have been completed. Resource Conservation District (RCD) grants being worked on – there are two grants, one is due 2-23-2023, not doing anything on that one for a number of reasons. Aiming for the one with the 3-15-2023 deadline. There’s another one in May, but there’s time to work on that one. The RCD grant we’re going after is focused on ingress and egress. Need to see if we can have Richie to do the calculations.

Communications Committee – Darlene Warner

Researching a new repeater, which we have narrowed down to one – it’s a Bridgecom. Looking to acquire the repeater in March. They are currently on backorder, and need to be preprogrammed. The plan is to test and implement the new repeater by July. We may have to reprogram radios due to interference we’ve been having from another source that’s getting into our current repeater. The new repeater will improve the strength of our coverage, and coverage area. We tested the wattage of our current repeater which is 2 Watts currently. 25 checkins this week, 29 last week, 18 the week before. Hopefully checkins will increase as we get closer to summer, and with improved coverage. The smaller Retevis radios are available for sale at the Hub. If interested in getting your FCC license, or for any other reason, email cobbalertnet@gmail.com.

Budget Committee– Chris Nettles – approval of half-day Saturday meeting to be determined (see above)

Forest Health Committee

Eliot Hurwitz – regarding log deck clean up – thank you for patience. Ongoing plan to accept brush debris from the community for the rest of the year. Brush is under 6 inches in diameter.

Tom Slaight – watershed restoration and forest management – asked about committee members, meetings, agendas, minutes…asked to have about 15 minutes at the next council meeting. Eliot clarified that the project being talked about was not a Cobb Area Council project. Cathy mentioned the CAC website needs to be updated. Chris mentioned considering finding a WordPress person to help with the CAC website. Darlene commented on CAC minutes being in transition, Tom commented it’s not the Council meetings, it’s the Committees’ that’s his primary concern. Tom handed out an article from the Record Bee, “Seeking Cobb Watershed Property Owners”

Economic Development Committee– Joe Schneider (not present)

Date of Next Regular Meeting: March 16, 2023

Per AB-2449, this will be a hybrid meeting where participants may attend via Zoom. However, Councilmembers must be present in-person unless there is “just cause” or an “emergency” as defined in AB-2449 as it relates to teleconferencing. Motion made, Chris 2nd, all in favor. Motion approved to continue hybrid meetings in accordance with AB-2449.

Date of Next Special Meeting to Discuss Cobb Area Council to discuss Goals, Strategy, and Budget TBD at next Council Meeting

Adjourned at 8:33pm

 

Categories2023 Minutes by

Minutes | January 19, 2023

COBB AREA COUNCIL

HYBRID  PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday January 19, 2023 at 6:30pm

In person and online via Zoom and Facebook

MINUTES (Approved)

CALLED TO ORDER at 6:39pm by Chairperson, Cathy McCarthy

ROLL CALL:

Present: Cathy McCarthy, Chairperson; Chris Nettles, Treasurer; Darlene Warner, Secretary; Jake Strickler, Vice-Chairperson

Absent: Joe Schneider, Member-at-Large

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES

Agenda: Strike 7:15pm item, Tourism Ambassador item, from tonight’s agenda, moved to February Agenda.

Chris Nettles moved to approve Agenda with amendment. Magdelena seconded. All in favor. Agenda approved.

Noted that WiFi is not working, so there will be no live broadcast of the meeting, however it is being recorded.

Minutes: Chief Paul Duncan moved to approve December 15, 2022 Minutes with no changes, Chris Nettles seconded, All in Favor. Minutes Approved.

SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chair, Cathy McCarthy regarding Cobbite of the Year – Chief Paul Duncan present to receive the award. Slight error with his plaque; will be corrected. Cathy expressed appreciation for Paul’s accessibility and going above and beyond.

Robert Stark, President of the Mountain Lion’s Club – announced the Lion’s Club is having their Crab Feed on March 4th, tickets are available now for $75. Stated they are purchasing 600 pounds of crab at $8.95 per pound. He also mentioned that the Mountain Lion’s Club is the organizational Cobbite of the Year, thank you. Brought a copy of an article in the Record Bee and stated that the Attorney General has settled the lawsuit regarding the Guenoc project, and encouraged everyone to pay attention to it, especially due to fire routing, and as Cobb is Lake County as well.

PUBLIC AND BOARD COMMENT – NON-AGENDA ITEMS (3 MINS./INDIVIDUAL)

Eliot Hurwitz – Guenoc footnote – they need to start from the beginning again, resubmitting all environmental documents and public hearings, etc. Cobb Mountain Watershed Education and Restoration Program is able to receive significant funding from PG&E’s Nature Positive Restoration Fund. Looking for 10 to 15 participants who have properties that border Kelsey Creek, Alder Creek, and Cole Creek. On 1-28-23 there will be an introductory workshop with lunch provided. There will be 4 weekend sessions. They are working in close cooperation with the Pomo Tribes.

Glenneth Lambert – Sculpture Jam. Glenneth is putting together a team that will meet two weekends where basic art materials and lunch will be provided to create sculpture to be placed around Cobb. A handout was presented and passed out.

Inez – Neighborhood Watch. Signs are up. Was able to get rid of three squatters behind The Hub, and one in a car. She has Neighborhood Watch stickers available.

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Vacant Regular Seat, 1-Year:

There is one vacant regular seat for the remainder of the term January 2022 to December 2023, which is for one year. Nominations taken, can self-nominate. Chair, Cathy McCarthy introduced Darlene Warner as the new Chairperson of the Communications Committee, and nominated Darlene Warner to be on the Council for the regular seat for a 1-year term ending December 2023.

Chair, Cathy McCarthy motioned to elect Darlene Warner, Chris Nettles seconded.

Discussion of the Bylaws regarding meeting attendance. Darlene has not attended in-person meetings, but has watched them via Facebook for two years. There is a requirement of 2 in-person meetings. Supervisor Jessica Pyska stated that the purpose of the Bylaw is to ensure participation. Jessica asked Darlene how long she had chaired the Communications Committee, and how long she had been with the committee. Jessica was satisfied that the participation requirement was filled. There were no other nominations.

A vote was taken. Unanimous. Darlene Warner was seated immediately.

Vacant Alternate Seat 1-Year:

There is one vacant alternate seat for a 1-Year term. Will address at next Council meeting.

Councilmember’s Roles on the Board:

Chris Nettles nominated Cathy McCarthy as Chairperson. Darlene Seconded. Cathy accepted.

Cathy McCarthy nominated Chris Nettles as Treasurer. Darlene Seconded. Chris accepted.

Chris Nettles nominated Darlene Warner as Secretary. Cathy Seconded. Darlene accepted.

Chris Nettles nominates Jake Strickler as Vice-Chairperson. Cathy Seconded. Jake accepted.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Chris Nettles, Treasurer

Thank you to Frank and Laurie (past Treasurers), they have been very helpful with the transition. There are no changes from the last report, we are still in the black! The T-Shirt fund will be combined with the General Fund.

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

 

SUPERVISOR’S COMMENTS – Jessica Pyska, County Supervisor, District 5

Missed November 2022 Council Meeting – was at a conference.

Missed December 2022 Council Meeting – was at a Christmas performance at Cobb School

As of the morning of January 19, 2023, Clearlake was at 4 Rumsey, rainfall is at 52.7 inches

There are new faces to Lake County for 2023:

Tax Collector, Patrick Sullivan

Auditor/Controller, Geneveve Harrington

Sheriff, Rob Howe

County Supervisor, District 4 (Lakeport), Michael Green

Tree Mortality: Spoke with Cal OES, received the bad news that we will no longer be getting the CalFire 25% match due to the State deficit. Jessica has spoken with Congressman Mike Thompson, and has engaged with a contractor. This is a $10-12M project in which we would now have to cover 25%.

Bottlerock Corridor: training still going on, Hogback crew is working under CLERC. Able to cut down approximately 500 trees in the Fox Drive area.

LIDAR (Fuel Mapping) funding: used $5K to engage grant writers. Submitted to the USGS and Department of Conservation. Both are funding, so we have $650K project 100% funded. There will be fly-overs in 2023. On Tuesday, January 24, 2023 around 9:20-9:30am there will be a Board of Supervisor’s meeting addressing Fire Severity Maps. Basically the entire County is red. Chief Paul Duncan commented that you must be there in-person to give input and that it’s comment only. OES is working on updating it’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. Had Disaster Council Meeting on January 19, 2023 – there have been two public meetings already, Hidden Valley’s meeting is coming up.

We now have a Climate Resiliency Officer. CA State Emergency is ending in February, in-person meetings to resume.

INTRODUCTION: SHERIFF, ROB HOWE – NEW LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF

Sworn in January 2, 2023. Is a local, grew up in Lake County, lives in Lakeport, has two children who are away at college. He has 20 years in Law Enforcement with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department – as a Corrections Officer, Sergeant, Patrol, Lieutenant, and as Chief Probation Officer for 10 years. This includes 20 years of SWAT team experience, 15 years as a Defense Tactics Instructor, and 10-15 years as an Active Shooter Instructor.

Glenneth had a question regarding CERT team, Sheriff to follow-up.

FIRE SEASON UPDATE – Chief, Paul Duncan

Commented on how much he appreciated Sheriff Rob Howe’s demeanor and calmness during the atmospheric river storms. Loves the rain we’ve been getting. At base staffing level. Have a fuels engine at Kelsey-Cobb Station. Gave reminder that we see many trees and power lines down during storms – assume power lines are live until proven dead. Don’t put a generator in your house; a couple people perished in a home in Sea Ranch due to this. If you see a tree with no bark on it, stay away from it when the wind is blowing. Oak trees look like a bush when first coming up; you can speed up the growth process by trimming the main stem and cutting suckers at the bottom. The LIDAR/Fire Severity mapping is not supposed to be used for insurance ratings. We have a masticator and excavator that CalTrans has been using South of Middletown for roadside clearing, as we don’t have the staffing at this time; it’s eligible to be used all up and down the 175 corridor. Boggs Forest is closed to cars, but the parking lot is still open. There are a lot of trees down, and the bathroom lost half it’s roof. Jessica mentioned the Friends of Boggs Forest will have a cleanup day on January 28, 2023, chainsaws only on certain days.

Jake Strickler asked Chief Paul Duncan if the Fire Severity map would restrict future building. Paul said no, it is for fire use only.

Tom: Highway 175 is overgrown in the Summit area. South Lake/Middletown fuel break.

Chief Wink was promoted to Division Chief and is now at St. Helena headquarters.

CERTIFIED TOURISM AMBASSADOR – MICHELE CARSON  

COMMITTEE REPORTS (3 MINS/INDIVIDUAL)

2023 Cobbler Festival – Cathy McCarthy: First meeting for the 2023 Cobbler Festival will be held on January 26, 2023 at 5:30pm. Will need a lot of help this year, to consider outsourcing. Cathy to contact Pam at Mountain Meadow venue.

Firewise Communities:

  • Magdelena – the SSCRA and SS Redevelopment Association will have a kickoff meeting on January 21, 2023 from 10am to 3pm. There will be another meeting two weeks later on a Saturday. There will be a total of 3 meetings: 1st one focused on strategy and deadlines, 2nd/3rd meetings on forest stewardship and forest health. These meetings will coordinate projects for both organizations; we are by ourselves and need funding. We need to learn more about wildfire behavior and wildfire history in this area.
  • Glenneth – Jones Creek renewed, now in good standing as of a week ago. Neighborhood needs help. Cathy will be helping.

Communications Committee – Darlene Warner

Jessica requested Darlene explain to Sheriff Rob Howe what Cobb Alert Net is. Darlene described the radio network, how it works, and it’s purpose – expressing a desire to work with the Sheriff in this area. Tom had a question for Darlene regarding whether the current repeater is being kept and where the new repeater location will be. Darlene said we are keeping the current repeater, it will be a redundancy to any new repeater. Currently looking at Seigler Mountain for new repeater location, but many technical things to consider and work out yet. Tom also asked about a County-wide radio system; Darlene described how Cobb Alert Net is confined to Cobb area, but there is a repeater on Mt. Konocti that is more of a County-wide radio group. Cathy commented about the radio network being more formalized, Eliot mentioned proper radio protocol, and Magdelena mentioned the forming of a North County area net.

Budget Committee – Chris Nettles

Talked of training of Councilmembers on the Brown Act and Roberts Rules of Order [note: we don’t use Roberts Rules, consult County Counsel] by having a public Board Retreat/Workshop. Suggested discussing priorities of the Board, and that this will be on a future Agenda. Proposes promoting Cobb Area via Explore Cobb Facebook page, etc. and noted this usually falls under Economic Development

Forest Health Committee – Eliot Hurwitz

The air curtain incinerator has room. It can take slash and brush, but doesn’t do well with logs. Eliot has talked with the Wheelan folks regarding how to dispose of logs so we can recycle back out to the forest, such as biomass/bio char, a valuable compostable material. A bag of bio char was passed around the room. Robert Thomas has a Hugo Culture demonstration set up at the air curtain burner, it shows a way of recycling excess fuels to promote health of the forest. Beyond fire prevention, looking at promoting the health of the forest altogether, looking at getting a wood shredder in the coming year. Thinking of doing a Cobb symposium in the Spring.

Economic Development Committee – Joe Schneider (not present)

NEXT MEETING

AB361 Consideration – Consideration of the findings required by AB-361 to allow teleconferenced meetings by this body to continue (AB-361 Brown Act and Virtual Meetings)

Date of next regular meeting: February 16, 2023

MEETING ADJOURNED at 7:59pm