Tag: September

COBB AREA COUNCIL

PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday September 19, 2024 at 6:30pm

In-Person and Online Participation Available

 

DRAFT MINUTES

 

CALLED TO ORDER at 6:39pm

Acting Chair: Darlene Warner

ROLL CALL:

Present: Chris Nettles, Darlene Warner, Jake Strickler, Joe Schneider, Mel McMurrin

Cathy McCarthy – absent for most of meeting due to Back-to-School night, present at end of meeting

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

Approval of Agenda: Motion by Robert Stark, 2^nd by Chris Nettles. No amendments. All in favor (5 Board members, 7 community members), Agenda approved.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Mary Prather, 2^nd by Chris Nettles. No amendments. All in favor (5 Board members, 7 community members), Minutes approved.

SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mary Prather – the Lion’s Club raised $10K from the Blackberry Cobbler Festival which will be used for building improvements to the Little Red Schoolhouse/Cobb Community Center. Have been doing building renovations; the door off the main room can now be used as an exit as there are now stairs and the termite issue has been resolved. May have a new floor by next meeting. Will be having an October fest at the Lion’s Club on October 26^th at 5pm. Tickets will be $20 presale, there are flyers around.

Magdalena – the Middletown Arts Center has extended its exhibition of “The Space Between” an exhibition of spiritual art from Lake County to Oct 7^th. Open Thursday to Monday in the afternoons.

Ashley Strunk – the grand opening of Boston’s Steak House at Belmont Pines Golf Course will be Saturday, September 21^st. Will be open 7 days a week from 4pm to 9pm. The bar, Broderick’s Off the Fairway, will be open same hours but Friday and Saturday will be open until 10pm. Beer and wine only for now until a liquor license is available.

Chris – Cobb LAPAC is having a public meeting conducted by the County on October 9^th at 5:30pm. For details regarding the LAPAC zoom, visit www.lakecounty2050.org.

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

Kies Winkleman – heard that Cobb roads project has been delayed due to the County not obtaining an EIR. Short discussion on status of project and possibly putting item on next month’s agenda. Provided a copy of the roads list. Jake recommended emailing DPW.

Supervisor’s Comments – Jessica Pyska

NO REPORT – Away at a 3-day conference in Rohnert Park

Fire Season Update – Paul Duncan

NO REPORT/NOT PRESENT – Darlene commented that we are still in fire season and must be vigilant and gave a reminder about maintaining Zone Zero defensible space.

Treasurer’s Report – Chris

Treasurer’s Report with Spreadsheet (2 pages) submitted to Secretary, and is attached and incorporated herewith as Attachment “A”

The Resiliency Initiative: Wildfire Evacuation and Preparedness Plan presented by John Speka, Lake Area Planning Council

Presented Resiliency Initiative: Wildfire Evacuation and Preparedness Plan. This is the community outreach phase. Regional umbrella for Lake County. This is funded by a $170K CalTrans grant. The Lake Area Planning Council consists of two County Supervisors: Bruno Sabatier and Moke Simon, two Councilmembers – one each from the City of Clearlake and the City of Lakeport, and two At-Large Members. APC is to assist local agencies in obtaining funding, partnering with CalTrans. Goal is to coordinate evacuation efforts with OES and all agencies, standardize response protocols for wildfires, and educate community members. There will be workshops on October 23^rd in Clearlake and October 24^th in Lakeport. There is a public online survey they are requesting to be completed. A plan will be drafted after the outreach phase and additional workshops will be held. Looking at next fall to have the draft plan ready. Robust Q&A to better understand what this initiative will do. Their flyer is attached and incorporated herewith as Attachment “B”

More information: www.lakeapc.org/projects/transportation-planning-projects/ or email John Speka at spekaj@dow-associates.com.

COMMITTEE REPORTS (3 minutes/individual)

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

Magdalena – Seigler Springs FireWise Community had a fire in their neighborhood and have setup a planning group to present a proposal to the neighborhood to organize themselves better. One thing learned/remembered was that every house should have a 100-foot hose, or a hose wrapping all the way around your home and have a metal rake, even if you’ve hardened your home for defensible space. Making use of the Force Multiplier program. Learned from the Boyles fire how important it is to know where your evacuation zone is in relation to other evacuation zones. Trying to arrange a tour to visit Gordon Springs, as they have a great firefighting setup. Cindy, FireWise Group 2 leader (includes Cobb Elementary, Estates, and Rainbow), has made use of South Lake Fire Safe Council/CLERC grant, will be getting some ingress/egress work done. Coming up on the 10-year anniversary of 3 fires: Rocky, Jerusalem, and Valley fires.

Several FireWise groups including Hidden Valley, South Lake Fire Safe Council, and Loch Lomond have started to talk about setting up events. The Valley Fire at the time was the 3^rd largest in State history; it is now eclipsed by the Park Fire, which is 4 times as big. Encouraging people to fill out the Tree Mortality Survey. Only need 14 more people to get the project moving. www.lakecountyriskreduction.org

Communications Committee – Darlene

17 new members from Blackberry Cobbler Festival: 5 in Loch Lomond, 3 in Hannah, 5 in Boggs, 1 in Seigler, 2 in Cobb, 1 in Hobergs. We have 20 more radios available for sale. They can be purchased at Madelyn’s Mail Express in Loch Lomond. We have a 3^rd repeater up and running, called the “Ridge” repeater, which is dedicated to the Loch Lomond/Seigler Springs areas, specifically if you are between Casale Road and Ridge Road (iffy/dead zone for Mountain repeater). This repeater has its own channels but does not replace the channels used on the Mountain repeater (channel 5 is still Loch Lomond, channel 7 is still Seigler). This repeater augments what is already in place. New channels available to communicate within these areas are simplex Channel 10, and for GMRS 24 (or 16). After the Doah Fire, it was clear we needed better communication in this area.

Mel – there will be a Ham test in Willits on Saturday, September 21^st, and in Sonoma on the 28^th. Our sister net, called Lake County North Alert Net, has been operating for several years now and also does check-ins Wednesday evening at 5:30pm, just before ours at 6pm. They are a GMRS only network with their repeater on Buckingham Peak that we call the “Konocti Repeater.” If you are already a GMRS licensed user and can reach the Konocti repeater, they are on Channel 27. Their email address is: lcnangmrs@gmail.com

Forest Health Committee – Eliot

Community Wildfire Protection Plan – received grant, working on contract and expect to be able to kick the program into gear by the end of the year. Will be coming back to CAC in November with an MOU between Seigler Springs Community Redevelopment Association and CAC for utilization of the approved matching funds. Hiring up SSCRA staff and recruiting volunteers. Will have draft of MOU for October meeting. John Green, Green’s Tree Service, saw a beetle that he didn’t recognize, the Mediterranean Oak Borer. This is new in Lake County this year, and needs to be tracked, especially looking at whether the management procedures are done properly, like disposing of wood, cleaning of tools, etc. which must be done a certain way. The Lake County Risk Reduction Authority’s YouTube channel has an excellent video on this. Report sightings to: www.theclerc.org.

Economic Development Committee – Chris

Busy doing Blackberry Cobbler Festival. Deferred to Cathy and Jennifer for report.

Blackberry Cobbler Festival – Cathy, Chris, Jennifer

Cathy: there were 100 vendors and 4,500 attendees this year. Cups are still available for sale. CalPine was again our Platinum sponsor and Sutter Health was our new platinum sponsor. Thank you to SSCRA for their partnership. Georgia Emerson won 1^st Place in the Blackberry Cobbler contest. Thanked supporters, host, WestFest for grounds preparations, and approximately 100 volunteers.

Jennifer: vendors filled up within a week. Certain amount of space. Every vendor did extremely well, food vendors sold out. Chris: purpose came out of Economic Development Committee efforts to promote business in Cobb.

Chris: broke even with $25K in expenses, and $25K in funds raised. Will start 2025 festival with $15K on-hand. Sold out of old inventory. 651 transactions over 5 to 6 hours. Additional expenses this year were a refrigerated truck for beer sales, professional parking management, and traffic control. Local businesses had extremely great sales over the festival weekend. There was a 30% increase in sales over last year.

Next Meeting: October 17, 2024

Adjourned at 8:06pm

Respectfully submitted,

Secretary Warner

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, 2^nd 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 14^th 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, 2^nd 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, 2^nd 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, 2^nd 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, 2^nd 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, 2^nd 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 29^th. 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 3^rd 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