Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Chair Dolly Riley.
1. Roll Call
  
  Present: Dolly Riley, Chris Boyd, Marybeth Kelly, Erin Moynahan, (Pien) Patricia Ris-Yarbrough Deb Hughes, and Sonya Pio.
Consent Calendar. Approval of Minutes of 10-9-24
1. Pien made a motion to approve minutes from October meeting, Chris 2^nd motion: passed unanimously.
Public Comments
a. Charlie Coleman: was notified of neighbor’s set-back while in hospital. He says that RVMAC should hear about permits first. Chris- we usually receive notices from PBS.

b. Jay Epstein: Voted in as Mendocino College Trustee. Would like to work on obtaining student housing. Jay provided update on current status of insurance in CA: the “Fair Plan” from the Department of Insurance is in litigation. It should hopefully be completed by the first of the year. He will provide in depth detail regarding current state of insurance in February for RVMAC meeting. Jay may be reached at 707-468-0179 to answer questions.

c. Sonja Pio- La Palapa and Coyote Valley Rancheria were invited to this meeting. La Palapa is part of the Redwood Valley community, Sonja has asked Coyote Valley Rancheria if they would be interested in allowing the community to access their swimming pool.

d. Gizmo Henderson- The onramp to HWY 20 East is slick on pavement. With his brand new tires, he has almost lost control several times. He fears community members sliding into the guardrail. Several people on Facebook reported the same concern. He would like RVMAC to bring this to the attention of Cal Trans. Dolly-Manny Machado said they would raise the road and it ended with a hump. We will alert him.
Brief Report from County and Agencies
4.1 Alexis Pedrotti and James Sookne from Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) were guest speakers. They are regional and their main goal is the Transportation Plan which is in it’s initial public outreach. After developing the plan, they will send it to the public for general comment. After that, they will come back to RVMAC to discuss further. The public can participate in the public comment portion by going to the MCOG website: mendocinocog.org. Chris asked if MCOG was the same company that spoke to RVMAC around 3 years ago: yes. Community suggestions go into the Transportation Plan which allows company’s with grant money ability to bid on the project. The project does not have to be specific but does have to align with MCOG Project Goals.

Questions regarding round-a-bouts in Mendocino County. James confirmed there will be three in Ukiah: one at Bush and Low Gap, one at Kuki Ln and North State St., and one on the North State St. Southbound on/off ramp. Deb asked about more transportation in the form of buses running to Hopland to pick up Native students and take them to school. James explained that citizens can go to the MCOG website and disclose “unmet needs” so that they will be documented for the county. Also, they can reach out to MTA.

James also explained that roads such as Road A and Road B, are county roads. The county requires around $350 million to fix all roads. There is a strategic plan on repaving them over the next 20 years. Gobbi, Main St., and Perkins in Ukiah will be paved soon.

James explained that MCOG focuses on economic policy, better health for all, and reducing emissions.

A member of the community asked about people having to stand out in the rain while waiting for the bus at the new bus stop on North State St., and James stated that he believed MTA had ordered a shelter for the location.

Another community member asked if a rate study would be the best way to approach change in the speed limit for certain roads like West or East Rd. in Redwood Valley. James explained that 85% of cars must be going at or under a certain speed to determine the speed limit. They cannot set the speed limit any less than 5 miles under the rate study. For example, if the rate study finds that the speed of travel suggests that 85% of travel is at 50mph, then the speed limit could be set at no less than 45mph. Gizmo explained that there is not a zero point in consideration when conducting a rate study and that transportation includes walking, horseback riding, bike riding, and more. He further asks if CHP could be present when conducting rate study to encourage people to drive the speed limit. Jacob King may be able to help with this. Citizens may tell MCOG what is not working in transportation and there is a QR code on the back of the presentation given at tonight’s meeting.

James explained that board meetings are held on the 1^st Monday of the month at 1:30pm. If you would like to be added to the agenda/minute list, reach out to MCOG, otherwise they are publicly posted on their website.

Dolly asked MCOG about the idea of a 2-lane round-a-bout and produced a visual to explain what that would look like. She suggests something like this might support our locals. She gave MCOG a copy of the photo which was located at HWY 1 and Simpson Lane in Fort Bragg.

A community member suggested a round-a-bout at School way and West Rd

4.2 Glenn McGourty was not able to attend, Madeline Cline was present. Glenn gave an update which was read out loud and included Glenn’s projects, accomplishments and a farewell.

4.3 Matt Kendall was not available today.

4.4 Chris provided update from fire department: Caltrans lifted burn ban on Friday and there were 4 fire related accidents over the weekend. In CA law: if you are responsible for starting a fire, you may be liable for all consequences of costs including damages, and for the cost of 1^st responders. When you apply for a permit, please consider the safety of yourselves and others. Keep an eye on your neighbors burn pile and be prepared with a hose. Blue reflector lights may be added to your water shed to show first responders that they may access your well in an emergency. The next board meeting will be tomorrow night at 6pm and they will be discussing the pros and cons of utilizing sirens in Redwood Valley to alert citizens of fires. There is a proposal to use PG&E funds for purchasing 4 more sirens that would cover most of our valley. Chris shared a picture of how the current sirens would be potentially put to use and how they do not cover the entire jurisdiction. The Office of Emergency Services has a grant that would cover the cost of more sirens but RVCFD would need to cover the cost of $200,000.00 in order to access this grant. Nixle and Watch Duty apps are a great way to alert us as long as we maintain cell tower.

Gizmo stated that Jim Woods replacement may want to discuss the QR code for trailers at the RVMAC meeting.

4.5 Grange updates: The Grange now has lights and a mop sink! The kitchen area is in the process of upgrading the new floor. There is a laminated schedule on the wall showing the expected dates of each project through the remodel. The completion of the upgrade should be around March of 2025. The Harvest dance is this Saturday Nov 16, and the Fargo Brothers are playing. The cost is $20.00 per person. The Christmas Craft Fair will be here in December. Once the renovations are complete, we are hoping to rent out the Grange once again.

4.6 Water update: RVWD is merging with UFWA and it will be supervised by two managers in Ukiah. At this time, there will continue to be a hold on new water hookups in Redwood Valley and this will remain for at least several years. There is a wonderful article in Mendo Fever explaining this.
Redwood Valley Rec Center: Marybeth, Dolly
Marybeth tried to speak at the state meeting for the Board of Education, she unfortunately missed her opportunity. However, the board approved the City of Ukiah’s waiver request to either lease or sell the land. Now Ukiah Unified will decide what they would like to do moving forward with the land. They have two up and coming board meetings of 11/14 and 12/12. It is expected to be too soon for them to discuss what to do with Redwood Valley Elementary School. Jay Epstein suggested that Mendocino College may be able to support the endeavor of Recreation and Community Center for Redwood Valley.
Cannabis Policy Standing Subcommittee: Pien, Community Members
Dolly read response from PBS Director Krog regarding notification of cannabis permits to neighbors. Charlie suggests the remedy of notifying the entire neighborhood and not just the property owners within 350ft. Charlie explained further that this neighbor is also the reason that the new sound ordinance is being implemented in the valley. As the party’s were lasting until 5:30am. Krog has explained to Charlie that she would notify the neighbors who tried to attend the cancelled meeting of the next meeting, even though the disclaimer in her email explains that she does not have to.
Development Review Standing Subcommittee: Marybeth, Jini, Pien
An update from CalTrans regarding Faizon gas station permit was attached to the Agenda, expressing CalTrans’ recommendation the permit require Faizon to fund a center median and on/off lanes on Hwy 101. No new notices of permits were received.
Community Action Plan Subcommittee: Dolly, Chris, and Citizens Jini Reynolds, Sheilah Rogers and Alex DeGrassi
Dolly is staying in touch with Planner Russel Ford. The Design Guidelines are being reviewed by County Council before notifying local agencies. There was a consensus that we need to be the squeaky wheel.
Prohibit New Gas Stations: Chris, Citizen Gizmo Henderson
Pien joined this subcommittee. Team will continue with research.
Officers and Members Reports and Announcements
Council discussed next guest speaker. Chris will contact Jeff Adair of OES to speak to the MAC on 1-8-25. Jay Epstein agreed to speak in February. No December meeting. Complete dates for 2025 RVMAC meetings was given to all members.
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned at 7:16pm. Next meeting 1-8-25.