Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Chair Dolly Riley.
1. Roll Call
  
  Present: Dolly Riley, Christine Boyd, Patricia (Pien) Ris-Yarbrough, Marybeth Kelly, Erin Moynahan, Sonia Pio. Absent: Deb Hughes
  Chair Riley introduced Sheriff Matt Kendall, Fire Chief Kerry Robinson, Megan Turner, OES Director Jeff Adair, OES grants Xuyen Mallela, Resource Director Travis Killmer, County grants Kelly Hansen, Humane Society Directors John and Theresa King, Reporter Monica Huettl. Others present include Pizza Etc owner Rhonda McAnally, Gizmo Henderson, and others.
Consent Calendar. Approval of Minutes of 11-13-24
Chris motioned and Pien seconded approval of Minutes. All voted to approve.
Public Comments
Sheriff Kendall annouced it is Elvis' birthday.
Brief Report from County and Agencies
Guest speaker Jeff Adair from OES introduced the Emergency Services Operations Plan, available online and open for comment. He added that the Community Wildfire Preparedness Plan is also out for comment. His office was involved in assisting with the recent earthquake and the Philo fire. Chris asked what changed in the documents, and are there evacuation zones? Jeff stated the document is longer and he needs public participation as a condition of their grant. He gave handouts to assist with evacuation issues. Pien stated that lost power means no internet, so why aren't sirens used? Jeff stated that we have tsunami sirens. Marybeth stated that having awareness from her US Army service, she wonders what is the redundent plan to notify the public when power goes out. What radio stations post information at that time? Jeff replied that the OES contact list includes radio stations and Ham radio operators. Sonya requested the schools be included and Jeff assured they are. Dolly read an objective from the County General Plan that provides for enhancement of utility systems in areas of high hazard potential such as wildfires, and asked why Redwood Valley Fire Dept is not using sirens as a warning sysem. Jeff stated that OES has completed their portion of the grant that would, if awarded, pay for sirens. He added that it was submitted Nov. 26, 2024 and needs FEMA review. Dolly asked Sheriff for comment, and Sheriff Kendall stated that setting off a siren is up to the Fire Dept and OES, the experts, and they will need to come up with a MOU. Marybeth asked "who will push the button?" Fire Chief Kerry Robinson stated that there is no MOU. He has been busy procurring resources and is not against using a siren, but he thinks prevention is of the most importance. Gizmo Henderson pointed out that sometimes fighting fires duties can switch to evacuation assistance, and then it would be time for sirens. Pien asked is there a plan for sirens in the new document on Emergency Operations? Sheriff Kendall handed out "evacuation" flags for people to put on doorknobs, and said Sheriffs pick them up, write the address, and know who is safe. Marbeth inquired if there is signage available to indicate fuels being stored, and a response was that such signs exist and businesses are required to have them.
District 1 Supervisor Madeline Cline notified she could not be present.
Sheriff Matt Kendall stated he is grateful for a $50 K grant received to upfit patrol cars as they need extra equipment such as 2 batteries for extra power. He publicly thanked Kelly Hanson from the County grants office. He now has 7 deputy sheriffs in training. They will be beefing up their Community Outreach Teams in partnership with Behavioral Health to provide homeless services, and consequences when there is a crime. He asked we don't give addicts money. Behavioral Health workers will wear a special vest to be identified, and will participate in interventions, because there are varied reasons for homelessness. Sheriff added that he buys radio time to broadcast public messages. Monica asked about the cryptic Nixle messages around the recent Brooktrails gun toting man. Sheriff stated they did not catch him, and stand down was based on the passage of time. Marybeth asked if there was an arrest of the man blocking cars and asking for money at Redwood Valley Store. Sheriff stated he did not know and please report criminal behavior. Gizmo asked if there was a reduction in accidental deaths. Sheriff stated that about 40% of OD accidental deaths are reported, and in 2022, 65% of accidental deaths were due to OD.
Fire District and prevention. Chris Boyd stated she is no longer on the Fire District Board, they lost 2 other people and have a new Chair. Dolly discussed benefits of starting a neighborhood Firesafe Council, adding that once it is organized and registered with the County Firesafe Council, we can then apply to the National program of Firewise Community to lower our insurance costs. Pien stated it is not easy to assemble neighbors. Dolly also mentioned receiving a call from Sierra Club's Fire Prevention Committee Jeanne Chinn, and Jeanne would like folks to email the governor to request PG&E stop clearcutting, leaving slash on the ground, and stop raising electricity rates.
Grange Secretary Marybeth announced the Grange's "Sees, Seeds and Flea" sale on Saturday, Jan 11, 9-2pm. The Grange meeting is Jan 16 with potluck 5:30 and meeting 6:30. She said the Grange kitchen floor tiles were delayed but in the works, and a new sink will follow.
Water updates. Gizmo stated Inland Water & Power has a new director. Monica stated there is slow progress with the Potter Valley Project.
Transportation. Dolly cited parking problems at the MTA bus stop area of N. State St and School Way, and added it should be discussed at MCOG. People discussed their dislike of all the placement of rocks in the area.
Redwood Valley Rec Center: Marybeth, Dolly
Marybeth announced a planning meeting for RVRC at the Grange on Jan 20 at 10am, and invited all to attend the UUSD meeting Feb 13 at 6pm.
Cannabis Policy Standing Subcommittee: Pien, Community Members
Pien stated she was unhappy about the doubling of size of cannabis grows. Chris stated she sent a letter to Supervisor Haschak asking to get multiple stakeholders to solve the issue. John King stated he thought the legal grow size remained at 10K sq feet, and that the request for 20K sq feet did not pass. He lamented that the exclusion zone did not pass as well. Gizmo stated there was no public comment and larger grow size is unfair as to fees.
Development Review Standing Subcommittee: Marybeth, Pien
Marybeth stated she received no notices of permit applications from PBS. Dolly stated she asked Planner Liam Crowley about Faizan Gas Station permit since there has been no decision, and learned the applicant has not entered into a QMAP planning contract with CalTrans and the County at this time.
Community Action Plan Subcommittee: Dolly, Chris, and Citizens Jini Reynolds, Sheilah Rogers and Alex DeGrassi
Dolly stated that on Jan 6, Planner Russell Ford sent the subcommitte a "Policy Table" comparing the Redwood Valley CAP to the County General Plan, and asked we rephrase the CAP to include goal, policy, and action steps with each item in the plan. The subcommitte will meet early February.
Prohibit New Gas Stations: Chris, Pien, Citizen Gizmo Henderson
Subcommittee discussed ways to proceed to achieve a county-wide prohibition of new gas stations.
Officers and Members Reports and Announcements
Sonya motioned and Pien seconded to have Dolly remain Chair, Chris to become Vice Chair, and Pien remain Treasurer. All voted yes. No member wanted to be Secretary. Recruitment of 2 new members was discussed. Next month's speaker will be Jay Epstein on fire insurance.
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned at 7:12 pm. Next meeting February 12, 2025.