Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Chair Dolly Riley.
1. Roll Call
  
  Present: Chair Dolly Riley, Vice-Chair Chris Boyd, Treasurer Patricia Ris-Yarbrough, Alternate Member Marybeth Kelly, Member Deb Hughes, Member Erin Moynahan, Alternate Member Sonya Pio
Consent Calendar. Approval of Minutes of 1-8-25
Chris motioned, and Pien (Patricia) seconded. All voted to approve January 2025 Minutes.
Public Comments
Cathy Monroe announced the coming Women's Gala at the Space Theater on March 2, at 2 pm. Marybeth Kelly will be honored for her extensive volunteerism benefitting her community.
John King announced the Pancake Breakfast on March 16, from 9 to 2 pm at the Redwood Valley Grange. It is a joint fund raiser for the RV Fire Dept, the RV Grange, and the Inland Humane Society.
Gizmo Henderson gave an update regarding his work to promote trailer safety in preventing dragging chains which cause fires. He contacted CNS Solid Waste and they will display his posters promoting trailer safety.
Brief Report from County and Agencies
Guest speaker Jay Epstein from State Farm Insurance discussed the financial loss of 4 billion dollars from the Los Angeles fires, and the effect the costs to provide insurance payouts are having on the insurance industry, and how that may affect customers in the future. All CA insurance companies have received an assessment, and will pay in proportion to their share of the market. If they don't have it, the consumers will pay. He stated that established insurance companies will always pay claims, guaranteed. He added that the CA legislation is getting involved to hopefully recognize home hardening, and addressed questions around rates, location and more.
Supervisor Madeline Cline gave an update, stating the Board of Supervisors' (BOS) priority is public safety, and they are working with diminishing finances, and road infrastructure issues. She discussed CORE (community outreach engagement), cannabis issues which will go to the General Government Committee (GGC), and the BOS decision not to limit public comment to 10 minutes per topic, but rather give each speaker 3 minutes. She will hold a first Friday of the month "constituent coffee" and will announce rotating locations. Supervisor Cline gave updates on BOS discussions concerning low intensity camping or "hip camps." She is now the director for the groundwater group, discussed the PG&E proposal to take down the dams above Potter Valley, and added she is unhappy about it.
Sheriff Matt Kendall gave updates. The Behavioral Health wing of the jail is going well, they have a new deputy, 7 in training, and 2 new sheriff's vehicles. He is concerned that revenue may not meet finances, gave warning about the need for safe winter driving, and the large volume of calls he's received over immigration concerns. He added that California is a sanctuary state, but criminals should go, and that we need to build a path to obtain immigrant visas and legal work permits. He is not happy that Senate Bill 54 stopped communication with the jail for deportations, rather the Feds have to go to the neighborhoods which is more disruptive. Sheriff discussed his efforts to form coalitions with other County sheriffs, and answered questions.
Fire Update. Chris Boyd gave an update, stating that the new RV Fire Chief is Dan Grebil, and Kerry Robinson is the Fire Captain. The next Redwood Valley/Calpella Fire Board meeting is 2-13-25 at 6 pm, and she will talk about the need for sirens as a fire evacuation warning system.
Grange Update. Marybeth Kelly announced the kitchen flooring is completed, and the Grange will be getting some new applicances. The power will be off for a week ending 2-21-25, hopefully back on for family game night that date. Grange flea market is the second Saturday of each month, the next Grange meeting will be 2-27-25, and the Pancake Breakfast is 3-16-25.
Water Update. Dolly Riley announced the Eel River Project Authority (ERPA) is working with PG&E and FERC to remove Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam, and pump water during the winter rainy season from the Eel to the Russian River through Potter Valley.
Traffic Update. Pien (Patricia Ris-Yarbrough) reported she and Gizmo Henderson attended the Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) on 2-10-25 to talk about the definition of traffic in studies, particularly when determining the maximum median speed of those who use County roads. She stated the studies of traffic need to include the traffic of walkers, bikers, hikers, and horseback riders.
Redwood Valley Rec Center: Marybeth, Dolly
Marybeth reported that Ukiah Unified Board Mtg. is 2-13-25, and she is seeking a large presence to show support for the formation of the Rec Center. The request for proposal should come out and the working group will review it and respond to it, with hopes of being allowed to lease the old RV school.
Cannabis Policy Standing Subcommittee: Chris, Pien, Community Members
Dolly stated that on 2-11-25 the BOS voted to send cannabis policy review to the General Government Committee (GGC) so the public may participate in review. Chris noted that the exclusion zone was denied, there are hoop house issues, and the County Cannabis Dept has re-interpreted the regulations to allow a doubling of grow size, to 20,000 square feet. John King added discussion is needed and it is not okay to change the policy without the public being heard. Pien received a map from the County that lists 30 cannabis farms in Redwood Valley, and only 2 are licensed certified organic farms (CCOF). She is concerned that there are no checks and balances in place for the use of fertilizers and pesticides in sensitive riparian areas of the Russian River watershed. Kyle Greenhilgh state the policy changes need discussion and better awareness, a site should be allowed on more than agriculturally-zoned land, and we need clear guidance on expansion. Jesse Hutchens stated the regulations are bad. Supervisor Madeline Cline stated policy will be reviewed in the GGC meetings and she is willing to host discussions.
Development Review Standing Subcommittee: Marybeth, Pien
Dolly stated that on 2-3-25 Planner Liam Crowley of PBS informed her that Faizon Corp recently submitted a permit request with a new site plan that added parking spaces and moved the proposed gas pumps out of the neighbor's easement area. Dolly added that in September 2024 CalTrans stated in a letter to PBS that "should the service station go forward at the proposed location, the median of US 101 at N State/Uva Dr will need to be closed." This would be at Faizon's expense and was not addressed. No other new permit applications were received from PBS.
CAP Subcommittee: Dolly, Chris, Citizens Jini, Sheilah Rogers and Alex DeGrassi
Dolly stated the CAP subcommittee met on 2-7-25 to edit "Action Item" revisions to the CAP, after Planner Russell Ford at PBS requested each item have a goal, policy, and action steps. The areas reviewed included Public Safety, Economic Development and Housing, Environment, Agriculture, and Public Facilities. Dolly is accepting edits from the council and subcommittee until next week, by email or text. Anyone may review the revisions if they request to do so by contacting Dolly at dollypriley@gmail.com
Prohibit New Gas Stations: Chris, Pien, Citizen Gizmo Henderson
Chris proposed the idea of a 5-year moratorium on permits for new gas stations in Mendocino County. She discussed Boston group's study that gas stations would not be profitable in the future. Pien and Chris added that since the approach is to encompass the whole County, it would be best to gain support of all of the County MACs, which is the next step.
Nitrous Oxide "whippets" a local problem
Dolly stated that nitrous oxide cannisters were outlawed in the City of Ukiah in 2022, after work done by youths at the Arbor Center in Ukiah, but they remain legal in the unincorporated areas of the County. Cassie Taaning-Trotter stated that her husband Marvin has been picking up garbage on West Road, and found a giant whip-it cylinder, used as laughing gas. She called Tom Allman, now a Willits City councilman, and Willits recently banned nitrous oxide cannisters. Marvin Trotter displayed the giant cylinder, and stated that inhaling these can cause disuse of parts of the lungs. He added that our County spends millions on substance abuse treatment, and the RV Rec Center would provide an alternative. The next step should be to outlaw nitrous oxide sales throughout the County. Erin Moynahan stated her daughter was part of the 2022 Arbor team, and she learned that 20% of first-time users die after using it. She said she would see if her daughter could provide some of their research. Supervisor Cline stated she would support a County prohibition, and the MAC should obtain a copy of the Willits City resolution. Dolly stated the cannisters are available at the Redwood Valley gas station and they are supposedly used in gas vehicles, but are also called whip-its as in whipped cream, or laughing gas, and are used by the public as an intoxicant.
Form Energy Battery Storage
This item was moved up so that the Form Energy Co team could return to Oakland. Reena Birch Fram stated that the battery installation on East Road at the PG&E plant would contain iron-air batteries which create rust that converts the metal and stores electricity. They will install 100-hour batteries and the project will begin construction late 2025. Project Manager Katelyn Meggers stated the pre-construction planners will submit a building permit soon, and completed CEQA clearance a year ago. Lee Ann Wainwright, Community Relations Manager, stated she is the Redwood Valley project liason and can be reached by email at lwainwright@formenergy.com. Cassie asked about a noise barrier, and John King asked about fans. Form Energy team member Justin stated they will use a force air cooling system and not all fans will run at the same time, adding the noise level was approved by CEQA. Teresa King asked why is the chosen site in Redwood Valley, and Reena replied that it is the ideal site for this State-funded project for energy storage. Dolly noted (since the team had not mentioned) that it would consist of 128 freight containers and 16 smaller containers, all holding batteries. Marybeth Kelly asked about fire mitigation and Justin answered that it is a different kind of battery than the lithium used at the exploding Moss Landing site. The batteries will be housed in metal shipping containers surrounded by gravel. Lee Ann added that the containers are very nice looking. Dolly requested that since they cannot use landscaping as a view pollution screen, they should consider a simple mural on the containers along the road. Pien had already suggested this last year.
Officers and Members Reports and Announcements
Dolly stated we have openings for 2 members. Council discussed March guest speaker and decided no speaker is needed for March since we have a more lengthy agenda. Pien gave a brief Treasurer's Report, stating that the RV MAC has a negative balance of $231.79. Dolly stated this is due to the purchase of the Owl for Zoom communication last September, which cost $1027.89, a one-time expense, and the shortage would have to roll over when the MAC recieves the next allotment of $1200 on 7-1-25. Another factor is the increase in rent, which has been paid for a full year ending 6-30-25.
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm. Next meeting is 3-12-25.