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, Patricia (Pien) Ris-Yarbrough, Marybeth Kelly, Deb Hughes, Sonya Pio
Consent Calendar. Approval of Minutes of 6-11-25 (no July meeting)
Marybeth motioned, Sonya seconded approval of Minutes. Chris abstained, all others voted yes and Minutes were approved.
Public Comments
Gizmo Henderson noted that Sonoma watershed is losing 21 millin gallons per year, and informed us of his work to preserve the roads to campgrounds when the level of Lake Mendocino is raised.
Brief Report from County and Agencies
a. Supervisor Madeline Cline was not present due to Rural Counties meeting. Deb and Pien read her written report, which included the following: The County is facing a $16 million deficit in FY 26/27, dealt with by a strategic hiring freeze, preservation of public safety, and one-time funding of $6 million. Supervisor Cline is working on a nitrous oxide ban that will include prevention and enforcement and has researched such ordinances in Orange and Humboldt Counties. A Noise Ordinance draft should be ready this fall. The proposed City of Ukiah Annexation received pushback and the City removed the map and will work to meet community concerns. She noted that water district consolidation is not the same as annexation. Supervisor Cline testified in Sacramento regarding public safety, infrastructure, and illicit cannabis enforcement. She is advocating for water security in the Potter Valley Project, for housing, for fire safety, and supports the Junior Livestock Auction. Dr. Marvin Trotter commented on Ukiah's nitrous oxide ban. Comments were made regarding the deficit, and Supervisors voting down a decrease in their pay.
b. Sheriff Matt Kendall was present by Zoom and stated: He received 447 calls in the last 30 days, 163 incidents, 11 arrests, and a couple of high-speed chases. The Jail build is going well. He asked we be fire conscious after fires in Laytonville and Bell Springs. Chris asked if there is ICE activity in our area, and Sheriff replied no, but 2 months ago Homeland Security was here on issues other than immigration. Marybeth asked about helicopters, and Sheriff stated that Dept of Fish and Wildlife are looking for signs of cannabis environmental degradation. He added that PG&E copters are noted for flying at high speeds along powerline areas. Pien asked about Sheriff activity at 501 Laughlin Way in June and Sheriff stated several locations were visited and are under investigation. Gizmo asked if jail inmates can go to college and Sheriff stated Ukiah Adult School and online college level classes are available to inmates.
c. Fire Chief Dan Grebil was not present. Dolly noted the start of Roads B&A Neighborhood Fire Safe Council, started with road signs, media promotion, and set dates. A discussion was held about the possibility of a local fire siren, and Marybeth and Dolly reviewed the Fire District meeting of 7-10-25 at which the Chief presented a plan for siren use, but awaits funding for training of use and a decision of who will set off the siren when it is needed. Bill Self stated fire information including windspeed can be found online at National Interagency Fire Center. Comments included the limited use of hi-low sirens, and tools to aid in safe evacuation such as portable blinking red lights and foldable bicycles during bottlenecks.
d. District Representatives Scott Alonzo and Monica Barragan were present for State Assemblyman Chris Rogers. Scott Alonzo stated the following: Redistricting will be included in a special election Nov 4th and citizens will vote on a map with the caveat that the changes are moot if Texas withdraws their changes. Scott Alonzo discussed SB 131 to exemp CEQA in certain commercial and residential builds, which Chris Rogers did not support; SB 830 to allow CalTrans to fund infrastructure repair in Hopland; SB 1014 which allows CalTrans to accept petitions to lower the speed limit as requested by local government bodies. Chris inquired if the Feds have reimbursed the State for recent emergencies and Scott will look into it. Deb stated that to her knowledge gerrymandering is illegal in CA but legal in Texas, and Scott noted that voters would need to approve a constitutional amendment.
e. Adam Gaska, President of Redwood Valley County Water District and Chair of Ukiah Valley Water Assn was present and stated the following: The City of Ukiah took over the RVCWD and they meet on Laws Ave next Thursday 8-21-25. There is an ongoing project to consolidate local water agencies for efficiency and better water security, and this is supported by the State SAFER program that provides grant funding. Up to $80 million will be needed to update infrastructure, and will include a new 12" pipe from Burke Hill to Redwood Valley. The RVCWD is $8 million in debt and needs help. Redwood Valley is not secure in receiving Lake Mendocino water and has issues of water resiliency. Tom Shoeneman of the RVCWD and Inland Water and Power Commission was present and stated the SAFER agency is supportive of consolidating water districts, and he is in favor of consolidation for better water security. Comments were made about problems with water bills, the idea of a community services district, impacts of the water moratorium, and drilled wells not affecting a water moratorium's growth control.
f. Grange Secretary Marybeth gave Grange updates: There is a Grange meeting 8-21-25 with potluck at 5:30 and meeting at 6:30, there is a Flea Market every 2nd Saturday and the next is 9-13. The commercial kitchen project is almost done which will be available to the community to rent.
g. Traffic issues. Positive comments were made about proposed Bill to allow lower speeds, and current use of a speed display trailer.
Development Review Standing Subcommittee: Marybeth, Pien, Citizen Gabriel Baca
a. RVRC. Redwood Valley Rec Center at closed Redwood Valley School. Dr. Trotter gave an update: We await an RFP, the Rec Center would be under the umbrella of the Alex Rohrabaugh Center. Marybeth suggested we ask school personnel to speak at the next MAC meeting, an idea met with approval. Deb Hughes then contacted Deb Kubin, Fred Keplinger, and Bea Arkin and will await response.
b. CAP. Dolly gave an update on the Community Action Plan and noted that Planner Russel Ford is working on it. He disclosed that the local Tribal referral process has concluded, he is preparing a draft update to the Community Specific Policies section of the County General Plan, and he is asking the BOS to recognize the work of the RV MAC in preparing the CAP.
c. Marybeth stated there are no new Permit Applications. Gizmo stated that Form Energy battery bank has passed fire permit process. Dolly has received no news on proposed Faizon gas station project.
Cannabis Policy Standing Subcommittee: Chris, Pien, Community Members
Pien stated she will meet with Sara Burney of the Cannabis Dept next week to discuss concerns, such as citizens not being notified of licensing changes. Martha Barra noted the 7-17-25 permit application for a setback reduction at an East Road site was denied by the Planning Commission after a large public showing. She recalled that the BOS earlier voted against the opt out petition for an exclusionary zone in Redwood Valley.
Prohibit New Gas Stations: Chris, Pien, Citizen Gizmo Henderson
Chris noted there is no news, they had completed a draft ordinance, and wants to consider having the RV MAC present the ordinance to the BOS for the record. She agreed to move this item to development review.
Officers and Members Reports and Announcements
a. Membership issues. Chair Dolly noted the MAC bylaws indicate that when a member misses 3 consecutive or 4 meetings in a year, that member can be voted out. However Chair had phoned Deb who has missed 4 meetings and she said she would like to remain a member, which was supported by all at this time. Deb stated this topic should occur in a closed meeting, and Dolly replied that during a similar situation in the past our County Council stated MACs will have no closed meetings for any reason. The Council discussed a member census reduction and decided no action at this time. We discussed recruitment ideas that include assigning each member as an emissary to various public meetings to recruit new members. We have 3 openings for persons 18 and over, who are registered to vote, and live in Redwood Valley. Dolly provided a simple write-up as a recruitment tool. Decided: Deb will prepare a PSA, Dolly will address the Fire District meeting, Pien will address the Inland Humane Society, Sonya will address the PTA, Marybeth will address the Grange, and Chris will work on PR with flyers.
b. Black Bart Parade. The RV MAC float won $50 and Dolly will use that to provide meeting snacks.
c. For September guest speaker, members chose UUSD personnel to speak.
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm. Next meeting is 9-10-25.