Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm by Chair Dolly Riley.
1. Roll Call
  
  Present: Chair Dolly Riley, Vice-Chair Jini Reynolds, Treasurer Katrina Frey, Member Chris Boyd, Member Sattie Clark, Alternate Member Marybeth Kelly, Member Patricia Ris-Yarbrough
  
  Staff Present: None. Also present were Gizmo Henderson, Beth Salomone, Meredyth Reinhard, Glenn McGourty, Barbara Moed, Carre Brown, Zoe Bigelow.
2. We will record names of those present, except for any member of the public who states they wish to remain anonymous.
Approval of Minutes of August 12, 2020. Chris Boyd corrected Minutes in that the Redwood Valley Fire Department had obtained one siren, not four. Member Chris Boyd motioned to approve. Vice-Chair Jini Reynolds seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
All In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
Reports and Announcements from MAC Officers and Members Dolly Riley introduced Zoe Bigelow as the potential secretary and a vote was cast. Chris Boyd motioned to approve a temporary secretary at 18 dollars an hour with a limit on hours. Dolly Riley agreed to the previous statements with a limit of four hours, a second was made by Jini Reynolds. unanimous approval by vote. Glenn McGourty voiced support for Zoe’s career. Dolly asked Carre Brown if there was any media coverage specifically in the newspaper about filling an opening on the Counsel. Supervisor Brown said she could make a recommendation for advertisement. Sattie mentioned that she asked Alex Chehada if someone within the tribal community would be willing to fill the position on the grounds of representing diversity. Supervisor Brown wanted Sattie to know that Melinda Hunter and Debra Ramirez were unable to come up with a recommendation for a placeholder of tribal representation. Dolly stated she was also in contact with Alex about this. Supervisor Brown mentioned that community member Adam Gaska had been interested, but neither Sattie nor Dolly heard anything back from him. Jini spoke of the diversity of ethnic backgrounds he would bring to the council. Member Chris Boyd motioned to approve. Vice-Chair Jini Reynolds seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
All In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
Public Comments
Glenn McGourty mentioned that the air quality is bad and that wearing a mask and keeping pets inside is a good idea. Chris asked about sourcing for N-95 masks. Glenn said the Department of Agriculture was distributing them. Barbra Moed said they were also obtainable online. Marybeth wanted to remind everyone that the Redwood Valley Grange is giving masks and hand sanitizer to local business members. Gizmo Henderson thanked Sattie for trying to diversify the counsel, and thanked Zoe for attending the meeting to include age diversity.
Report from County and Agencies on current events AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT UPDATE. Guest Speaker Barbara Moed, Executive Officer of Air Quality Management District presented an Air District update, describing the four areas of equipment used at the pellet plant (fuel and feedstock storage and preparation, feedstock drying, feedstock sizing and pellet formation, product weighing and packaging). She explained that the piles of wood chips and sawdust fuel some of the machines used in production (dryer, and wet hammermill) produce emissions which are controlled by a wet scrubber (which forces the emissions in the air to mix with water). Sattie Clark asked what happened to the then contaminated water. Barbara Moed said she was unsure. Glenn McGourty mentioned that John Anderson said the water was blended back into the wood. Sattie expressed confusion about how this reduces emissions because contaminants would still be later released in the combustion of the pellets. Barbra Moed said it isn't necessarily true that the emissions are just being pushed along. Sattie again expressed concern about where the toxins were going. Chris Boyd mentioned that regardless, when wood is burned emissions are released, and went on to describe a Norwegian study that claimed pellets burned cleaner than raw wood. She said the process is complicated. Barbara Moed began explaining that the emissions of the dryer is the only thing the plant has had trouble getting into compliance with. She added that because they had trouble getting into compliance, they were given a time limit to comply or risk shutting down. The pellet plant failed to reach compliance, and was shut down by the district until the operators agreed to work at half capacity and with a control device (which placed them within their permitted emissions). She explained that before the district issues a permit, they collect data about potential emissions and compare it to the rest of the district, and the pellet plant scored relatively low on the significance level meaning it is not a major source of emissions. Barbara Moed said that the district has taken measures to address local concerns regarding emissions compliance testing by a third party and the results indicated that everything was in compliance. Chris Boyd said that the community has expressed concern about the possibility of the plant tweaking their procedures to alter their output because this is only a two-day test once a year. Barbara Moed agreed that it is a possibility, however the plant is tested at 90 percent capacity and that the testing is carefully observed. Patricia Ris-Yarbrough inquired about the maximum capacity of the plant to which Barbara Moed stated that her client considers that a trade secret and the information is not hers to disclose. Patricia said that because the information is directly related to the emissions we should know. Executive officer Moed said that the level of pollution is shown in the slideshow at 90% plant capacity. Patricia stated that the information is directly related to emissions and she thinks that surrounding cities should know what they are being exposed to. Chris Boyd asked how much of the allowed emissions were represented in the testing. Barbara Moed replied by highlighting how complicated the testing and permit process is and that it is based on monthly production. Sattie asked if that meant the report was only 1/12th of the annual emissions and expressed that she was also confused about how such important information contributing to emissions could be withheld from the public. Barbara Moed stated that the permit itself is a public document and that the plant is limited to 38,500 tons annually finished product. Sattie asked if previous data was in terms of raw material. Barbara Moed said that the plant is limited to 10,500 tons wood fuel but declined any other information due to the fact that her client considers it a trade secret. Sattie then asked who the client was because Sattie was certain that Barbara Moed worked for the County Air District, and Barbara Moed said she meant the plant producers. Barbara Moe confirmed that she worked with the County and that the revenue from the Air District in part comes from businesses such as the pellet plant through fees. Sattie expressed that she was concerned about there being a conflict of interest if the funding is coming from the very people who the district is supposed to be regulating. Supervisor Carre Brown spoke about the legality of covering costs. Sattie said that nobody had ever referred to her as a client and it concerned her that the pellet plant operators were being referred to as clients, and Supervisor Brown attempted to correct Sattie for using the term polluter instead of operating business and reminded her that different words are used differently by certain people. Sattie agreed but again expressed her concern. Barbara Moed assured Sattie that the district is working for the public. Glenn McGourty stated that he often referred to people he worked with as clients, and reiterated that it's not uncommon in government. Sattie expressed that her concern stems from her previous experience. Marybeth Kelly asked if the permit was a public record and Barbara Moed confirmed that it was. Gizmo Henderson mentioned that in his experience the testing and permit process should have been done beforehand, and expressed his confusion about why the council is having to work with it now. Barbara Moed stated that was in fact done before the permit was issued and then showed the current emission rates. Dolly Riley interjected to remind Barbara Moed that the time limit had been exceeded. Barbara Moed proceeded to explain the health risk assessment and concluded that 25 toxins were present and the cancer risk was extraordinarily low. Sattie requested a copy of the permit and Barbara Moed recommended she contact the Air District for a public records request. Sattie and Marybeth stated they had had problems with public records requests. Barbara Moed said that the district itself does not deal with those requests, however they continually work with the public to receive such documents. Chris Boyd asked if members of the public could potentially make an appointment with Barbara Moed, to view the document in person, and Barbara responded its possible for that to happen although she would prefer to share the document digitally. Chris said she is definitely interested in being able to offer the community more information about what's happening locally, and that she would love to help make the processes of communication easier because as of right now it is particularly difficult. Sattie wanted to know if the Coyote Valley Tribe had received the document and Barbara Moed confirmed that they did in fact receive it. Dolly Riley thanked Barbara Moed for the presentation. Patricia Ris-Yarbrough wondered about increased risk to health due to the pollutants coupled with the recent wildfire smoke. Barbara Moed equated the trapped pollutants to the particulate matter that is produced in the exhaust of cars (specifically diesel) and the combustion of wood. Patricia asked if the plant would consider shutting down in times like these. Barbara Moed replied that her only job is to keep the plant in compliance and she has not observed anything different, and she recommended that Patricia call them herself. Patricia said that she did call and is yet to receive a response. Dolly Riley thanked Barbara Moed. MOVE 2030 PROGRESS. Dolly Riley began speaking about the MOVE 2030 breakout teams, stating a “big mac” Zoom meeting was set for September 24, 2020, for the purpose of coordinating resources and general discussion. Business owners, tribal/ city leaders, people part of a MAC, and the general public were invited to join this meeting every first Thursday of the month. Jini Reynolds mentioned that Michelle Hutchens and Glenn McGourty are the leaders of the technology expansion group. This group is working to reduce the resistance to technology in the community through education, and distribution of resources. Jini stressed that technology is an important part of everyone's future. Glenn added that the lack of infrastructure is frustrating, and that it's something Mendocino County needs to work on. Dolly added that the Mendocino County Library Advisory Board is currently working on finding hotspots, and said that she would share that information with Jini. Glenn agreed that this kind of skill and knowledge is very important and educating people about it is equally important. Jini Reynolds mentioned that by working with businesses and schools they can effectively educate others. Chris Boyd spoke about the financing group of MOVE 2030, and how sup groups were formed. Chris mentioned a representative from Flow Kana was also in this group. She said that this group arose out of fire recovery, and they had noticed that there was little to no mention of that. They were mostly concerned about speeding up the permit process and making it easier and less expensive to open and run a business in Mendocino County. Chris stated that she is unsure how this is going to support fire relief efforts or where this is going to go. WEST ROAD CANNABIS OPERATION. Dolly Riley discussed a letter from Brent Schultz of Planning and Building (P&B) responding to the MAC’s concerns. Director Schultz’s letter clarified the following: A cannabis permit enforced to occupy a property is not required when zoned agricultural as opposed to residential. A site does not need to be restored if the structures were within ordinance and restoration would only be necessary if it was a relocation. The seven-foot plastic covered chain link fence is exempt from the need for a building permit. We surmised that the issue with the farm at 9440 West Road and the letter that was sent to P&B revolved around a misunderstanding about the zoning of the property. The zoning of 9440 West Road is AG and the complaints listed and referred to in the Mendocino County Cannabis Ordinance pertain to Residential Rural zoned properties. Bent Schultz clarified that in his response. As a result, all the complaints and requests were moot. Patricia Ris-Yarbrough discussed a blocked view, and limited exit routes for residents behind the property which could be detrimental in the case of a fire. Patricia also mentioned that there had been a recent robbery of a cannabis farm which shows the increased danger. She stated that she thinks these regulations need to be revisited, and asked how the council could influence how the agricultural land could better be protected. Dolly replied that a while back a residential group didn't like chemical spraying by vineyards close to homes, however because the land was zoned for agriculture the vineyards had that right. Supervisor Brown said that as more development begins happening the zoning should be listed with the sale of the property notifying the potential buyer of things like dust, noise, and odor, that are common for agricultural zones, and that a decision needs to be made between developmental sprawl and keeping these farmers in business. She reminded everyone that these farms are what keep the County beautiful. Patricia discussed the importance of open space, saying cannabis farms look very different from other forms of agriculture, and that she wanted to create a more visually appealing industry. Supervisor Brown stated she agreed and that the state of California claims cannabis farming as agriculture however the rights fail to line up. She added that she thinks the MAC should participate in further discussion of cannabis farming and invited Patricia to be present at County Board of Supervisor meetings. REDWOOD VALLEY GAS STATION ILLUMINATED SIGN. Based on P&B response to the MAC’s complaint, Dolly Riley said that the owner of the gas station had a year to comply. Jini Reynolds agreed and that the permit was pending. Jini said that Planner Jim Northrup said the owners of the store are attempting to comply. Jini said she had an appointment to speak to the owner of the store and that he has already agreed to look into possibly turning the sign off at certain hours or adjusting the brightness. Jini also spoke to some nearby residents, one of which stated that she loves the bright light because it makes her feel safer. WATER BOARD UPDATE. Dolly Riley welcomed Katrina Frey, who had arrived during discussions. Dolly announced the Russian River Water District wanted people to know that they should be careful with the amount of water they use because it affects water available for salmon in creeks. Chris Boyd said that she attended a Water Board presentation and took notes, and that the overall goal is to remove Scotts Dam and raise the Lake Pillsbury Dam. Supervisor Brown stated a planning group is in place that was working with PG&E and that the last step was for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to take the project to de-commission. Supervisor Brown gave the following information: Inland water and power commissions had been working with PG&E to take control of the project due to the fact that no one had stepped forward to claim the project. Five different organizations stepped forward to transfer the project. One possible solution that was proposed was the run of the river project which would be creating hydroelectricity. Another solution would be the removal of the entire project. Supervisor Brown spoke about how critical it is for Redwood Valley and surrounding cities to be able to have access to water year-round, and that this decision directly affects our water supply. FIRE SAFETY PREPAREDNESS. Dolly Riley announced the Fire Safe Council’s defensible space low income program which provides services for the elderly, low income, and disabled, and provides tree and brush removal for a defensible space. ADOPT-A-ROAD PROGRAM. Meredyth Reinhard spoke briefly about her work with Marybeth Kelly and their cleanup efforts in Adopt-A-Road program equinox clean up event set for 9-19-20, and that the RV Grange had contributed. Marybeth collaborated for media outreach.
Development Review Ad Hoc Subcommittee: Marybeth, Jini, Patricia, Gizmo Gizmo Henderson stated Flow Kana representative Amanda Reiman had come to the last Council meeting to ask to move some manufacturing equipment to a different building, at the same address as their current permit. Patricia Ris-Yarbrough, clarified that she was looking for the links to the development requests because she is unsure about her current job on the committee. Marybeth Kelly said that she sent the links out, and that she received a letter from PG&E about putting in two trailers at the PG&E sub-plant in response to the wildfire. Supervisor Carre Brown mentioned that the MAC needs to hear again about the Potter Valley project. Sattie Clark asked Carre Brown for resources to check out and Supervisor Brown said she would provide resources at a later date.
CAP: Interim Community Action Plan and Design Review: Chris, Sattie, Alex, Sheilah Chris Boyd responded that she had not heard back from Planning and Building and that additional editorial work was needed on the design guidelines.
Adjournment. Next meeting October 14, 2020.