Call to Order
Call to Order. Present: Dolly, Jini, Chris, Katrina, Marybeth, Adam, Fran. Absent: Pien (Patricia).

Public Present: CalTrans-Nathan, Ashiki, Robert. DOT-Howard Dashiel, Jason T., Monica Huettl, Keith Tiemann, Supervisor Glenn McGourty, Sheriff Matt Kendall, Gizmo Henderson, Sonya Pio, Laura Henebury, Crystel Reyes. Present on Zoom: Danilla Sands, Michael Katz, Bree Klotter, Sheilah Rogers.
Consent Calendar. Approval of Minutes of 1-11-23.
Katrina moved to approve Minutes of 1-11-23, Chris seconded. All present voted in favor, except Adam who arrived afterward. Minutes adopted.
Public Comments
Sheilah stated that Dolly will be on KZYX 2-1-23. Dolly stated that OES funds are available for weather emergencies. Jini stated she is hoping that Meals on Wheels service will extend to Redwood Valley and needs volunteers. Dolly stated that MCOG is seeking input from public on where to place vehicle charging stations around the County. Katrina stated that Frey Winery has 4 charging stations during business hours.
Report from County and Agencies on Current Events
Guest Speaker Howard Dashiell, Mendocino County Department of Transportation, gave an update on the Calpella Russian River Bridge Replacement project by Caltrans. The new bridge will be wider, with eight foot shoulders so drivers can pull over in an emergency. Representatives from Caltrans presented slides. There will be several closures of Eastside-Calpella Road with detours during phases of the construction during normal work hours, and announced by signage. Closures are expected for four days sometime in March, three separate days in the Summer and four days in mid-Fall. The old Highway 20 bridge will remain open with two-way traffic until the new bridge is completed. Alternate Member Marybeth Kelly inquired as to whether there would be streetlights or textured paving stone. The answer was no. However native plants will be planted and watered for a few years.

Update from Supervisor Glenn McGourty, who stated that preliminary progress is being made on consolidation of the Redwood Valley County Water District, and other small districts, with the City of Ukiah. The working group will seek grant funds under the State of California SAFER Program. It is hoped that this will be a more reliable source of water for Redwood Valley. This may open up the possibility of more housing in Redwood Valley. “This is the most transformational thing to happen in the Upper Russian River Watershed in a hundred years,” said McGourty. Supervisor then state that there is a board seat open on the Redwood Valley County Water District. The current board of four members was not able to make agree on a decision between two candidates, Bree Klotter and Keith Tiemann. The decision will be made by the Board of Supervisors by the end of the month, a tough decision as they are both good candidates. Sup. McGourty stated he is meeting weekly with the County Cannabis Department to move the process along with the outstanding Phase 1 applicants. There was a public question on whether the cannabis growers who are going out of business could use their hoop houses to grow food crops. Short answer was that it is difficult to switch crops. Regarding the County Budget, it looks like there is roughly $2 million left over from last year. This amount will be used to offset the approximately $6 million deficit for this year. County employees were given a 2% raise (COLA adjustment) and a $3,000 payment from American Rescue Plan Act funds. Upcoming labor negotiations in June will be tough. Treasurer Katrina Frey asked Sup. McGourty to assist in releasing county funds from a PG&E settlement promised to the RV Grange for remodeling of the kitchen. He agreed to follow up.

Update from Sheriff Matt Kendall, who stated that there were fewer calls for service last month, mainly due to the extreme rainy weather, with downed trees and power lines, especially in the South Coast area. The state legislature has funded $25 million for sheriffs’ departments to use for disasters. This will remove some of the burden of covering disaster expenses from the County General Fund. The state-mandated jail remodel project cost has gone up from the original estimate. Sheriff Kendall has been pushing hard for the state to pay for the extra costs. Sheriff Kendall is enthusiastic about the jail garden, beekeeping and bakery projects. There is a food service teaching program in the kitchen. State legislation has approved hiring DACA eligible immigrants for law enforcement, following the model that our military has been using. A department employee who is an immigrant himself, and has previous experience with the citizenship forms and bureaucracy, is assisting DACA applicants with the process. Two years ago, the Sheriff’s office began a dual response to mental health calls, where a counselor rides along with the deputies. This program has been successful and the counselors and deputies are learning from each other, and the result is less arrests from 5150 calls. The jail population is lower thanks to the implementation of new bail procedures following the Humphrey Decision, in which cash bail must be reasonable. Sheriff Kendall reported that the homicide rate is lower. The public asked about attacks on power stations, causing outages, and Sheriff answered that the substations are monitored by video.

RV-Calpella Fire Department Update. Board Member Chris Boyd, who is also on the Board of the Fire Department, reported the early warning siren project is underway. There is currently one siren, with funding for more. It is now about educating the public to understand the siren means you need to seek information on an impending emergency. The public can stay informed by checking the Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire Department web page. With the anticipated $250,000 from Measure P funds, Boyd is hoping to build a capital reserve fund into the budget, for major equipment purchase, which should be separate from the operating funds. Ms. Boyd added that property owners are responsible for keeping flammable materials cleared.

Redwood Valley Grange Update. Vice Chair Reynolds reported that the Flea Market, Puzzle Exchange and Seed Swap will take place on Saturday, February 11 from 10 am to 3 pm. Alternate member Kelly reported that there will be another spay/neuter clinic scheduled for sometime in March. The kitchen remodeling plans have been submitted to the Planning and Building Department. There is a large free library on shelves outside the building.
Water Education Standing Subcommittee. Adam, Katrina
Member Adam Gaska reported that he and Subcommittee Member Frey met with Deborah Edelman of the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District to discuss water catchment systems and a grant for fish friendly farming. Gaska, who is also a board member of the Redwood Valley County Water District, said that there has been some pushback from Sonoma County regarding groundwater in this area. Sonoma County, which owns most of the water in Lake Mendocino, which empties into the Russian River that flows through Sonoma County, wants to ensure that none of the groundwater being pumped is actually river underflow (which Sonoma says they have claim to) instead of true groundwater. Meeting attendee Gizmo Henderson asked whether contractors could be educated to include use of greywater in landscaping. Gaska said that they must follow the building codes regarding greywater.
Cannabis Policy Standing Subcommittee: Pien, Community Members
Chair Riley asked why folks disagree on the exclusion zone issue. Michael Katz, Executive Director of the Mendocino Cannabis Alliance joined via Zoom. Michael Katz replied that there are two legally licensed cultivators in the proposed Redwood Valley exclusion zone, who have spent a vast sum of money to get licensed. If the exclusion zone is implemented, they will have to move or cease to do business. Subcommittee Member Chris Boyd said that the reason certain neighborhoods are pushing for exclusion zones is that some cannabis growers are a nuisance, allowing big dogs to roam, and are hostile to neighbors. Katz said it is unlikely that they are licensed growers, as the licensed growers consider themselves stewards of the land and are respectful of their neighbors. Mr Katz asked that rather than an exclusion zone, why don’t neighbors address the problem of outlaw grows by working with Code Enforcement and the Sheriff’s Department. The Exclusion Zones are being reviewed by the County Counsel’s office. Katz stated he posted a letter to Governor Newsom expressing frustration with the unworkable Mendocino County Cannabis Program. Jini Reynolds reported that the Mendocino County Museum in Willits will be hosting a cannabis exhibit.
Development Review Standing Subcommittee: Marybeth, Jini, Pien
Alternate Member Kelly reported that there are no new proposed development applications in Redwood Valley. Chair Dolly stated she emailed Planning and Building requesting follow up to the Community Action Plan submitted 6 months ago.
Officers and Members Reports and Announcements
Vice Chair Reynolds and Laura Henebury, who is providing IT assistance to the MAC on an hourly basis, discussed the need for a new computer and a smoother Zoom setup. Henebury suggested some solutions and Reynolds said she may be able to donate a used computer. Riley checked with the County about using the Behavioral Health building in Redwood Valley, but discovered that they did not have the needed IT equipment, and there was some question as to whether the MAC could legally enter into contracts. Looks like the meetings will stay at the Grange. Reynolds said that she would like to see music venues and concerts as a driver of economic benefit to Redwood Valley. Kelly announced that the Mendocino Firesafe Council will host a two day training event for contractors regarding firesafe building methods. The dates are March 13 and 14 at the Alex Rorabaugh Center in Ukiah. Riley announced that next month’s guest speaker will be a representative from Sonoma Clean Power.
Adjournment. Next meeting 3-8-23.