Call to Order - 5:30 pm NOTE: New Guest Speaker
Call to Order 5:30 pm, by Chair Dolly Riley. All members/alternates present except Fran Laughton, who had advised Chair of same. Marybeth opened with a Land and First Peoples Acknowledgement.
Consent Calendar. Approval of Minutes from 8-9-23.
Minutes of August 9, 2023 approved with Adam Gaska's motion and Jini Reynold's second. Vote was unanimous with exception of Chris Boyd, who abstained due to absence from the August meeting.
Public Comments
a) Marybeth announced that the RVMAC and Grange are jointly sponsoring a Road clean-up on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 9-11 a.m. All are welcome to help keep our community clean; same day as the Russian River Clean-up, for which sign-ups are requested.Great chances to give back to our community and meet new friends. (Vice Chair Jini Reynolds cautioned that she encountered a plastic water bottle bomb on a recent road cleanup, a bad prank that involves putting aluminum foil in plastic bottles which explodes when you pick it up. Be careful.)
b) It was noted that Gizmo Henderson and Marybeth’s efforts to alert drivers to the dangers of chain dragging continues to pay off, with freeway signage on the Amber Alert boards for key holidays, in coordination with CalTrans and CalFire. This effort originated in the RVMAC, but still hasn’t prevented THREE chain-ignited fires along the 101 corridor this fire season. Burn ban is still active.
Brief Report from County and Agencies
a) John Burkes was unable to get on Zoom due to technical challenges, to discuss Code Enforcement.
b) Cathy Monroe, former Chair of the now-dissolved Mendocino County Climate Action Advisory Committee (CAAC), spoke about climate solutions/actions. The CAAC was one of the committees that the Board of Supervisors recently voted to dissolve. Cathy said it was difficult to obtain a quorum under Brown Act regulations once Covid restrictions were lifted, that had allowed Zoom meetings, but she and other members plan to stay active in local efforts to combat climate change. Some groups in the county working on climate change include the Grass Roots Initiative on the coast and Climate Action Mendocino, active in Ukiah. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act offers rebates and tax credits for home energy remodeling and purchase of electric vehicles. California has $290 million available for home clean energy appliances and remodeling. North Coast Opportunities will be seeking a grant to help inform the public when state guidelines are announced. These funds are especially directed for low and moderate income households. Another good source of information is Sonoma Clean Power which offers rebates, and has an energy center in Santa Rosa. They can often loan induction hotplates to try out.Cathy’s son, Ian Monroe, is co-author, with Jonathan Koomey, of a textbook: “Solving Climate Change- A Guide for Learners and Leaders.” The premise of the book is “It’s warming. It’s us. We’re sure. It’s bad. We can fix it.” And it’s happening faster than climate scientists had predicted. MAC Member, Kahli Johnson, an electrical engineer, pointed out that unfortunately, most electricity comes from coal, and there is a lot of work ahead to ensure that we have enough clean electrical energy to power all the electric appliances and cars that we are being urged to use. Communities need to invest in infrastructure to prevent blackouts. Gizmo Henderson said that California has a Clean Energy Transition Plan to transition to clean energy by 2045.
c) First District Supervisor Glenn McGourty reported that the recent code enforcement efforts in Redwood Valley caused consternation. At least 50 sites were inspected and “a large percentage of them had something going on.” Sheriff Matt Kendall said that his office was not involved with the Code Enforcement efforts. The Sheriff’s office goes after criminal violations, whereas Code Enforcement handles regulatory matters. When it comes to illegal cannabis grows, Kendall’s priorities are sites that have violence, human and drug trafficking, trespass grows, and environmental degradation. There were several raids in August (north of our area) where chemicals were found that are banned in this country. Alarmingly, there have been quite a few cases of cannabis workers and enforcement officers who have developed cancer. Sheriff Kendall is working with the Department of Health and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to combat those who bring in chemicals. Additional criminal charges are added when a grower causes environmental degradation. When it comes to drug trafficking organizations (DTOs), the Sheriff will raid them because of the possibility of finding Fentanyl and other drugs, which often go hand in hand with the bigger, illegal operations. In other matters, Sheriff’s Office has purchased new hybrid vehicles, and Sheriff Kendall anticipates longer-range EVs will be available in the future. Marybeth remarked that she had watched Sheriff Kendall’s interview by Siyamak Khorrami, Chief Editor, The Epoch Times Southern California and host of California Insider. The interview can be viewed here. Kendall came across as fair and reasonable for someone in a tough job, namely, dealing with huge illegal cannabis, other drugs, and human trafficking groups (cartels) operating throughout rural California, also involving quantities of cash and weapons.
Grange: Marybeth Kelly gave an update on kitchen construction. Jini Reynolds announced that the Grange and the Mendocino Women’s Political Caucus will hold an open forum for First District Supervisor Candidates on Thursday, October 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Grange. The public is invited, and everyone is asked to bring a plate of cookies to share. Also, the Grange will be hosting a potluck dinner at 5:30 pm on September 28, and on the third Thursday of each month. There will be a Halloween Trunk or Treat Event, where community members can bring treats to the Grange parking lot, and the kids can collect candy in a safe location. The 4 H Club would like to hold a haunted house at the Grange as a fundraiser.
Water Education Standing Subcommittee. Adam
Adam reported that the county is in the process of obtaining a grant for drought resilience. A group of three entities (Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission, the Round Valley Indian Tribes, and Sonoma Water) have submitted a proposal to PG&E to take over the Potter Valley Project. Most likely this would include the de-commissioning of Scott Dam, Lake Pillsbury, and most of Cape Horn Dam at the Van Arsdale Reservoir. It will be a lot of work and expense for a newly-formed entity to take over the PVP, and water rates will be going up to pay for it. Gaska, who is running for First District Supervisor, wrote a white paper on this subject, explaining the history and details of water use in the Russian River Watershed.
Cannabis Policy Standing Subcommittee: Pien, Community Members
Chris noted that the Cannabis Exclusion Zone did not pass, with a majority of Supervisors against it. She thanked Supervisor McGourty for his support.
Regarding the recent cannabis enforcement sweep through Redwood Valley, MAC member Adam Gaska reported that un-permitted hoop houses were found on approximately 20 sites in Redwood Valley, requiring a demolition permit from the County, costing $1,500 for each un-permitted structure.
Development Review Standing Subcommittee: Marybeth, Jini, Pien
Marybeth Kelly stated there are no new permits and noted that she received information from Planning Commission that permit commenting deadlines can be extended, and that the MAC should always send a comment.
Marybeth asked about the Mariposa Swimming Hole, a County owned property that is up for sale. She said it’s hard to see public lands sold. Supervisor McGourty said the county is trying to reduce the footprint of county-owned properties because they can’t afford to take care of them.
Still no news on the sale of the Redwood Valley School, with no active interest at present.
Great Redwood Trail ad hoc Subcommittee: Adam, Pien, and community member Gizmo Henderson
State Senator Mike McGuire is looking at increasing the transfer occupancy tax (TOT, the hotel and AirBnb tax) to help fund the Great Redwood Trail, which will be years in the making. The Trail would exist on the railroad right of way, which could protect that right for future expansion of rail lines northward.
Community Action Plan ad hoc Subcommittee - Dolly, Chris, Jini and community member Sheilah Rogers
RV Community Action Plan (CAP)—Dolly Riley provided an update. The Redwood Valley CAP is on the Board of Supervisors’ agenda for approval their September 26 meeting. Chair Riley urged Redwood Valley residents to attend if they can, or submit an online comment. Many of our community’s residents participated in 4 public meetings and numerous working committee meetings to develop the CAP and Guidelines for commercial and industrial construction, with the goal of preserving and enhancing the rural character of our beautiful community. PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS 7-YEAR-LONG EFFORT!!
Officers and Members Reports and Announcements
Regarding the BOS meeting on August 29th to discuss dissolving the MACs, several members mentioned that they were not happy with the treatment received by members of the public who wanted to speak at Board of Supervisors’ meetings, specifically having to spend the entire day waiting. Supervisor McGourty replied that in the future he will attempt to let constituents know the scheduling. The public can leave online comments, viewable by everyone, on specific agenda items for upcoming Board of Supervisors meetings on their agenda and minutes page. Chris Boyd commented on timing of County Counsel’s lengthy memo recommending that county commissions be dissolved, stating that the supervisors and public didn’t have adequate time to review the memo prior to the BOS meeting.
Chair Riley announced that there is still one opening on the Board. Applicants are encouraged to attend a MAC meeting and introduce themselves, and apply online. There is also an opening for a Secretary, which is a paid position.
Jini Reynolds announced that she has been meeting with the Fire Safe Council and is interested in starting local volunteer groups for disaster preparedness. She will keep us posted.
Adjournment.
The next Meeting is October 11, 2023, 5:30 p.m. at the Redwood Valley Grange, or via Zoom.