Call to Order - 5:30 pm
Present: Dolly Riley, Jini Reynolds, Marybeth Kelly, Pien Ris-Yarbrough, Adam Gaska, Kahli Johnson
Absent: Chris Boyd, Fran Laughton
Marybeth read an opening statement honoring Pomo Peoples. We noted the Zoom link is not working.
Consent Calendar. Approval of Minutes from 9-13-23
Adam motioned, Jini seconded, September Minutes approved by all present.
Public Comments
Kahli stated concerns about the monopoly held by Solid Waste as to the rental of dumpsters, in which Solid Waste Company charges a fee to any company renting the dumpsters. Supervisor McGourty noted that Solid Waste has a lengthy contract. Bill Self asked when is the contract up for renewal.
Pien noted that a person must have medical permission in order to grow 6 cannabis plants. Dolly noted that State law allows same for recreational use (not our County), and State law allows the counties to add restrictions and Mendocino has done so. Supervisor McGourty stated the general government meeting, which sets cannabis policy, meets monthly and is attended by Supes Haschak and Mulheren.
Mike Wasco stated he completed weed eating at the intersection of West Road and School Way, and has ideas for beautification and welcome signs.
Gizmo Henderson stated he observed a PG&E diesel truck idle for 15 minutes at Lions Park, polluting, and would like to see their idling policy. Shannon Johnson stated commercial vehicles are limited to 10 minutes of idling, but in a call to Air Quality, Pien later noted that diesel vehicles have a 5 minute limit.
Brief Report from County and Agencies
1. Code Enforcement did not attend, but the information regarding impact to Redwood Valley citizens was provided at last meeting.
2. Dolly introduced draft of letter to CalTrans, and business owner Rhonda McAnally spoke about the negative impacts the Hwy20 on/off ramp closure has had on businesses in the area. She tearfully said Pizza Etc. is looking at a $42K loss potential. Customers are saying it is no longer convenient to get to her business site due to the on/off ramp closure, and the workaround such as a U-turn on the highway is clearly unsafe. Supervisor McGourty suggested a call to State Senator McGuire because CalTrans is a State agency. Adam motioned to approved the MAC's letter to CalTrans, Jini seconded, and the vote was unanimous to send the letter.
3. Supervisor Glenn McGourty gave updates: County Counsel Curtis will not renew his contract and be leaving May 2024. Supervisor is optimistic the County may close the $10K projected shortfall by leaving some positions open and collecting assessed taxes. He added that the Inland Water and Power group is negotiating a continued flow of water from the Eel River to the Russian River.
4. Sheriff Matt Kendall was not present due to Zoom not working.
4.5. Redwood Valley Fire Dept. will participate in the Grange Trunk or Treat event. Gizmo added that Ukiah Valley Fire Authority will participate in Pumpkinfest and Gizmo will have a fire safety booth.
5. The Redwood Valley Grange will hold a First District Supervisor Candidate Forum on 10-12-23 at 6:30 pm, for 4 of the 5 candidates, with Candidate David Goodman not present due to Marine Reserve service. Mendocino Women's Political Caucus will moderate the Forum. Trunk or Treat event will be held at the Grange on 10-28, with 4-H providing a Haunted House on 10-27 Friday 7-10 pm and 10-28 Saturday from 5-9 pm. Marybeth stated the bees in the wall of the Grange are being removed in readiness for painting the Grange.
Water Education Standing Subcommittee. Adam
Adam stated the Redwood Valley County Water District is drilling a well at the Masonite site. Gizmo asked how close the well is to the Masonite ponds. Marybeth asked if the recent broken water hydrant was water used for domestic use. All present thanked Adam for his recent white paper, "A Tale of Two Rivers" explaining the history and issues around local water delivery in the Eel and Russian Rivers.
Cannabis Policy Standing Subcommittee: Pien, Community Members
Pien stated that many Redwood Valley citizens involved in the request for a cannabis exclusion zone felt like the code enforcement action to eradicate non-licensed grows and non-permitted hoop houses felt like retaliation to citizens in the zone. Bill Self asked if code enforcement was based on complaints, and noted he has seen trucks going too fast in the area. Shannon Johnson noted that some citizens had to pull their plants if they did not have permits to grow.
Development Review Standing Subcommittee: Marybeth, Jini, Pien
Adam stated he has not seen any new building permit applications.
Marybeth noted that Steve Barakman of Ukiah Unified School District has informed the public that the Redwood Valley School site will go to auction in January 2024 with starting bid of $900K, and a tour of the school site will occur on 10-25-23.
Regarding beatification and welcome signs in Redwood Valley, Supervisor McGourty advised such a subcommittee should involve the local wineries. Gizmo stated Sonoma County regularly changes their signs as a means of advertisement. Jini noted she had worked with Martha Barra and Portia Snyder to beautify the planter in front of Redwood Valley Store, but the volunteer work died down.
Great Redwood Trail ad hoc Subcommittee: Adam, Pien, and community member Gizmo Henderson
No new updates on GRT. Pien asked if there is a walkable section within the Heart Arrow Ranch.
Community Action Plan ad hoc Subcommittee - Dolly, Chris, Jini and community member Sheilah Rogers
Dolly noted the CAP was review at BOS meeting on 9-26-23, with acceptance of the CAP but denial of the Design Guidelines because the discretionary rules are not workable. Dolly stated that PBS agreed to review the Design Guidelines in early 2024, but the subcommittee should meet and consider Laytonville's Design Guidelines, which uses language of recommendations, and have been accepted by the BOS.
Officers and Members Reports and Announcements
Members agreed to continue meeting at 5:30 pm so that working people may attend MAC meetings after work.
Members agreed to "go dark" and not meet in December.
Dolly announced we have an opening for 1 more member and we are seeking a secretary.
We discussed November guest speaker, and CalTrans seemed appropriate. Marybeth will contact them.
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned. Next meeting 11-8-23.