Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Chair Dolly Riley.
1. Roll Call
  
  Present: Chair Dolly Riley, Vice-Chair Jini Reynolds, Member Chris Boyd, Alternate Member Marybeth Kelly, Member Patricia Ris-Yarbrough, Member Adam Gaska, Member Kahli Johnson
  
  Absent: Alternate Member Fran Laughton
  
  Staff Present: Eighteen members of the public were present including Supervisor McGourty, Sheriff Kendall, and the four 1st District Supervisor candidates Mockel, Gaska, Shadduck, and Cline.
Consent Calendar. Approval of Minutes of 11-8-23
Motion to approve by Adam, seconded by Chris. All present were in favor, Minutes adopted.
Public Comments
In Public Comments, Marybeth discussed New Year’s Eve fireworks and the devastation it caused to local animals, posing the question as to what can be done to stop it. Gizmo Henderson announced the MCOG meeting on bus routes, important in our rural area. Bill Self queried if the Grange would help with a plaque that memorializes the Wooley Family's donation of the land that the Grange and the Redwood Valley School both sit on.
Brief Report from County and Agencies
Guest Speaker Reena Birch Fram of Form Energy <rbirchfram@formenergy.com> (805) 252-7091 spoke at length about her company’s proposed Battery Storage Facility on East Road. She gave a history of her company with multiple national sites, and described an overview of how the “iron air transmission” battery works. Form Energy is leasing acreage from PG&E, not subcontracting, in a 5-megawatt, 100-hour battery project that will not benefit locals, only determine if it is a feasible way for Form Energy to commercialize the use of abundant green energy such as wind and solar at times of day these occur for energy use later. They will buy grid energy to do this, and monitor the potential risk of a by-product of hydrogen release. They have a 5-year lease which may extend with a 30-year goal, and have a decommission plan. The longest this project has been successful is “last installation 6 months ago.” 5-10 employees will build it, and one will check on it. They chose this site because it was less expensive than other areas. There will be noise walls to shield the sound of fans. They plan to install 128 freight containers to hold the batteries.

Supervisor Glenn McGourty discussed the sudden move of Veteran’s Services from the warm friendly house on Seminary to the Public Health Building. Jini Reynolds noted that many veterans were upset at the unannounced move and would like a public apology. Glenn stated that the 2021-2022 County financial report was completed and is more transparent to Supervisors. The County employees’ union contract was completed with hopefully better pay. The County will be seeking a new County Council and Public Defender. The Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater plan has been approved by the State to manage ground water, and will need an income source from locals to maintain the plan. Adam stated the new fees would charge commercial water users, and residents will somehow pay in other ways such as taxes. The County has hired a consulting Hydrologist. New organization NRRF is in charge of the Potter Valley Project to transfer water from the Eel to Russian Rivers. Sheriff Kendall said he is on a spring for water, and will he be charged? Glenn said no.

Sheriff Matt Kendall stated that last year’s coroner case totaled 370 deaths, which included 49 overdoses. There would have been more ODs, except that Narcan revived many drug users. He stated that homicides have mostly been associated with marijuana grows. The inmate population at the jail is down to the 200s due to an early release program, but with realignment, the jail stay changed from a mandate of 364 days to many years. The garden project at the jail is saving $20k in food buying and giving inmates something constructive to do. Undersheriff Brewster is retiring and new Undersheriff John Maganan will step in. The Sheriff’s office consulted tree services for standby in coming wind storms. Marybeth addressed the automatic weapon firings on New Year’s eve with the Sheriff, and he replied that CalFire governs illegal gun powder use and we would have to alert CalFire.

Fire Update. Chris noted that the Fire District meeting will be tomorrow, January 11.

Grange Update. Marybeth stated the Flea Market is January 13, and the Gear Exchange is January 22. She pointed out the new kitchen area exhaust hood that has been installed.
Water Education Standing Subcommittee. Adam
Adam stated the water update was covered by Glenn. Dolly stated the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) will hold meetings on Jan 11 at Behavioral Health Cntr at 6pm, and on March 13 at the old Ukiah Vet Bldg on Seminary, 6pm, for the purpose of discussing fee study and fee structure to pay for management of groundwater sustainability.
Cannabis Policy Standing Subcommittee: Pien, Community Members
Pien stated there is no cannabis news. Gizmo noted a nearby dispensary closed.
Development Review Standing Subcommittee: Marybeth, Jini, Pien
In development review, Marybeth noted an upgrade of parts on a cell tower on Finne Rd. Members stated they had no concerns.

The proposed 10-pump Faizon gas station project was discussed, and Dolly stated that she and members of the MAC appeared at Planning Commission meetings on Dec 7 and Jan 4 to oppose, and the permit was denied based solely on land use issues of Hwy 101 new median should the project commence, and property line variances not working out. Faizon Corp Attorney Momson has stated he will appeal this decision to the BOS. Chris noted the numerous violations for Faizon Corp and encouraged people to show up at the BOS when this is decided. Dolly noted that Sonoma County passed an ordinance in 2023 to disallow new construction of fossil fuel stations and that Mendocino County has double the amount of gas pumps to Sonoma County on a per-capita basis. Adam noted that a permit must be legally defensible in order to be denied. Gizmo noted that there needs to be a monetary bond plan for gas stations to pay for removal of tanks.

No updates on RV School or CalTrans closure of Hwy 20 offramp.

Dolly reported that she and Jini attended the Jan 9 Community Block Grant meeting, where Dolly requested the County CEO’s office in charge of grant choices (which they will present to BOS) to include our local ideas of: downtown beautification, water storage, purchase of RV School and installation of tiny houses, and freestanding solar panels at the Grange. At this meeting, Jini requested grant funds to improve the County’s Granges.
Great Redwood Trail ad hoc Subcommittee: Adam, Pien, and community member Gizmo Henderson
No news on Great Redwood Trail.
Community Action Plan ad hoc Subcommittee - Dolly, Chris, Jini and community members Sheilah Rogers and Alex DeGrassi
CAP update. Dolly and Jini met with PBS Director Julia Krog on 11-28-23 and she agreed our updates to the Design Guidelines were acceptable. On 1-10-24 Julia emailed Dolly to state that approval of the CAP was on the BOS agenda for Feb 6, but Julia plans to request of the BOS on Jan 23 that they postpone their decision to July, next fiscal year, because her office is loaded down with work to complete the Inland Zoning Codes.
Officers and Members Reports and Announcements
Chair Dolly reviewed Officer positions and asked if anyone desired a position differently than stated at Nov meeting. Being same, a vote was conducted to have Pien become Treasurer and Jini to remain as Vice Chair. Chris motioned same and Kahli seconded. All were in favor and motion adopted. As for Chair position, both Dolly and Adam expressed interest, so time was given to state qualifications. Adam stated he would run an efficient meeting. Dolly listed her attendance at multiple BOS and planning commission meetings and other services to the MAC. Chris motioned for Dolly to be Chair, Kahli seconded, and all voted in favor and motion was adopted.

According to Supervisor Glenn, person Deborah Hughes applied to be on the MAC, but she did not attend the meeting. Glenn stated he will contact her. Openings remain for one member and one secretary.

Dolly reminded council members of the Jan16 date for Brown Act Training and the requirement to attend every 2 years.

Council discussed problems with microphones, and Marybeth state that Wendy DeWitt had tested them and found they work fine.

Regarding the idea of changing venue, Jini stated she had not yet reached Janine Miller of Public Health to learn more about Behavioral Health Cntr, but would try again. Jini stated that she had heard Julia Krog of PBS (which now manages all MACs) say that the County would be taking over the Zoom function. Members decided we need more information.

Members agreed to invite a speaker from Blue Zones Project to be guest speaker in Feb.
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35pm. Next meeting 2-14-24.