Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Chair Dolly Riley.
Supervisor McGourty and 11 citizens were present.
1. Roll Call
  
  Present: Chair Dolly Riley, Vice-Chair Jini Reynolds, Member Chris Boyd, Alternate Member Marybeth Kelly, Member Treasurer Patricia Ris-Yarbrough, Member Adam Gaska
  
  Absent: Member Kahli Johnson
  
  Staff Present:
Consent Calendar. Approval of Minutes of 1-10-24
Chris motioned, Adam seconded. All present voted to accept the 1-10-24 Minutes.
Public Comments
Pien Ris-Yarbrough noted that cars are speeding at 80-90 mph on West Road. Marybeth Kelly stated she would like to see the CHP speed trailer on the road to alert speeders.
Brief Report from County and Agencies
Our guest speaker from Blue Zones was Azucena Chavez. Blue Zones are world areas where people are living to be 100, and the local chapter is sponsored by Adventist Health Share Care program. Ms Chavez mentioned topics that contribute to a healthy long life such as a “Moai,” a community group that meets weekly for 10 weeks. She mentioned other factors to a long life such as socialization, tobacco cessation, healthy eating of fruits vegetables and nuts, and positive environment. Ms Chavez stated that their volunteers have worked to fill potholes on Clara Street, and that Blue Zones project can be easily reached online. Jini Reynolds stated that the 7 local Granges are supported by the Pomona Grange, which will introduce the Blue Zone program of “live longer, better, and eat wisely.” Pien noted a great book “How Not to Age: The Scientific Approach to Getting Healthier as You Get Older."

Supervisor Glenn McGourty introduced Deborah Hughes as a prospective member. He discussed the Potter Valley Project and the hope to move water between the Eel River to the east fork of the Russian River. Supervisor stated that on 1-31-24 PG&E made the public decision not to include local groups in their decommission process of the PV Project. He will be meeting with the Inland Water and Power group. The good news is that a JPA has been formed, the State is involved with the quest to continue water passage to the Russian River, and Senator Mike Maguire, a proponent of this quest, is the new Senate pro tem. Supervisor McGourty discussed the vendor ballot mistake, with ballots being resent. He added the County is going into a managed groundwater system. Folks present mentioned the heavy metals that will be presented if/when the reservoirs are drained.

Sheriff Matt Kendall was not present.

Fire District update from Christine Boyd. She stated that since the County’s 21/22 budget is now settled, the District should receive ¼ of the tot tax along with Prop 8 and Measure P funding. She noted the Fire District is holding a fundraiser Pancake Breakfast at the Grange on 3-17-24 to benefit Fire Dist, the Grange, and Inland Humane Society.

Grange update. Jini Reynolds noted the success of the 2-8-24 Valentine’s family activity event which included many pizzas, creating valentines, music and poetry reading, with a large attendance by all ages. Marybeth Kelly stated the Grange cooking exhaust hood is now functional, and credited Danny Pardini with his donation of $3,000 in kind labor. The Grange is selling Sees candy as fundraiser to paint the Grange, and there will be an Easter desert sale at the Inland Humane Society.
Water Education Standing Subcommittee. Adam
Adam Gaska discussed the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) which is legally bound to regulate groundwater usage, with a rate and fee structure being decided at the next GSA meeting on 3-13-24 at the County Admin Center. He added that homeowners will likely pay 1/3 and agriculture users will pay 2/3 of the cost to manage the Agency. The Redwood Valley County Water District will soon vote whether to consolidate RVCWD with the other local water districts.
Cannabis Policy Standing Subcommittee: Pien, Community Members
Chris Boyd reported about her talk on 1-24-24 on KZYX radio concerning cannabis zoning.
Development Review Standing Subcommittee: Marybeth, Jini, Pien

A Permit for a setback reduction of 50’ at the 3350 Road B Zajac cannabis farm was addressed, with property neighbor Shannon Montoya reading a lengthy letter. Her main points included: She was not informed of the proposed setback as required which would negatively affect her; The property line was surveyed between the Zajac farm and her property resulting in the fence being 10 feet over her property line and other property owners at the north boundary of Zajac farm; The property line area includes multiple wells with water source being a problem of quantity and quality due to the farm placing pigs sheep and fertilizer at the fence line; and The Zajacs have installed porta potties at the fence line 50 feet from the Montoya home. A vote was held with Adam motioning and Jini seconding, and was unanimous to recommend denial of the setback reduction permit. Chris Boyd stated she will respond to Planning and Building (PBS). Dolly Riley addressed Ms Montoya, asking her to share her letter with her Supervisor, PBS, and the Cannabis Department.”
There was no news on the Faizon gas station proposal or CalTrans bridge project.
Marybeth Kelly noted that School Board Member Bea Arkin informed her that the Redwood Valley School property received no bids for purchase, and Marybeth has arranged to meet with Activist Marv Trotter 10am at Testa Café on 2-26-24 to discuss a possible fundraising project to purchase the school property for the good of the community, much like Dr Trotter did with the ARC at Grace Hudson School in the past.
Climate and Utility Issues
Dolly Riley discussed a proposed PG&E rate hike set for this July of $30 to $70 per each home and apartment as provided in AB 205 passed in 2022, and proposed a letter from the MAC to Representatives to oppose this. Chris motioned and Pien seconded, and a unanimous vote was held to send the letter. Dolly added that a number of Senators have presented AB 1999 to fix the problem, and noted that citizen Bill Self suggested by comment to also send the letter to local news outlets.
Marybeth Kelly reported on AT&T’s request of the Public Utility Commission to be relieved of its obligation to be the telephone Carrier of Last Resort (COLR), which would end service to almost all landlines in the County. Marybeth noted that Sheriff Kendall opposes this as landline communication would spare the Sheriff from many welfare checks. Dolly offered to forward all information by email to anyone who needs it, and suggested we support our Board of Supervisors to follow the actions of many rural BOS who are opposing the AT&T request.
Community Action Plan ad hoc Subcommittee - Dolly, Chris, Jini and community members Sheilah Rogers and Alex DeGrassi
Dolly stated the Community Action Plan (CAP) and Design Guideline were accepted by the Board of Supervisors on 2-6-24, but PBS still needs to notify Tribes and agencies. Dolly requested MAC approval to spend $129 to Respect Tech for assistance to put the CAP and Design Guidelines onto the RVMAC website. Chris motioned such and Jini seconded, and a unanimous vote was held to approve spending $129 to add these documents to the website.
Officers and Members Reports and Announcements
Dolly announced the County has arranged to pay for the rental of the Grange as MAC’s venue, and added that any new venue information would be welcome.
Dolly stated the MAC has openings for Member, Alternate Member, and Contract Secretary, adding that Fran Laughton has resigned her position effective today. Dolly invited Deborah Hughes, who has applied for the Member position, to introduce herself and ask any questions. Ms. Hughes stated she has a water truck business and teaches at South Valley independent study, and she Chairs the County Republican Party.
Marybeth announced a grant offering of $2-10 thousand for Firesafe Councils. Jini announced that Rhonda McAnally of Pizza Etc was supported by the Granges’ purchase of pizzas for the 2-8-24 Grange activity, and the Game and Craft nights will be held the first Thursdays from 5-8 pm at the Grange.
The Council discussed March guest speaker and Marybeth said she would try to get CHP to come regarding speeders. Dolly invited John King of Inland Humane Society, and he agreed to be backup for March or April.
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned at 7:22pm. Next meeting 3-13-24.