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 Deborah Hughes
  
  Absent: Member Adam Gaska, Member Kahli Johnson
Consent Calendar. Approval of Minutes of 4-10-24
Chris motioned and Pien seconded to approved Minutes of 4-10-24. Unanimous vote to accept.
Public Comments
Bill Self gave credit to Monica Huettl for good reporting, and asked about a 120 unit development, which was discussed later in the agenda.

Jini announced that United Disaster Relief has to move and is seeking a warehouse.

Chris stated it is time for the MAC to take action to ban construction of new gas stations. All agreed and Dolly said she’d put it on the June agenda

Gizmo stated he opposes the proposed 128 Battery freight containers going in at PG&E’s East Rd. site.

Pien noted she attended the Mendo College athletic center, and that the tracks are available in a free form class if you put in a few hours per week.
Brief Report from County and Agencies
Guest Speaker Emily Tecchio of the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council gave an update on their activities and services. They can assist with chipper days, defensible space for seniors and disabled people, free home assessment programs, reflective address signs, and home hardening. They are working on identifying ingress and egress roads for evacuation, and the County is working on a Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). New community coordinator Eva King (king@firesafemendocino.org) is working on getting local Fire Safe Councils to be certified under CalFire as “fire wise” recognized by CA Dept of Insurance which may lower rates. She stated there are grants available for things such as brush clearing.

Chris Boyd gave a Fire District update, announcing a Fire Dept meeting 5-9-24 at 6pm. She stated the County was late to inform the Dept of incoming property tax funds, causing a deficit. She added that an amendment to Prop P on November ballot will restrict local ability to decide expenditures as it will take 2/3 approval rather than majority.

Gizmo Henderson provided a letter he wanted the MAC to send to government officials which advocates citizen education to prevent dragging trailer chains which spark fires. Dolly read his letter, Chris motioned to approve, and Pien seconded. After discussion and idea to add CA Insurance Commissioner, an amended motion was restated with a unanimous vote approved sending the letter.

Supervisor McGourty was not present.

Sheriff Matt Kendall announced that Sheriff Dept staffing was improving with officers graduating and going to training. He added: the Behavioral Health wing of the Low Gap Rd jail facility is moving along. With cannabis moving from Sched. I to Sched. III, it will be “game over” for illegal growers because the price will go way down. Fentanyl is a major problem in the County and is like an opiate. The Homeless Theft in retail Sales Act will give judges a choice to offer violators: drug treatment and Drug Court or jail. The Tribes may get their own police force with introduced legislation, with an estimate of tribal property tax value used to offset cost of County assisting in tribal law enforcement.

Grange updates. Marybeth announced the Grange Flea Market on May 11, and other projects such as the free library, scholarship program, Meals on Wheels, Grange insulation, and kitchen rebuilding. On May 16 the Grange will celebrate 107 years of work at the regular dinner and meeting. Jini announced the May 19 meeting of the Pomona Grange and they work to assist in disaster relief.
Water Education Standing Subcommittee. Adam
Water updates. Dolly read Alex DeGrassi’s online comment, in which he was concerned that a re-approved 120 unit subdivision on Lover’s Lane in Ukiah would utilize Millview water and may detract from Redwood Valley’s water supply. Monica stated it would take 5 years to put in a better pipe for water from Ukiah to Redwood Valley, and added that PG&E may cooperate with water release at the Potter Valley project. Deb stated a need for dams. Chris said her husband, Tom Schoeneman, is on the Redwood Valley Water District board and he says that all water agencies will eventually join together to avoid State control.
Cannabis Policy Standing Subcommittee: Pien, Community Members
Cannabis updates. Pien discussed CA cannabis office’s 45-day comment period on CEQA environmental issues, which the public may participate in. Chris stated the CA general government committee is setting new cannabis laws and she is concerned that grows might go to over 10,000 sq ft, and that the option of petitioning for a Cannabis Exclusion Zone may end.
Development Review Standing Subcommittee: Marybeth, Jini, Pien
Development Review. There were no new notices of permit applications received. A discussion ensued regarding when we should say “no comment” on permits, if we want to solicit any neighbors’ opposition, and how neighbors or PBS would know to tell the MAC of such.

Dolly announced that the BOS on May 7 postponed a vote to allow or deny Faizon’s Chevron gas station in Redwood Valley. Dolly explained the decision as one of more data needed. Tom Rawles commented that at least the BOS retained jurisdiction, rather than the Pl Commission. Deb stated that Coyote Valley folks want to put a truck stop on their land. Jini noted that the Laytonville MAC is facing problems with Faizon Corp, who bought Geiger’s market and closed it, with unknown plans.

Marybeth reported on the meetings to discuss the Redwood Valley School site, with a steering meeting on May 13, and a regular meeting on May 21. She said Councilmember Mari Rodin expressed interest in City of Ukiah having some involvement, and Counselor Ann Molgaard giving insight as to past consortiums. The and Girls Club may also become involved. The school group will ask UUSD for a lease.
Community Action Plan ad hoc Subcommittee - Dolly, Chris, Jini and community members Sheilah Rogers and Alex DeGrassi
The Community Action Plan will come up in July when the MAC contacts PBS to begin their promised action to contact agencies and tribes for comment, so our CAP Plan can become part of the County General Plan.
Officers and Members Reports and Announcements
Officers and Members. Dolly stated the MAC has openings for an alt member and a secretary, and requested that Chris and Pien renew their membership because they are valuable members. She discussed the upcoming Black Bart parade, asking if anyone would like to work on the MAC’s float. We discussed guest speaker for June and settled on Eva King of Fire Safe Council, with future invites to Daniel Stearn and Howard Dashiell to discuss Eagle Peak school traffic. We will invite Danilla Sands in the future.
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m. Next meeting 6-12-24.