Brandon Pangman and the Board hear comments from the Waynes

LOYALTON — An appeal hearing was held at Tuesday’s meeting of the Sierra County Board of Supervisors based on allegations by Richard and Michal Wayne that the Planning Department and County had acted discriminatorily towards them during the building and permitting process of their home in Loyalton. The Waynes have failed to progress towards an occupancy certificate for over a year, so the planning department warned that there would be no more extensions on their building permit and reminded them that the house could not be occupied.

Ten months ago, the Waynes rejected an insulation inspection by former Building Inspector Danny Zavala, alleging he had violated their rights when he refused to sign off on several previous inspections due to construction not following approved plans. Instead, the Waynes wished to use an inspector from the town of Truckee. When Former Planning Director Tim Beals informed them that, while they could not use a Truckee inspector, he would personally accompany Zavala for the inspection, the Waynes replied that they were not yet ready for one. The Waynes never called for another inspection.

Ultimately, failing to progress toward an occupancy certificate led to the notice of final extension. Pangman explained that the planning department had tried to accommodate design changes, even when significant updates to approved plans were roughly drawn by the applicants instead of the engineer of record, and that despite the department’s efforts, the Waynes would not call for an inspection. The Waynes had also been granted a special permit to live in a travel trailer on the property during construction but had been living in the under-construction building itself.

In the hearing, the Waynes called for the arrest and prosecution of over ten county officials, including Supervisor Sharon Dryden, former building inspector Danny Zavala, Planning Director Brandon Pangman, and Sheriff Mike Fisher, for what they viewed as civil rights violations and discrimination against “disabled builders.” They argued that county representatives, in particular Supervisor Dryden, had given special treatment to friends of the county and alleged that personal insults had been made. They also argued that the disabilities they claimed should allow them the ability to live in the under-construction house.

Pangman explained to the Board that there were no special dispensations for disabled builders to live in a building without an occupancy permit. The county council confirmed Pangman’s point, adding that the mandate’s purpose is to protect the occupants, disabled or not. The Board unanimously rejected the appeal, to the great displeasure of Michal Wayne, who threatened further legal action.

In other board news…

Sheriff’s Office Details Grant Wishlist

The Sierra County Office of Emergency Services (OES) has $78,149 burning a hole in its pocket from a 2021 Homeland Security grant. After expenditures were approved in March by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and California OES, the department will go ahead with the purchase of a number of tools and services to be used by the Sheriff’s Department.

The most expensive item the grant purchases will be a digital storage service for officer body camera footage, which will cost the office $26,000 annually. Sheriff Fisher believes the service is worth the price tag, noting, after an inquiry by Supervisor Adams, that the footage is an effective insurance policy for the Sheriff’s Office and that it has already served to clear deputies of false misconduct allegations.

The grant will also pay for security cameras ($5,000), an evacuation route online mapping solution ($3,915), a lease for an Oregon Peak radio repeater ($4,600; the Sheriff is looking for alternative locations to reduce costs), and entry tools for deputies ($4,500), among other items. Many purchases fall into FEMA-designated National Priorities Areas, for which at least 35 percent of the grant must be used.

Possibility of Congressional Funding for Sierraville School

Last month, all bids were rejected for the Sierraville School Rehabilitation Project, all being more than double the project’s budget. Turning to other funding sources, the Public Works department has now applied to a community program by Congressman Kevin Kiley’s office. A positive response to the project was received from representatives of the Congressman’s office over the last few weeks, so the Board approved the sending of the application along with a letter of support on Tuesday.

No Setbacks for Downieville Community Hall

Bryan Davey highlighted that the Downieville Community Center Remodel Project is progressing well and that the stages that would have exposed potential problem areas have been completed. According to Davey, the project should be constructed within the planned budget.