DOWNIEVILLE — In addition to the Community Center Remodel Project contract and letter sent by the Board concerning AT&T, items covered in separate articles this week, the supervisors heard several updates on the state of the county and its future.

Zoning Code and General Plan Update Moves Ahead

Planning Director Brandon Pangman brought a contract to the board that restarts the generation of the long-overdue Sierra County General Plan and Zoning Code updates. Work began years ago with the same contractor, Mintier Harnish, but was terminated before completion. The new contract will cost $143,970 and is one of two parts needed before the plans can be implemented. The first part consists of completing the already drafted general plan and zoning code, whereas the second will include administrative tasks and environmental review. Pangman believes that funds from affordable housing grants can be used towards this project.

Broadband Strategic Plan Updates

Shelley Westall, Principal Consultant for Tilson Technology, presented the next steps for developing Sierra County’s Broadband Strategic Plan to the board. The plan is being funded by the Golden State Finance Authority, which is associated with the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC). Tilson Technologies is working on a Broadband Planning and Feasibility Study, resulting in a single document describing the challenges, broadband market, and potential strategies for developing a broadband infrastructure roadmap.

Building Department Seeks FEMA Refund

Bryan Davey, Director of Transportation, wrote a letter of appeal to FEMA regarding its denial of reimbursement for repairing gravel roads damaged by emergency services vehicles during the Lightning Complex Fires in 2020. Davey believes the county was unjustly denied and not correctly notified of issues with their application. The appeal seeks a $145k reimbursement and is supported by a letter from the California Office of Emergency Services.