For the second consecutive meeting, the Sierra County Board of Supervisors assembled to discuss the contentious issue of the proposed new ordinance governing short term rentals within the county. Prior to tackling this thorny topic, the board addressed a number of other less controversial agenda items, including the usual department managers’ and committee reports and announcements, followed by a forest service update. Rachel Hutchinson from the Sierraville District disclosed that they have approximately 3,000 personnel assigned to the Mosquito Fire who will not be demobilized until the fire is fully contained. Next, the board addressed public works and transportation agenda points brought forth by Transportation and Planning Director Tim Beals. Resolutions authorizing grant applications were unanimously approved, followed by a vote of approval for the purchase of three new truck-mounted snow plows. Lastly, the board approved a new 15 mile per hour speed limit on Ostrom Way, 49er Drive, and Old Highway 49. The board then moved to consider rezoning the Constellation Creek Resort from General Forest District to Commercial Residential District to better align with the county General Plan. The floor was opened to public comment and some concern expressed over the Resort’s handling of burn piles and overall fire prevention maintenance. After deliberations, the board unanimously approved the rezoning ordinance. After a short recess, the meeting shifted to the much-anticipated second round of discussions pertaining to the short-term rental ordinance. Mr. Beals kicked things off by providing an overview of the main concerns voiced by the public at the September 6th meeting, including the necessity and efficacy of language in the code requiring a property to be owned by the same person or people for at least two years before being eligible for a short-term rental permit, and whether that provision would be retroactive or only apply to property owners who bought after the ordinance passes. The public had also expressed a displeasure over the lack of a clear effective date for the ordinance if passed, as well as the lack of specifically designated fees for short-term rental permits written into the code. Suggestions were also brought forth surrounding current short-term rentals in the county being “grandfathered in”, thus exempting them from the new rules. During the supervisor’s comments that followed Mr. Beal’s introduction, the board seemed to be in agreement about the two year ownership rule being imperative, citing a need to discourage the purchase of homes in the county solely for the purpose of renting out short-term.Discussions were also held regarding potential penalties for non-compliance, the potential for increased strain on county staff to process short-term rental applications, and ways to make the application and renewal process as easy as possible for residents. An opportunity for public comment was then provided, and a proposition was tendered to give preference on short-term rentals to local residents, much in the same fashion that local contractors are given preference when making bids for government contracts. The board agreed that further deliberations and adjustments were appropriate, such as clarifying the two year ownership rule, adding language specifying the property must be in good standing with the county for permit eligibility, adding a new provision covering the transfer of permits to a new owner, and further clarification of certain terms and verbiage. As a result, the first reading of the ordinance was pushed out to the next meeting on October 4th. The second reading and official vote is scheduled to he held on October 18th, and if passed the ordinance would take effect 30 days following the vote.