DOWNIEVILLE — During a lull between rain and snow storms, three of the five Supervisors made their way to Downieville to attend the next to last session for the Board in 2023. Supervisors Roen and LeBlanc attended via telephone connections. Vice-Chair Sharon Dryden supervised the proceedings. What did the Supervisors learn and achieve during the two hours of their work for the public? During the time reserved for Committee Reports: Supervisor Huebner announced the Air Quality Management Board had granted a Sierra County a new, non-polluting tractor; Supervisor LeBlanc gave a glowing report of a very successful Toys for Tots drive in Loyalton this past weekend. So, some lucky kid or two just might have a nice two-wheeled surprise this month. As for Department Manager Reports and Announcements, Rhonda Grandi spoke about a new mobile, dental van being scheduled to visit the Loyalton Senior Center this weekend, Dec. 9 - Dec. 11. The public was advised to “call for details.” Also, Tim Beals informed the Board about how the closing of the Colombo Mine will have a negative impact on the economy of Sierra City. He also mentioned an upcoming 2-year grant from the Homeland Security Admin. would pay for the installation of defibrillators (AEDs) at all public buildings in Sierra County, but much of this grant would be used to cover recurring costs for existing [OES?] systems. The USFS was up next, giving the new Deputy District Ranger/Yuba District of the Tahoe NF, Andrew Mishler, an opportunity to introduce himself to the Board. Originally from Pennsylvania, where Mishler earned degrees in forestry at Penn State, Paul Smith's College in upstate New York and SUNY at Syracuse, he moved to California to start a career with the USFS - first on reforestation projects in the Mendocino NF for a decade and then at the American River Ranger district of the Tahoe NF for the past three and a half years. Now, he is looking forward to the experience of working on efforts to make the Yuba District healthy again and to the arrival of a new Ranger for the District, “maybe next month or two.” As for current activities, Mishler was pleased to announce the hiring of a new, permanent Fire Manager and a GS-9 level botanist for the District. His news of the National Forest Foundation having awarded the contract for removing hazard trees at Ramshorn, Yuba, and Sierra campgrounds was also good to hear. Meanwhile, Mishler also encouraged people who have comments to make about the Draft North Yuba Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to make sure they file them before the comment period ends, next January 23rd. Next up for the USFS, Rachel Hutchinson informed the Board the District’s staff is continuing their prescribed burning work within the Sierraville Ranger District for as long as conditions allow. Hutchinson also mentioned snow grooming has commenced on the trails leading out from Yuba Pass and the Little Truckee Summit and usage has been high. She also said Christmas tree sales are going excellently. To close her report, Hutchinson told the Supervisors Dryden and Roen they will soon be receiving an invitation to attend a meeting to discuss a 10-year plan calling for forest restoration/fuel reduction work on 40,00 acres along the Little Truckee River watershed. As for action, the Board was pleased to vote unanimously in favor of approving the plans, specifications, and bidding documents for the Downieville Community Center Remodeling Project presented to them by the Dept. of Public Works. Funded by a combination of a Prop. 68 grant from the State of California, a US Dept. of Agriculture grant, and donations raised by the Downieville Improvement Group, this project will renovate both the interior and exterior of the structure erected in 1957 by community volunteers. And, besides providing a location for community meetings, parties, and dances, the project will deliver facilities for handling emergencies, including shelter, vaccinations, clinical services, and food preparation and distribution. The Board also approved two contracts “for professional services” to be supplied by MGE Engineering. The first contract, for $515.5K, concerns the replacement of Packer Lake Road Bridge over Salmon Creek. The second, for $229.2K, involves the Salmon Lake Road Bridge Replacement Project. Bryan Davey, of Public Works, noted these projects have been “on the books” since 2002; so he was absolutely delighted to know the work, to be completed by the end of 2024, is finally able to commence. In other actions, the Board appointed Rick Roberti to the Board of the Sierra Valley Resource Conservation District; Brian Habicht to the Sierra County Waterworks, Calpine District No.1 Board; Paula A. Erle to the Sierra County Cemetery District #5 Board; Robert Latta to the Sierra City Fire Commission; and, both Elizabeth Ryan and Vincent Delbarba to the Plumas-Sierra County Fair Board.