DOWNIEVILLE - The Sierra County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday for an unusually short open session of just under an hour and ten minutes. Despite its length, the meeting provided a dense update on Sierra County projects and future governance. All supervisors were present, though Supervisor Roen participated via phone.

Proceedings began with the approval of the consent agenda, which included a Professional Services Agreement with Toddler Towers, Inc. to continue providing early childhood support and education services to Sierra County. The agenda also approved payment for an invoice of $26,889 for installing a new Bryant HVAC unit in the courthouse.

The floor was then opened for public comment, and the first to take the podium was Paul Cueto, Chairman of the Sierra County Fire Safe Council. Mr. Cueto informed the board that the Fire Safe Council received a grant of $2.2 million as part of the CAL FIRE Prevention Grants. The funding will go towards reducing dangerous fuels on about 400 acres of private land in and around Sierra City and Sattley. Chair Dryden and Supervisor Roen commended Cueto and the Fire Safe Council’s efforts to decrease wildfire risk in Sierra County.

Community member Greg Johnson was next to take the podium to request an update on the Community Center remodel project. Johnson expressed disappointment at the apparent lack of progress, imploring the board and department heads present to explain. Supervisor Adams felt that Johnson’s assessment wasn’t fair, pointing out that not a single bid had been received in the public bidding process and assuring Johnson that progress was slowly being made. Of course, that assurance will do little to assuage doubts without some meatier information on where the project lies, which the board could not provide this week.

After public comment, Supervisor Adams provided a committee report on a tour he took of PG&E’s Hazard Awareness and Warning Center, which allows for fast response to natural disasters and wildfires. Adams was impressed by efforts at the center and urged residents to visit https://www.safetyactioncenter.pge.com/ for more information.

Department manager reports followed, starting with Bryan Davey for Public Works, who first mentioned that the Community Hall remodel was going through negotiations but that the process was delayed and challenged due to undisclosed issues. Davey then gave an update on the Upper North Yuba Forestry Project, which had received some proposals. Progress was apparently in question due to lack of funding, but the Forest Service will provide a cash infusion and allow work to continue.

Planning Director Brandon Pangman started his update with news that the Sierraville Cafe is currently undergoing a sale. He expressed his hope that it would be finalized and that the new owner might renovate the building. Next, Pangman mentioned that the planning department had interviewed and offered a position to a new Senior Planner and that employment term negotiations are underway.

Pangman then reminded the board and public that a set of meetings would take place to discuss plans to install two rotary screw traps in the Yuba River, one near Indian Valley and one near Goodyears Bar, as part of the reintroduction of salmon to the North Yuba. The first meeting will occur at Sabrina’s at the Forks on August 23rd from 4:30 - 6:30 pm, and the next will be in Nevada City at the Nevada County Library on August 30th, also 4:30 - 6:30 pm. Flyers will be available at the Planning Department.

Pangman also spoke with FEMA about flood insurance rate map updates after that project was put on hold from “significant issues” with their study. FEMA assured Pangman that efforts are continuing but informed him that the new preliminary maps will not be ready until at least October 2024.

An update was then given on the Affordable Housing Master Plans Project. Pangman was frustrated with snow loads for plans being either too high or too low and expected the bulk of demand to be at 170 lbs or below, covering Sierra Valley and Sierra City. New plans have been submitted and are currently under review. Unfortunately, not a single person has yet applied for a permit for any of the plans, although interest has been expressed. Wrapping up for the Planning Department, Pangman reported that a high-level overview of the Broadband Strategic Plan and Infrastructure Improvement Plan had been completed and is available upon request.

The Forest Service’s Deputy District Ranger and Sierraville District Ranger took the stand next, beginning with a status update on the ongoing hiring process for the North Yuba Landscape Resilience Project. Up to four new foresters are expected to be hired in the coming months. Local Forest Service crews have also assisted with fires in British Columbia, Canada, as part of a national effort. Fire restrictions are now in effect as of August 1st, with specifics provided by a Forest Service Facebook post and press release. Thankfully Chapman Creek Campground is now open, but Loganville Campground opening is expected to be delayed until next week due to debris.

The board then moved on to agenda items, the first of which was an appointment to the Sierra County Children and Families Commission. The board was happy to appoint the sole applicant, Vickie Clark, to the commission. Clark is the Executive Director of the High Sierras Family Resource Center, and has served on the Sierra County Child Abuse Council, First 5 Commission, and Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.

The planning commission vacancy was finally filled, with the board appointing Larry Allen. Allen served as the District Attorney for Sierra County from 2002 to 2018 and practiced law for over 35 years. After being asked if he would like to address the board, Allen said, “As a long-time lawyer, I learned that when you’re ahead, shut your mouth!”

Next, Supervisor Adams introduced an oil painting of the 1854 Downieville Courthouse for acceptance as a donation. Eleanor Scott Nevins painted the piece, and the donation was made by her daughter, Mary Flanagan-Hanson, who wished for the painting to be returned to Downieville upon her passing. The Nevins family lived in Downieville in the 1930s when the original courthouse was still standing. More information about the painting and its history is on page 8.

The final agenda item of the day concerned combining Sierra County Service Areas, as the county’s general fund can no longer legally subsidize Service Areas that don’t bring in enough revenue to cover the cost of services provided. The process for the reorganization and application to the Local Agency Formation Commission was unclear to the board, so further analysis by the planning department will be presented in a future meeting.