Cristina Barajas

The committee reviewed the Stony Creek 5-Year Temporary Permit, including the progress of diversion sites, potential purchase of pumps, and the execution of a new agreement with Sacramento River Chico Ranch, LLC. Key financial items included the review and acceptance of financial reports and the approval of claims. The agenda also covered updates on the California Stream Gage Improvement Program, progress on the Pilot Domestic Well Mitigation Program, and planning for the Demand Management Program. Additionally, the committee discussed the Groundwater Sustainability Plan implementation, annual reporting requirements, and ongoing coordination efforts.

The council discussed various emergency management topics, including the transition to the Rave Alert system and planning for hazardous materials facilities. A recap of a recent multi-vehicle collision (MCI) highlighted response coordination and radio communication challenges. Agency reports covered infrastructure updates, such as the Road 200 temporary bridge installation and emergency repairs for County Road 309, as well as the upcoming 'The Wall That Heals' event. Additional agenda items included updates on EMS funding, radio interference issues affecting fire and police departments, state parks infrastructure developments, and upcoming regional training exercises.

The board discussed several items, including the active building phase of the North American Council for Children and the Law (NACCL), updates to the Continuum of Care website to improve information accessibility, and grant funding statuses, specifically HHAP and ESG compliance. Members reviewed the progress of the Point-in-Time count surveys, conducted HMIS usage discussions to address data entry and case management features, and analyzed the requirements and policy challenges related to the HHAP 6 Encampment Policy. Additionally, member counties provided status updates on housing intervention projects, transitional shelters, and resource fairs.

The meeting agenda included a Call to Order and Roll Call. Key discussion topics included the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 budget priorities, with consideration for appointing a Budget Ad Hoc Committee. Significant time was dedicated to the Stony Creek Hydrology Modeling, specifically discussing a technical analysis scope for Stony Creek reservoir operations to evaluate surplus water transfers. An update on the Colusa Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) implementation activities was provided, covering the Water Year 2025 Annual Report preparation and Inter-Basin Coordination efforts, including a webinar held on January 28, 2026. Committee updates were provided for various ad hoc committees, noting the recommendation to dissolve the Well Mitigation Ad Hoc Committee now that the Pilot Domestic Well Mitigation Program has launched, with the new Domestic Well Mitigation Eligibility Committee taking over. The board also went into a Closed Session to confer with Legal Counsel regarding existing litigation.

The meeting focused on planning for a coordinated and effective medical response to mass medical disasters in Butte and Glenn Counties. Key discussions included the intention and purpose of a Cybersecurity Survey and subsequent Exercise to test the Cybersecurity Response Plan. Reports were provided on the 2025 MRSE, including the recommendation to keep physical copies of Situation Reports and Resource Request Forms, and updates on Chempack Training and Tabletop Exercises. The Butte County Sheriff's Office offered Active Shooter trainings and facility safety assessments, emphasizing the benefit of sharing site maps with law enforcement. Epidemiological reports covered elevated levels of Carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii and candida auris, potential H5N1 cases, a measles case in Sacramento, and a Norovirus outbreak in Nevada County. Partner updates detailed delays in the Cybersecurity Assessment and Exercise due to federal funding, ongoing work on Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) and Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) applications, and updates to EMS/LEMSA policies and legislation, including AB 645, AB 1328, and SB 582. Hospital updates included Enloe Health's current census, EOP updates, radio functionality improvements, and the implementation of a new evacuation system, Evac123. Glenn Medical Center provided updates on communicating the challenges associated with the loss of Critical Access Hospital designation, which threatens the financial viability of their Emergency Room. Information was also shared regarding upcoming trainings and exercises, such as Chempack Training, ICS 300 courses, and the MHOCSA Training.