Judi Behlke

The meeting commenced with nominations and subsequent approvals for the Chair (Supervisor Roen) and Vice-Chair (Supervisor Dryden), including direction to revise board rules for future rotation based on district numerical order. The consent agenda addressed several resolutions and agreements, including updating the IT Policy, approving an agreement for a medication collection receptacle at the Loyalton Probation Office, rejecting informal bids and then approving solicitation of new bids for the Long Valley Road 2023 Storm Damage Repair Project, approving lot line adjustment/parcel merger agreements, and approving the continued use of the Master Crime Bond. Key discussions during the regular agenda involved Supervisor Adams' suggestion regarding interim authority for advertising positions due to a soft hiring freeze, Supervisor Roen's update on wolf issues and upcoming meetings, and the introduction of a new Deputy Probation Officer. Department reports included updates on staffing shortages in Planning/Building and Public Works/Transportation, and updates from the Sheriff on wolf activity and I-80 detour issues. Forest Service updates covered prescribed burns, storm damage monitoring, and Over-Snow Vehicle program activity. The Auditor sought and received approval for an amendment to the CPA services agreement. The Director of Public Health secured approval for the Medi Cal Administrative Activities (CMAA) program participation agreement. Behavioral Health received authorization to fill a vacant Health Assistant position. Supervisors addressed granting interim authority to the Director of Planning and Building for the vacant Director of Transportation position. Significant discussion focused on green waste acceptance and burn policies at solid waste transfer sites, particularly Sierra City, involving input from the Forest Service, Fire Safe Council, and local fire officials regarding new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and funding for water storage. The Board also revised the policy for granting fee waivers to local governmental agencies providing emergency services, and approved a reduced planning fee waiver for the Pliocene Ridge Community Services District. Appointments to various commissions, boards, and standing committees for 2026 were confirmed, along with appointments to the Behavioral Health Advisory Board. The Board met in closed session to discuss anticipated litigation, public employee discipline, and a personnel performance evaluation. A timed item recognized Bryan Davey on his retirement after 21 years of service. Another timed item regarding the Trindel Insurance Fund presentation was continued to the next meeting to allow for action on the return-of-funds offer and property program strengthening.

The meeting included several significant actions and discussions. The Board nominated and selected Supervisor Paul Roen as Chair and Supervisor Sharon Dryden as Vice-Chair, directing a revision of board rules for future rotation. The Consent Agenda covered updates to the IT policy, approval of an agreement for a medication collection receptacle, rejection of informal bids for the Long Valley Road 2023 Storm Damage Repair Project, approval of bidding documents for the same project, and approvals for several Lot Line Adjustment and Parcel Merger agreements, as well as continuing the use of the Master Crime Bond. Public comment was brief. Department reports highlighted ongoing discussions regarding a soft hiring freeze, updates on wolf activity and associated hazards, staffing shortages in Planning/Building and Public Works, and an update on green waste acceptance sites. The Forest Service provided updates on prescribed burns and infrastructure monitoring following heavy rains. The Auditor obtained approval for an amendment to extend CPA services. The Board approved an agreement for the County Based Medi Cal Administrative Activities (CMAA) program and authorized advertising for a vacant Health Assistant position. Significant discussion focused on granting interim administrative and operational authority to the Director of Planning and Building during the vacancy of the Director of Transportation position. Further discussion centered on green waste acceptance and burn policies at transfer sites, particularly in Sierra City, involving collaboration with the Forest Service and Fire Safe Council regarding new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and funding solutions. The Board also revised the policy for granting fee waivers to local governmental agencies providing emergency services and made numerous appointments to standing committees, commissions, boards, and the Behavioral Health Advisory Board. During Closed Session, direction was given regarding anticipated litigation and a personnel matter. A timed item included the presentation of a Resolution of Appreciation for retiring Director of Transportation Bryan Davey, and another timed item involved a presentation from the Trindel Insurance Fund regarding self-insurance programs, which was continued.

The Board meeting covered several administrative actions under the Consent Agenda, including adopting a resolution for authorized agents for disaster grants, approving payment for rock base for disaster recovery, declaring a generator as surplus, approving agreements for SSO/SAML implementation and HAVA funding, and repealing ordinances related to residency requirements and Grand Jury Compensation. The Regular Agenda included discussions on authorizing the Behavioral Health Director to sign the Proposition 36 Grant application for $256,187.84 to support substance abuse offender services. A resolution was adopted to reconcile the Behavioral Health Department's 2025/2026 final budget to reflect prior Board-approved actions, including the Loyalton building project. Public Works received authorization to advertise and hire an Interdepartmental Fiscal Officer following a resignation and adopted a resolution for budget changes to purchase a guard shack container for the Loyalton transfer station. The Planning department set a public hearing for the potential non-renewal of Williamson Act Contract 73-8. Furthermore, the Board discussed updates regarding FEMA flood mapping coordination and Forest Service personnel changes, including the retirement of Ranger Parrack. The Board also held a Closed Session to discuss public employee discipline, appointments for County Assessor and Director of Public Works, and a performance evaluation for County Counsel.

Key discussions and actions included the approval of several agreements, such as one with CalMHSA for specialized training materials and others related to External Quality Review/Performance Improvement Projects and the HEDIS program. The Board authorized the Auditor to advertise and fill a vacancy at a higher level (Senior Accountant or Chief Deputy Auditor). A payment authorization was approved for a prior fiscal year invoice to Wellspace Hospital. In Public Works, continued discussion occurred regarding green waste and burn policies at solid waste transfer sites, with staff directed to continue coordinating with the Fire Department and Forest Service. The Board authorized the transfer of $500,000 in excess self-insurance funds to County contingencies and adopted a resolution to amend the 2025/2026 Final Budget accordingly. Consensus was reached to allow the Board Chair to approve interim advertising of vacant positions during a soft hiring freeze, subject to ratification. The Board approved an agreement for emergency-only 211 disaster-related referral services, funding the annual maintenance cost from General Fund Contingencies. Finally, the Board supported increasing the Grand Jury meeting rate to $50 and directed staff to coordinate on dedicated meeting spaces, while also proclaiming January 2026 as Grand Jury Awareness Month. An informational overview was provided regarding new 2026 adult and juvenile probation laws. The Board entered closed session to discuss anticipated litigation and public appointments for the Director of Transportation and Interim County Assessor.

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included awarding contracts for the Long Valley Road 2023 Storm Damage Repair Project, professional services agreement for Habitat Mitigation & Monitoring for Plumbago Road Bridge Replacement, authorization to migrate to WinCAMS Cloud services, hiring for a vacant Health Assistant position, agreements related to Cannabis Mini Grant and Mental Health Services Authority projects, ratification of a quote for Access Control and Security Cameras, amendments to the County Fee Schedule, authorization for the Auditor to adjust the budget for grant funds, and amendments to the electronic recording services agreement with Tyler Technologies, Inc. The Regular Agenda, as amended, included authorizing the hiring of two Road Maintenance Workers with the condition of future promotion upon securing a Class A Driver's License. Key discussions centered on approving the hiring process for a Deputy Probation Officer in anticipation of retirement, approving an MOU for the placement of detained juveniles at the Mother Lode Juvenile Detention Facility, and directing the Auditor to proceed with a controlled, short-term financial systems reset to address structural weaknesses in accounting and plan for an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation. The Board also authorized the use of identifiable clothing and gear for Mobile Crisis Responders and later ratified the urgency item authorizing the hiring of two Road Maintenance Workers. Further actions included authorizing the purchase of a PC306 Cold Planer for the Road Department, adopting new residency requirements for specified positions, repealing ordinances related to residency requirements and Grand Jury Compensation, and setting compensation for Grand Jurors. Significant time was spent discussing green waste management, specifically mitigating risks associated with burning large piles at the Sierra City Transfer Station, including installing monitoring cameras and securing water sources, with consensus to proceed with immediate safety improvements at that site. A Resolution of Appreciation was presented for retiring Road Maintenance Supervisor Edward Cusato. The Public Health section approved an agreement with Nevada County for WIC nutrition counseling, and the Planning Department received authorization to advertise for a vacant Administrative Secretary position and set a public hearing date for a General Plan Amendment/Zone Amendment related to Lucy Blake.