LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL held a special meeting Tuesday, January 31st with Sierra County Supervisor Scott Schlefstein in attendance.
Scott told of an upcoming pre meeting with County Counsel concerning Loyalton Mobile Home Park and talk of permits in trying to find out if the State has revoked the trailer park permit. Scott explained the need for a permanent revoke permit to move forward but they can’t transition people in winter. He talked of questions about funds for relocation and wanting it to be in warm weather.  He told the Council how the State required an auction but with no bids and stated, “There’s only so much we can do to recoup taxpayer money.”
Councilman Brooks Mitchell brought up losing sewer and water funds they can’t recoup. He talked of “just losing more revenue if they wait through winter.”
Scott responded with, it’s the “State’s fault; they control the license.” He added they can’t do anything with the land and it won’t be a legal trailer park and the lawyer will advise. He talked of taxes owed, losses and public safety and “human beings in homes.” The previous owner is gone and he stated, “Our responsibility is to deal with the property.”
Bookkeeper Kim Lombardi questioned the process. Scott told how it takes “enormous pressure and numerous tax sales that failed.”  The trailer park is in his service district with his constituents and financial losses. “Believe me,” he told the Council, “I understand.” But, he said moving forward would not be anytime soon because of relocation fees from the State and moving people in 15 degree mornings “won’t be taken well.”
Mayor Mark Marin asked about squatters who were to be dealt with. Scott stated it was hard to tell who’s squatting with renter contracts gone and asked, “Who’s to say they’re not renting a room legally?”
Council member Pat Whitley felt, “They all have to leave.”
Under question from Brooks, Scott stated all they can do is enforce the law and it’s an illegal trailer park in violation with a need to revoke the permit.
Pat  mentioned four parcels within the City limits.
Scott stated they can’t sell it as a trailer park once the license is revoked and trailers are not allowed to stay there on advice from the lawyer. He called it a “tragic, horrible situation” for people who live there.
As for water to the trailer park, the City owns the water but the park owned the pipes. Brooks stated Counsel had said to give a 120-day procedure to shut them off with a 45-day period to respond. He talked of shared water and power, calling it a “bad situation.”
Council member Kristin Gallegos was in favor of warning people about water and maybe give them an incentive to move.
Brooks wanted to agendize for an update and Scott said to wait until the State makes a decision.
On another note, Scott stated he’d talked to Eastern Plumas Health Care’s CEO Tom Hayes and he and Supervisor Jim Beard had met with the hospital board over the Loyalton boilers cost and trying to get a USDA loan at 3.5% . He said they’d found a pair of boilers for a total of $50,000. The current boilers have a six-month temporary State permit. The Loyalton Skilled Nursing has 20 residents and Scott said they’re waiting to house more for fear of having to move the residents again due to the boiler issue.

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LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL approved a proclamation of local emergency resulting from the January 2017 flood event. If residents have flood damage, they should contact City Hall at 993-6750 and be referred to Lee Brown at the Office of Emergency Services in Downieville.
An existing policy over the City’s use of volunteers was discussed with a need to list physical limitations.
The Council approved an emergency hire for temporary, seasonal part-time city maintenance worker for 30 hours/week the first two weeks to do catch up and training and then 25 hours/week.
Appointments of Council members to Boards were: LAFCO, Pat Whitley, Brooks Mitchell and Mark Marin alternate; SEDCorp, Pat Whitley and Brooks Mitchell as alternate; Local Transportation Commission, Pay Whitley , Nancy Rogers and Mark Marin as alternate; Sierra County Economic & Business Development, Pat Whitley and Kristin Gallegos; SCORE, Kathy LeBlanc and Brooks Mitchell as alternate.
For Committees, the entire Council is on Finance; Parks & Recreation, Public Works are Kristin Gallegos and Nancy Rogers; Personnel, Pat Whitley and Kristin Gallegos.

SACRAMENTO - Senator Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado) today announced Senate Bill 13, which will provide much-needed tax relief to the manufacturing, research and development, software and agricultural industries by expanding an existing sales and use tax exemption.



"Small businesses are the backbone of California's economy and we need to do everything we can to make sure they capitalize on any available tax break," said Senator Gaines. "I will continue to push for lower taxes and simpler, less burdensome regulations to let employers know that California is open for business in order to get our economy back on track."


Existing law allows manufacturers and research and development companies a sales and use tax exemption for their qualifying tangible personal property purchases up to $200 million a year. This includes property such as machinery and equipment used for manufacturing activities. Property that is considered to have a useful life of less than one year is excluded.


Senate Bill 13 seeks to expand the definition of businesses eligible to receive this exemption by including software publishers and others who conduct agricultural business activities. It will also increase the annual property purchase limit from $200 to $500 million a year. Finally, it will define property as having a useful life of one or more years if the property includes a warranty for one or more years.


Senator Gaines introduced this bill on the heels of recent reports indicating that the existing tax exemption has been severely underutilized. Since its inception on July 1, 2014 through September 30, 2016, businesses utilizing the exemption were only 21 percent of the original estimates made by the Department of Finance and Board of Equalization.


"My hope is that by clarifying and expanding the exemption, that more businesses will be able to take advantage of it," said Senator Gaines. "Businesses should be rewarded for their contributions to our state, not continually penalized at every turn. I'm going to let them keep more of the money they earn instead of shipping it to an unaccountable Sacramento."

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From our friends at Plumas National Forest.......
 

Updates are Highlighted
 
Impacts
Hazardous mountain travel likely with chain controls, travel delays, and increased accidents
Wet valley roads with possible travel delays and increased accidents
Gusty winds may cause travel difficulties and bring down tree branches
Minor flooding on small streams and roadways (added)
Forecast Confidence
High on return to wet pattern
Medium on timing, precipitation amounts, snow levels
Medium on small stream and street flooding (added)
Timing and Strength
System spreads inland Wednesday evening and continues through Friday night (delayed start approx 12 hrs)
Light precipitation starting Wednesday evening; becoming widespread by early Thursday morning with heavier amounts midday Thursday (See attached graphic for amounts)
Total snow accumulations around 1-3 feet above 6000 feet, snow levels a little lower at times (See attached graphic for amounts)
Winds gusting up to around 40 mph in the Valley, 50 mph in the Sierra
Weather Summary
A storm system this week will bring rain and mountain snow to northern California.  Scattered light precipitation will start Wednesday evening across the Coastal and southern Cascade mountains and become more widespread across the area after midnight. Heavier precipitation amounts are expected midday Thursday through Friday with scattered rain and snow showers remaining Saturday as the system exits the region. Storm total snow could reach 2 to 3 feet at pass levels, causing travel difficulties. Gusty winds are probable Thursday into Friday, strongest Thursday afternoon and again later Friday morning. These winds are not expected to be as strong as with recent storms.

MARK MARIN  will remain mayor of Loyalton the next year. The Council took a vote at its regular meeting on January 17th. 
Pat Whitley nominated Brooks Mitchell with Marin, Kristin Gallegos and Nancy Rogers voting no. For Vice Mayor, Brooks nominated Pat and Marin, Gallegos and Rogers voted no. With two new members, there was discussion over who else could qualify. Marin then agreed to second another vote for Pat and it passed.

LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL heard a discussion by Jason Christian on the Loyalton biomass plant on January 17th at the regular City Council meeting.
Jason told the Council the UC proposal “was not complete,” stating it “never addresses health of the forest.” He suggested a draft letter to the Governor. 
As a consultant for the City of Loyalton, he would include copies to elected officials and to supervisors who he felt will want to get on board. 
Jason, a fan of Assemblyman Brian Dahle, stated  Dahle was “aware and on board and likes setting things up for constituents.”
Jason felt if they’d get the biomass going everything would be solved. He stated, “the State’s got money.”
Council member Pat Whitley reminded Jason the actual project was on County land and would have to be approved by the County and the County would have to be on board. 
Councilman Brooks Mitchell was in agreement if Jason would spearhead the effort, contact the County and Dahle. The City Council would have legal counsel review any proposal.


Jason agreed to send an updated proposal with any fee waived to get on the next agenda. He called it a “small piece of the drought disaster.”

THE LATE JOE MARIN will be the recipient of the 2017 Richard Meder Community Leader award by the City of Loyalton.
Other nominees were Leland Cross, Terry LeBlanc, Mike Buck and Robert DeMartini. 
Brooks Mitchell nominated Robert and Mayor Mark Marin nominated Joe. New Council members, Kristin Gallegos and Nancy Rogers seemed unaware of such an award and had no suggestions.
The presentation will take place in February for Fire Chief Joseph Marin, Jr.

“WHERE’S THE MONEY COMING FROM?” City Council member Pat Whitley wanted to know concerning CalPERS payments to 
​former employees at the January 17th meeting.
Bookkeeper Kim Lombardi mentioned discrepancies and wanted to confirm “This is what it really is.”
Councilman Brooks Mitchell thought it a general fund expense but Pat stated it was split mostly from water and sewer as most employees worked on water and sewer.
Mary Fleming Leslie, with Rural Community Assistance Corporation out of West Sacramento, is assisting the City and she stated they won’t know if they have the revenue in water and sewer until the financial statement for each enterprise is separated.
Kim was concerned with an additional $5,000 a month in expenses when they don’t have an additional $5,000 in revenue.
Pat talked of sewer and water rates.
Mary said there needs to be a rate analysis done with all costs and revenue by enterprise in water and sewer to tell if the rates are covered. She stated they need to get the audit cleaned up in a 6-week process. 
There was deep discussion over Mary never having seen a rate study done and Brooks stating one was dated 2008. Mary stated USDA doesn’t do it but “would love to see the documents.” If so, it’s eight years old, she said. 
Brooks stated it was in the ordinance for sewer and water. Mary stated nobody projects out ten years but 3-5 years. Brooks said it was 2008-2012, stating 2% every year.
Mary continued, inflation factor would be adequate because of such stalled growth and it “looks like you’ve lost a good segment of revenue; losing dramatically on both enterprises.”  She continued on, “so much work to do to get ready for the audit and be ready for the rate study,” but stressed the audit as number one priority.
Kim questioned paying bills having lost $5,000 at the trailer park and increasing $5,000 in retirement payments. 
Mary was “highly suspect” of a rate increase in three months when they could vote, accept a rate increase and wait 45 days for the hearing.
Brooks made a motion, noting it takes a 4/5 vote, to take $15,000 out of contingencies for the next 3 months’ payments, seconded by Pat and it passed unanimously. Brooks then moved, seconded by Nancy Rogers to open a separate checking account to pay retirees and that too passed. 

ELIMINATING LONGEVITIES for Department Managers and setting a single pay rate for each position was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Loyalton on January 17th. Longevity provides annual compensation to an employee based on seniority and is often given to employees at the top of the pay scale as compensation for their service.
Supervisor Lee Adams stated this was an item given to the Finance Committee. He said the salary system rewards County employees but doesn’t reward employees coming from outside the County as department managers, adding it could cause the County some liability. The committee wanted to work on this during a non-election year. Adams stated in looking at the department manager’s salary table there was no easy way to do this except to lock everybody into the longevity 5 pay scale. The Committee thought this seemed a reasonable alternative, adding some will get a 5% bump, 10% bump, or 15% bump. Adams said the finance committee talked about what to do with the employee who was already capped out and decided to give them a 5% bump. Adams stated if adopted no employee would get longevities again. The only raises will be cost of living (COLA) increases or raises from the Board. He said if a department head leaves and they appoint a county employee their longevities will go away and they will only get the salary for the office. Adams stated the idea was not to punish anybody but also not to break the bank. Sierra County Auditor Van Maddox said this is a savings over the current system, adding a $30,000 savings over the next decade. He stated management gave up 4% of their pay and are almost 24% below what the consumer price index was 10 years ago when they got the last COLA. Maddox said this doesn’t come anywhere close to closing that gap but it solves some problems he has been pointing out for years. Personally, he stated he would be better off with the current system but he still thinks it’s time to fix this especially for those elected and start moving forward. Supervisor Scott Schlefstein didn’t understand why elected and non-elected were in the same basket. Adams stated they could have ignored them but didn’t want to keep them on the odd system and wanted to treat everyone the same. He added for consistency and morale sake, it seemed the right thing to do. Sierra County Chief Probation Officer Jeff Bosworth stated the current system punishes people from coming from the outside. Other department managers in the audience were asked what they thought. Many didn’t have a strong opinion one way or another and some had no comment. Schleftstein felt it seemed like they were constantly taking away, but added the public has complained about longevities for years. Schlefstein wanted to take one agenda item, as it applies to these types of topics, at a time and not assume because one is favored the others are and because there weren’t many objections to the changes, Schlefstein made the motion to approve the resolution. Motion passed unanimously except for Supervisor Paul Roen who was caught in an ice storm in Iowa following a bull sale.


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JOANIE CHANDLER is pictured above with just a fraction of the many teddy bears she’s donated to the East Sierra Valley Chamber of Commerce to be available at a Valentine’s Teddy Bear Tea Party to be held  Saturday, February 11th at 2 p.m. at Loyalton’s Museum just in time for Valentine’s Day, February 14th.
Nearly one hundred unique and adorable stuffed bears will be available for “adoption” with a minimum $10 donation. A silent auction will be available for a “big bear.” The event is sponsored by East Sierra Valley Chamber of Commerce. 

​Please RSVP if possible: (530) 993-4379 or 
993-0453.
Joanie has decided to give up her teddies in favor of angels.
Joanie, known for her radiant smile and friendly personality, survived a malignant brain tumor at the age of 2-1/2. Following three surgeries at UC San Francisco, she suffered stunted growth, damage to her pituitary gland and a growth hormone deficiency. At ages 8-10 she underwent growth hormone therapy to grow to 4’-7” and a current weight of just 63 pounds. She is a graduate of McKinleyville High School with the class of 1989 and is now 46 years of age. 
She and parents, Jan and Gale moved to Loyalton in  February of 1993 and Joanie became well known and worked at Golden West bussing tables, riding her bike to work. 
Joanie had been given the bears for special occasions and her mom finally said, “No more!” So one of her four older brothers gave a parting shot by sending her a fun bag of “Modoc County Bear Poop.” 
Several times in the past, Joanie has made bear donations to Portola’s Highway Patrol and to Sierra County Sheriff’s Office. 
Eight years ago she underwent additional surgery which Jan says has left her weaker and less active.
Joanie used to make handmade greeting cards, do latch hook and puzzle books. 
Due to resulting deep scar tissue she is physically older and has become much more sedentary.

compensation for County 


Supervisors was discussed in Loyalton by Sierra County Supervisors on January 17th at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting. 
Supervisor Lee Adams said the finance committee looked at this as well to delete the idea of longevities for supervisors. He stated looking at a current chart, two supervisors have no longevity, two supervisors have one longevity and one supervisor has three longevities. The committee came up with locking the supervisors into the longevity 3 period. With this two supervisors would get 3 longevities, two supervisors would get two longevities, one supervisor would be Y rated and get a 5% bump and go to longevity 4 until that position is vacant and then it would go back to longevity 3. Adams said just like department managers the board’s salary would be set every time the board takes action. He stated County Counsel David Prentice indicated legislature has taken action where they can’t put salaries on autopilot, they have to take public action before setting salaries. Adams stated he had more trouble with this in that he is an incumbent and doesn’t know what he is worth or what anyone else is worth adding it is only a starting point for discussion. He added some benefit more than others, but all are locked into equal pay. Supervisor Scott Schlefstein was in full agreement with equal pay, but felt the base amount was unacceptable.  He would be looking at an increase of  $294.61 and after taxes it would amount to $100 and change. He said 5% wouldn’t add up to much. Schlefstein felt if it was increased $500 now and $500 down the road, it amounted to almost exactly 18% of the superior court judge’s salary, which was codified as the original intent. He stated if they went with the 18% of the superior court judge’s salary and take away the longevities, he’d be ok with it. 
Supervisor Peter Huebner thought they would attract more candidates if the salaries were higher. He said he was in his 5th term and knew the workload going in but felt it was time to change to 18% of the judge’s salary. Schlefstein added county employees just lost health insurance premiums which was close to $500, adding if you keep adding up the costs it’s actually a decrease. He said it was $298 difference, adding they weren’t breaking any banks here. Schlefstein made the motion but to change to the 18%, which amounts to $34,490.16 annually. Every time the judge’s salary increases the board can change, but they need to bring it back to be voted on in a public meeting. 
County Counsel felt this was a substantial change to the ordinance, and recommended bringing it back to the next meeting. 
Since the ordinance was going to be modified, Huebner wanted to discuss the $100/month stipend for the Board Chair. He said it had been set at $100 for the last 20 years. Schlefstein agreed and said the workload for the Board Chair is far beyond $100 extra a month. Huebner felt $200 was not too much to ask. 
Adams was not opposed, but has difficulty with what anyone is worth. He told the Board not to take his vote in opposition of what was being done, but at the same time he always looks at how they are treating others, and was having difficulties doing one thing for himself and another thing for others. 
Schlefstein said it was only about a $205 difference from what the finance committee had proposed. All voted in favor of changing the ordinance to be brought back to the next meeting except Adams and Supervisor Paul Roen who was absent due to being caught in an ice storm in Iowa following a bull sale.

 

JIMMY LAPLANTE CVSO
CAMP LEJEUNE PRESUMPTIVE CONDITIONS
 
The Department of Veterans Affairs finalized regulations effective March 14, 2017  to establish new presumptions of service connection for eight conditions for Veterans exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.  If you have a record of service at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, served there for at least 30 days during that period, and developed a condition that you believe is related to exposure to the drinking water at the base, VA recommends you file a disability compensation claim (which Plumas County Veterans Services will assist you with  please call 283-6275/6271).   Presumptive conditions are Kidney Cancer, Liver Cancer, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Adult Leukemia, Multiple Myeloma, Bladder Cancer, Parkinson ’s disease, and Aplastic Anemia/Myelodysplastic Syndromes.  The rule applies to all military active duty, reserve, and National Guard personnel that meet the requirements.  Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between the dates above are already eligible to receive VA healthcare for up to the 15 health conditions of esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, breast cancer, female infertility, multiple myeloma, leukemia, miscarriage, renal toxicity, neurobehavioral effects,lung cancer, bladder cancer, myelodysplastic syndrome, hepatic steatosis, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and scleroderma.   More information can be found online at:  http://www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/camp-lejeune/index.asp.  VA is reimbursing certain Veterans’ family members for eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses related to the 15 covered conditions.  More information can be found at: https://www.clfamilymembers.fsc.va.gov.  This new regulation became final on January 13, 2017 and the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) is working to implement the rule within 60 days (effective March 14, 2017). 
 
The Plumas County Veterans Service Office issues the DMV form in our office to get veteran status on California Drivers Licenses to Veterans honorably discharged.  We have outreach services now in Chester/Greenville on Wed and outreach services in Portola on Thursdays.  If you want to make an appointment for a representative to meet you in Chester/Greenville/Crescent Mills and Portola contact 283-6271/6275.  Kyle Short (VA Van Coordinator and claims representative 283-6271 coordinates the VA Veterans Van that departs from Quincy on Tues/Thurs at 0700 to VAMC Reno)  You must have an appointment at the VAMC Reno to access the VA Van.  If you are 60 years or older or disabled, and live in Plumas County  you can access the Senior Transportation Department for rides to medical appointments on days other than Tues/Thurs by calling Senior Transportation at 283-3546.
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Long Valley Creek, Feather River, A-23 photos by Nichole and behind Patterson Circle in Loyalton by Michael Welbourn.

WE APPRECIATE LIBERTY UTILITIES with many of its team members working non-stop for the last 30 to 36 hours.   Many of the outages have been restored.
A majority of South Lake Tahoe is back in service.  Areas along west shore and Alpine Meadows are still the largest concern.  Smaller pockets remain.​ - Photos courtesy Liberty Utilities

Note: Significant flooding is forecast for Sunday and we have been preparing for this event.