​LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL met in special session Tuesday, December 27th after the regular meeting of December 20th had been cancelled.
Present were Council members, Brooks Mitchell and Ernie Teague and Mayor Mark Marin. This was Ernie’s last meeting as he was retiring. Pat Whitley was absent due to a doctor’s appointment and John Cussins had resigned his position.
Being his last meeting, Ernie made a statement thanking Kristin and Nancy for running when previously, Loyalton had had to appoint members. He told how half the voters did not vote and called it a “big, big job ahead.”
Jason Christian of Portola approached the Council about the tree mortality with the Loyalton co-generation plant and managing and directing a UC Loyalton initiative, being an advisor for the City. This will be agendized next meeting.
Payment of bills totaling $108,205.91 was approved after City Bookkeeper Kim Lombardi warned of a “very, very thin financial line.” She mentioned a policy of not spending over $200 without approval and adhering to that. She stated “surprise expenses” make it tough.
There was discussion and possible action regarding water and sewer rates which had been frozen five years ago. Brooks Mitchell talked of charges which should be up two percent for each year which would total $38.26 for water and $87.87 for sewer.  Brooks stated Mary Fleming Leslie, RDS Environmental working for the City from Rural Community Assistance Corporation, is working to see what should be charged.
Ernie questioned and was told the money is used for water and sewer. He called it “a very high amount,” and how most, two-thirds or more residents are “very economically challenged” and would have a hard time paying it. 
Brooks told of a problem with the City meeting the fee schedule and the City is losing more and more revenue sources. He said the 2008 loan required a 2% raise every year. 
Ernie stated it was the same issue as four years ago and the “same people won’t pay one cent.” He called it “something drastic” near $400,000 owed in delinquent bills at the trailer park which would not be allowed anywhere else. “Enough is enough,” he stated and said they would kick the can down the road. He said the park will not sell.
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THREE PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS were made during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held in Loyalton on Tuesday, December 20th. Two of the current members’ terms expire on December 31st and one was a vacancy. The Board received six timely applicants: Jenna Endres of Calpine, Liz Fisher of Downieville, Janet Baldridge of Calpine, Sharon Dobija of Sierra City, Michael Miller of Alleghany, and Michael Filippini of Loyalton. 
Board Chair Lee Adams stated Sharon Dobija withdrew her application, so there were five applicants. Supervisor Scott Schlefstein made the motion to reappoint Liz Fisher, who would like to “continue working in a place to be part of a healthy, thriving community and county,” and appoint Mike Filippini, who has “a background in public administration and education that I think provides me with skills and insights that would be useful,” and Jenna Endres who believes “land use decisions are an important part of protecting our County’s quality of life and believe my professional experience can make a positive impact on Sierra County.” 
Supervisor Paul Roen was concerned about Endres, MPA, AICP, Senior Planner in Town of Truckee Community Development Department, formerly Senior Planner, Building and Safety Division Santa Barbara County Planning and Development, being a full-time 
Planner with the City of Truckee. County Counsel stated there would be no conflict of interest as long as Endres wasn’t employed in Sierra County as a Planner. 
Motion passed for Fisher and Filippini, but failed for Endres with Supervisor Peter Huebner, Chair Adams and Supervisor Roen voting no. Supervisor Roen made the motion to appoint Janet Baldridge, whose “30 years living in the Tahoe region has made me very aware of what can happen to an area without strong, directed and controlled growth.” 
Baldridge was appointed with Supervisor Jim Beard voting no.

​DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION regarding the status of the Loyalton Mobile Home Park was made at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held in Loyalton on Tuesday, December 20th. Sierra County Auditor Van Maddox stated the Park did not sell at auction. He received an email from the State that said it is looking at revoking the permit but won’t have anything definite until the middle of January. 
Maddox wasn’t sure what the process would be. Supervisor Paul Roen was hoping for some relocation opportunities with the State closing it and not the County. 
County Counsel said there was a possibility of some relocation funding, which is a benefit with the State taking the lead.  Maddox stated, how fast they move will be the question, and added that the County should go forward with the code violations, so the State is clear on all the problems. He concluded by saying at least they are starting and at that point he will be back to the Board about selling it not as a trailer park. 
Supervisor Scott Schlefstein wanted the public aware that the State of California is the only entity that can revoke the permit. He added the State is in complete control and Sierra County has no control over it. Board Chair Lee Adams thought maybe they should contact Assemblyman Dahle and Senator Gaines to move this forward. 
Maddox hoped he would have something more by the next meeting in Loyalton. 
Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals said they have 80% completion of inventory on the land use issues on the property. He stated there were building permit issues, land use issues and illegal dumping. Beals said he tried to engage the City of Loyalton and they have not responded. He felt the task would be done by the next board meeting. 

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the appointment of Yvette Durant to a judgeship in the Sierra County Superior Court.

Durant, 51, of Truckee, has served as a commissioner at the Nevada County Superior Court since 2011. She was a sole practitioner from 1999 to 2011 and an associate at Tonon and Associates in 1999. Durant was an associate at Ashbaugh Beal from 1991 to 1993. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nevada, Reno. She fills the vacancy created by the death of Judge John P. Kennelly. Durant is a Democrat.

The compensation for this position is $191,612.

Wow, talk about "cut to the chase" interesting - just plug in your county, and the # of working adults + non working children to see if you could afford to live, with a full time minimum wage job...  It's all spelled out...
Russell 




http://www.latimes.com/visuals/graphics/la-me-g-california-new-minimum-wage-20160328-htmlstory.html

PETA WARNS SIERRA COUNTY RESIDENTS: ANIMALS WILL DIE DURING SEVERE WEATHER
Leaving Animals Outside in Freezing Temperatures Is a Deadly Criminal Act
 
Sierra County, Calif. — Every year, PETA receives thousands of complaints about people who leave animals outside in the cold. Cold temperatures and inclement weather spell extra hardship for "backyard dogs," who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care. Although they have fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from deadly frostbite and exposure, and they can become dehydrated when water sources freeze. That's why PETA is working with law-enforcement officials across the country to get charges filed against people who illegally leave their animals outside to die or to shiver and ache in the cold all day and night.
 
As your area prepares for strong winds, heavy snowfall, and bitter temperatures, will you please share the following information with your audience now and throughout the winter in order to help protect animals?


·       Keep animals indoors. This is absolutely critical when it comes to puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or a coat on walks. Don't allow your cat or dog to roam outdoors. During cold weather, cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started.
·       Wipe off your dogs' or cats' legs, feet, and stomachs after they come in from the snow. Salt and other chemicals can make them sick if ingested. You should also increase animals' food rations during cold weather because they burn more calories in an effort to stay warm.
·       Keep an eye out for stray animals. Take unidentified animals indoors until you can find their guardians, or take them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call your local humane society for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.
·       If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements, please notify authorities. For information on what constitutes adequate shelter, click here.
·       During extreme cold weather, birds and other animals may have trouble finding food and water. Offer rations to wildlife who are caught in storms or whiteouts by spreading birdseed on the ground. Provide access to liquid water by filling a heavy water bowl and breaking the surface ice twice a day. Remember to remove the food once the weather improves, in order to encourage the animals to move on to warmer areas.
 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) wants all motorists on the roadways to drive safely during their travel this holiday season.  As part of its upcoming Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP), the CHP reminds motorists to buckle up, avoid distracted driving, designate a sober driver, and always travel at a safe speed for conditions. 


The CHP Christmas MEP will begin at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, December 23, and will end at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, December 26.  Although the focus of this MEP is on speed enforcement, officers will also be looking for distracted drivers and those who are not buckled up.  In addition, officers and drug recognition experts will be looking for all signs of impaired driving as well as assisting motorists wherever needed.


“The Christmas holiday is a wonderful time of year for family and friends to get together and enjoy lasting memories.  The CHP wants all motorists to slow down and arrive safely at their destination,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow.


During the 2015 Christmas MEP, 35 people died on California’s roadways.  Among the
12 people who died in the CHP’s jurisdiction, 50 percent were not wearing seat belts.  Wearing a seat belt is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in the event of a traffic collision.  During last year’s MEP period, the CHP made 700 arrests for driving under the influence. 


The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) calls impaired driving an immediate crisis in the United States.  The NHTSA reports that 35,092 people were killed in motor vehicle collisions in 2015, ending a five-decade trend of declining fatalities.  Research shows almost one in three fatalities involved impaired drivers or speeding. 


“Making wise decisions, such as wearing your seat belt, traveling at a safe speed, and designating a sober driver, will help improve your safety on the roadways,” Commissioner Farrow emphasized.  “These choices could save your life or the life of someone you love.”


The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security to the people of California.
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By Jon Coupal
President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Once upon a time we called them “public servants.” Today, most taxpayers struggle to keep a straight face when this term is used to describe the well-paid, elite who govern us.
In a state where the median per capita income is just over $30,000, Gov. Brown, legislators and other state elected officials will celebrate the holidays with a four percent pay raise. The California Citizens Compensation Commission, whose members are appointed by the governor, decided the improved economy and healthy state budget justified the raise. California lawmakers, who were already the most generously paid in all 50 states, will now receive $104,115, earning them $14,774 more per year than the next highest. Of course, this does not count the additional $176 per day in “walking around money,” living expenses lawmakers receive for every day the Legislature is in session, amounting to an average of $34,000.
The governor, too, is now the highest paid at $190,100 — Pennsylvania’s governor is actually slated to make $723 more, but Gov. Tom Wolf does not accept the salary.
Do Californians pay their governor, the top executive of a state government responsible to nearly 40 million constituents, enough? The fact that there is never a shortage of candidates for this job is an indication that the pay is sufficient. So, the question arises, why do many government employees receive more than the governor?
At the local level, most cities have as their chief executive, a city manager. Of 479 cities – out a total of 482 – reporting to the state controller, 279 are paid more than the governor. Of these, 24 receive over $300,000 annually.
For some cities, paying their top administrator a high salary seems to be a matter of vanity. Councilmembers, who approve generous compensation, will take the position that their city deserves a highly-paid manager, the same way some car buyers justify the purchase of a luxury vehicle. Just as the neighbors may be impressed by the new Mercedes, neighboring cities will be impressed with their city’s ability to overpay the help. This, of course, puts pressure on surrounding cities to keep up with the Joneses.
While some city hall insiders will argue that higher pay is justified by a larger population, there seems to be no actual correlation.
Escondido, California’s most generous city, has been compensating its manager $413,000 annually to serve a population of 151,000. In slightly larger Palmdale, the manager receives $138,000 to look after 160,000 residents. And then there is Garden Grove with a population of 177,000 where the city manager gets $89,000.
A few years ago, the city manager in Bell went to prison for illegally compensating himself $800,000 per year. However, although it may not be illegal, the city of Vernon stands out as a candidate for the most profligate in the state. Its top executive is paid more than $328,000. The city’s population is only 210, which means that each resident is responsible for over $1,560 to compensate the manager. (The rumor that Vernon’s top executive insists on being called “Your Majesty” could not be verified.) Another small city, Gustine in Merced County, with a population of 5,482 gets the award for most frugal. It pays its city manager $909 annually.
While there are other areas of government employee compensation that beg examination, the range of pay for city managers seems to be the most irrational.
Still, none of these local administrators is close to the state’s top salary of $3.35 million. But since the program generates the revenue to pay UCLA football coach Jim Mora, he is more likely to be criticized for his record more than his salary.




Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association --


California’s largest grass-roots taxpayer organization, dedicated to the


protection of Proposition 13 and the advancement of taxpayers’ rights.

​

Previously with Sierra Destination Realty in Clio, she has lived and worked in the Plumas County area for 23 years. Juli brings a wealth of local knowledge, experience and market knowledge to the Dickson Graeagle Team.
“I chose Dickson Realty because of its culture, support, superior reputation, as well as the exceptional resources the company offers to both agents and clients alike,” said Thompson. Her background includes office management in local county government with environmental health, real estate sales, marketing and land development. She has successfully worked as a resort and second home specialist throughout Eastern Plumas County for the past four years. 

Juli is a proud grandmother of two and enjoys everything the High Sierras have to offer including fishing, hiking, horseback riding and photography.

The Dickson Graeagle office is located near the intersection of Highways 89 and 70 at 8912 Highway 89, Blairsden, 96103. Juli can be reached at (530) 927-7058 or jthompson@dicksonrealty.com.
About Dickson Realty
Dickson Realty has offices in Caughlin Ranch, Downtown Reno, Sparks, Somersett, Damonte Ranch and Montrêux in Reno/Sparks, Nev., as well as Graeagle, Donner Lake and Truckee, Calif. Dickson Realty is the market leader and has been in business since 1973. For more information, visit dicksonrealty.com.