LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL met June 16th. City Council member Sue McIlravy reported the tennis court had been torn out and it was paved that day and be open mid-July. Mayor Joy Markum announced T-Mobile had started work on the Verizon cell tower and should be up and running in a month, paying $750/month, adding to the $1,500 Verizon pays.
HEALTH CONCERNS
A letter from Elizabeth Morgan, MPH, REHS, Sierra County Environmental Health concerns “a significant public health nuisance” within the City at 215 Church Street and 11 Zollinger Street. The letter states, “The current conditions on the property are not only an esthetic nuisance, but a health and safety hazard. Photos showed “the accumulation of vehicles, equipment, demolition debris and other solid waste.” The issues of concern include: potential rodent and pest infestations, possible oil and fluid leaks from the vehicles, increased fire risk and general public safety concerns, including visual flight and potential hazards to nearby residents and passerby’s. The property is zoned residential yet with solid waste debris indicates the property is being used as “vehicle storage, automotive junk yard, equipment yard, with evidence of operating a dismantling yard/salvage operations which is not consistent with residential zoning.” The letter lists violations of several sections of the California Code of Regulations pertaining to storage and removal of solid waste. And, the City previously adopted Ordinance 403 adding Chapter 6.32 (Nuisances) to the City Municipal Code with tools to abate a nuisance within the City.
“In conclusion, the Health Department requests the City of Loyalton take appropriate measures to ensure this nuisance be abated, and the accumulation of solid waste/debris removed from the property and properly disposed of.” City Clerk Kathy LeBlanc called it a “long process,” yet they can abate the property at the City’s cost and recoup it. Vice Mayor Bill Mertton stated to refer it to the attorney, send him the information and let him send a letter.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The Council was questioned why a moratorium on data centers wasn’t on the agenda. Sue told of a lot of information came out and it was all under the assumption the mill had sold to a data center. “It’s not there yet,” she said, adding they don’t see property they can put a data center on. She stated they can always do special meetings. She said it would go to the County. Joy stated the fact they can’t provide water and hoped the County would stay on it as the City provides water to the mill. With most property in the City zoned residential/commercial, City Clerk Kathy stated it would have to be on Main Street and would drain wells. Joy was assured ranchers aren’t selling property and stated, “don’t panic.”
CONTINUED STATE OF EMERGENCY
The Council reaffirmed its State of Emergency Water Distribution System and told of recent repair of water leaks. Sue stated, “You report it and we fix it.” She stated a “goal” to go out to bid or engineer and contractors and start going from Mill Street and repair up to the water tanks. She added to extend its grant because of limited time due to winter. She gave the Environmental Protection Act September 30th grant out date and stated they’d “fight that.” From the audience, it was asked what would lift the emergency. Sue replied, they are still in the repair process and to get the infrastructure fixed. She told how it helps to qualify for grants.
Concerning USDA grants, citizens were asked to help if interested and Council member Shawn Moran volunteered for a committee.
CONSOLIDATION OF ELECTION
The City approved Resolution 1-2026 requesting the County conduct the election and consolidate the City election with the November 3, 2026 General Election. Three Council positions, Shawn, Joy and Sue will be up for election. Jerry, Bill and Kathy LeBlanc will be up in two years.
STREET LIGHT REPAIR
Shawn gave an estimate of $2,332.72 to repair the street light blown down by the wind and which controls all the City lights. Sue moved, seconded by Jerry Gerow not to exceed $2,400.
TOW BILL FUNDS
Concerning Tow Bill Funds, Sue told of the dump full so there’s no room to tow cars. She suggested they take money from TOT funds and dedicate it to a Tow Fund. In the audience, Travis stated, “It can happen. Cars tagged, nothing happens.” He stated, “Let’s get it moved,” and Sue stating, “Let’s find our cost.”
HEALTH CONCERNS
A letter from Elizabeth Morgan, MPH, REHS, Sierra County Environmental Health concerns “a significant public health nuisance” within the City at 215 Church Street and 11 Zollinger Street. The letter states, “The current conditions on the property are not only an esthetic nuisance, but a health and safety hazard. Photos showed “the accumulation of vehicles, equipment, demolition debris and other solid waste.” The issues of concern include: potential rodent and pest infestations, possible oil and fluid leaks from the vehicles, increased fire risk and general public safety concerns, including visual flight and potential hazards to nearby residents and passerby’s. The property is zoned residential yet with solid waste debris indicates the property is being used as “vehicle storage, automotive junk yard, equipment yard, with evidence of operating a dismantling yard/salvage operations which is not consistent with residential zoning.” The letter lists violations of several sections of the California Code of Regulations pertaining to storage and removal of solid waste. And, the City previously adopted Ordinance 403 adding Chapter 6.32 (Nuisances) to the City Municipal Code with tools to abate a nuisance within the City.
“In conclusion, the Health Department requests the City of Loyalton take appropriate measures to ensure this nuisance be abated, and the accumulation of solid waste/debris removed from the property and properly disposed of.” City Clerk Kathy LeBlanc called it a “long process,” yet they can abate the property at the City’s cost and recoup it. Vice Mayor Bill Mertton stated to refer it to the attorney, send him the information and let him send a letter.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The Council was questioned why a moratorium on data centers wasn’t on the agenda. Sue told of a lot of information came out and it was all under the assumption the mill had sold to a data center. “It’s not there yet,” she said, adding they don’t see property they can put a data center on. She stated they can always do special meetings. She said it would go to the County. Joy stated the fact they can’t provide water and hoped the County would stay on it as the City provides water to the mill. With most property in the City zoned residential/commercial, City Clerk Kathy stated it would have to be on Main Street and would drain wells. Joy was assured ranchers aren’t selling property and stated, “don’t panic.”
CONTINUED STATE OF EMERGENCY
The Council reaffirmed its State of Emergency Water Distribution System and told of recent repair of water leaks. Sue stated, “You report it and we fix it.” She stated a “goal” to go out to bid or engineer and contractors and start going from Mill Street and repair up to the water tanks. She added to extend its grant because of limited time due to winter. She gave the Environmental Protection Act September 30th grant out date and stated they’d “fight that.” From the audience, it was asked what would lift the emergency. Sue replied, they are still in the repair process and to get the infrastructure fixed. She told how it helps to qualify for grants.
Concerning USDA grants, citizens were asked to help if interested and Council member Shawn Moran volunteered for a committee.
CONSOLIDATION OF ELECTION
The City approved Resolution 1-2026 requesting the County conduct the election and consolidate the City election with the November 3, 2026 General Election. Three Council positions, Shawn, Joy and Sue will be up for election. Jerry, Bill and Kathy LeBlanc will be up in two years.
STREET LIGHT REPAIR
Shawn gave an estimate of $2,332.72 to repair the street light blown down by the wind and which controls all the City lights. Sue moved, seconded by Jerry Gerow not to exceed $2,400.
TOW BILL FUNDS
Concerning Tow Bill Funds, Sue told of the dump full so there’s no room to tow cars. She suggested they take money from TOT funds and dedicate it to a Tow Fund. In the audience, Travis stated, “It can happen. Cars tagged, nothing happens.” He stated, “Let’s get it moved,” and Sue stating, “Let’s find our cost.”
