Status:           State of Emergency
 
Update: 
An Ad hoc committee was formed to work on the state of our water infrastructure. 
Tasks to accomplish in order by priority:

• Replacement of the 10” pipe that was bypassed while fixing leaks earlier this summer.  If that pipe does not get replaced before summer, the outside watering including lawns and gardens, car washing etc. will not be permitted, in order to have enough water pressure for fire suppression. 

 

• The Van Daam leak; of which we received funding from the State Department of Water Resources to repair this leak.

 

• The grants for the Planning Report have been submitted, and we are awaiting an acceptance of award amount.  Once we have the report, we can apply for further USDA Grants.

 

• Grant funding will not cover all costs for infrastructure replacement and repair. Low interest loans, or property tax special assessments will most likely be part to replace close to 75% of our city water system.    

How YOU can help: 

• Any water infrastructure grant opportunity you hear of, email them to the City of Loyalton at: sarah.cityofloyalton@gmail.com
• Attend the Water Committee community update meetings the 1st Thursday of every month / 6:30PM

In the City Hall auditorium.

• Attend the regular City Council meetings the 3rd Tuesday of each month / 6:30PM

In the City Hall auditorium.
 
 What to expect: 
A definite increase in water/sewer charges
Possible disruption of water source, as well as street detours due to construction. 

Next Meeting:  4/6/2023 Ad hoc Committee 5:30 PM / City Town Hall meeting 6:30 PM
Committee members:  Sarah Jackson, Joy Markum, Joyce Cameron, Dori Gayner (representing as school Board member), Pat McCarthy, Wendy Church-Bergstrom, Doug McCoy, William Mertton, and Kelly Champion.

 
To Nevada County Business Owners
 
We hope this email finds you and your employees safe. We understand many of you are facing tremendous challenges. Nevada County’s Economic Development office is making every effort to reach out to local businesses whose location has been damaged or whose operations are severely impacted.
 
The Nevada County Board of Supervisors declared a State of Emergency at a special meeting on March 7, 2023. As a result, the Building Department is waiving fees for construction permits to repair the damage to permitted structures due to the snow events dating back to February 24. The Environmental Health Department will waive any permit fee related to septic or well repairs necessary because of storm damage.  The Governor has also declared Nevada County in a State of Emergency. A State of Emergency helps enable government officials to seek state or federal aid for disaster response.
 
Listed below are resources to help you through these times. The Nevada County Economic Development office is available to speak with you and help direct you to resources within the county, the state, and federal government. If you are a business whose property has been damaged, please share that with our economic development office as it may help in making a case for potential funding from the state or federal government.
 
Local resources:

• Nevada County Economic Development Office, Kimberly Parker at (530) 470-2795 (o), (530) 913-1354 (c) or kimberly.parker@nevadacountyca.gov
• Nevada County Economic Resource Council, Gil Mathew at (530) 263-0730 or gil@ncerc.org 
• Small Business Development Center Jess Carr or Leslie Williams at (530) 582-5022 or info@sierrasbdc.com 
• Connecting Point 211 Call Center at 2-1-1 or 1-833-DIAL211
• Nevada County Contractors Association -  (530) 274-1919 or info@nccabuildingpros.com

If your business is located within any city limits, please reach out to your city contacts regarding your building permitting needs. 
 
State and federal resources:
 
You can check GO-Biz Community and Place-Based Solutions funding resources webpage. You will find emergency management funding opportunities from both state and federal levels.
 
You can also go to the California Office of the Small Business Advocate at https://calosba.ca.gov/. and click the link at the top of the welcome page to access and download their disaster resources one-pager. That has a host of information for small business recovery.
 
We will continue to monitor as more resources become available. Our risk assessment from the latest storms is in its early stage. Our goal is to get you directed to the assistance you need and then focus on how to work with businesses going forward to manage future weather risks. 

QUINCY, CA — As the pattern of winter storms continues and forecasts are indicating rain on snow, Plumas National Forest leadership is asking area residents and visitors to use caution in the forest.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the west side of the Forest from 10 a.m. today through 10 a.m. Sunday and for eastern Plumas County from 4 p.m. today through 11 a.m. Sunday. 
A Flood Advisory was issued for both sides of the forest from 1 p.m. today until 11 a.m. Sunday.  Additionally, a Flood Watch is in effect from western Plumas County through the west side of the forest from 1 p.m. today until 10 a.m. Sunday.
Large amounts of rain on recent snow can cause unstable conditions throughout the forest, not only in or near recent burned areas.
There is potential for slides and debris flows affecting forest roads, bridges, culverts, recreation sites, rivers and streams.
“Whenever we see potential for rain on snow events, our hydrologists, engineers and recreation staff are closely monitoring conditions and preparing to respond accordingly,” said Forest Supervisor Chris Carlton.  “During this shift in weather conditions, we are asking the public to stay aware of current conditions and travel or recreate safely.”
It is advised to avoid low-lying areas, including rivers and streams where flooding and debris flow can occur rapidly.  Avoiding recently burned areas and unstable slopes is also recommended.
Forest road conditions are poor as snow breaks up and roads become wet and muddy.  Travel on these roads is discouraged, as driving on saturated roads increases road damage, resulting in costly repairs which may take years to address.  The chances of getting stuck in these conditions is also higher, impacting emergency responders.
Area residents and visitors planning to travel or recreate in the forest should be prepared for the possibility that access becomes blocked.  It is encouraged to have a full tank of gas, as well as plenty of food, water, clothing and other supplies to be prepared.  It is recommended to let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back.  This helps if search and rescue becomes necessary.
Earlier this week, a dozer from the Feather River Ranger District, operated by a wildland firefighter, cleared roads in the Milsap Bar area near Berry Creek to help someone get out.
“We want everyone to have a safe and fun experience on the Plumas National Forest.  Sometimes that means delaying a trip for the sake of personal safety and preventing further resource damage,” Carlton said.
Forest leadership, including Plumas National Forest Fire and Aviation Management, have reached out to state and local agencies to offer emergency support during the storms, including equipment.
“These winter storms have provided several challenges to our local communities and public safety,” Carlton said.  “We are committed to providing support and helping out where we can.”
For those who come across storm-related damage in the Plumas National Forest, please contact your local office:  Beckwourth Ranger District (Blairsden) – 530-826-2575; Feather River Ranger District (Oroville) – 530-534-6500; Mount Hough Ranger District (Quincy) – 530-283-0555; Forest Supervisor’s Office – 530-283-2050.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas. 
 
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert following the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency amidst the ongoing series of storms set to continue through mid-March. The proclaimed state of emergency expands storm response and relief efforts in 21 additional counties including Butte, El Dorado, Fresno, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Lake, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and Yuba. In today’s alert, Attorney General Bonta urges Californians to take precautions to stay safe during the storms and reminds them that price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal under Penal Code Section 396.
“As Californians continue to endure extreme weather conditions, last night’s emergency declaration seeks to provide needed relief to affected communities across California,” said Attorney General Bonta. “While demand for essential goods and supplies may be impacted by the storms, Californians should not have to bear the burden of unreasonable price increases during a time of struggle for many. As price gouging protections are in full effect, I urge businesses to refrain from using this current demand as an opportunity to line their pockets. My office is closely monitoring the market and will take swift action against those who violate the law. If you believe you have been a victim of price gouging, I urge you to report it to your local authorities or to my office at oag.ca.gov/report.”
California law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10%, the price of an item before a state or local declaration of emergency. For any item a seller only began selling after an emergency declaration, the law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds the seller's cost of the item by more than 50%. This law applies to those who sell food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials, and gasoline. The law also applies to repair or reconstruction services, emergency cleanup services, certain transportation services, freight and storage services, hotel accommodations, and rental housing. Exceptions to this prohibition exist if, for example, the price of labor, goods, or materials has increased for the business.  
Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in a one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Violators are also subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, injunctive relief, and mandatory restitution. The Attorney General and local district attorneys can enforce the statute. 
For additional information on price gouging, please see oag.ca.gov/consumers/pricegougingduringdisasters.

 
The Tour de Manure Metric Century, held annually in Sierra Valley, will be on hiatus during 2023. An enthusiastic effort was put forth by a couple of organizations looking to spearhead the event, but the Sierra County Fire District #1, a main partner, has voted to put the Tour on ice for the time being. The Tour began in 2008 as a fundraiser for the fire department in Sierraville. Participation grew from a little more than 100 riders in the first year’s event to a sellout registration of 500 at the most recent ride in 2022. It brought thousands of dollars annually to the fire department, and eventually enabled the department to buy its first new fire and rescue truck specifically designed for local fire and rescue calls.
 
Interest remains high, and it is anticipated that 2024 will witness the Tour de Manure’s return to the Sierra Valley. Interested riders should continue to monitor the Tour’s Facebook page for updates, and can check in to the Tour’s website at www.tourdemanure.org as well.

Caltrans Crews Prepared for Emergency Response
MARYSVILLE – Motorists should prepare for a warm wet winter storm sweeping through the Sacramento Valley, foothills and Sierra, making travel difficult throught the weekend.
Caltrans is prepositioning equipment, resources, and personnel to strategic points to respond quickly to emergencies that may be triggered by widepsread valley and foothill rain, high elevation snow, flooding and gusty winds.
 
Weather forecasters predict up to 8 feet of snow is expected to accumulate over Donner Summit on Interstate 80 and more than 3 feet over Echo Summit on U.S. Highway 50 beginning today and continuing into Sunday night. As much 10 inches of rain is forecast in the foothills and mountain areas.
 
In the valley areas, 2-3 inches of rainfall is predicted for the Chico and Sacramento areas. Motorists are advised to be alert for possible flooded roadways, downed trees and power lines due to high winds.
 
Chain controls and additional travel time should be expected in mountain areas, with temporary highway closures possible due to whiteout conditions, spinouts or avalanche control work.Motorists are advised that speed limits during chain controls are reduced to 30 mph on I-80 and 25 mph on U.S. 50 and other mountain routes.
 
Caltrans reminds drivers to winterize vehicles by ensuring tires are properly inflated and have good tread (minimum 6/32 in snow areas), and to stock up with water, blankets, snacks, a flashlight and a full tank of gas before mountain travel.
 
In addition, motorists should never drive around a safety barrier or road closure sign or through flooded areas. As little as one foot of water can sweep a vehicle off the road.
 
Further tips for safe winter driving and information about chain controls can be found at dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips. District 3 recommends following the National Weather Service offices in Sacramento and Reno for daily weather forecasts. 
 
District 3 is responsible for maintaining and operating 4,385 lane miles in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. Check out Caltrans' “QuickMap” for current road conditions and chain requirements at quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or download the free QuickMap app on the App Store or Google Play. Motorists also can call the California Highway Information Network automated phone service at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).
 

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that the California State Board of Education (SBE) today approved $45 million in community schools planning grants as proposed by the California Department of Education (CDE), which builds on successful efforts to accelerate student learning through an integrated approach focused on academics, health and social services, and family and community engagement.

The $4 billion California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) is the nation’s largest investment in the success of high-needs students through a whole-child approach. Community schools partner with education, county, and nonprofit entities to provide integrated health, mental health, and social services alongside high-quality, supportive instruction with a strong focus on community, family, and student engagement.

Superintendent Thurmond is excited to continue to support the next phase of community schools transformation. “I have been a longtime advocate for community schools. Years ago, as a school board member, I introduced a policy to turn West Contra Costa Unified into a full-service community schools district. We have come a long way in our efforts to make community schools a reality throughout the state of California,” Thurmond said. “Community schools aim to break down the barriers that limit student and family access to needed services and resources, ensuring that the school site itself can become a place for a variety of services. Students cannot learn and families cannot prioritize education unless their basic needs are met and families have a pathway to elevate their assets—whether that is through wellness programs, nutritional programs, job training, counseling, or language and biliteracy programs.

“Our goals related to community schools are straightforward,” Thurmond continued. “Transform school climate through the implementation of restorative practices and steer away from punitive disciplinary practices that exclude and punish rather than embrace and repair.”

Thurmond sponsored community schools legislation in 2019 and, since the passage of the Community Schools Partnership Act, the CDE is leading the nation in implementing work to support the whole child and transform public education under Superintendent Thurmond’s leadership. Specifically:

• The CDE is awarding more than $700 million in grant awards for Planning and Implementation grants and more than $100 million in Technical Assistance grants through the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP).

 

• The CDE and the SBE designed the California Community Schools Framework, which has become a national model for Transformational Community Schools implementation guidance.

 

• The CDE has awarded a total of 419 planning grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) across the state and 76 implementation grants to LEAs that support 458 school sites, 447 of which have an unduplicated student count of over 80 percent, making the CCSPP one of the most authentic equity- and racial-justice-driven transformation programs in the history of California’s public education.

Thurmond’s history with community schools, and the tremendous workload undertaken by his administration to prioritize this, are why he chose to host his inauguration event at Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools in Los Angeles, a state-of-the-art facility that consists of six different pilot schools ranging from kindergarten to twelfth grade and enrolls more than 4,000 students.

The planning grants approved today by the SBE will provide 226 school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools with grants of up to $200,000 to work with families, educators, and community partners to plan for community schools. Grantees may apply in future years for grants to implement plans at schools.

With today’s vote, the CDE is awarding the third round of community schools grants that account for more than $700 million in total. The list of planning grants approved today can be found under Item 9 on the SBE March 2023 agenda. SBE President Linda Darling-Hammond stated, “Community schools provide supportive, nurturing, and inclusive learning environments to help all students thrive in academics and in life. In addition, they provide much-needed community resource hubs. I am grateful to the Governor, the Legislature, and the California Department of Education for their dedication to this important program.”

Community schools are a critical part of Thurmond’s Transforming California Schools Initiative. He is engaged in a series of visits to schools engaged in learning acceleration and attending to student mental health and the well-being of families. As part of that effort, he will continue to visit schools that have received CCSPP funding to highlight the transformational work happening on community school campuses. Next, Thurmond is scheduled to attend the grand opening of the Nicolas Community Center at Nicolas Junior High School in the Fullerton School District on Thursday, March 30.

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Winter weather and high winds are anticipated across the region this weekend. The expected combination of snow, freezing temperatures, and winds may produce hazardous conditions and the potential for outages.

Liberty is preparing for potential impacts from the storm and has brought in additional crews to assist with outage response. All of our linemen and additional crews are staged throughout our service territory, ready to respond to outages.

We understand that losing power is an inconvenience and encourage you to prepare in advance for the possibility of extended outages to help reduce discomfort.

Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Build an emergency kit that includes flashlights, battery operated radio, extra batteries, bottled water, warm clothing, blankets, and more.
• Plan for medical needs that may be impacted by a loss of power.
• Store at least a 48-hour supply of non-perishable food and water.
• Keep your cell phones and other electronic devices fully charged. You may want to consider purchasing a back-up battery device.
• Plan for heating and/or cooling for your home.
• View updates on our Outage Map or follow us on social media: Twitter (@LibertyUtil_CA) and Facebook (@LibertyUtilitiesLT).
• Understand how Liberty restores power.
• Find this information and more.

In the event of an outage, our crews will work around the clock to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Forecasts can change rapidly. Please stay tuned to your local news sources and take steps now to prepare for the potential for winter weather.
 
 

SACRAMENTO — Caltrans announced today that it is awarding more than $225 million for local projects designed to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries on city and county roads. Funding is provided through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP).


“Safety is always Caltrans’ top priority,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “These projects will enhance systemwide safety features, including enhancing safety for people who walk and bike, and move us closer to our vision of reaching zero fatalities and serious injuries on roadways throughout the state by 2050.”
 
Projects approved today in Lassen County include:

• Lassen Center Road (County Road A27) in Lassen County: Install edge rumble strips, centerline rumble strips and high friction surface treatment along length of corridor and advance curve warning and chevrons signs at two curves.

"This funding for transportation safety is crucial for improving and maintaining the safety of our District 2 transportation infrastructure," said Caltrans District 2 Director Dave Moore. "These safety projects will help work towards reducing the number of crashes and fatalities in Lassen County, creating a safer community for everyone."


A total of 282 projects from 155 local agencies will receive HSIP funds for safety enhancements that include pedestrian crossing enhancements, bike safety improvements and new traffic signals, roundabouts, turn lanes, rumble strips and guardrails. Caltrans awards these grants every other year to cities, counties and tribal governments.
 
Caltrans is using the Safe System approach – which emphasizes multiple layers of protection, including safer road designs – to achieve its goal of reducing to zero the number of fatalities and serious injuries on state roadways by 2050. Caltrans’ adoption of the Safe System approach builds on its ongoing work to embed safety in the state’s transportation system, and for that reason all transportation projects the department funds or oversees now must include “complete street” features that provide safe and accessible options for people walking, biking and taking transit.
 
More information on the program is available at Caltrans’ HSIP page, including a full list of approved projects.

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Urges Legislature to quickly adopt Senate Bill 478 to protect California consumers from junk fees
SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a statement in response to the call from the Biden Administration and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for states to better address the nationwide concern of hidden fees. On February 14, 2023, Attorney General Bonta, with Senator Bill Dodd and Senator Nancy Skinner, introduced Senate Bill 478 (SB 478), landmark legislation seeking to prohibit in California the practice of hiding mandatory fees, also known as junk fees. Attorney General Bonta urges the Legislature to approve the bill to provide stronger protections for Californians from the deceptive bait and switch of hidden fees.
“Transparency and full disclosure in pricing are crucial for fair competition and consumer protection,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The price you see should be the price you pay. Unfortunately, from car rental and hotel fees to concert ticket service charges, this bait-and-switch practice has become normalized in the purchasing process. It is unfair to businesses playing by the rules, and unfair to American families. With Senate Bill 478, California is heeding President Biden’s call to take action to hold businesses accountable for their deceptive and misleading practices at the expense of the financial security of consumers. My office will continue to work tirelessly to ensure an equal, level playing field and demand transparency across the board for the protection of California consumers.”
Bait-and-switch advertising to hide required fees is a significant problem facing consumers that appears to be proliferating in more and more sectors of the economy. Hidden required fees are now charged for a variety of goods and services, such as lodging, concert tickets, restaurants and food delivery, telecom and internet service, and car rentals and purchases. Hiding required fees is nothing more than a deceptive way of hiding the true cost of a good or service.
A draft of the proposed legislation is available here.

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Caucus is united against Newsom proposal that will risk price spikes & fuel rationing.



SACRAMENTO – All 18 members of the Assembly Republican Caucus have signed a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom opposing his plan to impose an oil windfall tax. The letter, circulated by Assemblyman Josh Hoover (R-Folsom), noted that the proposal would put Californians at risk of fuel shortages and price spikes.


“We know why gas prices are so high in California: taxes, fees and regulations drive up costs and restrict our fuel supply,” said Assemblyman Hoover. “The governor’s tax plan is a distraction from those issues and could make things even worse. I’m grateful for my colleagues who are standing up for California drivers by opposing this new tax.”


Last week, Asm. Hoover invited all 80 Assemblymembers to sign the letter and focus on real solutions to bring down gas prices.


To view the letter, list of signers, criticism of the governor’s plan from economists and energy industry experts, and alternative ways to lower fuel prices, CLICK HERE.


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Today, the Newsom Administration presented their budget before Assembly Budget Committee Sub 3 to give the High Speed Rail Authority another $526 million to spend on a failed project. The High Speed Rail Authority can no longer afford to build their route between Merced and Bakersfield; it is estimated to be between $10 and $12 billion in the hole according to last week’s project update. Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Central Valley), Vice Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, issued the following statement:
 
“The structurally flawed California High Speed Rail project continues to flounder – an absolute waste of taxpayer dollars. The Legislature should end the continuous funding to this project.
 
“Why is the state giving this failing project more than half a billion dollars when the state is facing more than $22.5 billion deficit?
 
“Voters were promised in 2008 that a $9 billion state investment would complete a high-speed rail that connects San Francisco and Los Angeles by 2020. The new project cost is approaching $128 billion.
 
“Taxpayers are getting fleeced. Facing out of control costs, delays and lower ridership projections, it is time for the Governor to stop this waste of taxpayer dollars.”
 
Please note: The state has given High Speed Rail $5.3 billion of cap-and-trade monies since its inception, not $4.3 billion as stated in the committee hearing.
 
# # #
Contact
Nghia.Nguyen@asm.ca.gov
916-813-8367
 
Assemblyman Vince Fong represents the 32nd Assembly District, which encompasses Kern
and Tulare Counties.
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Applying for federal disaster assistance from FEMA will not affect other federal benefits that California survivors may receive.

FEMA disaster grants are not taxable income. Accepting a FEMA grant will not affect eligibility for Social Security (SSI/SSDI), Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and other federal welfare and entitlement programs.
Disaster grants help survivors pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs, essential personal property replacement, including your assistive equipment (e.g., wheelchairs, hearing aids, etc.) and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other sources.
You can apply for disaster assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov,  by calling 800.621.3362, or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time, seven days a week.
The deadline for applications is March 16, 2023.
For an American Sign Language video on this topic, go online to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii7nc94B30c. 
For more information about California’s recovery from the storms and floods, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4683. You may also follow twitter.com/CalOES,  facebook.com/CaliforniaOES, @FEMARegion9/Twitter and Facebook.com/FEMA.
Flood survivors who apply for disaster assistance from FEMA may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for information on how to apply for a disaster loan. It’s important to submit the loan application as soon as possible. If your application is approved, you do not have to accept the loan but failure to return the application may disqualify you from other possible FEMA assistance.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency or economic status. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call the Civil Rights Resource line at 833-285-7448.
Recently, U.S. SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced a policy change granting 12 months of no payments and 0% interest. This pertains to all disaster loans approved in response to disasters declared on or after September 21, 2022, through September 30, 2023. This covers SBA disaster loans currently available for Hurricane Fiona and Hurricane Ian. This policy change will benefit disaster survivors and help them to decrease the overall cost of recovery by reducing the amount of accrued interest they must repay. Details are available through the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955. Individuals with verbal or hearing impairments may dial 7‑1‑1 to access telecommunications relay services from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday, or email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
 The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of funds for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property.  SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private, nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters, fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.  These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services.


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SACRAMENTO, California – California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the USDA Forest Service (USFS), and California ReLeaf welcome the support and sponsorship of Edison International and Blue Shield of California to celebrate California Arbor Week, March 7-14, 2023. This year, $50,000 in Arbor Week community tree-planting grants were made possible with Edison’s partnership, while Blue Shield is the new sponsor of the Arbor Week Youth Art Contest. Arbor Week Grants will fund 10 projects organized by community groups and nonprofits who are actively working to make their communities greener, healthier, and stronger with urban trees. CAL FIRE and the USFS are not recipients of these grants.
California’s trees matter–especially as we face a changing climate. One way we can build climate-resilient communities is by planting trees. Every tree planted works to pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, clean our air and water, cool our neighborhoods, provide habitat for wildlife, connect communities, and support our health and well-being.
A press conference was held on March 7, 2023, at South Prescott Park in Oakland to honor California Arbor Week and the Arbor Week grantees, as well as to unveil the 2023 Arbor Week Youth Art Contest winners. Following the press conference, a ceremonial Arbor Week tree planting was hosted by local urban forest nonprofit Common Vision with other Oakland community partners.
“We believe that a tree is not just a tree, but a symbol of hope, resilience, and community,” remarked Wanda Stewart, Executive Director of Common Vision. “Our nonprofit and community partners are working tirelessly to bring more green spaces to West Oakland because we understand that a thriving urban environment depends on the health and well-being of its residents. By planting trees and promoting urban greening, we are creating a legacy of sustainability and equity for future generations to enjoy."
Cindy Blain, Executive Director of California ReLeaf, said, “We are thrilled to work with all these great partners to celebrate California Arbor Week in Oakland. Arbor Week is an annual reminder to pause and celebrate the power of our urban trees and the communities that grow and care for them. Trees are a powerful nature-based solution to fight climate change and make a big difference in improving public health in our cities – and that is worth celebrating!”
California ReLeaf, CAL FIRE, and the USFS welcome the support of Edison International and Blue Shield of California in this important recognition of the value of trees. This year Edison International generously donated $50,000 for Arbor Week tree planting grants in their region to help combat extreme heat events in Southern California. Edison and public health officials recognize that extreme heat events greatly impact population health and that trees are vital in mitigating the urban heat island effect.
“California ReLeaf has the passion and expertise to positively tackle important environmental issues impacting our communities, and Edison International is proud to sponsor the Arbor Week tree planting grants for the fifth consecutive year,” said Alejandro Esparza, Principal Manager of Corporate Philanthropy and Community Engagement for Southern California Edison. “It is important that we continue to raise awareness and address the impacts that climate change has on our daily lives and Arbor Week reminds us that we all can do more to help.”
This year Blue Shield of California is sponsoring the California Arbor Week Youth Poster Contest to help educate and inspire the next generation about the importance of growing and protecting our urban forests. This year’s theme is “Trees Plant a Cooler Future.” The art contest encourages schoolchildren ages 5-12 to think about how trees can help make our communities cooler and healthier. Contest winners were announced, and their artwork was unveiled during the press conference.
“Trees are healthcare,” said Antoinette Mayer, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship at Blue Shield of California. “A robust urban tree canopy improves mental and physical health, combats climate change and pollution, and helps our neighbors build community. But our underserved communities are too often left behind. Blue Shield of California is proud to partner with California ReLeaf to sponsor this year’s California Arbor Week Youth Artist Contest and engage youth in becoming environmental ambassadors to create a more equitable and livable future for all Californians.”
California Arbor Week has the ongoing support of the USFS and CAL FIRE. Both agencies support community tree planting in urban areas of California through grant funding, education, and technical expertise on an ongoing basis.
“The Forest Service is dedicated to sustaining healthy, resilient forests – from our urban centers to our rural towns,” remarked Deputy Regional Forester Kara Chadwick. “We value the many partnerships of those gathering to commemorate Arbor Day and working across our Region to plant and care for trees that offset carbon emissions, improve community health and wellbeing, and nurture climate-resilient forests for future generations.”
Walter Passmore, CAL FIRE’s State Urban Forester, said, “California’s urban trees provide shelter from extreme heat, clean our air, and water, and soothe our minds and bodies. Trees work every day. Arbor Week is a celebration of all trees do for us and a time to plant or care for trees.” 

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Funds to help raise awareness for key environmental, social issues


Nevada City, Calif. (March 6, 2023) – The state of California is making an unprecedented investment in the arts. The “California Creative Corps” program will award 60 million dollars in grants statewide to implement media, outreach, and engagement campaigns. The goal is to increase awareness related to issues such as public health, water and energy conservation, climate mitigation, and emergency preparedness, relief, and recovery.  

The Nevada County Arts Council is the administering organization for the upstate region, which covers 19 counties in the northern part of the state. It will award more than 3 million dollars in grants for artists, as well as for arts and social service organizations that will employ artists between Spring 2023 and Spring 2024. Supporting local outreach with local knowledge, as well as technical assistance for artists, and program development and evaluation, are multiple county arts agencies serving what amounts to the largest, most diverse, geographic area in California.

“We are identifying issues that are specific to communities across our service region, and inviting artists to position themselves to create awareness around them and get paid for it,” says Eliza Tudor, executive director at Nevada County Arts Council. “We want our process to be as inclusive and accessible as possible and to draw upon creative processes that spur conversation around how to create lasting change that our diverse populations can take pride in.”

The launch of a statewide Creative Corps pilot program is the result of a recommendation from the Governor’s economic and jobs recovery task force and is the first of its kind in the nation.  Grant applications are now open and will run until April 14, 2023. There are multiple mechanisms in place for support in the grant application process, both regionally through Upstate Creative Corps, and locally, through county arts partners. These include informational webinars, grant writing workshops, training and panel discussions.  To learn more visit:  www.upstatecreativecorps.org. 

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Urges consumers to report violations of the law to the California Department of Justice at oag.ca.gov/report 
OAKLAND – In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta today highlighted ongoing efforts to protect California consumers and urged reporting misconduct or violations of state consumer protection laws to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) at oag.ca.gov/report. Complaints submitted by the public provide DOJ with important information about potential misconduct to help determine whether to investigate a business or individual. Enforcement priorities at DOJ include housing, debt collection, data privacy, higher education, telemarketing and consumer lending.  
“The State of California has some of the strongest consumer protections laws in the nation—and we’re busy urging the legislature to make them even stronger,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Unfortunately, unscrupulous businesses continue to prey on consumers and take advantage of opportunities to profit from harm. During National Consumer Protection Week, and all year long, I urge Californians who have been taken advantage of by predatory businesses, individuals, or practices, or have knowledge of any potential legal violations to file a complaint with my office. The leads we get from the public help us identify where companies are trying to skirt the law — and help us to hold those seeking to harm California consumers accountable.”
HOUSING: California is facing a housing shortage and affordability crisis of epic proportions. In February, California Attorney General Bonta sent a letter to the City Attorney of Huntington Beach regarding the city and City Planning Commission’s consideration of a proposed ordinance that would seek to exempt the City of Huntington Beach from the Builder's Remedy provision of the state’s Housing Accountability Act designed to ensure access to affordable housing. The notice comes after Attorney General Bonta announced the creation of a Housing Strike Force within the California Department of Justice in Novemeber 2021, and launched a Housing Portal on DOJ’s website with resources and information for California homeowners and tenants.  
The Housing Strike Force encourages Californians to send complaints or tips related to housing to housing@doj.ca.gov. The Housing Strike Force is particularly interested in tips relating to illegal evictions and rent increases, housing discrimination, and mortgage origination and servicing. Information on legal aid in your area is available at www.lawhelpca.org. 
DEBT COLLECTION: State law protects Californians from abusive, unfair, or deceptive debt collection practices. Attorney General Bonta urges Californians who receive a notice from a debt collector to respond as soon as possible — even if they do not owe the debt. If you do not, the collector may continue trying to collect the debt, report negative information to credit reporting companies, and even sue you. 
Debt collectors cannot repeatedly contact you over a short period of time to annoy or harass you, make false or misleading statements, or contact you at unusual or inconvenient times or places. In November 2022, California Attorney General Bonta filed a brief in support of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in its case against the National Collegiate Student Loan Trusts for engaging in illegal debt collection of student loans. 
If you believe a debt collector is violating the law, you can file a complaint at oag.ca.gov/report. More information on debt collection can be found at oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/debt-collectors. 
DATA PRIVACY: The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) provides consumers with groundbreaking rights over their personal information, including:

• Right to Know – Consumers may request that a business tell them what specific personal information they have collected, shared or sold about them, and why it was collected, shared, or sold.
• Right to Delete — Consumers may request that a business delete personal information that the business collected from the consumer, subject to some exceptions.
• Right to Opt-Out — If a business sells their personal information, consumers may request that it stop doing so.
• Rights for Minors — A business cannot sell the personal information of minors under the age of 16 without their permission and, for children under 13, without parental consent.
• Right to Non-Discrimination — A business may not discriminate against consumers who exercise their rights under the CCPA. 

Earlier this year, Attorney General Bonta announced an investigative sweep, sending letters to businesses with mobile apps failing to comply with the CCPA. For more information about the CCPA, visit oag.ca.gov/ccpa. To report a violation of the CCPA to the Attorney General, submit a complaint at oag.ca.gov/report. You can also use the Consumer Privacy Tool to directly notify businesses that do not have a clear and easy-to-find “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” link on their homepage. 
HIGHER EDUCATION: There is a $1.7 trillion student loan debt crisis in the United States, and DOJ is committed to protecting California student loan borrowers from bad actors. In February, Attorney General Bonta co-led a multistate coalition in a comment letter supporting the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) proposed changes to income-driven repayment plans for federal student loan borrowers, helping ensure greater access to more affordable repayment terms. In June 2022, after a decade-long legal battle by DOJ to hold Corinthian Colleges accountable for its predatory conduct, the Attorney General commended ED’s decision to grant federal student loan debt relief to 560,000 borrowers who attended Corinthian Colleges. Additionally, in April 2022, DOJ submitted a “borrower defense” application to the ED on behalf of California students defrauded by Education Corp. of America (ECA), seeking full relief for borrowers defrauded by ECA between June 2016 and December 2018.
If you believe you have been the victim of a predatory loan, deceived by a for-profit college, or otherwise taken advantage of, you can file a complaint at oag.ca.gov/report.
TELEMARKETING: Telephone scams, like robocalls and robotexts, can result in people losing millions through phishing texts, imposter scams, and links containing ransomware. Last year alone, consumers reported losing nearly $8.8 billion to scams. If you believe you have been a victim of telephone scams, you can file a complaint with your local authorities or with our office. 
In February, Attorney General Bonta issued a consumer alert urging Californians to beware of romance scams and exercise caution in their dealings with strangers. In December 2022, Attorney General Bonta joined a bipartisan coalition in support of the Federal Communications Commission’s proposal to require mobile wireless providers to block illegal text messages from phone numbers that are invalid, unallocated, unused, or found on a “do-not-originate” list, in an effort to fight against robotexts.
CONSUMER LENDING: Attorney General Bonta is committed to protecting vulnerable California borrowers from predatory lenders and others who would seek to take advantage of them. Last month, Attorney General Bonta secured a court decision against Curacao, a retail store chain in Southern California, for unlawfully selling insurance through unlicensed, unqualified salespeople as a means to profit from the chain's largely Latino immigrant customer base. In August 2022, the Attorney General announced a $15.5 million settlement against Rent-A-Center, one of the nation’s largest rent-to-own companies, for violations of state consumer protection laws relating to unlawful leasing practices and deceptive marketing. California consumers who have fallen victim to predatory lenders should file a complaint at oag.ca.gov/report. 
Californians should also try to avoid certain loans when possible. To avoid getting stuck in a debt trap, avoid payday loans if you can. Payday loans can turn a short-term need for emergency cash into a long-term, unaffordable cycle of high-interest loans that you cannot repay. In California, payday lenders can loan up to $300 and charge a maximum of $45 in fees. Although this fee may not seem too high, the average annual percentage rate for payday loans is 372%. This is a much higher rate than most other loans or credit cards. You can contact the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation to check the license of a payday lender, history of disciplinary actions against a payday lender, or to file a complaint. You can also file a complaint with our office. 

Regarding city communications, Councilmember Morton reported she attended the Beckwourth Fire Department meeting on the 15th. Councilmember Powers reported that he is continuing to work with Wildland firefighters to improve the fire facilities at Nervino Airport. He also spoke regarding the abandoned courthouse and the possibility to move city hall to that location.
Mikki, from the Air Quality Management District, reported that they will be doing the Safe Wood Stove event on April 22nd, at the Veterans Memorial Hall, where they will have vendors and installers to educate the public on safe wood stoves.
Council held a closed session regarding labor negotiators with Interim City Manager Jon Kennedy. They reported “no reportable action,” from the closed session.
The next agenda item was regarding COVID remote meetings. Steve Gross spoke regarding Brown Act laws for meetings and different options for participation. He mentioned hybrid meetings and the necessity for language in the agenda that is easier to understand. Comments were made to go back to the traditional style of meetings, as well as integrating visual and audio for meetings.
Under the consent agenda, the council approved the authorization of payments and minutes from the meeting held May 18, 2022.
A public hearing was conducted to receive public comment and consider the adoption of the initializing resolution of application to Local Agency Formation (LAFCo) for the formation of the new Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District. Ashlee Sims commented regarding how the majority of the new district is Forest Service property, and asked “how much will this new fire district actually be responsible for?” She also mentioned that the documents provided by Plan West says that the city has three ongoing housing projects, which she believes there are only two that she is aware of, both of which have been talked about for over 20 years, with no actual work done on either, and she questioned the validity of the document. “The fire department in Portola was dissolved because of mismanagement by the city of Portola. The public does not trust you to handle this any better. I am also concerned how this project actually benefits the public. It appears that all you want is revenue. Where is the implementation plan for this reorganization? Taxes will increase significantly, and for renters that means rent increases as well. It is still going to be the same people operating it, and the MSR shows that they are all incapable of operating their smaller individual districts. There is not going to be anything different.
“In addition, I noticed last week that the City of Portola who is the lead agency did not file the proper paperwork for CEQA and I wanted to make sure that the City knows, as well, that you can’t just claim secret
exemption, and can’t self-proclaim it. You have to file the paperwork and stuff. I did speak with the people that are in charge of that. Also, I believe you would need a public hearing regarding the CEQA portion, as well, especially because you plan on building in classrooms, and I know that Beckwourth plans on building a facility to house volunteers or staff, so I just wanted to bring that to light, as well.”
Kennedy responded with saying the exemption is ready to be filled, and go through the proper procedures, but it can’t be done until all the resolutions are adopted by the agencies. Chris Spencer, newly appointed Plumas Planning Commissioner for District One, commented regarding her experience working with fire districts in Truckee, and the fire district’s commitment to the local community, as well, as the importance of responding to medical and emergency calls. “The key is that the community knows that they elect the board members to this new fire district, and we can hold them accountable,” she added.
Gross responded that the resolution, if adopted, would indeed make the finding that the project is exempt from CEQA under CEQA guideline 15320. He said it’s based off the city council’s belief that the adoption resolution that it can be seen with certainty that there’s no possibility that the activity in question, I.E. the reorganization of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, would have a significant effect on the environment. Motion was approved.
Music in the Park was discussed, as well as the budget and possible bands.
A new Employment Contract Agreement was reviewed for Interim City Manager employment between the City of Portola and John Kennedy. The new term of the contract runs until February of 2025. Under compensation, the salary will be $120,000. Under termination of employment without cause, the Manager will be provided with severance pay for two-three months after separation. Ashlee Sims gave a public comment regarding why the title is still being called “interim,” when it is a longer period of time than two years. She also encouraged whoever is in charge of posting job openings for the City, that they post a permanent position for the City Manager. She said with the extension of his contract, Kennedy will be serving for three years, and encouraged the city to actively move forward with a permanent applicant. Motion was approved. - Written by Arielle Hardy
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