SIERRA COUNTY Natural Resources, Planning & Building Inspection Committee met in session on Tuesday, December 15th in Loyalton to review the existing County Ordinance No. 1055 regarding cultivation of medicinal marijuana and possible recommendation regarding revisions to said ordinance.
This was the second meeting on this topic with the first being in Downieville. The Loyalton Social Hall was full of residents for and against a revision to the ordinance. The meetings came about when residents from Sierra Brooks, with 300 signatures throughout the County, approached the Board of Supervisors in August to reduce the amount of plants as well as several other revisions. After much debate, the Committee and many in the audience felt this was a zoning issue.
Another meeting will be held in Downieville sometime in January before the Com-mittee presents its recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Lee Adams assured the growers that any changes made would be before the beginning of the growing season. There was also talk about putting commercial growing on next year’s ballot for Sierra County’s vote.
SIERRA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ meeting was held Tuesday, December 15th in Loyalton. During department managers’ reports, Sierra County Sheriff Tim Standley was concerned over the level of funding being proposed by the Humboldt-Toiyabe Forest of $1,550 for law enforcement services.
He stated in 2014 the amount was cut to $11,100 and in 2015 the amount was cut to $8,000. Standley said this amount was very disappointing and wondered if they should even pull resources out of our communities to assist the Forest.
Supervisor Lee Adams asked the County Clerk if the Board could get amounts over the last couple decades to see what the highest level was for all three forests that Sierra County serves, adding they may decide to suspend contracts and respond only to emergencies.
Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals reported the County was dealing with a substantial issue concerning the permit to operate Loyalton Mobile Estates, to be suspended. He stated if this happens it will put an incredible burden on the County because of land use issues as well as social aspects. Beals said there was an inspection last week at Loyalton Mobile Estates and findings were not positive. He concluded they were awaiting the next move and felt this topic should be on a future Board meeting.
DISCUSSION to send a letter regarding the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) to Tahoe National Forest Supervisor Tom Quinn and to Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor Dunkelberger and Plumas National Forest Supervisor Lovato was had at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting Tuesday in Loyalton. Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals stated it is apparent that the conversion of campgrounds will now impact receipts in Lakes Basin and Long Valley, adding these are significant financial issues. He said there was a lot of support from the Forests at the local level but at the policy level there was no support. Beals felt the County needed to get proactive with the Forest Service to address these fiscal concerns. Sierra County Auditor Van Maddox said TOT for 2013-14 was $72,000, in 2014-15 it dropped to $60,000 this year will be $24,000 and stated “that’s it.” Supervisor Lee Adams said this is a serious amount for the County. County Counsel Jim Curtis said Sierra County is at the bottom of the pyramid of power. Adams asked about working up a draft letter stating if the forests don’t reconsider and start repaying the County will close the landfill to them. Supervisor Paul Roen stated Sierraville District Ranger Quentin Youngblood told of a conversation with Quinn who stated the issue is at the Regional Level. Roen wanted to see what Youngblood could find out before going too far. By consensus the Board authorized the letter.
This was the second meeting on this topic with the first being in Downieville. The Loyalton Social Hall was full of residents for and against a revision to the ordinance. The meetings came about when residents from Sierra Brooks, with 300 signatures throughout the County, approached the Board of Supervisors in August to reduce the amount of plants as well as several other revisions. After much debate, the Committee and many in the audience felt this was a zoning issue.
Another meeting will be held in Downieville sometime in January before the Com-mittee presents its recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Lee Adams assured the growers that any changes made would be before the beginning of the growing season. There was also talk about putting commercial growing on next year’s ballot for Sierra County’s vote.
SIERRA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ meeting was held Tuesday, December 15th in Loyalton. During department managers’ reports, Sierra County Sheriff Tim Standley was concerned over the level of funding being proposed by the Humboldt-Toiyabe Forest of $1,550 for law enforcement services.
He stated in 2014 the amount was cut to $11,100 and in 2015 the amount was cut to $8,000. Standley said this amount was very disappointing and wondered if they should even pull resources out of our communities to assist the Forest.
Supervisor Lee Adams asked the County Clerk if the Board could get amounts over the last couple decades to see what the highest level was for all three forests that Sierra County serves, adding they may decide to suspend contracts and respond only to emergencies.
Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals reported the County was dealing with a substantial issue concerning the permit to operate Loyalton Mobile Estates, to be suspended. He stated if this happens it will put an incredible burden on the County because of land use issues as well as social aspects. Beals said there was an inspection last week at Loyalton Mobile Estates and findings were not positive. He concluded they were awaiting the next move and felt this topic should be on a future Board meeting.
DISCUSSION to send a letter regarding the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) to Tahoe National Forest Supervisor Tom Quinn and to Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor Dunkelberger and Plumas National Forest Supervisor Lovato was had at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting Tuesday in Loyalton. Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals stated it is apparent that the conversion of campgrounds will now impact receipts in Lakes Basin and Long Valley, adding these are significant financial issues. He said there was a lot of support from the Forests at the local level but at the policy level there was no support. Beals felt the County needed to get proactive with the Forest Service to address these fiscal concerns. Sierra County Auditor Van Maddox said TOT for 2013-14 was $72,000, in 2014-15 it dropped to $60,000 this year will be $24,000 and stated “that’s it.” Supervisor Lee Adams said this is a serious amount for the County. County Counsel Jim Curtis said Sierra County is at the bottom of the pyramid of power. Adams asked about working up a draft letter stating if the forests don’t reconsider and start repaying the County will close the landfill to them. Supervisor Paul Roen stated Sierraville District Ranger Quentin Youngblood told of a conversation with Quinn who stated the issue is at the Regional Level. Roen wanted to see what Youngblood could find out before going too far. By consensus the Board authorized the letter.
