AN UPDATE on the Smithneck Road Rehabilitation Project for the NEPA validation was given by Sierra County Public Works Director Bryan Davey during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting held in Loyalton on July 15th. He reported they’d received the proposals to do the additional required archeological assessment work. The cost would be $185,000 and likely more, depending on the assessment findings. Davey said they are working on an appeal with Caltrans District 3 and felt they have already done the appropriate work. They’ve been in contact with the native tribe that is affected by this and they are happy with the work already completed. He stated there is evidence of a settlement, but they aren’t doing additional disturbances with this project. Anything there was previously disturbed. They are open to monitoring it and any discoveries made would be documented. Davey said they have talked about rescoping the project to make it less of a disturbance by taking out the bike lane. He added the Project is scheduled to be paved from Highway 49 to Smithneck Park, but is under budget and now only have money for paving up to Antelope Road. Supervisor Sharon Dryden said this was significantly less. She felt they would have to have a difficult discussion and may need to take the bike lane out of the project if it’s at the expense of the road further deteriorating. This topic will be discussed at the next Transportation Commission meeting.
DISCUSSION regarding the establishment of 211 Connecting Point free and confidential information and referral services in Sierra County was held during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Loyalton on July 15th. Supervisor Sharon Dryden reported after Connecting Point’s presentation in May they’ve had several meetings and discussions on services 211 could bring to Sierra County. Executive Director with Connecting Point Tim Guiliani explained that 211 is a call center for health, human services and non-emergency disaster services with agents on the phone and a resource directory online that is professionally maintained. They already have a Joint Powers Authority with Sierra County and thought it made sense to offer services. Dryden felt the group who met which included Sierra County Office of Emergency Services wanted to start with just disaster services. Guilani said to get the short codes you have to go through the same CUPC (California Public Utilities Commission) process. He felt since Sierra County was so small they could come up with a set price for full 211 services. The CUPC application cost is $8,000. Supervisor Lee Adams stated they’ve come into a world where 211 is expected and have a great influx of part-time visitors here that expect a level of service. He suggested looking at TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) monies and felt in a disaster, it would take some of the load off of 911. It would also alleviate confusing and misinformation.
The Board gave direction to staff to bring back an agreement.
A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) between the County of Sierra and Sierra County Office of Education/School for Adults for Digital Literacy Training Services as part of the County’s implementation of the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) grant in an amount not to exceed $5,850 was approved during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on July 15th in Loyalton. Auditor Appraiser Technician Monica Beachell reported this MOU would provide four digital literacy classes to the public at no cost to participants. Classes will be held in Loyalton, Alleghany, Sierra City and Downieville. The first class will be offered in Loyalton starting August 18th. Other projects done with this grant included updating the library website to include other educational resources and provided a list of free hotspots in the county. They were also able to successfully install Starlink in Alleghany next to the firehouse and will have it linked over to the library. Beachell gave acknowledgements to RCRC (Rural County Representatives of California) and Sierra Business Council for their help and said it was nice to recapture some tax dollars back into the community. They are pursuing an additional grant and if awarded will be able to offer 15 more classes.
THE SIERRA-PLUMAS JOINT UNIFIED GOVERNING BOARD approved asbestos abatement in Mrs. Haug’s classroom at Loyalton Elementary, a classroom at Loyalton High School and for the library at Downieville School during the special meeting held July 2nd in Loyalton.
DISCUSSION regarding the establishment of 211 Connecting Point free and confidential information and referral services in Sierra County was held during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Loyalton on July 15th. Supervisor Sharon Dryden reported after Connecting Point’s presentation in May they’ve had several meetings and discussions on services 211 could bring to Sierra County. Executive Director with Connecting Point Tim Guiliani explained that 211 is a call center for health, human services and non-emergency disaster services with agents on the phone and a resource directory online that is professionally maintained. They already have a Joint Powers Authority with Sierra County and thought it made sense to offer services. Dryden felt the group who met which included Sierra County Office of Emergency Services wanted to start with just disaster services. Guilani said to get the short codes you have to go through the same CUPC (California Public Utilities Commission) process. He felt since Sierra County was so small they could come up with a set price for full 211 services. The CUPC application cost is $8,000. Supervisor Lee Adams stated they’ve come into a world where 211 is expected and have a great influx of part-time visitors here that expect a level of service. He suggested looking at TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) monies and felt in a disaster, it would take some of the load off of 911. It would also alleviate confusing and misinformation.
The Board gave direction to staff to bring back an agreement.
A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) between the County of Sierra and Sierra County Office of Education/School for Adults for Digital Literacy Training Services as part of the County’s implementation of the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) grant in an amount not to exceed $5,850 was approved during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on July 15th in Loyalton. Auditor Appraiser Technician Monica Beachell reported this MOU would provide four digital literacy classes to the public at no cost to participants. Classes will be held in Loyalton, Alleghany, Sierra City and Downieville. The first class will be offered in Loyalton starting August 18th. Other projects done with this grant included updating the library website to include other educational resources and provided a list of free hotspots in the county. They were also able to successfully install Starlink in Alleghany next to the firehouse and will have it linked over to the library. Beachell gave acknowledgements to RCRC (Rural County Representatives of California) and Sierra Business Council for their help and said it was nice to recapture some tax dollars back into the community. They are pursuing an additional grant and if awarded will be able to offer 15 more classes.
THE SIERRA-PLUMAS JOINT UNIFIED GOVERNING BOARD approved asbestos abatement in Mrs. Haug’s classroom at Loyalton Elementary, a classroom at Loyalton High School and for the library at Downieville School during the special meeting held July 2nd in Loyalton.
