SPRING IS FINALLY HERE!
I hope as we recover from this winter’s damages we can look forward to a spring and summer that are not only a bit calmer, but also filled with all the amazing colors, warmth, and fun that our region offers.
At the March 28 Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board approved a Proclamation declaring April 2023 as “Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month” in Placer County. The Placer County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has many community partners who participate actively in pursuing the goal of reducing and treating child abuse and neglect for Placer County by strengthening children and families. These include Lighthouse Counseling Services, Tahoe Truckee Child Abuse Prevention Council in coordination with the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, and KidsFirst Counseling and Family Resource Centers as well as other key partners.
On Thursday morning, I was grateful for the opportunity to join county elected officials and residents at the Auburn Courthouse to kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month and bring awareness to this critical issue by planting a blue pinwheel garden. I encourage you to support this cause by wearing blue ribbons in the first full week of April and to “wear all blue” on Friday, April 7. Other activities will include a Resource Fair on April 27, the planting of the Children’s Memorial flag, and enhanced community prevention trainings. Please visit the Placer County website for more information. LEARN MORE
The Board also approved a Proclamation establishing April 2023 as “Donate Life Month” in Placer County. There are currently more than 107,000 patients on the national waitlist for life-saving transplants, including 1,500 in the local service area. Every day, the lives of up to 22 people are lost due to the shortage of organ donors. Every year, one million people need cornea or tissue transplants. One organ donor can save the lives of 8 people through the donation of organs and improve the lives of up to 75 people with eye and tissue donation. We honor all those who have given the extraordinary gift of life through living and deceased donations. Californians can register to be organ donors regardless of their age or medical history. I encourage you to register as an organ and tissue donor on your driver’s license or ID card at the Department of Motor Vehicles or online at donatelifecalifornia.org. In addition, please talk to your families about giving the Gift of Life through organ, eye, and tissue donation. LEARN MORE
The Board of Supervisors and County staff are working on the development of the 2023-24 budget that guides all operations of Placer County. Two half-day workshops with the full Board of Supervisors are scheduled for April 10 and 11 with each department presenting their historic and proposed budgets, key accomplishments from this past year, and emerging issues and department priorities. The draft budget will continue to be developed and adjusted with the final budget being presented in June for adoption. You can attend the meeting in person or watch via Zoom if you’re interested! LEARN MORE
In service,
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson
Additional News + Resources
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING | RECAP OF MARCH 28
The Board of Supervisors meeting on March 28 included a number of items that are specific to or impact District 5, including:
- Proclamation | Donate Life Month
- Presentation | California Department of Transportation
- Proposed Multi-Agency Model Within the Office of Emergency Services
- Housing Element 2022 Annual Progress Report
- Library Services Study Report | Update
- Funding Agreement for Newcastle Elementary School Field Improvements
- Hidden Falls Regional Park Trails and Open Space Expansion Project – Phase 1: Twilight Ride Access and Parking/Trailhead Project | Approve Plans and Specifications and Authorization to Advertise
VIEW FULL AGENDA + MARCH 28 RECORDING
HIDDEN FALLS REGIONAL PARK TRAILS EXPANSION PROJECT UPDATE MEETING
DATE & TIME | April 18 @ 6pm
LOCATION | In-person at the Placer County Planning Commission hearing room or virtually via Zoom
Community members are invited to join County staff for an update about all elements of the project. Placer County Department of Parks and Open Space is pleased to announce that the construction plans and specifications for the Hidden Falls Regional Park Trails and Open Space Expansion Project – Phase 1: Twilight Ride Access and Parking/Trailhead Project have been completed and are preparing for bid in anticipation of construction starting in summer 2023. The project, which was approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2021, will provide access to approximately 8 miles of new trails through a new entrance off of Bell Road, as well as improved signage and wayfinding. In addition to construction of the new parking lot/trailhead, staff are working to address management needs and neighbor concerns including vegetation management, emergency response, signage and wayfinding, and cooperation with Placer Land Trust. If you have any questions, please contact Placer County Parks and Open Space at Parks@placer.ca.gov or by phone at 530-886-4901. LEARN MORE
APPLY NOW FOR UP TO $100K IN MOSQUITO FIRE BUSINESS RECOVERY FUNDING
Was your business affected by smoke or damaged by wildfire in last year’s Mosquito Fire? Following the devastating fire in the Foresthill region, the Placer County Business Resource Center has launched the Mosquito Fire Business Recovery Program to provide forgivable loans to businesses within unincorporated Placer County impacted by this natural disaster. The program is intended to help businesses retain or recruit full-time employees. Businesses can apply for a maximum of $100,000, including $50,000 per full-time employee added or retained. LEARN MORE + APPLY TODAY
PLACER COUNTY WILL EXPEDITE BUILDING PERMITS FOR STORM DAMAGED STRUCTURES
If you have property that has been damaged during recent storms, the Placer County Building Services Division will expedite building permits for repairs. Building permits are required to repair a roof collapse, wall displacement, damaged overhead electrical service and any damage to electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems connected to a wall. LEARN MORE
PLACER COUNTY PLANS INNOVATIVE MODEL TO MANAGE EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND PLANNING
With five declared emergencies in just two years, Placer County is now moving forward with a first-of-its-kind, emergency-response model that will enhance cooperation and coordination among the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Placer County Fire, and the Placer County Office of Emergency Services. On Tuesday, a multi-disciplinary presentation detailing the new emergency-response model was provided to the Board of Supervisors by Placer County’s sheriff, fire and OES agencies. The plan calls for the addition of a dedicated sheriff’s lieutenant and assistant fire chief to work directly in the Office of Emergency Services and coordinate planning and disaster response alongside the OES team. LEARN MORE
PLACER COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT CONTINUES TO SEEK VOLUNTEERS FOR GRAND JURY SERVICE
The Superior Court of California, County of Placer continues to seek volunteers to serve on the 2023- 2024 Placer County Grand Jury. The Court encourages applications from all citizens to enable the Grand Jury to represent a broad cross-section of the Placer County community. The one-year term for successful applicants begins on July 1, 2023 and ends on June 30, 2024. The Grand Jury’s primary function is to examine governments within Placer County, inclusive of the county government, city governments, and special districts to ensure that public agencies are conducting business in an appropriate and efficient manner. READ NEWS RELEASE + MORE INFO
UCP GOLF TOURNAMENT | APRIL 28
The UCP Player’s Cup is a new golf tournament coming in 2023 – providing an amazing day of golf for our participants while also raising funds for UCP programs and services. Enjoy a fantastic day of golf with a great group of business leaders and community members and make a significant difference for children and adults with developmental disabilities, and their families. LEARN MORE
NEW! FIRE SAFE COUNCILS OF PLACER COUNTY NEWSLETTER
Stay informed about fire prevention and safety. Read the Fire Safe Councils of Placer County newsletter – and be sure to subscribe. The newsletter contains important information about workshops, events and more. SUBSCRIBE HERE
FREE TAX PREP FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
Placer County Health and Human Services is now providing free tax assistance to eligible individuals and families, in cooperation with the IRS and United Way, through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. LEARN MORE
Additional Resources
Placer Business Resource Center
North Tahoe Community Alliance
Sierra Small Business Development Center
California State Treasurer’s Office
Contact information:
175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@
District Aide Sophie Fox: sfox@placer.ca.gov
Deputy District Director Katelynn Hopkins: khopkins@placer.ca.
Assistant District Aide Lindsay Thayer: lthayer@placer.ca.gov
