September 1st Board of Supervisors meeting open for in-person public comment
For the first time since March the board chambers will be open to in person attendance at the Board of Supervisors September 1st meeting. To remain in compliance with the state’s public health guidance, the county will limit attendance to 25% of the room’s capacity and will require 6 feet of physical distancing inside and outside the board chambers. Per State Public Health Guidance the county will provide face coverings. The meeting’s audio will be broadcast outside, near the entrance of the building so people attending in person are able to hear the meeting while waiting for their turn to speak.
Due to the limited capacity in chambers, and the ongoing need for physical distancing, the public is still encouraged to participate virtually. A news release with information on how to participate virtually was posted online yesterday, and the information can also be found on the meeting agenda.
A different health risk to consider
As I shared in last week’s newsletter, the county continues to work toward finding a way to safely balance public health with an economy that sustains our residents through this pandemic. In addition to recent communication our Board of Supervisors has had with state officials, Supervisor Bonnie Gore and I joined local leaders from several jurisdictions in Placer County in sending a letter to Acting State Public Health Officer, Erica Pan requesting that our businesses be permitted to resume indoor operations as soon as possible given the poor air quality in our area.
As we have all experienced, the fires burning in communities around us have resulted in a significant amount of smoke in the air, which has left air quality at an unhealthy level. It is not recommended that anyone remain outdoors for an extended period when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is above 150, and our population centers have seen an average AQI of 171, with projections for air quality to remain at this level for at least another week. This comes as so many businesses are prohibited from offering services indoors, forcing people to spend additional time outdoors in this unhealthy air.
Placer County has done an excellent job of slowing the spread of COVID-19, as evidenced by our removal from the state watch list, yet our businesses continue to struggle to stay open, which is made increasingly difficult considering the poor air quality. Throughout the county I have seen residents who are dedicated to supporting our businesses in a safe manner – they are wearing masks, physically distancing and washing their hands regularly. We are asking the State to allow businesses to open for indoor services in order to protect residents from the additional risks associated with poor air quality.
The state released it’s updated Blueprint for a Safer Economy today, however it is still unclear exactly what effect the updated guidelines will have on Placer County. The Board of Supervisors and county staff continue to advocate for the safe reopening of our businesses. I will continue to keep you updated on any new developments. In the meantime, please continue to support your local businesses safely by wearing your mask, physically distancing yourself from people outside your household and washing your hands frequently.
Please don’t hesitate to contact my office if you have questions or need any assistance with County issues or concerns.
– Cindy Gustafson, District 5 Supervisor
Placer Shares small business and nonprofit grant funding program opened August 25th
Beginning August 25th, eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Placer County can apply for grant funding to offset impacts caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting state shutdown order.
The grant program, Placer Shares, could provide awards of up to $10,000 to cover eligible COVID-19 expenses. The grant portal is open for two weeks (Aug. 25 – Sept. 7) and consideration is not on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more
Resource Conservation District’s Chipper Program to continue this fire season
Great news! The Resource Conservation District is working to get the Chipper Program back online after cutting services due to a shortage of crew members. Although this is not a Placer County program, many residents have been asking about the future of the program. Click here to read the full story published in the Auburn Journal on August 25th.
2020 Census Events in Tahoe & Truckee
Need to complete your 2020 Census? Stop by one of the scheduled U.S. Census Bureau events in Tahoe or Truckee and fill out your census form on-the-spot. Sierra Community House will be on hand to provide assistance. To find out about upcoming events please visit the Placer Counts calendar of events.
Contact information:
175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@
District Director Lindsay Romack: lromack@placer.ca.gov
District Aide Kelly McCaughna: kmccaughna@placer.
Temporary Assistant District Aide Judy Friedman: jfriedman@placer.ca.
