HAPPY AUGUST!
Your Voice Makes a Difference!
As we head toward the end of summer the overall number of issues our office is handling is not slowing down! In the last few weeks we have attended a number of Municipal Advisory Council meetings and heard from many about issues and concerns. The following are just a few of the examples of what our office is working on for you.
Increase in Truck Fires on Interstate 80
At the Weimar/Applegate/Colfax Municipal Advisory Council (WAC/MAC) meeting and later at the Board of Supervisors, Don Belden of the Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council presented the serious concerns about the increasing incidence of truck fires along Interstate 80. We are now working with both Caltrans and California Highway Patrol to address safety concerns including the high speed of the vehicles, and the dense vegetation in the right-of-way along both sides of I80 between the Summit and Meadow Vista. Our office and Placer County Fire are both submitting letters regarding these concerns. We will follow-up on this issue, as well as the previous letter we have sent on the deterioration of the I80 surface which has caused numerous broken windshields and flat tires.
Bear River Campground and Day Use Area
Also during the WAC/MAC meeting, Placer County Parks provided a report to the community on the direction the County was heading to not renew the operating agreement with the State for the Bear River Campground and Day Use Area. As a result of many concerns expressed and questions asked, our office immediately offered to facilitate a workshop with the public, the County and the State. The County has operated the property under an agreement with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife but does not operate any other properties owned by the State. County staff have been in discussions with the State to better understand their plans for the property’s management and maintenance. Community members will be invited to attend the workshop. Please email us if you would like to be informed of the time and date of the workshop. It will also be posted on our Parks and Open Space website.
Candidate Workshop on July 23
On July 23 I participated in the Candidate Workshop held by the Placer County Elections Office. There will be over 180 positions available on various local city councils, school boards, parks, fire, water and utility districts in Placer County this November. The workshop explained many of the details involved in running for public office including campaign financial disclosure filing, campaign techniques and working with the media. Guest speakers also included a successful candidate, a campaign consultant, a member of the media, Placer County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters Ryan Ronco, and knowledgeable elections staff. Candidate filing for the November 2022 general election opened July 18 and closes at 5pm on August 12. LEARN MORE
Whether we are meeting with our agricultural representatives trying to develop a vision for the future of agriculture in Placer County, assisting special districts to secure State legislative help, convening partners on solutions to homelessness in our County, investigating code compliance concerns, or simply connecting with a bank whose ATM (the only in the community) was not working, our office stands ready to serve you however we can. Sometimes our role is small, sometimes large, but please know that Sophie, Katelynn and I stand ready to assist you in getting answers and facilitating solutions!
In service,
Cindy Gustafson, District 5 Supervisor
INTRODUCING AND WELCOMING SHERIFF WAYNE WOO
Last Tuesday we attended the swearing-in ceremony for Wayne Woo, Placer County’s 29th Sheriff/Coroner/Marshal. Dozens of elected officials, supporters, and members of Sheriff Woo’s family were able to hear the incredibly moving speech about his journey through the ranks of law enforcement and his vision for the future of the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. Public safety is our county’s top priority, and I have no doubt that Sheriff Woo will serve this role with the integrity, dedication and leadership that our residents deserve. WATCH VIDEO
FORESTHILL DOG PARK
I was honored to perform the official ribbon cutting ceremony on July 11 for the very first dog park in Foresthill. Placer County worked closely with Foresthill Parks and Recreation to establish this great new addition to the community, which is located in Memorial Park behind the pool, next to the children’s playground. LEARN MORE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS | RECAP OF JULY 25 + 26
The Board of Supervisors Meetings on July 25 & 26 included several items that are specific to or impact various regions of District 5….
• Audit Committee Annual Report
• Establish Zone of Benefit No. 236 in County Service Area 28 and Establishment of Charges on Tax Roll for Homewood Lot 3 and Lot 5 and Set a Fee for Services
• Arts Council of Placer County
• River Fire
• CAL FIRE California Climate Investments Forest Health Grant Program
• Petition to Rescind Tax Sale of 9005 N. Lake Blvd., Kings Beach, CA
• Election Results | June 7, 2022
• Amendment to Placer Code, Chapter 16 Resulting from Senate Bill 9
• East Placer Lease to Locals Pilot Program
• Martis Valley Trail
• Park and Grounds Maintenance Services in the Tahoe Vista/Kings Beach Area
VIEW FULL AGENDA | JULY 25 RECORDING | JULY 26 RECORDING
PLACER PROTECT SENIOR RESOURCE FAIR | AUGUST 11
WHEN: August 11 | 10am – 2pm
WHERE: Maidu Community Center
WHAT: Join Placer PROTECT & 30+ partners
LEARN ABOUT:
• Community resources
• Criminal prosecutions
• Senior scams
• Elder abuse + prevention
• Emergency preparedness
• Senior health + wellness
• … and more!
OPPORTUNITIES:
• Paper shredding (2 box max) with AARP
• Free legal clinic with the Legal Services of Northern California
• Educational seminars
• Coffee with local officials
PLACER RECOGNIZED AS #1 DIGITAL COUNTY
Placer County placed first nationally in our population-size category in the 20th annual Digital Counties Survey! This is the fourth consecutive year Placer has finished in the top four for innovative use of emerging technologies to serve our residents. LEARN MORE
GET PLACER NEWS EASILY ON YOUR PHONE WITH SIMPLICITY APP
Placer County has joined Simplicity – a free smartphone app for local news and information. Just download the app, select your community and follow Placer County for push alerts on all the topics that interest you. LEARN MORE
HOW TO READ YOUR ENERGY BILL | PIONEER COMMUNITY ENERGY
Pioneer Community Energy heard from the community that energy bills can be a bit confusing, so they’re providing this video to help explain your savings and billing details. Pioneer customers in El Dorado and Placer County are expected to save 6% or more on electric generation rates in 2022. If you still have questions, their customer service team can walk you through your monthly savings; you can click here or call (844)YES-PIONEER. LEARN MORE
ONLY A COUPLE SPOTS LEFT FOR THE PLACER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FALL CITIZENS ACADEMY
The Placer County District Attorney’s Citizens Academy is a nine-week program that will offer accelerated courses each week. Placer County citizens will be able to meet our team, learn about the District Attorney’s Office, its role within the criminal justice system and the services that are provided to the community. Space is limited and accepted participants will receive notification. Notification will also be made to those who were not accommodated. The course starts September 13 and will be held every Tuesday from 6-8:30 p.m. through November 8 at the Rocklin Police Department Community Room. LEARN MORE
Wildfire Updates and Resources
FIRE SEASON IS UPON US – STAY PREPARED AND INFORMED!
We live in a beautiful, but fire danger critical area – it is ALL our responsibility to ensure we are fire-prepared. Please be vigilant with your actions and evacuation plans. SIGN UP FOR PLACER ALERT – it is the single best way to stay informed in an emergency.
IMPORTANT WILDFIRE RESOURCES:
• Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council
• Ready for Wildfire webpage
• Homeowner’s checklist
• Defensible space information
• Prepare for quick evacuation
• Build an emergency kit
• Sign up for Placer Alert
IF YOU HEAR THE HI-LO SIREN, IT’S TIME TO EVACUATE!
The hi-lo siren was installed in Placer County Sheriff’s Office patrol units in 2019 to be used during emergency evacuations. The sound is different from the traditional police siren — it will ONLY be used in areas facing danger. LEARN MORE
AUGUST 2022 ROADMAP TO RECOVERY VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS
NOTICE FOR WEIMAR AREA ONLY… CONSTRUCTION ALERT!
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS IS BUILDING A GIGABIT AMERICA You will soon be seeing construction activity in your neighborhood. We want you to know what is going on. Frontier is upgrading their existing, 140-year-old technology copper facilities with new, 21st century fiber optic cable that will deliver to you as much as 2 Gigabit service. In order to make this happen, we need to do some digging. MORE INFO: ENGLISH | ESPAÑOL
BRINGING FAMILIES HOME
The Bringing Families Home program gave Tara another chance at a life with her daughter. The program supports families who are involved in the child welfare system, and who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. LEARN MORE
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
