SUMMER IS OFFICIALLY UPON US, PLACER COUNTY!
With the change of season comes great news and accomplishments to celebrate in our region. I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for what we’ve accomplished and look forward to once again meeting in-person and participating in events. While there is no arguing this past year was challenging, I have confidence the future holds hope, positivity and renewed stability. There is always more work to do, but I want encourage everyone to take a moment and reflect on the good. Let’s make the most of our Placer County summer and appreciate all of our wonderful resources, outdoor activities, and local businesses — and come together to find our way back to a sense of community and a sense of normal.
CALIFORNIA IS SET TO FULLY REOPEN | JUNE 15
On May 25, the California Department of Public Health announced that Placer County’s COVID metrics have qualified the county to enter the orange tier, a few weeks prior to the state’s move “Beyond the Blueprint” anticipated for June 15. View activities and capacities permitted under orange tier, CLICK HERE. For a look at what is ahead when the state as a whole moves “Beyond the Blueprint” June 15, CLICK HERE. The state is also expected to adjust masking guidance at that point to align with the CDC’s indoor guidance for vaccinated individuals.
POP UP VACCINE CLINICS | JUNE 8 + 10
Placer County Public Health and health care system partners will be holding special vaccination clinics in parts of the county with lower vaccination rates or access to health services in the month of June. Appointments can be made in advance at MyTurn.ca.gov and walk-ins are also welcome. LEARN MORE
VIRTUAL FORESTHILL TOWN HALL MEETING | JUNE 7
Please join myself and County Staff for a Virtual Foresthill Town Hall on June 7 at 7pm for updates, resources and information on the following topics:
- County Updates
- Public Safety & Community Updates
- Transfer Station Tipping Fees + Garbage Collection Fees
- Foresthill Fire Protection Defensible Space Public Display Area
Information on accessing this virtual town hall meeting will be posted HERE once the meeting agenda is published.
Wildfire Preparedness
PLACER FIRE CHIEF BRIAN ESTES GIVES A FIRE SEASON UPDATE
Start preparing you and your property for the upcoming fire season. Placer County remains one of the top in California and the nation for community-led fire preparedness efforts. Placer County Fire Department/CAL FIRE NEU Chief Brian Estes gives his 2021 outlook for this upcoming fire season.
Chief Estes stated that the first thing we can do is get educated. His message is simple – we live in a beautiful, but fire danger critical area – it is ALL our responsibility to ensure we are fire-prepared. This also includes his reminder that ALL Fireworks are illegal in unincorporated Placer County. Check out the many ways we can work together to ensure all are ready for fire season! VIEW VIDEO
ADDITIONAL WILDFIRE NEWS & 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
RED FLAG WARNING PROGRAM | Our Red Flag Warning Program is a local effort to make residents aware of wildfire risk in our community and is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions combine to produce the possibility of extreme fire behavior. If you see red flags posted at fire stations and government buildings, that is the time to visit readyforwildfire.org. LEARN MORE
HI-LO SIRENS CAN HELP SAVE LIVES | The Placer County Sheriff’s Office released an important PSA this week regarding hi-low sirens and how they can help keep us safe. The hi-lo siren was installed in 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 from a wildfire, chemical spill, flood, etc. LEARN MORE
CAL FIRE SUSPENDS BURN PERMITS IN NEVADA, YUBA + PLACER | The increasing fire danger posed by the high volume of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region is prompting Cal Fire to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Nevada, Yuba, and Placer Counties. LEARN MORE
PLACER SEEKS FOR FEEDBACK WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN | Placer County is seeking community feedback as part of its 2021 update to the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The goal of the CWPP is to enhance efforts to protect communities, watersheds and other at-risk properties from catastrophic wildfire. LEARN MORE
FRENCH MEADOWS FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT | The French Meadows Forest Restoration Project is a collaborative forest health project intended to reduce wildfire risk. Placer is scheduled to start in June as the Board of Supervisors voted to authorize the county to perform work on federal land for the multi-agency partnership French Meadows Forest Restoration Project. With the approval, Placer will take the lead on hiring and overseeing contractors to execute tree removal, forest thinning and biomass removal. LEARN MORE
Additional Placer County News
DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACT FOR NORTH AUBURN HHS FACILITY
The Placer County Board of Supervisors approved a design-build contract for a new Health and Human Services Center, awarding the contract to Sacramento-based firm Turner Construction/AC Martin following a competitive process. Fiscal responsibility has been a hallmark of this Board, and it’s important for residents to understand the funding sources and reimbursement that will offset costs. The new HHS facility is included in the county’s recently-updated master plan for the Placer County Government Center, and would help consolidate existing staff and services from six divisions in a 142,000-square-foot facility in North Auburn. LEARN MORE
PLACER COUNTY FAIR REOPENS | JUNE 24-27
The Placer County Fair “Mooving Forward Together” reopens June 24-27, becoming one of the first large events to return in the Sacramento region as state’s Economy reopens. Covid canceled the fair in 2020, but as cases drop and vaccinations increase, annual event becomes one of the first fairs scheduled in the state. READ PRESS RELEASE
MEADOW VISTA RURAL MAIN STREETS PROGRAM
Join Meadow Vista community members on June 26 from 10am-2pm where they will be leading a temporary demonstration event with support from the County to test out pedestrian and streetscape improvements along Placer Hills Road. The temporary improvements will include delineated pedestrian pathways, curb enhancements, and high-visibility crosswalks. LEARN MORE
PLACER COUNTY PARKS & TRAILS MASTER PLAN
The public draft of the Placer County Parks and Trails Master Plan is being updated to reflect recent the updated Hidden Falls Regional Park Trails Expansion Project. Public comments on the draft plan will be taken through June 13. We encourage you to submit your comments digitally, CLICK HERE
PLACER EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR DEWITT THEATER
Placer is seeking proposals to potentially breathe new life into the DeWitt Theater located on the Placer County Government Center campus in North Auburn. The Board of Supervisors allowed the Department of Facilities Management to solicit plans to restore, reimagine or re-use the theater, slated for demolition in the county’s recently updated master plan for redeveloping the government center campus. LEARN MORE
PLACER ADOPTS UPDATED GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT
The Placer County Board of Supervisors adopted the county’s comprehensive update of its General Plan Housing Element, pledges additional $575,000 for affordable housing efforts – outlining its policies and programs to meet existing and projected housing needs for all Placer residents through 2029. LEARN MORE
There is so much more to work on to address your needs and concerns. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office and we will work with County staff to get you answers and solutions.
In service,
Cindy Gustafson, District 5 Supervisor
REDISTRICTING PLACER
Join in the process to redraw Placer County’s supervisorial districts. This process only takes place once every 10 years! The Placer County Redistricting Commission is beginning the work to redraw the boundaries of the county’s five supervisorial districts. District lines can shape a community’s ability to elect the representative of their choice. LEARN MORE
FREE PLANS FOR ADU’S
Placer County is now providing free building plans to homeowners interested in constructing an accessory home on their property, saving thousands in building costs, while helping to increase the county’s stock of affordable housing As of March 8, Placer County has received 24 applications, 16 permits issued and 89 accessory home inquiries in 2021. LEARN MORE
Contact information:
175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@
District Aide Kelly McCaughna: kmccaughna@placer.ca.gov
Assistant District Aide Lindsay Thayer: lthayer@placer.ca.gov
Assistant District Aide Sophie Fox: sfox@placer.ca.gov
