WHAT A WINTER!
I wrote this as we experienced yet another significant storm moving through our area. While we welcomed our record snowfall and rain after (4) years of persistent drought, it also came with much colder temperatures and low snow impacts. Tahoe is buried in snow with approximately 100 inches of new snowfall in the region over the last seven days, creating delays and shortages for the region. These combined require much more emergency preparations, operations, and services than we have seen in recent years. The significant weather has resulted in a deterioration of many of roadways – significant potholes are evident. Our office has been working with both Caltrans and our Department of Public Works to address concerns with roadway conditions and rest stop closures. Potholes can be temporarily patched during cold and wet conditions, but permanent repairs require temperatures above 50 degrees, dryer weather, and temporary lane closures. The rest stops on I80 have had repeated closures. Snow removal is only one of the issues. Sewer line repairs and a reduction in the level of the treatment ponds is needed. The weather this winter has not allowed these areas to be addressed in a timely manner. If there are serious concerns with a particular location – please let our office know and we will make sure State and County staff are notified. Another major storm is forecasted for this weekend so expect further travel delays and potential roadway closures on regional roadways. Please stay informed and make sure to visit our ReadyPlacer Dashboard for up-to-date road conditions and weather advisories. WATCH VIDEO
Last week I visited with volunteers interested in protecting the historic lime kilns located along the Bear River. A unique part of California’s history, the kilns are located on private property that was fairly undisturbed for the last 120 years. If you are interested in helping with this effort, please contact Jim Wood of the California Lime Kiln Conservancy.
I was also invited to speak at the Auburn Rotary Club and once again was so very impressed with the service ethic shared by the Rotary Club (and so many other local service organizations) to making lasting impacts in our communities and throughout the world. Two thoughts that they reminded me of: “be curious not judgmental”; and let us all contribute “Happy bucks” for all that we must be grateful for in our County, our State and in our nation.
As I described in more detail in the last newsletter, we are also continuing to work on efforts with our homeless that are located at the Placer County Government Center. As of this writing all those unsheltered individuals still on the site have moved into the Mobile Temporary Shelter (MTS). 47 of the 50 tents are occupied and the rules put into place are being followed. The former location will remain fenced off with the remaining belongings for 90 days as required. The residents are being encouraged to remove their remaining items as required. The Placer County Probation Department, HHS and First Communities (contractor) are at the site and providing support and enforcement as required.
Looking ahead at our upcoming March meetings, County staff is working on a wide variety of items including: forest health update and demonstration; beekeeping code amendments; disaster preparedness; budget preparation for 2023-24; as well as a potential staffing increase for our Board of Supervisors’ offices. Please visit our website to view specific agendas.
Please feel free to reach out to our office with questions.
In service,
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson
Additional News + Resources
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING | RECAP OF FEBRUARY 28
The Board of Supervisors meeting on February 28 included a number of items that are specific to or impact District 5, including:
- Auburn Interfaith Good Closet | Presentation
- American River Debris Removal Project | Approve Fund Transfer Agreement and Authorize Director of Public Works to Execute Agreement with California Department of Transportation
- Update on the Mobile Temporary Shelter
- Sheriff | AB 481 Annual Report & Approval to Acquire Add. EQ.
- Probation | AB 481 Annual Report
- District Attorney | AB 481 Annual Report
- County Executive Office | Proposed Board of Supervisors (BOS) Staffing Model: Request for BOS Direction
- North Auburn Municipal Advisory Council Appointments
- Property Transfer Agreement Applegate Civic Center Club
VIEW FULL AGENDA + FEBRUARY 28 RECORDING
PLACER COUNTY OPENS MOBILE TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR UNHOUSED IN AUBURN & MOVES TO PROVIDE MEALS
Placer County has opened a first-of-its-kind mobile, temporary shelter in Auburn to serve local, unhoused residents. The low-barrier shelter is located in the Placer County Government Center and consists of 50 heavy-duty tents with basic services. LEARN MORE + WATCH VIDEO
Following the Board of Supervisors action on Tuesday, clients of the Placer County Mobile Temporary Shelter will now be given two meals a day through the county’s contract for inmate meals. The move comes just two weeks after the shelter opened because no food storage or fires are allowed at the shelter. LEARN MORE
WORKFORCE HOUSING IN TAHOE GETS FUNDING BOOST
More than half-a-million dollars in additional funding has been made available for homebuyers in eastern Placer County to address the shortage of local worker housing. With a unanimous vote, the Placer County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, February 14 approved $600,000 of reserved transient occupancy tax dollars to increase funding for the county’s incentive-based home buying assistance program, the Workforce Housing Preservation Program. WHPP is designed to address the rising cost of home purchases, specifically in eastern Placer County, by assisting local workers with grant funding to help them purchase homes near where they work. LEARN MORE
PLACER VETERANS STAND DOWN | MAY 9-11, 2023
Do you know what Stand Down means? It’s a military term for active duty personnel in the field… “to stand down, is to stop for R & R.” Rest & Relaxation is what Placer Veterans Stand Down is giving our Veterans by helping them get the services they need but may not be able to afford or know how to get. Veterans who show up can take advantage of services such as dental, vision, hearing, legal, DMV, and more. PVSD has officially confirmed dates and a location for their 2023 event – they will be back at the Roseville Fairgrounds from May 9-11. LEARN MORE
MARK WATTS APPOINTED TO PLACER PLANNING COMMISSION
The Placer County Board of Supervisors acted on Tuesday, February 14 to appoint North Auburn resident Mark Watts to the Placer County Planning Commission, representing District 5. Watts has served locally on the North Auburn Municipal Advisory Council and has decades of experience as a lobbyist and governmental relations consultant in Sacramento with a focus in the areas of transportation, public policy and governance. He is currently co-principal at Watts & Hartmann LLC providing lobbying services and strategic political advice along with day-to-day management of the firm. LEARN MORE
Mark is a highly qualified professional with decades of experience in state government as well as working with local governments on transportation issues. As chair of the North Auburn Municipal Advisory Council, Mark demonstrated his respect for the public process and thoughtful approach on a variety of planning issues. Mark and his wife have residences in Auburn and Tahoe and he’s very knowledgeable of the issues facing our foothill and Sierra communities.
HOW YOU CAN HELP HONOR OUR FALLEN PEACE OFFICERS?
Our Board of Supervisors approved a $50,000 contribution on behalf of our residents to help fund the proposed Fallen Deputy Monument at the Auburn Justice Center – honoring the nine Sheriff’s Office peace officers who’ve given their lives in service. There’s still a need for more funding. LEARN MORE
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. VITA helps wage earners with the highest need receive their earned income tax credit, a refundable federal and state income tax credit for low-to moderate-income working individuals and families. Anyone earning income up to $65K in 2022 is eligible for this free program. LEARN MORE
Public Safety Reports District 5 • February 2023
- Total Incidents: 3627
- Citizen Calls: 2020
- Deputy Initiated: 1607
- Priority 1 Citizen Calls: 55
- Priority 2 Citizen Calls: 586
- Suspicious Activity: 297
- Disturbance: 219
- Alarm: 307
- Traffic Stops: 540
- Calls closed with an Arrest: 121
- Calls closed with a Citations: 107
- Collisions: 107 for February | 252 YTD
• 2 Fatalities YTD - Citations: 366
- DUI Arrests: 38
- Felony Arrests (Non-DUI): 1
- Misdemeanor Arrests (Non-DUI): 1
- Assist Disabled Motorists: 128
- Stolen Vehicle Recoveries: 9
- Collisions: 33 for month of February
- Citations: 188
- DUI Arrests: 16
- Felony Arrests (Non-DUI): 0
- Misdemeanor Arrests (Non-DUI): 0
- Assist Disabled Motorists (including snow related spinouts) : 223
- Stolen Vehicle Recoveries: 2
CAL FIRE/PLACER COUNTY FIRE DEPT.
- Acres Burned: 2
- Wildland Fire: 2
- Structure Fire: 37
- Vehicle Fire: 5
- Other Fire: 119
- Medical Responses: 566
- HazMat: 31
- LE Activity: 0
- PSA/Other: 77
- Total Incidents: 900
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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
