HAPPY MAY!
As I begin my third year as your Placer County District 5 Supervisor, I can’t help but reflect on the vast diversity of issues that my office is working on to serve you. These last few weeks were a perfect example – from forest health, to workforce housing, to broadband funding, to legislative advocacy and everything in between – there certainly hasn’t been a lack of issues and needs!
On April 22, I was honored to attend the dedication ceremony for the Yo’ Dok’IM Pakan – Gerjuoy North Fork Preserve on Moody Ridge near Alta. The Placer Land Trust returned 40 acres of ancestral homelands to the Colfax-Todds Valley Consolidated Tribe. Members of the Tribe and Placer Land Trust Board and staff were present for the very touching ceremony.
LEARN MORE + WATCH VIDEO
Last week I joined two of my fellow Placer Supervisors, CEO, and County staff on the annual Placer County Legislative Advocacy trip to Washington D.C. In our meetings with Senator Feinstein, and Congressmen McClintock and LaMalfa – Placer County made four earmark requests for projects in need of funding:
- Placer Parkway – $5M
- Lincoln Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion – $4M
- Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization – $4M
- North Lake Tahoe Shared Use Trail – $3M
In addition to the above funding requests, we also met with members of the administration to discuss the crucial needs for funding and support to address the forests located on Federal Lands within Placer County. We are hopeful that our face-to-face meetings with these agency and elected officials demonstrated to them how vitally important these issues are to our residents and communities.
Finally, I want to thank the more than 300 Placer residents who took the time to share their thoughts with the California Public Utilities Commission ahead of their broadband funding decision. Although we are very disappointed that Placer County remains classified as an urban county rather than rural, (resulting in less funding) we are looking forward to working collaboratively with the CPUC to ensure the $30 million allocated for broadband projects in Placer County makes the greatest impact possible for our residents.
MORE INFORMATION + VIEW FULL/FINAL DECISION
In service,
Cindy Gustafson, District 5 Supervisor
MAY IS WILDFIRE AWARENESS MONTH – INVEST IN PREPAREDNESS AHEAD OF COMING WILDFIRE SEASON
Communities are coming together throughout Placer County in May to reduce their risk of wildfire with a series of events for National Wildfire Awareness Month. Planned activities include defensible space work, hazardous vegetation removal and town hall discussions of emergency and evacuation preparedness with Placer’s public safety agencies and community leaders. Please join us on Tuesday, May 24 for a Western District 5 Wildfire Preparedness Town Hall, details below.
LEARN MORE + VIEW ALL EVENTS
From the Department of Insurance | Tuesday, CA Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara hosted the Safer from Wildfires Forum. WEBINAR RECORDING
WESTERN DISTRICT 5 WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS TOWN HALL
TUESDAY, MAY 24 @ 5:30PM | VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON
Please review the informative agenda we have planned:
Joint Presentation from Cal Fire, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, and Placer County Office of Emergency Services:
- Home Hardening & Defensible Space
- Red Flag and Elevated Fire Weather
- Placer Alert & Evacuations
- General Emergency Preparedness
- Ways to Help My Community
[VIEW FULL AGENDA] | [ZOOM LINK]
PLACER AWARDED $23.5 MILLION TO CONVERT ROSEVILLE HOTEL INTO PERMANENT HOUSING FOR HOMELESS
The California Department of Housing and Community Development has awarded Placer County $23,516,978 in highly competitive funding as part of the Homekey 2.0 program, the agency announced, for the intended purchase of a Roseville hotel to be converted as permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness. Homekey is the state’s competitive grant program that followed Project Roomkey, which urgently sheltered vulnerable people experiencing homelessness in trailers, motels and hotels to prevent the spread of COVID-19. LEARN MORE
MERCY NORTH AUBURN AT ROCK CREEK DEDICATION EVENT
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 @ 11AM | 2960 1ST STREET IN AUBURN
Mercy North Auburn at Rock Creek is a 79-unit affordable apartment and townhome development for families, located within the Placer County Government Center campus. Featuring three 3-story apartment buildings and seven 2-story attached townhomes, this new community is a collaborative effort between Mercy Housing California and Placer County, which contributed 3 acres of property, housing vouchers, and funding from two state grants. RSVP HERE
HOUSING RESOURCES IN PLACER COUNTY THE FOCUS OF FREE WEBINAR SERIES
May is Affordable Housing Month and Placer County is offering free webinars throughout the month to highlight everything residents need to know about housing assistance resources in our region. As housing challenges have increased in recent years, Placer has adopted new policies to encourage the development of more housing affordable to those in all income ranges and implemented new programs to increase access to housing in unincorporated Placer County. LEARN MORE
- West Placer Virtual Housing Showcase – May 7 at 10am | REGISTER
- East Placer Virtual Housing Showcase – May 14 at 10am | REGISTER
- First Time Homebuyer Application Webinar – May 17 at 7pm | REGISTER
- Building Accessory Dwelling Units Webinar – May 21 at 10am | REGISTER
BRIDGET POWERS JOINS PLACER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION SERVING AREAS EAST OF THE SIERRA CREST
The Placer County Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of Bridget Powers to the Placer County Planning Commission, serving in the at-large seat representing areas east of the Sierra Crest. The talented trio of candidates brought unique and differing skill sets, but Bridget’s specific experience in both Eastern and Western Placer County as well as her previous service in both elected office and appointments on other planning and land use commissions, provided the final edge. She has worked on complex land issues, was a longtime company representative in Eastern Placer County, and is a second homeowner in Olympic Valley. Bridget will bring exceptional experience and insight, and her collaborative approach balances community interests. At the same meeting the board also approved the appointment of Robyn Dahlgren to the Planning Commission representing District 1. LEARN MORE
PLACER WELCOMES NEW PARKS AND OPEN SPACE DIRECTOR
This month Placer County welcomed Steve Gayfield as the first director of its new Department of Parks and Open Space. Gayfield comes to the county with more than 30 years of experience working in parks and recreation; previously serving as Executive Director at Sulphur Parks and Recreation District in Louisiana and superintendent of parks and recreation for the City of Lancaster in Ohio. LEARN MORE
OPENING ON PLACER COUNTY ASSESSMENT APPEALS BOARD REPRESENTING DISTRICT 5
Placer County is accepting applications to fill a seat on the county Assessment Appeals Board to represent District 5. Assessment Appeals Board members must have a minimum of five years of professional experience in the state of California as a certified public accountant, licensed real estate broker, an attorney, or certified and accredited property appraiser. LEARN MORE + APPLY HERE
PLACER COUNTY ACCEPTING ‘ROUND-TWO’ MICROBUSINESS GRANT APPLICATIONS
Placer County is launching the second round of grant funding for microbusiness owners who may have missed their opportunity for a $2,500 grant in the first round. New applications for the Placer Micro Biz Program will be accepted starting April 25 through June 10. The state provided Placer with a total sum of $412,500 in relief funds to award microbusinesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Placer launched the first round in February and in April awarded a total of $137,500 to 55 recipients. The remaining sum of $275,000 may be awarded during the second round. LEARN MORE
PLACER COUNTY AIR DISTRICT RAISES FLAG FOR AIR QUALITY
The Placer County Air Pollution Control District is celebrating Air Quality Awareness Week from May 2-6. The U.S. EPA will recognize the District on May 2 for its work with wildfire and smoke preparedness and public outreach. This year’s theme is Be Air Aware & Prepared, with each day featuring a new topic on how to prepare for and stay safe during periods of poor air quality. LEARN MORE
PLACER CELEBRATES ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HISTORIC PCCP
On April 22, 1970, the very first Earth Day celebration sparked a global environmental movement, so it’s quite appropriate that the Placer County Conservation Program began implementation on Earth Day last year, after 20 years in the making. LEARN MORE
PLACER’S EMPLOYMENT WEBSITE IS UPDATED REGULARLY
Check out Placer County’s employment website for a list of open positions, including internships. Job seekers can apply for positions and sign up for job alerts to be notified of openings.
APPLY FOR A JOB | SIGN UP FOR JOB ALERTS!
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
