AUTUMN IS IN THE AIR
With crisp sunny days, vivid colors from the changing leaves, and stunning vibrant sunsets – it’s easy to say that fall in Placer County is one of the most beautiful times of the year. It’s also one of the best times of the year to get outside to explore the amazing outdoors with ideal weather, stunning landscapes, and less crowds.
And while the season is changing, our fire season is still very much here. As I mentioned in my previous newsletter, I will continue to push out wildfire updates and resources until we begin to see significant rain and snow. Please continue to stay educated, informed, prepared, and safe!
In service,
Cindy Gustafson, District 5 Supervisor
AUBURN STATE OF THE COMMUNITY AWARDS DINNER
This past Thursday, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual State of the Community Awards at the Gold Country Fairgrounds. It was a beautiful evening and a wonderful time to recognize those who go above and beyond to serve our community. I was pleased to present Placer County’s Award winners — Katie Combs-Prichard, Public Information, and Michael Romero Program Manager for Emergency Preparedness and Response, both with our Department of Health and Human Services, for their phenomenal leadership, efforts and services during the pandemic. Their instrumental roles provided key policymakers, first responders, businesses, health care providers, and residents about community transmission, State requirements, and efforts to slow the spread. They also were integral in setting up the mass vaccination clinic at The Grounds. They fielded thousands of inquiries during the pandemic from national, state, local media, and co-developed messaging with 211 Placer and our local nonprofits. They kept our Cities’ leadership as well as business leaders and residents informed and educated during regular updates, through the website, and in-numerous zoom calls. Please join me in congratulating the Chamber and all the award winners recognized at the event. VIEW AWARD WINNERS
Wildfire Updates
FIRE SEASON IS FAR FROM OVER!
Fall is still fire season, especially with the extreme drought. Please continue to be fire safe and 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
- Red Flag Warning Program
- Hi-lo sirens during evacuations
- Prepare for quick evacuation
- Build an emergency kit
- Sign up for Placer Alert
ADDITIONAL WILDFIRE NEWS & RESOURCES
As our community begins to recover from the River Fire, I wanted to provide you with resources to help you get back into your homes and businesses safely. Placer County has created a River Fire Recovery webpage that provides everything you need from permits, financial/food/housing assistance, insurance resources, debris removal, rebuilding, and information on what to expect upon return. LEARN MORE
RIVER FIRE DEBRIS REMOVAL PROGRAM
On Tuesday, September 28 the Board of Supervisors adopted an urgency ordinance establishing standards for the removal of debris generated as a result of the River Fire. LEARN MORE
PROTECTED INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR WILDFIRE SURVIVORS
On September 20, Commissioner Ricardo Lara ordered insurance companies to preserve residential insurance coverage for more than 325,000 policyholders who have been affected by devastating Northern California wildfires across 22 counties – stating that there is a mandatory one-year moratorium that prevents homeowner insurance cancellations and non-renewals following an emergency declaration. Several Placer County zip codes are covered under this moratorium. LEARN MORE
North Fork American River Shaded Fuel Break—Phase II CAL FIRE recently awarded the Placer County Resource Conservation District with a $4.5M grant to complete the second phase of work on the North Fork American River Shaded Fuel Break. Phase I of this project was previously identified by Governor Newsom as one the 35 priority fuel reduction projects across the state. This new funding will allow for expansion of the existing 850 acre fuel break, adding an additional 1000 acres over five years which will serve to provide critical wild fire protection to the communities between the City of Colfax to the City of Auburn. LEARN MORE
PLACER COUNTY CHIPPING PROGRAM
In August 2021, the Placer County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement to expand funding and staffing for the Placer County Chipper Program by partnering with the Probation Department’s alternative sentencing work-release program. The program is a low-cost residential chipping service to help landowners manage their vegetation and meet defensible space requirements to reduce the risk of wildfire. Management of this program was transferred from Placer County to the Placer County Resource Conservation District in 2013. They currently have 2 crews. View the last weeks report [link to report, shown below] for service done on the east side of the county, service for the east side was performed the week prior. LEARN MORE
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE NOW AVAILABLE
Residents of Lassen, Nevada, Placer, and Plumas Counties who have been impacted by wildfires that started in July and August 2021 can now file for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). The California Employment Development Department (EDD) administers these benefits, which are available to workers, business owners, and self-employed individuals who lost their jobs or businesses, or had their work hours reduced due to the ongoing wildfires. For full details, see the EDD news release regarding available disaster benefits for those impacted by recent wildfires, CLICK HERE.
Labor Union Negotiations with Our Deputy Sheriff’s Association (DSA)
While there remains significant disagreement between the DSA and the Board of Supervisors, we did vote to impose our final offer to their members with salary increases of 4% | 4.25% | 4.5% respectively over the next 3 years along with a number of changes to implement these salary and benefit changes. Supporting our public safety professionals is critically important to all of us. That includes not only ensuring their pay and benefits today, but ensuring the long-term viability of the future obligations. VIEW AGENDA
Additional News & Resources
PLACER COUNTY EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY
On Wednesday, September 29 Placer County hosted an Employee Appreciation day with a Placer Eats 2021 Food Truck event to celebrate and recognize the great work Placer employees do. Thank you to each and every one of who have and continue to adapt and provide services to our County and its communities. View the Employee Appreciation Day Thank You video from myself, CEO Todd Leopold and all your Board of Supervisors. WATCH VIDEO
OCTOBER IS PLACERGROWN MONTH
On September 28, our Placer County Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation declaring October PlacerGROWN Month at their meeting in North Auburn. PlacerGROWN is also celebrating its 20-year anniversary, highlighting Placer County farms and ranches, a time-honored tradition in the county since the mid-1800’s. LEARN MORE
SIGN-UP FOR OUR PLACER WORKS VIRTUAL JOB FAIR
Are you an employer with job vacancies or a job seeker? Meet with hundreds of qualified local candidates and employers in Placer County in a convenient virtual forum. Be part of the Placer Works virtual job fair on October 14. Registration is free. REGISTER NOW
PLACER OFFICE OF EDUCATION LAUNCHES PROGRAM TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WHO EXPERIENCE TRAUMA
To support students who may have experienced trauma, the Placer County Office of Education has partnered with the Children’s System of Care and other agencies to implement the Handle with Care program. LEARN MORE
PLACER COUNTY AGRICULTURE VALUE CRESTS ALL-TIME HIGH OF $90 MILLION
Strong prices for beef, walnuts, timber and almonds in Placer County helped drive a 4% increase of total crop value to an all-time high in 2020. LEARN MORE
PLACER PUBLIC HEALTH RECEIVES NEW ALZHEIMER’S INITIATIVE GRANT
Placer County Public Health has been selected for a new grant to expand on the existing Healthy Brain Initiative. The funding will be used to create a committee to improve early Alzheimer’s detection and screening efforts in the county. LEARN MORE
PLACER REDISTRICTING COMMISSION | PUBLIC MEETING OCTOBER 14
The once-a-decade process of revising Placer County’s supervisorial district boundaries continues October 14 with a public meeting with the Advisory Redistricting Commission. LEARN MORE
Contact information:
175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@
District Aide Sophie Fox: sfox@placer.ca.gov
Assistant District Aide Lindsay Thayer: lthayer@placer.ca.gov
