SUMMER DRAWS TO AN END…
BUT FIRE SEASON IS FAR FROM OVER!
Over 100 years ago, our Country began recognizing the first Monday in September as Labor Day, paying tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. While Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer, I want to remind you that our fire season is FAR from being over. Until we begin to see some rain and snow, I will continue to push out wildfire information. Let’s work together to keep Placer County educated, informed, prepared, and SAFE!
Wishing you a Happy Labor Day,
Cindy Gustafson, District 5 Supervisor
BEAR RIVER CAMPGROUND UPDATE + TOWN HALL
Last Tuesday we convened a roundtable discussion with the CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Placer County Parks and Open Space staff, Placer County CEO staff, public safety officials and several local community stakeholders to share ideas about the future of Bear River Campground and Day Use Area. 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. This small working group session allowed us to get initial feedback from the State about their planned approach and to consider impacts to residents and County departments. The session also allowed us to better understand the vision some groups and individuals have toward the protection and expansion of public access up and down the river corridor. This initial meeting gave us all the chance to better prepare for a robust and informative community town hall.
BEAR RIVER CAMPGROUND TOWN HALL
Please join myself, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Placer County Parks and Open Space staff – we would love to get feedback from the community and hear your thoughts and concerns.
WHEN: Monday, September 12 from 6-8pm
IN PERSON: Sierra Vista Community Center
VIRTUAL: via Zoom
PLACER TO OPEN THREE LIBRARIES DURING HEAT WAVE
Excessive heat warning for southwest Placer County in effect from Saturday at 11am to Tuesday at 8pm. Placer County will keep three of its libraries open throughout the long holiday weekend to help residents stay cool and out of the heat. County libraries located in Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax will extend their hours of operation until 7pm on Saturday. Although typically closed on Sundays and holidays, these three libraries will be open from noon until 7pm on Sunday and Labor Day Monday with air-conditioned spaces but limited library services. LEARN MORE
RESPONSES TO LETTERS REGARDING INTERSTATE 80
At the last 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 I-80 between the Summit and Meadow Vista. Our office and Placer County Fire both submitted letters regarding these concerns as well as the previous letter we sent on the deterioration of the I-80 surface which has caused numerous broken windshields and flat tires. Follow-up responses are below.
I-80 ROAD CONDITIONS
“Caltrans uses a robust pavement asset management system. Based on our assessment, the surface layer has degraded, and structural section is in good condition. To address this need we have planned a project for construction in 2023. In the meantime, we have increased our sweeping operation to remove any loose material from the surface.” – Response from Amarjeet Benipal, Caltrans District 3 Director
SPEEDING OF TRUCKS ON I-80
“…We appreciate you making us aware of the concerns listed in your letter and will be working with our membership on reminding them and their drivers to adhere to the state’s 55 MPH speed limit for commercial motor vehicles and to pay close attention to checking their brakes. The timing of your letter couldn’t have come at a better time as National Brake Safety Check Week is scheduled for August 21-27. We will make sure to reiterate to our members and their drivers the importance of checking their brakes not only during Brake Check Safety Week but throughout the year.” – Response from Eric Sauer, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, California Trucking Association
RECOGNIZING PLACER COUNTY’S WINTER STORM HEROES
On August 10 I had the pleasure of presenting a certificate of special recognition in honor of our winter storm heroes from the record breaking December storms that affected so many residents in District 5. They stepped up to assist the community by checking in on their neighbors and donating time and resources to others. Thank you all for your incredible volunteer service and dedication to the community. VIEW CERTIFICATE + NAMES
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS | RECAP OF AUGUST 23
The Board of Supervisors Meeting on August 23 included several items that are specific to or impact various regions of District 5….
• Commendation Recognizing Congressman Tom McClintock
• Annual Crop Report
• CivicSpark Fellowship Service Term Overview
• Final Action of Appeal of Planning Commission’s Denial of the Sorensen Variance (PLN21-00460)
• Appeal of the Planning Commission’s Denial of the 3M Event Center Conditional Use Permit (PLN22-00053)
• Alta Forestry Road Slope Stabilization Project – Approve Plans and Specifications and Authorization to Advertise, Delegate Authority to Award and Execute Construction Contract and Delegate Authority to Award and Execute Construction Management Services Contract
VIEW FULL AGENDA | AUGUST 23 RECORDING
PLACER COUNTY PROBATION RECRUITMENT VIDEO
The communications team released a new recruitment video last week that showcases the Probation Department and the great work the team does in our community. WATCH VIDEO
COUNTY LOOKING TO FILL VACANCY ON NORTH AUBURN MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
The North Auburn Municipal Advisory Council in District 5 has an open seat. Citizens who are interested in working alongside Placer County to serve their community are encouraged to apply. MACs are comprised of volunteers who serve as a voice for their community and provide their elected county supervisor with input on policies, projects and issues affecting their neighbors. MAC members work together, with input from the community, to make formal recommendations to the Placer County Planning Commission on certain land use projects and may provide comments and input on other county projects such as infrastructure planning and grant applications. If you are interested in serving, please submit a completed application to the Clerk of the Board, 175 Fulweiler Avenue in Auburn, 95603. To be eligible to serve as a MAC member you must reside, own real property or a business, or manage and operate a business within the MAC boundaries. LEARN MORE
PLACER COUNTY AGRICULTURE VALUE HITS NEW RECORD OF $100 MILLION; ALMONDS VALUE INCREASED 48%
An increase in almond production put the nut crop into Placer County’s top four crops last year, helping drive a 48% increase of overall crop value to an all-time high in 2021. Rice, along with beef cattle, walnuts and nursery, remained among Placer County’s top five highest-gross-value crops. LEARN MORE
DURING HUNGER ACTION MONTH, HELP FEED YOUR HUNGRY NEIGHBORS
September is Hunger Action Month, and more than 30,000 people in Placer County alone – including children and seniors – experience food insecurity. To raise awareness and address local need, the Placer Food Security Coalition is hosting a community food drive at the Gold Country Fairgrounds.
Please drop off non-perishable food items on the following dates at the Gold Country Fairgrounds, at the gate 2 entrance on Fairgate Rd. in Auburn.
• September 8 & 9 from 4-6pm
• September 10 from 11am-6pm
• September 11 from 11am-3pm
Alternatively, you can also donate to a virtual food drive fund, CLICK HERE. All donations will go to the Placer Food Bank. LEARN MORE
SR 49 AMERICAN RIVER CONFLUENCE STUDY WORKSHOP
Interested in the planned changes to SR 49? Want to share your thoughts? Join us at the State Route 49 American River Confluence Study workshop, taking place at the Northside Elementary School gymnasium at 6:30pm on September 14. LEARN MORE
AN AUBURN COMMUNITY CELEBRATION HONORING PLACER HIGH SCHOOL’S 125TH ANNIVERSARY
Placer County’s oldest high school is turning 125 years young! The Hillmen Foundation is excited to invite you to the 125th Anniversary Celebration of Placer High School, September 30-October 2, 2022, in Auburn. Mark your calendars for a weekend filled with fun, food, festivities, and friendship. LEARN MORE
PG&E WORK AT ROLLINS LAKE
From Wednesday, September 28 to Friday, September 30, those near Rollins Lake may notice PG&E crews and helicopters removing lines that span across a portion of the lake. From 6:30am to noon on these dates, the boat launches will be closed and there will be temporary restrictions on movement on the lake in the vicinity of the work.+ Traffic control will be in place in all work areas in the form of signage and flagging personnel while the safety work is performed, and therefore customers may experience traffic impacts. PG&E will post “No Parking” signs at least 24 hours before we begin our work, as well as signage at the launch ramps to Rollins Lake. Approximately 400 notices also went out to residential and business customers in the work area. LEARN MORE
HELP PLACER COUNTY IMPROVE SHORT-TERM RENTAL RULES
As we prepare for next year’s permitting cycle, we’re again asking for your input on how our Short-Term Rental Program is working so we can continue to improve it. Please share your thoughts by taking this 2-minute survey, through Friday, September 2. TAKE SURVEY
Wildfire Updates and Resources
FIRE SEASON IS UPON US – STAY PREPARED & 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
District 5 Public Safety Reports | August 2022
PLACER COUNTY SHERIFF
- Total Incidents: 2645
- Citizen Calls: 1653
- Deputy Initiated: – 992
- Priority 1: – 504
- Priority 2: – 495
- Suspicious Activity: 230
- Disturbance: 189
- Alarm: 171
- Traffic Stops: 341
- Arrests: 89
- Citations: 72
CAL FIRE
- Total Incidents: 4,135
- Acres Burned: 109.72
- Wildland Fires: 79
- Structure Fires: 35
- Fire, Other: 390
- Medical Responses: 2,803
- HazMat: 96
- LE Activity: 27
- Public Service – Other: 705
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
