Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.
 

DWR Update on the Delta Conveyence Project Validation Action

Last month, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) filed a “validation action” with the Sacramento County Superior Court regarding DWR’s authority to, among other things, issue revenue bonds to finance the planning, design, construction and other capital costs of the proposed Delta Conveyance Project. Since the original filing, the court has issued a summons and a public notice is now available. These documents and the validation complaint can be found here.

The Department seeks a judgment confirming the validity of revenue bonds the Department authorized to pay for the environmental review, planning and design, and if approved and subject to the specific conditions precedent, construction of Delta conveyance facilities. The Department is not seeking in the validation proceeding a determination that it has complied with all legal prerequisites that may apply to approval and/or implementation of any Delta conveyance facility.

Any interested person may appear and contest a validation action, subject to specific time limits and procedural requirements. In the Department’s validation proceeding, interested persons must appear, in conformance with applicable legal and procedural requirements, not later than October 30, 2020.

 

Census Count 2020 Ends September 30, 2020 - Ways You Can Help

As the U.S. Census Count enters the final days, there is still concern about the level of responses from the rural communities within California. With the Census Count ending September 30th, here are some ways you can help:

  1. Send an email blast to your networks, and encourage others to do the same (Download template here)
  2. Post on social media (Download graphics and a media toolkit here)
  3. Share digital or printed in-language flyers with community members and their families (Available here)
  4. Spread information about how to complete the census
  • Online https://my2020census.gov
  • Phone  (844) 330-2020
  • Mail  Return your paper Census form you received in the mail

 

CPUC to Hold Public Forum on Frontier Communications Bankruptcy

On Wednesday, October 7th, the CPUC is holding two public meetings on Frontier Communication’s bankruptcy application, a process that must undergo CPUC approval. One workshop will be held from 10am to 4:30pm (see here) to discuss the bankruptcy proceeding, and a public forum will be held in the evening from 5:30pm to 6:30pm for public comment, see here. The CPUC is specifically requesting input from the public and Frontier customers and would like to know the following:

  • Your experience with Frontier's services and service terms
  • Knowledge of other service providers offering service where you live or work
  • Experience with services from these other service providers
  • Concerns with your ability to access emergency services
  • Suggestions, ideas, and recommendations for resolving concerns, difficulties, hardship, etc.
  • Potential impact to your communities
  • Type of information that the Commission should consider in assessing Frontier's long-term viability
  • Information regarding successes and/or failures with other restructuring deals and their impact to customers/the public after 1-3 years

Public input will help the CPUC determine whether Frontier's request for a transfer of control is in the public's interest, and what, if any, conditions should be included. Written public comments may also be submitted at any time here. For more information on this issue, please see here.

 

HCD Announces Help for Those Affected by Northern California Wildfires in Lake, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo Counties

On August 22, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the White House approved California's request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to bolster the state's emergency response to wildfires burning in Northern California and support impacted residents in Lake, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo Counties.

This declaration helps people in those counties through support and services that includes:

  • Crisis counseling
  • Housing and unemployment assistance
  • Legal services

If you sustained losses from the Northern California fires in Lake, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, or Yolo Counties, you can now apply for assistance.

To begin the process:

  1. Apply online with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) OR
  2. Call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or 800-462-7585 (TTY).

HCD encourages the use of online applications whenever possible. For additional information and important details, see the entire HCD announcement here.

 

CARB to Host Regulatory Training for Public Agencies

The California Air Resources Board will be hosting a  compliance overview of the Truck and Bus Rule, Off-Road Regulation, and Portable Equipment on October 8, 2020. Course topics include the following:

Truck and Bus Regulation:

  • Regulation Applicability
  • Engine Model Year Schedule
  • Exemptions & Extensions
  • How to Report for Regulation Flexibilities
  • Broker and Dispatcher Requirements
  • DMV Registration

Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP):

  • Regulation Applicability
  • Program Updates

In-Use Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation:

  • Regulation Applicability
  • Requirements Currently in Effect
  • Future Compliance Deadlines

Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) & Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM):

  • PERP Eligibility
  • Program Requirements
  • ATCM Program & Updates
  • Enforcement & Inspections

DATE:            October 8, 2020
TIME:             1:00 p.m.
WEBINAR:     Register

 

 

 

State Water Board Now Accepting SAFER Advisory Group Applications

The State Water Board is now accepting applications for the Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) Advisory Group, which provides the State Water Board with advice on the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund Expenditure Plan and other SAFER-related policies. Applications will be accepted through September 30, 2020.

There are 10 seats open for the 2020 application period. Applicants will be selected and notified by Winter 2020. County resource staff and other interested parties are encouraged to apply. The electronic application form is available on the SAFER Advisory Group website here.

The SAFER Advisory Group website will be updated with tools and resources regularly, so keep checking the website for more information.

 

HCD Announces the Release of the Homekey Notice of Funding Availability

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has announced the release of the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for $600 million in Homekey funds. The grant funding is available to cities, counties , or other local public entities within California to purchase and rehabilitate housing, as well as hotels, motels, vacant apartment buildings, and other buildings and convert them into interim or permanent, long-term housing. Prior to submitting an application, all applicants are required to engage in a pre-application consultation. All applications are due by September 29, 2020. Visit the Homekey webpage to learn more.

 

Career Opportunities

  • Colusa County Seeks Assistant Director of Public Works/Road Commissioner

The county of Colusa is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Director of Public Work/Road Commissioner. The position is open until filled. Details are available here.