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

 

CPUC To Hold Workshop on Fast Trip, Unplanned Outages and Distribution Reliability in Response to RCRC Joint Motion

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold a workshop to dive deeper into customer impacts associated with Fast Trip power outages, such as the frequent Enhanced Powerline Safety Setting (EPSS) program outages impacting many counties within PG&E’s service territory, and how to address the growing energy reliability risks associated with catastrophic wildfire and other climate change factors such as extreme heat, prolonged drought, and torrential downpours.

DATE:        March 17, 2023
TIME:         9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
WHERE:    Virtual via Webex, link here
HOW:         Meeting Number (Access Code): 2482 859 2623; Password: 2023. Or dial 1-800-857-1917 (Passcode 1673482#)

RCRC joined Pioneer Community Energy, Sonoma Clean Power Authority, East Bay Community Energy, and Marin Clean Energy inpetitioning the CPUC to develop rules to ensure that utility fast trip outages are implemented in a manner that protects public health, safety, and welfare. As a result, these entities have been invited to make a presentation on how power outages affect residents and businesses, the interaction between public safety partners, and how utilities can better support customers. RCRC welcomes any input on these topics to help inform its participation in the workshop.  For more information, or to learn how to participate in the workshop, please contact John Kennedy, RCRC Policy Advocate.

 

Training: Land Use Planning for Wildfire (Free!) 

The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection announces the launch of the CAL FIRE / Office of the State Fire Marshal’s Introduction to Land Use Planning for Wildfires in California Trainings.  

These free, all-day, in person trainings are open to land use planners, fire marshals, fire chiefs, fire mitigation specialists, building officials, and other professionals from government agencies and the private sector engaged in planning, policy, development review and/or approval activities in California. 

The following is a list of upcoming trainings across the state. 

  • March 7, 2023 – Roseville 
  • March 9, 2023 – Morgan Hill 
  • April 18, 2023 – Del Rey 
  • April 20, 2023 – Los Osos 

Space is limited. For more information and to register, see here. 

view flyer

 

Upcoming PG&E Wildfire Safety Webinars

PG&E hosts online webinars throughout each year for anyone who is interested in learning more about the Community Wildfire Safety Program. These virtual gatherings allow community members to learn more about wildfire safety and emergency preparedness, meet with PG&E representatives, ask questions and share feedback. For anyone who is not able to join a live webinar, presentations and video recordings of our past webinars are available on the PG&E website here. 

The next webinar is scheduled for March 8, 2023 -  South Bay & Central Coast Town Hall
Counties served: South Bay & Central Coast Region: Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz

Join webinar 
Attendee Dial In: 1-800-779-1425
Conference ID: 5186895

For a full list of upcoming webinars, see here.

 

DWR County Drought Resilience Planning Assistance Webinar

DWR will provide financial and direct technical assistance to counties for developing their County Drought Resilience Plan per SB 552 to provide needed water shortage protection and emergency response for state small water systems and domestic wells. Local elected officials, County offices for planning, emergency services, public health and or other mission-related departments or divisions, and other interested parties are encouraged to attend.

Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
Time: 1:00PM – 2:30PM
Location: Virtual via Zoom

Register Here

A meeting agenda and related materials will be shared ahead of the meeting.  Additional references are available at the links below.

 

 

County of Shasta Invites Responses to RFP 23-19 for Health Officer Services

The County of Shasta, California invites responses to Request for Proposals (RFP) 23-19 to provide Health Officer services to preserve and protect the public health of the County.  Any contracted Health Officer must be available full time to provide medical oversight and expertise to Public Health’s programs and services, work with state and local Public Health leadership and community partners to control and prevent the spread of communicable disease, chronic disease and injury, and promote health and wellbeing in Shasta County.

A non-mandatory Responder’s Conference is scheduled for 2pm on March 1, 2023, at 1450 Court Street, Suite 352, Redding, CA 96001.

RFP Closing Date: March 10, 2023 at 2pm.

GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL ONLINE at www.shastacounty.gov/purchasing/page/competitive-procurements, or visit 1450 Court Street, Suite 348, Redding CA 96001.

Contact Leticia Swanson at 530-229-8244 or llswanson@co.shasta.ca.us with any questions.

 

Career Opportunities

Mendocino County

  • The County of Mendocino is seeking an Emergency Services Coordinator to oversee the function of an Operational Area Office of Emergency Services. The final filing date is March 17, 2023. For full job description and to apply, prospective candidates should visit  here.

Sierra County

  • The County of Sierra is seeking a Director of Health and Social Services, responsible for the management and administration of Department of Health and Social Services.  A full description and qualifications are available here. For more information, visit the county website here or call (530) 289-2879.
  • The Sierra County Department of Transportation is recruiting for a Transportation Planner II or III, depending on qualifications. This position is open until filled. For more information, see the county website here or call 530-289-2879

Tuolumne County

  • The County of Tuolumne is seeking qualified candidates for Chief Deputy Assistant County Clerk & Auditor-Controller, a Chief Deputy Assistant department head who will have primary supervision and administrative oversight of the department and may assume full responsibility of the office in the absence of the County Clerk & Auditor Controller.  Requires bachelor’s degree in accounting or related and to meet one (1) of four (4) additional qualifications as outlined in the full job announcement. Please visit https://ca-tuolumnecounty.civicplushrms.com/careers/  Salary range: $10,455 - $12,709 /mo. Closes Sunday, March 12, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. EOE

  • Tuolumne County Public Works is seeking an experienced integrated waste professional with extensive knowledge of environmental regulations and compliance to oversee the collection, transportation and disposal of solid waste and hazardous materials, provide public outreach and training, promote recycling programs, maintain two closed landfills, and negotiate and monitor contracts for environmental and landfill services. The Director of Solid Waste, as a key member of the management team, will oversee a staff of four and provide expert advice and support to the Director, Board members, and the community.  Bachelor’s degree and three years’ experience in solid waste management with two years at a supervisory or higher level. Flexible schedule 90/8 or 20%-40% telework considered for right candidate. Position is open until filled. EOE For additional details, see here.

Yolo County

  • The County of Yolo is seeking an innovative, forward thinking, and politically astute executive leader to become the new Director of Community Services. The annual salary range for the Director of Community Services position is $173,396 - $210,764, depending upon experience and qualifications. The County of Yolo also offers an attractive benefits package. For more information, or to apply online visit the website of Bob Murray & Associates here. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Gary Phillips at (916) 784-9080. Filing Deadline: March 5, 2023.

  • The County of Yolo is recruiting to fill one (1) regular, full-time position in the class of Public Information Officer (PIO) at the County Administrator's Office. The role of the Public Information Officer is to manage the County’s communications with the public through press releases, social media, videos, live media and the County website. The PIO informs and engages the community and other stakeholders regarding County activities, services, and strategies.  The PIO also functions as the County Spokesperson which requires knowledge of County programs and policies. As a member of the County Emergency Operations Center personnel, the PIO also acts in a lead capacity in disseminating information during an emergency. The full job announcement can be found here. This position is open until filled.

 

CMSP Offering Healthcare Infrastructure Development Matching Grant

The CMSP Healthcare Infrastructure Development Matching Grant program (HID Matching Grant) will help CMSP counties and non-profits contracted with CMSP counties to expand their physical capacity to provide healthcare and behavioral health services by providing required local level match funds for state, federal or other infrastructure grants.  Up to $10 Million may be awarded!  Awards range up to $500,000 for projects serving a single CMSP county and up to $ 1,000,000 for projects serving multiple CMSP counties. HID Matching Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, beginning February 1, 2023 through June 1, 2023.   Applications will be considered as they are received and will be submitted to the Governing Board for consideration at an upcoming regularly scheduled public meeting of the Board. Completed applications must be submitted to grants@cmspcounties.org by June 1, 2023. To learn full program details and requirements, or to download an application, visit the CMSP website here.

 

Institute for Local Government Launches New Digital Planning Commissioner Handbook & Regional Trainings

The Institute for Local Government (ILG) recently released an updated version of their Planning Commissioners Handbook. This handbook is designed to support planning commissioners, their staff, and other officials interested in land use and planning; to help local officials understand the planning process; and provide a glimpse of some potential planning challenges commissioners may experience during their terms. The handbook describes the major terms, plans, and policies that make up the framework of local planning, as well as typical stakeholders in the process and the basics of reviewing applications for development.

In conjunction with this release, ILG is hosting regional training sessions for planning commissioners. These interactive sessions will take place in person at various locations throughout the state and will cover topics such as the role of a planning commission, how to work effectively with staff and the governing board, effective community engagement, CEQA basics, required planning documents, and local and regional planning challenges and opportunities. Each session will give participants the opportunity to engage with experts in the field and fellow planning commissioners to hear best practices, emerging trends, and lessons learned. All sessions are FREE but space is limited and registration is required. Find a full schedule and register here.

Next Trainings: Kern, Tulare, Kings and Fresno Counties, March 3, 2023; and Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Yuba and Sutter Counties, March 10, 2023

 

Access the State Grants Portal for a Multitude of Funding Opportunities

Billions of dollars are up for grabs to public agencies and other entities, including tribes and businesses. Grant seekers can access a centralized portal of grant and loan opportunities here, or sign up to receive new grant opportunities delivered straight to your inbox