A Year as Board Chair: An Insider Look

The year of 2020 was a truly challenging year to be Chair of the Board. In good years, the role of Chair is to keep the County priorities moving while staying on budget, be ready to respond to emergencies and speak for the County as a whole. Ideally the Chair helps keep the Board united so that staff can move forward on its priorities with confidence. The Chair is in a position to provide leadership to the community in times of difficulty. The emergence of COVID and all of the challenges this posed to our entire community, including health care workers, small businesses, and “contract” or self-employed workers, added to the importance and stress of keeping the ship afloat, watching out for our public safety, and somehow moving forward with the regular order.

Each of the challenges we face also provide an opportunity to be creative and form new relationships... READ MORE

Nevada County COVID Cases Continue to Rise

Personal Responsibility and Care for Our Community Will Lead the Way

It did not have to be this way. I never thought I would be sharing a moment of silence for over 30 Nevada County Residents the week before Christmas. The impacts are almost beyond comprehension, but we must recognize the gravity of where we are now. When the COVID-19 virus first entered the U.S. in March, the government could have enacted measures to reduce the impact. Careful implementation of laws or mandates could have combined with personal responsibility and some financial assistance to reduce the spread of the virus in the U.S., in California, and in Nevada County. Even without federal intervention, locally, we could have all decided to trust science and follow all the medical advice from the experts.

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Life Jackets at HWY 49 South Yuba River Crossing

Public Safety on our Beloved South Yuba River Corridor

The Yuba River is a beloved destination for both locals and out-of-towners, especially during summer months. The number of visitors to the river is growing each year and was particularly high this past summer due to COVID-related closures. The work of the Yuba River Public Safety Cohort (Cohort) has been especially critical, to keep visitors and the river safe. At the Board of Supervisors’ (BOS) Annual 2021 workshop, we will discuss our next steps to address issues raised by the Cohort and look at other open space recreation opportunities.

The Cohort is a multi-agency, multi-jurisdiction group that meets monthly to discuss and find solutions for the issues arising from the popularity of our river crossings... READ MORE

A Year of Success Addressing Homelessness & Housing

Better Together - Nevada County Housing Update

On July 16, 2020, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) created a program called “Homekey,” and allotted a total of $600 million for eligible public entities to purchase and rehabilitate housing for conversion into interim or permanent, long-term housing. Nevada County and the Nevada County Housing Development Corporation (NCHDC) successfully applied, and in October, 2020, received $2.8 million in Homekey funds, including capital and operating costs. The County and NCHDC identified a motel operator willing to sell his property, located at 628 South Auburn Street in Grass Valley, which we will purchase and rehabilitate for this project. In addition....READ MORE

Highway 174 Update

Highway 174 Safety Improvement Project Update

As you have probably noticed, the Highway 174 Improvement project is underway with active construction. The project was substantially revised after major input from the community. It will realign several curves, widen shoulders and created left turn lane at Greenhorn Access Road, and improve the road’s clear recovery zone (CRZ). It is due to be completed by November 2021. For updates, visit Caltrans here.

Jones Fire Hits Us Hard - Rebuilding the Independence Trail

This past August, the Jones Fire, ignited by dry lightning in the South Yuba River canyon, burned 705 acres and destroyed 21 structures. Independence Trail and its beautiful wooden bridges were destroyed in the fire. The community has been quick to put energy into the renovation and restoration of this beloved landmark.

The Independence Trail was the first wheelchair-accessible wilderness trail in the country. It was conceived of and brought to life by tireless advocate and conservationist, John Olmsted. The trail consists... READ MORE

Innovation is Key: Expanding Rural Broadband

Broadband will continue to be a high priority for the County, since I brought it to the Board in 2017 and we made it a high priority in the following years. Recently, the County allocated over 30% of its Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) monies to support economic and community resiliency via Resolution 20-419 which included $1M to expand rural broadband to over 500 households in the Peardale area. The coronavirus pandemic continues to highlight the critical need for broadband in our rural area now more than ever. Over the course of the last year and half, the County has taken substantial efforts to address this need including approving the Nevada County Broadband Strategy Plan in October 2019, implementing the Last-Mile Broadband Grant Program by awarding two Internet Service Providers (ISPs) Exwire, Inc. and Nevada County Fiber collectively with over $176,000 to hook up 140 new homes and businesses. The County also...READ MORE

Request for Action

As your District I Supervisor, I continue to invite you to reach out to me on the issues that are important to you and the community. Please feel free to contact me by email me at heidi.hall@co.nevada.ca.us or calling me at 530-265-1480.

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