March 2022

Hello, friends, neighbors, and fellow residents of District 1. I hope this first quarter update finds you well and enjoying our beautiful springtime weather.

Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund Grant Applications – Due Mar. 31

Nevada County’s Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund Grant Program will provide up to $850,000 in one-time grants to respond to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by funding projects to promote public health and public safety at highly impacted outdoor recreation destinations.

The primary focus of these grants will be on infrastructure projects located at major trailheads, staging areas and river crossings such as (but not limited to): South Yuba River destinations (e.g. Purdon Crossing, Edwards Crossing, and Lang’s Crossing); snow-play areas on Highway 80 near Donner Summit; major trailheads throughout the county; Bear River at Dog Bar; and impacted areas on the Truckee River. Possible projects might include improvements at trailheads or staging and gathering areas such as signage, toilets, lighting, parking improvements, land management to reduce fire danger or impacts of visitation, waste management solutions, urgent/emergency maintenance of outdoor recreation sites, etc.

Awarded funds will range from $10,000-$100,000 and will be capped at $200,000. For more information and the application, visit the Purchasing Department page of MyNevadaCounty.Com and scroll down to “open bids.”

South Yuba River Updates

I co-chair the Yuba River Public Safety Cohort, a multi-agency roundtable that coordinates around public safety issues at the South Yuba River. As we head into the 2022 river season, we’re advocating for better infrastructure at Purdon Crossing (namely, permanent toilets), solutions to parking challenges at Purdon and Edwards Crossings, examining whether to make the fire ban in the river corridor permanent, and planning our public safety / river etiquette-related projects and messaging. We also just had three new emergency call boxes installed at the 49 Crossing, Edwards Crossing, and on Maybert Road in the town of Washington. These call boxes use a satellite connection to provide emergency phone service where traditional land line service and cellular service are not available.

In May 2018, the County installed an emergency call box at Purdon Crossing and it has since been used to save at least two lives. Fortunately, it still works properly, in spite of having recently been vandalized. Because there is no cellular or land line service down in the canyon, that call box is the only means of communication during an emergency there. That could mean wildfire, a car accident, or a swimmer in trouble. Will you help us watch out for our critical infrastructure? One day, it could be you or a loved one who benefits from an emergency call box we’ve worked so hard to put into place.

Final Free Green Waste Event, April 8-10

The County has set up several additional free green waste events in response to the severe winter storm we experienced in late December, and the debris it generated.

WHO: Nevada County residents impacted by the December snowstorms.

WHAT: Residents are invited to drop off all brush, slash, and vegetative material generated from the snowstorms. There is no limitation to the size or volume of storm-related green waste debris residents may bring. Please note, trash, treated wood, and root balls will not be eligible items for disposal.

WHEN: 9:00 am- 3:00 pm April 8th, 9th & 10th

WHERE: 12625 Brunswick Rd, Grass Valley CA (Use the entrance at Millsite Rd. and E. Bennett Rd.)

For additional green waste disposal resources, visit www.mynevadacounty.com/GreenWaste

Winter storm damage to power and telecommunications lines

Continued Aftermath of Winter Storm Debris - Conversations with AT&T

Many AT&T customers experienced serious landline and cell phone disruptions during Snowmaggedon and its aftermath in late December / early January. Because of the volume of issues and length of time for AT&T to address these issues, we tracked each call we received, including the recently reported issue of downed lines still littering neighborhoods. Last week we had a productive call with AT&T’s government liaison, where we aired a number of frustrations and provided them with a compilation of issues from your emails and calls to me. We will be having additional follow-up calls with them. READ MORE

Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Cascade Shores

Nevada County’s Building Director Craig Griesbach shared with me a special experience he had while working to address green waste cleanup needs around the county: “This past month, I met a disabled veteran and his neighbor in Cascade Shores. The veteran needed help with green waste cleanup and efforts to pull together a volunteer crew to take it on fell through. I felt I just had to help in some way, so the neighbor, I and my oldest son showed up at the veteran’s home on a Saturday morning to help out. When we arrived, I was shocked to see about 20 neighbors were there to help. It was so cool to see a neighborhood come together to help one of their own..." READ MORE

Please Take the 'Need for Speed' Broadband Survey

Nevada County’s high-speed internet (or "broadband") survey has been released and, while District 1 has made a pretty good showing so far in the survey results, we need more survey responses, especially from Cascade Shores! The more data we have, the better we can demonstrate to internet service providers what the market opportunity is in our area and entice them to build out new networks.

Take the Need for Speed Broadband Survey

The results of the survey will help the County prioritize new broadband projects, apply for funding, and advocate to elected officials and state regulators.

The survey, at www.mynevadacounty.com/broadband, takes less than 5 minutes to fill out and is available in both English and Spanish.
Respondents who have internet access will be prompted to test their internet speed and provide the results. Those with slow speeds or no available internet at all are especially encouraged to participate.
Those with no internet access are encouraged to take the survey from the library, a friend’s house, work, or school. They can also call the broadband hotline at (530) 562-4992 to respond over the phone.
County officials will provide the survey results in an online map that will not include specific addresses or personal information.
Feel free to share our social media post about the survey: https://www.facebook.com/NevadaCountyCA/posts/300076088897429

Seeking to Appoint Two New Members to a Board and Commission

Building & Accessibility Standards Board of Appeals

The Building & Accessibility Standards Board of Appeals (BASBOA) is tasked with considering community members’ appeals regarding discretionary orders, decisions and determinations made by the Building Official relative to the application and interpretation of the technical Building Standards codes. Currently, there is a vacancy available for a District 1 appointee. READ MORE

Historical Landmarks Commission

If you love history and the beauty of the county, join a great group of community representatives who have a passion for preserving the unique features of Nevada County. The Historical Landmarks Commission works to preserve and build public engagement with Nevada County’s treasures by identifying historical objects and sites for landmark designation, by working with the board of supervisors, and by increasing public awareness of these historical resources. Since the creation of the commission in 1969, the board and commission have successfully designated over 200 historical landmarks throughout the county. Currently, there is a vacancy available for a District 1 appointee who must live in District 1. READ MORE

The Bigger Picture – State and Federal Issues

Yosemite Policymakers Conference

Last weekend, I attended my second Policymakers Conference, the 40th Anniversary meeting put on by CivicWell (formerly Local Government Commission) where I serve as the Treasurer. CivicWell is committed to helping provide local holistic, integrated solutions around climate change, energy, water, and community design. This naturally includes looking at innovative housing, transportation and land use solutions. I look forward to continuing to bring ideas back to the county and sharing our rural experience with this statewide (and beyond!) group.

CSAC Cannabis Working Group

March is the kick-off meeting of the California State Association of Counties’ new Cannabis Working Group, and I am pleased to have been asked to participate. The group will work to identify new legislation or programs that we will advocate for at the state level, to ensure that legal cannabis can thrive and illegal cannabis grows will be properly addressed. The health and safety of our environment and neighborhoods is a high priority for me and I will continue to advocate for statewide solutions that respect the rural experience.

Thank you for your continued support of Nevada County’s excellent programs and for keeping me informed about District 1 events and issues. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns about life here in Nevada County. I am here to serve you. Reach me at Heidi.hall@co.nevada.ca.us or 530-265-1480. If this email was forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe to my newsletters, click here.