Nevada County News | April 18, 2024

Ross Gay reads from his Nevada County Reads book "Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude" at the Sierra Poetry Festival on Apr. 13 (pictured with Nevada County Youth Services Librarian Tricia Caspers-Ross) Photo by Casey Garrotto

Ross Gay reads from his Nevada County Reads book "Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude" at the Sierra Poetry Festival on April 13 (pictured with Nevada County Youth Services Librarian Tricia Caspers-Ross). Photo credit: Casey Garrotto

A Message from Our Board Chair and Auditor

The County of Nevada is very concerned by the findings of the Nevada County Grand Jury's report released this week, 'Follow the Money: Fire Safe Council's Accountability Problems from 2022 Continue ... and Appear to Worsen.'

The Grand Jury report highlights the Fire Safe Council's purported failure to ensure financial accountability in its operations. The findings in this report are consistent with the County's experience working with them. The County has made multiple attempts to work with the Fire Safe Council to fix these concerns without success, which is why the County is not currently entering into new contracts with the Fire Safe Council.

As with past Grand Jury reports, the County takes this report very seriously and will respond fully to the Grand Jury's findings and recommendations as requested by mid-July.

-Hardy Bullock, Board of Supervisors Chair

-Gina Will, Auditor-Controller

One Bedroom/One Bath Housing Master Plan Available

The Nevada County Building Department has released its fourth and final pre-approved housing master plan, a one-bedroom/one-bath unit. This design will join the three already approved master plans that offer property owners a more affordable and quick option for building a home. Plans can be used as a primary or secondary home, such as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) also known as a granny flat, cottage, or in-law quarters.

New Pilot Program Brings Food Waste Education into the Classroom

Third grade students eagerly raised their hands to share what they knew about compost and food waste before assembling into small groups to collectively participate in an activity.

“We’re educating the students on how to prevent food waste by using leftovers, composting and growing carrot tops and green onions. Hopefully we can spread this throughout the community and encourage more kids to use their food scraps,” said Jen Kemppinen Health Education Coordinator for Nevada County Public Health’s CalFresh Healthy Living program.

Speed Limit Changes Proposed for Cement Hill, Mooney Flat and Donner Pass Roads

The Board of Supervisors is considering:

Increasing the speed limit from 25 miles per hour to 30 miles per hour on a section of Cement Hill Road.
Increasing the speed limit from 45 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour on a section of Mooney Flat Road.
Decreasing the speed limit on a section of Donner Pass Road from 35 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour

YubaNet recently posted the video, "Celebrating Nevada County Dispatchers" in commemoration of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week April 14-20.

More Nevada County News

Youth Commission Seeking New Members

The Nevada County Youth Commission is seeking new members for the 2024-25 school year. The commission is looking for members ages 14-19 who live in Nevada County and/ or are enrolled in a Nevada County school system.

The group serves as a bridge between county youth and the Board of Supervisors. Commissioners serve a one-year term. There are six openings available.

Fourth Annual Plant Swap

Is your house overrun with spider plants? Have one too many tomato starters? Or maybe more succulents than you can stand? Find them a new home at the Grass Valley Library’s 4th Annual Plant Swap.

Between Monday, April 21 and Friday, April 26, bring your adoptable plants to the Grass Valley Library during regular open hours. Every plant you bring earns a ticket to be redeemed on Saturday, April 27.

Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act Innovative Programs Grant

Nevada County Probation and the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (JJCC) are excited to offer a funding opportunity for innovative projects focused on prevention and early intervention for justice-involved youth populations and/or at-risk youth. Eligible entities for this opportunity include local community-based organizations.

Community Green Waste Events Begin

Nevada County residents will have many upcoming opportunities to dispose of residential green waste this year. This includes the April 29 event at the McCourtney Road Transfer station (see calendar listing below) and the new Firewise Community Green Waste Partnership Program, that has been specifically created to support the nearly 100 active Firewise Communities in Nevada County.

State Highlights Nevada County Oral Health Program

4th Annual Backpack and School Supplies Drive

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Free Fares Day, April 20 and 22

Saturday, April 20 and Monday, April 22

Nevada County Connects buses

Celebrate Earth Day; consider riding a Nevada County Connects bus to help reduce carbon emissions and encourage transit use in Western Nevada County.

Learn More

Lab Rats Presents: Intro to Citizen Science Kits, April 25

Thursday, April 25, 4-5 p.m.

Grass Valley Library, 207 Mill St.

This event features the launch of the library's new Citizen Science Kits. These kits are packed with tools and resources that allow you to explore environmental science, astronomy, biology, and more, right from your own neighborhood.

Learn More

Arts in Harmony, Celebrate Richard Gill, April 27

Saturday, April 27, 1-2 p.m.

Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City.

Celebrate the artistic contributions of Richard Gill, a renowned local poet and sculptor. This event will feature Gill's "Signs of our Times" sculpture series and a collaborative performance with local musicians and poets.

Learn More

Free Green Waste Event, April 29

Monday, April 29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

McCourtney Road Transfer Station, 14741 Wolf Mountain Road, Grass Valley.

Dispose of landscape trimmings, including pruned branches, leaves, grass clippings, untreated wood, and flowers.

Learn More

Board of Supervisors Meeting Preview

The Tuesday, April 23 Board of Supervisors meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. in the Eric Rood Center Board Chambers, instead of their typical 9 a.m. start time, so that Supervisors can attend the late Lou Conter’s memorial service in the morning. Conter was the last known survivor of the attack on the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor while serving as a United States Navy Lieutenant Commander.

Meeting at a Glance

Consent Calendar

These items are expected to be routine and noncontroversial. The Board of Supervisors will act upon them at one time without discussion.

Scheduled Item: 1:30 p.m.

Resolution approving the Local Traffic Mitigation Fees and the Regional Transportation Mitigation Fees, approving annual inflation adjustment, and accepting amendments to the 2023 Nexus Studies.

Public Comment

Members of the public will be allowed to address the Board on items not appearing on the agenda that are of interest to the public and are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board.

Department Head Matters

Resolution accepting a grant from the Regional Resilience Grant Program in the amount of $650,000 from the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research for the Building Climate in the Central Sierra Region project.
Informational presentation from the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services and Sheriff's Office regarding the Nevada County Evacuation Study.
Resolution approving the contract between the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services and USA Waste of California, Inc. for community green waste mitigation in the amount of $100,000 for use during the period of April 23, 2024, through December 31, 2024.
Resolution approving license agreement between the County of Nevada and the Gold Country Kiwanis for use of the Nevada County Eric Rood Administrative Center for the Nineteenth Annual Health, Safety, and Fire Preparedness Carnival to take place on May 4, 2024.

Individual Board Member Items: District 5 Supervisor Hardy Bullock

Resolution proclaiming the month of May 2024 as "Bicycle Month."

News From Our Community Partners

Nevada City Earth Fest

The 3rd Annual Earth Fest Celebration will be in downtown Nevada City on Sunday, April 21. The event is scheduled from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and includes entertainment, kids' activities, food and more.

Food Waste Summit April 22-23 for Businesses

Businesses, restaurants and venues that serve food are invited to a food waste summit April 22-23 at Bright Futures for Youth in Grass Valley. Information will be shared about Nevada County's food waste collection program coming in 2025.

Highway 80 Construction Delays

Caltrans is alerting motorists of the potential for extended delays along Interstate 80 stretching between Colfax to the Nevada state line as several projects and emergency repairs get underway for the 2024 construction season.

Meet Animal Control Officer Triplett

Animal Control Officer Triplett has been a member of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office team for almost three years. Prior to deciding this was the career path for her, she had an opportunity to go on a ride along with animal control officers to get a better idea of the daily grind and soon discovered being an animal control officer embodied so much more than she initially realized.

Meet Your 911 Dispatcher: Makayla

Say hello to Makayla. Maykayla has been a 911 dispatcher for about a year now at the Nevada County Regional Dispatch Center, which is operated by the Sheriff’s Office. Makayla desired a career where she could help people and being a dispatcher serves that purpose.

“My favorite part of the job is the ability to learn something new and become better at it every day,” she said. “The most vital skills you should have for this job would be the ability to multitask and work with your coworkers as a team.”

Meet Your 911 Dispatcher: Alex

Alex has been a Nevada County Sheriff’s Office 911 dispatcher since 2019. She’s personally handled several impactful calls—calls that she will never forget, but it’s the calls where lives are saved and solutions are reached that keep her headset on.

“It’s important to remember that with every bad call, there is a happy one where you help someone in a positive way and know you made a difference in their life,” she said. “My favorite calls are being able to help reunite lost dogs with their owners. I love happy endings!”

Meet Your 911 Dispatcher: Tami

Tami is presently the longest standing 911 dispatcher at the Regional Dispatch Center, which is operated by the Sheriff’s Office. For 22 years, Tami has said, “911, what’s your emergency?” She has personally handled thousands upon thousands of calls and presently supervises all dispatchers, providing ongoing training and mentorship while advocating for their ongoing self-care and personal wellness.

Come Work with Us!

Nevada County employs approximately 800 employees covering a full range of services and positions, from accountants to wastewater treatment system operators. In Nevada County, quality of life comes first. It is the only rural California county with two designated Cultural Districts and is known for its abundance of outdoor recreational activities.

Risk Manager

Interested in joining a fast-paced work environment filled with professionals dedicated to the community? The County is seeking a program manager with a security focus! Join a team of committed staff who work together closely to support people and services within our community. This position is responsible for leading critical county-wide safety and security programs from within the County Executive Office. A successful candidate will focus on risk reduction, training, and safety while balancing various department needs with the operational success of the County.

Learn more about this position online. Have a question? Contact Human Resources at (530) 265-7010 and select option 2.