Nevada County News | April 4, 2024

District 4 Supervisor Sue Hoek and Sheriff Sergeant Martin at Western Gateway Park's easter egg hunt in Penn Valley. Photo: Nevada County Sheriff's Office.

Access to Nature, Safer Neighborhoods, Arts and Culture and Vibrant Downtowns: Community Resiliency Grants Continue to Keep Local Economy Thriving

When the Covid-19 pandemic struck four years ago it threatened the economic viability of Nevada County that is intricately tied to safe neighborhoods, arts, culture, outdoor recreation, digital technology and a vibrant network of creative entrepreneurs. Following guidelines to social distance, people went outdoors en masse seeking refuge on local trails, parks and rivers. With recreation use at historic highs, land managers like Bear Yuba Land Trust (BYLT) needed extra cash to educate visitors and maintain high use areas.

Local funds from Nevada County’s Community Resiliency Grants and other sources helped to support outreach and improvements to trailheads, parking lots and trail signage that continue to benefit the community, such as BYLT’s popular 37-acre Adam Ryan Preserve near the community of Alta Sierra.

Jeff Dellis Selected for First-Ever Shared Youth-Focused Position for Nevada County and NJUHSD

Nevada County and the Nevada Joint Union High School District (NJUHSD) selected Jeff Dellis as the Career Technical Education (CTE) and Youth Leadership Project Coordinator. The shared position is the first of its kind, focusing on developing and supporting youth leadership and career opportunities.

“Jeff's appointment marks a significant step forward in working collaboratively with our High School District to enhance youth leadership development and career technical education. His efforts will undoubtedly create meaningful opportunities for students,” said County CEO Alison Lehman.

Show Your Appreciation for 911 Dispatchers and Animal Control Officers

In recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week and National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week, both occurring April 14 -20, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) is inviting the community to send in their words of thanks to 911 dispatchers and animal control officers. Examples include thank you cards, children’s drawings, and letters or emails sharing personal accounts of how a dispatcher or animal control officer made a difference.

NCSO proudly operates both the Nevada County Regional Dispatch Center, which handles the majority of 911 and non-emergency calls in Nevada County, and the Nevada County Animal Control Division, which responds to domesticated animal-related calls, such as noise nuisances, maltreatment claims and animal rescues in unincorporated Nevada County.

More Nevada County News

Mental Health Services Act Public Comment and Hearing

The Mental Health Services Act, also known as Prop 63, is designed to transform county mental health systems, expanding services for individuals with or at risk of a mental health disorder. Nevada County Behavioral Health is inviting all stakeholders to review and comment on Nevada County’s Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) 24/25 Annual Plan Update (APU) and Annual Progress Report (APR) for 22/23 for a period of 30 days from March 28 through April 28, 2024.

A Public Hearing will take place at the Mental Health and Substance Use Advisory Board Meeting on May 3, 2024, at 10 a.m. The public hearing can be attended via Zoom or in person at the Crown Point Conference Room in Grass Valley or the Hobart Mill Room in Truckee.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Nevada County Reads Author Talk

Saturday, April 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Center for the Arts

This year’s Nevada County Reads selection is “Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude” by poet and National Book Award Winner Ross Gay. This event is in partnership with the 2024 Sierra Poetry Festival, and this portion of the festival is free to all!

Learn More

Spring Into Art: A Month-long Celebration of Arts & Culture

Events throughout April

GVNC Cultural District/Truckee Cultural District

April is Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month in Nevada County. Join the Arts Council for a month-long celebration of arts and culture across Nevada County, featuring a wide range of unique, exciting and memorable experiences.

Learn More

Board of Supervisors News

Supervisor Heidi Hall District 1 Newsletter

Supervisor Heidi Hall's District 1 newsletter recaps the highlights of the first quarter of 2024 and highlights upcoming opportunities for residents to engage with what is happening in District 1.

Read about the recent election, Supervisors decision on the proposed Idaho Maryland Mine project, new youth commissioners, 2024 Board Objectives, Women's History Month awards, Woodpecker Ravine Phase 1 Town Hall, plans for the Nevada City Courthouse, state and federal updates, and highlights of a few nonprofit partners. Subscribe for quarterly updates at www.NevadaCountyCA.gov/D1News.

Read the District 1 Newsletter

Board of Supervisors Meeting Preview

The Tuesday, April 9 Board of Supervisors meeting starts at 9:00 am in the Eric Rood Center Board Chambers.

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.

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 proclaiming April 21 through April 27, 2024 as "National Crime Victims' Rights Week" in Nevada County.
Resolution approving acceptance of the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Funds for the HMGP DR-4482-693-19 Phase 1 Prepare CA Match - Nevada County South Yuba Rim Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project.
Resolution approving the contract between Yuba Watershed Institute and the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services for the Prepare CA Match - Nevada County South Yuba Rim Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project.

Scheduled Item: 11 a.m.

Public hearing to consider adoption of a resolution annexing property into the Merrill Court Permanent Road Division and impose a parcel charge in compliance with Proposition 218.
Resolution annexing the Dreher/Legg parcel (APN 037-430-037 and 037-070-016) into the Merrill Court Permanent Road Division and authorizing collection of a parcel charge for road maintenance services.

Department Head Matters

An ordinance repealing section 16.03.030.4, amending sections 16.03.070.1 and 16.03.050.3, and adding sections 16.03.040.15, 16.03.080.3, 16.03.030.150, and 16.03.030.151 of the Nevada County Code pertaining to speed limits on Cement Hill Road, Mooney Flat Road, and Donner Pass Road.
Resolution authorizing approval of the existing Military Equipment Use Policy as called for in AB 481 and acknowledging the 2023 annual report and subsequent public engagement meeting requirement.

News From Our Community Partners

Gold Nugget Project Underway on State Route 20/49

Caltrans is alerting motorists of various ramp and shoulder closures along State Route 20/49 (SR-20/49) in Nevada County as part of the $26 million Gold Nugget Project.

Motorists can expect various ramp closures between Grass Valley and Nevada City starting Sunday, March 31 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Construction activity will pause Friday morning and resume the following Sunday night, continuing throughout the end of April.

Crews are working to upgrade these facilities to current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Roadside message signs will be in place along SR-20/49 to alert motorists of the closures and will not affect multiple ramps in succession.

Flows on South Yuba River to Increase

The dam at Spaulding Reservoir is expected to begin spilling water as early as April 5, which will significantly increase flows on the South Yuba River. PG&E urges those recreating in and near the river to exercise caution. In addition, the flows are cold due to snow melt.

Due to PG&E’s ongoing emergency repair work at Spaulding 1 powerhouse, spill from Spaulding Reservoir into the South Yuba River is anticipated to start earlier this year and flows could potentially be greater and more dynamic than previous years.

Flows on the South Yuba River below Lake Spaulding at Langs Crossing are currently about 20 cubic feet per second (cfs). With Spaulding Dam expected to spill as soon as April 5, flow will increase to about 300 to 600 cfs. Typical flows in this part of the river for this time of year range from about 10 to 325 cfs. Peak flows may be as high as 4,000 to 6,000 cfs and potentially higher if there is a significant rain-on-snow event or multi-day heatwave accelerating snowmelt.

Nevada City Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening

Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening (RYLA) is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts where you develop your skills as a leader while having fun and making connections.

Connect with leaders in your community:

Build communication and problem-solving skills.
Discover strategies for becoming a dynamic leader in your school or community.
Unlock your potential to turn motivation into action.
Learn from community leaders, inspirational speakers and peer mentors.
Have fun and form lasting friendships.

Participants must be currently in the 11th or 12th grade. Final selection will be made by a committee that may consist of a variety of Rotary Club members, school administrators and teachers.

Apply Online

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.

Behavioral Health Quality Assurance Manager

Behavioral Health is hiring a Quality Assurance (QA) Manager! Pior experience understanding the complicated web of the Mental Health Services Act, Medicare, Medi-Cal, Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery Systems, and other related systems of care are needed in this role. Help ensure compliance with state regulations while also assisting Behavioral Health in understanding and improving the quality of care. This is an exciting time in behavioral health, with expanded opportunities and changing expectations. In this role, the QA Manager can help shape critical programs and services to meet the needs of our community.

We're seeking a licensed Master's or Doctoral-level practitioner with four years of clinical and managerial responsibility in a health services agency and the ability to develop complicated plans and projects and gain cooperation among staff. Trustful leadership, follow-through, and a keen eye for state and federal-level changes that may impact Nevada County are all key attributes.

The QA Manager will provide guidance to the Behavioral Health Director related to mental health and substance use disorder programs and activities and work closely with Division managers in developing program policies that meet various government requirements. The QA Manager will also provide lead direction to clinical staff regarding quality assurance programs and expected outcomes and oversee the preparation and implementation of four Performance Improvement projects.

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