The FY 22/23 budget was adopted with a staffing of 844 FTE. This is a 43 FTE, or 5% increase in staffing levels as compared to the FY 21/22 adopted budget. This growth represents and alignment of staffing levels in key areas to support the delivery of core services and allow for increased focus on board priorities.

The County continues to be 20% below staffing of the early 2000’s, and we continue to have authorized staffing levels per 1,000 population (8.3 in FY 22-23) that is well below the majority of similar counties (average of 12.2 per 1000)

It is important to note that the County budgets for the full cost of authorized positions, even when some of those positions may be held vacant as part of the County’s vacancy review process, which looks to ensure the delivery of excellent services while looking at alternatives to hiring staff.

County leadership will continue to evaluate targeted staffing increases as departments receive additional sustainable revenue to meet objectives and community needs.

• ERAC Elevator renovation total budget $139,000

• Completed the ERAC full generator project at a total budget of $478,500.
• Rood Sidewalk replacement
• Backup Generator design for Jail, Bryton Greens, Crown Point.

• Completed multi department renovation at the Truckee Joseph Center, including an ADA entrance enhancement.  Total project budget of $848,000.
• Completed the Dispatch relocation project to the Juvenile Hall admin wing for a total budget of $442,000.
• Completed Bost House Cottage expansion $393,000
• Completed Odyssey House renovation $ 3 Million

• Helling Library window replacement
• Joseph Center exterior painting
• Truckee Library landscape renovation

• Purchase and go out to bid for installation of Backup Generator or Jail, Bryton Greens, Crown Point.
• Design for Jail ADA entrance renovations
• ERAC Camera Upgrades

• Animal Shelter Design 
• Bear River Library go out to bid
• Jail health services wing renovation

Since April 1, 2022 the Treasurer & Tax Collector has performed the following activity in regard to the collection of delinquent property related taxes:

• Collected $802K in delinquent secured debt, leaving an outstanding delinquent secured balance of $5.7M 
• Collected $68M in current secured taxes leaving an unpaid balance of $5M out of $280M in secured taxes billed 
• Collected $38.5K in defaulted unsecured debt, releasing 15 liens and leaving an outstanding delinquent unsecured balance of $374K.
• Sent notices and tax demands to 3,600 taxpayers with unpaid taxes 
• In May we generated and mailed 851 delinquent unsecured notices which resulted in significant improved collections for the delinquent unsecured roll 
• Performed Eastern and Western Nevada county field work resulting in 1 pay off with 3 years delinquent taxes and establishing new communication with several businesses.   
• Received FTB tax intercepts totaling $10,885.35 
• Collected and processed 131 secured tax redemptions, totaling $847K.  
• Monitored 4 new bankruptcy cases to ensure proper filing of claims and timely payments.  
• Began tax auction process for the November 2022 tax sale with 62 new potential properties identified. 
• Chose a new vendor for online tax sales to keep the costs as low as possible for property owners.  ($0 cost to county as fees are paid by property owners)
• Performed TOT site visits as a test for whether field work in this area would be beneficial. Our visit to two Western Nevada Count TOT Operators yielded a combined collection of $37K. delinquent operators. 
• Offered in-person tax collection in Truckee on March 31 and April 1 at Truckee Town Hall 
• Launched the statewide property tax relief program in conjunction with the State which offers up to $20K in property tax relief to qualified homeowners affected by COVID
• Re-Launched social media platforms to help disseminate information to the community regarding upcoming tax dates and assistance programs

• Continue site visits for unpaid unsecured taxes to start the process of seizure and sale if balances remain unpaid. 
• Continue site visits for TOT delinquent operators
• File Power to Sale documentation for all remaining auction properties in continued preparation for the Nov 2022 Auction
• Utilize new electronic recording system to file unsecured tax liens electronically in conjunction with Recorder’s Office for remaining unpaid unsecured bills
• Utilize DMV Boat hold process for unsecured delinquent tax collection

Q2 of 2022 saw the finalization and adoption of the Fiscal Year 22-23 Budget. Throughout this process, the Interim Budget Analyst Program was leveraged to arrive at final adoption. The Program provides an opportunity for 3 staff from departments to be engaged in the process of reviewing submitted budget proposals for reasonableness, accuracy and alignment with County priorities. These staff then take this experience back to their departments and into their future career paths.

Opportunities to improve and/or expand the Interim Budget Analyst Program will be evaluated in Q3 as CEO fiscal staff prepare for the next budget cycle.

General Fund performance is measured on a Fiscal Year basis (July through June). Q2, 2022 represents Q4 of the 21/22 Fiscal Year. This Initiative compares year-to date actual transactions as compared to the adopted budget for the General Fund and uses a 3-year historical average of that same comparison to determine overall performance.

Note: not included in the data are transactions in the accrual period, which captures transactions initiated before July 1, but not yet posted to the financial system.

General Fund revenues and expenses, as a percentage of adopted budget, are performing in line with historical averages through Fiscal Q4 and are on track to remain in line through the accrual period.

Continue to monitor revenues and expenses to ensure healthy performance.

During Q2 OES partnered with the Kiwanis of Nevada County for the May 7^th Children’s Safety Carnival.  This event was well attended by families, non-profits and first responders helping to ensure our community and its children stay safe.

In Q2 OES members attended the multi-day virtual "Preparing Your City for Wildfire" conference. This allowed the OES team to keep up to date on legislation changes, new scientific standards, best practices and emerging technologies around wildfire.

The OES team met monthly with community partners and conducted outreach and planning at the Quarterly Wildfire Stakeholder Meeting, the monthly CAUSSS meeting with the schools, the monthly Coalition of Firewise Communities and Fire Safe Council Meetings.

In Q2 OES also conducted outreach over 6 weekends in this quarter tabling at Earth Day in Nevada City, conducting neighborhood level outreach at Darkhorse, Cascade Shores and Lake Wildwood and OES was at other more formal events like the Home and Garden Show at the Fairgrounds.

Lastly OES partnered with the Fire Safe Council on their annual Wildfire Safety Guide. The team updated content that went out to every newspaper and Lake Wildwood Independent subscriber.

In Q3 OES will still meet the public for wildfire outreach but will be reducing the number of venues as we spend more time on Emergency Operations Center (EOC) response.

OES plans to conduct an Emergency Services Council Meeting where the Mass Care and Shelter Annex will be brought forward for approval. OES also plans to rewrite the Heat Annex, Evac Annex and Alert & Warning Annex in Q3.

In Q3 OES will have the final version of the Ready Set Go Handbook printed off for local distribution and will mail a handbook to every incorporated and unincorporated resident.

The OES team will conduct media interviews, radio spots and online messaging that encourages the public to remain ready for the ongoing fire season. 

OES finalized the installation of three additional satellite phones that will be installed at the Yuba River. This lifesaving tool has already been credited with significantly shortening law and fire response times to injuries and fires.

Plans for Q3 (July – September 2022) include:

Help promote the annual Yuba River Cleanup.

Help amplify timely messaging related to river visitation and safety.

Continue distributing free Yuba River bandannas with safety messaging to river visitors.

Continue advocating for permanent toilets at Purdon Crossing.

Grants:

In Q2 OES worked with the Fire Safe Council to develop and execute contracts for the two FEMA Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Defensible Space Grants. These contracts encompass Phase 1 of these grants which combined will proved hazardous vegetation treatment on 123 properties and will conduct pre-inspections on an additional 765 homes. This Phase 1 of these grants will total $1.3 million dollars.

The DSI team has been written into the FEMA AFN Defensible Space Grants, which require DSI inspectors to inspect homes before and after defensible space treatment. In Q2 the OES team hired two temporary DSI’s to focus on this grant work.

In Q2 OES worked with CAL FIRE and the Fire Safe Council to close out Phase 1 of the Ponderosa West Grass Valley Defense Zone Project.

In Q2 OES staff met with Assemblywoman Dahle and advocated for a more expeditious timeline and faster funding of federal wildfire mitigation projects.

In Q2 the OES team began seeking local state agency funding to provide match solutions for federal funds that have been applied for, including $750K FY23 earmark funds focused on maintenance of Phase 1 of the Ponderosa Project and FEMA funds for the South Yuba Rim Project.

Green Waste:

During this reporting period the final western county green waste free community drop off event in collaboration with the Nevada County Firesafe Council, CAL FIRE and Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District was held totaling 1,514.29 tons of green waste. Three eastern county green waste free community drop off events in collaboration with the Town of Truckee, Truckee Fire Protection District, CAL FIRE, and the Nevada County Firesafe Council were held filling thirty, 30-yard green waste dumpsters of material. Waste Management in collaboration with Nevada County held two free green waste customer drop off events at the McCourtney Road Transfer Station totaling over 92 tons of green waste.

Defensible Space:

In Q2 the Nevada County Defensible Space Program opened 84 cases, with 11 coming into compliance on the first visit, 41 coming into compliance after the notice to abate was sent, 19 coming into compliance after a warning letter was sent, 2 after the first citation and 2 after the second citation and 5 after the third citation. 78 cases were complaint-based and 6 were pro-active cases. In Q2 the DSI program saw a 47% compliance rate and a 49% education rate*.

The DSI Program filled the new full time DSI inspector position that was created after combining two temp positions. This position will provide more flexibility and a year-round employee to support the ongoing caseload.

*Educational Rate: The percent of complaint-based and pro-active cases with hazardous vegetation violations that achieve compliance with the Nevada County Hazardous Vegetation Ordinance prior to being issued an administrative citation. The goal is 80%.

In Q3 the DSI team will continue to workshop the fuel on open lands and 50/50 cost share concerns brought forward by residents with the intent of bringing recommendations to the County Board of Supervisors in September 2022.

In Q3 OES will begin work with the Fire Safe Council inspecting prequalified homes ahead of abatement.

In Q3 OES will continue to implement the FEMA AFN Defensible Space Grant home treatment and pre-inspection schedule. 

In Q3 the OES team will complete contracting with Fire Safe Council for the CAL FIRE funded South County Shaded Fuel Break Project. The County will begin work on the CAL FIRE funded Evacuation Study. The County will also contract with USFS for the funds associated with the FY22 $750K earmark that was approved in June for Phase 2 of the Ponderosa Project.

In Q2 OES used Homeland Security Grant funds to train 27 first responders including the OES Manager in ICS-300 Introductions to Expanding Incidents course taught by Sierra College.

The Nevada County EOC was open for 7 days in Q2 for the Yuba County Golden Fire and the Nevada County Rices Fire which burned over 900 acres and destroyed 14 structures.   Total EOC team hours were over 200.

The EOC Team gained two new members that started training in the EOC operations section.

In Q2 OES management staff (Cummings & Scales) taught two CodeRED/IPAWS/Zonehaven courses to Yuba County Sheriff, OES and Dispatch as well as Truckee Fire and Truckee Police Department.

In Q3 The EOC Team will continue to meet Bi-Monthly around EOC topics involving event specific training, statewide credentialing and after action reporting. 

The EOC Team will also continue to recruit new staff to deepen its bench.

In Q2 the County of Nevada was qualified for California Disaster Assistance Act Funding by CAL OES for the December 2021 winter storm.  OES staff attended the applicants briefing with CAL OES for this event which is the first step in applying for reimbursement.

In Q2 OES also continued to work with county Environmental Health to support residents in the debris removal process stemming from the River Fire. This process involved Environmental Health Case management and ongoing meetings with FEMA & CAL OES. 47 of 47 total properties entered into the State Debris Removal Program have completed all debris removal operations and been returned to the county. Debris removal operations for the River Fire are now complete.

In Q2 OES worked with FEMA to track county public costs stemming from the River Fire and enter these into the grant’s portal as projects for state and federal reimbursement.

In Q3 OES will take the Jones Fire state and federal reimbursement to the County Board of Supervisors for acceptance.

In Q3 the county will pay vendors and mutual aid partners from the Jones & River Fires.

In Q3 the OES team will submit the initial paperwork required for the state reimbursement of costs associated with the 2022 December winter storm. 

In Q2 OES staff participated in a virtual PG&E exercise as well as a Liberty Utilities Tabletop exercise with a focus on the event build up and information dissemination.

In Q2 OES handled multiple public questions around PG&E’s local outages, fast trip sensors and hazardous vegetation abatement program. OES staff advocated for more local messaging around these topics. 

In Q3 OES will continue to work with PG&E, Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD) and Liberty Utilities to plan for an mitigate the impacts of PSPS & PSOM in the summer/fall of 2022.

In Q3 OES also plans to work with PG&E on increased messaging around their “Fast Trip” sensors being used in Nevada County as well the PG&E vegetation removal program. 

In Q2 there was still residual hazardous fuel along county and private roads stemming from the December 27^th, 2021 Winter Storm.

In Q2 County Public Works completed 21 miles of brushing and 212 miles of spraying with 16 miles of mowing.

In Q3 County of Nevada Roads Department will continue to seek funding and use existing funding to reduce roadside vegetation to continue making evacuation routes safer during this year’s fire season.

The County continues to fund the GoNevadaCounty.com website to support and promote sustainable tourism. Following Board approval in January 2022, the County contracted with Local Freshies to administer a revitalized "Go Nevada County Marketing Campaign".  The new Go Nevada County site launched with highlights including:

• A new logo showcasing the unique geography, culture, and community that exists in Nevada County
• A new website featuring:
  • A fresh, modern look focusing on regularly published curated content featuring insights from knowledgeable locals
  • Easy search functionality.
  • Designed to showcase the best of things to do and places to go in Nevada County
  • Promote our local businesses, and guide visitors on sustainable, responsible travel.

In quarter three, priority next steps include:

• Building social media presence and building content with new Go Nevada County website
• Develop framework for recreational guide

Progress has been made on key milestones, which include:

• Progress has been made on key milestones, which include:
• Coordinate and seek funding from the Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF). Sierra Business Council (SBC) represents Nevada County in our regional cohort, and has been attending planning meetings on behalf of the County with the Regional Convener, Valley Vision. SBC is currently identifying key stakeholders for the process and collective participation agreements. The CERF program RFP is due on July 25th and SBC will ensure that Nevada County is fairly represented. 
• SBC launched the economic development survey with 202 responses to date; these responses will inform priority projects in anticipation of the CERF release. Initial responses indicate that the top five most pressing concerns related to economic development include (in order of response rate) Affordable/accessible housing, broadband access, wildfire danger, inflationary impacts on small businesses,  and employee retention.
• Monitor and apply for climate adaptation and mitigation funds: Staff are developing Climate Collaboratives Proposal, which will provide technical assistance and, if awarded, funding. 
• Maintain SBC Contract:  Contract was renewed with SBC for economic development program management services that included Business Technical Assistance; Warm Handoff Coordination; Inclusive Business Collaboration; and Rural Broadband Expansion, and regional coordination with CERF and CEDS. 
• Staff have moved forward investigating implementation of community choice aggregation for Nevada County with Pioneer Community Energy. An Impact Assessment has been started by our third-party consultant. This will help both Pioneer and Nevada County understand the impact of Pioneer being offered to residents and businesses in unincorporated Nevada County.
• Nevada County continues to support cultivation of the Western Nevada County Community Foundation. The foundation is developing a board.
• Staff are supporting the Nevada County Energy Action Plan Community Workgroup to finalize a mission and vision statement, and organizational structure.

In quarter three, priority next steps include:

• Aggregate priority projects and partners and sign on as a partner with Valley Vision for CERF funding. 
• Monitor and apply for climate adaptation and mitigation funds.
• Meet with Pioneer Energy to review, and possible presentation by Pioneer to Nevada County BOS to share results of Impact Assessment and receive authorization for County CEO to proceed with Ordinance to join Pioneer (if desired)

In the past quarter, staff accomplished progress on key milestones, including:

Permitting:

• Completed the initial drafts of the affordable housing master plan project, finalized drafts are to be completed in the coming months.
• Reinstated programs that increase access to CDA customers through the Building Outpost at the Nevada County Contractor's Association and the over-the-counter plan review program. The Outstanding Public Service (OPS) Team in collaboration with the CDA Leadership Team

• The As-Built Policy Group Implemented the unpermitted improvements (as-built) policy to improve permitting accessibility and efficiency.

• The Outstanding Public Service (OPS) Team in collaboration with the CDA Leadership Team 

       •Implemented initial updates to the lobby area to improve the customer service experience and is working on additional updates to the look, feel, and functionality of customer transitions. OPS Team lifted. 
      •Finalized draft process workflows for multiple land use processes for customer and employee use to streamline these processes. OPS Team lifted. 

Higgins Area Plan:

• Conducted 5 Check-In meetings with PlaceWorks regarding Community Workshop #3 coordination and Administrative Draft development.
• Met with the South County Municipal Advisory Council (SCMAC) to prepare for the 3rd Community Workshop including coordinating outreach efforts and identifying concept proposals for presentation. 
• Hosted a third public workshop in April to present draft concept proposals incorporating community input received from previous workshops. Input from this workshop will be used to define specific plan goals and policies to achieve the community vision. 
• Attended 2 MAC meetings to better understand and prioritize concept proposals and issue areas throughout the plan area. 
• Received and began an intergovernmental review of the Administrative Draft of the Area Plan. 

North San Juan Fire Suppression

• Started work on the USDA funding application.
• Determined property boundaries and ownership of the prospective tank site.
• The fee study is nearly complete pending final determination of the tank site.
• Tasked the county’s state and federal lobbyists with helping identify a source of funding to fill funding gap.
• Submitted a formal request to Nevada County’s state legislators for state-level earmark funding for this project.
• Identified a water source for the preliminary tank fill. 

Soda Springs Visitor Management: Continued meeting with constituents and participated in meetings with the Donner Summit Association to begin work and share ideas to address this priority. Funded temporary waste management solutions, and staff are working with community partners on identifying permanent restroom locations, as well as promoting Donner Summit area on new Go Nevada County website. 

Penn Valley Community Center: While there has been active engagement in the park, and past efforts at funding next step, there is no progress this quarter. 

With respect to Permitting Process milestone, quarter two next steps include:

• Finalize drafts of affordable housing master plans and review these drafts in coordination with collaborating jurisdictions. 
• Review additional unpermitted and undocumented improvement (as-built) policies associated to plan review and inspection procedures, this is the finalized work of the As-Built Policy Group. 
• Begin the education and outreach process with the community associated with the 2022 CA 

Building Standards Codes that will be adopted and implemented in January 2023.

Soda Springs Visitor Management: Next steps for Soda Springs are to meet with the Donner Summit Association and review the proposed framework, and continue overseeing interim visitor management solutions.

Penn Valley Community Center: Next steps include engaging with project champions and working to secure funding for a business plan. This may be a project identified through the CERF.

In the past quarter, staff accomplished progress on key milestones, including:

• Microbusiness Grants: Distributed $107,500 in funding secured from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate to 43 Nevada County Microbusiness owners in the amount of $2500. 
• Community Resiliency Grants - Nevada County : Continued to administer awards nonprofits, small businesses, and special districts through ARPA-funded Community Resiliency Grants.
• Community Resiliency Grants:  Released second round of funding and awarded $140,000 to three entities specifically focused on capacity building for Nevada County small businesses; continued to administer the nearly $2 million in previous grant funding of the Community Resiliency grants.
• SBC met with CalOSBA and GoBiz on behalf of the county regarding CERF funding allocations, process and project eligibility.
• Secured $200,000 from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy to fund Nevada County's Recreation and Resilience Master Plan.
• Awarded over $400,000 in Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund Grants, funded by Nevada County's American Rescue Plan Act Allocation, to address impacts of visitation, with over $360,000 focused on long-term infrastructure projects. 
• Received notice that member designated funding requests to for economic development priorities of Independence Trail reconstruction, and Higgins area sidewalk and pedestrian improvements are moving forward in the funding process.

Next quarter next steps include:

• Continue to monitor CERF fund, define priority project
• Identify advocacy opportunities.

Progress has been made on the four primary milestones under this initiative, with highlights below:

• Sustained business technical assistance through SBC contract. During the first quarter SBC provided free one-on-one technical assistance to 116 unique businesses wit 326 hours of advisory services. SBC hosted 18 individual workshops, serving 136 participants and launched another Business Igniter workshop series with Sierra Commons.
• Identified capital opportunities for Nevada County businesses, including successfully distributing $107,500 to 43 very small businesses and entrepreneurs through the California Microbusiness Covid-19 Relief Grant. Awarded an additional $140,000 in Community Resiliency Grant Funds to entities providing support to small businesses. We continue to share grant opportunities on a regular basis with small businesses, including nonprofits.
• Drafted framework for potential funding and operational options to establish the ARPA funded revolving loan fund for Nevada County small businesses.
• Sustained the Nevada County Relief fund (current balance maintained in this quarter), to be leveraged for future needs.  

Next quarter priorities include:

• Sustaining business technical assistance through SBC contract.
• Continue to administer Community Resiliency Grant Funds, including new business-focused grants; continue to share grant opportunities to local nonprofits and other small businesses.
• Economic Development workgroup to review framework and identify plan for and timeline to implement ARPA funded revolving loan fund for Nevada County small businesses.
• Sustaining the Nevada County Relief Fund with current balance unchanged in Quarter one, to be leveraged for future needs.  

In the past quarter, staff conducted numerous meetings with EIR consultant (Ascent Environmental) to develop and refine the project scope and project description and review technical studies for EIR; released the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the EIR; and met with the United Auburn Indian Community (UAIC) to discuss potential impacts to tribal resources and develop mitigation measures to protect potential resources. 

In the next quarter, staff will receive and review the Administrative Draft EIR (ADEIR) from Ascent Environmental and circulate the ADEIR to the Broadband Work Group and County Departments for review and comment.  Finalize Draft EIR and release the DEIR for the 45-day public comment period. 

Nevada County Fiber completed the 2019/2020 fiber to the home (FTTH) project with 16 connections. NCF signed up as a provider under the Affordable Connectivity Program and has one customer who is eligible and taking advantage of the $30 discounted monthly service. Northern Sierra Broadband is moving toward completion of the H-Frame, and Oasis Broadband is having some delays moving through the permitting process due to the necessity of increased tower height. 

Staff plans to initiate a third round of the “Last-Mile” grants program and support in-progress ISP projects in the fall.

SBC delivered the Broadband Strategy outline. Outline includes incorporating results from broadband survey, new funding opportunities and priority areas. 

The plan for fall 2022 is expected to be informed by the completion of the Programmatic EIR, pending funding at the State and Federal levels, and new information regarding the Golden State Connect Authority's pilot program. SBC has hired a consultant to help draft the plan. 

In the past quarter, staff dedicated $100,000 in “dig-once” telecommunication funding as part of the American Rescue Plans Act (ARPA) .  

In the next quarter, staff will issue an application/hand-out for implementation of the Community Development Agency (CDA) Telecommunication Funding Requests Procedure.  

Promoted the "Need for Speed" broadband survey and collected over 4,300 responses. This data is being used to compile a list of under-served neighborhoods. 

In response to residents' concerns about DSL service being cancelled or decommissioned, staff sent out a "DSL Decommissioning Fact Sheet." The sheet provided background information, alternative resources to DSL, and updates on County broadband initiatives.

County leadership engaged in a one-hour broadband conversation on KNCO defining broadband challenges and opportunities.

Staff will continue to inform residents about issues and efforts related to expanding broadband. 

Staff continued to monitor grant opportunities. 

Board and CEO staff will continue to advocate for rural broadband in coordination with our state and federal lobbyists and partners at RCRC and CSAC.

Staff plans to apply for the CPUC grant for Local Agency Technical Assistance.

In the past quarter staff: 

• Collected revenue. For Fiscal Year 21-22, staff have collected $65,025.23 for Quarter 1, $57,390.83 for Quarter 2, $31,312.34 for Quarter 3, and we are beginning to collect for Quarter 4. The total for the year is currently $153,728.40. There continues to be a decrease in revenue due to market conditions. 
• Registered a total of 146 businesses in the 21-22 fiscal year.   
• Sent out a total of 61 Welcome Packets in the 21-22 fiscal year.
• CDA continues to check the tax status of each business to ensure compliance before renewing permits. Many businesses have been routed to us before being issued permit renewals, which has helped us maintain and improve compliance.  
• Sent the signed MOU to the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) on May 2, which will grant us access to California Track and Trace System (CCTT) Data which will help us to enforce compliance moving forward.  
• Attended a tour of local cannabis businesses with individuals from the Ag department, CDA, and the Cannabis Alliance on May 12th. The tour included a cultivation site, a manufacturer, and a distributor.
• Created a new Cannabis Handbook which we are finalizing and will use to distribute to Cannabis Businesses to help them navigate the requirements of the Cannabis Tax program. The handbook incorporates the Reporting and Remittance Guidelines, FAQs, and general information in one place to make it easier for business operators to find information.

In the next quarter, staff will:

• Continue to track license and permit information from the state and county to keep a current list of businesses and identify new businesses as they arise.
• Attend the upcoming quarterly regional cannabis meetings and continue conversations and sharing information with other counties regarding the Cannabis landscape.
• Continue to work with CDA and county council on ordinance changes, which we anticipate taking the board in the fall. 
• Continue to collaborate with the Cannabis Alliance to forge and maintain relationships with the local Cannabis industry. 

In the prior quarter, staff: 

• Presented cannabis ordinance modifications to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisor, received approval from both. 
• Collaborated with local and state enforcement agencies to proactively address multiple illicit cannabis cultivation, focusing on egregious and high impact areas.
• Leveraged Unmanned Aircraft Surveillance (UAS) tool to improve inspection outcomes, staff safety, and successful abatement. 

In the next quarter, staff will: 

• Collaborate with NCSO to strategize effective Cannabis enforcement team. 
• Continue to prioritize staff training through the Federal Aviation Administration for the UAS with the goal of all staff obtaining certification. 
• Collaborate with local, state enforcement agencies to proactively address illicit cannabis cultivation, focusing on egregious and high impact areas.
• Collaborate with local Fire Agencies to systematically address fires related to illicit cannabis. 

In the prior quarter, staff: 

• Collaborated to create redline ordinance changes including cannabis license type changes. 
• Communicated with Environmental Impact Report (EIR)  consultant regarding proposed changes. 

In the next quarter, staff will: 

• Collaborate with EIR consultant to review findings regarding proposed changes.
• Conduct outreach with cannabis stakeholders regarding proposed changes. 

In the prior quarter, staff: 

• Established monthly meetings with California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GoBiz) to discuss future application opportunities for rural counties. 
• Held numerous rural equity collaboration between jurisdictions regarding cannabis programs. 
• Continued to meet with neighborhood groups to receive feedback regarding cannabis neighborhood impact. 
• Implemented a digital application submittal process including intake and distribution of cannabis projects. 

In the next quarter, staff will:

• Continue to communicate with GoBiz to prepare for the 2022 fall application period. 
• Strategize on the utilization of the Department of Cannabis Control Grant. 

Q2 updates: 

• Housing and Community Services (HCS) continues to work with a local provider to administer  the Landlord Liaison and Recruitment Program (LLP). The program is currently  being promoted to the public through press releases, collaboration with local businesses, and through Community Solutions and the Built for Zero initiative. The program will be supported by over $700,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) provided by the Continuum of Care (CoC) and County allocated Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) round 1 and 2, and 3 funds. 
• The Housing Choice Voucher waitlist reopened with a boost in funding from the American Recovery Plan. The funding provides additional vouchers for homeless people living with disabilities, transitional age youth, and the general population of homeless households.
• Housing and Community services continues to identify and apply for housing subsidies and flexible funding for rental assistance and landlord recruitment and retention efforts. 

Priorities for next quarter: 

• Continue to promote the program to the community through collaboration with businesses.

Q2 updates: 

• Jail Diversion Housing: Purchased property through the Community Services Infrastructure Grant (CSIG) for jail diversion housing. Renovations are complete and program is operational. The program provides housing as of January of 2022. 
• Brunswick Commons construction will be completed in July and expected to be leased up shortly after. 
• Construction on Cashin's Field is well underway and is expected to be completed in spring of 2023.
• HCS is working with the Regional Housing Authority and AMI staff to convert the Empire Mine Courtyards acquired through Homekey funds into permanent affordable housing with an estimated leasing date in August. 
• HCS applied for and was awarded No Place Like Home Round 2 for an amount of $1,412,000, which is being used to convert an existing three-bedroom, two bath County owned property into six individual units of permanent supportive housing. Architectural design is in progress.
• Standard agreements for the current round of PLHA funding have been received.
• Health and Human Services meets monthly with Community Development Agency to collaborate on local housing projects and housing policy. 

Priorities for next quarter: 

• Submit an application for the next round of Permanent Supportive Housing Allocation for use as a Local Housing Trust Fund match.
•  Explore uses for the Community Care Expansion (CCE) Grant through the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).  

In the past quarter, Staff:

• Continued to develop and collaborate with the contractor and regional jurisdictions to develop specific plan sets. 

In the past quarter, Staff:

• Continue to develop and collaborate with the contractor and regional jurisdictions to develop specific plan sets. 

Q2 updates: 

•  Housing and Community Services (HCS) continues to apply for funding to support both rental assistance and mortgage assistance, work with the state to leverage incoming coronavirus relief funds to provide emergency rental assistance to those impacted by the pandemic, and work with partners to administer funds. All rental assistance is distributed through the state portal, Housing is Key. 
• HCS continues to work with the CoC to educate about the state initiative, Housing is Key, and local partners in Eastern and Western County are working with distressed renters and landlords to get individuals into the program. 
• Eligibility staff are attending homeless meetings to coordinate services and leverage other funding sources. HCS staff expanded the Housing Resource Team to meet separately weekly to review case plans and housing coordination for families and transitional age youth, veterans, and chronically homeless.

• Implement a County and Continuum of Care wide diversion training to ensure front line staff at all access points for families are equipped with skills and tools to divert families from entering homelessness.

Q2 updates: 

• A specific Point in Time (PIT) count was completed for 2022 through a consortium of providers, including Bright Futures for Youth. The Youth Committee will utilize data from the count along with analysis from a wide range of regional sources to compile a Youth and Families homelessness report with specific recommendations to address key gaps in the youth and families system. 
• Added the Qualified Individual function whose job it is to assess the real need for Short Term Residential Treatment Provider (STRTP) placements to ensure such placement is in the best interest of the child's mental health. 
• Behavioral Health is partnering with Bright Futures for Youth to provide homelessness case management for young adults; contract is in place. 

Priorities for next quarter: 

• Compile data on gaps to provide recommendations for additional funding to address youth homelessness.

Q2 updates: 

•  Behavioral Health continues to utilize full-service partnership and case management services to support individuals with serious mental illness in maintaining stable housing. 
•  A contract is in place for the CalWORKS Housing Support Program (HSP), which provides youth and family housing and shelter options.
• Critical Time Intervention (CTI) continues to be discussed at each Housing Resource Team (HRT) meeting. 

•  Behavioral Health staff are utilizing the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and actively pursuing housing for homeless clients in both Eastern and Western County.

Priorities for next quarter: 

• Continue to explore CalAIM initiative around securing additional funding for recovery residences, which would incorporate a concerted focus on developing housing plans for individuals. 
• Identify opportunities for increased permanent supportive housing for individuals with serious mental illness through Mental Health Services funding, including permanent supportive housing models with onsite staffing. 
• Investigate opportunity for increased supportive housing through Behavioral Health infrastructure funding, including permanent supportive housing models with onsite staffing. 
• Providing up to 2 years of supportive services to every homeless individual in the system is a key gap in our system. Centralizing and standardizing post housing case management across the homeless response system is key in addressing this issue.

Q2 updates: 

• Implemented contract with Hospitality House to provide non-congregate sheltering to reduce unsheltered homelessness among veterans, families, and chronically homeless individuals at Sierra Guest House.
• Currently, Housing and Community Services (HCS) staff provides between 30-35 hotels rooms on an ongoing basis to over 45 homeless households. The households can utilize the hotel space to better connect to services. All hotel stayers are coordinated at the Housing Resource Team (HRT) meeting. 
• Continued to provide family housing and shelter options through the CalWORKS Housing Support Program (HSP).
• Continued to contract with Community Beyond Violence for domestic violence shelter services.
• Recent completion of affordable housing projects in the Truckee region has resulted in an increase in housing placements for homeless households.
• Contract renewals are either complete or underway for emergency shelters and low barrier shelters for the 22/23 fiscal year. 

Priorities for next quarter: 

• Continue to work with family orientated service providers to expand family shelter options.
• Continue to support seasonal shelter operations to respond to increased shelter needs during extreme seasonal weather conditions including during PSPS events where risk of wildfire is severe.
• Work with shelter providers to develop a process to move shelter stayers in the final stages of their housing case plan into non-congregant options to reduce long term shelter stays and build emergency bed capacity.

Q2 updates: 

• Renovations continue on the Empire Mine Courtyard project with Homekey dollars. Utilizing 30 recently allocated emergency housing vouchers, this project will convert to 21 units of affordable permanent housing in August  2022 for households experiencing homelessness. 
•  All providers are currently using the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to track all hotel/motel stayers. 
•  A contract is in place for non-congregant services connected to the Housing Resource Team. The contract will provide up to 20 beds with basic services such as on site meals, laundry, and necessary transportation. 
• Utilized trailers for COVID isolation and quarantine; trailers will be converted to permanent housing at designated mobile home parks as COVID hospitalization numbers and the need for quarantine and isolation allow. 

Priorities for next quarter: 

• Work closely with shelter providers to ensure non-congregate operations work hand in hand with congregate shelter operations.

Q2 updates: 

• Continued to work closely with state and federal partners to utilize Built for Zero data to target ending homelessness among veterans by Veteran's Day, 2021. The effort served 37 veterans; 14 veterans secured permanent housing, 3 were assisted in relocation, and 4 were provided assistance to secure housing. There are 16 homeless veterans remaining in Nevada County, 11 of whom have active housing plans. A new goal was set to reach functional zero by the end of 2022. 
• Collaborated with the local CoC to complete a Homeless Action Plan (pursuant to new state regulations governing allocations of funding to address homelessness). The plan  was presented to both the CoC and the Board of Supervisors with opportunity for public comment and will be submitted to the state.
• The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is implemented across all providers, the By Name List has been refined and implemented, and Housing and Community Services (HCS) is currently working with Built for Zero to develop monthly reports to track metrics identified in the Homeless Plan that will be communicated through ClearPoint and monthly reports to the Continuum of Care (CoC).
• Continued ClearPoint  as a tool for tracking progress on the Homeless Plan, with reports available through the Board of Supervisors webpage. 

Priorities for next quarter: 

• Provide access to Built for Zero reports through the Better Together website.
• Develop dashboard to track Homeless Action Plan and progress towards state metrics,  including specific metrics to address disparities in access to services among racial demographic groups identified through HMIS, coordinated entry and county census data,  and  Built for Zero measures.

Q2 updates: 

• The By Name List has been cleaned up and implemented as an accurate tool to address homelessness of specific individuals. 
• The Housing Resource Team (HRT) continues the weekly case conferencing for 4 distinct subpopulations experiencing homelessness: families and youth, chronic homelessness, veterans, and Truckee/Tahoe residents.

Priorities for next quarter: 

• Expand case conferencing to youth and families. 
• Coordinate quarterly by name list clean up and review, ensuring accuracy of the real time data of households on the list. 
• Begin tracking households at risk of experiencing homelessness through a parallel coordinated entry process.

Q2 updates: 

• Continued to incorporate therapists and case managers into Probation, the Public Defender's Office, the jail, and in Hospitality House to expand embedded outreach and engagement. 
• Conducted Justice and Mental Health Collaboration meetings to improve screening and referral processes. 
• Awarded Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program funds through the Department of Health Care Services. Funding will be used to purchase property to develop a navigation center that includes connections to services. 

Priorities for next quarter: 

• Support implementation of HRT meetings in Truckee and explore expansion of outreach and supportive services in the Truckee region to include a medical outreach component. 
• Strengthen the outreach system in partnership and collaboration with expanded outreach capacity at Hospitality House and Sierra Roots.
• Explore automated ways to source and track referrals from jail to treatment partners based on universal screening tools.

• Released Request for Proposals for the Nevada County Recreation and Resiliency Master Plan, identifying 6 core tasks and key outcomes, including:
  
  • Provide substantive opportunities for the community to participate in the master planning process;
  • Articulate a shared vision for the functional, programmatic, and aesthetic characteristics of existing and future recreation amenities in unincorporated Nevada County;
  • Articulate Nevada County’s role in recreation as a facilitator of proposed improvements in those areas interfacing with County facilities.
  • Promote equity and inclusion, emphasizing cultural, historic, physical, and economic accessibility;
  • Describe the cultural, environmental, economic and ecological benefits of implementing the plan recommendations; and
  • Identify innovative and impactful strategies for grappling with climate change impacts such as increased wildfire risk, drought, extreme weather, etc.;
  • Identify effective strategies to promote sustainable recreation to protect and preserve natural resources;
  • Recommend prioritized short term and long term outdoor recreation projects, programs, and policies including critical infrastructure addressing public and environmental health concerns and identifying action steps and estimated costs.
  • Detail feasible solutions for financing, phasing, and maintaining community investments in recreation, open space, and trail resources, and support interagency alignment and coordination to plan, implement, and maintain recreation amenities.
• Secured $200,000 from Sierra Nevada Conservancy to fund the Master Plan. 

• Select contractor to develop Master Plan (RFP closes July 14, 2022); contract and begin work in this quarter.

Recreation Health, Safety and Communications improvements achieved this quarter included:

• Nevada County Board of Supervisors awarded six Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund Grants, funded by the County's American Rescue Plan Act allocation,  to address unmet need at outdoor recreation sites to promote community health and safety, economic development, and resilience he ARPA priority of “2.22: Strong Healthy Communities: Neighborhood Features that Promote Health and Safety”. Funded projects include parking at Adam Ryan Preserve; signage at mountain bike trails near Harmony Ridge; parking near Scotts Flat lake; vault toilets at Golden Quartz Picnic area near town of Washington; South Yuba River Wild and Scenic trail marker and safety signage; and vault toilet installation at two sites in Eastern Nevada County. 
• Nevada County Board of Supervisors awarded three Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund Grants, funded by the County's American Rescue Plan Act allocation, to address emergent health and safety needs for the 2022 summer recreation season. These included Bear Yuba Land Trust at Western Nevada County trailheads, Truckee Trails at Eastern Nevada County trails and supporting temporary restrooms, and South Yuba River Citizens League river ambassadors at multiple river sites in Yuba River State Parks, and piloting at Dog Bar Bridge area.
• Parking citation increases and new locations for restricted parking at recreation sites were passed at June 28 board meeting and will go into effect on July 28, 2022.
• The 2022 Cohort bandanna was printed and contributions from Cohort members were collected. Used the Cohort’s unified messaging campaign to disseminate messaging about river closures due to Rices Fire. 
• USFS passed dispersed camping ban along HWY 20.
• Purchased electronic message sign board to provide safety or emergency alerts at highly visited recreation destinations.
• The Nevada County Board of Supervisors approved in April 2022, the ordinance extending the prohibition on open fire during fire season.

Next steps for Recreation Health, Safety and Communications are to:

• Monitor implementation of grants.
• Identify three priority locations for second round of emergency call box installation.
• Develop public safety video priorities.
• Help promote the annual Yuba River Cleanup.
  Help amplify timely messaging related to river visitation and safety. Continue distributing free Yuba River bandannas with safety messaging to river visitors. Continue advocating for permanent toilets at Purdon Crossing.

Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund Grant Program: In April 2021, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors allocated 30% of its federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allotment, $5.8 Million, to promote Community & Economic Resiliency. In February 2022, the Board ratified budget and direction developed at the 2022 Board Workshop, allocating $450,000 to the Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund, with an additional $400,000 in Transient Occupancy Tax dollars to 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.

Staff released the Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund Request for Proposals (RFP) on March 10, 2022, ultimately brining six grants to the Board of Supervisor for approval on June 28, 2022. Funded projects:

Bear Yuba Land Trust: Adam Ryan Preserve Parking Area

Bicyclists of Nevada County: Harmony Ridge Trail System

Nevada Irrigation District: Scotts Flat Parking

South Yuba River Citizens League: Golden Quartz Picnic Area Vault Toilets   

South Yuba River Citizens League: Wild & Scenic Trail Marker and  Safety Signage Project

Truckee Trails Foundation: Eastern Nevada County Visitor Safety & Environmental Hazard Prevention Program

For the Pines to Mines trail, the 30-day public comment period was completed on February 25th by the Tahoe National Forest and the first quarterly report to the County by the Truckee Trails Foundation submitted March 31st. The Pines to Mines Environmental Assessment is currently on schedule to be completed in the spring of 2023.

• Support implementation Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund Request for Proposal
• For Pines to Mines, next steps include completion of a signed decision by the Tahoe National Forest Supervisor pertaining to the Environmental Assessment in the Spring/Summer of 2023. This will be followed by a focus on acquiring donation and grant funding to build the new 18-mile trail connection in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Contracted recreation administrator continues to build capacity and support sustainability for Western County organized recreation by working with partner districts to make them viable and sustainable, including assistance with grants acquisition and administration, and compliance. 

The first all-district meeting was held in May, bringing together three park districts to discuss shared administrative needs and move toward developing a model for shared administrative support. The outcome of this meeting was a work group with all three parks represented, with a first meeting scheduled in July.

Quarter 3 Goals:

Developing enhanced contract for recreation administration to build capacity and support sustainability for Western County organized recreation by working with partner districts to make them viable and sustainable, and develop workplan and budget for recreation guide. 

Further strategies, starting with July meeting of new park district workgroup, to:

• Explore/draft MOU for Jointly Funded Administrative Support
• Address the succession of non-governmental service providers
• Increase awareness and access to existing programs 

Funding:

• Successfully secured $200,000 from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy for $200,000 to fund creation of the Nevada County Recreation and Resiliency Master Plan. 
• Implemented the Outdoor Visitor Safety fund grant program with 9 grants funded and contracts in progress.
• Continued to shepherd Congressionally directed funding requests totaling nearly $3 million dollars to support two recreation related priorities: Independence Trail and bike and pedestrian access on Combie Road. Both have been elevated by our representatives.

• Board of Supervisors adopted the 2022 Legislative Platform in April, including multiple Recreation advocacy and project priorities.
• Work with our contracted State advocates to meet with State Parks regarding Nevada County's recreation priorities, including Purdon Crossing, Edwards Crossing, and State Parks in Eastern Nevada County.
• Plan for Fall 2022 Recreation Summit at Martis Camp, with a focus on local, regional and State policy and funding.

Staff made progress on four key milestones under this objective:

1)  Countywide collaborative: Nevada County staff  held first countywide recreation collaborative meeting on April 22, 2022. It was attended by over 50 people. This group will be the first countywide, all-inclusive recreational collaborative to address shared priorities such as outreach and marketing for sustainable recreation, funding and advocacy, and planning.

2) Organized Recreation in Western Nevada County: Contract recreation administrator and staff held first meeting with all three park districts in May, with the outcome of a three-district working group to explore and find solutions for shared administrative needs.

3) Staff continued to convene the South Yuba River Public Safety Cohort, a multi-agency workgroup of federal, state, local, and community stakeholders. This group’s mission is to address jurisdictional policy gaps and coordinate public safety and law enforcement efforts in the South Yuba River corridor to mitigate wildfire and other public safety hazards. 

4) Staff Convene, Champion, Catalyze (CCC) in Eastern Nevada County, a roundtable for a coordinated approach to peak period visitation in the Truckee Area with the purpose to find short-term tactical action steps to enhance quality of life for locals and visitor experiences during peak period visitation and reduce overall environmental impacts. 

Major next step will be a fall recreation summit summit convening local, regional, and state stakeholders. This forum of presentations, gathering, and dialogue will highlight the regional, state, and national policy frameworks affecting our quality of life, climate, and our communities. Our guests will be leaders in this space from around California. 

Other next steps include continuing to convene and support the four collaboratives: Countywide Recreation Collaborative (bi-annually); Organized Recreation in Western Nevada County; South Yuba River Safety Cohort; and Convene, Champion, Catalyze (CCC).