Week of 09/16/24

My Recent Activities

Tuesday was a Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors meeting.  Here are a few highlights from the agenda:

  •  Receive an update on the progress of forming a non-profit organization for education and research in Yuba County and the three-year plan for that organization; approve the MOU and the initial budget allocation of $150,000 annually for three years for a total of up to $450,000, to fund the organization’s start-up.
  • The signing of the Yuba Applied Research Center (YARC) MOU with Beale Air Force Base, University of California, Davis, Yuba Water Agency, and the City of Wheatland.
  • Multiple items related to extending the Yuba Accord Long-Term Water Transfer Program

More about the YARC:

Leaders with the Yuba Water Agency, Beale Air Force Base, the city of Wheatland, and the University of California, Davis signed a landmark memorandum on Tuesday in order to develop mutually beneficial research projects addressing key regional challenges.  The partnership aims to address issues identified throughout Yuba County and the surrounding region, including flooding, wildfires, emergency response, agricultural technology, and water and energy management.  Economic consultant for Yuba Water Agency Lon Hatamiya said that YARC is a catalyst for economic growth in Yuba County as well as the greater Sacramento region with the goal of conducting technology and policy research, workforce training, and connecting Yuba County to similar state, regional and national efforts.  Retired Maj. Gen. Jake Polumbo explained that phase one of the facility will break ground on a general administration, ag tech, and environmental research facility by fall of 2025. Officials aim to develop additional facilities and coordinated research programs through 2027. Col. Keagan McLeese, 9th Reconnaissance Wing commander at Beale, believes that the memorandum is an extension of the base’s existing efforts to spur growth and technological improvement in the region..

  • Read more.
  • Watch the presentation: presentation (starts at 13:45)
  • Hear comments from partners at the signing ceremony here (starts at 2:30)

After Tuesday’s Yuba Water Agency meeting, I headed to Rohnert Park for the rest of the week to attend the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) annual conference and board meeting.  The agenda from the RCRC board meeting can be viewed here, and the sessions at the conference include:

  • Powering the Future: Accelerating the Pace and Scale of Clean Energy Generation and Storage
  • What’s the Big Deal about Regenerative Agriculture?
  • Featured Speaker: The Honorable Mike McGuire, Senate President Pro Tempore
  • The Rural Perspective of California Legislative Leaders
  • The Pathway to Sustainable Forest Management & Addressing California’s Energy Agenda
  • Navigating the Challenges of Short-Term Rentals

Community events I attended this week included the dedication of Deputy Meilbeck Park in east Plumas Lake on Saturday.

 

Looking ahead to this week

Tuesday is a Yuba County Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting.  Here are a few highlights from the agenda:

  • Receive Fiscal Year 2023-24 Annual Report from Measure K Citizens’ Oversight Committee.
  • Appoint two representatives to the Measure K Citizen’s Oversight Committee as Representatives for a term ending September 24, 2026.
  • Approve sole source agreement with The Salvation Army to operate the 14Forward temporary shelter facility from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
  • Adopt a resolution appointing Doug Lofton to the Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority Board of Directors as an At-Large Director.

There is also a Wheatland City Council meeting this week; the agenda is here.

I won’t be able to attend the Board of Supervisors meeting as I’m headed to Langley AFB in Virginia for the first half of the week. The purpose of the trip is to meet with the General over Air Combat Command and advocate for having a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) mission come to Beale AFB.

After returning from Langley, my calendar includes a Yuba Water Agency agenda review meeting, a TRLIA Feather River Setback Area Ad-Hoc Committee, and a SACOG Megaregion Working Group.

This week, community events on my calendar include the Yuba County Airport’s 75th Anniversary celebration, the National Pumpkin Weigh-Off, and a gathering to make yard signs in support of Plumas Lake school bonds.

 

Announcements & Events

  • Yuba County Airport’s 75th Anniversary celebration, September 28th, 9am – 4pm at the Yuba County Airport
  • Wheatland Vendor Night Block Party, September 28th at 5pm on Front St (Facebook event)
  • Plumas Lake Oktoberfest, October 5th at Eufay Wood Park (Facebook event)
  • Yuba County Be Prepared Fair, 3:30pm-7:00pm on October 10th at 1000 Linhurst Ave in Linda
  • Plumas Lake Halloween Parade, 7pm on October 19th (Facebook event)
  • Volunteer to be a poll worker for the November 5th election (more info & application)
  • Wheatland Turkey Trot, 8:30am on November 28th at Spruce Park
  • Plumas Lake Walking Moai – Monday’s 6:30 am at Eufay Wood Park (north parking lot).

*Picture is a collage of various things from my week:  Signing of the MOU between Yuba Water, Beale AFB, City of Wheatland, and UC Davis for a research center in Wheatland; hanging with Supervisor Valenzuela from Siskiyou at the Rural County Representatives of California conference in Sonoma County; some downtime during the conference with Supervisor Messick; dedication of Deputy Meilbeck Park in east Plumas Lake with the OPUD board, Sheriff Anderson, and Undersheriff Morawcznski; annual stakeholder meeting on the Yuba County community health improvement process; and enjoying the Marysville Stampede with my wife.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you!