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Dedicated Leader | Champion of Education | Committed to our Heritage
 1/1/2024
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As we stand on the cusp of an exciting new year, I am filled with gratitude and optimism for the opportunities that lie ahead. Reflecting on the challenges of the past, listening to the friends I've made and lessons I've learned, I am energized to help elevate our incredible community.
2024 marks a pivotal year across America. Looking at what we value as individuals, families and communities is a priority now more than ever. There is much said about how California grapples with water shortages, drought, and wildfire threats due to increasingly dry conditions and high temperatures. Climate fluctuation brings risks like extreme heat events disrupting ecosystems, necessitating a focus on sustainability and future planning.
Planning requires Placer leaders to work smarter with state and federal partners which to lessen impacts on public safety services and our ability to afford fire insurance. A trickling down concern I learned about from one of my constituents who hold commercial insurance for a local strip mall is that rising costs are passed down to business tenants, then onto consumers thus perpetuating the cycle of economic strain.
As our state confronts a multitude of affordability issues. The affordable housing crisis is contributing to homelessness and population shifts. When our pockets are hit hard at home it’s even more damaging to small businesses and non-profits, which is why addressing economic disparities remains crucial. With new legislation proposed to help low-wage earners, stressed education systems and mental health concerns, honest and transparent communication is key to provide a solution for the long term.
We all know the Sacramento/Placer/El Dorado area population has been increasing over the past decade and had a sharp uptick during the pandemic. This explosive growth has caused traffic congestion, impacted residents' quality of life and posed transportation and infrastructure challenges as communities grow. Studying metrics and trends such as these will provide a basis for decision during our General Plan Update, helping us understand what can change and what needs to remain the same to ensure the charm of Placer County holds strong.
Here at home, I am looking forward to 2024 in my role as Chair of the Board of Supervisors. I am committed to you, your quality of life, the strength of our community and safety of our neighborhoods. Together with my colleagues and dedicated community members, we are embarking on a transformative path that prioritizes cohesion, inclusivity, and progress.
My plan for the upcoming year is rooted in a commitment to bridge gaps, fostering open communication channels, and enhancing the overall well-being of our community.
Communication is key, and I am dedicated to ensuring that your voices are not only heard but also actively incorporated into the decisions that shape our community. I believe that true leadership includes collaboration. Working alongside the other supervisors will embody a spirit of unity that uplifts every resident.
Together, let's embrace 2024 with hope, resilience, and a shared commitment to building a community that thrives. I am excited to be on this journey with you. I am confident that, together, we will create a positive year that leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Wishing you all a joyous New Year filled with prosperity and possibilities!
Warm regards,
Suzanne Jones
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Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Habitat Conservation Plan and Draft Environmental Assessment; Sacramento Municipal Utility District Operations, Maintenance, and New Construction Habitat Conservation Plan, Sacramento County, CA
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the availability of a draft Environmental Assessment and draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) for public review and comment. The draft HCP covers future operations, maintenance and minor construction associated with utility services provided by SMUD. The 577,554-acre permit area covers activities throughout Sacramento County and small portions of Yolo, Placer and San Joaquin counties. The permit will extend over a 30-year term. If finalized, the HCP will streamline SMUD’s implementation of routine maintenance activities while conserving habitat for threatened and endangered species.
The draft HCP proposes strategies to avoid, minimize and offset potential effects of the proposed activities on seven federally listed species, including Sacramento Orcutt grass, slender Orcutt grass, valley elderberry longhorn beetle, vernal pool fairy shrimp, vernal pool tadpole shrimp, California tiger salamander, and giant garter snake.
The Service is seeking public comment on this draft Environmental Assessment and draft HCP. The documents are available for public inspection today (available for viewing here) and will publish in the Federal Register on December 29, 2023. Tomorrow’s publication will open a 30-day public comment period. The Service will consider comments from all interested parties received by January 28, 2024. The draft documents and information on how to submit comments will be available on www.regulations.gov by searching under docket number FWS-R8-ES-2023-0191.
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6:00 PM, Thursday January 4th, 2024
Meeting Location: Granite Bay Library 6475 Douglas Blvd. Granite Bay
Online via Zoom Join Here |Meeting ID: 952 2664 4570
Members of the public may access meeting audio by calling 1-877-853-5247
(Toll Free) or 1-888-788-0099 (Toll Free) Conference ID: 952 2664 4570
please dial *9 to “raise hand” and queue for Public Comment.
Meeting Agenda
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. Approval of December 7th, 2023 Minutes
5. Approval of January 4th, 2024 Agenda
6. Public Safety & MAC Member Reports (15 Minutes)
A. Placer County Sheriff’s Office
B. California Highway Patrol
C. South Placer Fire
D. CalFire
E. MAC Member reports / Sub Committee reports
7. Public Comment: (15 Minutes) Persons may address the Council on items
not on this agenda. We welcome your input at this time with the
understanding that Public Comment is limited to 15 minutes so please limit
comments to 3 minutes or less per person. If all comments cannot be heard
within the 15-minute time limit, the Public Comment period will be taken up
at the end of the regular meeting. The Council is not permitted to take any
action on items addressed under Public Comment.
8. Action Items:
A. Election of 2024 Chair & Vice Chair (15 minutes)
9. Information Non-Action Items:
A. Placer County General Plan Update (30 Minutes)
In November, the Board of Supervisors approved a contract with PlaceWorks
Inc. to assist the County with an update to the Placer County General Plan.
The updated General Plan will look ahead to the year 2050. Staff will provide
an overview of the scope of the update, what the update team will be
working on in coming months, plans for public outreach, opportunities early
for citizen involvement, ways the Municipal Advisory Council will be involved,
along with next steps and schedule.
Presenter: Chris Schmidt, Principal Planner
B. Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement House of Worship PLN22-00360
(15 minutes)
Placer County Planning Services Division and Richard Rozumowicz for Area
West Engineers, Inc., Architect Bruce Whitelam, and Project Engineer Andrei
Sapun will make a presentation to the MAC on PLN22-00360 Seventh Day
Adventist Reform Movement House of Worship. The project requires a Minor
Use Permit type A to allow for the construction and operation of a House of
Worship at 6730 Douglas Blvd within the Granite Bay Community Plan. The
project is proposing to construct a new building on site and access off of
Douglas Blvd.
Presenters: Adam Anderson, Associate Planner and Richard Rozumowicz for
Area West Engineers, Inc., Architect Bruce Whitelam, and Project Engineer
Andrei Sapun
C. Salameh Residence Driveway access on Eureka Rd. (15 minutes)
Gerry Hawks, general contractor for the Salameh family residence at 5827
Eureka Rd. has been given an encroachment permit for driveway access on
Eureka Rd. (ENCR23-00041) from the Department of Public Works and is
working out details with the Engineering and Surveying Division. As a courtesy
he is seeking advice or opinions from the MAC.
Presenter: Gerry Hawks, General Contractor
D. Correspondence
Correspondence received for the MAC from December 2, 2023 through
December 28, 2023.
10. Supervisor’s Report (10 minutes)
11. Adjournment: Next regular meeting February 1st, 2024.
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California new laws for 2024: Longer prison sentences for fentanyl trafficking
 In the upcoming year, a new law is set to intensify criminal penalties for those distributing fentanyl, driven by the alarming surge in overdose deaths. This legislation mandates an automatic three-year addition to the original sentence for selling or distributing over one kilogram of fentanyl, with penalties escalating based on weight, reaching an additional 25 years for trafficking weights exceeding 80 kilograms. However, concerns have been raised by addiction experts who fear that the fear of police involvement and severe prison sentences might dissuade individuals from aiding overdose victims by contacting emergency responders.
While the bill is aimed at deterring fentanyl trafficking, opponents argue that an approach solely centered on increasing penalties may not effectively address the root issues of drug use and distribution. They caution that relying solely on harsher penalties may not decrease the distribution or prevent overdoses, potentially discouraging more effective strategies for dealing with the opioid crisis. As we approach the implementation of this law on January 1, it is essential to consider a comprehensive approach that addresses both the punitive and rehabilitative aspects of drug-related offenses.
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Looking for a New Year's Nature Hike
"Clementine Trail is one of, if not the, most popular trails in the Auburn State Recreation Area. Starting at gate #139 the journey from the confluence of the North and Middle Forks of the American rivers takes you along the warmer North Fork back to Clementine Dam. The $10 State Park day use fee is in effect.
Along the way old abutments from bridges, washed out years ago, still stand hugging the hillside. Above you is the Foresthill Bridge. The tallest bridge in California at 730 feet. The path starts low and wide then narrows with small climbs, always alongside the river. As much fun as this trail is in summer, I find it hot with many exposed areas. I wait till fall with fewer visitors and cooler temperatures.
Each year hikers manage to get lost here. I honestly don’t know how this happens; a poor sense of direction, dehydration, perhaps some other distraction. With the hillside on your right and the river on your left, on an out and back trail, one would think it manageable, but each summer the call goes out, rangers open the gates and drive in, even the CHP helicopter has been called to locate lost hikers. Almost like a Bermuda triangle.
In under a mile you get to a wide spot on the river called Clark’s Hole. This is a very popular swimming hole in summer. Across the river is a great rock for sunbathing. Jumping from rocks is frowned upon by State Parks so I won’t mention how great a rock this is for that purpose. If Clark’s Hole is crowded, which it often is in the heat, just around the corner is Monkey Rock. This is a sweet spot with a jumble of rocks that make for great seating right at the water’s edge. This part of the trail is multi-use so horses, mountain bikes, and dogs are allowed.
Continuing generally uphill, take note of the hillside on your right. In fall, you find water trickling, with ferns sprouting right out of the rock and thick moss enjoying this shaded side of the hill. At about the 1.9 mile mark you find gate 140. You may have caught a sneak peek at the overflow of the dam through the trees by now, so another 3/10s of a mile isn’t much. Go to the left and follow the paved road. Watch out for cars heading for the lake. Just before the dam you will see a trail marker off the road on the river side. Hike this and it leads you to a viewing area of the dam. State Parks wants you to stay off the dam itself but below the dam you can get a nice mist spray on a hot day, take pictures of the rainbow that usually forms there. After a good rain this area gets a little foamy and reminds me of the ocean. This is your half way point. It is mostly downhill from here. There is no day use at the lake and swimming is not allowed on the lake. It is primarily a boat launch. Once you have placed yourself here on Facebook and uploaded your pictures to Instagram, had a snack, and rested, it’s time for the return trip. I measure this trail at 3.8 miles round-trip. If you are prepared with plenty of water, good shoes and good company, you should be fine. Oh, and stay on the trail. It reduces the risk of getting lost." Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker
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PLACER COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Learn more about the Board of Supervisors, including information on upcoming Board of Supervisors meetings.
Learn more about Supervisor Jones
Municipal Advisory Council (MAC)
Placer County Resources
Support Your Chamber of Commerce
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Placer County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) Loomis Office 6140 Horseshoe Bar Road, Suite D Loomis, CA 95650 916-652-2400 (Non-Emergency)
South Placer Fire District 6900 Eureka Rd, Granite Bay, CA 95746 (916) 791-7059 southplacerfire.org
CAL Fire Nevada-Yuba Placer 13760 Lincoln Way, Auburn 95603 530-889-0111
California Highway Patrol - Auburn Area Office (220) 9440 Indian Hill Road Newcastle, CA 95658 (916) 633-3344 (Non-Emergency)
Placer County District Attorney’s Office 10810 Justice Center Drive Roseville, CA 95678
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"The People are the Key to Placer's Greatness!"
Board of Supervisors Mission Statement:
To act as the legislative arm of county government and provide responsive leadership, governance, effective oversight of county services, and involve citizens and communities in processes that determine and enhance Placer County's future.
What Questions, Comments, Suggestions do you have...
Contact: District 4 Chief of Staff MichaelSpelis@placer.ca.gov ♦ (916) 719 -2955
District Representative FUdvarhely@Placer.ca.gov ♦ (530) 906 - 3120
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