Redwood Valley residents packed the latest Municipal Advisory Council meeting for a deep dive into pressing community concerns, from skyrocketing fire insurance rates to cannabis regulations and energy storage projects. State Farm Agent Jay Epstein tackled wildfire coverage myths, Supervisor Madeline Cline addressed road maintenance and public safety, and Sheriff Matt Kendall discussed crime and immigration policies. Meanwhile, a proposed iron-air battery project sparked debate over clean energy solutions. With passionate discussions on everything from emergency sirens to gas station bans, the February 12 meeting underscored the community’s determination to shape its future.
State Farm Agent Jay Epstein was the guest speaker on the topic of fire insurance coverage for homeowners. Epstein stated that he was speaking for himself, and not on behalf of State Farm Insurance. Customers affected by the Los Angeles fires are being taken care of. Epstein put some rumors to rest, namely: 1) that new homeowner policies will exclude fire; 2) that homeowners policies will exclude property held in the name of a trust; and 3) that insurance companies are going to exit California. None of those rumors are true.
The insurance industry was looking up before the LA fires happened. California is considered lower risk than Texas and Oklahoma. The huge insurance losses caused by the LA fires will eventually, partially, be passed on to policy holders in the form of higher rates, but Epstein did not give an estimated amount. In June 2024, State Farm submitted a request to the state to allow a 30% rate increase. That has not yet been approved. Last week, State Farm applied for a 22% emergency rate increase because the 30% increase had not been approved. [Note, the Los Angeles Times reported on February 14 that the Insurance Commissioner denied the request for the 22% emergency rate hike.]
Epstein explained that the FAIR Act is about to run out of money. From FAIR’s website: “The FAIR Plan was established so that all California property owners have access to basic fire insurance when access to coverage in the traditional market is not available through no fault of the property owner.” Epstein said, “The FAIR Act uses so much money, so we’re all going to pay for FAIR” in the form of extra charges on premiums.
Epstein warned of the risks of using a “non admitted carrier,” an insurance company that is not covered by the California Insurance Guaranty Association, as it might not be able to pay out in the event of disaster. “Admitted carriers” are covered by CIGA which offers protection if an insurance company were to go bankrupt.
When it comes to clearing brush and home hardening, Epstein said there is information for homeowners about that, but “home hardening doesn’t matter when you have 100 mph winds.”
Epstein would like to return to a future MAC meeting to talk about a college bond measure, as he is on the Mendocino College Board of Trustees.
District 1 Supervisor Madeline Cline gave an update on the County Board of Supervisors.
Cline is planning to hold a workshop in Redwood Valley to discuss public safety. She considers public safety and road maintenance to be high priorities for the BOS. Cline said she gets calls every day about the roads, “I hear you loud and clear, and we are working on that.”
The BOS is collaborating with Social Services, the Department of Behavioral Health, and the Sheriff’s office on the County’s CORE program of community outreach response and engagement to address chronic homelessness.
At the last BOS meeting there was a long discussion on the proposed reinterpretation of the cannabis ordinance. The new interpretation would bump up the square footage for certain licensed grows from 10,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet. Cline suggested moving the discussion to the BOS General Government Committee to fully review the issue. There are heated feelings on both sides, those who want to expand the grow footprint, and those opposed. The GC Committee is led by Supervisors Maureen Mulheren and Bernie Norvell. The issues can be hammered out in committee, then brought back to the BOS for a vote.
The BOS voted to keep an old rule about limiting public comment at BOS meetings. Each speaker will still have 3 minutes, but the Supes did remove the 10 minute total limit for each topic that they had wanted to institute.
The BOS discussed regulation of low intensity camping promoted by companies such as HipCamp, a sort of outdoor AirBnb. Some say it will stimulate the economy with tourist dollars, others are opposed because of fire danger and nuisance issues in residential neighborhoods. Cline said the BOS will continue looking at this issue. If private campgrounds are allowed, Cline said she would be is in favor “of a 5 to 10 acre minimum, plus a setback requirement.”
Cline is the Chair of the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency. The UVBGSA is moving away from the outside consulting firm, and the agency will now be administered by the City of Ukiah. As far as the Potter Valley Project, PG&E released the Draft Surrender Proposal. Scott and Cape Horn Dams will be removed. The Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission, Sonoma County Water, and Round Valley Indian Tribes have submitted a proposal to keep the water pumping through the diversion tunnel.
Cline will be hosting “Constituent Coffees” on the first Monday of every month from noon to 1 pm. The location will rotate each month to different locations within the 1st District. Follow Supervisor Madeline Cline on Facebook to see where next month’s coffee will be held.
Sheriff Matt Kendall said the construction of the Behavioral Health Wing of the jail is going well. Kendall hired a new lateral deputy sheriff, plus there are 7 candidates in training. The department has purchased more patrol cars for the remote areas of the county. Unfortunately, sales tax revenues are lower. Kendall, concerned about finances for his department, said “There is not a lot of industry. I’m hoping we can find some clean industry for this county.”
Kendall said, “There’s been a lot of back and forth on immigration.” In 2018 California Senate Bill 54 made California a sanctuary state, prohibiting Federal law enforcement from picking up criminals who are undocumented immigrants upon release from jail. Kendall is in favor of reforming that law to allow for deportation of criminals. Prior to entering law enforcement, Kendall worked in the agriculture and timber industries, often alongside immigrants. He said, “Some people have been raised here. I’ve got a lot of DACA recipients working for me. Build a pathway for them. It’s meeting in the middle. This needs to be communicated to the federal government.”
Kendall is working with other Northern California County Sheriffs in committees and coalitions to have a uniform voice representing this area.
Kendall addressed the shooting on Ellen Lynn Drive earlier this month. It is still under investigation. Trace evidence was sent to the lab. It will take a while because the lab is backed up. He doesn’t know yet whether the shooting was cannabis-related. The bullets in the Ellen Lynn shooting were shot into homes and cars not up in the air. MAC Member Marybeth Kelly said, “There seems to be a lot of random gunfire in Redwood Valley.” Kendall advised people to call in reports of gunfire, as they can be used to triangulate a shooter’s location if a crime has occurred.
MAC Member Chris Boyd reported that Redwood Valley-Calpella has a new interim Fire Chief, Dan Grebil. Former chief Kerry Robinson will return to the Fire Captain position. They are looking for a permanent chief. Boyd will ask the new Chief if the department will reconsider using the emergency sirens, which are on hold for now.
Form Energy brought a team from Oakland (one member came from Pittsburgh, PA) to provide information about the iron-air battery energy storage project on East Road, next to the PG&E substation. In response to an audience question about the recent fire at a lithium ion battery storage facility in Moss Landing, Form’s Reena Birch Fram said that the iron-air battery project is not likely to catch on fire, as iron-air batteries use rust to energize the grid. The State of California is supporting demonstration projects for clean energy. Batteries with longer-duration storage are needed. Form’s batteries can last 100 hours.
Fram said the team is looking forward to building this project in Redwood Valley. “We are not owned by PG&E. We are leasing the land, and providing an interconnection to the grid.” Construction will begin in mid-2025, with commercial operation to start in 2026. They are finalizing documents for the building permit and CEQA compliance. Form’s Community Relations Manager, Lee Ann Wainwright plans to hold community outreach meetings. Katlyn Meggers is the Project Engineer.
Form’s project will consist of 128 storage battery enclosures and 16 auxiliary cabinets. There will be some noise from the fans. Form will perform a study of ambient noise for CEQA prior to construction, to learn the baseline decibel level for the ambient noise. Noise from the fans will be measured and mitigated if necessary.
Form selected Redwood Valley because the PG&E substation is an ideal place for the storage project. PG&E was planning to build a lithium ion battery storage facility there, but Form proposed this project using faster, cleaner energy. Some residents object to the look of 128 white storage containers, and hoped to see landscaping. There will not be landscaping because of possible fire danger, even though the containers are not likely to catch fire. Form might consider decorative painting on the containers.
Marybeth Kelly announced that the Grange kitchen project is almost done. Appliances will be installed at the end of February. Power will be shut off towards the end of February in order to upgrade the electrical system.
The Grange will host Family Game and Craft Night February 21, from 6 to 9 pm. The Flea Market every second Saturday has been successful and is growing.
The Humane Society of Inland Mendocino County board meeting that would normally be held at the Grange on February 26 will be an online meeting using Zoom, as the electrical system may be turned off that day. The monthly Grange meeting has moved to February 27.
The Mendocino Council of Governments is taking comments on the Regional Traffic Plan. County residents are invited to review the plan and post comments at MCOG. MAC Member Patricia Ris-Yarbrough spoke at the most recent MCOG meeting, asking MCOG to change the definition of road and traffic, as not only “cars” but to include “pedestrians, bikes, animals,” that share the roads. MCOG meets the first Monday of every month at 1:30 pm at the County Board of Supervisors Chambers.
Cathy Monroe, who is on the Board of the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District announced there might be grants available for water storage projects. Check with the MCRCD.
Monroe announced that March 2 is the 41st annual Woman’s History Gala at 2:00 PM at Space, 508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah. Every year three women are honored for participating in the community. One of the nominees this year is MAC member Marybeth Kelly.
John King, of the HSIMC, announced that the St. Patrick’s Day Fund Raising Pancake Breakfast is set for Sunday, March 16, from 9 am to noon. This event is co-sponsored by the Grange, the HSIMC, and the Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire Department.
Kelly asked for people to show up to the February 13 meeting of the Ukiah Unified School District Board of Trustees to advocate for a Redwood Valley Community Recreation Center. Dr. Marvin Trotter voiced his support for this effort, saying children’s health is in the third quartile at Eagle Peak School, and Calpella Elementary is in the 4th quartile. Dr. Trotter said “It took 17 years and $9 million to get the Alex Rorabaugh Center built. Hopefully we can do this faster.” [Post-meeting note: there was a good turnout at the school board meeting.]
Jesse Hutchins and Kyle Greenalch, who are in the cannabis business, wanted to tell the MAC their side of the proposed reinterpretation of the cannabis ordinance. They were following up on public comments they made at the February 11 BOS meeting. In 2023, the BOS had declined to adopt a cannabis exclusion zone in Redwood Valley. Cannabis Subcommittee members Chris Boyd and Patricia Ris-Yarbrough are monitoring the county cannabis ordinance. Hutchins asked, “Do you understand how bad it’s regulated?” A dog’s flea collar contaminated his cannabis. “I had to destroy the whole crop. Vineyards aren’t held to the same standard.” This discussion will be continued in the BOS’ General Government Committee.
Chair Riley reported for the Development Standing Subcommittee that Faizan has resubmitted its permit request to build a gas station on North State Street. Faizan changed the parking spaces and moved the gas pumps on the permit application. They have not yet submitted a new traffic survey to Caltrans, which is one of the requirements for the project to be approved.
Riley reported on behalf of the Community Action Plan Subcommittee. The Subcommittee is making the corrections requested by Planning & Building Services. The corrections will be sent back to Planning & Building to continue in the process of approval.
Boyd reported on the possibility of prohibiting new gas stations. She suggested proposing a county-wide moratorium on new gas stations. The moratorium would not be aimed at one entity. Boyd suggested contacting the other MACs in the County to see if they want to join with Redwood Valley on this issue. The Grassroots Institute is already working on a campaign to prohibit new fossil fuel stations in Mendocino County.
Dr. Trotter and his wife, Cassie Taaning, spoke about the problem of nitrous oxide Whipit cannisters littering Redwood Valley. The small silver metal canisters are seen all over the ground in Redwood Valley. The containers that Dr. Trotter has been seeing on daily walks are huge. He brought in one of the cannisters, which appeared to be well over a quart, larger than a can of spray paint. It is not just the litter he is concerned about, but the health issues for people using nitrous oxide. Redwood Valley Station is selling these legally. The Members discussed whether they should be banned in Redwood Valley. Sales of nitrous oxide are banned in Willits and Ukiah. It was suggested that the MAC urge the BOS for a county-wide ban.
There are openings for two MAC members. There will not be a guest speaker for March, as the March agenda is looking busy. The next meeting is set for March 12, 2025, 5:30 pm at the Redwood Valley Grange.
You know what I am starting to see scattered around at our park and benches downtown? Fentanyl testing packaging. Is this another wonderful idea from our woke leaders to hand out fentanyl tests to our local bums? So now we have these test strips that are dipped in drugs laying on the ground where our kids are playing while costing us tax payers who knows how much. This is while my family and many others are stressing out everyday because land taxes, car insurance, fuel, fire insurance etc etc etc just keeps going up and up!
You know what I am starting to see scattered around at our park and benches downtown? Fentanyl testing packaging. Is this another wonderful idea from our woke leaders to hand out fentanyl tests to our local bums? So now we have these test strips that are dipped in drugs laying on the ground where our kids are playing while costing us tax payers who knows how much. This is while my family and many others are stressing out everyday because land taxes, car insurance, fuel, fire insurance etc etc etc just keeps going up and up!
Well if we allow ICE to do their job, the crime problem would be gone in an instant.
Instantly?
Send em all back to Mexico and you will see.
Jeez…
You know what I am starting to see scattered around at our park and benches downtown? Fentanyl testing packaging. Is this another wonderful idea from our woke leaders to hand out fentanyl tests to our local bums? So now we have these test strips that are dipped in drugs laying on the ground where our kids are playing while costing us tax payers who knows how much. This is while my family and many others are stressing out everyday because land taxes, car insurance, fuel, fire insurance etc etc etc just keeps going up and up!
Re Fire Dangers: I am critical of current laws that require indoor sprinklers on new construction. I think those sprinklers systems would better serve our communities and insurance companies by placing sprinklers on the outside of fire harden buildings. IMO: Another huge improvement option would be metal shutters that automatically drop down or slide over all windows and glass doors (heat fuse link activated when fire temp melts fuse). That idea comes from knowing of a burn down fire hardened home. It burnt down after fire heat broke the glass, then burned down the house from the inside. … My Two Cents about that.
If crime stopped, this little town would go broke. What do you think keeps the police and sheriff departments running?
Ban Ban Ban Away! Ban everything.