The Portola City Council held a regularly scheduled meeting Sept. 11, with a robust agenda that ranged from the condition of the Gulling St. Bridge to a dog park and public records requests. It opened with a moment of silence to remember 9/11.
Gulling St. Bridge update
Martin Mackleroy, a Caltrans consultant with MGE Engineering, and city officials discussed funding and steps to move forward on the bridge over the Feather River through Portola. Bridge repairs have been an item of much interest to the community at recent meetings.
Mackleroy explained the options available to the city, noting that there were multiple steps that needed to be taken to obtain funding for bridge repair through federal and state programs, including the Caltrans Highway Bridge Program.
“There are local funds that need to match the federal funding process,” he said. Mackleroy and city officials are trying to identify what’s needed to approve the HBP application. It is currently overloaded, with a backlog of bridges to be worked on, Mackleroy said. But due to the current condition of the bridge, Mackleroy stated that Portola’s bridge would be the highest priority.
“We’re pursuing regular bridge projects at this time- we’re trying to work with the transportation commission and local assistance to do this,” He said. Mackleroy also noted that all involved parties are working together; cooperation and community support are key parts of the application. Letters from citizens, the hospital, CalFire and any other agencies or associations affected by a bridge closure are important, he said These would be supporting documentation that would go in with the application.
Meanwhile, he will continue monitoring the bridge. “To date we haven’t had any deflections in the bridge structure itself.” The bridge has not moved at all since the inception of the monitoring program, he added
Mackleroy also discussed the evaluation of a potential bridge monitoring system that would give daily around-the-clock monitoring and immediate alerts to the public works department of any bridge movement. The monitoring system is currently a hands-on survey done weekly by Public Works Director Todd Roberts. It will be done on a daily basis with the advent of stormy weather.
“We need a better way to monitor it,” said Susan Scarlett, Portola’s interim city manager. The cost of the system is estimated to be about $100,000. “There is a possibility that we might be able to get that amount reimbursed after the fact,” she said.
Caltrans has identified the issue at the southernmost pier of the bridge. A timeline is being created for the application process, but has not yet been announced. There was some discussion about funding not superseding safety and concerns about the upcoming snowy season. There were also questions from the public about potential future load reductions and whether high water would pose a risk to the bridge.
Caltrans would make any decisions about potential future load reductions, according to Mackleroy, and he added that he would come back to council with an answer about high water affecting the bridge. This item will return to city council agendas for future action and further discussion to upcoming agendas, Scarlett said. It is a high priority issue. Public comments were given by local Lindsay Shaw, who asked for updates on the proposed dog park, with Council Member Leah Turner stating that they were still trying to secure an area appropriate to the purpose.
Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District updates
Scarlett reported on behalf of Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District, noting that Chief Jack Rosevere had shared that fire engines were being staffed on high fire severity days, and that there is a lot of mutual support between fire departments in the vicinity. The district started 24-hour staffing Sept. 8 at the District Station One in south Portola, Rosevere said in the report Scarlett read. “We have hired three full time firefighters from our existing staff and promoted three battalion chiefs that will split the district for supervision west and east. One of the battalion chiefs will be the district training officer,” he said in his report.
Other details of interest include an agreement with Graeagle Fire Department and a commitment for Portola to reinstate its FireWise designation. There is also a strong commitment to EMS response in the City of Portola and to area paramedics and ambulance crews to provide the highest level of care possible. The district has almost completed its merger with Eastern Plumas Rural Fire Protection District, and crews are occupying the Delleker Station.
“We would like to come together with the city to honor former Mayor Tom Cooley in the dedication of Station One for his support of the Beckwourth Peak Fire District,” Rosevere’s said. “It would be nice if we could plan a dedication event in the near future.”
In other actions related to the Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District, council members reviewed and approved an amendment to the asset transfer agreement. As of July 1, 2024, the City of Portola turned over several assets, including the parcels containing the North Side Fire Station and a vacant parcel near it. The agreement was passed by the city council at the June 26 meeting with minor changes. The amendment to provide the parcels to Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District was approved unanimously by roll-call vote.
The city council also unanimously approved a lease transfer for space on a communications tower located at #1B Beckwourth Peak Road. The purpose is for receiving and transmitting radio signals related to fire communications. The city no longer has a fire department and Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District requested the transfer of the agreement to them. The owner of the communications tower has indicated that an assignment would need to be made from the city to the fire district. Following a staff recommendation, council members approved the assignment between the City of Portola and Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District, and directed Scarlett to execute the assignment and deliver it to EIP Holdings II, LLC. The city will no longer be paying for the license fee. “This tower is strictly fire, and the $197 monthly fee would transfer over to Beckwourth Fire,” Scarlett said.
This was followed by a brief report from the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office, which highlighted stats for the month of August within the City of Portola limits. There were 125 calls for service, with 36 of those calls medical related; 34 calls falling into the category of suspicious circumstances; 12 disturbance calls; three fish and wildlife calls; and ten calls involving Child Protective Service issues. There was also one vandalism call, two assault calls, and three drug arrests, along with one DUI and four traffic collisions. Fourteen calls were listed as “other.” August was noted as a busy month, with traffic collisions up significantly. The PCSO is putting Measure D on the November ballot. It is designed as a public safety measure that would direct a percentage of the sales tax towards first responders.
City manager reports
Scarlett, the interim city manager, reported on recent meetings with Manhard Consulting on the housing element of the City of Portola General Plan. She also mentioned work on local hazard mitigation, with goals to potentially consolidate with the county in the future. The city council discussed various grants as well as the current balance in the American Rescue Plan Act account. The balance is $87,000, of which around $20,000 is earmarked for a dog park.
“Those funds need to be identified by December 31,” Scarlett said. There is approximately $60,000 remaining that can be spent on a variety of projects within the city.
Scarlett also noted that she was in the process of going through the audit with Clifton Larsen Allen and will conduct thorough reviews after all documentation has been submitted.
Public record requests
Scarlett noted that in a 10-day period from Aug. 21 through Aug. 31, she had spent about 23 hours on public records requests. Since July 11, there have been 51 requests. In the last two months, the city attorney’s bill specifically for working on public records requests has been $4,956.
In a related update, the city council clarified that it was appropriate for council members to make comments during the public comment period. They also noted that when Mayor Pat Morton read the rules regarding disruptive conduct at a recent city council meeting, the mayor has authority to exercise her power under the Brown Act to remove disruptive members of the public, pursuant to the council’s ability to establish codes of conduct. Last, it was noted that public records requests made at the July 25 meeting had been provided, with no available record of a call made by Mayor Pro Tem Jim Murphy to 911 for a removal of a disruptive member of the public.
Council Member Mikki Brown then gave a report for the Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District, saying that in 2024 so far there had been 62 chimney sweep vouchers redeemed, and that 25 new devices had been installed this year.
Public Engagement Officer Brian Attama gave his first report, noting his ongoing work on vehicle abatement in the city, having removed five abandoned vehicles thus far and more to be removed in coming weeks. “It’s been a great experience so far and there’s a lot of training ahead,” Attama said.
Plumas Crisis Intervention and Resource Center report
The city council received a report from Plumas Crisis Intervention and Resource Center Executive Director Kate Rahmeyer. The council was asked to consider finalizing a Community Development Block Grant Forgivable Loan for the property at 165 and 1856 Ridge Street.
In 2013, the City of Portola received $390,000 in CDBG funding for the acquisition and rehabilitation of property to be used for PCIRC in Portola at the Portola Family Resource Center. Utilizing the CDBG funds, the city entered into a $390,000 forgivable loan agreement with PCIRC for for the property. In collaboration with PCIRC, the property was acquired and subsequently rehabilitated so that PCIRC would be able to provide services and meet the required ADA standards.
PCIRC holds the title to the property. The City of Portola holds a promissory note and a Deed of Trust. TheForgivable Loan is for five years following the expiration of the CDBG agreement. The CDBG Completion Report was approved on February 28, 2018 and the CDBG Agreement expired on September 30, 2018. Based on the terms of the Forgivable Loan, the loan balance is now zero and, according to the agreement, the City should file a reconveyance of the Deed of Trust.
Services provided at PFRC generally include a homeless day shelter with laundry and shower facilities, a community technology center, alcohol/drug counseling, licensed marriage and family therapy, peer and grief counseling, self-help with California legal forms, advocacy for a range of services such as homeless prevention and resources for survivors of violence, and support for the onsite food pantry.
Rahmeyer noted during her presentation that she came on as executive director a year ago, and shared some stats about the work being done by the Portola Family Resource Center.
“We have been open since January 1 of this year full time, with three full-time employees. Since the beginning of the year we have served 2,427 clients, and at our food pantry we have given out 15,185 pounds of food since January 1,” Rahmeyer said.
“In June we had the Portola Rotary Club contact us with the information that there were a lot of individuals in Portola that were homebound and didn’t have access to our food pantry, and would we pack bags for home food delivery- so since June we have delivered 2,571 pounds of food to homebound individuals in Portola and areas on the outskirts of the city.”
In August, there were 213 clients served from the PFRC food pantry, with a spike of 45 new clients signing up for food. Fifty-seven of those 213 clients are over the age of 60. When it comes to homelessness, in the last three months PFRC served 17 homeless households, utilizing services such as showers, food pantry, and laundry 94 times, Rahmeyer said. PFRC can refer its clients to other county agencies.
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy confirmed that the hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, closed for lunch from 12 to 12:30 p.m. Councilman Bill Powers said, “This was the best that the resource center that has ever been run.” Scarlett said that in the future there may be potential for the city and PCIRC to come together and look at other opportunities for partnering. The item was approved unanimously by roll call vote.
Wastewater funding options
The city Council briefly discussed the options of a two-phase approach for a potential sewer grant or grant and loan funding to create a wastewater program in Portola. It would cost $29 million.
“This item would only give direction on whether we want a one or two phase plan to be drafted,” Scarlett explained. Work on this issue started with California State University Chico and is now being done by California State University, Sacramento on a contract with the Department of Water Resources. CSUS is working on grant funding for 100 entities around the state. ”Our project would be one of the largest,” Scarlett said.
Grant funding would be through the Clean Water State Revolving Loan program, with amounts that can be funded capped at $15 million..
“Before you is the question of whether you would like the consultants to move forward with a phased approach to the project or seek a loan for the additional $14 million that it would take to complete it as it is currently envisioned,” Scarlett emphasized. She attached documents outlining the two phases that would be proposed if the phased approach is the decision of the city council. The next step is for the City to decide the preferred approach to the wastewater project, with the understanding that a grant (Phase 1) would be limited to $15 million. Following the city’s confirmation of wastewater scope, Pace Engineering would add an addendum to the Wastewater Project Report, scoping out the preferred Phase 1 project.
The drinking water Engineering Report would also add an addendum. Phase 2 would be part of the next round, which would likely be in five years. There is no timeline for when the project could begin. Scarlett recommended the phase approach so grant funds would be available for the total project. After some discussion, the council approved the recommendation unanimously by roll call vote.
Other city council discussions
During the Sept. 11 meeting, council members briefly discussed dates for an informational meeting to be held by CalTrans on the topic of the proposed Highway 70 restriping project, but after this council meeting, the proposed date was called off with no future date yet announced. This information will be updated as it is made available.
Mayor Pat Morton reported that she had attended the recent annual Rotary Fly-In Pancake breakfast at Nervino Airport, as well as a meeting of the Beckwourth Peak Fire Department.
Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Murphy reported his attendance at a SKOR meeting. Councilmember Mikki Brown reported that she had attended the Plumas County Board of Supervisors meetings on Sept. 3 and Sept. 10. She also attended a Lost Sierra Chamber of Commerce meeting, which was focused on the upcoming return of Railroad Days Sept. 28. Brown said she would be attending a FireWise meeting as community members work to get the city’s FireWise status reactivated.
The consent agenda and minutes were approved unanimously by roll call vote with a correction to the minutes on Aug. 14, 2024.
