Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Chair Dolly Riley.
1. Roll Call
  
  Present: Dolly Riley, Chris Boyd, Patricia (Pien) Ris-Yarbrough, Marybeth Kelly, Deb Hughes
  Absent: Sonya Pio
Consent Calendar. Approval of Minutes of 11-12-25
Chris motioned, Pien seconded, all voted yes to approve November Minutes.
Public Comments
Pien reported for Jesse Tanning that vehicles on Laughlin Way and Road N are speeding. Pien had handouts from Jay Epstein regarding insurance and College housing. Chris noted the recent ICE raids mean we need to have better communication and safety. Gizmo attend the recent CalFire meeting and learned the response to the LA fires took too long, and discussed evacuation zones such as the Fairgrounds. Sheriff Matt Kendall stated "We do have evacuation zones. When you get a call to leave, you need to leave." Deb noted that people should be helping each other.
Brief Report from County and Agencies
4a. Redwood Valley Fire Chief Marty Creel was not present. Dolly noted the Road A and B Fire Safe Council completed 3 home assessments and will meet 2-18-26, with the goal of becomming a Fire Wise community.
4b. Sheriff Kendall gave updates: Reports of fire go to Howard Forest station: there were 2 homicides in the County in 2025 which is low; a recent online scam included Sheriff's picture with a contact on how to clear warrants and the Sheriff tech dept was able to get cooperation to take it down; Homeland Security not ICE was in town recently investigating a child abuse issue. Sheriff commented that the nomenclature of protest does not include throwing rocks as violence is a crime; he said the jail addition should be completed in May. Sheriff Kendall noted there have been many car accidents due to ice on the road and people should slow down; and announced new CHP captain Shawn O'Donahoe is pushing for more CHP units in the County.
4c. Supervisor Madeline Cline reported: The State audit completed in November produced three main findings which included the budget deficit, policies need to be updated, and the 2024 primary election had problems, none of which was a surprise. She addressed the BOS decision to pursue a ban on nitrous oxide from last fall, adding that Representative Blake Spear has introduced legislation to ban nitrous ozide whippets statewide. Supervisor Cline reported on the BOS workshops this week which examined the state of public safety, homelessness reports and more; with the goal of implementing audit findings, updating the County's information technology, looking at County fees, and examining the County CORE program to collaborate homeless services. Her next constituant meeting will be 2-13-26 at Testa Cafe, noon to 1 pm. She announced that County CEO Darcie Antle will retire in June. A discussion ensued regarding grand jury reports, supervisor pay, first responders working many hours, and low County revenue.
4d. District Director Scott Alonzo for Assemblyman Chris Rogers gave a report: Last week Governor Newsom presented a State budget of $3 billion deficit, which some say is closer to an $18 billion deficit. He noted new legislation of AB 1574 the Tribal Foster Care Act, which strives to keep detained children on the reservation; and AB 1583 the Wage Theft Labor Traffiking Act, which gives the DA local to the crime the jurisdiction when an offender resides out of the area, and this will help victims to find justice without having to travel. Director Alonzo noted there are more town hall meetings planned. People in attendance discussed reducing representatives' wages and the lack of a pension, electric vehicle support, zero emission buses, and lower gas prices.
4e. Water. Tom Schoeneman was present representing the Redwood Valley Water District and Consolidation Board, and the Inland Water and Power Board. He stated that all of RV water is imported; we have ancient water infrastructure; the District provides agricultural and domestic water and has a budget to continue ongoing repairs. He noted the District does not have the budget to meet the minimum reserve; and rates were raised 30% with another 12% raise coming in July. The rate increase will improve the reserves to make repairs, and improvement will take years. Although Ukiah is doing the billing, RV is separate as far as local water management. The federal mandate is for 50 gal/day per person and water is going to get expesive.
4f. Grange Secretary Marybeth Kelly reported that the Grange's commercial kitchen has been completed; next meeting is 1-15 and yearly dues are $56; the second Saturday flea market is thriving; and on 1-24 Jim Beatty the Dancing Grampa will hold 2 sessions of fun and movement for children and adults. The Grange scholarship fund is growing to around $4K, and on 3-15 there will be a Pancake Breakfast.
4g. MCOG, Traffic. Gizmo Henderson reported that the last MCOG meeting discussed the placement of a public transit mall, and he noted the Gobbi Street location could flood.
Development Review Standing Subcommittee: Marybeth, Pien, Citizen Gabriel Baca
5a. RVRC. Marybeth gave updates on the Redwood Valley Recreation Center: UUSD issued a request for proposal to lease and/or purchase the RV School site, and the RVRC steering committee responded; RVRC was the only bid submitted; they have an attorney providing pro bono hours; and the final lease/sale goal set by the UUSD is March. She announced a fundraising dinner and dance at the Alec Roarbaugh Center ARRC, set for 1-24. The ARRC is the parent organization for the RVRC.
5b. CAP. Dolly repoted on the Community Action Plan, praising the work of Planner Russ Ford and noting edits and addition of a Community Specific Policies (CSP) document which condenses the CAP. The Planning Commission approved this in December, and it will go to the BOS next. She noted that items deleted from the CAP were items not under the jurisdiction of the County, such as fire sirens, but the complete CAP and Design Review documents from the MAC subcommittee will be included when the BOS makes their final decision to approve Redwood Valley's presence in the General Plan.
5c. Moratorium on New Gas Stations. This MAC Resolution was sent to the BOS on 10-8-25 with no comment. Dolly noted the Grass Roots Institute submitted a similar powerpoint in late 2023 with no response, but expressed support. Deb stated "Gas and oil runs the country," and added her position is to disallow any more gas stations in Redwood Valley. Chris stated she disagrees on oil running the country, and that such a moratorium can be a local decision. Supervisor Cline added that any Supervisor may agendize such, but her workload is full.
5d. There have been no new permit requests submitted.
Cannabis Policy Standing Subcommittee: Chris, Pien, Community Members
Chris noted that private citizens sent a letter to the BOS and the Ukiah Daily Journal regarding the fact that Redwood Valley's request for an exclusion zone did not pass, while an exclusion zone was approved for east of Willits.
Officers and Members Reports and Announcements
7a.RV MAC has requested a census of 5 members and 2 alternates
7b. Chris motioned, Marybeth seconded, approval of Officers. The MAC retains Dolly as Chair, Chris as Vice Chair, and Pien as Treasurer for 2026.
7c. Treasurer's Report: $1852 is available, and Marybeth suggested a new sanwich board to announce MAC meetings since the old one is no longer usable. Chris motioned, Marybeth seconded a vote for 2 sandwich boards each with a sign advertising MAC meetings. All voted yes to approve this purchase.
7d. Guest Speaker. The Council agreed to invite Phil Williams to next meeting to discuss the Potter Valley Project. Tom Schoeneman will invite and will include Dolly in emails so she can send Phil an agenda.
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm. Next meeting is 2-11-26.