Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.
 

CalPERS Webinar for Employers

On Tuesday, July 21, 2020, CalPERS is hosting a webinar titled, "CalPERS and Employers: Fiscal Year Returns, Cost Impacts and Our Path Forward". CalPERS leaders, including CEO Marcie Frost, will address the most pressing pension issues for contracting employers, with a focus on projected costs and the path towards funding benefits for public employees.

Topics include:

  • Fiscal year 2019-20 investment returns
  • The investment team's new approach to capturing the 7% returns needed to fund benefits
  • Options to employers severe near term fiscal challenges
  • Timing and methodology of applying investments gains and losses to employer contribution rates
  • Tools available to employers to help manage costs
  • Membership, reporting and payroll matters arising from COVID-19

Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

To participate in the webinar, register here.

 

CPUC Surveys Local Governments

In an effort to improve the quality of the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC’s) engagement with local governments and their associated communities, the CPUC is requesting feedback to assess the quality of their outreach and engagement experiences. To participate, please submit your responses here by July 24, 2020.

 

HCD Announces the Release of the Homekey Notice of Funding Availability

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has announced the release of the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for $600 million in Homekey funds. The grant funding is available to cities, counties , or other local public entities within California to purchase and rehabilitate housing, as well as hotels, motels, vacant apartment buildings, and other buildings and convert them into interim or permanent, long-term housing. Prior to submitting an application, all applicants are required to engage in a pre-application consultation. Priority Applications are due by August 13, 2020 and all applications are due by September 29, 2020. Attend the Homekey Webinar on July 24, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (register now) or visit the Homekey webpage to learn more.

 

Career Opportunities

  • Tehama County Seeks Director of Public Works- UPDATED

Tehama County is inviting applications for the position of Director of Public Works. The application deadline has been extended to August 17, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. To apply or for more information, details are available as a PDF or online here. 

  • Colusa County Seeks Assistant Director of Public Work/Road Commissioner

The county of Colusa is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Director of Public Work/Road Commissioner. The position is open until filled. Details are available here.

  • Butte County Seeks Chief Administrative Officer

Butte County is recruiting for the position of Chief Administrative Officer. The filing deadline is July 20, 2020. To apply or for more information, see the announcement here.

  • SRTA Seeks Chief Fiscal Officer

Shasta Regional Transportation Agency (SRTA) is seeking a Chief Fiscal Officer. Position details are available here. The position is open until filled. See the SRTA website for updates and submission information.

 

Amendment to the Federal 2019-20 Community Development Block Grant

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has released an amendment to the federal 2019-20 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). The NOFA applies to state CDBG non-entitlement cities and counties applying for funding under Community Development activities, Special Allocations for Economic Development, Colonia, and Native American Communities.

This amendment only affects the Economic Development (ED) set-aside and:

  • Removes the competitive process, allowing all applications, both program and project, to be reviewed and approved on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Extends the ED program application deadline to September 15, 2020.
  • Makes other changes to program activity limits and requirements for proof of capacity, while providing more local flexibility in ED program design and implementation.

You can access the 2019-2020 CDBG NOFA amendment and links to the online application here.

 

PG&E Weekly Public Webinars on Wildfire Safety and PSPS Mitigation Efforts

PG&E is holding weekly public webinars at which it will provide information on local Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) and wildfire safety efforts, including how it will make PSPS events smaller in size and shorter in duration, efforts to install new grid technology and harden electrical infrastructure, and enhanced vegetation management activities.

Webinars will take place on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Webinars have taken place for many counties. The remaining webinars are scheduled as follows:

  • July 22 – Merced, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus Counties  (join webinar here)
  • July 29 – San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Kern Counties  (join webinar here)
  • August 5 – Tulare, Madera, and Fresno Counties  (join webinar here)
  • August 12 – All-Customer Webinar (join webinar here)
  • August 19 – All-Customer Webinar (join webinar here)

See a full schedule, find information to join a webinar by phone, or view past presentations here.

 

COVID-Related Extensions Possible on CDBG Annual Performance Reports

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) announced that the State Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) for non-entitlement jurisdictions requires all CDBG Recipients to submit Annual Performance Reports (APRs) documenting any activity that occurred during fiscal year 2019/2020. The reporting period covers July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. APR documents must be completed and submitted via email to CDBG.Reports@hcd.ca.gov by Friday, July 31, 2020. If the deadline can’t be met due to circumstances caused by COVID-19, please email Francisco Arnaiz outlining the reasons for requesting an extension and the date you expect to submit the report. Additional details are available in the HCD announcement here.

 

2020 Sustainable Groundwater Management Watershed Coordinator (SGMA) Grant Program

A new 2020 Sustainable Groundwater Management Watershed Coordinator (SGMA) Grant Program is being launched at the Department of Conservation. Grants are being offered for watershed coordinators in parts of the state impacted by implementation of SGMA. Information about the program can be found here. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on September 15, 2020. A solicitation and application has been posted here.

Please contact Department of Conservation watershed program staff with questions or comments via email at wcp@conservation.ca.gov or phone at (916) 324-0850.

 

RCRC Annual Meeting in Napa County Cancelled

The RCRC Annual Meeting 2020 has been cancelled as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This meeting was scheduled to occur in Napa County this September. Several factors led to this difficult decision, most notably, current and future state and local government guidelines. Planning is underway to hold a future Annual Meeting in Napa – most likely in 2022 – in order to enjoy the beauty of the County as well as contribute to its economic recovery. More information on the return to Napa will be forthcoming after consideration and action by the RCRC Board of Directors.