Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.
Pivoting during COVID-19: Using CARES CRF funding to serve at-risk cohorts and reopen your county for business
County health departments have had to quickly pivot in the face of COVID-19 challenges, providing intense care and guidance to all residents, while continuing to serve the needs of homeless individuals and others in need. During the global pandemic, IBM has been working with counties (Sonoma, San Diego, and Orange) to utilize technology to provide greater levels of care for at-risk populations impacted by the virus, thus reducing community spread and allowing for a safer, faster re-opening of local economies.
On Wednesday, July 29 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., engage in a webinar hosted by a team from IBM to hear how CARES CRF funding can be used to provide counties with digital tools to best serve populations most at-risk of COVID-19. Participate in the webinar to learn how your county can more efficiently and effectively deliver necessary social services with digital tools.
Join the webinar here or pre-register today and receive a calendar invite. Note: A desktop computer is required to register.
Webinar password: rcrc2020
If you have questions, email Rohan Batra of IBM or call 415-545-8774 for assistance.
GO-Biz Hosting Webinars for Businesses Interested in Applying for $80 Million in Tax Credits
The next California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) application period starts Monday, July 27, 2020, with $80 million in available tax credits. Businesses interested in applying can register to view a live webinar explaining the application process.
The deadline to submit applications is Monday, August 17, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) and the online application website will automatically close once this deadline has passed. The online application can be accessed starting July 27, 2020, at www.calcompetes.ca.gov.
Complete List of Upcoming Webinars
July 29, 2020
Details and Registration
August 6, 2020
Details and Registration
August 11, 2020
Details and Registration
Members of the CCTC team are available to provide technical application assistance (CalCompetes@gobiz.ca.gov / 916-322-4051). An application guide, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), program regulations, and a downloadable version of the webinar presentation are available here.
CPUC Local Governments Survey Ends Today
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.
Department of Conservation SGMA Watershed Coordinator Grant Program Workshops Announced
The Department of Conservation will host two workshops to answer potential applicants’ questions about the SGMA Watershed Coordinator Program application. Both workshops are open to all interested applicants and will cover the same content. Please RSVP to wcp@conservation.ca.gov to register.
- Application Workshop – August 6, 2020
When: 2:30 – 3:30pm
Where: Microsoft Teams (please RSVP for link)
- Application Workshop – August 11, 2020
When: 1:00 – 2:00pm
Where: Microsoft Teams (please RSVP for link)
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.
State Water Board Now Accepting SAFER Advisory Group Applications
The State Water Board is now accepting applications for the Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) Advisory Group, which provides the State Water Board with advice on the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund Expenditure Plan and other SAFER-related policies. Applications will be accepted through September 30, 2020.
There are 10 seats open for the 2020 application period. Applicants will be selected and notified by Winter 2020. County resource staff and other interested parties are encouraged to apply. The electronic application form is available on the SAFER Advisory Group website here.
The SAFER Advisory Group website will be updated with tools and resources regularly, so keep checking the website for more information.
Upcoming Webinar: Improving Roadside Re-vegetation and Stormwater Quality with Compost-Based BMPs
The Caltrans Landscape Architecture Program, in partnership with CalRecycle, University of California Riverside, University of Washington, Filtrexx Sustainable Technologies, Salix Applied Earthcare, United States Composting Council, California Compost Coalition, and R. Alexander Associates, Inc., is presenting two half-day workshops that focus on the use of compost-based best management practices (BMPs) to improve roadside re-vegetation, control erosion, filter stormwater, reduce runoff, and improve stormwater quality.
In addition to rolling out innovative methods of improving water quality, these workshops will provide attendees with the opportunity to ask questions of a diverse team of experts. The workshop team consists of University professionals, researchers, soil scientists, California compost industry professionals, Caltrans landscape architects, and other subject matter experts.
While this webinar is targeted towards Caltrans engineers and landscape staff, it will provide some insight towards this potentially growing market. Additional information about the webinar is available here. Register here.
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
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.
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Colusa County Seeks Assistant Director of Public Works/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.
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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 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.
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.