Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.
Broadband for All, Digital Equity, and BEAD Regional Planning Workshops in the San Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley Regional Broadband Consortium (SJVRBC) and Central Valley Higher Education Consortium are part of the State Digital Equity team led by the State of California, the Department of Technology, and the California Public Utilities Commission. Organizations and local communities are invited to take another step toward creating an equitable digital future by making their voices heard at the Broadband for All, Digital Equity, and BEAD Planning Workshops.
Upcoming Workshops
Date: Friday, April 14
Time: 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Merced College Library - 3600 M Street Merced, CA 95348
Register Here!
Date: Saturday, April 15
Time: 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Fresno City College (Old Administration Building – Cafeteria) 1101 E University Ave Fresno, CA 93741
Register Here!
CPUC To Host Public Forums on Telecommunications Service Quality Standards
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is requesting public and customer feedback on telephone, mobile voice, and Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers. Specifically, the CPUC, through a proceeding RCRC is formally participating in, is considering expanding service quality rules currently in place for landline telephone service only to other telecommunications services, such as VoIP/internet phone, wireless phones, and internet/broadband services. The goal of the proceeding and these public comment forums are to assess whether existing rules meet the current needs of Californians and will consider expanding reliability standards for customers to access emergency services, public health, education, and other resources.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 2pm and/or 6pm
Thursday, May 3, 2023 at 2pm and/or 6pm
WHERE: 1-800-857-1917, passcode 1767567#; (for Spanish, please use passcode 3799627#). To view a video broadcast only, visit www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc.
Written public comments are accepted on an ongoing basis through the proceeding’s docket, see here.
USDA Grants Available to Help Rural California Repair Their Homes Damaged By Floods and Fires in 2022
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announces the availability of grants to help people repair their homes that were damaged by severe weather or natural disasters in 2022, including the California Mosquito, Oak, Coastal, Fairview, and Mill fires as well as severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.
People living in identified counties in California may be eligible for the funding. The homes must be located in presidentially declared disaster areas.
The grants will be available through supplemental disaster funding under the Rural Disaster Home Repair Grant Program. Through this program, people may apply to receive grants of up to $40,675 directly from USDA to repair their homes.
Funds will be available until expended. They may be used to:
- Pay for home repair expenses that were a result of a presidentially declared disaster in calendar year 2022.
- Prepare a site for a manufactured home.
- Relocate a manufactured home.
To be eligible:
- Applicants must have household incomes that do not exceed the low-limits based on their household size and county.
- Homes must be located in an eligible rural area.
- Homes must be located in a presidentially declared disaster areas 2022.
Residents in the following counties may be eligible for the funding: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, and Yolo
For more information on how to apply, visit the USDA website here.
Cannabis Grant Applications Now Open for Local Jurisdictions
The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) has announced a Retail Access Grant to provide resources for local governments to develop and implement cannabis retailer licensing programs. This funding can be used by counties that currently do not have a cannabis retail licensing program to comply with SB 1186, with funding (ranging from $100,000 to $325,000) awarded based on population and can be used for personnel costs (such as salary and benefits for local government staff), permitting expenses (e.g. software costs), environmental reviews and other uses. The grant guidelines may be found here, and Phase 1 applications ($10 million total) are due by 5pm on April 28, 2023. DCC is providing “priority review points” to cities or counties in the following RCRC grant-eligible counties: Amador, Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Madera, Placer, San Benito, Sutter, Tehama, and Yuba.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced over $20 million is available in 2022-23 for Cannabis Restoration Grants, including to support the cleanup, remediation, and enhancement of watersheds and wildlife habitats impacted by illicit cannabis cultivation. CDFW is accepting grant proposals from eligible applicants, such as counties, on a rolling basis until funding is exhausted. Project types may include, for example, cleanup and remediation of impacts on (qualified) public land and private land, decommissioning roads, upgrading road crossings, upgrading culverts, and other projects that minimize erosion and sediment delivery, increase water conservation, and/or enhance biodiversity and wildlife habitat. Program guidelines can be viewed here; for more information, see here.
Upcoming PG&E Wildfire Safety Webinars
PG&E hosts online webinars throughout each year for anyone who is interested in learning more about the Community Wildfire Safety Program. These virtual gatherings allow community members to learn more about wildfire safety and emergency preparedness, meet with PG&E representatives, ask questions and share feedback. For anyone who is not able to join a live webinar, presentations and video recordings of our past webinars are available on the PG&E website here.
The next webinar is scheduled for April 13, 2023 (Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo Counties)
Join webinar
Attendee Dial In: 1-888-790-1836
Conference ID: 7108900
Training: Land Use Planning for Wildfire (Free!)
The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection announces the launch of the CAL FIRE / Office of the State Fire Marshal’s Introduction to Land Use Planning for Wildfires in California Trainings.
These free, all-day, in person trainings are open to land use planners, fire marshals, fire chiefs, fire mitigation specialists, building officials, and other professionals from government agencies and the private sector engaged in planning, policy, development review and/or approval activities in California.
The following is a list of upcoming trainings across the state.
- April 18, 2023 – Del Rey
- April 20, 2023 – Los Osos
Space is limited. For more information and to register, see here.
Career Opportunities
Mendocino County (NEW!)
- Environmental Health Technician $46,072.00 - $56,035.20 Annually; apply by 4/3/23
- Environmental Health Specialist I/II – $55,993.60 - $75,067.20 Annually; apply by 4/6/23
For full job descriptions and application, please direct candidates to www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mendocinoca
Sierra County
- The County of Sierra is seeking a Director of Health and Social Services, responsible for the management and administration of Department of Health and Social Services. A full description and qualifications are available here. For more information, visit the county website here or call (530) 289-2879.
- The Sierra County Department of Transportation is recruiting for a Transportation Planner II or III, depending on qualifications. This position is open until filled. For more information, see the county website here or call 530-289-2879
Tuolumne County
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Tuolumne County Public Works is seeking an experienced integrated waste professional with extensive knowledge of environmental regulations and compliance to oversee the collection, transportation and disposal of solid waste and hazardous materials, provide public outreach and training, promote recycling programs, maintain two closed landfills, and negotiate and monitor contracts for environmental and landfill services. The Director of Solid Waste, as a key member of the management team, will oversee a staff of four and provide expert advice and support to the Director, Board members, and the community. Bachelor’s degree and three years’ experience in solid waste management with two years at a supervisory or higher level. Flexible schedule 90/8 or 20%-40% telework considered for right candidate. Position is open until filled. EOE For additional details, see here.
Yolo County
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The County of Yolo is recruiting to fill one (1) regular, full-time position in the class of Public Information Officer (PIO) at the County Administrator's Office. The role of the Public Information Officer is to manage the County’s communications with the public through press releases, social media, videos, live media and the County website. The PIO informs and engages the community and other stakeholders regarding County activities, services, and strategies. The PIO also functions as the County Spokesperson which requires knowledge of County programs and policies. As a member of the County Emergency Operations Center personnel, the PIO also acts in a lead capacity in disseminating information during an emergency. The full job announcement can be found here. This position is open until filled.
CMSP Offering Healthcare Infrastructure Development Matching Grant
The CMSP Healthcare Infrastructure Development Matching Grant program (HID Matching Grant) will help CMSP counties and non-profits contracted with CMSP counties to expand their physical capacity to provide healthcare and behavioral health services by providing required local level match funds for state, federal or other infrastructure grants. Up to $10 Million may be awarded! Awards range up to $500,000 for projects serving a single CMSP county and up to $ 1,000,000 for projects serving multiple CMSP counties. HID Matching Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, beginning February 1, 2023 through June 1, 2023. Applications will be considered as they are received and will be submitted to the Governing Board for consideration at an upcoming regularly scheduled public meeting of the Board. Completed applications must be submitted to grants@cmspcounties.org by June 1, 2023. To learn full program details and requirements, or to download an application, visit the CMSP website here.
Institute for Local Government Launches New Digital Planning Commissioner Handbook & Regional Trainings
The Institute for Local Government (ILG) recently released an updated version of their Planning Commissioners Handbook. This handbook is designed to support planning commissioners, their staff, and other officials interested in land use and planning; to help local officials understand the planning process; and provide a glimpse of some potential planning challenges commissioners may experience during their terms. The handbook describes the major terms, plans, and policies that make up the framework of local planning, as well as typical stakeholders in the process and the basics of reviewing applications for development.
In conjunction with this release, ILG is hosting regional training sessions for planning commissioners. These interactive sessions will take place in person at various locations throughout the state and will cover topics such as the role of a planning commission, how to work effectively with staff and the governing board, effective community engagement, CEQA basics, required planning documents, and local and regional planning challenges and opportunities. Each session will give participants the opportunity to engage with experts in the field and fellow planning commissioners to hear best practices, emerging trends, and lessons learned. All sessions are FREE but space is limited and registration is required. Find a full schedule and register here.
Next Trainings: Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Yuba and Sutter Counties, POSTPONED to April 14, 2023
Access the State Grants Portal for a Multitude of Funding Opportunities
Billions of dollars are up for grabs to public agencies and other entities, including tribes and businesses. Grant seekers can access a centralized portal of grant and loan opportunities here, or sign up to receive new grant opportunities delivered straight to your inbox