Animal Services Agency

During the month of January, 7 cats & 27 dogs were adopted, 9 animals returned to their owners and 11 animals were transferred to other animal rescue organizations. 

Child Support Services

The Mendocino County Department of Child Support Services is currently serving 2833 families obtaining financial and medical support.

Environmental Health

In January, Environmental Health approved 35 building permits, 4 Site Evaluation Reports, and 4 Water Well applications. Inspection goals have been set and inspectors are beginning to work towards their 2024 goals. Hazmat completed 49 hazardous materials inspections and reviewed 28 hazardous materials management plans, while Consumer Protection completed 41 inspections. The administrative staff completed 12 PRAs and helped 94 customers at our front counter.

General Services Agency

Telematics:

The Fleet division has installed 74 advanced telematics devices with 51 additional telematics devices on order. The additional 51 advanced telematics devices are expected to be installed by the end of March 2024 which will bring the total of installed devices to 125 or 84% of the 149 qualified county vehicles monitored by telematics. The remaining devices are anticipated to be completed before the end of the Fiscal Year (FY) 23-24. The division is working with the Executive Office to identify usable statistics drawn from the telematics program to be able to provide the most useful, clear snapshot of fleet utilization and efficiency to be provided to the Board of Supervisors in the upcoming months.

Click HERE to read more from the General Services Agency.

Human Resources

Service Awards 2023: In 2023, 313 County employees were recognized for their years of dedicated service. We extend our sincere appreciation to each honoree. Click HERE to view the list of individuals acknowledged for their years of service in 2023.



Extraordinary Merit 2023: Mendocino County Code requires all extraordinary merit increases for employees to be reported to the Board of Supervisors. Click HERE to view the chart showing all extraordinary merit increases that were approved and processed in the 2023 calendar year. Going forward, extraordinary merit increases will be reported quarterly in the CEO Report. 

Information Technology

The Mendocino County IT Division has completed the migration from mendocinocounty.org to mendocinocounty.gov. The public website can still be reached using the mendocinocounty.org link but will redirect to the primary mendocinocounty.gov web address. The change to .gov provides enhanced security, improved web visibility, and greater consistency for the County's official website. 

Employee Wellness

Wellness Incentive Program: The 2024 Wellness Incentive Program is now in full swing for County employees. This initiative offers an opportunity to earn $500 off the 2025 County health plan premium. The goal is to achieve 50,000 Wellness Incentive points by November 15th, 2024. For comprehensive program details, please visit MCWOW online.

Click HERE to read more!

UC Cooperative Extension

Activities of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) North Coast Viticulture program for 2023, include events and resources designed to improve the information available to and utilized by grape growers in Mendocino County. 

Click HERE for additional department updates!

Animal Services Agency

During the month of January, the Animal Protection Unit worked 322 calls for services with 58 of the calls being categorized as a priority such as "biting animals, cruelty complaints, animals in distress, aggressive loose animals and Law Enforcement assist."

Behavioral Health & Recovery Services

In January, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services distributed 280 boxes (or 560 doses) of Narcan, opioid overdose reversal medication. This medication, which carries a retail value of over $58,000, was given freely to individuals and community organizations, along with training instructions for use.

Click HERE for additional department updates!

Department of Transportation

In April 2015, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted statewide Trash Provisions which ordered a prohibition of trash discharge to surface waters of the State via Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4). The County maintains two MS4s in the urbanized unincorporated areas surrounding the City of Fort Bragg and City of Ukiah, which are permitted under the SWRCB Phase II MS4 General Permit. The Trash Provisions require implementation of the trash prohibition through requirements incorporated into the Phase II MS4 Permit. As a Phase II MS4 permittee, the County must demonstrate a reduction in trash and litter discharged from its MS4s to protect water quality and beneficial uses of local receiving water bodies (e.g., creeks, rivers, lakes and the Pacific Ocean) from the impacts of trash. To ensure compliance, The Trash Provisions require the County to select and implement one of two compliance methods or “Tracks”. Click HERE to read more!

Environmental Health

Environmental Health received 12 Complaints from the public. Complaints range from a complaint on a restaurant, a hazardous materials safety concern, sewage runoff, and contaminated water, amongst others. Complaints require a full investigation, and to date we have closed out 4, while 8 remain under investigation.

General Services Agency

SB844 Jail Project:

The California Department of Finance approved award of the contract for the SB 844 Jail Mental Health Wing Project in January and the County executed the Contract with Broward Builders, Inc. of Woodland. The notice to proceed was issued on February 14, 2024. The contractor is preparing to mobilize and break ground in the spring. Completion is currently projected for October 2025

Click HERE to read more from the General Services Agency.

Information Technology

In partnership with Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA), the County has successfully submitted applications for FFA (Federal Funding Account) to build the first project areas for a County-wide fiber network. Areas include the Greater Brooktrails region, South Coast region, and the 128 to Navarro from Hwy 1. The scale of the build is contingent on the amount of FFA funding approved by the CPUC. Low-level design work is currently being performed as part of a Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant (LATA) to supplement the FFA grant funding for the Greater Brooktrails project area.

Library

Willits Branch Library is now offering Chess for Teens. Teens can come together to learn Chess, sharpen their Chess skills, or just hang out with other teens. Staff members will be on hand to offer guidance. Snacks will be served. This is going to be a weekly event. 

Penny University: Each Tuesday we will meet in the Willits Library meeting room to discuss various topics while enjoying a ‘cup of joe.’ Topics will range and will be announced ahead of time. Click HERE for more information.

Fort Bragg Branch Library: On Thursday, February 29 at 3 pm, the Monthly Adult Book Club discusses Lisa See's historical novel, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women. Fort Bragg Branch recently collaborated with Gallery Bookstore, Stanford Inn, and the historic Kwan Tai Temple in Mendocino to present a Virtual Author Talk. Lisa See discussed her book, Lady Tan's Circle of Women on ZOOM. Viewers joined from home or attended a watch party in the library community room. 

Public Health

In January, the Healthy Families Mendocino County (HFMC) home visiting program performed outreach to over 14 different community organizations throughout the County that serve in-need families. As well, our team of 5 dedicated Home Visitors completed 38 visits, and 183 engagement activities with families. Studies show home visiting has positive impacts on child health and development, school readiness, family economic self-sufficiency, maternal health, and more.

Click HERE for additional department updates!

Social Services

The Ukiah Veterans Services office continues to serve our Veterans at 1120 S Dora Street, Ukiah. While we are still working on updating signage and the interior space, our Veterans Services staff continue to provide Veterans and family members outstanding customer service. To make an appointment, please call (707) 463-4637.

For our coastal Veterans and family members, support is available at 360 N Harrison Street, Fort Bragg. To make an appointment at this location, please call (707) 964-5823.

Click HERE for additional department updates!

Animal Services Agency

During the month of January, 772 dog licenses and non-commercial licenses were sold resulting in $26,399 in revenue. 

Child Support Services

A total of $431,815.16 in court-ordered child support was collected and distributed in the month of January. There are 810 cases with dependent children in which Medical Support is ordered and provided.

Environmental Health

The Environmental Health Department had one major plan review submitted to open a new Starbucks in Willits. The department had three minor plan reviews submitted to open a new restaurant at a previously closed facility. 

General Services Agency

Surplus Sales and Rental Revenues:

As of February 7, 2024, GSA has received $67,779.99 in Surplus Sales; $11,438.30 in Parks Revenues; and $3,510 for Veterans Hall Rentals. GSA continues to update the online surplus catalog on Microsoft Teams. Several departments have utilized the resource which has kept these items out of the landfill while saving the County money.

Click HERE to read more from the General Services Agency!

Planning and Building

The Department continues to focus on process improvements and post monthly metric reports to the Planning and Building webpage by division. Click HERE for the latest metrics. These improvements have been furthered by multiple staff members taking part in the County’s Leadership Initiative sessions to expand their knowledge, skills, and capabilities to increase team performance. After 27 years, Michael Oliphant, the County’s Chief Building Official, has announced his retirement with a last workday of February 13, 2024, in Ukiah. Mike has been a dedicated employee, working from the Ft. Bragg location of Planning and Building for the entirety of his career, and will be greatly missed. We wish him well in his retirement! PBS is also pleased to announce that Richard Angley has been promoted to Chief Building Official, as Mike’s tenure ends, and brings continuity of staff to the position. Rich has been with the County for more than 7 years and has a wealth of experience to share. Also on February 13th, the County held a Stakeholder meeting to gather input on services, process improvements, customer services, and the needs of the community. That was the second stakeholder meeting, in a series of meetings, that have been held between Planning and Building Services and Environmental Health to solicit input from the public on the Departments and processes.

Animal Services Agency

During the month of January, 116 spay and neuter surgeries were performed in the Clinic and 114 rabies vaccinations and 89 microchips were administered and implanted in shelter and owned animals. 

Environmental Health

The Environmental Health Department coordinated with CDPH for routine monitoring of mussels for the presence of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning. Our Fort Bragg inspector did mussel sampling on January 11th and all samples were non-detect for PSP Toxins on a screening test. The mussel sampling is done near McKerricker State Beach, and it is done at the lowest tide of the month, year-round. Two of our inspectors have been attending trainings to become Certified Hazardous Materials Technicians. 

General Services Agency

Disaster/Emergency Preparedness:

In preparation for the inclement winter weather, Facilities staff have prioritized clearing storm drains, gutters, and roadways around the many County properties to minimize any potential storm-related property damage.

Disaster Training:

Managers from the General Services Agency attended a nationally developed tabletop training in collaboration with Lake County and the City of Lakeport Government agencies to sharpen their logistical skills. The training was on emergency preparedness and logistical disaster response, with a focus on logistical operations, Emergency Operations Center interactions and leadership, and intergovernmental relations and coordinated response efforts.

Information Technology

County IT Communications staff completed Phase 1 of our Microwave Radio system simulcast repeater upgrade project in mid-January 2024. The County's new Simulcast radio/repeater system has performed exceptionally well during the last winter storms. The previous system would have been challenged to provide uninterrupted service during the recent events. The County IT Division team is extremely impressed and pleased with the capabilities and performance of the new system and the benefits it will bring to emergency response throughout our County.

Library

Community members were invited to join representatives from the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council at the Round Valley Branch Library on Thursday, February 8 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Director Scott Cratty shared information about the organization’s core programs such as the Community Chipping Program, the Free Vegetation Clearance Program, and Home Assessments. MCFSC will also encourage Round Valley residents to form neighborhood groups, also known as Neighborhood Fire Safe Councils which are eligible for 2024 Mendocino County Fire Safe Council Micro Grants. This presentation supports the goal of having a prepared and resilient community by giving the community information on free services that are available to them that will increase preparedness and increase the likelihood of surviving a wildfire. 

Animal Services Agency

Please make sure that if you're a dog owner to check your yard-fencing for holes-openings to make sure your dog is not able to escape and to get your dog microchipped or to attach a name tag to the dog's collar with an owner's phone number. 

Library



Urban Homesteading 101: Paths to Sustainability & Self-Reliance

The Ukiah Branch Library staff invites the community to join us for a workshop series that will bring local homesteaders to the library to share their knowledge in six bimonthly hands-on workshops. We will explore topics on gardening in small spaces the Adaptation Gardening way, worm bins, fermented foods and beverages, acorns and indigenous foodways, pollinator gardens, and sourdough bread making. The first workshop in this series will be on February 3rd, 3:00-5:30 pm, and will be led by Julia Dakin, the co-founder of Going to Seed: Shifting Agriculture Towards Adaptation, Community and Diversity, and Jen Lyon, Seed Librarian. These workshops are free to the public, and reservations are required. Call 707-463-4490 to reserve your spot. For participants ages 12 and up, all materials will be provided. Sponsored by the Ukiah Valley Friends of the Library and Mendocino County Library.