COUNTY UPDATE SUPERVISOR JONES
ECONOMIC & GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
O
n May 24th the Board of Supervisors made history by approving the first-ever countywide Placer County Parks and Trails Master Plan, which could double the amount of recreation acreage by 2040 and triple the amount of trail miles. The plan provides a 20-year-and-beyond vision for the development and operation of parks, recreation opportunities, open space, and trail networks in the county. It also includes future improvements and maintenance for existing parks and trails. With a final plan now in place, the county can adjust and update the plan to respond to changing trends and opportunities in a timely manner. It allows residents and decision makers to focus specifically on parks, trails, and open space needs as part of the planning process and align those needs with current standards and funding and operational considerations. On May 10th, the Board of Supervisors heard a report from MIG, Inc. a recognized leader in community social policy and planning, detailing potential strategies on a regional effort to address homelessness. MIG facilitated the regional discussions and presented the Placer Homelessness Response Emerging Strategies Phase 1 Report. The report identifies over a dozen potential strategies to mitigate homelessness impacts. Strategies are all well and good, but a time comes for action and my interactions with the public are telling me that time has come. We have been kicking the can for a generation now because implementation of effective solutions to the many causes of homelessness will involve making bold decisions that carry great political risk. And that is…how shall I put it…difficult. At any rate, the process moves forward. One bright spot in the “progress made” category is the recent state grant of $23.5 million to convert the Hampton Inn and Suites in Roseville into 82 units of permanent supportive housing (not temporary shelter) for people who would otherwise be homeless in Placer County. This brings the total inventory to 683 beds in the county’s housing continuum of care, ranging from emergency shelter to permanent housing. By now you are probably aware that the County Leadership is in a transitional phase due to the recent dismissal of County Executive Officer Todd Leopold. The action is unrelated to the tragic March 19th accident in Rocklin that resulted in the death of Anthony Williams. On June 3, the Board designated Assistant County Executive Officer Jane Christenson to serve as our Acting CEO. The As is often the case with change, an opportunity for introspection arises and as part of the process to select a replacement CEO, I am proposing an in-depth assessment of the “state of the organization” and taking inventory, if you will, of potentially unrecognized talent at home within the organization to complement a potentially nationwide recruitment. Be assured that my fellow Board members and I are committed to doing whatever it takes to make the decision that is best for the organization and the County at large. One commitment I made when elected was to be accessible to those I represent, and I thank the Chamber for this opportunity to inform my fellow members. I always welcome your comments and questions, and I welcome the opportunity to speak to you individually or to address your Neighborhood Association or Community Organization. Call my office at 916-787-8960 or drop a note to my District Director Michael Spelis: Michaelspelis@placer.ca.gov or to me at Suzannejones@placer.ca.gov. -Suzanne Jones, Disctrict 4 Supervisor Commerce Insight
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