Calaveras Backs West Point Library Reopening, Delays Appaloosa Road Funding

Board of Supervisors • Calaveras CountyOctober 13, 2026

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West Point is a step closer to getting its library back. On Oct. 13, 2026, the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to let county administration negotiate a two-year storefront lease and a cost-sharing deal with the town's Friends of the Library. The same afternoon, supervisors declined to commit $50,000 to fix roundabout hazards on Appaloosa Road until they see firm costs. They also hired outside counsel to defend the county in its shoreline fight with Tri-Dam.

West Point library lease and Friends MOU advance 5-0 after eight residents testified that the branch is a rural lifeline
No vote on $50,000 Appaloosa Road reimbursement. Staff will return with prevailing-wage costs and a firm plan.
County retains Remy Morse Manley LLP, 5-0, to fight Tri-Dam's lawsuit over Lake Tullock rules
One-year labor deals with no raises. The county absorbs part of a 16.2% health premium jump; the deputies' deal passed 5-0.
Wildfire coordinator proposes countywide fuel-break hub modeled on Tuolumne County

West Point Library Gets a Path Back

Why it matters: The West Point branch closed at the end of May because the school needed the space for tutoring. Residents say the nearest alternative is a long drive. "It takes us 40 to 45 minutes to get down here to San Andreas," said Tara Easton-Bourget, director of the Blue Mountain Coalition for Youth and Families and a Friends of the West Point Library board member.

Where things stand: The proposal covers about 900 square feet at 429 Main Street, leased from Dave Williamson.

Term: Two years, for up to $22,680, with three one-year renewal options and a 90-day termination clause.
Friends MOU: The Friends of the Library would reimburse rent and utilities up to $31,000.
Funding: The item includes budget transfers from general fund contingencies, which required a four-fifths vote.
Long term: Staff said a grant for a permanent site is pending.

The packet shows worst-case costs, according to staff.

The other side: The sharpest scrutiny came from a supporter. Heidi Axelrod, a Friends member, asked the county to drop line items the volunteers plan to cover, including the children's area, shelving, a donated desk and repurchased materials. "The claim of 500 staff hours needed to set up the new location seems unreasonably high," she said.

Supervisor Autumn Andahl, District 2, responded that the figures are a ceiling. She also noted that books are updated countywide. "These are worst-case scenario numbers, and I am more than confident that we will not reach them," Andahl said.

The bigger problem: Supervisors treated West Point as a symptom of a larger issue. Teresa, a county administration staff member, said that with West Point, the county will have eight branches supported by essentially eight full-time staff. "Most counties would have 1 branch per 12,000 to 15,000 residents, which means that we would have 3 branches in this county where we have 8," she said.

"This is a temporary solution, and I'd love to look at more permanent solutions for our libraries," said Supervisor Martin Huberty, District 3. Teresa floated a task force. Supervisor Amanda Folendorf, District 4, noted transportation barriers for rural patrons. Andahl called for strategic planning across government, nonprofit, private and community partners. No task force was formally created.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: On Andahl's motion, the board authorized administration to pursue the contract and enter negotiations (For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0). The deal leans heavily on volunteer fundraising. That puts the Friends group on the hook as a financial partner, not just a booster. "Often we feel forgotten by the county, rightly or wrongly," said resident Katrine Landy.

What's next: Administration negotiates the lease and MOU. With a two-year term, the countywide branch question will return.

Appaloosa Road Safety Fix Stalls on Cost

Why it matters: Residents and the California Highway Patrol say the Wagon Trail Phase 1 roundabout created new hazards. The board is wary of an open-ended commitment, given cost concerns already tied to Wagon Trail.

Where things stand: The Appaloosa Road Community Services District (CSD) sought up to $50,000 for work outside the permitted project, plus a general fund contingency draw requiring a four-fifths vote. Public Works Director Micah Martin said the project followed the permit plans. He also flagged a gap in the staff report: "Any work that's conducted as part of this agreement needs to be done at prevailing wage." The CSD's quotes did not reflect that requirement. Counsel confirmed prevailing wage applies when public funds are used.

On the ground: Resident Ron Davis said the realigned road leaves no safe parking at a bank of 152 mailboxes. "There's going to be a major collision," he said. The CSD's board chair described a tight S-curve, a struck mailbox roof, damaged bollards and car doors opening into traffic. CHP Officer Fogel cited double yellow lines feeding into the roundabout and inadequate signage. "I'm concerned during inclement weather that we're going to have a serious motor vehicle collision into this roundabout," Fogel said.

The other side: Folendorf backed moving forward and said the work "created more of a traffic jam and issue." Another supervisor said they would not sign a blank check. Supervisor Gary Tofanelli, District 1, questioned the design itself: "Why is there a roundabout there to begin with?"

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The board took no vote. Supervisors acknowledged the hazards but noted that prevailing wage could push costs well past $50,000 and might trigger bidding requirements. For mailbox users and drivers, the hazards remain in the meantime.

What's next: Staff will work with the CSD on definitive, prevailing-wage quotes and a defined scope, then return to the board.

County Lawyers Up in Tri-Dam Shoreline Fight

Why it matters: Tri-Dam Project v. County of Calaveras (Case 26-CV-49076) will decide who controls shoreline land use at Lake Tullock: the county, or Tri-Dam and neighboring irrigation districts.

Where things stand: After closed session, the clerk reported the board voted 5-0 to retain Remy Morse Manley LLP. Folendorf made the motion and Huberty seconded. The board took no reportable action on labor talks or the other litigation items.

Before closed session, three commenters thanked the board for rescinding Chapter 20.10. They called the chapter duplicative of Tri-Dam's federal FERC license.

Doug Lucas, owner of Doug's Dock Works, said: "Tri-Dam processes over the past few years have been an absolute nightmare as they seem to enjoy running my customers in circles."
Dave DeLoger, a Poker Flat property owner, framed it as a matter of local control: "By subordinating your land use decisions to an entity that is not elected in your jurisdiction would be a travesty of justice to your constituents."
Bernadette Catania praised the board for ensuring that "outside boards from Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties do not dictate or manipulate how our community is managed."

The other side: Mr. Samento, an attorney for a Lake Tullock property owner, supported repeal but added a caution. "My client understands that the court has temporarily kept Chapter 20.10 in effect while these issues receive further consideration," he said. He urged continued cooperation with Tri-Dam.

What's next: The chapter stays in effect while the case proceeds.

Union Deals: Benefits Instead of Raises

Where things stand: The board took up one-year agreements running Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027. Neither includes cost-of-living raises. Instead, the county covers part of a 16.2% health premium increase with monthly contributions of $170, $341 and $443.

Human Resources and Risk Management Director Judy Hawkins outlined the SEIU Local 1021 package:

A Dec. 28-30 winter break with a floating holiday
CDL assignment pay for Road Maintenance Worker 3 positions, plus license reimbursement
A $1 weekend differential and a 40-hour comp-time cash-out
Bilingual pay and higher boot allowances
A dollar-for-dollar deferred compensation match up to $100
A $3,500 education incentive over four years

"It is $3,500 for a 4-year period, but it is a start," Hawkins said of the education incentive.

The Deputy Sheriff's Association deal adds three floating holidays, service credit for 25 years of county service, the same health contributions and updated uniform language.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The deputies' agreement passed 5-0 on Huberty's motion, seconded by Folendorf. On the SEIU agreement, Folendorf moved, Huberty seconded and ayes were heard, but no tally was announced. Employees keep their take-home pay, while the county budget absorbs the premium hike.

Fire Coordinator Pitches a Shared Fuel-Break Map

Where things stand: Patty Raggio, county wildfire coordinator for the Foothills Fire Safe Council, said Phase 1 deliverables are complete. Phase 2 runs through October 2027. It includes an educational flipbook, a website redesign, an update of the 2020 Community Wildfire Protection Plan and a feasibility study for a fuel-break hub. "I'd propose to model it after the Tuolumne County Mitigation Projects Hub," Raggio said.

Supervisors' asks: Huberty pressed for maintenance schedules and data on treatment type, such as herbicide or mastication. Folendorf asked that the hub include future projects, including on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. Her goal: "a strategic approach where we're putting the money so we maximize protecting our communities." Raggio confirmed proposed projects would be included, with the county GIS lab adding data. The item was informational, so no action was taken.

Consent agenda approved 5-0 with no items pulled.
Ballot errors: Two commenters reported omitted candidate statements in voter pamphlets and voters missing ballots. They urged an investigation and an agenda item reviewing the printing contract.
Double Springs battery storage: Resident Bonnie Newman cited a La Verne battery incident and urged the board to reconsider the planned facility.
O'Byrnes Ferry Bridge: Damaged by a truck, the bridge is running one lane with alternating signals until repairs, expected by mid-December.
Animal Services: A free rabies and microchip clinic is set for Saturday, Oct. 17. The shelter has 76 animals in care.

Looking ahead: Watch for the Appaloosa Road item to return with firm costs, for West Point lease negotiations, and for whether supervisors formalize a countywide library task force before the two-year lease runs out.

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