Calaveras Weighs $50,000 Snow Contract as Coverage Questions Linger

Calaveras County is trying to add contracted plowing capacity to its winter response after storms stretched Public Works crews last season. Supervisors on Oct. 27, 2026 debated a two-year, $50,000 on-call snow removal agreement with KW Emerson Inc. covering higher-elevation District 3, and a motion, second and voice vote followed, but no result was announced. The board also funded the local food bank 5-0 and declared October Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

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• $50,000 on-call snow contract with KW Emerson goes to a voice vote. No result was declared, and supervisors pressed on coverage outside District 3.
• Food bank gets $1,250, $250 from each district, approved 5-0 as holiday need rises.
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month adopted. The District Attorney reported 465 victims served by the Calaveras Crisis Center.

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Snow Contract Tests How Far County Coverage Reaches

Why it matters: Public Works Director Michael Martin framed the deal as a first step in rebuilding the county's winter capacity. "This is our first contract in a very long time," he said. The open question is whether residents outside the targeted high country get the same backup.

Where things stand: The board directed Public Works in May 2026 to seek on-call snowplow help. Under the resulting request for proposals, RFP 26120007913, three firms responded. Two could not proceed because of insurance and scale requirements. "KW Emerson was the only one who was able to fulfill all the obligations," said Martin.

The agreement would run from Oct. 28, 2026 through Oct. 28, 2028 and could not exceed $50,000. Martin said funding is available now, and staff may return to the board if more money is needed. The contract also allows tree removal and debris hauling.

Martin also outlined related winter preparations:

• A refreshed recruitment for extra-hire plow drivers
• A new Arnold Yard supervisor, Josh Foley
• A V-plow attachment ordered with additional TOT, or transient occupancy tax, funding
• Continued exploration of equipment leasing

He said GPS tracking on plows was considered, but "it's pretty pricey," and spotty cellular coverage would limit it.

The other side: Supervisors did not oppose the contract, but they questioned its geographic limits. Gary Tofanelli, Supervisor, District 1, asked whether the contractor could work in Districts 1, 2 or 4 during a major storm. "The contract is exclusive to that area," Martin said. He added that some high-elevation plow zones in District 2 are included and that the contract could be amended.

Autumn Andahl, Supervisor, District 2, pointed to parts of her district hit hard in the February storm. "I just want to make sure we're watching this very closely and ensuring that we're allocating our county resources to that area in a snow event," she said.

Martin Huberty, Supervisor, District 3, whose district the contract targets, was enthusiastic. "I'm hugely, hugely thankful for this contract," he said. He also urged Public Works to hire extra drivers who live locally: "It makes a huge difference if the extra snowplow drivers are in our district."

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Amanda Folendorf, Supervisor, District 4, and other supervisors suggested handling broader needs through a separate, later countywide emergency-response RFP rather than slowing this one. "Maybe we can see how this goes and expand that and possibly amend it since that RFP already went out," Folendorf said.

During public comment, Marty Frank praised KW Emerson, saying "they have community stamped on their hearts." A motion, a second and an audible "aye" followed. No result, opposition call or tally was announced. Upcountry District 3 residents stand to gain the most immediate benefit. District 2 residents in storm-exposed areas will be watching whether the county amends the contract.

What's next: Supervisors floated a future countywide on-call emergency-response RFP. No date was set. Staff may return if the $50,000 cap proves insufficient.

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Food Bank Funding Passes 5-0 Amid Rising Need

Why it matters: The dollar amount is small, but speakers described the Resource Connection Food Bank as stretching every dollar. The food bank says donations go nearly tenfold further through Feeding America partnerships.

Where things stand: Item 19, the board's annual holiday contribution, allocates $250 from each of the five districts, $1,250 in total. It also finds that the spending serves a public purpose.

Sherry Noble, Program Director, Child Care Resource and Referral Program, read a statement from food bank director Tina Mather. The statement said the food bank served more than 12,000 people directly and more than 15,000 through partner pantries. "We've distributed more than 813,000 pounds of food," the statement said, adding that Mather "can purchase food at 9 cents a pound."

A Toys for Tots volunteer told the board, "This year is greater need than ever," and urged support for children at Title I schools. Behavioral Health Director Wendy Yalt promoted a department canned-food drive and said her case managers bring clients to the Resource Connection. Tofanelli called it "a wonderful organization."

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Folendorf moved and Benjamin Stopper, Supervisor, District 5, seconded. The vote was For: 5, Against: 0. The money flows to a nonprofit that county departments already rely on as a referral partner.

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DA Uses Proclamation to Detail Domestic Violence Caseload

Why it matters: District Attorney Barbara Hupp tied county budget support directly to her office's ability to prosecute domestic violence. She also gave residents practical advice on protective orders.

Where things stand: Andahl read the proclamation, which cited the 2026 theme, "With Survivors Always." It also named local providers: the Resource Connection, Calaveras Crisis Center, District Attorney Victim Services and the county Health and Human Services Agency.

Hupp said board funding pays for outside experts and in-house training. "We had to train one of our investigators as an in-house expert on strangulation cases," she said. She reported cases across all age groups, including older couples.

She said "the crisis center served 465 victims of domestic violence." Counts by supervisorial district ranged from 64 to 96. Another 30 cases had no district listed, and 33 victims came from out of county.

Hupp urged victims to "go ahead and get the emergency protective order when it's offered to you by law enforcement in the field." An emergency protective order is a short-term court order that officers can request on the spot. Hupp said these orders affect later criminal protective orders.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The proclamation passed by voice vote. No tally was stated.

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Minor Items

• Consent agenda approved 5-0 on a motion by Huberty, seconded by Andahl. No items were pulled.
• Animal Services impounded 17 dogs from one home, pushing the shelter past capacity. Non-emergency complaints are temporarily paused.
• Environmental Management Agency fees: Andahl said increases from a recently adopted fee study, the first since 2018, run as high as 200% and affect 88 cottage food vendors. "I think it needs to be staggered," she said. The board informally agreed to have staff bring back a phased approach.
• MAKO home kitchens: County Administrative Officer Teresa Hitchcock asked whether supervisors would hold community meetings in each district on the next step beyond cottage foods. The board gave informal support, with no formal action.
• Battery storage concerns: Bonnie Newman, a Double Springs resident, called the Nadara project a "boondoggle" and handed the board a report on EV lithium battery fire risks to responders. A second commenter echoed her concerns.

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Looking Ahead

The board returned to closed session to discuss labor talks with five employee groups, groundwater plan litigation and the County Executive Officer's annual evaluation. It will report out at its next meeting.