To: Board of Supervisors, County of Sonoma
Department or Agency Name(s): Board of Supervisors
Staff Name and Phone Number: Supervisor James Gore, (707) 565-2241
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Fourth District
Title:
Title
Use of Lytton Tribal Mitigation Funds
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Approve the use of Lytton Tribal Mitigation Funds totaling $1,150,000 for the following County projects:
i.) Regional Parks - Wohler Riverfront Trail and Wohler site improvements ($1,000,000);
ii.) Department of Emergency Management - flood and disaster monitoring systems including a mobile trailer-mounted camera units ($150,000).
B) Authorize the County Executive or designee to execute community grant funding agreements totaling $1,125,000 in a form approved by County Counsel and for the term from March 3, 2026 through December 31, 2030, with the following 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations:
i.) Ya-Ka-Ama Indian Education and Development Inc. ($500,000);
ii.) Russian Riverkeeper ($600,000); and
iii.) People4Parks Foundation ($25,000).
C) Make a finding that the proposed expenditures are necessary to meet the social needs of the population of the County pursuant to California Government Code section 26227.
D) Adopt a Resolution authorizing budgetary adjustments to the FY 2025-26 adopted budget to increase expenditure appropriations in the Lytton Tribal Mitigation Fund and Regional Parks budgets to program a total amount of $1,125,000 for three community-based project grants with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and $1,000,000 for Regional Parks to implement Wohler Riverfront Trail and Wohler site improvements, plus internal transfers. (4/5 Vote Required)
end
Executive Summary:
This item seeks Board authorization to use $2,275,000 of Lytton Tribal Mitigation Funds for County department projects and community-based project grants as follows: $1,000,000 will be utilized by Sonoma County Regional Parks for Wohler site improvements and the construction of a multi-use trail from Riverfront Regional Park to Wohler Road; $150,000 will be utilized by the Department of Emergency Management to purchase and operate two (2) trailer-mounted camera units for monitoring flood and disaster conditions; $500,000 will be utilized by Ya-Ka-Ama Indian Education and Development Inc. for infrastructure and site improvements; $600,000 will be utilized by Russian Riverkeeper for environmental restoration and cleanup work in the Russian River Watershed; $25,000 will be utilized by the People4Parks Foundation for the ‘Water is Life’ mural project in Windsor, CA.
Discussion:
Background:
The County of Sonoma executed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Lytton Rancheria of California in 2015 and amended on August 7, 2018. The agreement (MOA attached, Sections 7.2, 7.5.2, 7.8) describes a one-time payment of $6.1 million to the County to address potential offsite impacts of the development, including but not limited to impacts to parks, habitat, road impacts, in addition to administrative and consultant costs. Additionally, the Lytton Tribe makes annual payments to the County based on the assessed value of its trust property in-lieu of property tax payments.
The tribal contributions are allocated to the Lytton Tribal Mitigation Fund for future mitigation needs and may be used at the County’s discretion. The current Lytton Mitigation Fund balance is $4,504,569. The County has adopted the following financial policy with regard to mitigation funds: “Tribal Development Impact Mitigation Funds shall be accounted for separately, so that when budgeting, only those monies received in the current year shall be relied upon for financing costs in the coming budget. The Board of Supervisors shall make a determination, as new tribal developments occur, on the best uses of these funds to mitigate impacts and maintain the high quality of life in surrounding or affected communities.”
Recommendations:
Consistent with the Lytton MOA, projects which have used this fund balance in the past include parks, road and traffic improvements, partnership with Santa Rosa Junior College to enhance workforce development related to fire resilience and vegetation management, and Hanson Russian River Floodplain Restoration. In consultation with county staff and non-profit partners, District Four recommends the following allocations from the Lytton Tribal Mitigation Fund:
Regional Parks: Riverfront - Wohler Trail, Staging Area and Security Upgrades ($1,000,000)
Regional Parks will use $1,000,000 for the construction of a new multi-use trail connecting Riverfront Regional Park to Wohler Road. The trail will meet State Parks’ trail accessibility standards and includes necessary fencing, gates, and public signage. Funds will support project implementation and supplement other project funding sources such as the Proposition 68 ‘River Parkways Grant,’ Measure M funds, and mitigation fee revenues. Additional site upgrades will include a ‘Wohler Road Staging Area’ with amenities such as a permanent restroom, picnic tables, and path-of-travel accessibility improvements. All placements of gates, fences, signage, and security upgrades at the Wohler Staging area will also provide security benefits for Sonoma Water’s critical infrastructure on the east side of Wohler Bridge. The total construction estimate for this project is $2.1 million. This project aligns with the Board’s adopted policy on use of Tribal development mitigation funds by improving river access, outdoor recreation, and water security in the area near the Lytton Trust Lands development. This project also constitutes an improvement to Riverfront Regional Park, which is specifically referenced as a mitigation opportunity in section 7.2 of the Lytton MOA (Attached).
Department of Emergency Management (DEM): Trailer-Mounted Camera Units ($150,000)
The Department of Emergency Management will utilize $150,000 to purchase and operate two trailer-mounted camera units. The camera units will be used to monitor flood and disaster conditions in high flood risk areas and serve as a critical tool in preventing and mitigating extreme public safety risks and flood-related deaths, especially in areas where first responders have observed water rescues during flood events. These areas include but are not limited to Mark West Station Road, Slusser Road, Eastside Road, Starr Road and Trenton Healdsburg Road. The cameras will enable DEM and other County departments to validate flood levels at key locations and improve the County’s alert and warning program, flood response and pre-planning. DEM, public safety partners, and the community will have the opportunity to observe real-time roadway and river/creek/stream conditions for situational awareness and trailers will serve as a deterrent against entering flooded and dangerous roadways. In the off-season the camera trailers will augment existing fire detection capabilities in high-risk areas and during red flag warnings (RFW) while also supporting other emergency operations such as road closures, landslides and construction activities. This project aligns with the Board’s adopted policy on use of Tribal development mitigation funds by improving public safety, County roads safety, and disaster preparedness in critical areas near the Lytton Trust Lands development.
Ya-Ka-Ama Indian Education and Development, Inc.: Site Improvements ($500,000)
Ya-Ka-Ama Indian Education and Development Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization with facilities and property located 7465 Steve Olson Lane, in Forestville, CA. Ya-ka-Ama is an intertribal organization with the stated mission: “To Support traditional Native Culture and values; to give Native People the tools to become contributing members of their communities; and to improve educational opportunities and resources for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.” Ya-Ka-Ama Indian Education and Development Inc. will use $500,000 for facilities and site improvements at its 7465 Steve Olson Lane property. Site improvements and planned building renovations include electric utility service, bathroom improvements, renovated classrooms and spaces for cultural events, and outdoor amenities such as arbors and educational gardens for food and culturally significant plants. This project aligns with the Board’s adopted policy on use of Tribal development mitigation funds by improving access to traditional ecological education programs, supporting ecological restoration, improving local cultural facilities and community amenities, and improving the overall quality of life for Sonoma County residents near the Lytton Trust Lands development.
Russian Riverkeeper: Trash Removal and Ecological Restoration ($600,000)
Russian Riverkeeper will use $600,000 to increase trash removal efforts and ecological restoration work in the Russian River watershed, including but not limited to areas near Riverfront Regional Park, the ‘Hanson Pits’, Wohler Bridge, Eastside Rd, and in the area of the Russian River between Windsor and Healdsburg, CA. Russian Riverkeeper’s work includes the removal of trash generated from unhoused communities, recreational users, illegal dumping, and dangerous debris from floods and major disasters. This grant funding will support expanded trash removal efforts over the next three years by increasing Clean Team capacity and the frequency of community volunteer cleanup events. Additionally, Russian Riverkeeper will expand invasive species removal and ecological restoration work in the watershed. Cleanup and restoration efforts include but are not limited to: expanded Clean Camp program and river restoration work to remove trash, debris, and invasive plants from the Russian River watershed with a holistic whole-reach methodology, cleaning up and restoring entire river segments from bank to floodplain, not just single-point efforts; ecological restoration work near the Lytton Trust Lands development in the area of the ‘Hanson Pits’; Organize community cleanup events with local volunteers; Develop and distribute bilingual outreach materials on trash/pollution impacts and prevention; non-native invasive plant removal, wildfire mitigation work, and ecological restoration work in the Russian River Watershed near the Lytton Trust Lands development, especially in areas with increased wildfire risk near neighborhoods and Sonoma Water facilities; and responding to debris surges caused by floods and wildfire impacts. This project aligns with the Board’s adopted policy on use of Tribal development mitigation funds by: improving access and community environmental health in the area of the Russian River near the Lytton Trust Lands development, supporting ecological restoration of native plants and trees, contributing to flood protection and wildfire mitigation, and improving the overall quality of life for Sonoma County residents near the Lytton Trust Lands development. This work also aligns with the ‘Russian River Floodplain Restoration Project’, approved by the Board on April 22, 2025, located in the area of the ‘Hanson Pits’ at the eastern edge of Windsor, CA.
People4Parks Foundation: ‘Water is Life’ Mural Project ($25,000)
The People4Parks Foundation will use $25,000 for the design and execution of the ‘Water is Life’ mural project. The ‘Water Is Life’ mural will be a 120 foot long visual narrative, illustrating the profound significance of the Russian River and its watershed through the authentic stories of Native peoples, past and present. This public art piece will serve as a community beautification and educational tool, fostering understanding, respect, and appreciation for Native American culture and traditions within the broader community” (People4Parks Foundation, 2025). In 2025, the Windsor Town Council approved a location for the mural along the exterior wall and fence line of the Windsor Public Works Dept. at 8400 Windsor River Rd, in Windsor CA. This location was selected because it is aligned with the ‘Water is Life’ theme as the main water distribution facility for the Town of Windsor. This location is also directly across the street from Windsor High School. The mural project will be Native-led, with participation from High school students - including but not limited to students who are tribal members and/or have Native American heritage. The mural will be painted off-site and installed in 2026/2027. This project aligns with the Board’s adopted policy on use of Tribal development mitigation funds by improving access to youth arts’ education programs, supporting neighborhood improvements and beautification, and improving the overall quality of life for Sonoma County residents near the Lytton Trust Lands development.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
9/24/2024 - Board authorized $50,000 in Lytton Mitigation funds for the Progressive Tribal Alliance towards enhancement of cultural education programs and historical trauma classes.
5/31/2024 - Board authorized the use of $750,000 of Lytton Tribal Mitigation Funds as part of the FY 24/25 budget process SRJC fire resilience workforce and allocated to Regional Parks to support the Hanson Russian River Floodplain Restoration project - Tab 13 of the FY 24/25 Budget Hearing Materials.
4/16/2024 - Board authorized the County Administrator to use Lytton Tribal Mitigation Funds and enter into a funding agreement for $50,000 with the Progressive Tribal Alliance for Native American arts festivals for three years.
9/1/2020 - Board authorized the use of $1,850,000 in Lytton Tribal Mitigation Funds for park improvements, roadway intersection improvements, and oak tree mitigation program.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
$150,000 |
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$2,125,000 |
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$2,125,000 |
$150,000 |
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
$2,125,000 |
$150,000 |
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$2,125,000 |
$150,000 |
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
This item will utilize $2,275,000 of available fund balance from the Lytton Tribal Mitigation Fund for work that will occur in FY 25-26 and FY 26-27. The FY 25-26 projected fund balance is approximately $4.5 million and the use of these funds for this purpose is within the parameters of this fund. The attached budget resolution only adds expenditure appropriations for expenses anticipated in FY 25-26, including the three community grant agreements totaling $1,125,000, plus transfer of $1,000,000 to Regional Parks for Wohler Riverfront Trail and Wohler site improvements. The $150,000 flood and disaster monitoring system project led by Emergency Management will be appropriated in the FY 26-27 budget as part of supplemental budget adjustments.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
A. Agreement with Ya-Ka-Ama Indian Education and Development Inc.
B. Agreement with Russian Riverkeeper
C. Agreement with People4Parks Foundation
D. Budget Resolution
E. Lytton MOA, 2015
F. MOA Amendment, 2018
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A