See Below for Meeting  
Location  
County of El Dorado  
Minutes - Draft  
Fish and Wildlife Commission  
Patrick W. Weddle, Chair, District IV  
Steven Schwarzbach, Vice Chair, Member at Large  
Larry Robinson, Treasurer, District II  
Dennis F. Byrne, District I  
James Davies, District III  
Leona Allen, District V  
Heather Gardner, Member at Large  
Wednesday, January 28, 2026  
3:00 PM  
https://edcgov-us.zoom.us/j/84985797382  
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION INSTRUCTIONS: The Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting room will  
be open to the public. The meeting will continue to be live-streamed via Zoom. By participating in  
this meeting, you acknowledge that you are being recorded.  
Members of the public may address the Commission in-person or via Zoom to make a public  
comment. The public should call into 530-621-7603 or 530-621-7610. The Meeting ID is 849  
8579 7382. Please note you will not be able to join the live-stream until the posted meeting start  
time.  
To observe the live stream of the Commission meeting go to  
https://edcgov-us.zoom.us/j/84985797382.  
If you are joining the meeting via Zoom and wish to make a comment on an item, press the "raise  
hand" button. If you are joining the meeting by phone, press *9 to indicate a desire to make a  
comment. Speakers will be limited to 3 minutes.  
Although the County strives to offer remote participation, be advised that remote Zoom  
participation is provided for convenience only. In the event of a technological malfunction, the only  
assurance of live comments being received by the Commission is to attend in person. Except for  
a noticed teleconference meeting, the Commission reserves the right to conduct the meeting  
without remote access if there is a malfunction.  
If you choose not to observe the Commission meeting but wish to make a comment on a specific  
agenda item, please submit your comment in writing. You are encouraged to submit your  
comment in writing by 4:00 PM on the Tuesday before the meeting to ensure the Commission  
has adequate time to review. Please submit your comment to the Clerk of the Board at  
edc.cob@edcgov.us. Your comment will be placed into the record and forwarded to Commission  
members.  
PROTOCOLS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT  
Public comment will be received at designated periods as called by the Commission Chair.  
Individuals will have three minutes to address the Commission. Except with the consent of the  
Commission, individuals shall be allowed to speak to an item only once.  
Individual Commission members may ask clarifying questions but will not engage in substantive  
dialogue with persons providing input to the Commission.  
If a person providing input to the Commission creates a disruption by refusing to follow  
Commission guidelines, the Commission Chair may take the following actions:  
Step 1. Request the person adhere to Commission guidelines. If the person refuses, the  
Commission Chair may turn off the speaker’s microphone.  
Step 2. If the disruption continues, the Commission Chair may order a recess of the Commission  
meeting.  
Step 3. If the disruption continues, the Commission Chair may order the removal of the person  
from the Commission meeting.  
At 3:00 P.M. Commissioner Gardner joined the meeting and invoked AB2449. Commissioner  
Gardner stated she was unable to attend today’s meeting due to a contagious illness, which is  
considered “just cause” to allow remote participation under AB2449 (Government Code  
54953(f)). In order to comply with AB2449, the Commission Clerk asked that the record reflect  
there is a quorum of members physically present at the meeting. Member Gardner disclosed that  
there are no individuals 18 years of age or older present in the room with her. Finally, in  
compliance with AB2449 Member Gardner kept her camera on during the meeting.  
CALLED TO ORDER AT 3:00 P.M.  
ROLL CALL  
6 - Weddle, Allen, Byrne, Davies, Robinson and Gardner  
1 - Schwarzbach  
Present:  
Absent:  
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR  
There was no public comment.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Commissioner  
Robinson to Adopt the Agenda and Approve the Consent Calendar.  
5 - Weddle, Allen, Byrne, Robinson and Gardner  
1 - Schwarzbach  
Yes:  
Absent:  
1 - Davies  
Abstained:  
The Commission may make any necessary additions, deletions or corrections to the agenda  
including moving items to or from the Consent Calendar and adopt the agenda and the Consent  
Calendar with one single vote. A Commission member may request an item be removed from the  
Consent Calendar for discussion and separate Commission action. At the appropriate time as  
called by the Commission Chair, members of the public may make a comment on matters on the  
Consent Calendar prior to Commission action.  
CONSENT CALENDAR  
25-1998  
1.  
Approval of the Minutes from the regular meeting on November 19, 2025.  
Attachments: 11-19-25 Draft Minutes  
11-19-25 Final Minutes  
This matter was Approved on the Consent Calendar.  
5 - Weddle, Allen, Byrne, Robinson and Gardner  
Yes:  
1 - Schwarzbach  
1 - Davies  
Absent:  
Abstained:  
26-0089  
2.  
Staff recommending the Commission receive and file the January 2026  
Monthly Finance Report dated 1/28/2026.  
Attachments: A - 01-28-26 Finance Report  
This matter was Approved on the Consent Calendar.  
5 - Weddle, Allen, Byrne, Robinson and Gardner  
Yes:  
1 - Schwarzbach  
1 - Davies  
Absent:  
Abstained:  
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR  
OPEN FORUM  
Public Comment: T. Day  
Open Forum is an opportunity for members of the public to address the Commission on subject  
matter that is not on their meeting agenda and within their jurisdiction. Public comments during  
Open Forum are limited to three minutes per person. The Commission Chair may limit public  
comment during Open Forum.  
EL DORADO COUNTY AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER REPORT  
Agricultural Commissioner LeeAnne Mila reported on the following:  
Monthly meetings with California Department of Fish and Wildlife.  
LeeAnne is retiring June 26, 2026.  
Mountain lion hazing bill.  
COMMISSIONER REPORTS AND AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS  
Commissioner Byrne reported on the following:  
Deer crossing sign update.  
Deer and wildlife carcass update.  
Fencing and deer feeding brochures given to District Attorney.  
Attended meeting at District Attorney with Commissioners Gardner and Weddle.  
Commissioner Allen reported on the following:  
Bike crossing accident lawsuit.  
CDFW bear presentation at South Lake Tahoe City Council.  
South Lake Tahoe bear management plan.  
Commissioner Gardner reported on the following:  
Attended meeting at District Attorney with Commissioners Byrne and Weddle.  
Draft guideline for fishing derbies and fish stocking updated.  
Commissioner Robinson reported on the following:  
Spending time at mining claim.  
Deer herd and Valley Quail sightings in Shingle Springs.  
Commissioner Weddle reported on the following:  
Attended meeting at District Attorney with Commissioners Gardner and Byrne.  
2026 CDFW warden stamps.  
Commissioner Weddle reported on the following on behalf of Commissioner  
Schwarzbach:  
El Dorado RCD lion management program update.  
Commissioner Davies reported on the following:  
Deer herds and lion tracks from Shingle Springs up to 5,000 ft elevation.  
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST AND WARDEN  
REPORTS  
Shelly Blair with California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported on the  
following:  
Beaver help desk program.  
Bear harvest update.  
Bear den scouting and collaring program.  
Fall bear cub release.  
Non-lethal mountain lion program extended through March.  
Lion collaring trapping effort.  
Youth hunter education class March 13th and 14th.  
Mute swans became legal to hunt.  
Dove banding program.  
Tahoe Interagency Bear Team law enforcement training.  
Exploring public safety announcements about bears.  
Bob Pera with California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported on the  
following:  
Small game season is closed.  
General trespassing enforcement.  
Charges and dispositions for 2025 court cases.  
AGENDA ITEMS  
26-0088  
3.  
Clerk of the Board staff recommending the Commission:  
1) Elect the Chair of the Commission for 2026;  
2) Elect the Vice Chair of the Commission for 2026; and  
3) Elect the Treasurer of the Commission for 2026.  
Public Comment: K. Jermstad  
After three motions were made, all three were withdrawn, and the Commission  
decided to Continue this matter to the next regular meeting.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Commissioner Byrne  
to appoint Commissioner Weddle as the Chair for 2026.  
Commissioner Allen withdrew the motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Byrne, seconded by Commissioner Allen  
to appoint Commissioner Schwarzbach as the Vice Chair for 2026.  
Commissioner Byrne withdrew the motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Davies, seconded by Commissioner Allen  
to appoint Commissioner Robinson as the Treasurer for 2026.  
Commissioner Davies withdrew the motion.  
26-0175  
4.  
Commissioner Weddle recommending the Commission review, discuss  
and amend the 2025-26 Draft Annual Work Plan.  
Attachments: A - El Dorado County Fish and Wildlife Workplan Draft  
There was no public comment.  
The Commission reviewed, discussed and amended the 2025-26 Draft Annual  
Work Plan.  
26-0087  
5.  
Clerk of the Board staff recommending the Commission:  
1) Discuss the process and requirements for the commission's annual  
report to the Board of Supervisors;  
2) Assign commissioners to create a draft presentation to bring back to  
the next meeting for review and approval; and  
3) Select a date to present the report to the Board of Supervisors.  
Attachments: A - Annual Committee Commission Presentation Template 2026  
Public Comment: K. Jermstad  
The Commission:  
1) Discussed the process and requirements for the commission's annual report to  
the Board of Supervisors;  
2) Commissioners Allen and Weddle were assigned to create a draft  
presentation to bring back to a future meeting for review and approval; and  
3) The Commission selected September 15, 2026, at 9:30am to present the  
report to the Board of Supervisors.  
25-2055  
6.  
Commissioner Allen recommending the Commission have a discussion  
regarding possible follow-up action concerning the October 29, 2025  
presentation by Friends Aiding Wildlife in Nature.  
Attachments: FAWN Follow-up Email  
There was no public comment.  
The Commission decided to Continue this matter and bring it back to the next  
regular meeting to include a recommendation of creating an ad hoc committee  
for follow up action.  
26-0173  
26-0225  
7.  
Commissioner Allen recommending the Commission have a discussion  
regarding Black Bear coexistence education dissemination to all El  
Dorado County property owners.  
Public Comment: K. Jermstad  
The Commission held a discussion regarding Black Bear coexistence education  
dissemination to all El Dorado County property owners  
8.  
Commissioner Davies recommending the Commission consider  
approving a request for additional funding in the amount of $92.99 for the  
Lumsden Pond fishing derby in April 2026.  
There was no public comment.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Robinson, seconded by Commissioner  
Davies to approve additional funding in the amount of $92.99 for the Lumsden  
Pond fishing derby in April 2026.  
Commissioner Allen would like the record to reflect she is in support of  
approving additional funding for this request and would ask for the Commission  
to use discretion on a case-by-case basis for future funding requests.  
5 - Weddle, Allen, Davies, Robinson and Gardner  
1 - Byrne  
Yes:  
Noes:  
1 - Schwarzbach  
Absent:  
LEGISLATIVE REPORTS  
There were no legislative reports.  
NEXT MEETING: February 25, 2026 (330 Fair Ln, Conference Room C)  
ADJOURNED AT 4:49 P.M.