CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
Mayor Isaiah Wright Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore
Council Member Raymond Altman Raym eber Kelly Schello Member Jason Grenough
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
210 BATTERY STREET
CRESCENT CITY, CA 95531
MONDAY OCTOBER 9, 2023 6:00 P.M.
OPEN SESSION
Call to order Mayor Wright called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Ray Altman, Council Member Kelly Schellong, and Mayor Isaiah Wright
Council Members absent: Council Member Jason Greenough and Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore
Staff members present: City Manager Eric Wier, City Attorney Martha Rice, and City Clerk/Administrative Analyst Robin Altman
Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Wright
NEW BUSINESS
1. Letter in Opposition to the Nearshore Groundfish Closure • Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter in opposition to the Nearshore Groundfish Closure City Manager Wier reported to the Council regarding the letter of opposition that was brought to the Council by the public at the last meeting. He further stated that the reason for the special meeting is to ensure that the letter in opposition is included in the full agenda packet that will go before the Pacific Fishery Management Council. He explained the contents of the letter of opposition and how the closure is impacting our community negatively. City Manager Wier stated that there are many other options that can be done to protect the quillback fish and are outlined in the letters submitted by the Crescent City Harbor District. Council Member Schellong stated that this closure also effects our gas taxes. Residents have grown up with fishing and this closure is a big negative impact. Council Member Altman asked about the data from trawling; Clty Manager Wier stated that they weren't able to trawl for data and that is why the data is incorrect Board of Supervisor Howard addressed the Council that the economic impacts cannot be understated. He further stated that the County will be sending letters to other agencies on the impacts this closure has on our community. Supervisor Howard stated that due to the terrain underwater, trawling cannot be done to obtain the appropriate data for a closure. He stated that there should not be boundaries; suggested the same language to be added to the letter. Draft a 1 | Page
10/9/23 COUNCIL AGENDA
letter to CalOES and Congressman Huffman to ask for a disaster declaration. The economic impact of the salmon closure does not come close to the impact the groundfish closure has. The data collected for this closure is not accurate. He further stated that Assemblyman Jim Wood Council Member Schellong stated that a zero bag limit should be added to those three species; that Brookings is very close and they do not have these restrictions, to send to CalOES, Congressman Huffman, and the California Fish and Game Commission. Council Member Schellong asked Supervisor Howard to clarify what he meant about the closure of the salmon was not as big of an impact as the groundfish closure; Supervisor Howard stated that the emergency declaration needs to be specific to the concern. Mayor Wright spoke in support of adding the items mentioned to the letter. Council Member Schellong stated that the safety of the fishermen should be also outlined as we no longer have the Coast Guard here. City Manager Wier agreed.
George DeCossio: his main concern is the people who work in the community and these jobs are needed. This came as a surprise to everyone.
Council Member Schellong liked the comment about how this closure effects the jobs in the community.
On a motion by Council Member Schellong, seconded by Council Member Altman and carried on a 3-0 polled vote with Council Member Greenough and Mayor Pro Tem Inscore being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City directed staff to draft a letter in opposition to the Nearshore Groundfish Closure to include the impact the closure has on jobs, our location being so close to Brookings, there are safety concerns for our fishermen as we have no Coast Guard.
The letter is to be sent to Congressman Huffman, CalOES, and the California Fish and Game Commission.
Within the motion, Council Member Schellong added to have a letter drafted to CalOES and Congressman Huffman requesting a Declaration of Economic Disaster.
City Attorney Rice stated that the letter requesting disaster relief will need to be agendized for the next Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Wright adjourned the meeting at 6:26 p.m. to the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Crescent City on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Flynn Center, 981 H Street, Crescent City, CA 95531.
ATTEST:
Robin Altman
City Clerk/Administrative Analyst
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10/9/23 COUNCIL AGENDA