Meeting Agenda
Minutes
Monday, July 20, 2026 at 6:00 pm
621 11th Street, Fortuna CA
Regular Meeting Agenda
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• The City Council May Take Action on any Item on this Agenda.
CALL TO ORDER / FLAG SALUTE / ROLL CALL
Minutes:
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and led the flag salute. ROLL CALL: Council Member Conley - Present, Council Member Diaz - Present, Council Member Stevens - Present, Mayor Pro Tem Trent - Present, Mayor Johnson - Present
1. ORAL COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Minutes:
Public Comments:
Jessica Payne, Boy Scout Representative
Vicki Brown, Cub Scout Representative
Anibal Camaco (Sp.?)
There being no additional public comments, Mayor Johnson closed the public comment section.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
Minutes:
PUBLIC COMMENT: There being no public comment, Mayor Johnson closed the public comment section. CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Council Member Diaz moved, seconded by Council Member Conley, to approve the consent calendar. Voice vote. AYES: Council
3. Members Conley, Diaz, Stevens, Mayor Pro Tem Trent, Mayor Johnson NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED: 5/0
a. City Council Minutes – June 15, 2026 (Regular Meeting) b. Administrative Monthly Report
c. Community Development Monthly Report
d. Finance Monthly Report
e. Parks & Recreation Monthly Report
f. Police Monthly Report
g. Public Works Monthly Report
h. Report of Disbursements
i. Annual Property Tax Assessment for Astor Drainage Benefit District j. Annual Property Tax Assessment for Astor Sewer Maintenance District Annual Property Tax Assessment for Dove Subdivision Storm Water Detention Basin Maintenance District
k.
Annual Property Tax Assessment for Forest Hills Estates Storm Water Detention Basin Maintenance District
l.
Annual Property Tax Assessment for Forest Hills Estates Water Booster Station Maintenance District
m.
Annual Property Tax Assessment for Gulliksen Subdivision Storm Water Detention Basin Maintenance District
n.
Annual Property Tax Assessment for Kenwood Meadows Sewer Maintenance District
o.
Annual Property Tax Assessment for Rancho Buena Vista Maintenance District
p.
Annual Property Tax Assessment for Wright Storm Water Detention Basin Maintenance District
q.
Review, Approve and Authorize Submission of the City of Fortuna's Response to Humboldt County Grand Jury Report
r.
s. Approve the Amended Historical Commission Bylaws
Authorize the City Manager to Enter into a Grant Agreement for Design of the Great Redwood Trail, Resolution 2026-29
t.
Approval of the City’s Cross Connection Control Plan as Required by the California State Water Resources Control Board
u.
Receive and File the Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem Tami Trent to the Local Agency Formation Commission
v.
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
Direct Staff to Nominate Census-Tracts within the City of Fortuna for Opportunity Zone 2.0 Designation, Resolution 2026-28
Minutes:
Community Department Director/City Engineer Brendan Byrd provided a staff report on the Opportunity Zone 2.0 Designation. PUBLIC COMMENT: There being no public comment, Mayor Johnson closed the public comment section.
CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Council Member Conley moved, seconded by Mayor a.
4. Pro Tem Trent, to direct staff to complete and submit the Opportunity Zone 2.0 application to the California Business and Economic Development and adopt Resolution 2026-28, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fortuna Approving the Nomination of Eligible Census Tracts for Opportunity Zone 2.0 Application. Roll Call vote. AYES: Council Members Conley, Diaz, Stevens, Mayor Pro Tem Trent, Mayor Johnson NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT:
None MOTION CARRIED: 5/0
A Public Hearing to Consider Repealing and Replacing Title 15, Building and Construction; Division I, Generally; Chapter 15.10, Building Codes with the 2025 California Building Codes as Mandated by the California Building Standard Commission and Department of Housing and Community Development, Ordinance 2026-787
Minutes:
Building Official Gary Goade provided a staff report on repealing and replacing Title 15, Building and Construction. PUBLIC COMMENT: There being no public comment, Mayor Johnson closed the public comment section. CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Council Member Diaz moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Trent, to introduce and conduct the first reading of Ordinance 2026-787, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Fortuna Repealing and Replacing Title 15 – Buildings and Construction; Division I. Generally; Chapter 15.10, Building Code of The Fortuna Municipal Code and continue the public hearing to August 3, 2026, for the second reading and adoption. Roll Call vote. AYES: Council Members Conley, Diaz, Stevens, Mayor Pro Tem Trent, Mayor Johnson NOES:
None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED: 5/0
b.
Second reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2026-786, Amending Chapter
6.04.050 of the Fortuna Municipal Code to Revise Enforcement and Penalty Provisions for Animal Control Violations
Minutes:
Interim Chief of Police Matt Eberhardt provided a staff report on amending Chapter 6.04.050 of the Fortuna Municipal Code to revise enforcement and penalty provisions for animal control violations. PUBLIC COMMENT: Oroville Garrison
There being no additional public comment, Mayor Johnson closed the public comment section. CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Council Member Diaz moved, seconded by Council Member Conley, to conduct a second reading and adopt Ordinance 2026-786, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Fortuna California, Amending Title 6 – Animals of the Fortuna Municipal Code by Revising Chapter 6.04– General Provisions Ordinance. Roll Call vote. AYES:
Council Members Conley, Diaz, Stevens, Mayor Pro Tem Trent, Mayor Johnson NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED: 5/0 c.
Approve a Hiring Freeze Exception for a Full-Time Administrative Assistant II Position
Minutes:
Parks & Recreation Director Kaylyn Stainbrook provided a staff report on a d.
hiring freeze exception for an Administrative Assistant II position. PUBLIC COMMENT: There being no public comment, Mayor Johnson closed the public comment section. CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Council Member Conley moved, seconded by Council Member Diaz, to approve an exception to the hiring freeze for the Full-Time Administrative Assistant II position. Roll Call vote.
AYES: Council Members Conley, Diaz, Stevens, Mayor Pro Tem Trent, Mayor Johnson NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED: 5/0 Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract for the Final Phase of the Fortuna Enhanced Infrastructure Finance District
Minutes:
Finance Director Aaron Felmlee provided a staff report on executing a contract for the final phase Fortuna Enhanced Infrastructure Finance District. PUBLIC COMMENT: There being no public comment, Mayor Johnson closed the public comment section. CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Council Member Diaz moved, seconded by Council Member Conley, to approve the supplemental budget request in the amount of $50,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Kosmont to assist in the final formation of the Fortuna Enhanced Infrastructure Finance District (EIFD) contingent upon participation by the County of Humboldt. Roll Call vote. AYES: Council Members Conley, Diaz, Stevens, Mayor Pro Tem Trent, Mayor Johnson NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED: 5/0
e.
Approve a Hiring Freeze Exception for Police Chief
Minutes:
City Manager Amy Nilsen provided a staff report on a hiring freeze exception for the Police Chief position. PUBLIC COMMENT: There being no public comment, Mayor Johnson closed the public comment section. CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
Council Member Conley moved, seconded by Council Member Diaz, to approve an exception to the hiring freeze for the Police Chief position and begin the recruitment and appointment process. Roll Call vote. AYES: Council Members Conley, Diaz, Stevens, Mayor Pro Tem Trent, Mayor Johnson NOES:
None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED: 5/0
f.
Approve an $83,690 Supplemental Budget Request and Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Task Order with GHD, Inc. Under the City's Existing On-Call Professional Services Agreement for Preparation of the City of Fortuna Water System Master Plan
Minutes:
Public Works Director Brian Issa provided a staff report on authorizing the City Manager to execute a task order with GHD, Inc. in preparation for the City of Fortuna Water System Master Plan. PUBLIC COMMENT: There being no public comment, Mayor Johnson closed the public comment section. CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Council Member Conley moved, seconded by Council Member Diaz, to authorize the City Manager to execute a task order with GHD, Inc. under the City's existing Professional Services Agreement for preparation of the City of Fortuna Water System Master Plan in the amount of $257,900. Roll Call vote. g.
Contact: Siana L. Emmons, City Clerk ([email protected] 707-725-1409) | Minutes published on 08/04/ 2026, adopted on 08/03/2026
AYES: Council Members Conley, Diaz, Stevens, Mayor Pro Tem Trent, Mayor Johnson NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED: 5/0 Adoption of Strategic Plan 2026-2036, General Plan Recommendations, and Future Fortuna Workshops Results Report
Minutes:
City Manager Amy Nilsen provided a staff report on adopting Strategic Plan 2026-2036, General Plan recommendations, and Future Fortuna workshop results report. PUBLIC COMMENT: There being no public comment, Mayor Johnson closed the public comment section. CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Council Member Conley moved, seconded by Council Member Diaz, to adopt the City of Fortuna’s Strategic Plan 2026-2036, the General Plan Recommendations, and Future Fortuna Workshop Results Report, and direct staff to incorporate these documents into department work plans, personnel evaluations, budget development, City Council staff reports, hiring and onboarding, policy development, and City Council orientation. Roll Call vote. AYES: Council Members Conley, Diaz, Stevens, Mayor Pro Tem Trent, Mayor Johnson NOES:
None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED: 5/0
h.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Minutes:
City Manager Amy Nilsen provided a verbal report.
5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Minutes:
None.
6. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS AND COMMENTS
a. Council Member Kyle Conley
b. Council Member Carlos Diaz
c. Council Member Abe Stevens
d. Mayor Pro Tem Tami Trent
e. Mayor Mike Johnson
7. ADJOURN
Minutes:
Mayor Pro Tem Trent moved, seconded by Council Member Conley to adjourn the meeting at 7:09 pm. MOTION CARRIED: 5/0
8.