Consent Agenda Item 3c
STAFF REPORT
Consent Agenda Item
DATE: August 3, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Matthew A. Eberhardt, Interim Chief of Police
THROUGH: Amy Nilsen, City Manager
SUBJECT: City of Fortuna Response to Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury Report “Emergency Preparedness: The Role of Local Law Enforcement Agencies” STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approve and adopt the City Council’s response to the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury report entitled “Emergency Preparedness: The Role of Local Law Enforcement Agencies”; authorize the mayor to execute the response on behalf of the City Council; authorize the Chief of Police to join in the response as an invited respondent; and direct the City Clerk to transmit and file the response as required by Penal Code section 933.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury released the report “Emergency Preparedness: The Role of Local Law Enforcement Agencies” on June 17, 2026. Pursuant to California Penal Code Section 933, the City Council, as the governing body of a public agency, is required to respond to the applicable findings and recommendations no later than 90 days of the report’s release. The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury also invited a response from the Fortuna Police Department Chief of Police. The proposed document serves as the City Council’s required response and, if executed by the Chief of Police, as the Chief’s separate invited response.
The report examines local law enforcement agencies’ role in emergency preparedness, including participation in regional emergency planning, disaster response training, documentation of local emergency response procedures, specialized emergency equipment, and coordination with the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services.
The attached response represents the City of Fortuna’s response to the applicable findings and recommendations and incorporates the operational perspective of the Fortuna Police Department.
The response generally agrees with the Civil Grand Jury’s emphasis on maintaining a high level of emergency preparedness, strengthening regional coordination, documenting institutional knowledge, and expanding opportunities for scenario-based disaster training.
The response also provides additional context regarding the Police Department’s existing emergency preparedness efforts, staffing realities, operational responsibilities, regional partnerships, and budget considerations. The City and the Department recognize that effective disaster preparedness requires continuous planning, training, coordination, evaluation, and Consent Agenda Item 3c
investment while also acknowledging the operational challenges faced by smaller law enforcement agencies balancing preparedness with daily public safety responsibilities.
Key Response Points:
• The City and Department generally agree with the importance of maintaining and continually improving emergency preparedness.
• The City and Department currently participate in emergency planning, mutual aid coordination, and Incident Command System (ICS) operations. • The City and Department support documenting local emergency response priorities and institutional knowledge to improve organizational continuity and preparedness. • The City and Department support expanding scenario-based emergency response training while recognizing staffing, operational, and budget considerations.
Future funding for specialized emergency response equipment and expanded training opportunities will be evaluated through the City’s annual budget process, regional partnerships, and available grant opportunities. The draft response has been reviewed by the City Attorney as to legal form.
Conclusion:
Approval and adoption of the response will allow the City Council to satisfy its statutory obligation under Penal Code section 933 and will allow the Chief of Police to submit the invited departmental response requested by the Civil Grand Jury.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2026-2036:
This action supports the following area(s) of your City Council’s Strategic Plan 2026-2036.
Core Values:
Quality of Life: Family, Nature & Neighbors – Safety, family life, care for youth, cleanliness, parks, forests, and rivers.
Priorities:
Priority 1: Clarity, Culture & Capacity for Organizational Health FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no immediate financial impact associated with approving and submitting the City’s response. Several recommendations involve future consideration of funding for expanded scenario-based Incident Command System (ICS) field response training, specialized emergency response equipment, equipment maintenance, and related certifications. These recommendations will be evaluated during future budget development and may be pursued through existing appropriations, grant opportunities, regional partnerships, or future City Council consideration.
ALTERNATIVE TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council may direct revisions to the proposed response before adoption, decline to adopt the proposed response, or continue the item to a future meeting for further consideration. Any alternative action should account for the City's statutory obligation to submit its response to the Consent Agenda Item 3c
Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury no later than September 15, 2026, pursuant to California Penal Code section 933.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
Motion to approve and adopt the City Council’s response to the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury report entitled “Emergency Preparedness: The Role of Local Law Enforcement Agencies”; direct the City Manager to coordinate implementation of the actions described in the response; authorize the Mayor to execute the response on behalf of the City Council and the Chief of Police to execute the response as an invited respondent; authorize the City Attorney to approve nonsubstantive and clerical corrections; and direct the City Clerk to transmit and file the final response as required by Penal Code section 933. Consent Agenda vote.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Attachment A. City of Fortuna response to the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury report “Emergency Preparedness: The Role of Local Law Enforcement Agencies.” • Attachment B. Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury Report “Emergency Preparedness: The Role of Local Law Enforcement Agencies.”