City Council Meeting Agenda: 03-12-2024 Page 1
Posted: Friday, March 08, 2024
NOTICE AND CALL OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
TRINIDAD CITY COUNCIL
The Trinidad City Council will hold a regular meeting on TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2024, at 6:00 PM
at the Trinidad Town Hall, 409 Trinity Street, Trinidad, CA.
NO CLOSED SESSION
For your convenience, this meeting will also be held via videoconference, hosted on the Zoom platform. Learn more about Zoom here: https://zoom.us
PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comment may be submitted via email in advance of the meeting, or in an orderly process during the meeting. If you do not have access to email and you would like to provide a written statement, please deliver your comments to 409 Trinity Street, Trinidad CA, by 2:00pm on the meeting day, or email to [email protected] HOW TO PARTICIPATE: You are invited to participate in person at the Trinidad Town Hall, or by Zoom. The City will publish a direct link to the Zoom teleconference, along with the participant code, on the City Calendar page online at http://trinidad.ca.gov/calendar
To phone in, dial 1-888-278-0296, Conference Code: 685171 Meeting ID: 848 9454 4314 Passcode: 439799 PLEASE NOTE that live meeting logistics will be prioritized. Connectivity issues on the part of the City may result in the meeting being delayed or rescheduled but technical challenges experienced by individuals will not interrupt or halt progress of the meeting.
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. CLOSED SESSION – No closed session
IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 01-09-2024 cc, 01-23-2024 ccpcstr, 02-13-2024 cc VII. COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
VIII. STAFF REPORTS – City Manager & Humboldt County Sheriff Dept.
IX. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR
At this time, members of the public may comment on items NOT appearing on the agenda. Individual comments will be limited to 3 minutes or less. Please direct your comments to the Council as a whole, maintain decorum and avoid personal attacks on staff, members of the Council and/or other members of the public. Council and staff responses will be minimal for non-agenda items.
X. CONSENT AGENDA All matters on the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and are enacted in one motion. There is no separate discussion of any of these items. If discussion is requested by any Council member, that item is removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately. A single opportunity for public comment on the Consent Agenda is available to the public.
1. Staff Activity Report – February 2024
2. Financial Statements – January 2024
3. Law Enforcement Report – February 2024.
City Council Meeting Agenda: 03-12-2024 Page 2
4. 30-Day Contract Extension with GHD for On-Call Engineering Services.
5. Award Construction Contract for Trinity Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project to GR Sundberg, Inc.
6. Approval of Resolution 2024-03; Authorizing Submittal of Ordinances 2024-01 and 2024-02 Amending the Zoning Ordinance to create Consistency between the Codified and Certified Versions.
DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
1. Continued Discussion/Decision regarding Letter of Support for Trinidad Rancheria RAISE Grant for the 101 Trinidad Area Access Improvement Project.
2. Presentation/Update from Trinidad CERT Team.
3. Conduct Short-Term Rental License Lottery for Applicants on the Waitlist through February 2024.
4. Discussion/Decision regarding Resolution 2024-02; Authorizing Creation of the Animal Control Advisory Committee.
5. November 2024 City Election & Sales Tax Measure Update X. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
XI. ADJOURNMENT
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR:
JANUARY 09, 2024 CC
JANUARY 23, 2024 CCPCSTR
FEBRUARY 13, 2024 CC
Supporting Documentation follows with: 0 PAGES
MINUTES WILL BE PUBLISHED ON OR BEFORE MONDAY, MARCH 11. 01-09-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TRINIDAD CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, JANUARY 09, 2024 (LIVE/HYBRID)
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kelly called the live-hybrid meeting to order at 6:00pm. Council members in attendance: Kelly, Tuttle, West, and Breckenridge. Ladwig was absent. City Staff in attendance: City Manager Eli Naffah, City Clerk Gabriel Adams, Administrative Assistant Anton Souza, Project Manager Jennifer Hakenen, Grant Administrator Angela Cather, and City Engineer Steve Allen. Staff in attendance by video-conference: Grant Coordinator Becky Price-Hall, City Planner Trever Parker. Approximately (4) participants were present by video-conference, and (3) a were present live at the beginning of the meeting.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. CLOSED SESSION
1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Calif. Gov. Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)) (1 Case: City of Trinidad vs.
Tsurai Ancestral Society, et. al, Humb. Co. Sup. Court Case No. 180684) IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION – No reportable action taken.
V. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion (West/Kelly) to approve the agenda as amended, moving Discussion 3 to first on the list. Passed 4-0.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 11-14-2023 cc
Motion (West/Tuttle) to approve the minutes as submitted. Passed 4-0.
VII. COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
West: Trails Committee meeting pushed to February 20 due to lack of quorum.
Kelly: Attended a greater Trinidad area trailer park meeting at the Town Hall last month. Meeting organizer would like to address the City Council regarding rent stabilization. CERT had a joint meeting between Trinidad and McKinleyville discussing HAM radio equipment. Swearing in the Trinidad Team on January 22.
Tuttle & Breckenridge: No report.
VIII.STAFF REPORTS – City Manager & Law Enforcement
City Manager Naffah highlighted accomplishments summarized in the staff report included in the meeting packet, including upcoming public holidays, film production permit, annual Fire Department stats, community survey status, etc.
HCSO Lt. McCall summarized annual calls for service stats.
IX. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR
(Three (3) minute limit per Speaker unless Council approves request for extended time.) Anita Thompson – Trinidad
Read a poem written for Public Works staff, called out by name, thanking them for their service.
X. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Staff Activity Report – December 2023
2. Financial Statements – November 2023
3. Law Enforcement Report – November/December 2023.
Motion (West/Breckenridge) to approve the consent agenda as submitted. Passed 4-0.
X. DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
1. Introduction/First Reading of Ordinance 2024-01; Introduction/First Reading of Ordinance 2024-01; Updating the CA Coastal Commission certified version of the City of Trinidad Zoning Ordinance, Title 17 of the Trinidad Municipal Code for consistency with the codified version of the Zoning Ordinance and reaffirming and correcting previous amendments that were not submitted to the Coastal Commission for certification.
City Planner Trever Parker explained that the City first codified its ordinances in 1990 with an update and creation of an online code in 2012. The ordinance codification process refers to the systematic and organized method of compiling and consolidating local laws, regulations, and ordinances into a comprehensive and 01-09-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
consistent legal code. The City is currently working on another update to the Trinidad Municipal Code.
The codification process changes the numbering of the regulations as well as some of the verbiage and formatting. The changes that were made to the zoning ordinance as part of the codification process were never certified by the Coastal Commission. Therefore, the Coastal Commission does not recognize the City’s numbering of its ordinances. And so, in the past, such as with the STR ordinance, the City included both numbering systems in the new ordinance/amendment to allow for certification by the Coastal Commission.
The City has recently been working on several housing related zoning ordinance amendments. These amendments add and update quite a few definitions and various sections of the zoning ordinance. The use of two numbering systems was becoming unwieldy. This is particularly true for the definitions, which are unnumbered in an appendix to the original ordinance, leaving no easy way to refer to individual definitions.
Therefore, it was decided that the City should go ahead and get the codified version of the zoning ordinance certified by the Coastal Commission to facilitate current and planned amendments.
This version of the ordinance uses track changes to show the modifications that were made to the certified ordinance(s) as part of the codification process. These changes include corrections and minor updates made as part of the codification ordinance, which generally do not change the meaning or application of the regulations.
Some of the modifications made in the codification process were reverted back to the original, certified version.
Those are not shown in track change in Ordinance 2024-01 but are shown in Ordinance 2024-02. Several corrections and clarifications have been made to the codified ordinance as part of the next item, and those changes have been incorporated into this version for certification by the Coastal Commission.
There was no public or Council comment.
Motion (Kelly West) to waive the full reading of Ordinance 2024-01 and approve by title. Passed 4-0.
2. Introduction/First Reading of Ordinance 2024-02; Correcting and reaffirming codification of the City of Trinidad Zoning Ordinance
Item considered in conjunction with Discussion item 1.
There was no public or Council comment.
Motion (Kelly West) to waive the full reading of Ordinance 2024-02 and approve by title. Passed 4-0.
3. Discussion/Decision to Award Construction Contract for the Trinidad Water Storage Tank and Pipeline Replacement Project
City Engineer Steve Allen explained that the Water Storage Tank and Pipeline Replacement Project bid package was released and publicly advertised on November 19, 2023. The bid period ended at 4 PM on December 20, 2023, at which time the City had received and then opened four bids. The bid results, including base and additive bid items, are shown in the table below.
GHD’s Opinion of Probable Construction Cost without a contingency was $3,162,450.
How the bids are evaluated and the project award determined is spelled out in the contract bid documents (Page B-10) just below the Additive Bid Schedule Items and above the Contractor’s signature line which reads:
Determination of low bid and award:
Awards will be made to the lowest, responsive, responsible, BIDDER. The low bidder shall be determined based on the sum of all Bid Schedules. Depending on the bids and the availability of funds, the City may award some or all the Additive Bid items, or the City may choose not to award any Additive Bid items. Additional bid Contractor Base Bid Additive Bid Total Difference
McCullough $ 3,763,600.37 $ 157,992.23 $ 3,921,592.60 $ 880,997.60 GR Sundberg $ 3,368,471.00 $ 62,720.00 $ 3,431,191.00 $ 390,596.00 Wahlund $ 2,942,040.00 $ 105,650.00 $ 3,047,690.00 $ 7,095.00 Mercer-Fraser Company $ 2,964,345.00 $ 76,250.00 $ 3,040,595.00 Low Bid 01-09-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
items may be added to award as a change order during the project and the bid amounts shown here shall be the agreed upon contract amount for the work.
In California, a public agency is generally required to award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder or else to reject all bids. Mercer-Fraser’s bid documents were reviewed in more detail and determined to be complete, making their bid responsive. Mercer-Fraser’s Class A contractors license is active and valid making them a responsible bidder. Therefore staff recommends awarding the project to MercerFraser.
The project is scheduled to start construction January 29, 2024 and finish construction by November 30, 2024.
Council questions included:
Breckenridge: If the tank will be worked on during the summer, will there be an increased risk of running out of water with one out of commission, for drinking and fire suppression? Allen explained that one tank will provide enough storage but the plant will have to produce at a higher capacity to keep the tank full.
Kelly: How many hydrants will be replaced? Allen explained that hydrants will be replaced every 500’ where the work will be done.
West: Will this project affect the community? Allen explained that there will be minimal issues, but it will be felt most when work is being done on Westhaven Drive and Edwards Street. Down time during tank replacement will hopefully be minimal as well.
Tuttle: Redwood tank salvage? Allen explained that it will belong to the contractor.
No public comment.
Motion (West/Breckenridge) to authorize the City Manager to sign the Notice of Award to Mercer-Fraser for construction of the Water Storage Tank & Pipeline Replacement Project for both the base bid and additive bid items for a total budget of $3,040,595.00 as bid. Authorize staff and the City Manager to manage the construction project moving forward such as but not including issuing the Notice to Proceed, Work directives, and Contract Change Orders as needed to construct the project within the grant guidelines and approved grant budget. Passed 4-0.
4. 2024 Calendar Year Orientation, Meeting Schedule, Project Priorities and Updates City Clerk Adams explained that January is the beginning of a new calendar year and the mid-way point through the fiscal year. 2024 is shaping up to deliver several challenges that depending on the outcome will define the level of service the City is able to provide the community in years to come.
First, the City must address rising costs of doing business. High fuel and energy rates trickle down through every invoice received for materials, supplies, labor, and contracted services. As directed in the FY2024 Budget approval, Staff has begun several rate optimization tasks currently in the pipeline, including Water, Cemetery, and Building Permit fees. The water rate discussion will be an eye-opener, and is set to begin in March at the same time the conversation will begin to propose a continuation of the .75% Sales Tax Add-On rate.
Second, several steps are necessary each month to implement all the legal requirements involved to modify rates for service. Some are determined by State Law (Water Rates, Prop 218), Election Codes (Sales Tax), or local ordinances (Building Permits, Cemetery Plot fees). To help ensure the City stays on track, Staff is providing this road map to raise awareness of what’s to come and keep things moving in the right direction.
These are some of the baseline projects that will lay the groundwork for upcoming agendas through June 30.
There will be plenty of other assignments, requests, and issues that will surface along the way, but this should help set the rails and identify immediate priorities.
Meeting Schedule & Council Meeting Priority Discussion Topics January
• City Council will hold its first 2024 regular meeting on January 09. • Trails Committee will meet on January 16.
• Planning Commission will meet on January 17.
01-09-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
• Council/Planning Commission/Short-Term Rental Advisory Committee will hold the Annual Joint Meeting on January 23.
FPPC Form 700: The FPPC has emailed all required filers representing the City (Council, Planning Commission, and select staff) alerting them of the April 01, Conflict of Interest Form 700 annual filing deadline. Staff has migrated all filers to the online portal, and highly encourages everyone to take a moment and renew your annual filing electronically. If you have had no changes to your previous filing schedules, the renewal process could take less than 1-minute once you’ve logged into the system.
Please reach out to staff if you have any questions and we’ll walk you through it.
February
• Election Year Calendar Kick-Off
• Water Rate Analysis Update
• Volunteer Fire Department Staffing, and long-range planning March
• Continued Water Rate Analysis discussion
• Fees for service and rate optimization (Cemetery, Building Permits) • Begin Fiscal Year Budget preparation
• Discussion (Part 1) regarding Sales Tax Extension, benefits/implications to the City in general, ballot measure language, termination date options, questions, staff homework, etc.
April
• Water Rate adjustment Prop 218 Protest Hearing
• Discuss/Consider Sales Tax Extension (Part II) Implications on 2025 budgeting, continued rate optimization processes, preliminary FY2025 Budget kick-off.
May
• Resolution deadline calling for General Election
• Resolution deadline calling for election on a proposal to extend the Sales Tax Increase • Final phase of FY2025 Budget preparation
• New Water Rates go into effect.
June
• Adopt FY 2025 Budget
• Prepare/Present/Announce the upcoming election season calendar: (2) Councilmember seats & Sales Tax Extension.
Mayor Kelly added that the community survey will allow for additional feedback from the public, and City Manager Naffah highlighted several accomplishments so far this FY.
There was no public comment.
Presentation item only. No decision was made.
5. Discussion/Decision regarding Mid-Year 2023-2024 Budget Update and Adjustments.
City Clerk Adams explained that public entities operate on the fiscal year cycle beginning July 01, and ending June 30. April and May signal the beginning of budget preparation season. July 01 is the deadline to adopt a budget spending plan. Periodically through the year it is fiscally responsible for governing boards to do a pulse check on revenues and expenses, and ensure the plan is on track. It makes sense to do this mid-year as it could identify unusual trends and allow time to course-correct as necessary.
The staff report from June 13, 2023 was a benchmark indicating the City’s thought process, using financial reports and forecasting to develop the spending plan for 2023-2024. Some of the highlights from that report included:
- Transitional period due to post-Covid economics may require dipping into reserves as costs to provide essential services become dynamic and uncertain.
01-09-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5
- A prediction of deficit spending was based on under-anticipated revenue projections for the most volatile sources, such as Occupancy and Sales Taxes.
- Anticipate a Fiscal Year-end 2023 spending deficit in the Water Fund of approximately $300k, and another $280k or more in 2024 if a local staffing solution isn’t found to help stabilize consultant costs. leaving the reserve fund balance at a red-line level of approximately $300k. - Coupled with stabilizing soft-costs, Staff was directed to embark on the Water Rate Analysis to further stabilize advanced reserve spending.
Fiscal Year End 2023 (June 30, 2023) Preliminary, Un-Audited Conclusions:
Staff delivers FY2023 year-end information with caution, due to the June 30, 2023 statements yet to be audited.
Revenues: The preliminary results of the year-end financial statements suggest the City planned for General Fund deficit spending of $24,858, but ended up with a surplus of approximately $98,726 (see attached FY2023 Budget Summary, Budget to Actual, showing the variances in each resource by inflows and outflows.
It appears that the surge in Sales Tax revenue from the prior fiscal year (Covid influenced) stabilized by landing within the City’s historic and anticipated level the following year. Occupancy Tax revenue exceeded budget expectations, and surge in development activity yielded higher than anticipated permit fee revenue.
Expenditures: City did not spend as anticipated from the General Fund. Underspending, in this case, does not mean that the community did not receive the services or programs they expect. First, the underspending appears to be directly related to a prior year, high-level of City Attorney fees being carried forward in anticipation of similar level of activity in 2023, which didn’t materialize. Second, the City budgeted for supplemental private security that didn’t launch until the final few months of the fiscal year, thus translating to what can be considered “savings”.
Water Fund: Due to a severely under-budgeted line item for Contracted Services (Water Fund 6.01, Expense code 75300) the financial statement looks completely tilted. The revenue projections landed within 7% range, but expenses show an almost 58% negative differential. Due to an unanticipated staffing challenge, the City was forced to continue utilizing the services of an certified, licensed independent contractor, Coleman Engineering for the entire fiscal year, resulting in reserve spending in excess of the $300k anticipated.
Fiscal Year 2024 Staff Organizational Structure, Talking Points, and Successes Staffing: A staff organizational chart is included in the packet. It depicts staff titles and structure, based on the positions full-time equivalent (FTE). Currently the City employs approximately 9.25 FTE employees (based on a combination of full-time and part-time employees. Six employees are actual full-time and benefited.
The two administrative staff members are settling into their second year of service. One of the two positions were reclassified this year to more accurately reflect the responsibilities assigned, which falls in line with the budget year goal of staff realignment with the City’s priorities to promote accountability, longevity, and advancement.
Public Works recently hired a fourth maintenance tech that is also a T-2 Operator-In-Training, along with the Public Works Director. The part-time Public Works Maintenance tech is in training to obtain a Water Distribution Certification (D2).
After nearly 17 years of service, the Grants Director will be down-shifting from full-time to part-time in January 2024. Additional responsibilities have been allocated to the new Grant Administrator hired in April 2023 to maintain reliability and continuity in the Grant Department during the transition.
The Water Plant is still searching for an in-house T3 Chief Plant Operator. Currently secured by contracted staff from Coleman Engineering, the Water Department’s primary objective remains to provide quality and reliable drinking water that meets or exceeds Safe Drinking Water Standards set by the State of California. To do so requires a technically trained, licensed Treatment Level 3 Operator at the helm.
Over the last year the City has been focused on developing an Operator-In-Training team that so far has relieved a significant share of the expense related to having a contracted T-3 Chief Operator, by assisting the Chief as his “boots on the ground”, while they progress through their training and licensing program. 01-09-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6
The objective is to relieve the Water Fund reserves of the high cost of contracted services before they are depleted, in conjunction with realigning the water rates to accurately reflect the cost of providing reliable and safe drinking water through in-house staffing, as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the Water Fund is currently under the microscope, operating into a third year of significant reserve spending.
Financial Statements are included in this packet, for all activity covering the period July 01-November 30. An easy scan of the primary funds (Revenue, Administration, Public Works, Fire, and Police) depict spending at or near 50% (midway through the year). With the exception of a few corrections staff will coordinate with the bookkeeper, overall the City is on track for another year in the black.
Concerns: The main funds currently under the microscope are the Water and Cemetery Special (or Restricted) Funds. Both are spending more than they’re taking in. The Water Fund, most impressively, followed by the Cemetery Fund which is due for a rate increase. A realignment of the Cemetery Fund rates will better position the fund to sustain itself into the future, but also minimize an alarming run-on Trinidad Cemetery space that allegedly has low rates partially to blame.
Conclusions: The General Funds are on track. Staffing is adequate, developing, and employees are becoming enriched with time served. Programs and services are expanding as planned. Public Works is developing cohesive teamwork. The Fire Department is serving the City, but also experiencing some growing pains. Public Safety has been enhanced, overall, with the supplemental private security company patrolling the City on a regular basis.
The Water Fund, however, continues to leak oil. Staff is working strategically to develop and recruit new operators, while ensuring safe drinking water is being provided to customers. The Public Works Department is doing a great job holding down the fort while the consultant operates plant controls. Staff is hoping that grassroots recruiting strategies will yield long-term, dedicated team members in the near-term.
The water rate study is underway and will be a challenging task before the Council in April. The results, however, will provide much needed stability to the Water Department before the end of the fiscal year that will help right the ship.
The cost of “keeping the lights on” continues to rise, and touch every aspect of public service. Although the City has been slow to react to the trends over the past 3-years, dedicated reserves have provided much needed stability during the transition that will allow a more articulate, calculated, justified realignment of fees to better position the City to sustain the desired programs and services into the future. This will continue to play out during the remainder of this fiscal year and into budget preparations for 2025, slated to being in April.
Public comment included:
Patti Fleschner – Trinidad Area Resident
Does the City benefit from the new cell towers surrounding Trinidad? There’s no service on Scenic Drive anymore. How will the Federal Trust status of the Harbor properties affect the City and is it planning for the impact? When will the City phase out of the expensive contract arrangement with Coleman Engineering? City Manager Naffah explained that there is a plan to minimize Coleman Engineering expenses, but not to phase them out of the Water Plant operations completely.
Presentation item only. No decision made.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- Town Hall improvements, Water Rate concerns, unsafe curb drop on upper Edwards.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:50pm.
Submitted by: Approved by:
_____________________________ _____________________________ Gabriel Adams Cheryl Kelly
Trinidad City Clerk Mayor
CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 1
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED
1. Staff Activity Report – February 2024
City Manager’s Report March 12, 2024 Meeting
Water Tank and Pipeline Project:
The Mercer-Fraser Company was the low bidder for the Water Tank and Pipeline Project.
Construction is due to commence on Monday, March 18th. Edwards Street will be impacted by part of the project, but the bulk of the project will take place on Westhaven Drive. Water shutoff notices will be sent to the impacted households well in advance of any construction.
CPUC and AT&T:
A request by AT&T to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to be relieved of the obligation to provide telephone service (landlines) to the areas that they serve throughout California which will impact Trinidad. Landlines are essential to those that do not have cell phones, in the case of emergencies, and for the operation of our water plant and alarm systems. The CPUC will hold a virtual public forum on March 19th at 2pm and 6pm. The public can phone-in comments during the forum. More information is available on the CPUC website.
Traffic Calming:
Josh Wolf, the GHD engineer who deals with transportation issues for the City has given us the following update regarding traffic calming measures;
1. Traffic Counts – We have a subcontractor ready to conduct the counts but they have been waiting for a decent weather window, while also avoiding times when the school is not in session. As soon as we have a week with decent forecasted weather, they will mobilize and obtain the counts. The cost to obtain the counts is around $5,000.
2. Ocean and View Striping and Signs – We developed a design plan for the striping and have obtained one bid/proposal for the work. Unfortunately, the cost was a bit higher than we expected ($33K). Since the HSIP project will be starting soon, I think we should consider having that contractor complete the work on Ocean and View too. Based on unit bid prices from the HSIP project, the work could be completed for around $21K.
3. Radar Speed Signs - I contacted the City of Eureka and SafePace Radar Speed Signs are what they have been installing recently. I submitted a request for quotes to the manufacturer and will let you know what I hear back. (Eli received info from Elan, a radar speed sign company with a promotion of 3 for $9,000).
Trinidad Community Yard Sale:
This year, the Trinidad Community Yard Sale will take place on Saturday, June 8th, so mark your calendars and start planning items to sell!
CalRecycle SB 1383 Grant Award:
CalRecycle has awarded the City $75,000 as part of the SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program with the goal to reduce organic waste and establish an edible food recovery program. The City is working with Edgar and Associates, and Abound Food Care which both have been contracted by HWMA (Humboldt Waste Management Authority), the County and the other Humboldt cities to develop programs for SB 1383 compliance.
Where the Heart Lies film:
Tentatively, the filming of a Chapman University Student Film is set to take place in Trinidad between March 16-22. The Harbor and State Beach areas are focused since the film deals with the loss of a friend of the director. Hunter Lewis was lost at sea while canoeing off of Trinidad in December, 2021.
Water Plant Personnel Operating Costs:
The City is completing a water rate study that will identify the water plant operating costs.
Meanwhile a public records request was made for the current costs of personnel operating the plant. The following information was shared with the Water Advisory Committee at their recent meeting:
Coleman Engineering is providing Chief Plant Operator (CPO) services.
Latest Coleman Engineering invoice for January 2024 is $7,632 (for 38.5 billable hours and 31 days of remote on-call hours),
The current weekly cost for city water staff and Coleman is $2,185 (based on 18.5 hours of city water staff time),
Coleman Engineering has been paid $670,865 since October 2021.
The estimated annual personnel cost for operating the plant without Coleman is $151,840. $316,622 is the amount over a 2 1/3 year period that Coleman impacted Water Reserves (beyond the estimated city personnel costs for the same period).
The current balance of the Water Reserve funds will be shared at the Council meeting.
STAFF REPORT SUPPLEMENTAL
Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Background Info: The City of Trinidad is responding to the Governor’s Order calling on all Californians to do their part by reducing consumption.
Luffenholtz Creek flow readings are presented to the Council on an as-needed basis - during drought events or when requested. November, December, January, and once again February has delivered abundant amounts of rainfall, providing relief from stress-related drought on the watershed. With this in mind, the focus of these reports (during the wet season) will be to share and put into perspective how Trinidad’s water consumption metrics compare to those of recent years.
The amounts represent the total water sold, captured by 325 customer meters, measured in cubic feet (7.48 gallons = 1 cubic foot).
July 2019 282,552 cuft January 2020 199,348
July 2020 275,612 January 2021 161,379
July 2021 251,168 January 2022 189,201
July 2022 198,081 January 2023 154,543
July 2023 223,806 (16.37% Water Loss) January 2024 148,407 (23.67% Water Loss) August 2019 307,500 February 2020 155,015
August 2020 273,992 February 2021 178,545
August 2021 269,771 February 2022 154,634
August 2022 227,681 February 2023 136,626
August 2023 265,808 (17.03% Water Loss) February 2024 132,690 (11.33% Water Loss) September 2019 238,316 March 2019 144,604
September 2020 302,614 March 2020 164,854
September 2021 227,831 March 2021 187,607
September 2022 216,470 March 2022 184,103
September 2023 200,348 (15.99% Water Loss) March 2023 152,813 (21.58 Water Loss) October 2019 188,075 April 2019 160,185
October 2020 230,430 April 2020 199,450
October 2021 203,176 April 2021 192,287
October 2022 180,065 April 2022 173,115
October 2023 188,335 (22.08% Water Loss) April 2023 145,504 (20.19 Water Loss) November 2019 211,649 May 2019 236,444
November 2020 198,813 May 2020 183,368
November 2021 204,438 May 2021 242,529
November 2022 169,144 May 2022 154,634
November 2023 151,914 (22.06% Water Loss) May 2023 211,380 (23.13 Water Loss) December 2019 201,305 June 2019 219,764
December 2020 185,860 June 2020 240,055
December 2021 201,160 June 2021 269,087
December 2022 170,419 June 2022 233,692
December 2023 122,937 (27% Water Loss) June 2023 209,366 (13.63% Water Loss) Water sold in February hit a 5-year low, following the same trend in January. We will continue to monitor consumption each month and report this information (along with summary trends and analysis) to the Council for review, comparison, and questions at each meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 2
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED
2. Financial Statements – January 2024
CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 3
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED
3. Law Enforcement Report – February 2024.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 4
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED
4. 30-Day Contract Extension with GHD for On-Call Engineering Services.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEM
Date: March 12, 2024
_____________________________________________________________________ Item: Extension to GHD’s Current Engineering Services Contract Background: As authorized by the City Council on November 14, 2023, the Council directed staff to advertise a RFQ (Request for Qualifications) for ‘on-call’ engineering services, as well as authorized the City Manager to negotiate an agreement with the top scoring firm, and if not successful to negotiate with the next highest scoring firm.
As the City follows a competitive qualifications process (based on the selection process specified in the Caltrans Local Assistance Manual (LAPM) Chapter 10) to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements, the RFQ process was slower than anticipated and advertisement was delayed. The original advertisement was planned for late November but was pushed to early January 2024.
On January 7, 2024, the RFQ was advertised. On January 31, 2024, RFQ packets submitted by the deadline were reviewed and evaluated by the Consultant Selection Committee, composed of the City Manager, City Clerk, Public Works and Grant staff, along with a Caltrans representative. Upon review and evaluation on January 31, 2024, a top scoring firm was identified. The top scoring firm was notified in early February, and negotiations began on February 12, 2024.
Contract negotiations are still underway, and still require review by CIRA, the City Attorney, and Caltrans. Staff anticipates recommending Council award a professional service contract for City Engineering Services to the top scoring firm at the next City Council meeting on April 9, 2024.
As GHD’s current contract expires on March 13, 2024, and negotiations with the top scoring firm are still underway, an extension to GHD’s contract is needed to maintain our current engineering services as the City of Trinidad does not have an ‘in-house’ City Engineer.
Staff Recommendation:
· City Council approve Amendment 2, an extension of GHD’s contract (Professional Services Agreement for City Engineer Services, dated February 12, 2019) for 30 days until a master contract is awarded by the Council.
CITY OF TRINIDAD
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
FOR CITY ENGINEER SERVICES
Amendment 2
Amendment 2 of the February 12, 2019, Professional Services Agreement For City Engineer Services (“Agreement”) between the City of Trinidad (“City”) and GHD Inc. (“Consultant”).
By mutual agreement, Amendment 2 renews the term of the Agreement for an additional thirty (30) days. This Amendment shall become eMective March 12, 2024, and shall continue in full force and eMect until April 12, 2024.
The parties agree to this Agreement Amendment 2 as witnessed by the signatures below:
CITY CONSULTANT
S/__________________________ S/__________________________ Eli NaMah, City Manager Steve Allen, Principal
Date________________________ Date________________________ CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 5
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED
5. Award Construction Contract for Trinity Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project to GR Sundberg, Inc.
Discussion AGENDA ITEM
Date: March 12, 2024
________________________________________________________________________ Item: AUTHORIZATION TO AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR
TRINITY STREET PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT RPL5036(021) TO G R Sundberg, INC.
Summary
The Trinity Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project RPL-5036(021) bid package was released and publicly advertised on February 8, 2024. The bid period ended on March 4, 2024 at 2pm, at which time the City received four (4) responsive bids. The bid totals are shown in the table below.
Bidder Bid Amount
Darren Taylor Construction Inc. $ 201,422.28
GR Sundberg, Inc. $ 201,206.70
Hooven & Co., Inc. $ 202,874.00
RAO Construction Co., Inc. $ 247,415.00
As stipulated in the Information for Bidders, the Award would be made to the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder. The lowest bid will be the lowest total of the bid prices on the base contract.
The apparent low bid was submitted by GR Sundberg, Inc., with a total bid of $201,206.70. The City’s engineer, GHD, has confirmed that the bid received from GR Sundberg, Inc. was fully responsive and that they and their sub consultants have active licenses and registrations. GHD has recommended awarding the project to GR Sundberg, Inc. If the contract is awarded, construction is anticipated to begin in April, 2024.
Financial
The City has a total construction budget of $236,000 which is from the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The tasks covered under the total construction budget amount include construction capital ($197,822), construction engineering ($29,918), and City administration time ($8,260). Funding in addition to that provided by the STIP will come from the City of Trinidad local funding sources.
Staff Recommendation:
Authorize the City Manager to award the Trinity Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project RPL5036(021) to GR Sundberg, Inc. and establish a maximum contract amount of $201,206.70.
Attachments:
1. Detailed Bid Summary
Agency:
Project Name:
Project No.:
Bid Opening:
Engineers Estimate:
Unit Cost Total Unit Cost Total Unit Cost Total Unit Cost Total 1 Mobilization LS 1 $ 14,000.00 $ 14,000.00 $ 15,500.00 $ 15,500.00 $ 8,800.00 $ 8,800.00 $ 17,000.00 $ 17,000.00 2 Temporary Traffic Control LS 1 $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 14,200.00 $ 14,200.00 $ 21,100.00 $ 21,100.00 $ 30,000.00 $ 30,000.00 3 Water Pollution Control & Final Stabilization LS 1 $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 820.00 $ 820.00 $ 3,100.00 $ 3,100.00 $ 1,500.00 $ 1,500.00 4 Adjust Utility Cover to Grade EA 5 $ 1,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 950.00 $ 4,750.00 $ 262.00 $ 1,310.00 $ 500.00 $ 2,500.00 5 Adjust Monument Cover to Grade EA 1 $ 2,000.00 $ 2,000.00 $ 950.00 $ 950.00 $ 472.00 $ 472.00 $ 500.00 $ 500.00 6 Adjust Manhole Cover to Grade EA 4 $ 1,500.00 $ 6,000.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 4,000.00 $ 742.00 $ 2,968.00 $ 800.00 $ 3,200.00 7 Cold Plane Asphalt Concrete (Conform Grinding) F SQYD 360 $ 9.12 $ 3,283.20 $ 9.00 $ 3,240.00 $ 13.00 $ 4,680.00 $ 35.00 $ 12,600.00 8 Cold Plane Asphalt Concrete (2.5" Depth) F SQYD 2660 $ 5.57 $ 14,816.20 $ 11.00 $ 29,260.00 $ 6.00 $ 15,960.00 $ 11.00 $ 29,260.00 9 Replace Asphalt Concrete Surfacing (3" Depth) CY 22 $ 1,321.14 $ 29,065.08 $ 600.00 $ 13,200.00 $ 865.00 $ 19,030.00 $ 900.00 $ 19,800.00 10 Hot Mix Asphalt (Type A) F TON 470 $ 221.54 $ 104,123.80 $ 214.00 $ 100,580.00 $ 228.00 $ 107,160.00 $ 250.00 $ 117,500.00 11 6" Thermoplastic Traffic Stripe LF 914 $ 7.25 $ 6,626.50 $ 8.30 $ 7,586.20 $ 9.50 $ 8,683.00 $ 7.50 $ 6,855.00 12 Thermoplastic Pavement Markings SF 385 $ 15.50 $ 5,967.50 $ 17.70 $ 6,814.50 $ 23.00 $ 8,855.00 $ 16.00 $ 6,160.00 13 Pavement Marker (Retroreflective) EA 18 $ 30.00 $ 540.00 $ 17.00 $ 306.00 $ 42.00 $ 756.00 $ 30.00 $ 540.00 $ 201,422.28 $ 201,206.70 $ 202,874.00 $ 247,415.00
$182,000.00
BID SCHEDULE TOTAL
Darren Taylor Construction
Inc. G R Sundberg Inc. Hooven & Co., Inc. RAO Construction Co., Inc.
Apparent Low Bidder
Detailed Bid Summary
Trinity Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project
City of Trinidad
RPL-5036(021)
March 4, 2024 @ 2pm
BASE BID SCHEDULE
Item No. Description Final Pay
Item Units Total
Quantity
1 of 1
CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 6
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED
6. Approval of Resolution 2024-03; Authorizing Submittal of Ordinances 2024-01 and 2024-02 Amending the Zoning Ordinance to create Consistency between the Codified and Certified Versions.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEM
March 12, 2024
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Item: Resolution authorizing submittal of Ordinances 2024-01 and 2024-02 amending the Zoning Ordinance to create consistency between the codified and certified versions At the January and February meetings, the City Council approved the first and second readings of two zoning ordinance amendments that would make minor updates and corrections and reconcile inconsistencies between the codified and Coastal Commission certified versions of the Zoning Ordinance. These amendments need to be submitted to the Coastal Commission for certification. As part of the application, a resolution from the City Council authorizing submittal of a Local Coastal Program Amendment to the Coastal Commission is required. The attached resolution authorizes staff to submit an application and work with Coastal Commission staff to process the amendment through certification.
Attachments
Resolution 2024-03
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution 2024-03
City of Trinidad Cheryl Kelly, Mayor
P.O. Box 390 Gabriel Adams, City Clerk
409 Trinity Street
Trinidad, CA 95570
707-677-0223
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-03
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TRINIDAD, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING
SUBMITTAL OF A LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM AMENDMENT AMENDING THE TRINIDAD ZONING
ORDINANCE TO MAKE UPDATES AND CORRECTIONS AND TO RECONCILE INCONSISTENCIES
BETWEEN THE CODIFIED AND CERTIFIED VERSIONS OF THE ORDINANCE WHEREAS, the City of Trinidad City Council has adopted two zoning ordinance amendments amending the Implementation Plan of the Local Coastal Program to make minor updates and corrections to both the codified and certified versions of the zoning ordinance and to reconcile differences between them so they are consistent; and
WHEREAS, the amendments have been reviewed and processed pursuant to the provisions of the Local Coastal Program and City laws; and
WHEREAS, the amendments are statutorily exempt from CEQA per §15265 of the CEQA Guidelines exempting adoption of coastal plans and programs by local governments; and WHEREAS, after due notice and public hearing, and in accordance with the Local Coastal Program (Trinidad Zoning Ordinance section 17.65.060 (7.03 as certified)), the Trinidad City Council adopted the amendments by Ordinances 2024-01 and 2024-02 on February 13, 2024; and WHEREAS, the amendments are intended to be carried out in a manner in conformity with the Coastal Act and the implementing Local Coastal Program; and
WHEREAS, the amendments are consistent with the City’s certified Local Coastal Program; and WHEREAS, the amendments shall take effect immediately upon certification by the California Coastal Commission if approved as submitted. If the California Coastal Commission certifies the amendment subject to modifications that change the nature of the amendment, final approval by the Trinidad City Council shall be required prior to the amendment taking effect; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Trinidad as follows:
1. City staff is directed to apply to, and work with, the California Coastal Commission for approval of this Local Coastal Program amendment.
INTRODUCED, PASSED, AND ADOPTED this 12th day of March 2024, by the following vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Attest:
_____________________ _______________________________
Gabriel Adams. Cheryl Kelly
City Clerk Mayor
DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEM 1
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED
1. Continued Discussion/Decision regarding Letter of Support for Trinidad Rancheria RAISE Grant for the 101 Trinidad Area Access Improvement Project.
AGENDA ITEM: Continued Discussion/Decision regarding Letter of Support for Trinidad Rancheria RAISE Grant for the 101 Trinidad Area Access Improvement Project
Date: March 12, 2024
________________________________________________________________________ Analysis:
At the February 13th Council meeting, the City Council felt they did not have sufficient information to send a Letter of Support for the Trinidad Rancheria’s RAISE Grant. It was pointed out at the Council meeting that a Scoping Session would be held at the Rancheria on February 20th and that more information could be obtained at that meeting. Also, representatives of the Trinidad Rancheria were not at the February 13th Council meeting, but will be available at this meeting to help answer Council’s questions.
Discussion/Decision:
Listen to the request of the Trinidad Rancheria for a Letter of Support for the RAISE grant, and determine if a Letter of Support should be sent by the City at this time.
Attachments:
Letter from the Trinidad Rancheria requesting City Support of their RAISE grant application
Print | Close Window
Subject: Request for letter of Support for US 101 Trinidad Area Access Improvement Project From: Leslie Sanders <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, Jan 30, 2024 1:05 pm
To: Eli Naffah <[email protected]>, "'[email protected]'" <[email protected]> Cc: Jacque Hostler-Carmesin <[email protected]>, Noah Rodriguez <[email protected]>
Attach: RAISE Grant LOS Request_ City of Trinidad.pdf
LOS Template_Trinidad RAISE Grant_Final.docx
US101_Trinidad Access Improvements Project Summary.pdf
-
This communication, including any attachments, may contain privileged or confidential information intended for a specific individual(s) and purpose, and is protected by law. The information may not be disclosed to anyone other than the intended recipient(s), or a person authorized to receive the communication on behalf of the intended recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient, you should delete this communication and/or shred the materials and any attachments and are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, or distribution of this communication, or the taking of any action based on it, is strictly prohibited.
Copyright © 2003-2024. All rights reserved.
Good Afternoon,
I trust this email finds you well. I am reaching out to you today on behalf of Chairman Sundberg, CherAe Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria. We are currently seeking support from The City of Trinidad for the US 101 Trinidad Area Access Improvement Project, RAISE Grant application, which is poised to make a significant impact not only for our tribe but also for the City and the entire community.
Attached to this email, you will find a letter from Chairman Sundberg requesting the Mayor’s support, a template letter of support and a brief document outlining key details of the project. We believe that the Mayor’s endorsement would play a crucial role in ensuring the success of this transformative initiative.
In the next few days, hard copies of the project proposal will be mailed to the City. However, due to time constraints, we kindly request that, if agreeable, you could assist us in obtaining the City’s support by sending back the signed letter of support via email to [email protected] .
Support for this project is essential, and we are confident that the City’s endorsement will contribute significantly to the success of our application for the Raise Grant.
Thank you for considering our request, and we look forward to a positive response.
Leslie Sanders
Leslie Sanders
Transportation and Land-Use
Trinidad Rancheria
707-601-5754 (cell)
City of Trinidad
Mayor Kelly
409 Trinity Street
PO Box 390
Trinidad, CA 95570
Subject: Request for Support – 2024 Raise Grant Application Dear Mayor Kelly,
I hope this request for a letter of support finds you well. I am reaching out on behalf of the CherAe Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria, seeking your support for our application for the 2024 Rebuilding America Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant.
Specifically, we are seeking assistance for the Plans, Specifications, and Estimate (PS&E) phase of the US 101 Trinidad Area Access Improvement Project.
The US 101 Trinidad Area Access Improvement Project has been a longstanding priority for our tribe, aiming to enhance transportation infrastructure in our community. Over the years, collaborative efforts with various stakeholders have led to the approval of key project phases, including the Project Study Report-Project Development Support (PSR-PDS).
We have successfully navigated financial constraints, leveraging funds from multiple sources, including a 2018 STIP allocation, Tribal Transportation funds, a US DOT Thriving Communities Grant, Bridge Funding, and a Tribal Transportation Safety Fund which shall allow us to proceed through and complete the Project Approval and Environmental Document (PA&ED) phase.
We are confident that receiving the RAISE grant will enable us to conduct thorough planning and design, laying the foundation for the successful implementation of the project. The Project will address the needed improvement access to and from the US 101 and address the significant safety concerns to the Scenic Drive. The US 101 Trinidad Area Access Improvement Project will not only contribute to the overall safety of the community but promote economic development, tourism and accessibility for individuals and business alike. The benefits of the improved access will have a lasting positive impact contributing to a more resilient connectivity to our tribal lands as well as connectivity for our community's residents, businesses, and visitors.
We kindly request your support in providing a letter of endorsement for our grant application.
Attached is a template for your consideration. Your endorsement will strengthen our application and demonstrate widespread community backing for this crucial project.
If you require additional details or would like more information for the letter, please feel free to contact Leslie Sanders, Transportation and Land Use Manager, at [email protected].
Thank you for considering our request. Your support is invaluable in realizing the positive impact of the US 101 Trinidad Area Access Improvement Project.
Sincerely,
Garth Sundberg
Tribal Chairman
Trinidad Rancheria
[Insert Letterhead]
[Date]
The Honorable Pete Buttigieg, Secretary
United States Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
RE: Support for Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria (Trinidad Rancheria) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) 2024 Grant Application
Dear Application Review Committee:
This letter of support from the <INSERT NAME OF AGENCY/ORG> is provided in favor of the RAISE 2024 grant application for the continued development, of planning, design and engineering (PS&E) of the US 101 Trinidad Area Access Improvement Project. In this initiative, the Trinidad Rancheria, recognized as a federal tribal government, seeks to fulfill various unmet transportation and economic needs by modernizing infrastructure and implementing safety measures to enhance socio-economic conditions.
The project aims to: 1) provide safe and sustainable access to and from US 101, for multi-modal transportation to the surrounding communities along Scenic Drive; 2) transform the failing Scenic Drive, serving as the entrance to the main parcel, into a context-sensitive corridor; and 3) Reconnect tribal lands, currently tribal land and tribal housing is located east of US 101 with no direct access to the essential tribal services and government located west of US 101.
While the focus is on improving conditions for residents, community members, and visitors, particularly addressing safety concerns for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists on the critical Scenic Drive through enhanced access and safety measures the project supports goods movement throughout the region and aligns with statewide expansion efforts. Furthermore, it is expected to contribute to the improvement and revitalization of the region's socio-economic landscape, benefiting residents, community members, businesses, and visitors associated with or near the Trinidad Rancheria.
The Project will improve upon and build from the joint inter-agency cooperation (California Department of Transportation, Humboldt County Association of Governments, County of Humboldt, and Tribal) that created the US 101Trinidad Area Access Improvement Project, PSR-PDS, Trinidad Area Freeway Master Plan Study Report Road, as well as the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan, and Integrated Development Standards.
For these reasons and more, we strongly advocate for its recognition and approval to receive the RAISE grant funds. <INSERT NAME OF AGENCY/ORG> firmly supports the endeavor, recognizing its significance and potential positive impact on the community, infrastructure, and overall socio-economic conditions. We urge the U.S. Department of Transportation to consider and approve the allocation of the RAISE funds to ensure the successful realization of this crucial and transformative initiative.
Sincerely,
<INSERT SIGNATURE, TITLE, ORG>
1 US101/TRINIDAD AREA ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT SUMMARY
The Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria proposes a range of roadway improvements in Humboldt County along US 101. The purpose of the project is to provide safe and sustainable access to and from US 101 for multi-modal transportation to Tribal lands and the surrounding communities along Scenic Drive; relieve project traffic congestion associated with planned future development on the Rancheria; and reconnect Tribal lands. The Trinidad Rancheria is working in collaboration with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Humboldt County and the city of Trinidad on the project to address the following deficiencies:
• Scenic Drive, which provides the only access road to the Rancheria’s main parcel, is unsafe due to narrow roadway width with limited to no shoulder, poor sight distance, steep drop-offs, a lack of roadway departure countermeasures, slope instability with recurrent landslides, limited to no accommodation for pedestrians and bicyclists, and poor pavement condition. There is no safe, reliable, or redundant access to the Rancheria and surrounding communities along Scenic Drive.
• Future planned development identified in the Trinidad Rancheria Community Based Comprehensive Plan will increase traffic demand beyond what the existing US 101/Trinidad-Main Street Interchange can accommodate.
• Tribal lands were bisected with the construction of US 101 and there are no roads or trails connecting Tribal lands on the east and west side of the freeway. Tribal members living on the east side of US 101 are regularly crossing the freeway on foot to get to the Rancheria’s main parcel on west side of US 101. Pedestrians are prohibited on US 101, but the route along local roadways is a much longer alternative (2.3 miles compared to
0.2 miles on foot). This safety problem is exacerbated by a lack of lighting on US 101 at the ad hoc crossing location.
Project Background
The current alignment of US 101 was constructed in 1962. At the time, the Bureau of Indian Affairs gave up Trinidad Rancheria right of way for the new highway, without Tribal Council approval and without negotiating for direct access on behalf of the Tribe. Currently, the only access to the Rancheria main parcel, which houses Tribal Government Operations, the Victim Services Social Services Center, the Emergency Operations Center which includes Public Safety, Tribal Library, RV Park, the Cher-Ae Heights Casino, as well as Tribal Member Housing is by way of Scenic Drive, a narrow two-lane road that was part of the original highway when it was built in the early 1920s. Scenic Drive was constructed on the face of a steep bluff adjacent to the Pacific Ocean and has experienced extensive damage associated with slope instability and bluff erosion at several locations. Access to the Rancheria is compromised due to the regular road closures and geological instability of Scenic Drive.
In the early 2000s, the Trinidad Rancheria initiated an Access Improvement Feasibility Study to 2 investigate alternatives that would provide improved access addressing the current and future needs of the people of the Trinidad Rancheria, Humboldt County, and the city of Trinidad. The Tribes efforts continued and several additionally studies and design fairs were undertaken to identify potential access improvements that would address inadequate safety, accessibility, mobility, and operational issues, as well as reconnect tribal lands. In 2012 a Project Development Team (PDT) was formed, and in 2016 the Project Initiation Document (PID) phase began. The Project Study Report-Project Development Support (PSR-PDS) was approved by Caltrans and the Tribe in December 2017 allowing the project to move into the Project Approval and Environmental Document (PA&ED) phase.
Project Description
The project would include interchange and local road improvements to provide safe, sustainable, and redundant access to the Trinidad Rancheria and surrounding communities located along Scenic Drive. Up to 12 alternative designs, including the No‐Build (No Action) Alternative, were considered at the Project Initiation phase. Three project alternatives have been identified for the proposed project - the No-Build Alternative, Alternative 3D, and Alternative 5C. The No-Build Alternative would make no changes to the existing roadways and would not achieve the purpose and need for the proposed project.
Alternative 3D proposes a new interchange adjacent to Tribal lands; a new Class I Multi-Use trail connecting Tribal lands east and west of US 101; and improvements to Scenic Drive and Cher-Ae Lane. Alternative 3D would result in the construction of a new US 101/Cher‐Ae Lane interchange with an overcrossing about 0.7 mile south of the existing undercrossing at the US 101/Trinidad‐Main Street interchange, improvements to US 101 mainline from PM 99.6 to PM 100.6, improvements to Scenic Drive from 200 feet south of Cher‐Ae Lane to Main Street, and improvements to Cher-Ae Lane.
Alternative 5C proposes improvements to the existing US 101/Trinidad-Main Street interchange, a new Class I Multi-Use trail connecting Tribal lands east and west of U.S. 101, including a new pedestrian overcrossing, and improvements to Scenic Drive. Alternative 5C would result in the reconstruction the US 101/Trinidad‐Main Street interchange with a roundabout on the west side of US 101 at the SB off-ramp, Patrick’s Point Drive, Scenic Drive, and SB on-ramp intersection and an offset intersection on the east side of US 101 at the NB off-ramp, Westhaven Drive, Trinidad Frontage Road, and NB on-ramp crossing; improvements to US 101 mainline from PM 100.3 to 101.1; improvements to Scenic Drive from Cher-Ae Lane to Main Street and improvements to Cher-Ae Lane.
DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEM 2
NO SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED
2. Presentation/Update from Trinidad CERT Team.
DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEM 3
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED
3. Conduct Short-Term Rental License Lottery for Applicants on the Waitlist through February 2024.
AGENDA ITEM: STR Lottery
Date: March 12, 2024
________________________________________________________________________ ANALYSIS:
The Short-Term Rental (STR) Ordinance calls for a wait list and lottery to fill vacancies. There is currently one vacancy in the Urban Residential (UR) zone. The City will follow the procedure stated in the STR Ordinance:
“The City will randomly draw a name from the waiting list for the appropriate type of license and zone. If the property meets the applicable location standards, that owner will have 45 days to submit a complete STR License application, along with any other associated license or permit applications (Use Permit, OWTS Operating Permit, etc.) that may be required. If the property owner does not obtain an STR License within 90 days, or if the property does not meet the applicable location standards, the City will draw another name from the waiting list for that zone and STR type.”
ACTION:
The Mayor will draw the numbers associated with the names on the wait list from a professional bingo wheel at the Council meeting.
DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEM 4
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED
4. Discussion/Decision regarding Resolution 2024-02; Authorizing Creation of the Animal Control Advisory Committee.
Trinidad City Hall Cheryl Kelly, Mayor
P.O. Box 390 Gabriel Adams, City Clerk
409 Trinity Street
Trinidad, CA 95570
707-677-0223
RESOLUTION 2024 - 02
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHEREAS, the City has an obligation to help protect residents and visitors from aggressive and nuisance animals and to provide for animal welfare by promoting responsible pet ownership; and WHEREAS, the City of Trinidad desires to evaluate strategies and policies designed to communicate and enforce dog-related regulations; and
WHEREAS, the City of Trinidad desires to consider revision of its current dog-related ordinance(s) and to explore development of new programs for enforcement; and
WHEREAS, the City of Trinidad desires to improve the level of safety and quality of life for both animals and humans; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Trinidad City Council hereby forms a Dog Advisory Committee to hold public meetings in accordance with the Brown Act, and to operate within the framework as follows:
1. PURPOSE: The purpose of the Committee is to 1) review and make recommendations regarding current dog-related ordinances and regulations, 2) develop communications and awareness programs that encourage adherence to regulations, 3) and to assist the Council in pursuing dog-related project funding.
2. OBJECTIVES: Committee objectives include 1) provide a public forum to address and discuss dog-related issues and proposed solutions, 2) assist the City Manager, City Clerk and Animal Control officer in addressing dog-related issues and to identify opportunities for project funding, 3) make balanced and informed recommendations to the City Council on ways to improve regulations, enforcement and program changes related to dogs, and 4) report to the Council regularly.
3. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP: The Dog Advisory Committee will consist of (2) City Council members, (1) Animal Control Officer, and (1) City of Trinidad resident, (1) Greater Trinidad Area resident and a veterinarian (optional). The City Council shall vote and select one of their own to serve as the committee Chairperson.
The City Manager, City Clerk, Animal Control officer, and the City Attorney will provide programmatic, empirical, and legal expertise as needed.
4. MEETING DATES: The Dog Advisory Committee will meet monthly or on an as needed basis (either more or less frequently depending on need).
5. STAFF ASSISTANCE: City Staff will provide agenda preparation, notification, and outreach assistance to the Committee. The Dog Advisory Committee may choose a member of the Committee to record the meeting minutes, or request to have a City Staff member to provide the service.
6. ETHICS CODE: All members shall review, accept, and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the values promoted in the City of Trinidad’s Code of Ethics.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council on the 12th Day of March, 2024 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
_________________________ _________________________
Gabriel Adams Cheryl Kelly
City Clerk Mayor
DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEM 5
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED
5. November 2024 City Election & Sales Tax Measure Update
DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA
Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Item: Preliminary Consideration of Sales Tax Extension
Background: In April, 2004, the City of Trinidad voters approved a ballot measure to impose a 1% transactions and use tax (sales tax) for a period of four years, which took effect on January 01, 2005 and ended on December 31, 2008.
In 2008, the voters approved a .75% sales tax, effective April 01, 2009 for four years. Collection of this additional tax was scheduled to end on March 31, 2013, but was put before the voters again in November 2012, and approved for four more years. In 2016 the voters approved by a 63% majority to extend the tax another four years, and then again with 73% approval in 2020.
The additional tax has generated an average of approximately $200,000 per year, representing roughly 22% of the total General Fund revenue budget, and supplements (significantly) the core services that City government provides; Police, Fire, Public Works, park & trail maintenance, and public facilities such as the Library, Park, and Town Hall.
In order to continue either the .75% tax add-on or implement a different tax, a measure will need to be included on the November 2024 ballot. There would be no preparatory costs assessed by the Board of Equalization in the event the current tax add-on is continued. If the tax add-on lapsed and was subsequently approved at a later date, the Board of Equalization will assess an implementation cost of approximately $22,000.
The budget preparation for fiscal year 2024-2025 will soon be underway. Adopted General Fund budgets for the current year 2023-2024 are as follows:
GENERAL FUND REVENUES: $ 796,100
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES:
General Administration $ 482,320
City Manager, City Clerk Admin Support, Accountant,
Auditor, Planner, Attorney, Liability Insurance, Overhead, etc.
Police - Humboldt County Sheriff $ 149,865
Fire (equipment and materials) $ 54,350 (excludes capital reserve) Public Works
Staffing, materials, Library, Museum, Park & Trail Maintenance $ 169,526 Cemetery/Waste Management
Staffing, Maintenance, Equipment $ 31,785
Total Expenditures: $ 887,845
Deadlines: If the Council decides to proceed with a sales tax measure, the November election ballot will ask the voters to decide on 1) the Sales Tax Measure, and 2) selecting 2 Councilmembers. There are deadlines shared with the Sales Tax Election decision, and others that are independent from the Sales Tax election schedule:
FIRST DEADLINE: June 11, 2024 Council meeting:
1. Final decision to proceed or sunset the Sales Tax Increase must be made.
SECOND DEADLINE: July 09, 2024 Council meeting:
1. If a decision is reached to continue the sales tax increase, the wording must be drafted and approved in a resolution. Staff will draft the resolution based upon the decision reached at the June (or earlier) meeting and include it for adoption at the July (or earlier) Council meeting.
2. A second resolution will be required at this meeting to approve requesting that the City and County consolidate their elections. Clerk will have the resolution prepared for discussion/approval at this meeting, regardless of the Sales Tax decision.
The next steps following the July Council meeting deadline will be advised after each benchmark decision is reached. The Clerk’s office will provide monthly updates and announcements to the Council regarding publishing deadlines and required notifications for both elements of the election.
Proposed Action:
Provide direction to staff to prepare documentation for a ballot measure for the November election regarding the add-on .75% Sales Tax.
ADD-ON .75 SALES TAX
November 2024 General Election Ballot Measure Preliminary Discussion Tuesday, March 12, 2024 City Council Meeting
• November 2004 General Election
• Voters approved 1% Sales Tax Increase for 4-years
• April 2007 Special Election
• Voters denied 1% Sales Tax Extension for 4-years
• November 2008 General Election
• Voters approved .75% Sales Tax Increase for 4-years
• November 2012 General Election
• Voters approved .75% Sales Tax Extension for 4 more years • November 2016 General Election
• Voters approved .75% Sales Tax Extension for an additional 4 years - 63% Approval • November 2020 General Election
• Voters approved .75% Sales Tax Extension for an additional 4 years 2020 - Passed with 73% Approval
SALES TAX GENERATORS…
• RETAIL - Transactions
• Gas Station
• Restaurants
• Gift Shops
• Grocery (only certain items)
• Online Shopping
• BIG TICKET ITEMS - Use
• Vehicle Purchases
• Construction Material Delivery
• Appliance Delivery
STATE OF CA
COUNTY
CITY 1%
CITY .75%
8.5% SALES TAX RATE
BREAKDOWN
State Tax 6.0%
County of Humboldt Combined .75%
City of Trinidad Bradley-Burns Local Tax 1%
City of Trinidad Transactions & Use Tax .75
City of Trinidad General Fund Revenue Sources 2023*
Sales Tax 1% $ 200,000*
Sales Tax .75% $ 201,000*
Occupancy Tax $ 155,000*
Property Tax $ 138,314*
Vehicle Licenses $ 39,643*
Licenses/Permits $ 71,798*
Measure Z $ -
Rent/Franchise Fees $ 42,658*
Interest Earning $ 30,000*
Other $ 20,000*
Total $ 898,413
DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA
Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2024
NOVEMBER 2024 CITY ELECTION CALENDAR
February
• Acknowledgment that an Audit has not been conducted for FY2023. • Check-In on City Budget through December.
March
• Begin Fiscal Year Budget preparation.
• Discussion (Part I) regarding consideration of Sales Tax Extension, benefits/implications to the City in general, ballot measure language, termination date options, questions, staff homework, etc.
April
• Continue Fiscal Year Budget preparation.
• Discuss/Consider Sales Tax Extension (Part II), Implications on 2024-2025 Budget (if necessary) May
• Adopt Resolution calling for election on a proposal to extend the Sales Tax Increase. • Adopt Resolution requesting Election Consolidation with the County. • Continue FY 2024-2025 Budget preparations.
June
• Adopt FY 2024-2025 Budget
• Prepare/Present/Announce the upcoming election season calendar July
• Publish Election Notice for (2) Upcoming November Council Seats & Sales Tax Election • Candidate Nomination Period opens.
August
• Publish Arguments For, Against, and Rebuttals for Sales Tax Extension • Adopt Ordinance that will authorize the State Board of Equalization to implement the Sales Tax Extension should it pass.
• Filing period for City Council Candidate nominees closes August 10.
September
• No deadlines
October
• Publish notification of (2) upcoming Planning Commission vacancies November
• General Election, Tuesday, November 05, 2024.
December
• When County Elections results are certified, swear in new Council members, appoint Mayor, and re-distribute or confirm Committee/Commissionership assignments.