04-09-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TRINIDAD CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, APRIL 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, Ladwig, West, and Breckenridge. City Staff in attendance: City Manager Eli Naffah, City Clerk Gabriel Adams, Administrative Assistant Anton Souza, and City Planner Trever Parker. Approximately (5) participants were present by video-conference, and (10) were present live at the beginning of the meeting.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. CLOSED SESSION – No closed session
IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION – No closed session to report on.
V. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion (West/Kelly) to approve the agenda as amended, pulling Consent 4 for discussion. Passed unanimously.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 01-23-2024 ccpcstr, 02-13-2024 cc, 03-12-2024 cc Minutes will be reviewed in May.
VII. COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
West: Trails Committee meeting discussing signage options.
Ladwig: Nothing to report.
Breckenridge: First meeting of the Animal Control meeting will be held sometime later this month. Receiving emails from community residents with animal control concerns and suggestions.
Kelly: CERT trailer inventory performed last week. May 11 disaster preparedness training. Town Hall improvement project tasks/priorities being assessed.
Tuttle: RCEA Director Matthew Marshall resigning. Public attended to request RCEA to end biomass agreement.
VIII.STAFF REPORTS – City Manager & Law Enforcement
City Manager Naffah highlighted accomplishments summarized in the staff report included in the meeting packet, including Water Tank and Pipeline project update, Axel Lindgren Memorial Trail update (hope to reopen in July with a re-routed base constructed by RCAA), and the Tsurai Management Team will address long-term planning at the next meeting. Water Plant filter media was ordered and will be installed soon as per the Chief Plant Operator’s recommendation. Celtic Fair will take place on May 18 in the Town Hall. Saunders Park playground proposal being considered. Councilmember Jack Tuttle coordinating the effort. In response to questions asked by resident Anita Thompson, the current contract Water Plant Operator invoice (Coleman Engineering) was $11,042 for March, and $1,486 was paid to Pacific Watershed Associates so far in 2024.
Mayor Kelly reminded the Council that the Trinidad Rancheria requested to be part of the Tsurai Management Team discussions.
HCSO Lt. McCall was unable to attend the meeting.
IX. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR
(Three (3) minute limit per Speaker unless Council approves request for extended time.) No items from the floor presented.
X. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Staff Activity Report – March 2024
2. Financial Statements – February 2024
3. Law Enforcement Report – March 2024.
4. Award Contract for On-Call City Engineering Services to GHD. (Pulled for discussion) 04-09-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
City Manager Naffah explained that Caltrans is currently reviewing the contract specifications to make sure it’s consistent with State policies. Council approval tonight will award the contract with an execution date subject to Caltrans acceptance.
Motion (West/Ladwig) to award the Contract for On-Call City Engineering Services to GHD. Passed unanimously.
5. Resolution 2024-04; Authorizing the Processing of a Consolidated Coastal Development Permit by the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) to Replace Drainage Infrastructure Along State Highway 101 In the City of Trinidad.
6. Approval of the Tristan Cole Subdivision & Coastal Development Permit (CDP-2023-09) to Split a 1.75 acre parcel on Berry Road into two parcels, Finding the Project Consistent with the City’s LCP and other Applicable Regulations.
7. Task Order Amendment 02 for the PW Trinidad HSIP Cycle 10 Project to Reference the new Professional Services Master Agreement Between GHD and the City of Trinidad Executed on April 09, 2024. (Contract will be executed upon Caltrans approval).
8. Task Order Amendment 01 for the 2022 STIP Trinity Street Rehabilitation Project to Reference the new Professional Services Master Agreement Between GHD and the City of Trinidad Executed on April 09, 2024.
Motion (Kelly/West) to approve the consent agenda as amended, pulling number 4 for discussion. Passed unanimously.
XI. DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
1. Proclaim May as National Bike Month to Promote Bicycles as a Means of Transportation and Recreation.
City Manager Naffah and Mayor Kelly introduced the Proclamation.
There was no public comment.
Ladwig: Encourage motorists to pay extra attention to cyclists in May.
Motion (West/Ladwig) to proclaim May as National Bike Month to Promote Bicycles as a Means of Transportation and Recreation, with the addition of a statement encouraging motorists to raise awareness of cyclists. Passed unanimously.
2. Discussion/Decision/Update on the Van Wycke Trail Temporary Closure and Progress Report on Actions Taken to Reopen the Trail and/or Develop Alternative Pedestrian Access.
City Planner Trever Parker summarized the staff report included in the meeting packet, starting with the history and past grant opportunities that failed to reach stakeholder consensus as to how to proceed. The Planning Commission approved the 6-month closure in 2020. The decision was appealed to the Coastal Commission.
The City’s hands were tied due to trail liability concerns, Covid, and Coastal Commission appeal hearing timeline. The Commission made it clear that trail access was significant and requested the City take steps to find solutions or alternatives. The City has considered repairs, realignment, and other alternatives. The area is culturally sensitive. The Yurok Tribe and TAS want the trail closed permanently. At this point the Coastal Commission staff supports trail closure but we’re unclear if the Commission concurs. The 6-month closure ran out in March. City Staff is looking into the option of moving the trail upslope, but nothing specific. Requesting the Council look into moving pedestrian traffic to Edwards Street and possibly enhancing pedestrian safety of that walkway. Parking study recently performed identified a high-number of resident encroachments into the public right of way.
Council questions included:
Tuttle: Support staff working with upslope landowners to secure an easement to re-route trail.
Breckenridge: Van Wycke and Edwards aren’t interchangeable. Parker stated the Commission had a desire to promote Edwards as the primary path, but Van Wycke as a “local” option.
West: Will the proposed work on Edwards this summer impact pedestrian access? Do we have any data on accidents or incidents occurring between vehicles and pedestrians on Edwards? Parker stated there are no reported incidents, but Edwards should be marked more clearly as it will be the primary access to the harbor. 04-09-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
Kelly: Thanked the property owners for considering the upslope alternative. I recommend diverting pedestrian traffic to Edwards and keeping the existing trail informal or “local”. Boardwalk needs to be repaired. Crosswalks are coming this summer. In favor of a sidewalk on either side of Edwards. The Council is leaning in that direction.
Public comment included:
Tim Needham – Trinidad
Edwards Street resident, member of the Trails Committee. It is unanimous by the City residents to reopen the Van Wycke Trail. The only issue is whether the trail has cultural impacts to Tribal rights, which has not been proven. If it can be realigned, good, but under no circumstances should the City abandon the project before cultural impacts are proven.
Tristan Cole – Trinidad
Planning Commissioner in favor of keeping the trail open. Bothered by the City being strong-armed by the insurance company to close it. It’s rugged and passable. The City wants to avoid liability by closing the trail, but keeping it closed for the next few months exposes the City to liability as well. The City should stand up for itself and the well-being of the residents.
City Manager Naffah noted the JPA Insurer has exempted coverage to the City for anything that happens on the trail if it is left open.
Jacque Hostler-Carmeson – Trinidad Rancheria
Walked the trail with Rachel Sundberg, Rancheria THPO. Cultural proximity to the village was discussed, but we aren’t aware of any physical resources in that area. The Rancheria would also like to be part of the decision to open or close the trail as well.
Sherri Provolt – Yurok Tribe
The Yurok Tribe recommends keeping it closed. Trails are unstable. Drainage and erosion should be addressed as part of a long-term solution.
Ladwig: Coastal Resiliency Workshop held last month identified areas vulnerable to erosion.
Recommendations are being built in the plan to identify stable areas and intentionally re-route them.
Rachel Duclos – Trinidad
Adjacent property owner. The Coastal Commission “dinged” the City for not following procedure and opening the trail, but is apparently now considering permanent closure. I’m confused about how they feel about it. I want to see the trail open. Adjacent property owners share the concern for agreeing to something that would hurt the Tsurai and Yurok. We are also uncomfortable with trail users being invited upslope, on-grade with our back yards. The trail has always been lower, pushed back into the slope, which helps keep people on track as they pass by.
City Planner Parker noted there has been more of an emphasis on environmental justice and equity issues, and an evolution is happening with cultural resources and trails as well. Coastal Commission hasn’t put anything in writing. It’s an evolving topic.
Kelly: The Tsurai Ancestral Society expressed consideration of the “goat trail”, but that’s it, in a letter to the Planning Commission. All the construction options have been exhausted when the Van Wycke Trail (ATP) grant was abandoned.
Richard Johnson – Trinidad Area Resident, Planning Commissioner Tristan Cole explained the situation well. The minutes of the last PC meeting will illustrate the frustrations directed at the Commission. Having some illustrations about possible concepts with cost options to consider would make sense. Having a special meeting to focus on this topic would be helpful.
Council comments included:
Ladwig: Echoed Johnson’s comments, and suggested more specifics to be offered with staff recommendations to support each concept. This is a great first step tonight, but if something is ruled-out we need to drop it. It’s nice to have a historical perspective, but it would be helpful to hear directly from the properties directly affected.
If they don’t want it, let’s not talk about it again. There is a hesitancy to release any detailed cultural findings. 04-09-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
Would like to see the reports so we know exactly what we’re dealing with? It would be nice for us to not have to rely on our memories as to why the project fell apart. We should get this in the public record for discussion.
Naffah recommended bringing back specific recommendations at the next meeting.
Kelly: The City abandoned a great opportunity to fund this project, or an alternative. The public felt it was overengineered. Now I’m getting frustrated to hear from the same (and new) people saying they want the trail. I’d like to hear more about the cultural sensitivities involved. I’m in favor of keeping the trail closed for legal reasons, but going forward we should agendize this topic or see it in the City Manager’s report until it’s determined to be not feasible anymore. Agree with Ladwig that the Council should be briefed on the history of the previous project.
City Manager agreed to bring information back regarding the previous project failure, and options moving forward.
3. Discussion/Decision regarding Resolution 2024-05; Ballot Opposing State of California Ballot Initiative 21-0042A1, The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act.
City Manager Naffah explained that according to the California Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO), the proposal would amend the State Constitution to change the rules for how the state and local governments can impose taxes, fees, and other charges. The LAO further states that local governments will generally face greater restrictions to raising revenue. By expanding the definition of taxes and restricting administrative changes to fees, the measure would make it somewhat harder for local governments to raise revenue. Consequently, future local tax and fee revenue could be lower than they would be otherwise. The extent to which revenues would be lower is unknown for local governments, but fees could be more impacted. The actual impact on local government revenue would depend on various factors, including future decisions by the courts, local governing bodies, and voters. Cal Cities, along with a broad coalition of local governments, labor and public safety leaders, infrastructure advocates, and businesses, strongly oppose this initiative. Cal Cities is requesting local jurisdictions adopt a resolution to demonstrate how harmful this measure would be to local communities and the people of California.
There was no public or Council comment.
Motion (Ladwig/West) to approve Resolution 2024-05; Opposing voter Initiative No. 21-004A1 Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act. Passed unanimously.
4. Discussion/Decision regarding Appointment of Members to the Animal Advisory Committee.
City Manager Naffah explained that the Animal Advisory Committee was set up in March 2024. Breckenridge was designated as Chair, and Jack Tuttle as Vice Chair. Three other positions are open. There are 3 interested individuals to serve on the committee; Jacque Hostler-Carmesin or designee (Rancheria), Ted Pease (greater Trinidad area), Andrew Davis (local).
Motion (Kelly/Breckenridge) to appoint Jacque Hostler-Carmesin, Ted Pease, and Andrew Davis to serve on the Committee. Passed unanimously.
5. November 2024 City Election & Sales Tax Measure Update City Clerk Adams noted there are minor changes in scheduling, but this is informational only. No decision was made.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- General Plan (Kelly)
- Legal Issues in Closed Session (Ladwig)
- PWA Update with ongoing projects/research.
- Annexation – Invite LAFCO representative to speak to the Council.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:00pm.
Submitted by: Approved by:
_____________________________ _____________________________ Gabriel Adams Cheryl Kelly
Trinidad City Clerk Mayor