Agenda packet, regular meeting — Trinidad City Council, July 9, 2024

City Council Meeting Agenda: 07-09-2024 Page 1
Posted: Friday, July 05, 2024

NOTICE AND CALL OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE

TRINIDAD CITY COUNCIL
The Trinidad City Council will hold a regular meeting on TUESDAY, JULY 09, 2024, at 6:00 PM
at the Trinidad Town Hall, 409 Trinity Street, Trinidad, CA. 5:00PM CLOSED SESSION SCHEDULED
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: 854 7931 6696 Passcode: 893481 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

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)

2. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated/Potential Litigation (Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(2): One Matter.

IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 05-14-2024 cc, 05-28-2024 cc2, 06-11-2024 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
City Council Meeting Agenda: 07-09-2024 Page 2
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 – June 2024

2. Financial Statements – May 2024

3. Law Enforcement Report – June 2024.

4. Van Wycke & Axel Lindgren Memorial Trail Update

DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA ITEMS

1. Presentation of the Draft Trinidad Community Coastal Resilience Action Plan and Project Concept Designs.

2. Presentation/Discussion of Main, Trinity, Ocean, View, and Edwards Streets Traffic Study.

3. Discussion/Decision regarding Edwards Street Pedestrian Improvements.

4. Continued Discussion/Decision regarding Draft Water Rate Analysis.

5. Discussion/Decision to Accept the Scope of Work Submitted by RCAA to repair the Trinidad Head Steps and Utilize Public Works Capital Reserve Funds as Needed to Complete the Project.

6. Discussion/Decision regarding August Meeting Schedule.

7. Notice of Election, Arguments For/Against the Sales Tax Extension, City Council Candidate Nomination Period, and Upcoming Deadlines.

X. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
XI. ADJOURNMENT
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR:

MAY 14, 2024 CC
MAY 28, 2024 CC2
JUNE 11, 2024 CC
Supporting Documentation follows with: 0 PAGES

MINUTES WILL BE UPLOADED TO THE MEETING PACKET AS SOON AS THEY ARE PREPARED.
05-14-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TRINIDAD CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, MAY 14, 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, Project Manager Jennifer Hakenen and City Planner Trever Parker. Approximately (3) participants were present by video-conference, and (2) 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)

2. Personnel Exception 54957 - City Manager Performance Evaluation IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION – No reportable action taken in closed session.

V. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion (Ladwig/Kelly) to approve the agenda as submitted. Passed unanimously.

VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 01-23-2024 ccpcstr, 02-13-2024 cc, 03-12-2024 cc Motion (West/Tuttle) to approve all minutes as submitted. Passed unanimously.

VII. COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
West: Trails Committee met and discussed trail signage design concepts. The Trinidad Rancheria submitted a letter requesting reconsideration of proposed concept.

Ladwig: Nothing to report.

Breckenridge: Held the first meeting of the Animal Control Advisory Committee. Will ask County Animal Control to attend the next meeting on June 10.

Kelly: Attended the Trinidad Rancheria Fee to Trust ceremony for the Harbor Properties, held at the Harbor. It was an honor to be there. CERT held disaster training at Town Hall. CalFire attended.

Tuttle: Nothing to report.

VIII.STAFF REPORTS – City Manager & Law Enforcement
City Manager Naffah highlighted accomplishments summarized in the staff report included in the meeting packet, including Van Wycke, Axel Lindgren Memorial, and Trinidad Head Trail improvement status updates, and Water Plant operation costs.

Mayor Kelly requested the City Manager consider recruiting for a Certified T3 Water Plant Operator immediately. The Water Advisory Committee is also concerned for how long it’s taking to train and test operators, and requests that the City Manager provide regular updates to the Council each month. Naffah suggested holding off until status of new uncertified Public Works maintenance employees are hired.

Breckenridge inquired about traffic studies commissioned earlier this year. Naffah stated the reports were being prepared for presentation at the June 13 meeting.

HCSO Lt. McCall provided a brief summary of the April statistics, provided in the meeting packet.

IX. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR
(Three (3) minute limit per Speaker unless Council approves request for extended time.) Patti Fleschner – Trinidad Civic Club.

Announced the Memorial Lighthouse Ceremony on May 26 at Edwards & Trinity Street. 05-14-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
X. CONSENT AGENDA

1. Staff Activity Report – April 2024

2. Financial Statements – March 2024

3. Law Enforcement Report – April 2024.

4. Project Completion and Certification Report of CAL OES, FEMA-4301-DR-CA 2017 Storm Damage Funding Claim.

5. Resolution 2024-06; Federal Functional Classification Map Change for Scenic Drive.

6. Resolution 2024-07; Request November General Election Consolidation with the County of Humboldt.

7. Agreement with Shawn Worth for Volunteer Fire Chief Services.

8. Community Yard Sale Event Announcement.

9. Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Maintenance Program Update.

Motion (Ladwig/West) to approve the consent agenda as amended, pulling number 4 for discussion. Passed unanimously.

XI. DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA ITEMS

1. Proclamation 2024-02; Recognition and Support of North Coast Lemonade Day June 01, 2024.

Mayor Kelly explained that she was contacted by David Wickizer requesting the City of Trinidad join the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors in declaring Saturday, June 01, 2024 as “Humboldt Lemonade Day” to support and provide local youth with an opportunity to learn about and practice specialized skills that can open future doors to positive careers they may not have known about or explored otherwise.

Motion (Kelly/Ladwig) to adopt Proclamation 2024-02; Recognizing and Supporting North Coast Lemonade Day, June 01, 2024. Passed unanimously.

2. Discussion/Decision regarding Contract with Humboldt County Sheriff to provide Law Enforcement Services to the City of Trinidad.

City Manager Naffah read from the letter included in the meeting packet, sent by Regina Fuller, Deputy Director of Financial and Support Services from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, dated May 01, 2024. The letter explained that on May 31, 2023, the HCSO’s office notified Trinidad of a cost increase to $226,168 effective July 01, 2023. Following concerns raised by both Trinidad and the City of Blue Lake, the method for calculating costs was modified, resulting in a new annual rate of $67,500, backdated to July 01, 2023, through June 30, 2024.

That amount will also be carried forward in the new contract for services proposed through June 30, 2025. The rate for future fiscal years will be agreed to by both parties by amendment, as needed, per year based on terms outlined in the contract.

Council comments included:

Breckenridge: Would the City of Trinidad have noticed a need for cost recalculation if the City of Blue Lake hadn’t requested it? Naffah confirmed that he would not have questioned it since Trinidad could afford it.

Public comment included:

Aaron Hakenen – Trinidad
Thanked the City of Blue Lake for insisting the HCSO recalculate the cost, and asked the City Manager to confirm any changes to the level of service provided. Naffah confirmed there would be no changes to the service provided.

Motion (Kelly/Ladwig) to approve/renew the contract with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office to provide Law Enforcement Services to the City of Trinidad. Passed unanimously.

3. Discussion/Decision regarding Resolution 2024-08; Calling for an Election on a Proposal to Continue the City of Trinidad’s .75% Transaction and Use (SALES) Tax for 4-Years.

City Clerk Adams explained that at the March 12, 2024 meeting, staff presented the Council with brief history of the .75% tax add-on, the anatomy of the tax, voter approval percentages for each election held, and how the additional revenue serves not only the City of Trinidad, but the community at-large. 05-14-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
The Council heard public comments from two Trinidad area residents who felt the tax was unfair to those that inadvertently pay it without the ability to vote on it. The Council also heard from in-City residents who expressed an interest in fiscal responsibility and accountability.

Staff noted the tax is a General Tax that can be spent at the discretion of the Council, for the purpose of not only serving the City’s needs, but also in ways that invests in the greater good of the entire Trinidad area.

The Council requested that a list of in-city addresses posted on the City website to assist outside-city residents in their effort to avoid having to pay the tax when online vendors are able to use their discretion when applying the tax rate to the purchase.

At the conclusion of the discussion the Council unanimously agreed “…to direct staff to prepare documentation for a ballot measure for the November election regarding the add-on .75% Sales Tax.” The Resolution presented tonight represents the next step in this process. Once the resolution is adopted, staff will proceed with preparing the Ordinance authorizing continuation of the tax should the majority of Trinidad voters support it in November.

Additional steps to follow will be the ballot preparation, set to begin in August. 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.

There was no public comment.

Motion (Kelly/West) to adopt Resolution 2024-08; Calling for an Election on a Proposal to Continue the City of Trinidad’s .75% Transaction and Use (SALES) Tax for 4-Years. Passed unanimously.

4. Discussion/Decision Regarding Resolution 2024-09; Adopting the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting and Review Procedures, and First Reading of Ordinance 2024-01; Adding New Chapter 4 to Title 3 of the Trinidad Municipal Code to Provide Informal Bidding Procedures Under the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Action.

The California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (Act) is a voluntary program available to all public entities in the State, but it applies only to those public agencies that “opt in” to the provisions set forth by the Act. The Act is legislation enacted to help promote “uniformity of the cost accounting standards and bidding procedures on construction work performed or contracted by public entities in the state”. Additional information is attached Frequently Asked Questions.

Benefits to the City of Trinidad of adopting this Act include simplified bidding and expedited contracting for projects that are $200,000 or less and reduced number of bids based on project size. These provisions reduce the time, effort and expense associated with bidding projects under $200,000 and simplified administration for those projects. The procedures for bidding for larger projects are typically handled by the contract City Engineer, and generally would remain the same.

The Act’s accounting procedures are intended to capture and record all direct and indirect labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, and supervision costs, as well as the appropriate overhead costs for the public agency associated with each “project” it performs with its own forces. The procedures follow industry-standard accounting methods, and in many cases are not much different from those already in place at most agencies.

Adoption of the Act would have a minor impact on the City’s current accounting procedures. The primary change is standardizing the estimated and actual costs per the Act. There is a requirement to include overhead for indirect project costs per hourly staff rates, however set percentage overhead rates are acceptable for Cities under 75,000 in population. An additional change is the requirement to track equipment use for projects; but it is acceptable to use standard Caltrans rates, so this won’t be that difficult.

Staff recommends opting in to the Act by adopting Resolution 2024-09. In addition, the Act requires that participating agencies adopt an Informal Bidding Ordinance, attached here as Ordinance 2024-01.

There was no public or Council comments.
05-14-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
Motion (Ladwig/Tuttle) to:
1) Adopt Resolution 2024-09 Adoption of the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act. 2) Waive Full Reading and Introduce an Ordinance of the City of Trinidad Adopting 2024-01 of the Trinidad Municipal Code Relating to Purchasing Procedures and Including Adoption of the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act. Passed unanimously.

5. Discussion/Presentation Update on Water Rate Analysis City Manager Naffah explained that the Council will continue addressing the Budget on May 28, and there will be a presentation on the draft Water Rate Study. Samantha Ryan of RCAC will present the draft, made possible by USDA funding at no cost to the Water Fund. Various options and factors will be addressed, such as the base rate, consumption rate, possible categories (inside/outside city rates, or meter sizes).

Rates have not been increased since 2017, and the Water Fund is not building reserves, nor covering basic operating costs. The City proposes transferring $300,000 from the General Fund to the Water Fund to help stabilize the depleted reserves, as well as a possible loan if necessary.

Council comments included:

Tuttle: Why did it take so long to conduct a rate study? City Clerk Adams explained how the Council’s decision to put the task out to bid in 2017 complicated things, followed by a City Manager transition, then Covid happened, further complicating the City’s ability to develop an accurate budget that the rates would need to reflect.

Breckenridge: I would like to see more people notified of the rate presentation on May 28. The more input we receive, the better. City Manager Naffah recommended not doing too much outreach at first.

Kelly: Disagreed with Naffah, recommending the City solicit as much public input as possible throughout the process.

Ladwig: Requested clarity on what the reserve targets will be, and what exactly they are based on.

Public comment included:

Aaron Hakenen – Trinidad
Rate analysis needs to be put on the calendar every 4-years. Has WAC heard this yet? Please provide as much information and presentation to the public as possible.

By Consensus, the Council agreed to direct staff to send out notification to all ratepayers of upcoming meeting dates/discussions.

Presentation item only. Discussion continued to May 28.

6. Presentation/Update regarding the FY2024 Budget Preparation Timeline City Clerk Adams explained that the annual budget is a spending plan that is intended to reflect goals and priorities of the City Council, and to keep up with the increasing pressure of State and Federal policies that set the framework for government operation. Both forces compete for resources, and the balance between mandatory and discretionary spending continues to tilt in favor of mandatory.

Every spending action has the potential to have side effects. Having to react quickly to employment needs, inflation, and social dynamics during the Covid-era has brought subsequent growing pains to City government operations that will demand attention in the coming year, beginning now.

As the 2025 budget process unfolds we will examine what resources exist that can be used to navigate higher government red tape, fine-tune the personnel structure, stay on task with long-term priorities, and meet the growing needs of the city based on current and forecasted economic trends.

The first step to kick-off the 2024-2025 budget season is to look back at the Big Picture Summary from the 2024 budget adoption and review the tools used construct the budget every year. 05-14-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5
The next step is to take a brief look at the current year – measuring achievements, shortfalls, or deviations in the Council’s spending plan, along with identifying operation changes and/or unexpected revenue windfalls that modified the City’s course along the way.

The primary goals of this preliminary budget meeting discussion are; • To examine the reconciled financial statements received through December 31 2023, and April 30, 2024 and understand current fund balances.
• Review significant highlights in spending (or not spending) and revenues in the primary departments. • Plot a course that will lead to an adopted budget by the regular meeting on June 11.

Packet attachments for analysis include:
• January 09, 2024 Mid-Year Budget Summary Report
• FY2024 Staff Organizational Chart
• FY2024 Budget Summary Narrative/Priorities from June 13, 2023 Budget Adoption Meeting • FY2024 Big Picture Summary
• December 31, 2023 reconciled financial statements
• April 30, 2024 financial statements included in Consent Agenda Item 2.

Council comments included:

Tuttle: Had the rates been updated in a timely manner, how much money would currently be in the reserves? Ladwig: Would like to see a fund developed for undergrounding utilities.

Breckenridge: Request for consideration of a dog park or designated area with fencing for the public to allow pets offleash.

Kelly: Present community survey results.

Public comments included:

Aaron Hakenen – Trinidad
Preparing a request for CERT funding, up to $3,500.

Presentation item only. No decision was made. Discussion continued to May 28.

7. November 2024 City Election & Sales Tax Measure Calendar City Clerk Adams presented an updated calendar in the meeting packet identifying upcoming deadlines.

No Council or public comment.

Update only. No decision was made.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- Water Rate Study
- Budget prep continuation.
- Continued closed session items.
- Annexation – Invite LAFCO representative to speak to the Council. - Request Volunteer Fire Chief to attend quarterly meetings to share stats, concerns, etc.

ADJOURNMENT: 8:45pm.

Submitted by: Approved by:
_____________________________ _____________________________ Gabriel Adams Cheryl Kelly
Trinidad City Clerk Mayor
CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 1

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED

1. Staff Activity Report – June 2024
City Manager’s Report July 9th, 2024 Meeting
Trinity Street Rehabilitation Project:

The Roadway Grinding, Paving and Striping project for Trinity Street has been successfully completed. The contractor for the project was GR Sundberg Inc.

Water Tank and Pipeline Project:

The bulk of this project’s work is on Westhaven Drive where water pipelines are being replaced between the water plant and the water tank site. Expect traffic delays in that area. The contractor for the project is Mercer-Fraser Company.

Trinidad Chamber of Commerce:

The next Greater Trinidad Chamber of Commerce Mixer will take place at the Secret Beach Retreat STR at 840 Stagecoach Road on July 17th from 5:30-7:30pm. This year’s Fisherman’s Feast will take place on September 28th in the Trinidad School parking lot, and will feature two local bands.

Water Plant:

Several water line breaks during construction of the Water Tank and Pipeline Project along Westhaven Drive have impacted water production and storage. Carl Anderson is a new employee at the water plant who recently passed his T-2 water treatment exam.

Congratulations to Carl! The May invoice from Coleman Engineering is $14,059, while the June invoice is not ready yet.

Taxpayer Protection Act:

The California Supreme Court on June 20th removed the Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA) from the November ballot. The Court ruled that the act amounted to a revision of the Constitution. The TPA would have required a 2/3’s voter approval on nearly all local revenues, including fines and fees.

CPUC and AT&T:

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), also on June 20th, ruled that AT&T must keep its landline communication services throughout the state. The CPUC refused to allow AT&T relief from their Carrier of Last Resort mandate. Therefore, the carrier will continue to provide landlines to the residents of Trinidad.

Public Camping Bans:

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities have a right to limit or prohibit homeless encampments on public property. The ruling said that enforcement of camping restrictions does not violate the 8th Amendment’s protections against cruel and unusual punishment. The case was brought by the City of Grants Pass, Oregon. Governor Newsom said, “This decision removes the legal ambiguities that have tied the hands of local officials for years….”

STAFF REPORT SUPPLEMENTAL
Date: Tuesday, July 09, 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 323 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 2020 164,854
September 2020 302,614 March 2021 187,607
September 2021 227,831 March 2022 184,103
September 2022 216,470 March 2023 152,813
September 2023 200,348 (15.99% Water Loss) March 2024 125,188 (19.75% Water Loss) October 2019 188,075 April 2020 199,450
October 2020 230,430 April 2021 192,287
October 2021 203,176 April 2022 173,115
October 2022 180,065 April 2023 145,504
October 2023 188,335 (22.08% Water Loss) April 2024 176,413 (40.81% Water Loss) November 2019 211,649 May 2020 183,368
November 2020 198,813 May 2021 242,529
November 2021 204,438 May 2022 154,634
November 2022 169,144 May 2023 211,380
November 2023 151,914 (22.06% Water Loss) May 2024 182,738 (14.68% Water Loss) December 2019 201,305 June 2020 240,055
December 2020 185,860 June 2021 269,087
December 2021 201,160 June 2022 233,692
December 2022 170,419 June 2023 209,336
December 2023 122,937 (27% Water Loss) June 2024 229,399 (17.12% Water Loss) Water sold in June was average from a 5-year perspective, and expected with the amount of rainfall received this year. 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 – May 2024

CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 3

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED

3. Law Enforcement Report – June 2024.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 4

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED

4. Van Wycke & Axel Lindgren Memorial Trail Update
7/3/24, 6:53 PM
https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADkxOWYxMDM1LWYyYjYtNDA4Zi05MTBhLTY4Y2I3NTgyYTFjMwAQABBs9JnhMAxApHmiMnIdOlI%3D Page 1 of 2 Trail updates for CC
Trever Parker <[email protected]>
Wed 7/3/2024 9:41 AM
To:Cityclerk Trinidad <[email protected]>;Citymanager Trinidad <[email protected]> I made a couple of updates to what I sent the Planning Commission in June. We can't do much more at this point until we meet with the TMT. You can use this to put in the Council packet for the trails updates. Let me know if you need anything else.

Van Wycke Trail
Current 6-month closure will expire October 22, 2024
Josh Wolf and Steve Allen met with Eli on Edwards Street on May 29 to discuss pedestrian improvements. GHD provided a recommendation to realign some of the striping to increase the width of the pedestrian walkway/shoulder on the south side of Edwards between Hector and Galindo. This would involve reducing the travel lane widths but would not eliminate parking on the north side of the street. With a 7-foot walkway/shoulder, 5-feet would be dedicated to pedestrians, and the outer 2-feet would be striped and intended to provide a buffer between pedestrians and vehicular traffic. Raised pavement markers and additional signage are also recommended.

The improved walkway would tie into the crosswalk that is already planned from the east side of Hector across Edwards (there is also one planned from the east side of Galindo). The narrow area between the proposed crosswalk at Hector and Van Wycke is an area where any improvements must be carefully considered due to its proximity to the top of the bluff and the Tsurai Study Area. That area is not impacted by the Van Wycke Trail closure but is the narrowest part of Edwards and therefore the most dangerous for pedestrians. City staff have arranged a meeting with the Tsurai Management Team on July 11 to discuss options and alternatives prior to presenting the proposal to the City Council.

In addition, Mayor Kelly has reached out to a couple of companies that specialize in trail construction to see if they have any suggestions for repairing Van Wycke that have not yet been considered. This should not be viewed as an alternative to the pedestrian improvements on Edwards, which are critical for mitigating the impact to public access.

Between the active slumping and concerns over cultural resource impacts, a viable repair option is probably unlikely. And it would likely take years to fund, permit, and construct. But the City is doing its due diligence to identify and assess as many solutions as possible.

ALMT
Current 4-month closure will expire on August 3, 2024
City staff met with representatives from RCAA and TAS onsite in May to take a closer look at the trail realignment. The vegetation is very thick, and even with a machete, access is difficult. However, it was apparent that erosion had occurred that has essentially separated the toe of the bluff from the rock outcrop that provided the traditional path to the beach.

Based on the site visit, the City Engineer is recommending a bridge be developed between 7/3/24, 6:53 PM
https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADkxOWYxMDM1LWYyYjYtNDA4Zi05MTBhLTY4Y2I3NTgyYTFjMwAQABBs9JnhMAxApHmiMnIdOlI%3D Page 2 of 2 the rock and base of the realigned trail. GHD is working on a preliminary design. But essentially this means that the new alignment cannot be opened this summer in an interim form. The only way to accomplish an interim opening of the trail in a short time period would have been to limit it to the minimum amount of vegetation removal and soil stabilization as possible with no structural improvements. Otherwise, necessary studies, permitting, and funding need to occur first.

City staff have scheduled a meeting with the Tsurai Management Team on July 11 to discuss whether there are any other possible interim solutions. Temporary cable steps on either the new or old alignment may be possible in the short term. But the toe of the slope is essentially a vertical drop of 10 or more feet at this point, so reopening the trail without some kind of improvement to get people to the beach is impossible. At this point, staff has no option but to propose another extension of the temporary closure of the ALMT. Because the closure expires on August 3, that will be considered at the July 17 meeting.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED

1. Presentation of the Draft Trinidad Community Coastal Resilience Action Plan and Project Concept Designs.

DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEM
Date: July 9, 2024
________________________________________________________________________ SUBJECT: DRAFT TRINIDAD COMMUNITY COASTAL RESILIENCE ACTION

PLAN AND PROJECT CONCEPT DESIGNS FOR REVIEW AND COMMENTS Summary: On June 11th, the City Council was given an update that the Trinidad Community Coastal Resilience Planning Project (Project) was in its final stage of development. The Project Team is now seeking final City Council and public comments, as it has reached its final stage.

Background: Funded by the Ocean Protection Council Prop 68 Coastal Resilience Grant Program, between 2022-2024 the City, in collaboration with planning partners, stakeholders and the public, engaged in coastal hazards and coastal resilience planning. The Project Team held three public meetings and worked closely with tribal planning partners.

The City’s coastal resilience planning process resulted in the development of the Trinidad Community Coastal Resilience Plan (Plan). The Plan includes an updated Vulnerability Assessment for existing and future coastal processes and conditions to identify hazards and their potential impacts to resources. The Plan then identifies adaptation strategies that provide a roadmap to improve resilience for vulnerable areas and resources. The resilience strategies presented in this Plan is structured around an Adaptive Pathways Planning approach that embeds adaptation, flexibility, and robustness into long-term strategies and plans to make informed choices to assess risk, minimize losses, and maintain resources and assets valued by the community. While noting that obtaining public, regulatory, and other stakeholder support to initiate these Adaptive Pathways is critical to maintaining and enhancing community resilience.

In the Plan’s final stages, the Project Team developed Project Concept Designs for the adaptation strategies. Project Concept Designs are focused on identifying opportunity areas that create space and stability, while maintaining the character of the area. Additional recommendations for future studies and projects are identified.

A Community Engagement Plan and Community Engagement & Partnerships Summary Report were also developed under separate covers as a part of this Project. Relevant information is summarized or referenced in this Plan.

Staff Recommendation:

1. Open hearing and accept public comment on the draft Trinidad Community Coastal Resilience Plan.

2. Provide direction to staff regarding revisions and finalizing the Plan for adoption.

Attachments: Draft Trinidad Community Coastal Resilience Plan Notes: The Plan will be posted to the website after the meeting.

DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEM 2

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED

2. Presentation/Discussion of Main, Trinity, Ocean, View, and Edwards Streets Traffic Study.

Technical Memorandum
This Technical Memorandum is provided as an interim output under our agreement with City of Trinidad. It is provided to foster discussion in relation to technical matters associated with the project and should not be relied upon in any way.

The Power of Commitment
12640752 1
July 3, 2024
To City of Trinidad Contact No.

Copy to N/A Email [email protected]
[email protected]
From Frank Penry, PE, TE, PTOE and
Josh Wolf, PE
Project No. 12640752
Project Name City of Trinidad
Subject Traffic Data Collection Memo

1. Introduction
The City of Trinidad (City) requested GHD provide volume and speed survey for the City’s downtown area to better understand existing traffic patterns, travel speeds, and identify potential improvements, if needed. The traffic data was collected along 5 road segments from Wednesday March 13 to Tuesday, March 19. The data was collected on Main Street east of View Avenue, View Avenue north of Parker Creek Drive, Ocean Avenue between Main Street and West Street, Trinity Street north of West Street, and Edwards Street between Hector Street and Trinity Street, see Figure 1. This technical memorandum summarizes the data collection to provide further understanding of vehicle movements in the downtown area.

1.1 Traffic Data Collection
The traffic data was collected over a period of 7 days from Wednesday, March 13 to Tuesday, March 19 along 5 road segments in the downtown area. Those roads being Main Street, View Avenue, Ocean Avenue, Trinity Street, and Edwards Street. To the best of our knowledge, there was no introduction of any major bias in the traffic date sample, such as a nearby major construction project, major event, traffic accident or other traffic diversion. Traffic data was collected for motor vehicles only. The following tables (Table 1a & 1b) summarize the Vehicle Speed and Volume Statistics.

DRAFT
This Technical Memorandum is provided as an interim output under our agreement with City of Trinidad. It is provided to foster discussion in relation to technical matters associated with the project and should not be relied upon in any way. 12640752 2
Figure 1 - Traffic Count Locations
Table 1a - Speed and Volume Statistics
Main Street
Eastbound
Main Street
Westbound
View Avenue
Northbound
View Avenue
Southbound
Ocean Avenue
Northbound
Posted Speed Limit 20 MPH 20 MPH 15 MPH 15 MPH 15 MPH
Average Daily 85th
Percentile Speed
23 MPH 23 MPH 21 MPH 19 MPH 23 MPH
Average Daily 50th
Percentile Speed
18 MPH 18 MPH 15 MPH 15 MPH 18 MPH
7-DayAverage
Volume
1,522 1,571 136 145 249
This Technical Memorandum is provided as an interim output under our agreement with City of Trinidad. It is provided to foster discussion in relation to technical matters associated with the project and should not be relied upon in any way. 12640752 3
Table 1b - Speed and Volume Statistics (continued)
Ocean Avenue
Southbound
Trinity Street
Northbound
Trinity Street
Southbound
Edwards Street
Eastbound
Edwards Street
Westbound
Posted Speed Limit 15 MPH 20 MPH
(15 MPH

SCHOOL)
20 MPH
(15 MPH

SCHOOL)
20 MPH 20 MPH
Average Daily 85th
Percentile Speed
24 MPH 23 MPH 22 MPH 25 MPH 24 MPH
Average Daily 50th
Percentile Speed
18 MPH 17 MPH 16 MPH 20 MPH 20 MPH
7-DayAverage
Volume
87 931 1,069 845 835
Table 2a - Vehicle Speed 7 Day Average Daily by Speed Bin Speed Bins
(MPH-MPH)
Main Street
Eastbound
Main Street
Westbound
View Avenue
Northbound
View Avenue
Southbound
Ocean Avenue
Northbound
5-15 261 299 59 70 54
15-20 694 741 54 60 105
20-25 497 458 19 14 76
25-30 66 70 4 2 11
30-35 4 3 1 - 2
35-40 1 - - - 1
This Technical Memorandum is provided as an interim output under our agreement with City of Trinidad. It is provided to foster discussion in relation to technical matters associated with the project and should not be relied upon in any way. 12640752 4
Table 2b - Vehicle Speed 7 Day Average Daily by Speed Bin (continued):

Speed Bins
(MPH-MPH)
Ocean Avenue
Southbound
Trinity Street
Northbound
Trinity Street
Southbound
Edwards Street
Eastbound
Edwards Street
Westbound
5-15 21 201 348 100 87
15-20 37 440 506 301 353
20-25 23 245 185 330 321
25-30 5 41 27 101 67
30-35 1 5 4 11 7
35-40 2 3 3 - 4
Table 3 - Total Vehicles per Day per Direction of Travel:

Direction of
Travel
Wednesday
March 13,
2024
Thursday
March
14, 2024
Friday
March
15,
2024
Saturday
March
16, 2024
Sunday
March
17, 2024
Monday
March
18, 2024
Tuesday
March
19, 2024
Main
Street
Eastbound 1,383 1488 1839 1,803 1,552 1,354 1,234
Westbound 1,441 1553 1912 1,862 1,591 1,359 1,277
View
Avenue
Northbound 122 146 181 139 117 124 124
Southbound 139 143 149 150 147 152 136
Ocean
Avenue
Northbound 248 271 280 255 243 229 214
Southbound 89 114 95 64 72 90 82
Trinity
Street
Northbound 805 871 1092 1,192 1048 801 707
Southbound 950 1003 1307 1,349 1,171 903 800
Edwards
Street
Eastbound 685 771 1052 1,176 986 665 579
Westbound 693 732 1030 1,196 973 651 571

1.2 Analysis
The traffic data collected on the 5 road segments during the 7-day period provided the following vehicle data:
85th percentile, average speed, total vehicles, vehicle direction of travel, and vehicle speeds ranges. The total number of vehicles and direction of travel is summarized in Table 4.

Main Street has a posted speed limit of 20 MPH, while the average daily 85th percentile speed is 23 MPH in both directions. The average speed that vehicles travel in both directions is 18 MPH. EB and WB traffic remains constant each with a slight increase of the WB over the EB on the weekend. View Avenue has a posted speed limit of 15 MPH, while the average daily 85th percentile speed is 21 MPH (NB) and 19 MPH (SB) MPH. The average speed that vehicles travel in both directions is 15 MPH. NB and SB traffic remains constant with a slight increase on the NB over the SB on the weekend. Ocean Avenue has a posted speed limit of 15 MPH, while the average daily 85th percentile speed is 23 MPH (NB) and 24 MPH (SB). The average speed that vehicles travel in both directions is 18 MPH. Ocean Avenue has more vehicle traffic heading NB than SB during the week and slightly more on weekends. Trinity Street has a posted speed limit of 20 MPH with a 15 MPH This Technical Memorandum is provided as an interim output under our agreement with City of Trinidad. It is provided to foster discussion in relation to technical matters associated with the project and should not be relied upon in any way. 12640752 5
School Zone, while the average daily 85th percentile speed is 23 MPH (NB) and 22 MPH (SB). The average speed that vehicles travel in each direction are 17 MPH (NB) and 16 MPH (SB). Trinity Street has more vehicle traffic heading SB than NB during the week with a slight increase on weekends. Edwards Street has a posted speed limit of 20 MPH, while the 85th percentile speed is 25 MPH (EB) and 24 MPH (WB). The average speed vehicles travel in both directions is 20 MPH. Edwards vehicle traffic remains constant during the week with a slight increase on weekends. The breakdown of the daily average volumes for each road can be seen in Figure

2. Table 4 - Total Vehicles and Direction of Travel
Direction of
Travel
Main Street View Avenue Ocean Avenue Trinity Street Edwards Street Northbound - 953 1,740 6,516 -
Southbound - 1,016 606 7,483 -
Eastbound 10,653 - - - 5,914
Westbound 10,995 - - - 5,846
Total Vehicles 21,648 1,969 2,346 13,999 11,760
Figure 2 – Average Daily Vehicles
This Technical Memorandum is provided as an interim output under our agreement with City of Trinidad. It is provided to foster discussion in relation to technical matters associated with the project and should not be relied upon in any way. 12640752 6
Figure 3: Vehicles Observed per Day per Direction of Travel

1.3 Results/Findings
Based on the traffic data collected for the 7- day period Table 4 shows the distribution of total vehicles per direction as well as the total vehicles counted on each of the road segments. Main Street, View Avenue, Ocean Avenue, Trinity Street, and Edwards Street had a total of 21,648, 1,969, 2,346, 13,999, and 11,760 vehicles, respectively. From Table 4 we can see that Main Street, View Avenue, and Edwards Street had similar counts of vehicles in both directions, except Trinity Street and Ocean Avenue. Ocean avenue saw approximately 1,000 more vehicles traveling NB (1,740 vehicles) than in the SB direction (606 vehicles) over the course of the week, while Trinity Street saw approximately 1,000 fewer vehicles in the NB direction (6,516 vehicles) than in the SB direction (7,483 vehicles). Edwards Street connects to both Trinity Street and Ocean Avenue, Edwards Street showed no anomalies when it came to the total number of vehicles in the EB (5,846 vehicles) and WB (5,914 vehicles) direction. These variations can be seen in Figure 3 above. Since there were an increase in vehicles heading NB on Ocean Avenue and a decrease in NB on Trinity Street there is potential that EB vehicles on Edwards Street were bypassing Trinity Street and using Ocean Avenue to head to Main Street. Since Ocean Avenue is a residential road, this increase cut-through traffic in vehicle traffic is cause for concern. 0 100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1,000
1,100
1,200
1,300
1,400
1,500
1,600
1,700
1,800
1,900
2,000
Vehicles
Days
Main Street EB Main Street WB View Avenue NB View Avenue SB Ocean Avenue NB Ocean Avenue SB Trinity Street NB Trinity Street SB Edwards Street EB Edward Street WB
This Technical Memorandum is provided as an interim output under our agreement with City of Trinidad. It is provided to foster discussion in relation to technical matters associated with the project and should not be relied upon in any way. 12640752 7
Based on observations of the individual vehicle speeds, those traveling above 20 MPH are approximately 2:1 more vehicles in the NB direction than in the SB direction for View Avenue. Similarly, when we look at Ocean Avenue those traveling above 20 MPH are approximately 3:1. This may be that the speed observation location of the count is closer to Main Street than a true midpoint of the roadway and that speeds are increasing over the length of the roadway. Additionally, the predominance of those higher speed vehicles in the NB direction on Ocean Avenue is likely a symptom of the cut-through traffic from Edwards Street avoiding Trinity Street. From Table 1a and Table 1b, the 85th percentile for all segments are higher than the posted speed limit. Although the 85th percentile is higher for the road segments, the average for speed observed for the vehicles during the 7- day period was within the posted speed limits or 2-3 MPH higher.

1.4 Recommendations
Based on the findings from the traffic data the vehicle traffic on Main Street, Trinity Street, and Edwards Street is of no major concern. These roads function as major collectors and are heavily used. View Avenue and Ocean Avenue were looked at closely since they are residential roads. View Avenue showed reasonable traffic volumes, while Ocean Avenue showed larger volume of vehicles traveling NB than SB. This is concerning since there is a potential that motorist are using Ocean Avenue to bypass Trinity Street on their way to Main Street.

Below are some potential measures that the City could take to mitigate the elevated traffic volumes and vehicle speeds on Ocean Avenue and View Avenue:

1. Install wayfinding signage at the intersection of Edwards Street and Trinity Street to direct EB Edwards Street traffic to Trinity Street. For example, the sign could list “US101, Shopping, Restaurants, Galleries” with an arrow pointing down Trinity Street.

2. Install wayfinding signage on Main Street at the intersections with View Avenue and Ocean Avenue to direct WB Main Street traffic to Trinity Street. For example, the sign could list “Harbor/Beach, Shopping, Galleries, Restaurants” with an arrow pointing down Main Street.

3. Install a “Residential Traffic Only” sign on Edwards Street at the intersection with Ocean Avenue.

4. Install transverse pavement markings or raised speed humps on Ocean Avenue and View Avenue.

5. Install edgeline on View Avenue.

6. Replace the faded and non-standard speed limit signs on Ocean Avenue and View Avenue.

7. Eliminating through traffic on Edwards Street east of Trinity Street, by placing guide striping or edgeline striping, pavement, markings, signage, and potentially a roadway barricade. This would be intended to eliminate cut-through traffic bypassing Trinity Street. However, it would allow neighbourhood traffic to “exit”, to travel WB or NB. Signage may include directional guide signage to US101 along Trinity Street or inclusion of “Residential Traffic Only”.

Regards,
Frank Penry
Sr. Project Manager, PE, TE, PTOE
DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEM 3

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED

3. Discussion/Decision regarding Edwards Street Pedestrian Improvements. 7/5/24, 12:26 PM
https://outlook.office.com/mail/id/AAQkADkxOWYxMDM1LWYyYjYtNDA4Zi05MTBhLTY4Y2I3NTgyYTFjMwAQAOkGUxEbWH5DnDyF25tifIE%3D Page 1 of 7 RE: Edwards pedestrian improvements
Josh Wolf <[email protected]>
Mon 6/17/2024 10:57 AM
To:Trever Parker <[email protected]>;Citymanager Trinidad <[email protected]>;Cityclerk Trinidad <[email protected]>
Cc:Steve Allen <[email protected]>
1 attachments (3 MB)
11194120_Edwards Street Connectivity_6.14.24.pdf;
Trever,
Please refer to the attached figure which presents the suggested Near-Term Improvements for Edwards Street in order to enhance pedestrian connectivity between the existing sidewalk at Hector Street and Galindo Street.

Below is a summary of the both the suggested Near-Term and Longer-Term Improvements. Pending support from the Commission and City Council, we believe that the Near-Term Improvements could be constructed this summer (July or Aug). Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Near-Term Improvements – Shoulder Delineation (refer to the attached figure) Summary – Enhance the existing shoulder on the south side of Edwards Street to better accommodate pedestrian use. Suggested improvements include:

Reconfiguring the road striping (e.g. reduction of lane widths and shift in centerline) in order to provide a minimum 7-ft wide shoulder on the south side of Edwards Street.

Widen the paved shoulder between the proposed crosswalk at Hector Street and Vane Wycke Street to provide a 7’ wide shoulder area.

Enhance the delineation of the shoulder on the south side by striping a 2’ wide buffer (gore area) adjacent to a 5’ wide (min.) clear shoulder area.

Install periodic raised pavement markers on the shoulder fog line to enhance nighttime visibility and also provide audible feedback to drivers if they drive into the shoulder area.

Install a “No Coastal Access” sign on Van Wycke Street near Edwards Street.

Install a “Harbor/Beach” sign with an arrow point down Edwards Street. Sign would be on Edwards Street at Van Wycke Street.

Advantages:

Improvements can be installed quickly (e.g. this summer) and are relatively inexpensive.

Utilizes the existing shoulder on the south side of the road that pedestrians currently utilize for walking.

Maintains existing parking on north side of the road.

Additional enhancements can be added in the future to further enhance the shoulder if needed (ex. delineators, rumble strips, asphalt curbing, etc.)
Challenges:

Widening the paved shoulder near Hector Street will require support of the native American tribes/groups.

The south side of the road has 9 driveways (some closely spaced) which create conflicts with pedestrian use of the shoulder.

The shoulder area does not meet the requirements for being considered an ADA accessible route (e.g. cross slope > 2%).
7/5/24, 12:26 PM
https://outlook.office.com/mail/id/AAQkADkxOWYxMDM1LWYyYjYtNDA4Zi05MTBhLTY4Y2I3NTgyYTFjMwAQAOkGUxEbWH5DnDyF25tifIE%3D Page 2 of 7 Longer-Term Improvements – Sidewalk
Summary – Construct a new sidewalk on the north side of Edwards Street between Hector Street and Galindo Street. This option will require a reconfiguration of road striping (e.g. reduction of lane widths and shift in centerline).

Advantages:

Extends the existing sidewalk on Edwards Street and fills a gap in existing raised sidewalks to provide complete connectivity between Trinity Street and Galindo Street.

There are fewer driveway on the north side of Edwards (compared to the south side) resulting in few potential conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles.

Could be constructed as an ADA accessible route.

Challenges:

Significantly more expensive than the Near-Term Improvements and would likely require grant funding in order to construct.

Would likely take 5+ years to plan, design and construct.

Will likely require the elimination of parking (up to ~14 stalls), although two locations have been identified where the parking loss could potentially be mitigated (locations on Edwards Street and Hector Street).

Note that in order to maintain the existing parallel parking stalls on Edwards Street, the sidewalk could be constructed outside the existing extents of pavement, however this would require costly retaining walls and there is an increased potential for impacting cultural resources in the area.

Thanks
Josh Wolf, PE
GHD
D 707 267 2264 M 707 599 8078 E [email protected]
From: Trever Parker <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2024 4:05 PM
To: Josh Wolf <[email protected]>; citymanager <[email protected]>; Cityclerk Trinidad <[email protected]>
Cc: Steve Allen <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Edwards pedestrian improvements
Great! Thanks.

Have a good weekend.

Trever Parker, AICP
Senior Planner
7/5/24, 12:26 PM
https://outlook.office.com/mail/id/AAQkADkxOWYxMDM1LWYyYjYtNDA4Zi05MTBhLTY4Y2I3NTgyYTFjMwAQAOkGUxEbWH5DnDyF25tifIE%3D Page 3 of 7 CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Trinidad City Planner
Civil Engineering, Environmental Services,
Geosciences, Planning & Permitting, Surveying
www.shn-engr.com
812 W. Wabash Ave., Eureka, CA 95501
(707) 441-8855 w (707) 572-8323 c
From: Josh Wolf <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2024 4:03 PM
To: Trever Parker <[email protected]>; citymanager <[email protected]>; Cityclerk Trinidad <[email protected]>
Cc: Steve Allen <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Edwards pedestrian improvements
Hi Trever,
I’ll have an updated figure and narrative describing our recommendation to you Monday morning.

Thanks
Josh Wolf, PE
GHD
D 707 267 2264 M 707 599 8078 E [email protected]
From: Trever Parker <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2024 2:17 PM
To: Josh Wolf <[email protected]>; citymanager <[email protected]>; Cityclerk Trinidad <[email protected]>
Cc: Steve Allen <[email protected]>
7/5/24, 12:26 PM
https://outlook.office.com/mail/id/AAQkADkxOWYxMDM1LWYyYjYtNDA4Zi05MTBhLTY4Y2I3NTgyYTFjMwAQAOkGUxEbWH5DnDyF25tifIE%3D Page 4 of 7 Subject: Re: Edwards pedestrian improvements
Hi Josh,
I wanted to check in on this. I have a meeting with Coastal Commission staff Monday afternoon to discuss progress. I was hoping to have some recommendations that I could show them. They are really pushing the City to make some concrete progress, to the point of threatening enforcement action. I also need to provide an update to the Planning Commission, who is also really pushing for progress on both the VWT and ALMT.

At our monthly meeting, I generally also update Coastal Commission staff on the ALMT closure. And I need to provide the Planning Commission with a progress report. This is more of a question for Steve. Has there been any progress on a bridge design? Eli is on vacation for 3 weeks, but I'm not sure we can wait that long to make some material progress.

The Planning Commission has been anticipating having the trail reopened in July. The temporary closure approval will expire on 8/3. I hope we can continue working on this even in Eli's absence.

Thanks.

Trever Parker, AICP
Senior Planner
Trinidad City Planner
Civil Engineering, Environmental Services,
Geosciences, Planning & Permitting, Surveying
www.shn-engr.com
812 W. Wabash Ave., Eureka, CA 95501
(707) 441-8855 w (707) 572-8323 c
From: Josh Wolf <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, June 6, 2024 7:53 PM
To: citymanager <[email protected]>; Trever Parker <[email protected]>; Cityclerk Trinidad <[email protected]>
Cc: Steve Allen <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Edwards pedestrian improvements
7/5/24, 12:26 PM
https://outlook.office.com/mail/id/AAQkADkxOWYxMDM1LWYyYjYtNDA4Zi05MTBhLTY4Y2I3NTgyYTFjMwAQAOkGUxEbWH5DnDyF25tifIE%3D Page 5 of 7 CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

We should have a revised concept and cost to you all early next week for review/discussion.

Josh Wolf, PE
GHD
D 707 267 2264 M 707 599 8078 E [email protected]
From: Citymanager Trinidad <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 4:57 PM
To: Trever Parker <[email protected]>; Cityclerk Trinidad <[email protected]> Cc: Josh Wolf <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Edwards pedestrian improvements
Trrever:

I met with Steve and Josh last Wednesday, but we have not received anything from them yet. Once we receive it you can update the CCC staff. As indicated at our last meeting, I will be on vacation and you will meet alone with them. Also, we are not planning another meeting in June as I wont be back in the states until the end of the month.

Thanks,
Eli
Eli Naffah
City Manager
City of Trinidad
707-677-3876
From: Trever Parker <[email protected]>
Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 1:47 PM
To: Cityclerk Trinidad <[email protected]>, Citymanager Trinidad <[email protected]>
Cc: Josh Wolf <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Edwards pedestrian improvements
I hear you. We probably don't yet have all the information (e.g. costs) for the Council to make a final decision anyway. And we don't need to get into an argument among the public over the VWT at a meeting like this. I'm sure we can hold the Coastal Commission off for a while longer. Will there be a second meeting in June? Our next meeting with the Coastal Commission is scheduled for June 17. If we had a proposal that could be presented to the 7/5/24, 12:26 PM
https://outlook.office.com/mail/id/AAQkADkxOWYxMDM1LWYyYjYtNDA4Zi05MTBhLTY4Y2I3NTgyYTFjMwAQAOkGUxEbWH5DnDyF25tifIE%3D Page 6 of 7 CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Council by then, that would be helpful.

Whatever is added should be brief. There may not be enough collective brain bandwidth in the room to handle it as-is.

Gabe
From: Trever Parker <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 11:13 AM
To: Citymanager Trinidad <[email protected]>
Cc: Josh Wolf <[email protected]>; Cityclerk Trinidad <[email protected]> Subject: Edwards pedestrian improvements
Hi Eli,
7/5/24, 12:26 PM
https://outlook.office.com/mail/id/AAQkADkxOWYxMDM1LWYyYjYtNDA4Zi05MTBhLTY4Y2I3NTgyYTFjMwAQAOkGUxEbWH5DnDyF25tifIE%3D Page 7 of 7 At our last VWT meeting with Coastal Commission staff, we said we would present some recommendations for short-term pedestrian improvements that could be implemented quickly on Edwards to the Council for possible approval at the June meeting. I just wanted to check in. I haven't heard anything since you guys met onsite on 5/29. Are we going to be able to get something on the upcoming agenda? Do you need anything from me? Trever Parker, AICP
Senior Planner
Trinidad City Planner
Civil Engineering, Environmental Services,
Geosciences, Planning & Permitting, Surveying
www.shn-engr.com
812 W. Wabash Ave., Eureka, CA 95501
(707) 441-8855 w (707) 572-8323 c
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email, including any attachments, is confidential and may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender immediately, and please delete it; you should not copy it or use it for any purpose or disclose its contents to any other person. GHD and its affiliates reserve the right to monitor and modify all email communications through their networks.

EDWARDS ST GALINDO ST EWING ST

NO PARKING NO PARKING

NO PARKING

HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY
042-041-013 PATTERSON
042-041-049 GILMOUR
042-041-043
ROMARO
042-081-036 CRAFTS
042-081-030 SPEIGLE
042-081-010
042-081-020 ROWE
042-081-037 RUTH
042-081-018
WEBB
042-041-048 FLESCHNER
042-041-046

HALKIDES
042-082-005
16' 17' 5' MIN 10' 8' MIN 10'
EDWARDS ST 36.3' 36.6' HECTOR ST TRINITY ST
HELLER
042-081-013 CITY OF TRINIDAD
042-091-005

GONZALEZ
042-041-018 FRASER
042-041-036
LAKE
042-041-024 ARNOW
042-041-015 WINNETT
042-041-017
VAN WYCKE ST STOP 31.7' EDWARDS ST 5' MIN 10' 2' 8' 10' This document shall not be used for construction unless signed and sealed for construction. Sheet No. Original Size Title Project Client Drawn Designer
Scale
Plot Date: 14 June 2024 - 4:42 PM Filename: N:\US\Eureka\Projects\561\11194120\Tech\Edwards Ped Connectivity\11194120_Edwards Street Connectivity_v2.dwg ANSI D Date
Plotted By: Camille Penny
Project No. Sheet of
Reuse of Documents
This document and the ideas and designs incorporated
herein, as an instrument of professional service, is the property of GHD and shall not be reused in whole or in part for any other project without GHD's written authorization. © 2024 GHD Drafting Check 0 1" Bar is one inch on
original size sheet
Design Check Project
Manager

CITY OF TRINIDAD

VAN WYCKE TRAIL CLOSURE
11194120
2 S.ALLEN 6/14/2024 718 Third Street Eureka California 95501 USA T 1 707 443 8326 F 1 707 444 8330 W www.ghd.com GHD Inc. Trinidad
City of

EDWARDS STREET CONNECTIVITY
FIGURE 1
C.PENNY C.PENNY
J.WOLF J.WOLF

AS SHOWN STUDY ONLY

EDWARDS STREET
LEGEND

APPROXIMATE RW

EXISTING SIDEWALK
NEAR-TERM IMPROVEMENTS: DELINEATE SHOULDER
0 10' 20' 40' N CONTINUES LOWER LEFT CONTINUED FROM UPPER RIGHT DISCUSSION DRAFT 6/14/2024
A
FIG 2

PLANNED CROSSWALK

IMPROVEMENTS
(SUMMER 2024)
(E) SIDEWALK

PLANNED CROSSWALK

IMPROVEMENTS
(SUMMER 2024)
(E) SIDEWALK

WIDEN SHOULDER
BY 3' (5' MIN SHOULDER)
1 WHITE DIAGONAL GORE
STRIPING @ 10' OC
"NO COASTAL ACCESS" SIGN
"HARBOR/BEACH" W/ ARROW SIGN 12" WHITE LIMIT LINE
This document shall not be used for construction unless signed and sealed for construction. Sheet No. Original Size Title Project Client Drawn Designer
Scale
Plot Date: 14 June 2024 - 4:42 PM Filename: N:\US\Eureka\Projects\561\11194120\Tech\Edwards Ped Connectivity\11194120_Edwards Street Connectivity_v2.dwg ANSI D Date
Plotted By: Camille Penny
Project No. Sheet of
Reuse of Documents
This document and the ideas and designs incorporated
herein, as an instrument of professional service, is the property of GHD and shall not be reused in whole or in part for any other project without GHD's written authorization. © 2024 GHD Drafting Check 0 1" Bar is one inch on
original size sheet
Design Check Project
Manager

CITY OF TRINIDAD

VAN WYCKE TRAIL CLOSURE
11194120
2 S.ALLEN 6/14/2024 718 Third Street Eureka California 95501 USA T 1 707 443 8326 F 1 707 444 8330 W www.ghd.com GHD Inc. Trinidad
City of

EDWARDS STREET CONNECTIVITY
FIGURE 2
C.PENNY C.PENNY
J.WOLF J.WOLF
AS SHOWN 2 STUDY ONLY
DISCUSSION DRAFT 6/14/2024
8' MIN PARKING 10' LANE 10' LANE
2' GORE

STRIPING
5'
(E) CURB
(E) CURB
OG

EXISTING CONDITIONS
NTS
8' PARKING 11' LANE 11' LANE
(E) CURB
(E) CURB
OG
5' SHOULDER
7' MIN. SHOULDER

GORE STRIPING

PROPOSED CONDITIONS

NTS EXAMPLE DIAGONAL SHOULDER

GORE STRIPING

EXAMPLE - DIAGONAL SHOULDER GORE STRIPING
DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEM 4

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED

4. Continued Discussion/Decision regarding Draft Water Rate Analysis. 1 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
City of Trinidad Drinking Water Rate Study
Rural Community
Assistance Corporation
This document was prepared in July
2024 through funds provided by
United States Department of
Agriculture
2 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
Submittal page
July 5, 2024
Luis Andrade
Water and Environmental Programs Director
Imperial Office
2407 Marshall St, Suite E
Imperial, CA 92251
Subject: City of Trinidad Water Rate Study
Dear Luis:

Enclosed please find the printed final report for the City of Trinidad water rate study.

The initial water rate study was presented to the City Council on May 28, 2024. Comments from the Council and the Public were taken into account and new rate options were presented to the Council on June 11, 2024. The Council selected decided they preferred a flat base rate and uniform usage rate.

Three flat base rate options are being presented on July 9, 2024 that differ based on the budget set aside to bring on a grade 3 water treatment operator. The Prop. 218 hearing is expected to occur on September 10, 2024, with the intention of implementing the new rates on October 1, 2024.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact Samantha Ryan at (707) 572-7465 or Lori Blau at (509) 867-6696.

Sincerely,
Lori Blau
Lori Blau
RCAC, Regional Field Manager
Community & Environmental Services
Enclosure: - City of Trinidad Water Rate Study
CC: City of Trinidad
3 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
Contents
1 Executive summary...................................................................................................................................... 4 2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 7 3 Water system basic statistics....................................................................................................................... 9 4 Current financial condition and analysis....................................................................................................12 5 Rate setting process...................................................................................................................................15 6 Rate options...............................................................................................................................................19 7 Recommendations.....................................................................................................................................26 8 Appendices.................................................................................................................................................27 4 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
1 Executive summary
RCAC conducted this water rate study on behalf of the City of Trinidad to evaluate the City’s financial ability to operate and maintain their water system for the next five years and collect the necessary reserves for emergencies and capital improvements. RCAC analyzed actual data for fiscal year ending in 2023 (FYE 2023) and budgeted data for FYE 2024 to set rates for FYE 2025-2029.

The industry standard is to conduct a water rate study every five years to ensure revenues are covering expenses and costs are being applied to customer classes in a manner consistent with current Proposition 218 case law. The City’s current water rates were established in January 2012, through the adoption of Resolution 2012-01. The resolution set annual rate increases through FYE 2017. The resolution included a 2.5% rate increase per year, that the City Council chose not to implement in certain years between 2012 and 2017.

Since the last water rate increase in 2017, inflation has increased approximately 25 percent. The water fund’s operating revenue has been struggling to cover operating expenses since FYE 2019. Significant challenges were seen in FYE 2023, when the City hired an outside engineering firm to operate its T3/D1 system. A water rate increase is being recommended to ensure revenues cover current expenses and to get the City closer to collecting the true cost of providing safe drinking water.

Typically, RCAC suggests that a water system collect revenue from its customers annually to cover the following:
• Annual Operating & Administrative Expenses – the cost to operate the water system on a yearto-year basis. • Operations & Maintenance Reserves – a certain amount per year until three times the expenses during a billing cycle is on hand.
• Emergency Reserves – a certain amount per year until the cost to replace the most critical equipment, typically a well pump, is on hand.
• Debt Reserves (if necessary) – a specific amount required by certain funders when receiving a loan.
• Capital Reserves – the average annual rehabilitation and rehab budget.

For the City of Trinidad to collect the suggested reserves above, it would require more than a 100% increase in both the current base rates and usage rates (even when assuming a robust grant program).

Many adjustments were made by the City to keep rate options that increase rates for the average residential customer no more than 75%.

RCAC and City staff considered revenue requirements of the water system and the affordability to the City’s water customers prior to bringing any rate options to the City Council. Rate options discussed at City Council meetings included options based on the current rate structure, the AWWA meter equivalency ratios, and flat base rates. The City Council decided that a flat base rate with a uniform usage charge best suited their community. Three flat rate options are being presented in the final report to ensure expected annual operating and administrative costs are recovered through customer rates and to ensure that by the end of FYE 2029 the water system has collected some money in its reserves. It is important for a public water system to have reserves so it can fund capital replacements and improvements as needed, and as state and federal funding is available. 5 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
The rate structure recommended by RCAC (Rate Option A) is based on the budget provided by City Staff on July 3, 2024; this budget was developed after staff did a more in-depth review of the salary needed to acquire a grade 3 water treatment operator in the area. This rate option’s budget includes hiring a grade 3 operator in FYE2025 and gradually decreasing the need for the support of Coleman engineering The other rate options presented today:

1. Rate Option B - Uses the revised budget that was presented to City Council on June 11, 2024. This budget included gradually decreasing the support from Coleman engineering but did not include additional salary to ensure a grade 3 water treatment operator could be hired and retained.

2. Rate Option C - Is an intermediate option. It is based on City Staff’s July 3, 2024 budget after staff did a more in-depth review of the salary needed to acquire a grade 3 water treatment operator in the area. This budget includes hiring a grade 3 operator in FYE2025 and ending the support from Coleman engineering by the end of FYE2025. This option puts the lowest amount of money into reserves to make water rates more affordable to its customers.

The rates recommended by RCAC are:

RCAC Recommended Water Rates - Rate Option A
Standard Rates (Inside & Outside Customers)
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Base Rate 84.63 93.09 102.40 112.64 123.91
Rate per 100 CF 6.90 7.59 8.35 9.18 10.10
With these rates, the average inside residential customer will see an increase of $54.28 per month in FYE 2025 while the average outside residential customer will see an increase of $36.25 per month.

Rate Option A - Percent Change
Inside Customer Percent Increases
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Base Rate 87% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Rate/HCF 56% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Outside Customer Percent Increases
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Base Rate 50% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Rate/HCF 25% 10% 10% 10% 10%
The affordability of water service to residential customers is an important metric to monitor. It is calculated as a percent of median household income (%MHI). The calculation assumes 600 cubic feet of monthly water usage per residential connection and $76,705 as the MHI for City customers (Source:
2020 US Census for Trinidad). The % MHI for the water rates are as follows:
6 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Residential Customer 1.97% 2.17% 2.39% 2.62% 2.89%
Affordability criteria
The State Water Resources Control Board drinking water needs assessment recognizes two thresholds when it comes to affordability. A %MHI between 1.5% - 2.49% is a medium-risk, while a %MHI above 2.5% is a high-risk scenario. The Environmental Protection Agency recognizes that water begins to become unaffordable at 2.5% MHI.

Items to consider when managing a water utility fund include :
• Successful utilities are those that strive to be transparent. In day-to-day operations, a water system should strive to promote its services (highlights and the low points), and continuously educate residents on why it is necessary to raise and adjust rates. • Collecting for the true cost of water includes annual operating and administrative expenses as well as the funding of reserve accounts so that a water system can provide reliable, safe drinking water.
• Every year revenues versus expenditures should be reviewed to ensure that the rates cover all costs to the system. If they do not, a rate study should be considered. • Maintaining reserve policies aids in transparency, ensures the true cost of water is collected through water rates, and guides the annual review of revenues versus expenditures. • If possible, CIP reserves should be moved to and maintained in the highest interest-bearing accounts available to offset inflation unless the cost of doing so is more than the interest earned on the account.
• Conducting rate studies every five years helps to stabilize water rates for customers in the longterm. 7 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
2 Introduction
About RCAC
Founded in 1978, RCAC provides training, technical, and financial resources, and advocacy so rural communities can achieve their goals. Since 1978, our dedicated staff and active board, coupled with our key values: leadership, collaboration, commitment, quality, and integrity, have helped effect positive change in rural communities across the West.

RCAC’s work includes environmental infrastructure (water, wastewater, and solid waste facilities); affordable housing development; economic and leadership development; and community development finance. These services are available to communities with populations of fewer than 50,000, other nonprofit groups, tribal organizations, farmworkers, colonias and other specific populations.

Headquartered in West Sacramento, California, RCAC’s employees serve rural communities in 13 western states and the Pacific islands.

Purpose of financial capacity analysis
RCAC conducted this water rate study on behalf of the City of Trinidad to ensure that rates are covering annual operating and administrative expenses. Additionally, this rate study looked at reserves needed for long-term sustainability of the water system and the affordability or water rates for customers.

A water rate study also helps to ensure that the amount collected by the City does not exceed the costof-service and remains in compliance with Proposition 218. While there is no single approach to rate design and setting, RCAC believes costs should be allocated to customers as can reasonably be determined or estimated while respecting the policy preference of the water agency as long as there is a reasonable cost basis.

City council responsibilities
All findings and conclusion of this rate study are RCAC’s professional assessment and are not a directive for action to the community. Whereas RCAC strongly recommends its finding to the community, the City Council must act in accordance with city ordinance code and applicable state laws to enact RCAC recommendations in whole or in part.

Guiding principles in a rate study
Rates should be:
• Sustainable – Rates should cover the costs to the system to provide safe drinking water into the foreseeable future. This includes operations, repairs, interest, loan principal, capital replacement and all other costs related to providing safe drinking water. 8 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
• Fair – Rates should be fair to all rate payers. While the costs should not exceed the costs of providing the service, they do need to capture the true costs of the service. Low rates for current customers will require high rates for future customers. • Justifiable – Rates must be based on actual needs of the water enterprise system. The water enterprise system expenses and revenue should be tracked separately from other funds.

Therefore, the proposed rates are based on the best available information provided by the system.

Disclaimer
The findings, recommendations, and conclusions contained in this financial analysis are based on financial information provided to RCAC by the City. Although reasonable care was made to ensure the reliability of this information, no warranty is expressed or implied as to the correctness, accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Any action taken based on such findings, recommendations, or conclusions is undertaken at the discretion of the City Council. In no event will RCAC or its partners, employees, or agents, be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information contained in this analysis.
9 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
3 Water system basic statistics
Community
The City of Trinidad is in Humboldt County on the Northern Coast of California about 20 miles north of the City of Eureka. The City has a population of about 332 and its water service boundary serves approximately 1,072 people through 326 service connections.

The incorporated city is overseen by a five-member city council, where council members are elected to four-year terms. The City is managed by a city manager that oversees several departments, including the water department.

The water department maintains a public water system for residents, businesses, and public users within the City limits and for many customers adjacent to the City. The water treatment facility runs continually to provide water that meets state and federal standards at a reasonable cost to its customers. The water distribution system is older in many areas, but the staff works cooperatively to assure that any leaks are detected and repaired as quickly as possible. This includes periodic meter testing for residents as needed.

The system also includes two water tanks that help to control pressure, provide a back-up supply in periods of high demand, and meet the fire flow requirements when emergencies arise. 10 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
There is a limited demand for new water connections due to the small amount of urban growth that is experienced in the City on an annual basis. The City has a policy to allow limited new connections outside City limits.

Water rates are set in a manner to meet the ongoing operational costs, retire any debts that the system experiences, and to provide an ongoing reasonable reserve fund for emergencies and system improvements.

Coleman Engineering is currently providing licensed water treatment services to The City of Trinidad through an interim contract with Coleman Engineering.

System description
The City pulls water from Luffenholtz Creek, about two miles south of the City. The City is authorized to extract 251 gallons per minute (gpm) out of the creek but must reduce the usage when the creek’s flow is less than 385 gpm. The City also holds water rights to extract 40.4 gpm out of Mill Creek, north of the City, but this would require construction of intake and related infrastructure.

The City completed a water system upgrade in 2014, which included the installation of new water pumps, a settling filtrations system, and other minor improvements. After being treated and chlorinated, water is stored in two 150,000-gallon redwood tanks before being distributed to customers through over 6 miles of pipeline. The distribution system is aging, and the City is dealing with water losses of 24-31 percent due to leaks.

Customer water use statistics
The City serves water to approximately 1,072 people through 326 connections. This rate study looked at account information and water usage for FYE 2022.

While residential customers make up 79.8% of the total number of accounts, they only account for

31.3% of the total water usage.

Account Type Average Number of
Active Accounts
Percent of
Total Accounts
Annual Usage
(cubic feet)
Percent of
Total Usage
Residential 260 79.8% 689,642 31.3%
Non-Residential 66 20.2% 1,508,931 68.6%
Total 326 100.00% 2,198,573 100.0%
Some non-residential customers have larger water meters that allow for higher usage. Larger meters in the City use more water than the average ¾” meter, which can be seen when the percent of total accounts for each meter size is compared to the percent of total usage for the corresponding customer class.

Account Type Average Number of
Active Accounts
Percent of
Total Accounts
Annual Usage
(cubic feet)
Percent of
Total Usage
¾” Meter 317 97.2% 1,874,112 85.2%
1” Meter 7 2.2% 224,531 10.2%

1.5” Meter 1 0.3% 14,210 0.7%
4” Meter 1 0.3% 85,720 3.9%
Total 326 100.00% 2,198,573 100.0%
11 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
When the water usage of inside city limit customers versus outside city limit customers is compared, the percent of total accounts in a customer class is similar to the percent of total usage in that customer class.

Account Type Average Number of
Active Accounts
Percent of
Total Accounts
Annual Usage
(cubic feet)
Percent of
Total Usage
Inside City 225 69.0% 1,594,274 72.5%
Outside City 101 31.0% 604,299 27.5%
Total 326 100.00% 2,198,573 100.0%
Current water rate structure
The City’s current water rates were established in January 2012, through the adoption of Resolution 2012-01. The resolution set annual rate increases through FYE 2017. The resolution included a 2.5% rate increase per year, that the City Council chose not to implement in certain years between 2012 and 2017.

The City has a variable base rate based on location (inside vs outside city limits) and a variable usage rate based on location. The current rates are:

Current Monthly Charges
Standard Rates
Monthly Base Rate* Usage Rate (per HCF)
Inside City Limits $ 45.23 $ 4.42
Outside City Limits $ 56.54 $ 5.54
Future population and usage projections
Any change in population numbers or water usage can significantly affect the revenue from water sales.

The City is not anticipated to grow and water usage is expected to remain similar for the timeframe of this five-year rate study. Based on data in the Municipal Service Review, a growth factor of 0.2% was applied each year to capture the expected growth in the City. In addition, a conservation factor was applied to customer water usage. This conservation factor is designed to capture the reduction in usage that typically occurs after a rate increase. It is assumed that total water usage will reduce 5% in the first year as customers feel the effect of the new rates and slowly return to normal usage (1% per year) after customers have adjusted to the new rates.

The Trinidad Rancheria (a large, outside city limit customer) is conducting a study to see if water could be provided by another public water system in the area; Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District (HBMWD). If this mainline extension is feasible and the Trinidad Rancheria transfers to HBMWD water service, the City of Trinidad’s revenue could be reduced $5,400-$7,000 annually. City revenue may be reduced further if additional outside customers choose to transfer to HBMWD service as well. This possibility was not investigated as part of this rate study since planning and construction of the project is expected to extend beyond the timeframe of this rate study. The City should re-evaluate their water rates if this extension occurs prior to FYE2029.
12 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
4 Current financial condition and analysis
Current budget
The City has a water fund that is tracked in more detail through the water operating fund, the water capital improvement reserve fund, and by capital projects.

The net position of the Water Fund has decreased in the past several years but due to expenses exceeding revenue. A large reason for this was the City hired an engineering firm to serve as the contract operator while working to replace staff. The City is expected to have a certified water treatment and distribution operator on staff again and the annual expenses for the water department are expected to drop approximately 40 percent. However, since the last water rate increase in 2017, inflation has gone up approximately 25 percent and there were years prior that the City Council voted to not increase rates

2.5% annually to keep revenues in-line with the consumer price index and inflation.

Additionally, a large component of collecting the true cost of drinking water through water rates is collecting the necessary funds for capital replacement and improvement. The distribution system is aging along with other assets, and it is estimated that the City should be collecting a minimum of $152,264 annually from water rates to be able to replace assets as they reach the end of their expected useful life.

Current financial indicators
There are several financial indicators that can provide insight into the financial health of a water system.

A financial indicator analysis was conducted on the water operating fund for the most recent available audited financial statements, FYE 2022. The results of the analysis are:
• Quick ratio - measures the ability of a company to use its near cash or quick assets to extinguish or retire its current liabilities immediately. A number greater than one is considered good.

𝑄𝑢𝑖𝑐𝑘 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 = 𝐶𝑎𝑠ℎ + 𝐶𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠
𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐿𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠
The water operating fund’s quick ratio is -3.0.
• Debt ratio - indicates the percentage of a company's assets that are provided via debt. A number above 0.4 may hinder the ability of the system to get a loan. Too low of a number may mean that the system isn’t utilizing the potential benefits that come from debt-financing such as the completion of larger projects while providing ratepayers with rate stabilization benefits.

𝐷𝑒𝑏𝑡 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 = 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑒𝑏𝑡𝑠
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑡𝑠
The water operating fund’s debt ratio is 0.
• Days of cash on hand - measures whether a firm has enough resources to meet its short-term obligations. In 2022, total disbursements totaled $630,939 which equates to daily expenses of $1,729. The water operating fund has 0 days of cash on hand in the water operating fund. • Current ratio - measures whether a firm has enough resources to meet its short-term obligations.

A number between 1.5 and two is considered good. A number below 1.5 may be okay if the water system is about to bill as the assets will soon increase and the ratio will increase.

𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 = 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑡𝑠
𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐿𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑠
13 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
The City’s current ratio is -3.0.
• %MHI - The State Water Resources Control Board has for some time used a 1.5% MHI threshold in funding to determine whether a severely disadvantaged community will receive a loan or grant funding. A %MHI above 1.5% in a SDAC indicates that the water system may have customer charges that are unaffordable.

The %MHI for inside city limits customers is 1.12% using the 2020 Census.

The %MHI for outside city limits customers is 1.40% using the 2020 Census. the analysis was done on FYE 2022 audited financials, it does not necessarily depict the City’s current situation. The current situation will be better depicted in the FYE 2023 audit report.

Current dedicated reserves
According to the FYE 2022 audit, the City water fund currently has $1,170,000 of restricted funds that are reserved to be spent on capital replacement and capital improvement. However, over half of the Water Capital Improvement Reserves were used to cover Operating Fund deficits at the end of FYE 2022 and continues to cover any deficits.

The City should consider the following reserves to ensure there are funds available for operating shortfalls, emergencies, loans, and capital replacement. Typical reserve limits are as follows:
• Operations & maintenance reserves – three times the expenses during a billing cycle. • Emergency reserves – cost to replace most critical equipment, typically a well pump. • Debt reserves – specific amount required by certain funders when receiving a loan. • Capital reserves – average annual rehabilitation and rehab budget.

Current financial policies
The City accounts for the water system as a proprietary fund. This means that the water system must be a self-supporting activity which renders a service on a user-charge basis to residents and businesses.

Budget controls
In preparing its annual budgets, the City attempts to estimate revenues using realistic and conservative methods and budgets its expenditure activities in a prudent manner. The City Council adopts an annual budget and budget adjustments during the fiscal year to reflect any changed priorities and availability of additional revenues.

The City Council, working with City staff, continues to evaluate revenues and expenses closely as well as future economic trends and capital improvement needs. For many years, the City has been challenged to allocate limited resources to the needs of the community. One strategy the City continues to implement is to actively seek grant funding for projects to maximize the availability of ongoing revenues to meet ongoing expenses.

Financial reports prepared for governing board
Mercello & Company Certified Public Accountants issued a report on Dec. 8, 2022, on the City’s internal controls over financial reporting. The auditorsfound the financial statements present fairly, in all, material respects the different fund information and respective changes in financial position. It was noted that a 14 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
management discussion and analysis was omitted, but this did not affect the company’s opinion on the financial statements.

Current financial condition conclusion
Given the current rate structure, budget, financial indicators, and financial policies, the City should consider revising its water rate structure and increasing rates to keep up with increasing costs to inflation and to build reserves that can be used for O&M shortfalls, emergencies, loans (when applicable), and capital replacement.
15 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
5 Rate setting process
The rate study process contains many considerations that are unique to each water system. Examples of these considerations include:
• What are the system’s revenue sources?
• What is the system’s revenue requirement?
• What is the cost-of-service for different customer classes? • What special considerations could change the outlook for the next five years, such as:
o What is the age of the system?
o What system components need to be replaced and when?
o Is the system experiencing issues that need to be addressed? o Is additional capacity necessary to accommodate growth? o Are there new regulations that the system needs to accommodate? o Is there an expected change in customer base?
A water rate study consists of three main analyses: the revenue requirement, cost-of-service, and rate design. The purpose is to establish rates by designing a rate structure that fully recovers the revenue requirement while charging customer classes the appropriate amount as determined by the cost-ofservice.

Revenue requirement
The revenue requirement costs include expenses for operations and maintenance of the system; customer service and billing; capital replacement and upgrades to the system; and additional money for operational and emergency reserves.

Projected five-year budget
The City’s budget was looked at in two separate portions: the Water Operating Fund and the Capital Improvement Fund.

Water Fund
The rate study budget was based on the City’s FYE 2022 actuals, FYE 2023 budget and current actuals, and the FYE 2024 budget. To develop the budget for FYE2025-FYE2029, an annual inflation rate of 4% was assumed for each budget line item, unless City staff and RCAC staff determined that would not be an accurate calculation for a particular line.

Table 2 on the following page summarizes the Water Fund’s revenue vs. expenses by year based on the different rate options’ budgets. Table 3 shows the total expenses for FYE25-FYE29 by expense type for the different rate options.
16 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
Figure 1 - Water fund's revenue vs. expenses by year based on Rate Option Budget Figure 2- Water fund's total projected expenses by rate option for FYE25-FYE29 17 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
Capital Improvement Fund
The City has a water capital improvement reserve fund that reserves the money to be spent on capital reserves or capital improvements. Coleman engineering prepared a 7-year capital improvement plan for the water treatment facility and City staff regularly work with engineers to apply for grant projects to replace water infrastructure. Two recent projects that were grant funded include the Small Community Drought Relief Program Tank & Pipelines and the Multi-Benefit Drought Relief Program Intertie.

There are four main options when it comes to funding large projects:
• The water capital improvement reserve fund
• Grants
• Loans and debt servicing
• A mix of the three options above
The project planning that occurs in CIP development allows the City to better leverage grants and loans to lower the burden on the reserve fund and keep rates affordable for customers.

Suggested replacement plan
RCAC used data provided by the City to develop a capital replacement plan that calculated the annual reserve required to replace system assets as they reached the end of their estimated remaining life. All current assets were assigned replacement costs via preliminary engineering reports or The Southwest Environmental Finance Center Valuation Table 2.0. These costs were plugged into a capital replacement model that typically assumes a water system will be able to obtain 75% grant funding for all capital replacement projects over $100,000, while providing 25% match from itsreserve funds. It was determined that these assumptions would be unaffordable for Trinidad customers. City staff and RCAC decided to use the below funding assumptions based on affordability and the City’s success in obtaining grants.

Replacement Value From Cash Grant Loan
$0 - $20,000* 100% 0% 0%
$20,001- $100,000 100% 0% 0%
$100,001 - $500,000 25% 75% 0%
$500,001 - $9,999,999 5% 85% 10%
$10,000,000 5% 85% 10%
*Assets below $5,000 are assumed to be budgeted for in the annual budget With these assumptions, the City should be collecting $152,264 annually from its customer to replace assets as they reach the end of their useful life. This averages out to approximately $38.62 per customer per month.

Suggested reserve funding
The City should aim to fund reserve accounts to the following goals, keeping in mind the need to keep rates affordable to its customers:
• Operations & maintenance reserves – three times the expenses during a billing cycle. $119,536 in O&M reserves is recommended.
• Emergency reserves – cost to replace most critical equipment, typically a well pump. $10,000 in emergency reserves is recommended.
18 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
• Debt reserves – specific amount required by certain funders when receiving a loan. No amount for debt reserves is currently recommended.
• Capital reserves – maintain a minimum of an average annual rehabilitation and replacement budget and up to 10% of the total asset value of approximately $12.925 million. It is recommended, at a minimum, that $152,264 be in capital reserves. The capital reserves could be funded up to $1,292,510.

This recommended funding means that the City should have at least $281,800 and up to $1,422,046 in investments for reserves, not including the debt reserves that are kept in a separate account. As of FYE 2022, the amount in reserves is $1,170,000.

Cost-of-service
Customers pay for annual O&M costs, annual administrative costs and reserve costs through a base rate and usage charge. The base rate is designed to cover fixed costs while the usage charges are designed to cover variable costs. Cost-of-service varies by customer classes based on water usage patterns, the potential demand each has on the water system, and the cost of infrastructure needed to serve each class.

Currently, the City has two customer classes: Inside city limits and outside city limits. The customers are charged a variable base rate based on location (inside vs outside city limits) and a variable usage rate based on location. The City collects approximately 65% of its revenue through the base rates and 35% of its revenue from the usage. RCAC estimated that 69% of the City’s expenses come from fixed costs, while 31% comes from variable costs.

Rate design
The revenue requirement and cost-of-service are used to help design the rates. Rates must be designed to fully cover the revenue requirement. Costs can generally be segmented into two categories: a) fixed costs, which are incurred whether customers use the water or not, and b) variable costs that are dependent on usage. There are numerous ways to design rates to collect the revenue requirement. Water systems usually charge a base rate, which is often intended to collect fixed costs, and a consumption rate, which is often intended to collect variable costs.

RCAC estimates that 69% of the City’s expenses come from fixed costs, while 31% comes from variable costs. The three rate options presented generate approximately 70% of the revenue from base rates and 30% of the revenue from usage charges.

While there is no single approach to rate design and setting, RCAC believes costs should be allocated to customers as can reasonably be determined or estimated while respecting the policy preference of the water agency as long as there is a reasonable cost basis.

Rate options discussed at City Council meetings included options based on the current rate structure, the AWWA meter equivalency ratios, and flat base rates.

Current trends are for usage charges to be a flat dollar amount per volume, as the cost to produce water is assumed to be the same regardless of volume unless there is ample data and recordkeeping to prove otherwise. As such, it is recommended that a variable usage rate by location not be used, see California case law regarding Proposition 218 for additional information on this matter.

City Council decided that a flat base rate with a uniform usage charge best suited their community. 19 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
6 Rate options
Rate options overview
The following three rate options are being presented to the City Council for consideration. The options all use a flat base rate and uniform usage charge. They differ in the amount being set aside in the budget to bring on a grade 3 water treatment operator.

While keeping rates affordable can be a goal of any city council or water system board, a responsibility of all city councils and water system boards is to collect rates that cover the true cost of providing water, including capital reserves. Not collecting the true cost of water puts the water system’s infrastructure and future in jeopardy.

A summary of the rate options are:
• Rate Option A (R.O.A) – It is the most expensive option for customers because it is based on City Staff’s July 3, 2024 budget after staff did a more in-depth review of the salary needed to acquire a grade 3 water treatment operator in the area. This budget includes hiring a grade 3 operator in FYE2025 and gradually decreasing the need for the support of Coleman engineering
• Rate Option B (R.O.B) – It is the least expensive option for customers because it is based on the revised budget presented to City Council on June 11, 2024. This budget included gradually decreasing the support from Coleman engineering but did not include additional salary to ensure a grade 3 water treatment operator could be hired and retained. (Rate Option B in this report is the same as Rate Option 3b in the June 11, 2024 letter to the City of Trinidad from RCAC with the title RE: Update after Initial Water Rate Study Presentation). • Rate Option C (R.O.C) – Is an intermediate option. It is based on City Staff’s July 3, 2024 budget after staff did a more in-depth review of the salary needed to acquire a grade 3 water treatment operator in the area. This budget includes hiring a grade 3 operator in FYE2025 and ending the support from Coleman engineering by the end of FYE2025.

Figure 3 - Average customer bill in comparison to other local water agencies 20 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
Rate Option A
Rate Option A is the most expensive option for customers because it is based on City Staff’s July 3, 2024 budget after staff did a more in-depth review of the salary needed to acquire a grade 3 water treatment operator in the area. It maintains the City’s current base rate structure and after a 40%-75% increase in charges in FYE2025, has an 8% increase in years FYE2026-FYE2029.

Rate Option A
Standard Rates
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Base Rate 84.63 93.09 102.40 112.64 123.91
Rate per 100 CF 6.90 7.59 8.35 9.18 10.10
Impact of Rate Option A
Percent increases for Rate Option A
Rate Option A - Percent Change
Inside Customer Percent Increases
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Base Rate 87% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Rate/HCF 56% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Outside Customer Percent Increases
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Base Rate 50% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Rate/HCF 25% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Customer bills and affordability for Rate Option A
The monthly bill for the average residential customer would be $126.01. The %MHI is below, the SWRCB first threshold of 1.5% is exceeded in FYE2025, with the second threshold of 2.5% MHI being exceeded in FYE2028.

FYE 2025 FYE 2026 FYE 2027 FYE 2028 FYE 2029
Residential Customer 1.97% 2.17% 2.39% 2.62% 2.89%
21 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
Rate Option A Budget
Expenses 2025 2026 2027 2027 2029
Salaries & Benefits 354,297$ 368,469$ 383,208$ 398,536$ 414,478$ O&M 110,604$ 115,028$ 119,629$ 124,414$ 129,391$
Contracted Services 140,000$ 100,000$ 60,000$ 47,500$ 35,000$ Special Services 28,600$ 29,744$ 30,934$ 32,171$ 33,458$ Insurance 14,801$ 15,393$ 16,009$ 16,649$ 17,315$
Other Departments 9,360$ 9,734$ 10,124$ 10,529$ 10,950$ Miscellaneous 7,176$ 7,463$ 7,762$ 8,072$ 8,395$
Sub-Total Annual Expenses $ 664,839 $ 645,832 $ 627,665 $ 637,872 $ 648,987 Capital Reserves 152,264$ 137,185$ 131,326$ 128,420$ 127,359$ O&M Reserve 16,621$ 16,621$ 16,621$ 16,621$ 16,621$
Emergency Reserve 1,000$ 1,000$ 1,000$ 1,000$ 1,000$
Debt Reserve $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Debt Service Charge $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Sub-Total Reserve Funding $ 169,885 $ 154,806 $ 148,947 $ 146,041 $ 144,979 Total Expenses $ 834,724 $ 800,638 $ 776,612 $ 783,913 $ 793,966 Revenue 2025 2026 2027 2027 2029
Sales Revenue 475,417$ 524,627$ 578,925$ 638,837$ 704,942$ Uncollectable Receivables $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Water Penalties $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
New Water Hook-ups $ (951) $ (1,049) $ (1,158) $ (1,278) $ (1,410) General Fund Contract Operator Payment 300,000$ $ - $ - $ - $ - General Fund Loan $ - 100,000$ 75,000$ 50,000$ 25,000$
Total Revenue $ 774,466 $ 623,578 $ 652,767 $ 687,559 $ 728,532 Net Loss or Gain (Short/Over to Reserves) $ (177,060) (60,258) $ $ (123,845) $ (96,354) $ (65,435) Net Cashflow (Contribution to Reserves) $ 109,627 $ (22,254) $ 25,102 $ 49,687 $ 79,545 Net Loss or Gain (Short/Over to Reserves) Over 5 Year Period Net Cashflow (Contribution to Reserves)
$ (522,951)
$ 241,707
22 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
Rate Option B
Rate Option B is the least expensive option for customers because it is based on the revised budget presented to City Council on June 11, 2024, prior to City Staff diving deeper into the costs of hiring a grade 3 treatment operator. This budget included gradually decreasing the support from Coleman engineering but did not include additional salary to ensure a grade 3 water treatment operator could be hired and retained. (Rate Option B in this report is the same as Rate Option 3b in the June 11, 2024 letter to the City of Trinidad from RCAC with the title RE: Update after Initial Water Rate Study Presentation).

Rate Option B
Standard Rates
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Base Rate 66.20 72.82 80.10 88.11 96.92
Rate per 100 CF 5.85 6.44 7.08 7.79 8.56
Impacts of Rate Option B
Percent increases for Rate Option B
Rate Option B - Percent Change
Inside Customer Percent Increases
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Base Rate 46% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Rate/HCF 32% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Outside Customer Percent Increases
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Base Rate 17% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Rate/HCF 6% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Customer bills and affordability for Rate Option B
The monthly bill for the average residential customer would be $101.30. The %MHI is below, the SWRCB first threshold of 1.5% is exceeded in FYE2025, with the second threshold of 2.5% MHI is never exceeded.

FYE 2025 FYE 2026 FYE 2027 FYE 2028 FYE 2029
Residential Customer 1.58% 1.74% 1.92% 2.11% 2.32%
23 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
Rate Option B Budget
Expenses 2025 2026 2027 2027 2029
Salaries & Benefits 254,564$ 264,747$ 275,337$ 286,350$ 297,804$ O&M 101,244$ 105,294$ 109,506$ 113,886$ 118,441$
Contracted Services 140,000$ 100,000$ 60,000$ 47,500$ 35,000$ Special Services 28,600$ 29,744$ 30,934$ 32,171$ 33,458$ Insurance 14,801$ 15,393$ 16,009$ 16,649$ 17,315$
Other Departments 9,360$ 9,734$ 10,124$ 10,529$ 10,950$ Miscellaneous 7,176$ 7,463$ 7,762$ 8,072$ 8,395$
Sub-Total Annual Expenses $ 555,746 $ 532,376 $ 509,671 $ 515,157 $ 521,364 Capital Reserves 152,264$ 137,185$ 131,326$ 128,420$ 127,359$ O&M Reserve 13,894$ 13,894$ 13,894$ 13,894$ 13,894$
Emergency Reserve 1,000$ 1,000$ 1,000$ 1,000$ 1,000$
Debt Reserve $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Debt Service Charge $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Sub-Total Reserve Funding $ 167,158 $ 152,079 $ 146,220 $ 143,314 $ 142,252 Total Expenses $ 722,903 $ 684,454 $ 655,890 $ 658,471 $ 663,616 Revenue 2025 2026 2027 2027 2029
Sales Revenue 381,353$ 420,903$ 464,550$ 512,717$ 565,871$ Uncollectable Receivables $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Water Penalties $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
New Water Hook-ups $ (762.71) $ (841.81) $ (929.10) $ (1,025.43) $ (1,131.74) General Fund Contract Operator Payment 300,000$ $ - $ - $ - $ - General Fund Loan $ - 100,000$ 75,000$ 50,000$ 25,000$
Total Revenue $ 680,590 $ 520,061 $ 538,621 $ 561,691 $ 589,740 Net Loss or Gain (Short/Over to Reserves) $ (164,393) (42,313) $ $ (117,270) $ (96,780) $ (73,876) Net Cashflow (Contribution to Reserves) $ 124,845 $ (12,314) $ 28,950 $ 46,534 $ 68,376 Net Loss or Gain (Short/Over to Reserves) Over 5 Year Period Net Cashflow (Contribution to Reserves)
$ (494,632)
$ 256,390
24 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
Rate Option C
Rate Option C is an intermediate option. It is based on City Staff’s July 3, 2024 budget after staff did a more in-depth review of the salary needed to acquire a grade 3 water treatment operator in the area.

This budget includes hiring a grade 3 operator in FYE2025 and ending the support from Coleman engineering by the end of FYE2025.

Rate Option C
Standard Rates
Meter Size 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Base Rate 75.83 83.41 91.75 100.93 111.02
Rate per 100 CF 6.85 7.54 8.29 9.12 10.03
Impacts of Rate Option C
Percent increases for Rate Option C
Rate Option C - Percent Change
Inside Customer Percent Increases
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Base Rate 68% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Rate/HCF 55% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Outside Customer Percent Increases
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Base Rate 34% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Rate/HCF 24% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Customer bills and affordability for Rate Option C
The monthly bill for the average residential customer would be $116.93. The %MHI is below, the SWRCB first threshold of 1.5% is exceeded in FYE2025, with the second threshold of 2.5% MHI being not being exceeded until FYE2029.

FYE 2025 FYE 2026 FYE 2027 FYE 2028 FYE 2029
Residential Customer 1.83% 2.01% 2.21% 2.44% 2.68%
25 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
Rate Option C Budget
Expenses 2025 2026 2027 2027 2029
Salaries & Benefits 354,297$ 368,469$ 383,208$ 398,536$ 414,478$ O&M 110,604$ 115,028$ 119,629$ 124,414$ 129,391$
Contracted Services 140,000$ 25,958$ 26,997$ 28,077$ 29,200$ Special Services 28,600$ 29,744$ 30,934$ 32,171$ 33,458$ Insurance 14,801$ 15,393$ 16,009$ 16,649$ 17,315$
Other Departments 9,360$ 9,734$ 10,124$ 10,529$ 10,950$ Miscellaneous 7,176$ 7,463$ 7,762$ 8,072$ 8,395$
Sub-Total Annual Expenses $ 664,839 $ 571,790 $ 594,662 $ 618,449 $ 643,187 Capital Reserves 152,264$ 137,185$ 131,326$ 128,420$ 127,359$ O&M Reserve 1,000$ 1,000$ 1,000$ 1,000$ 1,000$
Emergency Reserve 15,617$ 15,617$ 15,617$ 15,617$ 15,617$ Debt Reserve $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Debt Service Charge $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Sub-Total Reserve Funding $ 168,881 $ 153,803 $ 147,943 $ 145,037 $ 143,976 Total Expenses $ 833,720 $ 725,593 $ 742,605 $ 763,486 $ 787,162 Revenue 2025 2026 2027 2027 2029
Sales Revenue 439,945$ 485,596$ 535,978$ 591,580$ 652,943$ Uncollectable Receivables $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Water Penalties $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
New Water Hook-ups $ (880) $ (971) $ (1,072) $ (1,183) $ (1,306) General Fund Contract Operator Payment 300,000$ $ - $ - $ - $ - General Fund Loan $ - 100,000$ 75,000$ 50,000$ 25,000$
Total Revenue $ 739,065 $ 584,625 $ 609,906 $ 640,397 $ 676,637 Net Loss or Gain (Short/Over to Reserves) $ (94,655) $ (140,968) $ (132,699) $ (123,089) $ (110,525) Net Cashflow (Contribution to Reserves) $ 74,227 $ 12,834 $ 15,244 $ 21,949 $ 33,451 $ (601,936)
$ 157,705
Net Loss or Gain (Short/Over to Reserves) Over 5 Year Period Net Cashflow (Contribution to Reserves)
26 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
7 Recommendations
Rates, reserve funding, other recommendations
The City’s water fund net position in FYE 2022 had a net decrease. If the rates are not adjusted the system would be risking the ability to provide safe and affordable drinking water into the foreseeable future.

RCAC recommends adopting Rate Option A due to its budget that aims to collect the true cost of providing drinking water by including the expected salaries needed to bring on a grade 3 water treatment operator while gradually decreasing the need to rely on Coleman Engineering for support services.

Proposition 218
When the City Council selects a rate option, this triggers the Proposition 218 process. Proposition 218 is a voter-approved initiative in California that restricts the authority of government agencies to charge certain taxes or fees. This proposition regulates property-related fees and charges that are imposed on a parcel. Following a California Supreme Court decision, water and sewer rates are now also subject to Proposition 218. Therefore, the City needs to follow Proposition 218 guidelines and related activities to legally pass new rates, which includes sending out a public notice and holding a public hearing.

To be in compliance with Proposition 218, the public notice needs to contain certain information. This information includes how and why the rate increase was proposed, the consequences of not raising rates, how charges are allocated among different types of users, and the date, time, and location of the public hearing. Proposition 218 requires that a public hearing be held at least 45 days after the public notice has been sent out. After the public hearing, the City Council can adopt the new rates through a resolution if there is no majority protest (50% plus one) from the property owners/rate payers. All protests are required to be in writing with the protester’s name and affected parcel number. Proposition 218 does not apply to connection charges, capacity charges, wholesale rates, groundwater pumping fees and conservation penalties.

General implementation advice and key points
Key points to remember with this rate adjustment are:
• Successful utilities are those that strive to be transparent. In day-to-day operations, a water system should strive to promote its services (highlights and the low points), and continuously educate residents on why it is necessary to raise and adjust rates. • Collecting for the true cost of water includes annual operating and administrative expenses as well as the funding of reserve accounts so that a water system can provide reliable, safe drinking water
• Every year revenues versus expenditures should be reviewed to ensure that the rates cover all costs to the system. If they do not, a rate study should be considered. • Maintaining reserve policies aids in transparency, ensures the true cost of water is collected through water rates, and guides the annual review of revenues versus expenditures. • If possible, CIP reserves should be moved to and maintained in the highest interest-bearing accounts available to offset inflation unless the cost of doing so is more than the interest earned on the account.
• Conducting rate studies every five years helps to stabilize water rates for customers in the longterm. 27 RCAC 2024 Water Rate Study—City of Trinidad
8 Appendices

8.1 Projected five-year budget (FYE2025 – FYE 2029) for Rate Option A

8.2 Projected five-year budget (FYE2025 – FYE 2029) for Rate Option B

8.3 Projected five-year budget (FYE2025 – FYE 2029) for Rate Option C

8.4 City of Trinidad’s capital improvement plan

8.5 Water treatment facility replacement plan
- Projected five-year budget (FYE2025 – FYE 2029) for Rate Option A nse Expense Description 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 ries & Benefits Employee Wages $ 227,210 260,000 $ 270,400 $ 281,216 $ 292,465 $ 304,163 $ 316 ries & Benefits Fringe Benefits $ 4,954 1,584 $ 1,647 $ 1,713 $ 1,782 $ 1,853 $ 1 ries & Benefits Deferred Retirement $ 13,195 16,882 $ 17,557 $ 18,260 $ 18,990 $ 19,750 $ 20 ries & Benefits Medical Insurance & Expense $ 22,398 31,005 $ 32,246 $ 33,535 $ 34,877 $ 36,272 $ 37 ries & Benefits Health Insurance Deductible Benefit $ 209 1,356 $ 1,410 $ 1,467 $ 1,525 $ 1,586 $ 1 ries & Benefits Worker's Compensation $ 9,925 8,648 $ 8,994 $ 9,354 $ 9,728 $ 10,117 $ 10 ries & Benefits Employee Mileage Reimbursement $ 193 0 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ ries & Benefits Payroll Tax $ 18,281 21,195 $ 22,043 $ 22,925 $ 23,841 $ 24,795 $ 25 ries & Benefits Grant Payroll Alllocation $ (33,286) 0 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ rance Crime, Cyber, & Pollution Insurance $ 319 600 $ 624 $ 649 $ 675 $ 702 $ rance General Liability Insurance $ 9,756 10,632 $ 11,057 $ 11,500 $ 11,960 $ 12,438 $ 12 rance Propery & Casualty Insurance $ 2,470 3,000 $ 3,120 $ 3,245 $ 3,375 $ 3,510 $ 3 er Departments City Attorney - Admin Tasks $ 140 500 $ 520 $ 541 $ 562 $ 585 $ er Departments City Engineer - Admin Tasks $ 4,086 3,500 $ 3,640 $ 3,786 $ 3,937 $ 4,095 $ 4 ial Services Engineer Special Projects $ 2,132 5,000 $ 5,200 $ 5,408 $ 5,624 $ 5,849 $ 6 er Departments City Planner - Admin Tasks $ 1,396 5,000 $ 5,200 $ 5,408 $ 5,624 $ 5,849 $ 6 ial Services Accountant $ 10,006 10,000 $ 10,400 $ 10,816 $ 11,249 $ 11,699 $ 12 ial Services Auditor $ 9,660 10,000 $ 10,400 $ 10,816 $ 11,249 $ 11,699 $ 12 ellaneous Bad Debts $ - 100 $ 104 $ 108 $ 112 $ 117 $
ial Services Tech Support/Financial Advisor $ 1,755 2,500 $ 2,600 $ 2,704 $ 2,812 $ 2,925 $ 3 M Utilities $ 22,274 23,000 $ 23,920 $ 24,877 $ 25,872 $ 26,907 $ 27 ellaneous Dues & Memberships $ 872 950 $ 988 $ 1,028 $ 1,069 $ 1,111 $ 1 ellaneous Municipal Expense $ 240 250 $ 260 $ 270 $ 281 $ 292 $ ellaneous Office Supplies & Expense $ 3,345 5,000 $ 5,200 $ 5,408 $ 5,624 $ 5,849 $ 6 ellaneous Bank Charges $ 212 100 $ 104 $ 108 $ 112 $ 117 $ ellaneous Training/Education $ 1,083 500 $ 520 $ 541 $ 562 $ 585 $ racted Services Contracted Services $ 389,465 60,000 $ 140,000 $ 100,000 $ 60,000 $ 47,500 $ 35 ellaneous Misc Expenses $ 315 0 $ - $ - $ - $ - $
M Telephone $ 7,886 1,800 $ 1,872 $ 1,947 $ 2,025 $ 2,106 $ 2 M Cable & Internet Services $ 743 750 $ 780 $ 811 $ 844 $ 877 $ M Licenses & Fees $ 4,517 5,000 $ 5,200 $ 5,408 $ 5,624 $ 5,849 $ 6 M Vehicle Fuel and Oil $ 2,671 5,800 $ 6,032 $ 6,273 $ 6,524 $ 6,785 $ 7 M Vehicle Repairs $ 2,007 2,500 $ 2,600 $ 2,704 $ 2,812 $ 2,925 $ 3 M Building Repairs and Maintenance $ 65 2,500 $ 2,600 $ 2,704 $ 2,812 $ 2,925 $ 3 M Security System $ 351 500 $ 520 $ 541 $ 562 $ 585 $
M Materials, Supplies, and Equipment $ 3,159 3,500 $ 3,640 $ 3,786 $ 3,937 $ 4,095 $ 4 M Equipment Repairs & Maintenance $ 15,553 7,500 $ 7,800 $ 8,112 $ 8,436 $ 8,774 $ 9 M Water Lab Fees $ 7,170 7,500 $ 7,800 $ 8,112 $ 8,436 $ 8,774 $ 9 M Water Plant Chemical $ 8,975 9,000 $ 9,360 $ 9,734 $ 10,124 $ 10,529 $ 10 M Water Line Hook-Ups $ - 0 $ - $ - $ - $ - $
M Water Line Repair $ 15,256 25,000 $ 26,000 $ 27,040 $ 28,122 $ 29,246 $ 30 M Water Plant Repair $ - 12,000 $ 12,480 $ 12,979 $ 13,498 $ 14,038 $ 14 M Reserve Operating Reserve Funding 0 $ 16,621 $ 16,621 $ 16,621 $ 16,621 $ 16 rgency Reserve Emergency Reserve Funding $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1 t Reserve Debt Reserve Funding $ - $ - $ - $ - $
tal Reserves Replacement of Existing Capital Assets $ 152,264 $ 137,185 $ 131,326 $ 128,420 $ 127 tal Reserves Replacement of Funded Project Assets $ - $ - $ - $ - $ tal Reserves Reserves for Additional Capital Assets $ (0) $ - $ - $ - $ t Service Charge Debt Service $ - $ - $ - $ - $
- Projected five-year budget (FYE2025 – FYE 2029) for Rate Option B nse Expense Description 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 ries & Benefits Employee Wages $ 227,210 207,967 $ 216,286 $ 224,937 $ 233,935 $ 243,292 $ 253 ries & Benefits Fringe Benefits $ 4,954 1,584 $ 1,647 $ 1,713 $ 1,782 $ 1,853 $ 1 ries & Benefits Deferred Retirement $ 13,195 16,757 $ 17,427 $ 18,124 $ 18,849 $ 19,603 $ 20 ries & Benefits Medical Insurance & Expense $ 22,398 31,005 $ 32,246 $ 33,535 $ 34,877 $ 36,272 $ 37 ries & Benefits Health Insurance Deductible Benefit $ 209 1,356 $ 1,410 $ 1,467 $ 1,525 $ 1,586 $ 1 ries & Benefits Worker's Compensation $ 9,925 6,913 $ 7,189 $ 7,477 $ 7,776 $ 8,087 $ 8 ries & Benefits Employee Mileage Reimbursement $ 193 0 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ ries & Benefits Payroll Tax $ 18,281 17,191 $ 17,879 $ 18,594 $ 19,338 $ 20,111 $ 20 ries & Benefits Grant Payroll Alllocation $ (33,286) -38,000 $ (39,520) $ (41,101) $ (42,745) $ (44,455) $ (46 rance Crime, Cyber, & Pollution Insurance $ 319 600 $ 624 $ 649 $ 675 $ 702 $ rance General Liability Insurance $ 9,756 10,632 $ 11,057 $ 11,500 $ 11,960 $ 12,438 $ 12 rance Propery & Casualty Insurance $ 2,470 3,000 $ 3,120 $ 3,245 $ 3,375 $ 3,510 $ 3 er Departments City Attorney - Admin Tasks $ 140 500 $ 520 $ 541 $ 562 $ 585 $ er Departments City Engineer - Admin Tasks $ 4,086 3,500 $ 3,640 $ 3,786 $ 3,937 $ 4,095 $ 4 ial Services Engineer Special Projects $ 2,132 5,000 $ 5,200 $ 5,408 $ 5,624 $ 5,849 $ 6 er Departments City Planner - Admin Tasks $ 1,396 5,000 $ 5,200 $ 5,408 $ 5,624 $ 5,849 $ 6 ial Services Accountant $ 10,006 10,000 $ 10,400 $ 10,816 $ 11,249 $ 11,699 $ 12 ial Services Auditor $ 9,660 10,000 $ 10,400 $ 10,816 $ 11,249 $ 11,699 $ 12 ellaneous Bad Debts $ - 100 $ 104 $ 108 $ 112 $ 117 $
ial Services Tech Support/Financial Advisor $ 1,755 2,500 $ 2,600 $ 2,704 $ 2,812 $ 2,925 $ 3 M Utilities $ 22,274 23,000 $ 23,920 $ 24,877 $ 25,872 $ 26,907 $ 27 ellaneous Dues & Memberships $ 872 950 $ 988 $ 1,028 $ 1,069 $ 1,111 $ 1 ellaneous Municipal Expense $ 240 250 $ 260 $ 270 $ 281 $ 292 $ ellaneous Office Supplies & Expense $ 3,345 5,000 $ 5,200 $ 5,408 $ 5,624 $ 5,849 $ 6 ellaneous Bank Charges $ 212 100 $ 104 $ 108 $ 112 $ 117 $ ellaneous Training/Education $ 1,083 500 $ 520 $ 541 $ 562 $ 585 $ racted Services Contracted Services $ 389,465 60,000 $ 140,000 $ 100,000 $ 60,000 $ 47,500 $ 35 ellaneous Misc Expenses $ 315 0 $ - $ - $ - $ - $
M Telephone $ 7,886 1,800 $ 1,872 $ 1,947 $ 2,025 $ 2,106 $ 2 M Cable & Internet Services $ 743 750 $ 780 $ 811 $ 844 $ 877 $ M Licenses & Fees $ 4,517 5,000 $ 5,200 $ 5,408 $ 5,624 $ 5,849 $ 6 M Vehicle Fuel and Oil $ 2,671 5,800 $ 6,032 $ 6,273 $ 6,524 $ 6,785 $ 7 M Vehicle Repairs $ 2,007 2,500 $ 2,600 $ 2,704 $ 2,812 $ 2,925 $ 3 M Building Repairs and Maintenance $ 65 2,500 $ 2,600 $ 2,704 $ 2,812 $ 2,925 $ 3 M Security System $ 351 500 $ 520 $ 541 $ 562 $ 585 $
M Materials, Supplies, and Equipment $ 3,159 3,500 $ 3,640 $ 3,786 $ 3,937 $ 4,095 $ 4 M Equipment Repairs & Maintenance $ 15,553 7,500 $ 7,800 $ 8,112 $ 8,436 $ 8,774 $ 9 M Water Lab Fees $ 7,170 7,500 $ 7,800 $ 8,112 $ 8,436 $ 8,774 $ 9 M Water Plant Chemical $ 8,975 9,000 $ 9,360 $ 9,734 $ 10,124 $ 10,529 $ 10 M Water Line Hook-Ups $ - 0 $ - $ - $ - $ - $
M Water Line Repair $ 15,256 25,000 $ 26,000 $ 27,040 $ 28,122 $ 29,246 $ 30 M Water Plant Repair $ - 3,000 $ 3,120 $ 3,245 $ 3,375 $ 3,510 $ 3 M Reserve Operating Reserve Funding $ 13,894 $ 13,894 $ 13,894 $ 13,894 $ 13 rgency Reserve Emergency Reserve Funding $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1 Reserve Debt Reserve Funding $ - $ - $ - $ - $
tal Reserves Replacement of Existing Capital Assets $ 152,264 $ 137,185 $ 131,326 $ 128,420 $ 127 tal Reserves Replacement of Funded Project Assets $ - $ - $ - $ - $ tal Reserves Reserves for Additional Capital Assets $ (0) $ - $ - $ - $ Service Charge Debt Service $ - $ - $ - $ - $
- Projected five-year budget (FYE2025 – FYE 2029) for Rate Option C nse Expense Description 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 ries & Benefits Employee Wages $ 227,210 260,000 270,400 281,216 292,465 304,163 316 ries & Benefits Fringe Benefits $ 4,954 1,584 1,647 1,713 1,782 1,853 1 ries & Benefits Deferred Retirement $ 13,195 16,882 17,557 18,260 18,990 19,750 20 ries & Benefits Medical Insurance & Expense $ 22,398 31,005 32,246 33,535 34,877 36,272 37 ries & Benefits Health Insurance Deductible Benefit $ 209 1,356 1,410 1,467 1,525 1,586 1 ries & Benefits Worker's Compensation $ 9,925 8,648 8,994 9,354 9,728 10,117 10 ries & Benefits Employee Mileage Reimbursement $ 193 0 0 0 0 0 ries & Benefits Payroll Tax $ 18,281 21,195 22,043 22,925 23,841 24,795 25 ries & Benefits Grant Payroll Alllocation $ (33,286) 0 0 0 0 0 rance Crime, Cyber, & Pollution Insurance $ 319 600 624 649 675 702 rance General Liability Insurance $ 9,756 10,632 11,057 11,500 11,960 12,438 12 rance Propery & Casualty Insurance $ 2,470 3,000 3,120 3,245 3,375 3,510 3 er Departments City Attorney - Admin Tasks $ 140 500 520 541 562 585 er Departments City Engineer - Admin Tasks $ 4,086 3,500 3,640 3,786 3,937 4,095 4 ial Services Engineer Special Projects $ 2,132 5,000 5,200 5,408 5,624 5,849 6 er Departments City Planner - Admin Tasks $ 1,396 5,000 5,200 5,408 5,624 5,849 6 ial Services Accountant $ 10,006 10,000 10,400 10,816 11,249 11,699 12 ial Services Auditor $ 9,660 10,000 10,400 10,816 11,249 11,699 12 ellaneous Bad Debts $ - 100 104 108 112 117
ial Services Tech Support/Financial Advisor $ 1,755 2,500 2,600 2,704 2,812 2,925 3 M Utilities $ 22,274 23,000 23,920 24,877 25,872 26,907 27 ellaneous Dues & Memberships $ 872 950 988 1,028 1,069 1,111 1 ellaneous Municipal Expense $ 240 250 260 270 281 292
ellaneous Office Supplies & Expense $ 3,345 5,000 5,200 5,408 5,624 5,849 6 ellaneous Bank Charges $ 212 100 104 108 112 117
ellaneous Training/Education $ 1,083 500 520 541 562 585 racted Services Contracted Services $ 389,465 60,000 140,000 25,958 26,997 28,077 29 ellaneous Misc Expenses $ 315 0 0 0 0 0
M Telephone $ 7,886 1,800 1,872 1,947 2,025 2,106 2
M Cable & Internet Services $ 743 750 780 811 844 877
M Licenses & Fees $ 4,517 5,000 5,200 5,408 5,624 5,849 6 M Vehicle Fuel and Oil $ 2,671 5,800 6,032 6,273 6,524 6,785 7 M Vehicle Repairs $ 2,007 2,500 2,600 2,704 2,812 2,925 3 M Building Repairs and Maintenance $ 65 2,500 2,600 2,704 2,812 2,925 3 M Security System $ 351 500 520 541 562 585
M Materials, Supplies, and Equipment $ 3,159 3,500 3,640 3,786 3,937 4,095 4 M Equipment Repairs & Maintenance $ 15,553 7,500 7,800 8,112 8,436 8,774 9 M Water Lab Fees $ 7,170 7,500 7,800 8,112 8,436 8,774 9 M Water Plant Chemical $ 8,975 9,000 9,360 9,734 10,124 10,529 10 M Water Line Hook-Ups $ - 0 0 0 0 0
M Water Line Repair $ 15,256 25,000 26,000 27,040 28,122 29,246 30 M Water Plant Repair $ - 12,000 12,480 12,979 13,498 14,038 14 M Reserve Operating Reserve Funding 0 15,617 15,617 15,617 15,617 15 rgency Reserve Emergency Reserve Funding 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1 Reserve Debt Reserve Funding $ - $ - $ - $ - $
tal Reserves Replacement of Existing Capital Assets $ 152,264 $ 137,185 $ 131,326 $ 128,420 $ 127 tal Reserves Replacement of Funded Project Assets $ - $ - $ - $ - $ tal Reserves Reserves for Additional Capital Assets $ (0) $ - $ - $ - $ Service Charge Debt Service $ - $ - $ - $ - $
– City of Trinidad’s capital improvement plan
Capital Replacement Program AWWA Cash-Needs Approach
City of Trinidad Date
System Numbe
Service Connections
ity Asset
Year
Acquired
Unit Cost
(Historic,
Current or
Future)
Cost
Type
(H, C,
F)
%
Belonging
to Water
Estimated Historic
Cost (Water only)
Normal
Estimated
Life
Current
Age
Estimated
Current Cost
Planned
Remaining
Life
Estimated
Remaining
Life
Estimated
Future Cost
Fund
with
Cash
Fund
with
Grant
Fund
with
Loan
Existing
Reserves
Replacement of Existing Capital Assets
1 Luffenholtz Creek Infiltration Gallery 1980 $730,000 C 100% $152,239 45 44 730,000 1 5 888,157 5% 85% 10% 30 *3 perforated pipes buried ten feet below surface 1980 $168 C 100% $1,051 45 44 5,040 1 5 6,132 100% 0% 0% - Wet Well Pump (approx 175 gpm each) 2014 $7,000 C 100% $0 35 10 0 25 25 0 100% 0% 0% 1 Creek Flow meter 2017 $8,000 C 100% $6,234 15 7 8,000 8 8 10,949 100% 0% 0%
1 Source Meter 1980 $8,000 C 100% $1,668 15 44 8,000 -29 5 9,733 100% 0% 0% - Westhaven Treatment Plant (60-120gpm) 2016 $2,136,000 H 100% $0 60 8 0 52 25 0 100% 0% 0% 1 Sediment Reduction 2015 $1,670,720 H 100% $1,670,720 60 9 2,277,020 51 25 6,070,162 5% 85% 10% - *Flocculator 2016 $0 C 100% $0 15 8 0 7 7 0 100% 0% 0% -
*Polymer Feed 2016 $0
C 100%
$0 15 8 0 7 7 0
100% 0% 0%
- *Mixed Media filters 2016 $0 C 100% $0 15 8 0 7 7 0 100% 0% 0% - *Chlorine Feed 2016 $0 C 100% $0 15 8 0 7 7 0 100% 0% 0% - *Chlorine contact Pipe 2016 $0 C 100% $0 60 8 0 52 52 0 100% 0% 0% - *Backwash tank (20,000 gallons) 2016 $0 C 100% $0 60 8 0 52 52 0 100% 0% 0% - Turbidity Monitoring 2013 $120,155 H 100% $0 15 11 0 4 5 0 100% 0% 0% - 2013 Water Plant Upgrade 2013 $231,720 H 100% $0 60 11 0 49 50 0 100% 0% 0% 1 Raw Water Turbidimeter 1980 $3,430
c 100%
$715 15 44 3,430 -29 1 3,567
100% 0% 0%
1 Finished Water Turbidimeter 2023 $3,430 c 100% $3,310 15 1 3,430 14 15 6,177 100% 0% 0% 1 Filter #1 Turbidmeter 2013 $3,430 c 100% $2,318 15 11 3,430 4 1 3,567 100% 0% 0% 1 Filter #2 Turbidmeter 2013 $3,430 c 100% $2,318 15 11 3,430 4 1 3,567 100% 0% 0% 1 Filter #3 Turbidmeter 2013 $3,430
c 100%
$2,318 15 11 3,430 4 1 3,567
100% 0% 0%
1 SCM 2013 $13,000
c 100%
$8,785 15 11 13,000 4 2 14,061
100% 0% 0%
1 CL17 - Cl2 residual 2013 $3,325 c 100% $2,247 15 11 3,325 4 15 5,988 100% 0% 0% - Flow Meter 2013 $0 c 100% $0 15 11 0 4 0 0 100% 0% 0% 1 Mid Turbidmeter 2013 $3,430 c 100% $2,318 15 11 3,430 4 1 3,567 100% 0% 0%
1 Rinse to Waste 2013 $5,000 c 100% $3,379 15 11 5,000 4 1 5,200 100% 0% 0% 1 Poly Pump #1 2013 $1,000 c 100% $676 15 11 1,000 4 2 1,082 100% 0% 0% 1 Poly Pump #2 2013 $1,000 c 100% $676 15 11 1,000 4 2 1,082 100% 0% 0% 1 CL2 Pump 2013 $1,000 c 100% $676 15 11 1,000 4 2 1,082 100% 0% 0% 1 Wet Well Pump #1 2013 $5,000 c 100% $3,379 15 11 5,000 4 3 5,624 100% 0% 0% 1 Wet Well Pump #2 2013 $5,000 c 100% $3,379 15 11 5,000 4 3 5,624 100% 0% 0% 1 Flash Mixer #1 2013 $3,500 c 100% $2,365 15 11 3,500 4 5 4,258 100% 0% 0% 1 Flash Mixer #2 2013 $3,500 c 100% $2,365 15 11 3,500 4 5 4,258 100% 0% 0% 1 Backwash Pump 2013 $5,000 c 100% $3,379 15 11 5,000 4 4 5,849 100% 0% 0% 1 Intermediate Pump #1 - Booster Pump 2013 $3,500 c 100% $2,365 15 11 3,500 4 5 4,258 100% 0% 0% 1 Intermediate Pump #2 2013 $3,500 c 100% $2,365 15 11 3,500 4 5 4,258 100% 0% 0% 1 Soda Ash Pump 2013 $1,000 c 100% $676 15 11 1,000 4 3 1,125 100% 0% 0% 1 Recycle Pump 2013 $5,000 c 100% $3,379 15 11 5,000 4 1 5,200 100% 0% 0% 1 CL2 Residual 2013 $3,500 c 100% $2,365 15 11 3,500 4 5 4,258 100% 0% 0% 1 Sludge Removal 2013 $5,000 c 100% $3,379 15 11 5,000 4 5 6,083 100% 0% 0% 1 Level Transducers 2013 $9,500 c 100% $6,420 15 11 9,500 4 6 12,021 100% 0% 0% 1 Tank Floats - Kill Switch 2013 $750 c 100% $507 15 11 750 4 6 949 100% 0% 0% 1 SC-100 - Controller 2013 $3,505 c 100% $2,369 15 11 3,505 4 1 3,645 100% 0% 0% 1 SC-200 (2) - Controller 2013 $7,010 c 100% $4,737 15 11 7,010 4 1 7,290 100% 0% 0% - Remaining Turbidity Equipment 2013 $103,005 c 100% $0 15 11 0 4 4 0 100% 0% 0% - Remaining Treatment Plant Equipment 2013 $109,700 c 100% $0 60 11 0 49 49 0 100% 0% 0% 50,000 Westhaven Tank 1 (150,000 gallons, will replace with 250,000 gallon tank) 1980 $2 C 100% $127,213 60 44 610,000 16 16 1,142,519 5% 85% 10% - Westhaven Tank 2 (150,000 gallons, being replaced
now by grant below) 1980 $2 C 100% $0 60 44 0 16 16 0 100% 0% 0% 191 2" Pipe (half) 1980 $75 C 100% $2,987 50 44 14,325 6 5 17,429 100% 0% 0% 691 3" Pipe (half) 1980 $75 C 100% $10,800 50 44 51,788 6 5 63,007 100% 0% 0% 4,232 4" Pipe (half) 1980 $250 C 100% $220,616 40 44 1,057,875 -4 5 1,287,067 5% 85% 10% 6,474 6" Pipe (half) 1980 $250 C 100% $337,506 40 44 1,618,375 -4 10 2,395,590 5% 85% 10% 3,615 8" Pipe ((10979 ft - 3750 ft for SCDRP Project)/2) 1980 $300 C 100% $226,137 40 44 1,084,350 -4 15 1,952,853 5% 85% 10% 1,408 10" Pipe ((6566 ft - 3750 ft for SCDRP Project)/2). 1980 $300 C 100% $88,090 40 44 422,400 -4 15 760,719 5% 85% 10% 191 2" Pipe (half) 1980 $75 C 100% $2,987 40 44 14,325 -4 20 31,388 100% 0% 0% 691 3" Pipe (half) 1980 $75 C 100% $10,800 40 44 51,788 -4 20 113,473 25% 75% 0% 4,232 4" Pipe (half) 1980 $250 C 100% $220,616 40 44 1,057,875 -4 20 2,317,934 5% 85% 10% 6,474 6" Pipe (half) 1980 $250 C 100% $337,506 40 44 1,618,375 -4 25 4,314,323 5% 85% 10% 3,615 8" Pipe ((10979 ft - 3750 ft for SCDRP Project)/2) 1980 $300 C 100% $226,137 40 44 1,084,350 -4 25 2,890,700 5% 85% 10% 1,408 10" Pipe ((6566 ft - 3750 ft for SCDRP Project)/2) 1980 $300 C 100% $88,090 40 44 422,400 -4 25 1,126,049 5% 85% 10% 1 2" Valves (half) 1980 $3,000 C 100% $626 40 44 3,000 -4 5 3,650 5% 85% 10% 2 3" Valves (half) 1980 $3,000 C 100% $938 40 44 4,500 -4 5 5,475 5% 85% 10% 6 4" Valves (half) 1980 $4,000 C 100% $5,005 40 44 24,000 -4 5 29,200 5% 85% 10% 13 6" Valves (half) 1980 $4,000 C 100% $10,844 40 44 52,000 -4 10 76,973 5% 85% 10% 10 8" Valves (half) 1980 $6,200 C 100% $12,283 40 44 58,900 -4 15 106,076 5% 85% 10% 4 10" Valves (half) 1980 $6,200 C 100% $4,525 40 44 21,700 -4 15 39,080 5% 85% 10% 1 2" Valves (half) 1980 $3,000 C 100% $626 40 44 3,000 -4 20 6,573 5% 85% 10% 2 3" Valves (half) 1980 $3,000 C 100% $938 40 44 4,500 -4 20 9,860 5% 85% 10% 6 4" Valves (half) 1980 $4,000 C 100% $5,005 40 44 24,000 -4 20 52,587 5% 85% 10% 13 6" Valves (half) 1980 $4,000 C 100% $10,844 40 44 52,000 -4 25 138,623 5% 85% 10% 10 8" Valves (half) 1980 $6,200 C 100% $12,283 40 44 58,900 -4 25 157,018 5% 85% 10% 4 10" Valves (half) 1980 $6,200 C 100% $4,525 40 44 21,700 -4 25 57,849 5% 85% 10% 27 Hydrants 1980 $7,035 C 100% $39,612 60 44 189,945 16 16 355,763 25% 75% 0% 222 Inside Meters 1980 $500 C 100% $23,149 15 44 111,000 -29 5 135,048 25% 75% 0% 101 Outside Meters 1980 $500 C 100% $10,532 15 44 50,500 -29 5 61,441 25% 75% 0% 100% 0% 0% 100%
Fiscal Year 2023 Suggested Repair and Replacement Budget Prepared September 2023 by Coleman Engineering
Asset Tag #
Field Notes and
Observations Condition Rating Functional Description Risk Criticality Comments 2023 2024 20 Raw Water Turbidimeter AT1001A No longer in
production
Fair Influent NTU High 1 Out of date $
Finished Water Turbidimeter AT100B NEW NEW Finished NTU High 1 Replaced 7/2023 $3,430 Filter #1 Turbidmeter AT1002A Outdated Fair #1 NTU High 1 Out of date $3,430 Filter #2 AT1002B Outdated Fair #2 NTU High 1 Out of date $3,430 Filter #3 AT1003 Outdated Fair #3 NTU High 1 Out of date $3,430 SCM AT1006 Outdated Fair Raw Water High 1 Out of date
CL17 AT1007 NEW NEW CL2 Residual High 1 NEW $3,325
Flow Meter FT1014 Unknown Fair GPM Monitor High 2 Unknown Mid Turbidmeter AT1004 Outdated Fair Between Filters High 1 Out of date Rinse to Waste CV1015 Out of Use Unknown Filter Rinse Low 3 Out of Use $5,000 Poly Pump #1 XA1009 Unknown Unknown Poly Dose High 1 Unknown Poly Pump #2 XA1011 Unknown Unknown Poly Dose Low 3 Unknown CL2 Pump XA1013 Unknown Unknown CL2 Dose High 1 Unknown Wet Well Pump #1 EQ-100 Unknown Unknown Influent Pump High 1 Unknown Wet Well Pump #2 EQ-110 Unknown Unknown Influent Pump High 1 Unknown Flash Mixer #1 EQ-200-1 2015 Fair Poly Mixer Medium 2 Unknown Flash Mixer #2 EQ-200-2 2015 Fair Poly Mixer Medium 2 Unknown Backwash Pump EQ-200-3 Unknown Unknown Backwash Pump High 1 Unknown Intermediate Pump #1 EQ-400 2015 Fair Booster Pump High 1 Unknown Intermediate Pump #2 EQ-410 2015 Fair Booster Pump High 1 Unknown Soda Ash Pump EQ-450 Unknown Fair Soda Pump Medium 2 Unknown Recycle Pump P-900 Out of Use Unknown Recycle Low 3 Unknown $5,000 CL2 Residual EQ-650 Unknown Good CL2 Residual High 1 Unknown Sludge Removal EQ-150 Unknown Good Sludge Removal Low 3 Unknown Level Transducers Unknown Unknown Water Levels High 1 Total of 5 Tank Floats Unknown Unknown Kill Switch High 1 Total of 5 SC-100 Out dated poor controller High 1 No parts $3,505 SC-200 (2) Out dated fair controller High 1 No parts
Totals $10,260 $20,290

Proposition 218 Notification:
45-day notice of proposed water rate changes, procedure, and public hearing date Date of Notice: July 10, 2024
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hearing Date and Time: September 10th, 2024, at 6:00pm
Hearing Location: Trinidad Town Hall, 409 Trinity Street, Trinidad, CA 95570 This letter is to advise you that the City of Trinidad (City) is proposing a five-year water rate program adjustment for all residential and commercial customers. The proposal will be considered by the City Council at a Public Hearing on Sep. 10, 2024. You are receiving this notice in compliance with California Proposition 218 requirements that all impacted property owners are mailed notice of proposed rate changes at least 45 days prior to a public hearing. If you have any questions regarding this notice, please call (707) 677-0223.

BASIS OF PROPOSED RATES
The City is required by state law to collect revenues sufficient to fund current and future costs of operating, maintaining and administering the existing water facilities as well as to fund the capital improvements and infrastructure replacement program. These revenues allow the City to protect public health and safely and reliably deliver clean, safe drinking water to all connections. By state law, the district may not collect more revenue than is necessary to recover the costs of providing services. The proposed rates were developed through a comprehensive water rate study designed to meet all legal requirements and fairly and equitably recover the required revenue. The water rate study was prepared by Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) and is available for review by the public on the City website, at https://www.trinidad.ca.gov/water/page/water-rates.

WHY THE CITY’S WATER RATES MUST BE ADJUSTED
Customer water rates are a primary source of revenue to operate the water system. These rates generate the revenue to operate the system. To continue the water system’s ability to provide reliable water services to our customers, rate increases are necessary to cover increasing operational costs and to invest in necessary upgrades and emergency preparedness.

It has been seven yearssince the last rate increase, in that time inflation alone has increased costs by 25%.

Additionally, the City operates a treatment plant classified as a T3 plant. This requires that a highly certified water treatment operator oversee all operations to ensure proper treatment is achieved to deliver safe drinking water to the City’s customers. After the departure of a long-term staff member, contracted services had to be brought in to operate the plant in compliance with Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations § 63765 (22 CCR § 63765) – Water Treatment Facility Staff Certification Requirements.

Further clarify after Rate Option is chosen.

This rate adjustment was chosen after extensive analysis and alternate adjustment considerations.

WHAT STEPS DID THE CITY TAKE TO REDUCE COST BEFORE CONSIDERING INCREASING CUSTOMER RATES?
The City conducted a comprehensive line by line review of the budgetary expenditures to maximize available resources and reduce operational costs to a minimum. The City analyzed the best options to bring costs down while complying with 22 CCR § 63765 and other safe drinking water act requirements.

PROPOSITION 218 PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURE
All property owners and other interested parties are invited to attend the hearing and present written and/or oral comments. As an owner or customer of record of a parcel subject to the imposition of the proposed rate adjustments, you may submit a WRITTEN protest to the proposed rate changes. Only ONE written protest will be counted per identified parcel. If written protests are presented by a majority of the owners of property that are subject to the rate change prior to the end of the hearing, the City Council cannot approve the change. Nobody wants more costs, but City water users must consider that without this rate increase, the City will be failing to cover annual operations and maintenance costs for the water system.

Written protests must include:
• Your original signature and date
• Your name typed or printed under the signature
• The address of the property
• An affirmation that you are the owner or customer of record of the property • Your reasons for protest
Written protests will NOT be accepted by e-mail or fax. Verbal protests will NOT be counted. Protests must be received (not postmarked) prior to the close of the public hearing. Written protests may be submitted to:

Trinidad Town Hall
409 Trinity Street
Trinidad, CA 95570
The City Council, after the close of the public hearing will adopt the rates. The rates will not exceed the increases set forth herein.

PROPOSED MONTHLY RATE SCHEDULE
The proposed rate schedule is set forth below. The water rates will be adjusted beginning on Oct. 1, 2024 and will adjust on July 1 of the subsequent years through 2028. The final adjustment under this resolution will be on July 1, 2028. Any subsequent adjustments will be subject to a Proposition 218 hearing.

Current Rates
Current Monthly Charges
Standard Rates
Monthly Base Rate* Usage Rate (per HCF)
Inside City Limits $ 45.23 $ 4.42
Outside City Limits $ 56.54 $ 5.54
MONTHLY RATE SCHEDULES TO BE ADOPTED IN RESOLUTION NO. 2024-xx Rate Option A
Standard Rates
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Base Rate 84.63 93.09 102.40 112.64 123.91
Rate per 100 CF 6.90 7.59 8.35 9.18 10.10
Rate Option B
Standard Rates
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Base Rate 66.20 72.82 80.10 88.11 96.92
Rate per 100 CF 5.85 6.44 7.08 7.79 8.56
Rate Option C
Standard Rates
Meter Size 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Base Rate 75.83 83.41 91.75 100.93 111.02
Rate per 100 CF 6.85 7.54 8.29 9.12 10.03
Any judicial action or proceeding to attack, review, set aside, void, validate or annul an ordinance, resolution or motion adopting a fee or charge for water service, or modifying or amending an existing fee or charge for water service, shall be commenced within 120 days of the effective date or of the date of the final passage, adoption, or approval of the ordinance, resolution or motion, whichever is later.

DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEM 5

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED

5. Discussion/Decision to Accept the Scope of Work Submitted by RCAA to repair the Trinidad Head Steps and Utilize Public Works Capital Reserve Funds as Needed to Complete the Project.

Redwood Community ActionAgency
A Catalyst For
Equal Opportunity Housing Provider /
904 G Street * Eureka, CA 95501 * (707) 269-2001 * Fax (707) 445-0884 * Scope of Work (Estimate) for Step Replacement
Landowners: City of Trinidad
Location: Trail to Trinidad Head from the beach parking lot (approximately 168 ft.) Background and Description of Work: In the spring of 2023, RCAA received a request from the City of Trinidad to provide an estimate to replace wooden trail steps (in yellow, Figure 1 below) on a heavily used trail at Trinidad Head. The 20 steps provide access to the Trinidad Head paved trail from the beach parking lot.

Figure 1 - View of proposed trail step replacement (in yellow), connecting the beach parking lot with the Trinidad Head Trail Redwood Community ActionAgency
A Catalyst For
Equal Opportunity Housing Provider /
904 G Street * Eureka, CA 95501 * (707) 269-2001 * Fax (707) 445-0884 * RCAA Restoration Field Crew (RFC) and Expenses Budget:

Assumptions: This estimate is for 5 days of work with a four-person crew. We can adjust the number of people on the crew and/or the number of days worked to fit your budget. The City of Trinidad has offered to outsource gravel and boulders used to back fill steps and fill in areas of erosion adjacent to the steps.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank You
Tom Herman
Thomas Herman
Project Coordinator/ Fisheries Biologist
RCAA, NRS Division
office: 707 269 2063
Cell: 707 683 6826
Personnel
Title Rate Hours/Day Days Total
RFC Member 60 8 5 $2,400
RFC Member 60 8 5 $2,400
RFC Member 60 8 5 $2,400
RFC Supervisor 70 8 5 $2,800
Subtotal-Personnel $10,000
Expenses
Unit Type Price/Unit Units Needed Total
Vehicle Use Fee (x2 vehicles) Day $75.00 5 $750
Lumber (Redwood) 4”x 6” Feet $6.83 140 $956.20
5/8” Rebar @ 3ft Feet $4.25 52 $221
Subtotal-Expenses $1927.2
TOTAL $11,927.20
DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEM 6

NO SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED

6. Discussion/Decision regarding August Meeting Schedule.

DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEM 7

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED

7. Notice of Election, Arguments For/Against the Sales Tax Extension, City Council Candidate Nomination Period, and Upcoming Deadlines.

DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEM
Date: Tuesday, July 09, 2024
Item: November Election Schedule and Upcoming Deadlines – REVISED JULY 09, 2024 Background Info: The City’s November 05, 2024 Election ballot will include the Continuation of the Sales Tax Increase Measure, and Two (2) Councilmember seats.

The current Councilmember terms are:

Ladwig Term Expires December 2024
West Term Expires December 2024
Kelly Term Expires December 2026
Tuttle Term Expires December 2026
Kelly Term Expires December 2026
The list of deadlines related to the Election is as follows:
• On or before July 15 - Election Notice: A notice will be published in the 3 locations throughout the City (City Hall, Murphy’s Market, and the Trinidad Post Office), and in the TimesStandard & Mad River Union announcing the November Election the Council positions available, and the Continuation of the Sales Tax Increase Measure. • July 15 – Candidate Nomination Period Opens: Anyone who wants to file as candidate for one of the (2) open positions may pick up nomination packets from the Clerk’s office at the Town Hall. Fee for filing a candidate statement in the election ballot is $375. Payment must be made when the nomination packets are submitted. Deadline for incumbents to file nomination papers is 2:00pm, Friday, August 09.
• August 09 – Deadline for Incumbents to file Nomination Packet • August 13 – Deadline to file Impartial Analysis
• August 14 – Extended Deadline for Candidate Nomination Packets IF NO INCUMBENTS file for the positions.
• August 16 – Deadline to file Arguments For/Against the Sales Tax Increase • August 28 – Deadline to file REBUTTALS to Arguments For/Occupancy Tax Increase. • November 05 – Election Day

Staff Recommendation: Review and file. Clerk will notify the Council and public of each deadline as it approaches. Monthly election progress reports will be included in the packets each month.

Attachments: None.

DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA
Date: Tuesday, July 09, 2024
NOVEMBER 2024 CITY ELECTION CALENDAR (UPDATED/REVISED JULY 09, 2024) 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.

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 (see below July-August) • Send Resolution requesting Election Consolidation to County Elections and Clerk of the Board July
• July 01-15: Publish Election Notice for (2) Upcoming November Council Seats & Sales Tax Election in town, and in the July 10 edition of the Mad River Union. • July 15: Candidate Nomination Period opens.

August
• August 06 (or before): Publish Notice to Accept Arguments For/Against Sales Tax Extension. • August 09: Filing deadline closes for City Council incumbents and candidate nominees. Deadline extends to August 14 if no incumbents file.
• August 13: Sales Tax Impartial Analysis Due. Forward to County before 5:00pm, August 14. • August 16: Arguments For/Against Sales Tax Extension due. Forward to County before 5:00pm, August 19. Rebuttal period opens.
• August 28: Rebuttals to Arguments For/Against Sales tax Extension due. Forward to County before 5:00pm, August 29.
• Adopt Ordinance that will authorize the California Department of Tax & Fee Administration to implement the Sales Tax Extension should it pass.
• Publish Sales Tax Legal Notice in the Mad River Union.

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 redistribute or confirm Committee/Commissionership assignments.

Notice of Election: 2024 Page 1 of 1
NOTICE AND CALL FOR THE 2024 CITY ELECTION

AND MEASURE TO BE VOTED ON
Notice is hereby given that a general municipal election will be held in the City of Trinidad on Tuesday, November 05, 2024, for the following officers:

POSITIONS AVAILABLE: CITY COUNCILMEMBERS (2)
SEAT 1: NOV. 2024 – NOV. 2024 (4-Years)
SEAT 2: NOV. 2024 – NOV. 2028 (4-Years)
FILING DEADLINE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 09, 2024, 5:00pm
MEASURE TO BE VOTED ON:

Notice is hereby given, that the following measure is to be voted on at the general municipal election to be held in the city of Trinidad, on Tuesday, November 05, 2024:
“Shall a .75 cent transaction and use tax be continued in the City of Trinidad for four years, starting on April 01, 2025”

YES / NO
Polling locations will be open between the hours of 7:00am and 8:00pm on Election Day.

For candidate documents, rules, and nomination requirements, contact:

Gabriel Adams
Trinidad City Clerk
707.677.0223
www.trinidad.ca.gov
[email protected]
9:00am – 3:00pm, Monday-Friday.

TRINIDAD CITY HALL Cheryl Kelly, Mayor
P.O. Box 390 Gabriel Adams, City Clerk
409 Trinity Street
Trinidad, CA 95570
(707) 677-0223

NOTICE OF DATE FIXED FOR SUBMISSION OF ARGUMENTS FOR

OR AGAINST A CITY MEASURE MAY BE SUBMITTED TO THE CITY CLERK NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a General Municipal election shall be held on November 05, 2024, at which there will be submitted to the voters of the City the following measure:
“Shall a .75 cent transaction and use tax be continued in the City of Trinidad for four years, starting on April 01, 2025”
Yes
No
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 3, Division 9 of the Elections Code of the State of California, the legislative body of the City, or any member or members thereof authorized by the body, or any individual voter who is eligible to vote on the measure, or bona fide association of citizens, or any combination of voters and associations, may file a written argument, not to exceed 300 words in length, accompanied by the printed name(s) and signature(s) of the author(s) submitting it, or if submitted on behalf of an organization, the name of the organization, and the printed name and signature of at least one of its principal officers who is the author of the argument, for or against the City measure.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that, based upon the time reasonably necessary to prepare and print the arguments and sample ballots for the election, the City Clerk has fixed Friday, August 16, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. as the date after which no arguments for or against the City measure may be submitted to the clerk for printing and distribution to the voters as provided in Article 4. Arguments shall be submitted to the City Clerk, accompanied by the printed name(s) and signature(s) of the author(s) submitting it, or if submitted on behalf of an organization, the name of the organization, and the printed name and signature of at least one of its principal officers who is the author of the argument, in the City Clerk’s Office, located at 409 Trinity Street, Trinidad, CA 95570.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that rebuttal arguments, not to exceed 250 words in length, may be filed in the City Clerk’s Office, accompanied by the printed name(s) and signature(s) of the author(s) submitting it, or if submitted on behalf of an organization, the name of the organization, and the printed name and signature of at least one of its principal officers who is the author of the argument, no later than Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. The signers may be different persons than the persons who signed the primary arguments.

Primary arguments and rebuttal arguments shall be signed by not more than five persons.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the measure, arguments, and impartial analysis will be available for public examination in the Trinidad City Clerk’s office for not less than 10-calendar days from the deadline for the filing of the arguments and analysis.

Dated: July 09, 2024
____________________
Gabriel Adams
Trinidad City Clerk
Elections Officer

FORM OF STATEMENT TO BE FILED BY AUTHOR(S) OF ARGUMENT
All arguments concerning measures filed pursuant to Division 9, Chapter 3 (beginning with Section 9200) of the Elections Code shall be accompanied by the following form statement, to be signed by each proponent and by each author, if different, of the argument:

The undersigned proponent(s) or author(s) of the ____________(primary/rebuttal) argument ____________ (in favor/against) ballot measure __________ at the General Municipal election for the City of Trinidad to be held on November 05, 2024, hereby state that this argument is true and correct to the best of ____________ (his/her/their) knowledge and belief.

Print Name _____________________________________ Title _________________________________ (If applicable): Submitted on behalf of:
______________________________________________
Name of Organization
Signature ______________________________________ Date _______________________________ Print Name _____________________________________ Title _________________________________ (If applicable): Submitted on behalf of:
______________________________________________
Name of Organization
Signature _______________________________________ Date ________________________________ Print Name _____________________________________ Title ________________________________ (If applicable): Submitted on behalf of:
______________________________________________
Name of Organization
Signature ______________________________________ Date _________________________________ Print Name _____________________________________ Title _________________________________ (If applicable): Submitted on behalf of:
______________________________________________
Name of Organization
Signature ______________________________________ Date ________________________________ Print Name _____________________________________. Title ________________________________ (If applicable): Submitted on behalf of:
______________________________________________
Name of Organization
Signature ______________________________________ Date _________________________________

Trinidad City CouncilJuly 9, 2024

Trinidad City Council
July 9, 2024