07-09-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TRINIDAD CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, JULY 09, 2024 (LIVE/HYBRID)
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kelly called the live-hybrid meeting to order at 6:00pm. Council members in attendance: Kelly, Tuttle, and Breckenridge. Ladwig arrived at 6:32pm. West was absent. City Staff in attendance: City Manager Eli Naffah, City Clerk Gabriel Adams, Project Manager Jennifer Hakenen, Administrative Assistant Anton Souza, and City Engineers Josh Wolf, Brett Vivyan and Kristen Orth-Gordinier from GHD. Approximately (4) participants were present by video-conference, and (3) 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 (Tuttle/Kelly) to approve the agenda as submitted. Passed 3-0.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 05-14-2024 cc, 05-28-2024 cc2, 06-11-2024 cc Motion (Breckenridge/Tuttle) to approve 05-14-2024 as submitted. Passed 3-0.
Minutes from 05-28-2024 cc2 and 06-11-2024 cc were not prepared in time. Will be reviewed at the next meeting.
VII. COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Breckenridge: Nothing to report.
Kelly: Attended G2G meeting with Rancheria.
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 Water Tank and Pipeline Project, Chamber update, new T2 Operator Carl Anderson hired, Coleman Engineering invoice totals (May $14k, June $11k), Taxpayer Protection Ballot Measure removed from election, ATT carrier of last resort was not approved by CPUC, Supreme Court ruled in favor of cities enforcing no camping on city property.
Breckenridge asked staff to confirm if the Sales Tax Relief document was published to the website. City Clerk Adams confirmed.
HCSO Lt. McCall provided a brief summary of the June statistics, provided in the meeting packet. Nothing unusual on July 04 weekend.
IX. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR
(Three (3) minute limit per Speaker unless Council approves request for extended time.) Patti Fleschner – Trinidad Civic Club.
Thanked the City for sending Tourist Occupancy contribution to Museum, Library, Chamber, and Land Trust.
X. CONSENT AGENDA
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
Motion (Kelly/Breckenridge) to approve the consent agenda as submitted. Passed 3-0. 07-09-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
XI. DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
1. Presentation of the Draft Trinidad Community Coastal Resilience Action Plan and Project Concept Designs.
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. The full presentation is available on the City website.
City Engineer Brett Vivyan and Kristen Orth-Gordinier from GHD explained with a detailed presentation that the project was 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.
Public comments included:
Steve Madrone – County Supervisor, Trinidad Area Resident 50-year Trinidad area resident who appreciates this long-term, big picture thinking. Met with GHD, Rancheria, County, and engaged with many partners during this process. Also met with State Representative Jared Huffman and his staff on Scenic Drive last winter. $850k has been earmarked for rehab projects in the future.
County Public Works Director Tom Mattson made Scenic Drive a top priority, and I helped put it on HCAOG funding list. Scenic was turned over to the County in 1967 when the State built the new highway 101.
Dewatering helps stabilize the road. The coast is vulnerable to coastal erosion, and I have recommended engineering solutions to help stabilize it.
Council comments included:
Kelly: I support the idea of residential, pedestrian enhancements that encourage biking, walking, outdoor dining, etc. I’m concerned about traffic impacts to side streets if sections of Edwards Street get reduced to one-way, and also cultural impacts to areas that may need reinforcement should the bluff begin to fail. Discussions would need to occur between the City and Tribal Governments to ensure resources are protected.
Ladwig: This project takes the current traffic discussions and puts them into a 50-year perspective. This is a grant from the Ocean Protection Council and State Coastal Conservancy to fund adaptation strategies.
Presentation item only. No decision was made. Final Plan will be presented in August for adoption.
2. Presentation/Discussion of Main, Trinity, Ocean, View, and Edwards Streets Traffic Study.
City Engineer Josh Wolf presented the information prepared in a memo from Engineer Frank Penry, dated July 03, 2024, as directed by the City Council in response to traffic safety concerns raised by residents in late 2023/early 2024.
Traffic Study presentation included the overview, purpose, traffic volume results, potential counter-measures, and recommendations. A speed survey was conducted along 5 road segments from Wednesday, March 13 to Tuesday, March 19, 2024, on Main Street east of View, View Avenue north of Parker Creek Drive, Ocean Avenue between Main and West, Trinity Street north of West, and Edwards Street between Hector and Trinity. 07-09-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
Speed and volume data was collected and presented in the technical memorandum. One of the most notable findings was that Ocean Avenue carried a significantly higher volume of vehicles traveling northbound at a higher rate of speed. Trinity Street is being bypassed by drivers heading back from the Harbor or returning from Trinity, favoring Ocean Avenue as a residential cut-through which is a cause for concern. Vehicle traffic on Main, Trinity, and Edwards Street is of no major concern. They function as major collectors and are heavily used. View & Ocean were looked at closely since they are residential roads. View showed reasonable volume. Ocean carried higher volumes northbound.
Some potential measures, as explained in detail in the memo included in the meeting packet, are as follows:
• Install wayfinding signage in strategic locations to guide travelers in certain directions (restaurants, shopping, downtown, US101, Harbor/Beach etc. (est. $1,000-1,500K) • Install residential traffic only sign on Edwards and Ocean Ave. • Install transverse pavement markings (est. $22k) or speed humps on Ocean & View (est. $30k) • Install edgeline on View.
• Replace faded non-standard speed limit signs on Ocean and View. • Eliminate through traffic on Edwards Street east of Trinity, by using strategic striping, markings, etc., allowing only neighborhood traffic.
Council comments included:
Breckenridge: Has there been any consideration to installing signage discouraging large vehicles or RV’s from traveling on Ocean or View?
Kelly: Is there a speed problem, or a volume problem? Josh Wolf explained that the 85% speed is low 20mph, and 15mph is not common. No serious pattern of overall high speed was noticed, but there were a few outliers traveling at higher speeds. Higher volume of traffic contributes to higher speeds.
Tuttle: Any thoughts to minimize school traffic through Ocean? Ladwig: Communicate with the School and ask to share recommendations with parents. We can try some of the recommended countermeasures and do another study in a year or two, to measure results.
Public comments included:
Michelle McHenry - Trinidad
I walk through town with my grandson everyday. The City removed an encroachment in front of my house on Ocean Avenue when I purchased it. The encroachment slowed traffic down. When it was removed, traffic speeds increased. Speed humps work. Edwards Street needs a sidewalk to protect pedestrians.
Steve Madrone – County Supervisor, Trinidad Area resident I helped the residents of 6th Avenue get the speed humps installed with help from Mercer-Fraser and Granite Construction. The community loves them.
Patti Fleschner – Trinidad
Radar feedback signs are incredibly bright and flash. We don’t need more of them on Main and Trinity Streets.
Council comments included:
Kelly: There have been several requests for speed humps, and they may be effective in slowing thru traffic down. I volunteer to get homeowner acceptance (signatures, etc.) on Ocean and View to properly notify everyone if speed humps are pursued.
Breckenridge: I’m in support of wayfinding signs and speed humps on Ocean and View.
Tuttle: I support speed humps, but no radar feedback signs.
Ladwig: No radar feedback signs. I support striping, replacing old signage, wayfinding signage, and asphalt speed humps, and to invest in another study in a few years to measure the results. Wayfinding signs may help during the busy season, and slower traffic is better than high volume traffic.
Josh Wolf noted that wayfinding signage won’t be covered by HSIP project funding, but speed humps may qualify. Will prepare exhibits and outreach material for Council to provide to residents in preparation of speed hump installation. The project will need to be expedited to meet the HSIP funding and construction deadlines. 07-09-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
By consensus, Council directed the City Engineer prepare outreach materials for Ocean Avenue and View Street residents impacted by proposed speed humps. Council members will deliver the message to residents if needed. Staff was also directed to develop wayfinding signage and striping solutions as presented and recommended.
3. Discussion/Decision regarding Edwards Street Pedestrian Improvements.
City Manager Naffah explained that the Coastal Commission is asking for safer pedestrian enhancements on Edwards Street due to the Van Wycke trail closure. Staff met with Engineers and Tsurai representatives to develop short and long-term recommendations. HSIP project may be able to fund short-term improvements.
Meeting with Tsurai again this coming Thursday to discuss short-term concepts, utilizing the south-side of Edwards more safely with better striping. Staff is looking for direction, not necessarily a decision, on potential solutions.
City Engineer Josh Wolf presented concerns, proposed improvements, and challenges. The primary short-term improvement includes developing a 7’ pedestrian shoulder on the south side of Edwards by moving the centerline and adding enhanced striping. Long-term solution would be developing a sidewalk on the north side of Edwards. Short-term enhancements will cost approximately $30k. Available funding remaining for HSIP is approximately $95k.
Council questions included:
Ladwig: Should there be a sign at Edwards and Galindo directing pedestrians to use Galindo instead of Edwards Street? Kelly noted pedestrians, not vehicles, are encouraged to use Galindo.
Breckenridge: Will Edwards Street get repaved? City Manager Naffah explained that the portion under construction for the new water line will get repaved.
City Manager Naffah recommended authorizing staff to act after input is received from the Tsurai, in order to work with the HSIP and Council meeting timelines.
Public comment included:
Steve Madrone – County Supervisor, Trinidad area resident Move the Van Wycke Trail upslope 20’, compensate the landowners, and open the trail. This is the simplest engineering solution.
City Manager Naffah and Mayor Kelly noted the landowners decided to not pursue moving the trail after discussions with the Tsurai concerning impacts to cultural resources. The City is exhausting all possible ideas.
Tim Needham – Trinidad
You have eminent domain powers. You can do it as a City. There’s always questions about cultural significance, but there is no proof of it. You have stumbling blocks with things that don’t exist. Trails are important to the City. Tsurai Management Team does not hold public meetings. Frustrated with Management Team meetings and how they control decisions made by the City.
Mayor Kelly interrupted the comments and guided it back on track with concern for violating the Brown Act.
Focus on Edwards Street Improvements, as agendized.
Michelle McHenry – Trinidad
I support the long-term sidewalk solution for the north side of Edwards.
Motion (Ladwig/Tuttle) to direct staff to proceed with HSIP Edwards Street Improvements as recommended, with possible variations as needed following upcoming consultations with the Tsurai Management Team.
Passed 4-0.
4. Continued Discussion/Decision regarding Draft Water Rate Analysis.
City Manager Naffah introduced Samantha Ryan from RCAC to lead the discussion. Ryan explained that the initial rate study report was presented on May 28. Three rate options were presented. Two different flat rate options were produced, based on contracted service costs, but staff had to confirm salary information included in 07-09-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5
the budget which formed the basis of the rate proposal. City Staff updated the true salary costs in a Coleman Engineering-free scenario, and also updated the payroll allocation from future grant expectations. In-house salaries are predicted with a transitional decline of Coleman Engineering services over a 2-year period.
Council questions included:
Kelly: Does the predicted cost cover 1 FTE Operator? The budgeted salary cost seems extremely high. City Clerk Adams explained that the Water Fund salary expense includes all staff involved in managing and operating the fund. A portion of the City Manager, City Clerk, Grants, Admin, etc. are included in the operational costs, along with the licensed operators to run the system. The budget proposed is a true representation of what the system needs to operate.
Ryan summarized the three rate options proposed; A, B, and C. Affordability is one of the biggest concerns.
Rate Option A and B puts $240k into cash reserves after 5-years. Rate C will achieve only $157k after 5-years.
When the Council selects a final rate option, the Proposition 218 Hearing process will be conducted. If approved, the timeline for that will conclude by the September 12 meeting, with the new rates implemented by October 01.
Kelly: I want to stick with Rate B, try to keep costs down, and do another rate study in a few years. The coldturkey model may have to be pursued (recruit an in-house Chief, develop operators, and dismiss Coleman Engineering). We haven’t tried hard enough to recruit a T-3 Operator in the last 6-9 months.
Breckenridge: Concerned that by being afraid to not raise it enough, we might put ourselves in jeopardy.
Ryan noted RCAC would recommend Rate Option A or C, which begin to rebuild operating and reserve accounts and provide long-term system sustainability. Option B would help cover O & M cost, but would have to be analyzed internally on an annual basis.
Ladwig: Main indicator of A, B,& C sustainability is how well they rebuild reserves. Slow the bleed and rebuild reserves. The Council looks deeply at its budget annually.
Motion (Kelly/Ladwig) to direct staff to move forward with implementing the Prop 218 process using Rate Option B, with a Council commitment to help reduce costs and review rates again in a year or two if necessary. Passed 4-0.
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.
City Manager Naffah explained that the steps leading up to Trinidad Head from the parking area are in need of repair. RCAA has proposed the cost of repairs to be approximately $11,927. CIRA funds for risk reduction could be utilized to pay for the repair.
No public comment.
Motion (Ladwig/Kelly) to approve the proposal with RCAA and authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents on behalf of the Council to initiate the repairs and identify the appropriate funding source.
Passed 4-0.
6. Discussion/Decision regarding August Meeting Schedule.
By consensus, the Council will hold the August meeting as planned due to ongoing issues that may need attention related to the election or staff recruitment.
7. Notice of Election, Arguments For/Against the Sales Tax Extension, City Council Candidate Nomination Period, and Upcoming Deadlines.
City Clerk Adams explained how July and August shape the upcoming election. Candidate nomination period opens July 15 and ends August 14 if no incumbents file. Regarding Arguments For the Sales Tax Measure, Councilmembers may wish to endorse the measure by authoring the argument for, which will be included in the Voter Information Guide.
07-09-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6
Presentation item only. Mayor Kelly and Councilmember Ladwig volunteered to prepare the Argument For the Sales Tax Measure.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- Community Survey
- Ongoing Trails Update.
ADJOURNMENT: 9:20pm
Submitted by: Approved by:
_____________________________ _____________________________ Gabriel Adams Cheryl Kelly
Trinidad City Clerk Mayor