08-13-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TRINIDAD CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2024 (LIVE/HYBRID)
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kelly called the live-hybrid meeting to order at 6:00pm. Council members in attendance: Kelly, West, Ladwig, Breckenridge. Tuttle was absent. City Staff in attendance: City Manager Eli Naffah, City Clerk Gabriel Adams, Project Manager Jennifer Hakenen, Administrative Assistant Anton Souza, and City Planner Trever Parker. Approximately (9) participants were present by video-conference, and (12) were present live at the beginning of the meeting.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. CLOSED SESSION – No closed session.
IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
V. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion (Ladwig/West) to approve the agenda as submitted. Passed 4-0.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES –05-28-2024 cc2, 06-11-2024 cc, 07-09-2024 cc Minutes were not prepared in time. Will be reviewed at the next meeting.
VII. COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
West: No HCAOG meeting. Trails Committee work meeting schedule is on pause due to summer activities, and the Council’s discussions regarding ALMT closure. Trinidad Bay Art and Music Festival was a success.
Breckenridge: Animal Advisory Committee will meet in September. A letter will go out soon to all residents regarding licensing requirements, and will include a magnet with animal control contact information on it.
Ladwig: HTA received a presentation from County staff regarding a November ballot measure for roads and transportation expenses. RREDC met but discussed nothing relevant to Trinidad.
Kelly: CERT met on July 22. Thanked the radio team for leading the repair of 2 damaged antennas on the Fire house. Team will participate in an OES event on August 22. Fall disaster drill planning underway. Attending LAFCO City Selection meeting tomorrow night. Requesting an alternate Councilmember to participate. Town Hall Improvement Committee met to discuss next steps for repairing windows, paint, maintenance, etc.
VIII.STAFF REPORTS – City Manager & Law Enforcement
City Manager Naffah highlighted accomplishments summarized in the staff report included in the meeting packet, including HSIP project update (sidewalks, pedestrian improvements, guardrails on Scenic), Water Tank & Pipeline project update (tank delayed to October 01), Water Plant update (creek flow report, intake pump repair, June invoice from Coleman $11,535, and July $8,270). Responded to questions submitted by a resident regarding Coleman Engineering costs and duties, submitted in writing and included in the public comment packet meeting record. Water Rate protest hearing update, with scheduled hearing September 10. School Playground and Track public access meeting scheduled tomorrow with school and insurance officials. Also noted Optimum Value TV package now includes college sports conference channels.
HCSO Lt. McCall provided a brief summary of the July statistics, provided in the meeting packet. Nothing unusual to report.
IX. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR
(Three (3) minute limit per Speaker unless Council approves request for extended time.) Tom Davies – Trinidad
I requested invoices for water plant operation several months ago and would like that request to be fulfilled.
X. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Staff Activity Report – July 2024
2. Financial Statements – June 2024
3. Law Enforcement Report – July 2024.
4. Conflict of Interest Waiver/Disclosure for Mitchell Law Firm between the City of Trinidad and RCAA for the Trinidad Head Trail Repair Project.
5. Audit Engagement Letter with JJACPA, Inc. for June 30, 2023 Financial Statements. 08-13-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
6. Adopt Final Plan – Trinidad Community Coastal Resiliency Grant Project.
Motion (Ladwig/West) to approve the consent agenda as submitted. Passed 4-0.
XI. DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
1. Presentation Discussion of the Community Survey Results.
City Manager Naffah explained that the STR Committee requested a survey, which led to a city-wide survey that included questions about STR activity. 67 responses were received, mostly online. 11 were from outside-city residents. The first deadline was extended to encourage more participation.
Project Manager Jennifer Hakenen prepared the survey, gathered the results, and prepared a presentation.
Questions ranged from quality of life, what is enjoyed most about living in Trinidad, sense of safety, appearance, civic engagement, response, and communication, complaints, and Short-Term rental awareness. Results and priorities will be considered in future budget meetings for consideration. Complete results have been published on the City’s website.
Council comments included:
Breckenridge: I like the suggestion about a community message board in front of Town Hall listing all events happening. Should be inexpensive to implement.
Ladwig: Annual pre-budget goal setting exercise fits well with this survey process. If we’re able to act on suggestions, we may receive more responses. I thank everyone who took time to participate.
There was no public comment.
Presentation only. No decision was made.
2. Discussion/Decision to Appoint 2 Council Members for a future Government-to-Government Consultation with the Yurok Tribe and TAS.
City Manager Naffah explained that the Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem felt it would be helpful to hold a meeting with the Yurok Tribe and TAS to discuss trail updates. This would allow for more detailed discussion and help plans move forward.
Public comment included:
Jacque Hostler – Trinidad Rancheria Executive Director
The outcomes from G2G meetings should be reported out as per your policy. Trails discussions should be reported back during public meetings, and the Rancheria should be included in receiving that communication.
General trail information should not be held in confidence.
Sarah Lindgren – Tsurai Ancestral Society
We were unaware of ongoing G2G meetings with the Rancheria. I thought they were project specific. Are they published with agendas? City Manager Naffah confirmed they are project specific, including only one or two Councilmembers appointed by the Council.
Kelly Lindgren – Tsurai Ancestral Society
Why isn’t there anything being reported from Rancheria G2G meetings? Mayor Kelly did not report on the last meeting. There are no minutes or records of these meetings either.
Mayor Kelly: Admitted lack of awareness of the reporting requirement, and committed to report all future meeting discussions. Detailed cultural assets are confidential, but everything else is public.
Breckenridge: To confirm, G2G meetings are typically project specific? Mayor Kelly confirmed that was the general practice, being project or topic specific.
Councilmember’s Ladwig and West volunteered to participate.
Motion (Kelly/Breckenridge) to appoint Ladwig and West to attend future G2G meetings with the Yurok Tribe and Tsurai Ancestral Society. Passed 4-0.
08-13-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
Motion (West/Ladwig) to jump to agenda item 5 next.
3. Discussion/Decision on an appeal of the Planning Commission's denial of Coastal Development Permit 2024-09 for continued temporary closure of the Axel Lindgren Memorial Trail (ALMT) due to unsafe conditions. Trail closure authorization is proposed for one year while the City works with stakeholders to develop and plan additional repair options. Located at the ALMT; APN: 042-091-005.
City Planner Trever Parker explained that at their July 17, 2024 meeting, the Planning Commission considered and unanimously denied a Coastal Development Permit (#2024-09) for the continued temporary closure of the Axel Lindgren Memorial Trail (ALMT). The ALMT has been closed starting in February 2023 due to substantial erosion that had occurred over the winter. Since then, staff have been working on solutions for reopening the trail. Progress has been slow at times for various reasons, and the situation as we understood it has changed somewhat from when the trail was originally closed. Therefore, staff proposed the additional closure to allow more time to develop and implement an effective reopening plan. The existing closure expired on August 3, 2024. This is a complex situation in a sensitive area. It is staff’s opinion that the ALMT should not be reopened in its current state, because there is an almost vertical 10-to-12-foot drop at the bottom of the trail where it intersects with the beach. And the City cannot move forward with a repair without approval from the Tsurai Ancestral Society (TAS) (and others) per the requirements and limitations of General Plan Policy 69 and Zoning Ordinance §17.16.080. Staff continues to work towards and is making progress on an interim repair plan in cooperation with the Tsurai Management Team (TMT).
The Planning Commission denied the continued closure of the ALMT for several reasons. They do not feel that adequate progress has been made to reopen the trail and that reopening the trail has not been adequately prioritized. Under these circumstances, they felt that the closure would not be consistent with all applicable policies and regulations of the Trinidad LCP and Coastal Act. They expressed a desire for the City Council to be more involved and proactive in working towards reopening the trail. The Planning Commission understood that their decision would likely be appealed due to the existing physical limitations on the trail, but they saw this as a path to getting the issue before the City Council. The decision to deny the project was unanimous (5-0).
Per Zoning Ordinance/Trinidad Municipal (TMC) § 17.72.100, Planning Commission actions are appealable to the City Council within 10 days of the decision. Therefore, the appeal period ran through July 31, 2024. The Planning Commission’s decision can be appealed by any interested person that submitted either written or oral comments to the Planning Commission on this issue. However, if an appellant can show good cause as to why comments could not be submitted, they can still file an appeal.
The City Manager and City Planner sent a letter to the City Council on July 30, 2024, requesting that the City Council appeal the Planning Commission’s decision. Mayor Kelly appealed the decision via an email request on July 30, 2024, noting that she had not taken a stance on the project but felt it was important for the City Council to discuss the issue. Although Mayor Kelly did not speak or submit comments at the Planning Commission hearing, she has spoken with staff about trail issues on numerous occasions and is clearly an interested party.
Further, City Councilmembers are generally advised to not speak at Planning Commission hearings unless they have a direct interest in a project as a citizen, because it could interfere with the Planning Commission’s decision-making process and because it could prejudice the Councilmember should an appeal be filed.
Therefore, Mayor Kelly is an interested person who can show good cause for not having submitted comments at the Planning Commission hearing and can initiate this appeal.
Because (1) the closure is truly temporary, even if long-term; (2) the trail is located in a culturally and geologically sensitive area; (3) the trail presents a public safety hazard in its current condition; and (4) material progress toward developing a proposal to repair and reopen the trail is being made; therefore the project can be found to be consistent with applicable policies and regulations, including Trinidad General Plan Policy 64 and Coastal Act § 30221.
Based on the information provided, staff recommends that the City Council uphold the appeal and reverse the Planning Commission’s denial of CDP #2024-09 and approve the continued temporary closure of the ALMT for up to one year under the following condition:
1. Because the approval is for a temporary trail closure, the CDP shall expire after one year of going into effect, unless an extension is granted by the Planning Commission based on the need for more time to obtain funding and/or further explore repair and access alternatives if the Planning Commission finds that substantial progress has been made in the interim time period. 08-13-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
If the City Council agrees with staff’s analysis, the motion could be as follows:
Based on application materials and information included in this staff report and the Planning Commission staff report, and based on public testimony and the discussion at the Planning Commission hearing, I find that the project is consistent with the City’s certified LCP and other applicable regulations, and I move to uphold the appeal, adopt the information and findings in this staff report and approve the project as described in this staff report, and as conditioned therein.
City Manager Naffah explained that staff wants to look at this with a long-term and short-term lens. Short-term repairs with City funds, and long-term with possible grant funds. Hopefully the City Engineer can draft repair plans as soon as possible.
Council questions included:
Breckenridge: Will the trail remain closed until the bottom access is re-routed? Parker explained that the heavily vegetated area must be cleared first to allow access, geo-investigations to take place, and solutions to be considered.
City Manager Naffah confirmed that 9-months will be more than sufficient for repairs and trail re-opening.
Public comment included:
Sarah Lindgren – Tsurai Ancestral Society
We obtained a grant for a conceptual, long-term re-design of the trail to increase its longevity, minimize erosion, and make the community proud of again. It’s been in significant disrepair for a long time. We have to work towards the short-term goal of making is usable as well. Site visits with City staff and RCAA representatives took place on the trail in May. RCAA was able to provide a reasonable estimate for work to establish the traditional route again. The only thing missing is the funding. Connecting the toe of the bluff to the beach safely is a longterm goal. Hand tools and rock stacking is not adequate. This is a sensitive area. We’re trying to preserve the historical component and do it thoughtfully. It’s not a lack of a plan that’s holding it up. It’s a lack of funding to implement the long-term goal. Hoping to get the trail up and running in a permanent way for everyone to enjoy.
If we get funding it can be done a lot quicker, which depends on how the City approaches funding the project.
City Manager Naffah explained that the cost of vegetation removal from RCAA is $4,600 which the City can take care of. Getting people safely to the beach with some type of step system is the objective. Once we find out what that entails, we can search for funding.
Mayor Kelly noted that there is a plan, and that work is being done behind the scenes to move the project forward. Councilmember West thanked the Tsurai for progress towards the repair.
Public comment included:
Jacque Hostler – Trinidad Rancheria Executive Director
At what point will public input be taken on the environmental process involved in the improvements? City Planner Parker responded, stating it will be on the Planning Commission agenda next week, and the City will be reaching out (notifying) to the Rancheria directly.
Tom Davies – Trinidad
I like the idea of the trail being rerouted to the traditional route. I support that, but it’s ironic that it’s been past practice to close trails without a CDP, now the CDP is being weaponized to keep the trail closed. When I hear that work has been going on behind the scenes, it makes sense why there’s concern and animosity between the City government and the citizenry. The Wagner Street trail is being pushed off alignment by vegetation management of the property owner. An email from Cheryl in the packet to all Councilmembers is concerning.
Hopefully there was no response or discussions behind the scenes. That adds to the concern for transparency.
Mayor Kelly confirmed there was no response to the email sent. The Tsurai Management Team has been meeting at a staff level – not with Council. I have asked that these meetings be made public, but they have not been.
City Manager Naffah explained that funding is being researched for long-term trail improvement plans. 08-13-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5
Ladwig: I can confirm I have not responded to any group emails, and I support your interest to preserve transparency.
Sarah Lindgren – Tsurai Ancestral Society
I appreciate the support and comments to return the trail to the traditional path. Hope it will be in use for the foreseeable future in that new route. The City Manager has always reported out on TMT meetings, and we encourage, just like any other committee, for reports to be included in manager staff reports. The Tsurai Ancestral Society received a grant for conceptual trail design. It was only recently shared with City staff. It was first shared with the Yurok Tribe to pursue funding. No progress was made, so we brought it to the City. It’s now being made public to receive input. We wanted to make sure it was doable and see come to fruition. We are hopeful we can make this happen through the normal public channels, making this a community project. It will affect the City and benefit everyone that enjoys that trail. Unfortunately, the Management Team meetings aren’t open to the public. There is currently a lawsuit that limits what can be discussed.
Mayor Kelly: The community will be excited to see the preliminary plans developed.
Tristan Cole – Trinidad resident, Planning Commissioner The report from Trever and Sarah is very encouraging, but I’m a continued skeptic. We have received a lot of encouraging reports from the City and TMT, but nothing has come to fruition. There has been a lot of talk. I’m weary of all this positive news. Granting additional closure gives staff and the TMT a sigh of relief. I’d like to see the Council create accountability. There have been too many hollow promises. With regard to the forthcoming report, my impression is that it’s a study of long-term solutions. We want to see some short-term solutions. We need a temporary re-opening solution. The long-term solution could be open-ended.
Sarah Lindgren -Tsurai Ancestral Society
Remind Council that there is an estimate from RCAA to reopen the trail. The only thing missing is funding. The TMT has had the estimate since May 20, for under $5,000. Work can be done now if the City can fund it. Steve Allen (GHD) has been discussing simple solutions with TAS for the bluff toe. There have been site visits and an estimate requested. The only thing left is to write the check.
Mayor Kelly: The City will fund the RCAA estimate to clear the area of vegetation for investigation ($4,600), but that work will not reopen the trail, correct? City Manager Naffah explained that a related item was on the Consent Agenda regarding Conflict of Interest Waiver for the City Attorney. City Planner Trever Parker explained that after looking at the toe of the bluff, it may require more work after the vegetation is removed. I spent time reviewing College Cove improvements. We should have someone consult with the City with State Parks and TAS for their non-invasive, potential short-term plan. I’d like to see some milestones in place with tonight’s decision to ensure accountability.
Richard Johnson – Trinidad Planning Commissioner
A letter was written by the Commission Chair summarizing their work so far, included in the comment record.
This is something very complicated, but very simple. From a simplicity standpoint, all we’re asking for is a trail to access the beach. The Commission felt frustrated with the fact that the Council, not Commission, has the authority to make this happen. The denial of the permit brought this to the Council level with the intent of getting as much support as possible.
City Planner Parker noted the short-term solution would be the least amount of work needed to get people to the beach safely, and possibly removed during the winter.
Written comments submitted, included in the meeting record were received in support of keeping the ALMT open and denying closure extension from the following residents/community members:
Tom Davies and Kathleen Lake
Anita Thompson
Bryce Kenny
Kim Tays
Richard “Dick” Bruce
Council comments included:
West: I’d like to see monthly progress updates so we know what’s going on, and not getting pushed aside. I want this done as soon as possible.
08-13-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6
Ladwig: I support the Planning Commission’s request for action, and will follow that lead. The City has been committing Trail Maintenance funding for several years now – approximately $10k per year. I recommend adding funding commitment to the motion when it’s drafted.
Kelly: The Planning Commission’s frustration is directed at the Council, and we need to have accountability and milestones. We talked about funding. Grants and other partnership opportunities with the TAS should also be pursued.
Jacque Hostler – Trinidad Rancheria Executive Director
The Trinidad Rancheria Tribal Council requests G2G consultation with short and long-term solutions. The Rancheria has not been kept informed, and has been requesting non-confidential information to be brought back to the Tribal Council. There’s no reason why communication shouldn’t be flowing freely, eliminating the need for these requests. I appreciate the complexity of the project. We support it, but the lack of communication demands our request for consultation.
Mayor Kelly noted we can do better, and we will do better.
City Manager Naffah recommended “by Memorial Day” as a deadline.
Motion (Ladwig/West) to uphold the appeal, reverse the Planning Commission's decision, and approve CDP #2024-09 for the continued closure of the ALMT as recommended by staff and with the following stipulations: (1) City will commit budget discretionary funds to the project (Steve actually said "trail funds", but I'm fine with whatever wording you think is best here); (2) dedicate City staff time to search and apply for eligible grants; (3) staff will provide monthly reports and progress assessments to the Council; and (4) set Memorial weekend 2025 as the target for reopening. Passed 4-0.
4. First Reading of Ordinance 2024-02 and Adoption of Resolution 2024-14; Zoning and General Plan Amendment request to change the zoning and general plan designations of the property from PR – Public and Religious to SR – Suburban Residential. Narelle 2021-04; Located at 12 Berry Road; APN: 515-331-016.
City Planner Trever Parker explained that the project is located at 12 Berry Road, APN: 515-331-016. The property is currently developed with a church and an attached apartment. The church had been abandoned for several years prior to purchase by the current owners. They would like to convert the church into a residence and maintain the apartment as an ADU. In order to accomplish this, the property owner has requested a zone change from Public & Religious (PR) to Suburban Residential (SR). The Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezone/general plan amendment at a public hearing on July 17, 2024.
Over the past several years, three of the four churches in the City have been sold into private, individual ownership. This indicates a lack of demand for this particular land use. The SR land use designation/zoning is consistent with surrounding properties and the rural residential neighborhood of Berry Road. The amendment is essentially “downzoning,” because the SR zone allows a much narrower range of uses and at a lower density than the PR zone.
One complicating factor for this site is the presence of a wetland just to the east of the existing development.
The wetland has been delineated in accordance with current standards, and a 50-foot setback for future development will be maintained. This project was referred to resource agencies and any concerns have been adequately addressed. Because the City’s zoning ordinance does not contain provisions for wetlands, staff is not recommending that any of the lot be designated/zoned Special Environment (SE).
At this time, the applicants are proposing only minimal new development, including conversion of the church into a residence by way of internal remodeling, and repairs and installation of a new septic system to serve both residences that will be outside of the 50-foot wetland setback. However, this development is not being approved at this time, because it is not consistent with the existing zoning. It will require a separate permit once the amendment is approved by the City and certified by the Coastal Commission.
The project will need to be approved in several steps. The General Plan Land Use Map will be amended by adoption of Resolution 2024-14. The Zoning Map must be amended via an ordinance, and so will require two readings. The City Council may hold the first reading of Ordinance 2024-02 at this meeting. The second reading 08-13-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7
will occur at the September 10, 2024 meeting. At that time, the Council will also need to adopt a second Resolution (2024-15) authorizing staff to submit an application for an amendment of the City’s Local Coastal Program to the California Coastal Commission.
Staff and the Planning Commission have recommended approval of this project. Based on the analysis in the attached staff report, the proposed rezone/redesignation can be found to be consistent with the City’s Zoning Ordinance, General Plan and the California Coastal Act. If the City Council agrees with staff’s analysis and the Planning Commission recommendation, the project may be approved with adoption of the attached Resolution 2024-15 and Ordinance 2024-02.
There were no public or Council comments.
Motion (Ladwig/West) to Adopt Resolution 2024-14 approving the General Plan Land Use Map Amendment, hold the first reading of Ordinance 2024-02 amending the Zoning Map, and set the second reading for September 10, 2024. Passed 4-0.
5. Discussion/Decision regarding First Amendment to the Franchise Agreement for Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials Collection Services in the City of Trinidad.
City Manager Naffah explained that a Franchise Agreement dated April 9, 2014, between the City of Trinidad (City) and Humboldt Sanitation Company (Contractor) spells out the terms for Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials Collection Services. The Agreement has functioned well between the parties for the past 10 years.
Last month representatives of the City and Contractor met at the Contractors facilities in McKinleyville. There was consensus to continue the Agreement which provides for extensions of five years. Included in the meeting packet is the First Amendment extending the Franchise Agreement until August 1, 2029.
Representatives from Humboldt Sanitation were present.
There was no public or Council comments.
Motion (West/Ladwig) to approve the First Amendment to the Franchise Agreement for Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials Collection Services in the City of Trinidad. Passed 4-0.
6. Discussion/Decision regarding Revised Ballot Wording Previously adopted in Resolution 2024-08; Calling for an Election on a Proposal to Continue the City of Trinidad’s .75% Sales Tax Transaction and Use Tax Increase for 4-Years (Measure L).
City Clerk Adams explained that Resolution 2024-08 was adopted by the Council on May 14 as a lead-up item required to ensure Sales Tax Continuation Measure L would qualify to be on the November General Election ballot. While drafting the Impartial Analysis, the City Attorney took a closer look at the ballot measure language and felt it would be more effectively communicated with a slight revision, removing the “Shall a 3/4 cent…” terminology and replacing it with “shall a three-quarters of one percent (.75%)…” By adopting the revised resolution proposed, the Council will be properly archiving the change for future reference.
The following Sales Tax measure Ballot Question shall be submitted before the voters at the General Election to be held on November 05, 2024:
Shall a three-quarters of one percent (.75%) transaction and use tax be adopted and continued in the City of Trinidad for four additional years, starting on April 01, 2025 and terminating on March 31, 2029? YES/NO
There were no public comments.
Council comments included:
Ladwig: Make sure it says .75%, not .075%.
Motion (Ladwig/Kelly) to Adopt Revised Resolution 2024-08; Calling for an Election on a Proposal to Continue the City of Trinidad’s .75% Sales Tax Transaction and Use Tax Increase for 4-Years (Measure L). Passed 4-0. 08-13-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 8
7. Discussion/Decision regarding First Reading of Ordinance 2024-03; Extending the .75% Transactions and Use Tax for General Purposes to Continue to be Administered by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
City Clerk Adams explained that Ordinance 2024-03 is required by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) to be in place prior to the election November 05, 2024 General Election, whereby the City of Trinidad voters will be asked whether to extend the .75% Sales Tax another 4-years.
This Ordinance will authorize the CDTFA to postpone efforts to terminate the existing tax rate prior to the sunset date of March 31, 2025, and adopt a new termination date IF the sales tax extension passes successfully in November.
If the measure does not pass, this ordinance will become null and void.
A legal notice was summarized, and published locally and in the Mad River Union prior to this hearing as required. A second notice will be published with the outcome of this hearing, and a second reading of the Ordinance will occur in September.
Adoption of the ordinance will become effective only with a majority of Trinidad voter support of Measure L passes in November.
There were no public or Council comments.
Motion (West/Kelly) to approve the First Reading of Ordinance 2024-03; Extending the .75% Transactions and Use Tax for General Purposes to Continue to be Administered by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Passed 4-0.
8. Review/Discussion/Decision of Sales Tax Impartial Analysis from the City Attorney, and the Argument in Favor of Measure L Prepared for Council Consideration and/or Endorsement.
City Clerk Adams explained that two topics are bundled into this discussion. First, the City Attorney’s Impartial Analysis, and second, the proposed Argument in Favor of Measure L.
Sales Tax Impartial Analysis: No Council action is required for this item. The purpose of bringing it to the agenda is to raise awareness of it. It is a tool used to educate voters from an impartial source. The analysis will be forwarded to County Elections in preparation of the Voter Information Guide it will be published in, adjacent to the Arguments For/Against, and Rebuttals.
Argument In Favor of Measure L: Drafted by Mayor Cheryl Kelly, the Argument In Favor is proposed for discussion to allow other Council members the opportunity to endorse it. The document could not be signed by the full Council without a public discussion. Supporters will be listed by name.
There were no public or Council comments.
Motion (Ladwig/Kelly) to endorse the Argument in Favor drafted and proposed by Mayor Kelly. Passed 4-0.
9. Calendar/Deadline Update for Sales Tax and City Council Election; Arguments For/Against the Sales Tax Extension & Candidate Nomination Period.
City Clerk Adams explained that 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
Breckenridge Term Expires December 2026
08-13-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 9
As of Friday, August 09, no nomination papers have been taken by prospective candidates, nor has either incumbent (Ladwig & West) filed papers for continuation. Therefore, the filing deadline will be extended to August
14. The list of remaining Election deadlines is as follows:
• August 13 – Deadline to file Impartial Analysis
• August 14 – Extended Deadline for Candidate Nomination Packets IF NO INCUMBENTS file for the positions by August 09.
• August 16 – Deadline to file Arguments For/Against the Sales Tax Increase • August 28 – Deadline to file REBUTTALS to Arguments For/Occupancy Tax Increase. • September/October – Clerk’s office coordinates ballot preparation with County Elections. • 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.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- Government-to-Government Meeting Policy with City Attorney Russ Gans present to advise on procedures. - Ongoing Trails Update.
- General Plan Update.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:50pm.
Submitted by: Approved by:
_____________________________ _____________________________ Gabriel Adams Cheryl Kelly
Trinidad City Clerk Mayor