01-14-2025 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TRINIDAD CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025 (LIVE/HYBRID)
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kelly called the live-hybrid meeting to order at 6:00pm. Council members in attendance: Kelly, Tuttle, Breckenridge, Varela, Kenny. City Staff in attendance: City Manager Eli Naffah, In-coming City Manager Joe Tagliaboschi, City Clerk Gabriel Adams, Deputy Clerk Anton Souza, Grant Adminstrator Angela Cather, City Engineer Josh Wolf. Approximately (11) participants were present by video-conference, and (16) were present live at the beginning of the meeting.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. CLOSED SESSION
1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Calif. Gov. Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)) (1 Case: City of Trinidad vs. Tsurai Ancestral Society, et. al, Humb. Co. Sup. Court Case No. 180684 IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
No reportable action taken in closed session.
V. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion (Kenny/Breckenridge) to approve the agenda as submitted. Passed unanimously.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 12-10-2024 cc2
Motion (Breckenridge/Tuttle) to approve the minutes as submitted. Passed unanimously.
VII. COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Tuttle: Nothing to report.
Breckenridge: Nothing to report.
Varela: Nothing to report.
Kenny: Nothing to report.
Kelly: HCAOG acknowledged the service of Jack West. Attended Hazard Mitigation Team and Hazardous Materials Response Authority (HMRA) meetings.
VIII.STAFF REPORTS – City Manager & Law Enforcement
City Manager Naffah highlighted accomplishments summarized in the staff report included in the meeting packet.
HCSO Lt. McCall summarized December stats.
IX. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR – NO ITEMS PRESENTED
(Three (3) minute limit per Speaker unless Council approves request for extended time.) X. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Staff Activity Report – December 2024
2. Financial Statements – November 2024
3. Law Enforcement Report – December 2024.
4. Authorize City Clerk to sign a GHD Agreement Budget amendment for the Trinidad Water Storage Tank and Pipeline Replacement Project.
Motion (Breckenridge/Kenny) to pull number 4 for discussion. After brief clarification satisfying Councilmember Kenny, Council proceeded to approve the consent agenda in full. Passed unanimously.
XI. DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
1. Resolution 2025-01; Acknowledging the Public Service of Jack West.
Mayor Kelly read the resolution aloud and presented West with a copy. 01-14-2025 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
West thanked the Council expressed hope for the community moving forward and pride in over a decade of service.
By consensus the Council adopted Resolution 2025-01.
2. Resolution 2025-02; Acknowledging the Public Service of Steve Ladwig.
Mayor Kelly read the resolution aloud and presented Ladwig with a copy.
Ladwig noted the Council’s role is as hub of the wheel, and recognized how important community engagement is to the success of government.
By consensus the Council adopted Resolution 2025-02.
3. Discussion/Decision regarding Cycle 10 HSIP Project – GHD Contract Amendment for Supplemental Construction Engineering Services and Review of Pedestrian Safety Improvements.
City Engineer Josh Wolf provided a presentation to the Council. In November 2020, the City submitted three applications to Caltrans Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 10 for Set-Aside funding. The City Engineer collaborated with Public Works staff to identify and develop these project applications. In March 2021, Caltrans notified the City that all three projects were selected for funding:
• Project H10-01-005 Crosswalk Enhancement Set-Aside for $250,000 - Install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), curb extensions, ADA curb ramps, yield lines, traffic signs, striping and pavement markings.
• Project H10-01-006 Guardrail Upgrades Set-Aside for $416,000 - Upgrade/replace existing guardrail systems and end treatments.
• Project H10-01-007 Edgeline Striping Set-Aside for $132,800 - Install edgelines and improve striping.
The improvements included in the project address some of the critical areas identified in the City’s Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP), including pedestrian safety, aggressive driving/speeding, distracting driving, intersection safety, and bicyclist safety. The LRSP was developed through a collaborative process that included public outreach and input from community stakeholders and representatives from partner agencies.
The City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a task order with GHD Inc. to complete the environmental, engineering, and construction management services for the City of Trinidad’s Cycle 10 HSIP project. The project is currently in the construction phase and is anticipated to be completed by February 2025.
In addition to the improvements identified in the grant application, several additional improvements were added to the construction contract at the request of Council and staff to maximize the use of the available grant funds.
The additional improvements include the following:
• View Avenue and Ocean Avenue: Installation of speed humps, signage, striping, and markings. The speed humps were added to reduce vehicle speeds and traffic volumes on these residential streets, and improve safety for all users.
• Edwards Street: Striping reconfiguration and signage to provide a wider shoulder area for enhanced pedestrian access between downtown and the beach/harbor. The shoulder improvements to Edwards Street, in addition to the enhanced crosswalk at Hector Avenue, were included in the project to provide for enhanced pedestrian connectivity between downtown Trinidad and the beach/harbor, which was required by the California Coastal Commission due to the closure of Van Wycke Trail. • Main Street Intersections: Additional striping and marking improvements (e.g., stop markings, limit lines, and crosswalks) at the intersections with Patrick’s Point Drive, Westhaven Drive, and Frontage Road. The existing striping and markings were faded/deteriorated and no longer effective.
The project is currently in the construction phase and is anticipated to be completed by February 2025.
The additional improvements required extra effort from GHD, which was not anticipated at the project's initiation. Specific tasks completed by GHD related to these additional features included CEQA clearance, design plans and figures, attending council meetings, meetings with the public/stakeholders, negotiating costs with the contractor, issuing contract change orders to the contractor, and overseeing construction. GHD has 01-14-2025 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
provided a proposed task order amendment for the additional construction engineering services for an estimated amount not to exceed $6,000.
Recently the City has received several complaints regarding the installation of the RRFB crosswalk signs and no parking signs on Edwards Street and their perceived impact to coastal views. RRFB pedestrian activated safety devices are used to increase driver awareness at crosswalks and are proven effective. Edwards is one of the busiest roads in town with local, commercial, and visitor/tourist traffic. The crosswalks connect the only pedestrian route between downtown Trinidad and the beach/harbor, with limited street lighting.
Visual renderings of the proposed enhancements were presented and approved by the Council most recently in March of 2023. Potential options to address concerns with RRFB’s at Edwards and Hector Streets include:
• Reduce the angle of the solar panels and reevaluate in 6 months. • Remove RRVB’s and retain only the pedestrian and arrow signs - not recommended. • Remove the entire sign system – not recommended.
Two “No Parking” signs were installed, in addition to the red curb paint, to discourage vehicles from parking in the wider shoulder area (shoulder increased from 5-7’. The options include doing nothing, or removing them.
Council questions included:
Kelly: Another potential solution could be in-ground lighting across the crosswalks, and the Local Road Safety Plan process actively engaged with the public and documented safety priorities requested at that time. Wolf added these are added in combination with the signs, requiring a power source, and have been problematic in Humboldt County due to cost, weather deterioration, and cost.
Kenny: Cost for intersection signage? Wolf estimated approximately $15k per intersection.
Breckenridge: Would it be advisable to remove intersection signs and replace with stop signs? Wolf explained that there would be more regulations and analysis required, and California law would prohibit it without a study determining certain criteria that likely will not apply in these locations.
City Manager Tagliaboshi asked Wolf to touch on the grant requirements and possible returning equipment purchased, and reminded the Council that the Coastal Commission had input recommending these improvements for primary access to the Harbor with Van Wycke Trail not being advised due to its deteriorated condition. Wolf stated that Caltrans is essentially paying for them, the value may be pennies on the dollar, and Caltrans would have to be consulted. Sign height is also controlled by traffic safety engineering standards.
Varela: Has anyone commented on traffic safety data collected at these intersections? City Manager Tagliaboschi noted that the project wasn’t warrant driven by those standards, but rather safety feedback from the public and also strong encouragement from the Coastal Commission due to the status of Van Wycke closure and future use.
Tuttle: There wasn’t a need, in my opinion, for the intersection at Hector. Wolf noted that the Hector area is very congested during busy months of the year, with vehicles parked on Hector and also down Edwards.
Kelly: We rely on data and engineering teams to advise us. I have anecdotally witnesses slower traffic at the intersections. I also met Hector Street with resident Andrew Davis, who argued the signs should be removed and violate the City’s own viewshed policies. Although I met with Davis, I am still impartial on the subject and look forward to hearing all the input tonight.
Breckenridge: Summarized a letter submitted from resident Deborah Frame, who is hearing impaired and appreciates the signs.
Public comment included:
Andrew Davis – Trinidad
I observe that intersection frequently as I live on Hector. I submitted an email for public comment that raises several viewshed concerns and demand the signs be removed. The City violated its own ordinances that should have protected me from this. This shouldn’t have happened. I challenge the statement that design review wasn’t required. Story-poles should have gone up as a nice gesture to the residents impacted. I’m disappointed in the town for not exhibiting model behavior and courtesy towards its residents. Remove 01-14-2025 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
everything at Hector. The Galindo intersection is on a blind curve and the signs won’t be effective. It’s up to people to be aware of traffic when crossing. I walk that road daily and see mostly well-mannered driving patterns.
City Attorney Russ Gans noted that the signs in question would be exempt from design review, and categorically exempt from CEQA.
Kati Breckenridge approached the podium to read a comment in full submitted by hearing impaired, Underwood resident Deborah Frame sympathetic to the aesthetic concerns raised, but in full support of the signage as a safety measure for families with children, and people with disabilities.
Ana Davis – Trinidad
Hector Street resident directly impacted by the visual aspect of the signs, challenging the safety effectiveness of the installation. I’m a community member, and it makes me sad to see this happen without being contacted directly with notification of the signs. I care about the safety of our residents. I walk all over town and have no safety issues walking down Edwards. Quoted pedestrian death statistics and demographics, disagreeing that community safety is not threatened, warranting those signs. Just because we get grant money doesn’t mead we need to spend it. Signs glow with sun and moonlight, along with illuminate during the day with their bright color. I request they be removed. Residents should be informed about significant changes to the landscape of the town and changes that will affect them. The decision was made in fear, and the statistics shared show that residents have very little to fear in the first place and different solutions exist for protecting them from being hit by cars.
Tim Needham – Trinidad
Described a situation involving a driver towing a boat uphill and another driver behind it, also with a boat, and the sudden stopping to yield at a crosswalk. There wasn’t a traffic study performed on that.
Jeff Bairey – Trinidad
I just moved here 2.5 years ago, and bought the house because of the great views. The signs are gross, large, and unnecessary, standing 14 feet tall with 8 square feet of surface. Routing people down Edwards is the problem. If we had Van Wycke trail open this wouldn’t be happening. The solution is getting Van Wycke trail back open and taking people off Edwards. J Both intersections crosswalks are unnecessary. Nobody ever crosses at Galindo in that direction, students on their way to the Marine Lab included. Those signs are for congested urban areas. I object to all the crosswalk signs. I have never once parked against the red curb on Edwards, making the “no parking” signs also unnecessary. A traffic study wasn’t performed, leading to these conclusions. Outreach should have been performed with buy-in from the neighbors like the effort done on Ocean and View for speed humps. That didn’t happen. Remove all of the signs.
Kenny: West of the Marine Lab the State Park trail dumps out onto Edwards. This has always been a problematic area for pedestrian safety and the Galindo crosswalk was a solution.
Aaron Hakenen – Trinidad
We need to make sure the solutions are sized appropriately for the character and vibe of our community. An email between the City Clerk and Andrew Davis mischaracterized my position regarding the crosswalks, unintendedly. As quoted in the email, I was speaking as a resident. I believe a crosswalk is a good thing, did question the need for both, but was silent on the issue of signage. I also noted one of the best features about this town is the lack of signage, and just because we can install them doesn’t mean we should. Having a painted crosswalk is a vast improvement and possibly something we can live with.
Patti Fleschner – Trinidad Area
I think the signs are awful abominations and the “no parking” signs are unnecessary. I support Mr. Davis and others that oppose the sign.
Wolf noted the contractor will be addressing the Galindo sidewalk issue that occurred as a result of accessibility standards. Although there wasn’t a marked crosswalk at Galindo historically, there was a curb ramp. Site visibility was considered and vegetation was removed to improve it. Regarding connectivity, we definitely reviewed that as part of the project and identified concerns raised by the Marine Lab and Trinidad School.
Finally, “No Parking” signs are not necessary for enforcement of illegally parked vehicles at red curbs. 01-14-2025 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5
Kenny: 2’x2’ signs (directional) are exempt from design review. Could the larger signs violate this policy? Wolf noted these are warning (safety) signs, not directional.
Council comments included:
Breckenridge: I’ve heard some persuasive arguments tonight, but there could be other opinions I haven’t heard. I think another meeting continuing the discussion is due.
Tuttle: We failed as a Council to do outreach and receive public input. We put the effort into the speed humps on Ocean and View. These signs are good for other cities, but not necessarily for Trinidad.
Varela: I am a mother of 2 kids with a dog. The project has made Edwards safer and more walkable for me. I acknowledge all the residents expressing their concerns, impacted by this project. We should reflect on these comments, remove the “no parking” signs, consider the view obstructions, and also be mindful of making connectivity safe.
Kenny: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I’m sure that if everyone spoke when the signs were originally discussed, they probably wouldn’t have gone up. There’s great irony that the Coastal Commission was urging us into this because of the Van Wycke closure – but may have forgotten that the closure was temporary. I consider myself a fiscal conservative, and am disturbed with the thought of having to pay for improvements that we aren’t using.
Kenny: I propose a motion that if Caltrans will let us keep 50% of the cost that may otherwise have to reimbursed, the flashing signs can be taken down. No parking signs should be removed, regardless, and stencil “no parking” on the red curb.
Kenny deferred to Breckenridge who casually suggested an informal motion without formalizing it.
Motion #1 of 2: (Breckenridge/Kelly) to table this discussion to the February meeting with purposeful outreach to the community welcoming input for Council consideration, remove “no parking” signs immediately. Passed unanimously.
Motion #2 of 2: (Kelly/Varela) to authorize City Manager to execute a task order amendment with GHD Inc. for supplemental construction management services for the City of Trinidad’s Cycle 10 HSIP project. Passed unanimously.
4. Discussion/Decision Agreement with Pacific Watershed Associates for Task Order #5; Providing Continuous Bypass Flows Using PWA MkII Telemeter and Display Bypass Flows with IoT Data Analytics Platform.
Pacific Watershed Associates representative Todd Kramer explained that the PWA MkII telemeter has been accurately recording stream stage (water levels), and documenting bypass flows, during annual low flows in Luffenholtz Creek just downstream of the Trinidad pump station’s point of diversion site since 2017.
Currently, data is being streamed directly to a computer terminal and receiving gateway via a LoRa radio link at the drinking water treatment plant. It has become apparent that it would be more convenient if the telemeter data could be a) accessible remotely over the cloud, b) displayed as a graph for ease of data interpretation by the client, and c) automated such that authorized City personnel are alerted if bypass flow falls below either the
0.86 cfs or 0.15 cfs regulatory thresholds.
PWA has identified a suitable data analytics and visualization platform to integrate with the PWA MkII telemeter.
To do so, PWA altered the code of the telemeter’s LoRa gateway to connect with the InfluxDB cloud-based data visualization platform. Completion of this task in October 2024 has allowed PWA to send bypass flow data to a cloud-based data analytics and visualization platform so the bypass flow data can be remotely accessed.
At the municipal water treatment plant, the office computer is intermittently turned off and/or taken off the internet for security purposes, thereby preventing streamflow data from being continuously uploaded to the cloud. Resolution requires the installation of a second dedicated computer that is always left operating so telemeter flow data can be continuously transmitted to the cloud platform.
To resolve the issue, PWA suggests installation of a Micro PC to maintain continuous posting of low flow streamflow data. The City Manager and PWA discussed that the City IT personnel will assist with the proposed 01-14-2025 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6
project and install the Micro PC to the water treatment plant desktop computer. Completing the system set up will allow the Client to remotely view the hydrograph for ease of visual interpretation even when the desktop is offline.
Council questions included:
Kenny: I’m deeply concerned about the water fund balance and how this may impact it. Could the project be postponed for a few months? City Manager Tagliaboschi explained that monitoring is mandated by the State Water Board and the City’s water rights permits. Payment won’t be required until the project is complete.
There was no public comment.
Motion (Kenny/Varela) to approve Task Order #5 under the 2021 Master Services Agreement (MSA) 01 between the City of Trinidad and Pacific Watershed Associates, providing continuous bypass flows using PWA MkII Telemeter and display bypass flows with IoT Data Analytics Platform. Passed unanimously.
5. Discussion/Decision regarding Planning Commissioner Appointments to Fill (2) 4-Year Terms.
City Clerk Adams explained that Planning Commissioner terms last 4-years, and appointments are made by the City Council. The 4-year terms expire on a rotating basis in December during each General Election year (even numbered year).
Councilmembers start off the year following a December election by handling several routine tasks in December and January. In January the Council is asked to make appointments to the Planning Commission to fill the vacancies left by rotating term expirations.
The current commissioners are:
Tom Hopkins Trinidad area Resident Term expires December 2024 Tristan Cole City resident Term expires December 2024
Richard Johnson Trinidad area resident Term expires December 2026 Aaron Hakenen City Resident Term expires December 2026
Chris Slay City Resident Term expires December 2026
Trinidad Municipal allows the Planning Commission to include up to (2) Commissioners that live outside the city limits “…in the event there are no acceptable applicants from within the City limits.” Commissioner Hopkins is one of two serving that live outside the City limits. His term is expiring, along with resident Tristan Cole (Berry Road).
With no term limits specified in the Trinidad Municipal Code for Planning Commissioners, current Commissioners are welcome to reapply.
A vacancy notice and request to begin the recruitment process was authorized by the Council at the November 08 regular meeting.
Two (2) letters of interest were received. Current Commissioner Tristan Cole expressed interest in continuing service for another term. Trinidad area resident Roland Johnson has also submitted a letter of interest.
Applicants have been invited to attend the meeting and introduce (or re-introduce) themselves. The Council may wish to either make the appointments or extend the deadline if they feel it necessary. The Planning Commission meets next on January 15. Due to the condensed deadline between both meetings, a new member may not be completely onboarded in time, but will be encouraged to attend and participate, if they feel inclined.
There was no public comment.
Council comments included:
Kenny, Varela, and Kelly thanked Cole and Johnson for volunteering, thanking Cole specifically for continuing to provide insightful contributions to the Planning Commission. 01-14-2025 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7
Motion (Kelly/Tuttle) to appoint Tristan Cole and Roland Johnson to serve 4-year Planning Commission terms through December 2028. Passed unanimously.
6. Grant Project and Activity Report/Discussion.
Grant Administrator Angela Cather summarized an extensive report included in the meeting packet on 2024 grant development, activity, and related tasks. The report was presented in an outline format identifying the following grants in development:
• OPC SB1
• Edwards Street Accessibility and Resilience
• Saunders Park Recreational Project
• Stormwater Permit Compliance
• Contract Engineer Procurement
• City Bid Process
• Humboldt Regional Climate Action Plan
Current grant projects were also identified:
• Local Coastal Program Update, Project 3
• CalRecycle SB 1383 Assistance
• HSIP
• Per Capita Recreation
• Trinity Street Pavement Rehabilitation
• Main, Patrick’s Point, Westhaven Drive Pavement Rehabilitation • Water Tank and Pipeline
• Westhaven Intertie
The Council asked various questions and thanked Cather and Price-Hall for their excellent work and service to the City.
Public comment included:
Aaron Hakenen – Trinidad
Pointed out an impressive 8 million dollars of grant support without a match requirement.
Presentation only. No decision was made.
7. City Accomplishments from Eli Naffah.
Outgoing City Manager Eli Naffah presented a list of 2024 accomplishments compiled, summarized with various highlights. He apologized for the Water Fund being depleted during his tenure, but thanked Council, Staff, and the community for their support.
Council thanked Naffah for his service.
Presentation item only. No decision was made.
8. City Goals from Mayor Kelly.
Mayor Kelly presented a summarized list of goals identified by the Council during recent priority gathering surveys, and also identified in the annual budget adopted and implemented on July 01, 2024. The information was shared as orientation material for the new Councilmembers and Staff, along with setting the tone for the upcoming year.
Presentation item only. No decision was made.
9. Discussion/Decision regarding Council Commissionership and Representative Assignments.
The Council discussed and modified the appointments as follows:
01-14-2025 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 8
COMMITTEE REP ALT
Humboldt Waste Management Authority HWMA
https://www.hwma.net
Kelly Kenny
Humboldt County Association of Governments HCAOG
https://www.hcaog.net
Kelly Kenny
Tsurai Management Plan Implementation Committee Varela Breckenridge Redwood Regional Economic Development Corp. RREDC
https://rredc.com/
Varela Breckenridge
HTA Humboldt Transit Authority HTA
https://hta.org
Tuttle Kenny
Redwood Coast Energy Authority RCEA
https://redwoodenergy.org
Tuttle Kelly
CCNM Trinidad Gateway Committee Kelly Kenny
Humboldt County Convention & Visitors Bureau HCCVB. No rep. Chamber should take on this role
Office of Emergency Services OES
https://humboldtgov.org/356/Office-of-Emergency-Services Kelly Kenny
Hazardous Materials Response Authority HMRA
Quarterly Meetings
Kelly Varela
Humboldt Mayors Committee Kelly Kenny
League of CA Cities City Manager Kelly/Kenny
Trinidad Trails Committee Kenny Kelly
Water Advisory Committee Kelly Tuttle
Animal Advisory Committee Breckenridge Tuttle
North Humboldt Bay Fire District Discussions Kelly Kenny Mayor Kelly suggested sunsetting the Water Advisory Committee, triggering a moderate discussion about whether it was needed or advisable. Public comments included one from Paula Levine opposing the concept, and another from Aaron Hakenen suggesting the Council review the committee purpose before acting.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- Breckenridge requested an agenda topic evaluating the pro’s and con’s of connecting to HBMWD.
ADJOURNMENT: 9:40pm.
Submitted by: Approved by:
_____________________________ _____________________________ Gabriel Adams Cheryl Kelly
Trinidad City Clerk Mayor