City of Trinidad Meeting Minutes: 06-10-2025 1
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TRINIDAD CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025 (LIVE/HYBRID)
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kelly called the live-hybrid meeting to order at 6:00pm. Council members in attendance: Kelly, Kenny, Tuttle, Breckenridge, Varela. City Staff in attendance: City Manager Joe Tagliaboschi, City Clerk Gabriel Adams, Assistant Clerk Anton Souza, and Grant Administrator Angela Cather. Approximately (3) participants were present by video-conference, and (6) 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. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2)) – One case/matter.
IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION – No reportable action taken in closed session.
V. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion (Breckenridge/Kenny) to approve the agenda as submitted. Passed unanimously.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 05-13-2025 cc, 05-20-2025 scc Minutes were submitted late. Council postponed approval to the July meeting.
VII. COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Tuttle: HTA free rides through August 31 to try out the service. New hydrogen fuel bus unveiled last month, with a hydrogen fueling station being constructed in Eureka. RCEA excited for 300mw solar facility up and running last quarter, fulfilling their need for clean, renewable energy.
Varela: Nothing to report.
Kenny: Nothing to report.
Kelly: Attended LAFCO meeting on May 21 – Kneeland Fire District annexation approved, along with a SoHum community park requesting water. HBMWD extension to the Rancheria was discussed briefly. Staff commented that they will be extra vigilant following process to give sufficient time for the public to comment. HWMA met twice in May to discuss upcoming fiscal year budget.
VIII.STAFF REPORTS – Public Safety ( Law Enforcement & Security) HCSO Lt. McCall was unable to attend, but the monthly report is included in the meeting packet.
IX. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR – No items or comments presented. (Three (3) minute limit per Speaker unless Council approves request for extended time.) X. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Financial Statements – April 2025
2. Law Enforcement Report – May 2025.
Motion (Kenny/Tuttle) to approve consent agenda as submitted. Passed unanimously.
XI. DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
1. Discussion/Decision regarding Resolution 2025-04; Adopting the FY2025-2026 Budget.
City Manager Tagliaboschi explained that in May 13 Staff conducted the FY25/26 Budget Workshop. This included a presentation and discussion of changes as compared to the previous FY24/25 budget with notable changes discussed in more depth. The proposed operating budget is balanced at $957,710 in expenses with $967,723 in revenues. There was also discussion of the proposed staffing plan and the financial statements for FYE June 30, 2024, and through March 30, 2025. The statements were reconciled by Cunningham, Malone and Morton Bookkeeping Service, and our Auditor Brett Jones at JJCPA who conducts Audits for the City City of Trinidad Meeting Minutes: 06-10-2025 2
The Council also agreed on a list of goals and objectives at the January 7, 2025, Council meeting as a roadmap for the future. Staff has taken care to review these goals and incorporate them into the FY 25/26 budget.
These items included:
• Invest in maintenance and upkeep of Town Hall, and recreation assets such as trails and parks. • Prioritize strategies to stabilize water funds, and retain staff. Including in house T3/CPO. • Prioritize developing a classification and compensation plan, and updating the Employee Policy and Procedure Manual, which aligns staff responsibilities and wages with the needs of the City, encourage retention, and rewards and incentivize staff who improve their skillsets and knowledge that align with city needs.
Along with maintaining and enhancing the current service levels provided to the city, the current draft of the FY25/26 Budget aims to provide a continued focus on transitional stability for the Water Department. It is important to recognize that while adopting rates and transferring $300,000 from the General Fund to the Water Enterprise Fund was important and needed, it will take time for the fund to recover.
While the recent change to a new interim CPO certainly helps better manage costs, staff are still working to have an in-house CPO to perform that work. Along with trained and credential staff that can operate the plant in all conditions, with appropriate backups in case of absences or open positions.
The proposed budget includes an accurate assessment of what is to come this year, projecting conservative revenues and status quo spending. For perspective, it is important to understand that the General Fund Reserve has been building over the last 5-years due to a combination of robust economic activity affecting the 95570 area (through tourism, increasing property values, and a resilient tax base). The past FY24/25 continues with that trend.
Revenue priorities for FY2025/26 include:
• Continued support and analysis of Sales Tax revenue.
• Update Fee Schedule.
• Update Cemetery Plot rates.
• Monitor reserves and cash-flow needs in a manner that maximizes interest earning potential.
Reserves: The reserves provide short-term insurance to shield the City from sudden changes, to use as matching funds to leverage larger grant funding, provide cash-flow support during large-scale grant construction phases, and to stabilize the budget in an emergency. Here’s how the city could use the reserves this year. • Town Hall Improvements- windows, front porch flooring, and exterior painting (+- $175,000) • Maintain public buildings and important city assets such as trails and recreation infrastructure. • Adjust salaries as needed to account for the results of the compensation study. • Cover increasing costs due to State of Federal mandates and regulations. • Utilize for cash-flow needs during peak grant project outflow demand periods.
Expenses and priorities for the General Administrative Fund include:
• Staff wages & benefits for 2.67 (2.97) FTE employees with a 3% COLA determined by the City Manager. • City Attorney, Planner, Building Inspector, Accountant, Auditor, and Tech Support. • Utility costs for public buildings; Town Hall, Annex, and Library. • Office Supplies, Equipment, and Technology improvements to enhance audio quality of meetings. • Website, Municipal Code, and Recordkeeping Expenses.
• Community Group support from T.O.T. Allocation.
Public Safety (301 & COPS):
Due to an adjustment made by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), the contract cost for FY2025/26 has been reduced to $60,148 ($67,500), which is a significant decrease from the prior years. Animal Control Services has a slight increase to $7,204 ($6,266).
Pacific Security has increased to $67,392 ($56,160) this is due to a request to cover the hours that they are working. They were contracted for 20 hours a week, but changes in the company make it difficult to provide staff for that schedule. The council has agreed to the 24-hour per week staffing plan for FY25/26 at the May 13 budget meeting.
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The COPS grant funding will cover FY25/26 Police, Animal Control, and Private Security expenses $134,744 ($129,926) for the City of Trinidad in FY2025. A 5% increase over FY24/25 Fire (401):
Thanks to the goodwill and dedication of life-long community resident Shawn Worth, and our Assistant Chief Dick Kieselhorst the department remains staffed and committed to providing Trinidad with emergency volunteer fire and first responder coverage. There is still a need for volunteers with an open invitation for applicants! The CERT program maintains the same budget this year with $3,500 proposed for program training and expenses, tracked through the Fire Department budget.
It is important to note that the City’s investments in public safety benefit the community. The CERT program, for example, has initiated enhancements to assist our first responders in the event of an emergency and help provide emergency personnel communications during an emergency via HAM Radio and other comms systems. The City Council is committed to doing everything it can to enrich emergency preparedness programs that benefit the entire community.
Public Works (501):
The Public Works Fund has been the recipient of significant offsets in employee labor costs over the past two years. Otherwise known as “grant payroll allocations” these offsets are a result of grants that have eligible amounts programmed in to cover staff time involved in executing the projects. In FY2025/26 there is an estimated $7,430 to supplement Public Works staff time, down from an estimated $28,000 in FY24/25. With a growing list of non-grants funded Public Works projects slated for FY2025/26, the result is a higher wage burden on the General Fund.
Expenses and priorities for the Public Works fund include. • Staff wages & benefits for 2.48 (2.86) FTE employees with a 3% COLA determined by the City Manager. • Annual Stormwater Discharge Permit to the State Water Resources Control Board. • City Engineer expertise in public works projects, technical advisory committees, regional transportation, and funding allocations by State and Local agencies.
• Right-of-Way and ongoing trail maintenance.
• Vehicle fuel and maintenance.
• Public building and facility maintenance.
WATER FUND
At the end of June 30, 2024, the water system depleted its reserve and relied on a $300,000 gift from the General Fund to operate as a part of the new rates that were adopted in October 2024 to help stabilize the water enterprise fund. At least $1.1 million in capital improvement reserves has been used to cover operating expenses over the last four years.
This depletion was due to three (3) factors, not adopting new rates in a timely manner, losing an in-house CPO requiring a consultant to function as our CPO for the Water Treatment Plant. A more affordable interim CPO, and growing in-house talent to run the plant along with the newly adopted rates should help the water fund slowly build reserves to cover future plant capital costs.
The cost of operating a small water system, maintaining its efficiency, in a very desirable area to live, while functioning to provide a vital resource to a community that has emphasized a desire to live “within its means” (and local watershed), will prove to be a challenge for the rate payers. The water system relies on rates that were adopted and adjusted to reflect the current cost of running and maintaining the water treatment and distribution system.
Water Fund expenses and priorities for FY25/26 include:
• Budget adjustments, and modified staffing plan developed to better align with the adopted 5-year rate plan. • Staff wages & benefits for 2.75 (3.01) FTE total employees with a 3% COLA determined by the City Manager. • Focus on projects and grants is vital to delivering quality drinking water to customers. Recognizing that the water fund is far from out of the woods this early in the 5-year rate plan. • Continue to develop, incentivize, and train an in-house T3 Chief Water Plant Operator and T2 operator. • Consider delaying the $100,000 General Fund loan (part of the adopted 5-year rate plan) until the full impact of the new rate is allowed to develop and results are analyzed.
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FY2025/26 Staffing priorities include:
• Continue to develop and implement a strategy to develop and train an in-house T3 Chief Water Plant Operator.
• Conduct annual evaluations and maintain accurate personnel files and training requirements. • Implement the Classification and Compensation Study that is currently in process. This will include adoption of classifications and wage adjustments upon completion of the report.
FY25/26 BUDGET GOALS & SUMMARY
1. Utilize reserves established from prior fiscal years, if needed, to support staff retention.
2. Evaluate and update Master fee schedule to allow for better costs recovery.
3. Maintain current law enforcement coverage.
4. Continue to build city staff Water Plant Operations and water distribution system operations programs and processes.
5. Maintain and invest in public buildings, parks, and property.
6. Support community groups that enrich the community for locals and visitors.
7. Continue promoting and participating in an inclusive dialog with Tribal Governments.
8. Continue grant programs that will help the city approve the General Plan and Local Coastal Plan and ordinances update.
The proposed FY25/26 Budget recognizes a balanced operating fund budget but also identifies projects such as Town Hall improvements and Classification and Compensation Study that will require spending from the reserve fund. When staff has developed the project scope and costs there will be an agenda item for that discussion and Council approval.
Public comment included:
Anita Thompson – Trinidad
(Submitted the following written public comments prior to the meeting). Trinidad water customer. I realize that the rate increase was long overdue, but hope the rates will not continue to increase after this year since the contractor costs have decreased. At the February 08, 2022 meeting, the contract was approved with Coleman Engineering.
The public was shocked at the cost of the contract. The City Council promised customers their rates would not reflect this cost, and the contract would be short-term. Former City Manager promised the cost would decrease to $5k/month, which never happened. The City burned a 1 million dollar reserve as a result. The City also paid PWA to find alternative water storage sources, unsuccessfully. The Water Advisory Committee tried their best to find an alternative solution to Coleman Engineering running the plant. Thanks to the new City Manager finding a lower cost T3 contractor. The City now has new T2 licensed operators, and T3 in training.
City Manager Tagliaboschi briefly explained the new staffing plan to take plant operations out of the T3 contractor hands, and bring control back to in-house operation.
Council comments included:
Kelly, Breckenridge, and Kenny thanked staff for a thorough presentation and FY budget.
Motion (Kenny/Kelly) to approve Resolution 2025-04; Adopting the FY2025-2025 Budget. Passed unanimously.
2. Discussion/Decision to Appoint Two Councilmembers to Represent the City in Government-to-Government (G2G) Meetings.
City Manager Tagliaboschi explained that in the recent past Council has appointed two (2) members to sit on a standing committee for Tribal Governmental relations or Government to Government. However, in FY24/25 the council chose not to appoint any members to this committee with a preference to use it as an Ad Hoc when needed. The challenge for this method is that often the party requests the G2G meeting as a very short time frame and if the City Council is not conveniently meeting at that time the date is not available for a meeting.
Staff recommend the Council appoint two (2) members to a standing Government to Government or (Tribal Liaison) Committee. These meetings are most often with the leaders of the organizations (Tribal Council, Board Chairs, Mayors etc.). Staff also recommend that the City Manager, City Planner, and /or City Clerk act in the capacity needed for these meetings.
Council questions included:
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Kenny: The questions is whether we should we make it Ad-hoc or a standing committee. Stick with the Ad-hoc, which give the Tribe more confidentiality. They can be informal, with Councilmembers attending can report to the Council. We can also request the discussion topics they intend to address in advance.
Kelly: We were hoping to avoid having to appoint new members for each G2G and be able to expedite communications when a meeting is requested. A standing committee appointment would provide this efficiency.
We want to honor the spirit of G2G consultation process. The Trinidad Rancheria has proposed a June 30 meeting date. Yurok Tribe meeting date and time is TBD.
Tuttle: I support the Ad-hoc format.
There was no public comment.
Motion (Kelly/Varela) to appoint Kelly and Breckenridge with Varela as alternate, to form an Ad-hoc committee to meet with the Rancheria and Yurok Tribe at meeting dates and times to be determined. Passed unanimously.
3. Discussion/Decision to Appoint and Replace Councilmember Breckenridge on the Animal Advisory Committee.
City Manager Tagliaboschi explained that the Animal Advisory Committee ( AAC) is a standing committee formed by the City Council on April 6,2024. The Committee consists of Five (5) members, (1) Trinidad resident , (1) Trinidad Rancheria, (1) Great Trinidad Area, and (2) Council. One the two Councilmembers must serve as the Chair.
The AAC has conducted at least six (6) meetings in that time with meetings in June, July, September and November 2024, and two meetings in March and April 2025. The Committee has discussed a variety of issues.
In April, Chair Breckenridge asked to resign. That leaves one opening and Council. Council Member Tuttle has indicated he would prefer not to serve as chair at this time. Council also should appoint a chairperson to fill that role as well.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Kelly volunteered to replace Breckenridge.
Motion (Breckenridge/Tuttle) to appoint Kelly to replace Breckenridge on the Animal Advisory Committee.
Passed unanimously.
4. Discussion/Decision to Sunset the Trails Advisory Committee.
City Manager Tagliaboschi explained that the Trails Committee was established as a sub-committee of the Trinidad City Council on March 22, 2017. As per the resolution, The primary function is to advise the City Council, staff and Planning Commission on matters relating to policies affecting trails in the City of Trinidad.
The purpose and objectives of the Trails Advisory Committee are as follows:
Purpose:
1) Advise on matters relating to policies affecting trials in the City of Trinidad, 2) Serve in an advisory capacity to the Council, Commissions, and City Staff, 3) Make recommendations during the environmental review process on projects that may involve or affect trails in the City of Trinidad,
4) Provide a forum for community engagement, outreach, and education regarding trails, and 5) Make recommendations to the City Manager and City Council on the maintenance and repair of trails in the City of Trinidad.
Objectives:
1) Provide a public forum to solicit input from the community on issues or successes related to the maintenance and management of City trails,
2) Assist City Staff in evaluating the need for maintenance on the trails throughout the calendar year, 3) Make balanced and informed recommendations to the City Council on ways to improve the trails, and 4) Report to the Council annually on the Committee meetings, activity, and recommendations.
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The Trails Advisory Committee met regularly in the initial years. However, as time has passed the work of the Committee has become more contentious and more difficult to attain positive results. This is mostly because the early work was less controversial, and the committee was mostly in agreement with what needed to be accomplished. The work now requires more Planning Committee and City Council work and input. Task such as approving a CDP for trails work or discussion of how to proceed on ALMT is a task more suited to the City Council.
Given the evolution of the work and decisions that need to be made for trails in the City of Trinidad this work is best accomplished by the City Council and with direction to the and from the Planning Committee.
Council comment included:
Kenny: Support sunsetting the committee as proposed.
Kelly: The Trails Committee lacked authority that the Planning Commission and City Council have for dealing with many of the current issues facing the City. In favor of sunsetting the Committee as well.
Public comment included:
Anita Thompson – Trinidad
Early on, the Trails Committee developed creative ideas for removing old signage and improving signage and benches. I agree the Committee be dissolved, but the work and plans discussed be implemented at some point, revisiting the ideas in the future.
Motion (Kenny/Breckenridge) to sunset the Trails Advisory Committee. Passed unanimously.
5. Discussion/Decision regarding Improvements to Racquet Court through the Per Capita Grant.
City Grant Administrator Angela Cather explained that on February 11th, staff presented Council with next step options for the long-desired upgrades to the tennis court located next to Town Hall. Currently, the City was allocated a maximum of $177,952 in grant funding from the California State Department of Parks and Recreation’s Per Capita Program. The funding is specifically for parks and recreation acquisition and development projects.
As discussed at the February Council meeting, funding cannot be used for repairs or maintenance. but can be used for projects that increase the use of the space by creating new recreational activities. The addition of pickleball will fulfill this requirement. Resurfacing the court and replacement of the net, without including the additional striping for pickleball, would not qualify as those types of improvements are classified as repair and maintenance.
Current Status: As there were mixed opinions on the addition of pickleball, Council voted to continue the discussion at a future meeting after taking steps to perform a trial period (test) after lines are taped down and the public was able to weigh in on their experience/impacts.
Since Council’s decision, a pickleball demonstration was conducted in April, and it was found (using a decibel (dBA) measuring device (dBA)) that the school yard is louder than the pickleball players/paddles. The sound measured around 70 dBA, which is just above normal conversation levels of around 65-68 dBAs.
With the addition of pickleball, the usage of the court will likely increase, however, the hours of operation of the court would not increase. Lighting to the court is not being added. It’s also important to note that pickleball is an inclusive sport, so its addition to the court would increase its usage to different demographics.
The project is ready to go out to bid this summer, so staff is seeking approval from the City Council to begin the bid process.
Council questions included:
Tuttle: If noise was the issue, could we try another idea such as badminton or movie night to qualify and make use of the grant funds?
Breckenridge: I thought basketball would be a good alternative since the sound of pickleball seems to be the issue.
Kenny: It seems like badminton would qualify, but not volleyball.
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Kelly: Due to concerns from the residents, I’m not inclined to support pickleball as the use that qualifies the project for Per Capita funding.
Varela: Agree with Kelly, and recommend considering improvements at Saunders Park that may include pickleball as well as other activites to support young residents.
Public comment Included:
Andrew Davis - Trinidad
Handball may be another option for the racquet court.
Motion (Kelly/Breckenridge) to not move forward with pickleball, but will explore other eligible projects that are more desirable to the immediate neighbors. Passed 4-1 (Kenny – No)
6. Discussion/Decision to Adopt Resolution 2025-05; Amending Rates for the Purchase of Burial Plots in the Trinidad Cemetery.
City Clerk Gabriel Adams explained that the task of updating the cemetery burial plot rates has been on the City’s to-do list for many years and is long overdue. The current rates date back to Resolution 2000-06, adopted on July 12, 2000. One of the primary justifications made at that time, as noted in the June 19, 2000 meeting minutes, was “…that people from outside Trinidad were buying cemetery plots because Trinidad rates are significantly cheaper than other parts of Humboldt County.” The same trend is a familiar issue today, with economics being a driving factor in a sudden and significant increase in the number of Trinidad Cemetery plots sold over the past five years.
Plot sale requests are coming not only from other parts the County, but also many other Northern California regions. There has been a notable increase of people requesting burial in the cemetery because they have “enjoyed visiting Trinidad in the past”. This trend puts this small cemetery with limited space in jeopardy of not having adequate land available for locals that have spent all or a significant portion of their lives in this community, have existing family graves in the cemetery, or deep ancestral connections to this area.
Raising rates will not prevent non-locals from desiring a plot in the cemetery, but it will discourage plot sales based on “being the cheapest price around”. Aligning rates with other cemeteries in the county is a baseline for determining a new, justifiable rate. Other factors included in the rate update are aimed at helping the City achieve additional goals, such as;
• Covering expenses related to operating and upkeep of the cemetery grounds. • Establishing adequate savings for future upkeep if/when plot sale revenue is reduced due to inventory limitations.
• Providing for long-term strategic decisions for possible future expansion of the cemetery grounds if/when opportunities arise.
The Cemetery Fund (7.01) was established as an “enterprise” or “special revenue” fund, with the expectation that the fund balance would continue to earn enough revenue through plot sales and interest income to support ongoing maintenance and upkeep in perpetuity. On July 01, 2024 the fund balance was $147,308. As of April 01, 2025 the fund balance decreased to $139,669 (a loss of $7,638). The loss was primarily a result of not increasing the rates this fiscal year as anticipated when the budget was approved on July 01.
General Operating expenses captured in the Cemetery budget each year include the minimum labor dedicated to mowing, routine landscaping, and professional service required to maintain trees on the property. What the budget fails to capture is long-term preservation and strategic decisions or investments that will ensure a healthy fund reserve to maintain the property when plot availability (sales) is reduced.
RESIDENT VS. NON-RESIDENT PRICING
In May of 2024, staff requested guidance from the City Attorney regarding whether the City had the authority to charge non-residents more for burial plots. The response provided was as follows:
There is not a rule that directly allows a city to charge nonresidents more for burial plots, however, the health and safety code permits cemetery districts to charge more to nonresidents. Health and Safety Code Section 9068 states:
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a) The board of trustees shall adopt a schedule of fees for interments in cemeteries owned by the district and for other necessary and convenient services.
b) The board of trustees shall adopt a schedule of nonresident fees. The board of trustees shall set these fees at an amount that at least equals the amount of fees charged to residents or taxpayers and shall include a nonresident fee of at least 15 percent of that amount.
The memo further explains the following justification, necessity, considerations, and examples for non-resident rate scenarios:
The Trinidad cemetery is operated by the City of Trinidad and not a cemetery district, however Section 9068 does demonstrate there is a recognizable difference between resident and nonresidents in terms of burial plot sales.
Cities are vested with the power to manage and control city owned cemeteries. This would include setting fees for burial plots. Nonresidents should be required to pay an additional fee because the City needs to ensure availability for residents. Nonresidents are not paying City taxes that contribute to the efficient management and maintenance of the cemetery.
Determining how to differentiate between residents and nonresidents will be challenging. Residents could include anyone currently living in Trinidad, those with proof of past residence in Trinidad, spouses or children of a resident, or several other distinctions. The City Council will have to further discuss this issue and may need to encourage public comment on the matter. A fee schedule including resident and nonresident fees shall be approved by the City Council through resolution as required by the Trinidad Municipal Code Section 12.08.050.
RATE INCREASE PROPOSAL, OPTIONS, & CONSIDERATIONS
A modest 3% annual CPI cost increase from year 2000 when the rates were last updated would result in a minimum 75% increase from the current rate. That logic alone would increase the current rate from $1,335 to $2,336.
Factor in limited space, Trinidad real estate premiums in general, and some of the long-range planning, decisions, and subsequent investments that will be required to expand the cemetery, if feasible, and it is reasonable to justify a non-resident rate in or near the Greenwood and Oceanview range: $3,600 (175% increase) Should the Council adopt the Resident vs. Non-Resident structure, the discussion would lean on the Government Health & Safety Code referenced in the City Attorney guidance, requiring a minimum 15% differential, thereby reducing the $3,600 price to $3,060 for residents.
Option 1
• Single Grave: $3,600
• Cremation: $1,780
Option 2 (15% differential between resident & non-resident) • Resident Grave: $3,060
• Resident Cremation: $1,515
• Non-Resident Grave: $3,600
• Non-Resident Cremation: $1,780
Option 3
Consider a more dramatic differential between resident/non-resident that will add premium value to local status, local ties, family connection, etc. Calculations to be made following further direction from Council.
Council questions included:
Tuttle: Do we know how many plots are available? Can we offer a discount for green burials? Adams estimated a few hundred, but selling 20 plots a year will exhaust the remaining inventory quickly. 15-20% of sales come from 95570.
Public comment included:
Andrew Davis – Trinidad
Creating an updated inventory would be very helpful. Keep local rate lower than $3k.
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Council comments included:
Kelly: Raising the rates make sense. Generally, plots average $1,000-4,000, but Trinidad Cemetery is idyllic.
Criteria is important, but Council can set broad policy with staff having discretion to make final determinations.
Breckenridge: I’m in favor of creating a bigger difference between local and non-local rates. Kelly agreed.
Tuttle: $3,000 local. $6,000 non-local. Breckenridge recommended $8,000. City Clerk Adams noted that the rates will be established by resolution, and can be revised again by resolution if we find the rate is set too high.
Varela: I support keeping the rates aligned with what is reasonably charged in the area, with a differential for local and out-of-towner.
Kelly: Recommending cremation rates be $4,500 for non-local, $1,500 for local. Recommending full-size burial plot be $7,500 for non-local, and $2,500 for local. Also in favor of allowing the City Clerk to use discretion to apply reasonable discounts in hardship situations.
Motion (Kelly/Kenny) to revise Resolution 2025-05 to incorporate the following rates; Cremation $4,500 for nonlocal, $1,500 for local. Full size burial plot be $7,500 for non-local, and $2,500 for local. Passed unanimously.
7. Discussion/Decision regarding First Reading of Ordinance 2025-02; Amending section 15.04.260 of the Trinidad Municipal Code and any other Ordinances, Resolutions, or parts of ordinances or resolutions that are in conflict with the Schedule of Fees for Building Inspection Services.
City Manager Tagliaboschi explained that in general, it is good practice to update Master Fee Schedules on an annual basis to keep cost recovery current and help better manage budgets for the Planning and Building Department along with other fees in the schedule. This is practice in most municipalities and is usually done along with the annual budget. In Trinidad this process requires an update, and an amendment to our Municipal Code to update the fees.
The last attempt at updating the Building Fees Ordinance occurred on October 10, 2012. The schedule that was approved then was based on the County of Humboldt’s format. The format established a comprehensive set of fees that allowed the fees to be more consistent and fairer. Larger projects such as new homes or high valuation projects would enjoy a stabilized fee rate for building projects including mechanical, plumbing and electrical work that would be based on similar formats and costs from other agencies. As a part of this adopted ordinance automatic fee increases would no longer automatically apply, and modifications or changes would require specific action by the Council.
The fee increase proposal is modest at around 35% considering it has been over 20 years since the last attempt to update the fee schedule. The proposed fees also provide for cost recovery fees to be collected when a project must be referred for evaluation and input from other agencies or departments, such as Planning, or Public Works fees.
Section 1. Section 15.04.260 of the Trinidad Municipal Code is amended to read as follows:
15.04.260 Building Permit Fees. Fees for permits and inspections shall be required of any person when authorized by the appropriate adopted code. Any person required to obtain a permit or a combination of any such permits shall, at the time of filing an application, pay to the City building inspector the fee set forth by the City Council. The current building permit fee schedule shall be maintained and made publicly available on the City official website or at such other location designated by the City. The City Council may amend the fee schedule by resolution at any time, as deemed necessary by the City Council.
There were no Council or public comments.
Motion (Kelly/Breckenridge) to waive the full reading and adopt Ordinance 2025-02 by title; An Ordinance of The City Of Trinidad Amending Section 15.04.260 Of The Municipal Code And Any Other Ordinances, Resolutions, Or Parts Of Ordinances Or Resolutions That Are In Conflict With The Schedule Of Fees For Building Inspection Services. Passed unanimously.
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8. Staff Activity Report – May 2025
City Manager Tagliaboschi summarized content detailed in the staff report included in the meeting packet.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- Change STR’s in the community to favor long-term rentals (Tuttle read statement from Trinidad School).
Remove lottery and waitlist, lowering the number of rentals and encouraging a hotel revival. - Trail update
- Humboldt Bay Water Feasibility Connection
ADJOURNMENT: 7:55pm.
Submitted by: Approved by:
_____________________________ _____________________________ Gabriel Adams Cheryl Kelly
Trinidad City Clerk Mayor