City of Trinidad Meeting Minutes: 07-08-2025 1
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TRINIDAD CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, JULY 08, 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 (11) participants were present by video-conference, and (24) 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. DR180684
2. Public Employment – Appointment (Calif. Gov. Code Section 54957): City Manager/Interim City Manager
3. Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Gov. Code Section 54957): Interim City Manager IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Mayor Kelly announced City Manager Joe Tagliaboschi’s voluntary resignation, effective August 28, and that City Clerk Gabriel Adams has agreed to serve as Interim City Manager until further notice.
V. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion (Kenny/Breckenridge) to hear discussion item 2 last on the agenda. Passed unanimously.
Resident Anita Thompson requested an opportunity to address the Council and request that Mayor Pro-Tem Kenny recuse himself from the discussion agenda item 2 (HBMWD Connection Feasibility). She began by explaining the reasoning behind her request, including past precedence set by prior Councilmembers and conflict of interest rules and ethics.
Mayor Pro-Tem Kenny responded, explaining that he is very well informed about recusals and has consulted with the City Attorney on this matter. He understands Mrs. Thompson’s reasoning, but the State of California distinguishes between quasi-judicial hearings, and general City policy discussions. This situation would not be considered as a disqualifying conflict of interest. I’m willing to listen to all evidence presented, and make a fair, impartial decision.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 05-13-2025 cc, 05-20-2025 scc, 06-10-2025 cc Motion (Kenny/Kelly) to approve the 05-13-2025 & 05-20-2025 meeting minutes. Passed unanimously.
June 10 minutes were not prepared in time and will be continued to the next regular meeting.
VII. COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Tuttle: Nothing to report.
Breckenridge: Nothing to report.
Varela: RREDC meeting had a presentation from HBMWD General Manager Michiko Mares about the Golden Mussel, an invasive species in Ruth Lake that poses a significant risk to wildlife and infrastructure.
Kenny: HCAOG board took action moving forward some grant funding projects for carbon reduction efforts.
Cities of Arcata, Blue Lake, and Fortuna were awarded funding.
Kelly: Attended G2G with Councilmember Varela and City Manager Tagliaboschi with the Trinidad Rancheria.
Discussion topics ranged from the ALMT, Animal Advisory Committee, Boardwalk and Interpretive Center Agreements, and the HBMWD pipeline project (Hotel). We also discussed water quality of the seeps at Launcher Beach.
VIII.PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT – (Law Enforcement & Security) HCSO Lt. McCall was unable to attend, but the monthly report is included in the meeting packet.
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IX. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR
(Three (3) minute limit per Speaker unless Council approves request for extended time.) Kathy Bairey – Trinidad
The thermoplastic striping on the Edwards Street crosswalk areas is failing.
Richard Johnson – Trinidad Coastal Land Trust representative Announcing the Moonstone Beach public access and planning project, funded by the Coastal Conservancy, to preserve safe and resilient accessibility to this treasured beach. Meeting will be held tomorrow night at Town Hall to hear public input regarding Moonstone Beach accessibility.
Jeff Bairey – Trinidad
Requested an update on the engineering assessment for the Edwards Street crosswalk design. City Manager Tagliaboschi explained that the engineer hired has been told by his insurance company they would not cover a redesign, so the issue will be brought back in September for continued discussion.
Unknown – Trinidad School Student Parent
School lockdown happened recently and the response time and coordination with the Sheriff could have been better.
Paula Levine – Trinidad Area Resident & Water Customer
Complained about the cost and time it has taken for her neighbor’s application for water service to be reviewed and approved. Requested that the issue be expedited. City Planner Trever Parker confirmed that the application is moving forward. City Manager Tagliaboschi explained that these applications take time.
Andrew Orahoske – (Zoom)
Request for all Councilmember positively attest they are residents of Trinidad. Mayor Kelly confirmed that every member is a legal resident, vetted by the City Attorney. We are aware of temporary situations that are being discussed regularly. City Manager Tagliaboschi echoed Kelly’s statement.
X. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Financial Statements – May 2025
2. Law Enforcement Report – June 2025.
3. Second 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.
4. Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Trinidad and HCAOG regarding the Partnering Assets and Authorities for Comprehensive Transit (PAACT) Project.
Motion (Kenny/Kelly) to approve the MOU. Passed unanimously.
5. Authorization to Award Construction Contract for the Trinidad-Westhaven Emergency Intertie Project
6. Letter of Support for Trinidad Coastal Land Trust’s Candidacy for the Better Together Nature Positive Innovation Grant.
Motion (Kenny/Tuttle) to approve pull consent item 4 and hear last on the discussion agenda. Passed unanimously.
Public comment included:
Aaron Hakenen – Trinidad
If the owner of Murphy’s Market is considering an agreement with the Intertie Project contractor for equipment staging, then careful communication with the City regarding the upkeep of the staging area be held in consideration of the adjacent property owners.
XI. DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
1. Discussion/Decision whether to confirm the Planning Commission’s recommended approval of the Yurok Indian Housing Authority Housing Project, 2025-01: Coastal Development Permit (CDP) and Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the development of five (5) single-story, single-family residences (approximately 1,440 square feet (sq. ft.) each) with related infrastructure on a 3.1-acre undeveloped parcel. The Planning Commission approved the City of Trinidad Meeting Minutes: 07-08-2025 3
Design Review and Grading Permit for the project and recommended approval of the CDP/CUP on June 18, 2025.
Located on the eastern edge of Trinidad City Limits, situated between Highway 101 and North Westhaven Drive; APN: 515-151-066.
City Planner Trever Parker explained that this is a unique situation due to the requirements of Planned Development zoning ordinance that require a Use Permit for various types of development allowed. Parker summarized the project (detailed in the staff report included in the packet). Five houses are proposed on the parcel of land located east of the freeway on Westhaven Drive, south of Hidden Creek RV Park and Parker Creek watershed. A CEQA document was prepared and approved by the Planning Commission last month.
Neighborhood concerns have been heard. The City is required to provide its fair share of housing as per the Housing Element certified by the State. The Planning Commission’s approval was unanimous, the Use Permit findings are included in the packet, and staff recommends Council approval to move the project forward.
Council questions included:
Kenny: There was a meeting held between the applicant and neighbors where additional concessions have been made. Can you summarize them, and inform us of the other State agencies that have reviewed the project? Parker explained that the applicant met with neighbors and agreed to fence the property to mitigate privacy impacts, allowing a vegetation buffer, downcast lighting, etc. Of primary importance was the fence along the property with adjacent neighbors. The Coastal Commission and Department of Fish & Wildlife have reviewed and provided comments that have been incorporated into the project conditions.
Kelly: I support this project and understand the need for additional housing that this project will satisfy. I have reviewed the Planning Commission’s evaluation of the project and can see how diligent the reports are.
Varela: I’d like to hear more about the density was determined relative to the developable 1-acre of the property.
Public comment included:
Paula Levine – Trinidad area resident
Hidden Creek RV Park housing density is much greater that what is proposed for this project. I welcome the Yurok Tribe back to the City.
Tyrone McDonald – Trinidad area resident
Expressed support for the project.
Susan Rotwein – Trinidad
Read a prepared statement expressing support welcoming the Yurok Tribe back to Trinidad, but cannot support the density of 5 units proposed. It is out of character for the community. Only 1 acre of this property can be developed. The density is similar to urban San Francisco. Traffic patterns created will also become unsafe. These concerns can be mitigated with a lower density. The septic system proposed is huge. I propose the density be limited to 3 or 4 units, not 5.
Renata Olczak – Adjacent neighbor to the subject property Submitted written comments in advance of the meeting, included in the public comment packet. Concerned about traffic and density increasing with the development, and the lack of any formal agreement or condition requiring the boundary fence.
Richard Hoard – Housing Project Engineer, TVCE
In terms of density, the project meets all local development standards. Regarding traffic, we are pursuing the possibility of speed hump installation on Westhaven Drive near the project location. We are listening to the concerns and being proactive. We have met with each of the neighbors in person. We have shifted the development approximately 25-30ft from the property line with a proposed 8’ fence for the privacy buffer.
Steve Madrone – 5th District County Supervisor
Explained that the County has a form and policy for installation of speed humps. The property has a very dense young forest on it, with a high-fire danger.
Council comments included:
Tuttle: I watched the Planning Commission meetings and appreciate all the hard work that went into this development. I’m also excited for the future residents of these homes and possible participation and partnership in City Council, boards, and grant funding for recreation projects.
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Kenny: Satisfied with the detailed analysis performed for this project. It’s interesting to note we have only approved one newly constructed house in Trinidad since 2018, and by 2027 we’re supposed to have 18. I can see how the neighbors are very sensitive about the character of the area, but the packet identifies all other developed parcels in the area and I can’t see any serious inconsistency with what is existing. I recommend we add 1) that a fire hydrant be installed at the project site on Westhaven Drive, 2) require a waiver of immunity by the Yurok Tribe to legally enforce the project conditions, and 3) ask that the applicant pay for the speed hump should it be approved by the County.
Breckenridge: Regarding the speed hump condition, I don’t agree that the cost be covered by the Yurok Tribe.
Nicole Sager – Executive Director, Yurok Indian Housing Authority I don’t have any issue with the hydrant or speed bump requirement, but do with the limited waiver of sovereign immunity. There typically are mechanisms such as MOA’s to negotiate this between governments, which take time to develop. Can this be a condition required prior to occupancy? Kenny: The waiver should be a condition of approval. Absent of a waiver of sovereign immunity there could be issues in the future that the City would have trouble enforcing – such as paving over the leach field when more parking is needed. City Planner Parker noted that conditions of approval can have specific timelines or benchmarks required through the process, which can be individually defined. The waiver would have to be worked out with the City Attorney.
Kelly: Concerned that we’re adding complexity to the project. We need the City Attorney to weigh in on this, and want to know the best way forward to address this. We can add conditions for approval tonight, directing the City Attorney to provide guidance on the appropriate mechanism to address the immunity waiver and enforce potential, future violations.
Breckenridge: Would like to approve the project without holding it up.
Motion (Kenny/Tuttle) to approve the Use Permit on the following conditions: 1) Fire hydrant required onsite, 2) limited waiver of immunity agreement, and 3) if the neighborhood is successful in petitioning the county for a speed table installation (before their certificate of occupancy is issued), it be made as a condition of the project with the cost borne by the applicant. Passed unanimously.
Skipped to discussion item 3.
2. Discussion/Decision regarding Participation in a Feasibility Study to Join the Trinidad Rancheria in a Drinking Water Pipeline Connection project with Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District.
Mayor Kelly reminded the public that this is not a discussion about the Rancheria Hotel proposal, not about the greater Trinidad area, and not about providing water to the Westhaven community. This discussion has come back to the Council, four years later, because it committed to do so. All the documents presented and considered, including public comments submitted, are included in the packet materials for tonight’s meeting.
Kenny noted his opposition to the Rancheria’s Hotel proposal was focused on the size and scope of the development, not about the hotel itself.
City Manager Joe Tagliaboschi presented a powerpoint outlining the discussion, the agencies involved, current water system design and limitations, comparative analysis, challenges, opportunities, points to consider, and provided a staff report included in the packet that summarized the topic. He explained that in late May staff had a meeting with the new General Manager of Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District Michiko Mares. This meeting was at the request of staff to meet the new GM and to better understand HBMWD operations and plans as they pertain to Trinidad.
Mares made it clear that any discussion or questions that the city of Trinidad has about HBMWD services should be addressed as soon as possible, with the reason being that the Trinidad Rancheria is moving ahead with plans to connect with HBMWD, and design decisions for the project are being made. When the Trinidad Rancheria connects to HBMWD, the city will lose one of the largest customers. That will have consequences for the remaining customers who must fund the operations, maintenance, and capital replacement of the system.
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There have been multiple meetings on these topics dating back to 2019 and most recently in 2021 when the proposal as recommended by the Water Advisory Committee to participate in a feasibility study to determine design parameters and cost estimates was considered. Multiple studies by consultants have also been presented; An Overview of Luffenholtz Creek Water Resources and Water Availability (PWA), a GHD Report on HBMWD Water Main Options, and a 2019 GHD Report on Raw Water Storage options.
The discussion at that time was prompted out of concern for the drought conditions that were prevalent and water reliability concerns were significant. The discussion included what could be done to provide water for Trinidad if the city was not able to draw sufficient water from the source at Luffenholtz Creek. The urgency at the time for the recommendation by WAC and a Council decision was also driven by The Trinidad Rancheria’s plans to engage HBMWD for a mainline extension.
Later in 2021, the City’s in-house T3 Chief Plant Operator resigned. The City was unable to recruit a replacement, and was forced into an incredibly expensive contract with a consultant that drained the 1.2 million dollar capital improvement fund within a few years. The CPO vacancy created a whole new urgency as the City realized that a person with the state required credentials and skillset to manage and operate a treatment plant and water distribution system were very difficult to hire and retain.
In 2024 the City went through the rate study process while using interim consulting services to staff the CPO position as required by State for water permits. During the initial 18-month period of this situation the Water Capital Reserve Fund went from a $1.2 million dollar balance to a $400k deficit. The newly adopted rate plans a $300K gift from the city reserves, and a change in CPO services has reduced that deficit, but the rate increase will not help restore the Capital reserve Fund to those previous balances.
The City has been working on building a bench of capable credentialed “homegrown” staff, but that takes time, and the City is still vulnerable should another change in staff occur. This and the increasingly expensive rate to fund the operations, maintenance, and replacement of the water system needs will become a difficult burden given the relatively small pool of rate payers who participate in the City water system. Add to that the biggest customer - The Rancheria - will be disconnecting from the system and will put a larger burden on the rates for the remaining customers.
The current rate structure was implemented on October 01,2024, with a base rate increase to $66.20. The rate increase plan is set to run for five (5) years, with 10% annual increases, driving the base rate up to $96.92 in 2029.
In conclusion, recent studies of the Luffenholtz Creek water source show that it appears to be sufficient to meet current demand and help alleviate some concern for water reliability.
The larger concern is the cost of continuing to provide high quality water at predictable and affordable rates to the customers. The need for credential staff who meet the regulatory requirements will become more challenging into the future, and the loss of the system’s largest customer – the Trinidad Rancheria - will create a significant burden on the remaining rate payers to offset and put the water system at risk by becoming unaffordable.
Staff requires additional directions of the Council on if, or how to proceed with future HBMWD interests.
Council questions included:
Kelly: The WAC recommended the Council increase water storage, reduce leaks, and improve source resiliency. The Council has made investments in all three categories recommended. The City has also exercised the Drought Contingency Plan due to real water shortage emergencies since 2021. This discussion keeps coming up because we have not received adequate information analyzing all the information thoroughly and effectively. We need facts.
City Manager Tagliaboschi explained that the City invested significant funds in exploring source options with the help of Pacific Watershed Associates, but the project stalled out due to the depletion of water reserve funds, as well as the reality of storing a relatively small amount of curtailed water for a big “maybe needed”, and expect the costs to be maintained by 300 customers.
Kenny: I thought raw water ponds (or a small lake) made more sense and was a good idea.
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Breckenridge: I’m hopeful to hear more from the feasibility study that compares the alternatives and gives us facts to make informed decisions.
Tuttle: The Intertie between Trinidad and WCSD is a great model to consider with the Trinidad Rancheria when they get water from HBMWD. This protects our City, but also mitigates concerns from the greater Trinidad area residents about growth induced from the City getting water directly from HBMWD.
Varela: We also do not have enough information regarding fire-fighting capacity and demands as they relate to our water system. Could that be included into the feasibility study? Also, why does the greater Trinidad community in Westhaven have such a strong opposition to consolidating? Do we have real numbers on what rates would be if we lost the Rancheria as a customer?
City Manager Tagliaboschi explained that although this is a significant concern, but the predictability of cost to provide and deliver quality drinking water to this community is the most important concern. The Rancheria has put nearly $400k into their process so far. Also, regarding district boundaries, Westhaven CSD is investing in their own system.
Kelly: It’s important to consider that the City’s water system is the primary supply utilized by emergency services to suppress fires that break out several miles outside City limits.
Westhaven CSD General Manager Paul Rosenblatt explained that WCSD has enough water for all the people within its district. When we build our new water plant, we think we’ll have enough water to supply everyone that isn’t connected within our district. Our board operates very different than the City operates. When we were initially approached by HBMWD, it was estimated at $10k to participate in a feasibility study.
Kenny: If the Rancheria was to disconnect from the City’s system, there are properties north of the City that have been waiting 40 years for water. We could quickly sell all that water to make up for the loss.
Kelly: We would have to annex and build infrastructure to serve those properties, and could take years to complete and fund. The City connected Caltrans 1 mile north on Patrick’s Point Drive. The restricted pipe size prohibits any additional connections.
Breckenridge: A public comment submitted pointed out that there are ways to restrict development other than limiting resources.
City Planner Trever Parker explained that annexing is the proper way to extend services, and agree there are better ways to regulate growth. Limiting water is not equitable way to go about it. The City has a role in adopting land use policies that control growth.
Public comment included:
Patti Fleschner – Trinidad water customer
We should do everything possible to participate in the study and cooperate with the Trinidad Rancheria, welcoming people inside and outside the City that need water.
Richard Johnson – Trinidad area resident
I’m confused with this. We’re asking the wrong question. We’ve already demonstrated that several options are feasible. There is a lack of hard data – financial and technical – that trade analysis can be made. My suggestion is to look at the facts (dollars, cents, and options) and then take a look at the trades.
Jack West – Trinidad
I was at the center of this discussion many years ago. We never found out how much this is going to cost. This was the toughest issue I faced while on the Council. We learned that a decision to bring in water from HBMWD brought serious concerns of change to the character of our area. I was told that the State would require Trinidad to supply community to the north if it was served by HBMWD. Please look into this and verify.
Dan Frost – Trinidad area resident
I’m stuck on a sense of unreality here. The Council is ignoring what should be obvious, the impact of the pipeline on the surrounding area. It has the obligation not to participate in a project that has enormous implications to the City. More water means more growth, and a massive change to this unique town. You City of Trinidad Meeting Minutes: 07-08-2025 7
should recognize that you have an adequate water supply that may not be perfect, but beats massive growth impacts to this area. 10 years from connecting you won’t recognize this area anymore. This is a destructive project. I would not concede the Rancheria will get this water.
Don Allen – Trinidad area resident
Submitted written public comment - Concerned that this is the 3rd or 4th time this has come up in the 42 years I’ve lived here. The cost to connect would be huge and only feasible if outside areas were connected. The PWA study in 2021 found that there was plenty of water in the Luffenholtz Creek watershed to fulfill your needs, and expand. You need to consider the growth inducing impacts. Get real numbers, but don’t get committed to be forced down this road. There is an intertie being built to supply emergency water. There are many other complications, (LAFCO, expanded service area, etc.) but you need to get the costs. It’s possible that a connection to Humboldt Bay could raise the monthly rate from $120 to twice as much ($240). The other issue is that you have an ASBS off Trinidad Head costing millions of dollars to reroute storm drains. All our beaches are polluted, and we’re not far from being forced by the SWRCB to require a public sewer system. With an unrestricted water supply we’ll watch water pollution get worse and the City will be forced to fund a sewer system costing customers $200-300 per month.
Jennifer Knight – Trinidad area resident
We are looking at costs, but not considering the destruction of the environment. I live above Moonstone Beach and I’ve seen sea level rise. What is the environment worth to you.
Jeff Bairey – Trinidad
We don’t need to do a study that nobody wants. There is a cost to this project in dollars, and a cost to the community and environment.
Dick Bruce – Trinidad
Submitted written public comment - I may be the lone soldier here tonight, but I’m in favor of these studies.
What concerns me the most about Trinidad water is the cost to operate the system. The City can’t continue like this. I hear a lot about growth, but the Council represents the rate payers of the City water system and residents. It’s not your responsibility to represent the County residents. Unless you conduct a feasibility study, you’ll never know how much it may cost.
Anita Thompson – Trinidad
Submitted written public comment – Thanked the Council for bringing this back. $10k was spent on PWA to study increasing water storage and the project was considered unsuccessful. During the 2021 drought the City activated the emergency drought response requiring customers to conserve water. The City can no longer afford to operate it’s water plant. More than 1 million dollars were spent to operate with an expensive consultant after it lost the in-house operator. The City paid an average of $24k for month, for 3 years. Rates have significantly increased, and will continue to increase in the years to come. Please move forward with these studies and ultimately connect to Humboldt Bay Municipal Water.
Aaron Hakenen – Trinidad
Echoed comments made by Bruce and Thompson. I’m in favor of the study, and don’t understand why there is so much opposition to receiving facts and information. How can the City operate the system in a meaningful fashion without facts? The City has invested significant money to developing studies. I’ve read these studies.
They provide facts. Facts provide informed decisions. The City is set up to control growth with land use policy.
You’re obligated to represent the people that voted for you. The City has adequate short-term fire protection.
You are making generational decisions. We are shrinking, and struggling to fill seats on the Council and Planning Commission. Make a responsible decision.
Tyrone McDonald – Trinidad area resident
Concerned with marine ecology.
Paula Levine – Trinidad area resident
Supports participating in the feasibility study.
Paul Rosenblatt – Westhaven CSD General Manager
Our friend in the audience spoke about large campaign fires. Westhaven has adequate water capacity.
Average structure fire requires 30-40 thousand gallons to suppress. There are growth inducing impacts to having adequate water. If you have enough water, you can’t say no to requested use. My conversations with City of Trinidad Meeting Minutes: 07-08-2025 8
the Division of Drinking Water say that you’d have to extend your lines to serve the underserved because of the Humane Water Act passed 4-5 years ago. You would have to build infrastructure to serve those properties north of town, approximately 6 miles. There are real cost born by the City in the long term. You’d still have to have certified operators and run a distribution system. You can’t leapfrog and pass other districts. You have to buy water from MCSD.
Andrew Orahoske – Zoom
Submitted written public comment - Recommend people read Cadillac Desert. You have a problem with leaky septics going into the bay. More water will cause more pollution. Your actions joining a pipeline pursuit reverberate out within the community and enduce growth. You should have CEQA training and have seen City decisions in the past that you didn’t have good advice on. I guarantee HBMWD will be scared of CEQA. Kill the pipeline for good.
Dave Hankin – Trinidad area resident
Submitted written public comment - I pay taxes to the City of Trinidad all the time. I like to think we’re a community. I’ve served on the WCSD water board for 35 years. It’s expensive to operate. Getting water from Humboldt Bay won’t reduce costs. The only thing that will change is the level of operator certification required.
I’ve lived here a long time. The City had a viable operating system for a long time. It can happen again. I’m most concerned with growth potential. You’ll need to find funding to study this as well.
Kathy Bairey – Trinidad
The problem I have is the perception of bias. Worried that if we start it, we won’t stop. We talk about the value and beauty of the area. Water goes somewhere and a development disaster happens. Step back, stay Trinidad.
Allie Lindgren – Tsurai Elder/Lineal Descendent
Concerned about the Trinidad Rancheria plans to develop. Wish we can all get along.
Margie Kieselhorst-Eckhart – Trinidad
40 year resident, business and landowner. Active community member. Hard to hear that the Council has decision-making ability to affect us. Hope you take the impact to all of us into consideration during your process.
Jacque Hostler- Carmesin – Trinidad Rancheria CEO
Proud 18-year employee of the Rancheria. Very happy to work with this Council and staff. Very positive and professional experience. The Rancheria has done nothing but good things for the City. We’ve cleaned up the Harbor, pay for public restroom access, finished the stormwater project, and are building an interpretive center.
We’ve overcome all of the citations from the State Water Board on the previous owner. We’re monitoring the water quality in Trinidad Bay. Rancheria is doing the very best, and good things. We are moving forward with the pipeline. Our study will be a public document in the near future. The Tribe respects everyone’s opinion that is expressed, respectively. The Rancheria is moving forward rapidly, and intend to construct within the next 2 years. We’ll be going through the CEQA process, and would like to get through permitting by 2027.
Steve Madrone – 5th District County Supervisor/Trinidad area resident The Rancheria has done great things for the community. I enjoyed their original hotel concept. 40 year Luffenholtz Creek resident. None of my reports were included in your packet tonight, likely because I didn’t charge $100k for them. I offered free services. Congratulations on the work done so far – intertie, new tank, etc. Recognized former Mayor Chi-Wei Lin for looking at the bigger picture and encouraged the City to continue work on storage ponds upstream. Even during a drought, Luffenholtz has never gone dry. Earthquakes break pipes. Distributed storage (500 homes with 5000g storage tanks) is a piece of the puzzle. Fixing pipes, building ponds, forest thinning, etc. are all useful. Luffenholtz aquifer has as much water locked in as Ruth Lake. Growth is what you should be thinking about. Housing laws are relaxed, and will affect Westhaven.
Growth will change the face of this community if Trinidad joins with Humboldt Bay. Water rates will not go down. There are many costs involved, and it will likely be more than the current rates. Pipeline discussion will have to go through LAFCO. Competing mandates at LAFCO; consolidate small water systems, and avoid annexing islands. You had a T3 Operator. According to the previous operator, he was not supported and was forced out. Don’t make more bad decisions.
Michiko Mares – Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District General Manager We’ve been working with the Rancheria investigating the feasibility of extending our pipeline north to serve them. We’re looking at the CEQA documentation and the LAFCO application process, working with the County City of Trinidad Meeting Minutes: 07-08-2025 9
and State Coastal Commission before moving forward with the north mainline extension. There will be water wheeling required through MCSD to serve the Rancheria. Does the City of Trinidad wish to move forward with the comparative analysis to determine whether or not to participate in the north mainline extension. It is a decision that should be made sooner than later as it will affect our LAFCO application. An emergency intertie may not be feasible based on the size of the water pipe. We don’t have all the answers today, but going through the process together will be helpful. The LAFCO Board made it clear that if/when the project moves forward, the municipal service review will be revisited.
Council comments included:
Kenny: How much would the price per gallon be? Mares noted HBMWD only sells wholesale water, not retail.
The engineering analysis would flush out answers to these questions.
Kelly: The Council is struggling to get answers to these questions. I would like to understand, once and for all, how much it will cost, will it induce growth, etc. We’ve talked about it several times. In 2015 the Council voted to do this, but didn’t. We need a fact-based decision model to make informed decisions. There have been a lot of statements made tonight that I don’t have factual information to support. We should create parameters of the feasibility plan (technical, financial, legal, regulatory, operational, environmental, growth inducing, etc.).
Varela: Do we have an estimate on the cost? City Manager Tagliaboschi noted that based on the Rancheria’s costs so far, possibly $100-200,000?
Kenny: Presenting a power point titled “the HBMWD Pipeline is not a good thing for Trinidad”. The presentation touches on the water source dynamics on a large scale, compared to the similar design of the Luffenholtz Creek system. Trinidad has not had to implement emergency conservation measures. There is a false logic made by looking at seasonal low surface flow. Developing natural water storage retention is a process used on very large scale, industrial water systems. We should be pursuing the same strategy. If we connect to Humboldt Bay Water, the hotel will be built and properties within the City’s sphere of influence will also be encouraged to develop. Why would we want to facilitate this? Why would we want to encourage the Rancheria getting water, building their master plan, and increasing their hotel capacity beyond what has been proposed? Luffenholtz Creek is good as it is, and the City should not be spending money exploring a direction that is not desirable policy. Develop storage ponds.
Tuttle: We’re all team Trinidad and want the best for our town and families. We also don’t want change. We’re dependent on food from thousands of miles away. Our water comes from a source up the road. Turning that over to another agency is concerning. We are 100% in control of our system now. I don’t want growth, and see both sides of the argument.
Varela: I come to these discussions with an open mind. This is an interconnected issue with so many processes at stake. I hear no one agreeing to paying the high rates needed to make our system stable, and would bet that everyone against the study isn’t on the City water system. I’m in favor of the feasibility study to give us the facts needed to make informed decisions.
Breckenridge: I want to know what is viable. I want to understand costs, impacts, etc. I cannot make an informed decision without these facts, and support seeking grants to cover the cost.
Kelly: I’ve taken to heart all comments made tonight and believe Trinidad does an incredible amount for the community at large. We are not the County or Rancheria. We are the City of Trinidad trying to source clean, responsible, and affordable water to the customers on the system. We all have opinions about how things should work. I want to put this to rest, once and for all, but we can’t to it without having a comparative analysis in front of us.
Motion (Kelly/Breckenridge) to direct staff to proceed with a comparative analysis and feasibility study that evaluates the two options for water provisioning in the City of Trinidad: 1) connection to HBMWD in partnership with the Trinidad Rancheria or independently; 2) continuing to operate its own independent municipal water plant. The study should include comparative long-term costs, developmental (growth) impacts, environmental factors, regulatory/legal guidelines, technical/engineering and operational requirements. Staff will bring the RFP for the study back to the Council for final review and seek grant money to fund. Passed 3-2. Yes – Kelly, Breckenridge, Varela. No – Kenny, Tuttle.
City of Trinidad Meeting Minutes: 07-08-2025 10
3. Discussion/Decision regarding Town Hall Renovation Project – Windows, Rot Repair, Etc.
City Manager Tagliaboschi explained that in February staff brought Council an estimate to repair and replace the Town Hall Windows and refurbish and refinish the front porch area. Staff used the best information at the time to estimate the costs of the project. However, after soliciting bids for the project the costs came back more than what Council approved for the two projects.
There were three bids for the project and two of the three were very close at $66,964.99 and $66,379.65. The third quote came in at $44,890. This did not include contingency or dry rot repair. Typically, staff includes about 10% of the base bid for this line item.
This item if approved would be Option 1 of the original proposal as the costs have gone up this seems the most logical and cost-efficient choice; Milgard, Series V400 Tuscany, white vinyl inside and out with grid pattern matching the existing windows. Approximately $3,017 per window = $66,379 including labor to remove and replace, dispose of old windows, related materials. Total with contingency and rot repair = $75,000 Staff recommends the lower of the two bidders and is requesting $75,000 for contingency and rot repair.
The second item on this list is the front entrance to Town Hall which includes a refresh of the paint after electrical work is complete and remove and replace the green carpet which is badly worn. Chief Building Official Dan Dimick has suggested an epoxy coating used on garage floors to provide a more finished appearance. The product selected will have nonslip resistance and should last for many years with little to no maintenance needed other than a power wash once a year or so to keep it looking fresh and clean.
This item was initially estimated at around $4,000 but estimates came in at $11,479 to remove the indoor /outdoor carpet clean, and prep the porch, and use the epoxy style coating to refinish the concrete surface.
Staff is requesting $15,000 for this project in case of extra work to prep the concrete surface occurs.
Staff are requesting a budget adjustment of $90,000 to complete the Town Hall Window Replacement and Rot Repair and Front Porch Surface Rehabilitation Project.
Public comment included:
Susan Rotwein – Trinidad
Appreciate staff planning for the future and taking care of the building.
Paula Levine – Trinidad area resident
Questions about the Yurok Tribe immunity waiver requirement. Mayor Kelly noted that the discussion for that topic has been concluded.
Dick Kieselhorst – Trinidad area resident, owner of adjacent property to the Town Hall Thanked the City for finally making this happen.
Motion (Kenny/Varela) to recognize cost increase adjustments and approve $75,000 for window installation and dry rot repairs, and $15,000 for front porch rehabilitation for a total of $90,000. Passed unanimously.
4. Discussion/Decision to Adopt the Assistant City Manager Job Classification into the City Staff Structure.
City Manager Tagliaboschi explained that the organizational structure of this city is different than most, as the City Manager is a part-time employee, as agreed to under an employment agreement with the Council. That leaves a considerable portion of time when the City Manager is not available for tasks, questions, and onsite.
The City of Trinidad is lucky to have someone on the staff who can fill that role and those needs. Over the past years that person has been our City Clerk Gabriel Adams.
The current labor agreement for the CM is 30 hours per week. The schedule is Monday through Wednesday 8- hour days and 6 hours on Thursday (or around 2 PM). However, there are many weeks when the CM gets the 30 hours in well before Thursday and can adjust those hours accordingly. In addition, the CM is allowed vacation during the year and that also leaves a role to be filled. For a period of time Trinidad was managed by the Council and as such there was generally a council member who could perform the role and work of the CM. Since 2008 There has been a City Manager performing that work.
City of Trinidad Meeting Minutes: 07-08-2025 11
While it has been convenient to have the City Clerk fill in on occasion, it has not been equitable, nor has there been additional compensation for acting in this role. Add to that the increased workload that the Clerk has assumed as the regulatory and policy requirements have evolved to a point that the role now includes much more than a Clerk would be expected to perform. It has been long past time to address this issue and provide a wage and title that reflects the role and responsibilities.
The new Assistant City Manager classification will fix these inequities and gaps in our organizational structure and provide a succession plan, should the Council prefer to use it as such. The role will now include the clerk’s duties, and assisting the City Manager with overseeing assigned town hall staff, finance, payroll, HR, health care insurance, and risk management (workmen’s compensation, liability, property, etc.) cemetery budget support, contract and consultant support. The incumbent provides complex administrative support to the City Manager and elected and appointed officials and serves as liaison with the public and other agencies and stakeholders and other duties as assigned.
The new ACM will serve as acting CM when the CM is not in a working capacity. As such his wage reflects that role and those responsibilities. As the ACM in this organization could be in the acting capacity for the better part of 3.5 days the salary should be within 15-20% of the CM salary. This position was discussed during the FY 25/26 budget workshop in the May 2025 meeting. The salary for this position was budgeted and adopted in the June 2025 meeting.
Staff request approval by the Council to include the new Assistant City Manager classification and spend up to the budgeted amount for this position as allowed in the recently adopted FY25/26 budget. In addition, this position was requested and committed in July 2024, therefore the request includes a $10,000 retroactive bonus included with the pay increase proposed and budgeted this year.
Public comment included:
Steve Madrone – Trinidad area resident, 5th District County Supervisor It’s about time, and we all know this. Adams is our institutional knowledge here in this community and he deserves this. Literally, if you want to know something, you call him. We will miss Joe who has been doing a great job.
Council comments included:
Kelly, Breckenridge, and Varela confirmed their full support of the proposal.
Kenny: Adams will become the Interim City Manager upon Tagliaboschi’s resignation in late August, and extremely well qualified. I’m comfortable giving him this designation. Kelly agreed.
Motion (Kelly/Tuttle) to adopt the Assistant City Manager Job Classification into the City Staff Structure, assigning the title, budgeted pay increase, and duties as described to City Clerk Adams current position, and authorizing the one-time retroactive pay increase of $10,000 for filling this role as committed since July 01, 2024. Passed unanimously.
5. Staff Activity Report – June 2025
Accepted and approved by consensus.
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