City of Trinidad Special Meeting Minutes: 08-06-2025 1
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TRINIDAD CITY COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 06, 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, Varela. Breckenridge and Kenny were absent. City Staff in attendance: City Manager Joe Tagliaboschi, City Clerk/ACM Gabriel Adams, Assistant Clerk Anton Souza, and Grant Administrator Angela Cather. Approximately (3) participants were present by video-conference, and (3) were present live at the beginning of the meeting.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion (Tuttle/Varela) to approve the agenda as submitted. Passed 3-0.
IV. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR – No items or comments presented. (Three (3) minute limit per Speaker unless Council approves request for extended time.) V. CONSENT AGENDA – No consent items presented.
VI. DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
1. Discussion/Decision regarding Resolution 2025-06; Authorizing Staff to Establish a Dedicated, Non-InterestBearing Account at Tri-Counties Bank as required by the Trinidad-Westhaven Emergency Intertie Project Grant Agreement with the State Department of Water Resources (DWR).
City Clerk Adams explained that Trinidad has been awarded a grant from the State Department of Water Resources to fund the Trinidad-Westhaven Emergency Intertie Project. Grant Agreement No. 4600014620 details the City’s obligations to administer the funds and respond to DWR’s reporting and compliance requirements associated with the grant administration. Section 8, ADVANCE PAYMENT, subsection D, IV, 3 requires the grantee to demonstrate that the $417,000 advance payment received is placed in a non-interestbearing account with documentation that includes dates of deposits and withdrawals from that account.
The resolution proposed authorizes and directs the City Manager and Assistant City Manager/City Clerk to establish the non-interest-bearing account on behalf of the City in compliance with DWR grant requirements and applicable banking policies, and close the account at the conclusion of the project, and authorizes signers on the account to be the City Manager, City Clerk/ACM, Mayor, and Mayor Pro-Tem, consistent with the City’s longstanding General Fund account held by Tri-Counties Bank.
There were no comments from the public or Council.
Motion (Kelly/Tuttle) to approve Resolution 2025-06; Authorizing Staff to Establish a Dedicated, Non-InterestBearing Account at Tri-Counties Bank as required by the Trinidad-Westhaven Emergency Intertie Project Grant Agreement with the State Department of Water Resources (DWR). Passed unanimously.
2. Discussion/Decision to Authorize a $70,000 Reserve Budget Adjustment for the Town Hall Exterior Painting Project.
City Manager Tagliaboschi explained that regular maintenance of city infrastructure is not just a good practice to keep the buildings and infrastructure safe and aesthetically pleasing, it also is financially prudent. Neglect of buildings and infrastructure cost more to correct deficient maintenance. This is certainly true of our Town Hall, which is suffering from some dry rot and desperately needed repairs and painting.
At their January 15, 2025 meeting the Council reviewed, discussed, and approved of a list of goals for 2025.
Prominent on the list were Town Hall renovations, with windows and rot repair (in process) and exterior painting.
Staff solicited quotes and Hamanaka Painting submitted a quote with a bid of $58,067.85. This includes a full prime coat, additional topcoat, and cleaning and staining the deck (but does not include repairs.) Staff had planned to wait until next Spring to complete this work but in discussion with the contractor the costs for materials will go up in January.
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The goal would be to begin the preparation and repair process in mid-October as the window replacement project should be well underway and close to complete by that time. The contractor has a long history on the North Coast and is very comfortable getting the work done by years end, as long as the window project has no significant delay.
Staff recommend approving a budget adjustment for the FY 25/26 budget of $70,000 to include repairs and contingency if needed. These funds would come from the Reserve Fund budget.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Kelly asked if the color has been selected, and proposed offering suggestions and a method to collect feedback from the public.
Motion (Kelly/Tuttle) to approve a FY2026 budget adjustment of $70,000 and authorize to City Manager to spend up to the budgeted amount for Town Hall exterior painting contract. Passed 3-0.
3. Discussion/Decision regarding Boardwalk Improvement and Interpretive Visitor Center Agreements between the City of Trinidad and the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria City Manager Tagliaboschi summarized both agreements as proposed and the connection between the two.
Boardwalk Improvement Agreement: The existing boardwalk extending to the Trinidad Harbor from Edwards Street (both partially located in the City right-of-way and on property held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Tribe (Tribal Trust Lands) is currently in need of improvement for safe use. The City and Trinidad Rancheria agree to work cooperatively, as both recognize the need to construct, improve and maintain the boardwalk for continued safe use. It is agreed upon that the improvement project and post-project completion maintenance is solely the responsibility of the City. The Trinidad Rancheria agrees to take action to preclude public access to the portions of the boardwalk located on the Tribal Trust Lands but does retain the right to regulate access as appropriate to protect public health and safety. The Trinidad Rancheria also agrees to facilitate reasonable access to portions of the boardwalk located on the Tribal Trust Lands to the City for repair and maintenance activities.
The term of the agreement is thirty (30) years starting from the execution of the agreement, with the option to renew the term of the agreement for two successive ten (10) year periods.
Interpretive Visitor Center Agreement: The Trinidad Rancheria plans to build an interpretive visitor center on Tribal Trust Lands, subject to pre-existing easements. The City holds the pre-existing easements on a portion of the Tribal Trust Lands. To locate the visitor center on previously developed land and to avoid interfering with public access at and near the visitor center, the Trinidad Rancheria wishes to construct a small portion of the visitor center on and within a portion of the Galindo Street Easement.
The term of the agreement is fifty (50) years starting from the execution of the agreement, with the option to renew the term of the agreement for two successive twenty (20) year periods.
City Manager Tagliaboschi explained that the City Planner and Attorney advised that a CDP would be required (by the City) to exchange the 1500 square feet of BIA property with and equal amount of city owned land as proposed by the Rancheria to construct the Interpretive Center as designed. Further, the City must vacate the portion of the Galindo Street right-of-way requested.
Mayor Kelly explained her excitement and support of the Interpretive Center project, and confirmed that the City must follow the legal process and ensure the agreements are sound.
Public comment included:
Jacque Hostler-Carmesin – Trinidad Rancheria
We’re not willing to do a CDP. It will derail the project. A Coastal Commission consistency determination may be required if federal action or funds are involved, but we have the ability to move forward. We can’t start all over again.
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Robert Hemsted – Trinidad Rancheria Vice Chairman
Your planner was concerned about access to the harbor and pier. Somebody sued us and lost regarding public access. Let’s not beat around the bush. Access can’t be blocked. How would we block access to the pier? I don’t understand? The Councilmember that was concerned is not here.
Tagliaboschi explained that he understands the issue, and the Planner’s concern is not blocking the pier. The main issue is allowing development on public right of way with the proper documentation and process.
Jacque Hostler-Carmesin clarified that the public access lawsuit was appealed to the Supreme Court, but they would not hear the case. We have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on this fee to trust process. None of you have ever done this. We discussed a simple agreement at our lunch meetings and G2G’s. This agreement would work if you weren’t looking at things that could or would go wrong. This is a mistake. You’re being misled by your planner and legal staff. Have you seen the agreement? Council should have had time to consider it.
This derails all the good groundwork that has been made between us. It is our intent and responsibility to keep the Coastal Commission informed of our progress.
Tagliaboschi noted that the agreement was completed earlier today, after staff worked quickly in response to the Rancheria’s requests.
Mayor Kelly explained that this special meeting was called at the Rancheria’s request. We too are frustrated with the situation, but can’t recommend moving ahead with a handshake agreement that staff is concerned with, or without the two absent Councilmembers present. We will commit to work diligently to expedite this through the proper channels. Can you move ahead without the agreement in-hand while we work on it? Jacque Hostler-Carmesin noted any delay will risk the project. We have to move forward, and will advise you to our legal council’s recommendation.
Robert Hemsted expressed frustration, explaining the Rancheria always work well with the City and developed a good partnership. It’s hard not to assume ulterior motives are at play, but I’ve been on the Tribal Council for 14 years and been involved in many successful projects with the City.
There were no public comments.
Council comments included:
Tuttle: Do we need to read the agreement through before voting? I would like to read it before concluding the meeting.
Council adjourned for a 15-minute recess to review the entire agreement.
Kelly: There is a question of the Galindo right-of-way status – whether it is a fee parcel or simple right-ofway/easement. If it’s a right-of-way, then legal is advising the abandonment process in order to formalize this agreement properly. If it’s a fee parcel, then a lot line adjustment will be required and likely a CDP based on the City’s LCP. The City is responsible for making this determination. The second issue is that a CDP may be required for the City to abandon part of the Galindo right-of-way.
Tagliaboschi explained that there does not appear to be a deed for the Galindo Street right-of-way.
Jacque Hostler-Carmesin noted their research concludes this is a right-of-way, and the City as a right to grant an easement over it.
Tim Seward – Trinidad Rancheria Legal Counsel
Clarified the agreement was intended to allow the City to grant the Tribe permission to encroach on the Galindo Street easement. The City can grant an easement, but I don’t understand the process required for that. Bay Street right-of-way was abandoned in recent history, which may help determine the same status for Galindo.
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Varela: I support the project, but there are questions we need to answer before moving forward with an agreement.
Tuttle: Looks like an easement to me.
Jacque Hostler-Carmesin argued there was no reason the City can’t make a decision for its own right-of-way.
Our only other option is to rotate the building footprint to avoid construction on the right-of-way. Many years of work have been put into this project. Could there be a motion to support the Interpretive Center project while authorizing the Rancheria to move forward with construction while the City researches their process? Kelly: Drafted a motion to approve the conveyance of 150 square feet of city property (whether in fee or easement) for the Rancheria for construction of its Interpretive Center, and for staff to take the necessary steps to finalize the appropriate agreements needed for permitting by September 30, 2025, while at the same time making sure we have our processes locked-in. I ran that by staff but they were uncomfortable with that. Tuttle could support this path forward.
Robert Hemsted expressed concern with not having agreements in place before construction, and then finding out later that there’s a change in position by the City. That, he added, would be very detrimental to the partnership.
Tagliaboschi suggested language for the Council to support the project while the staff works to finalize the agreement.
Kelly: A motion to support the project without an agreement in place doesn’t seem very meaningful. I’m concerned with “approving construction” without having the authority to do so.
Tim Seward – Trinidad Rancheria Legal Counsel
It would also be important to at minimum recognize the Rancheria’s need to temporarily encroach on the Galindo Street right-of-way during construction, and authorize with permission to do so.
Jacque Hostler-Carmesin noted she has to direct surveyors and contractors to realign the project if there’s no agreement in place by Monday. If you can tell me that in the next 2 days we can enter into an agreement with a few modifications, then we still have time. Our Notice to Proceed needs to be issued by Monday. If you can use your authority and support the Rancheria and its efforts to build this project then we’re on the same page. I don’t want a temporary license. I’m at the point where it’s either yes or no – not maybe. The Galindo Street right-ofway has been used as an easement. We’ve been using this area for the last 25 years. We aren’t going to do anything wrong there. Attorney’s and planners can make things happen. I appreciate your effort but we’ll have to modify our course on the fly if you can’t make an agreement with us. Support the Rancheria’s construction of the Interpretive Center while you determine whether you can enter into an agreement. I need to tell the surveyors on Monday whether we have to rotate the building.
Motion (Kelly/Tuttle) to support the conveyance of 150sqft of City property whether in fee or easement to the Rancheria, direct staff to take necessary steps to finalize agreements and permits as soon as possible, and support project and the Rancheria proceeding with construction of the Center while at the same time we make sure agreements are in place. Passed 3-0.
Boardwalk agreement was not approved by the Rancheria Tribal Council and will be tabled until further notice.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT: 7:40pm.
Submitted by: Approved by:
_____________________________ _____________________________ Gabriel Adams Cheryl Kelly
Trinidad City Clerk Mayor