10-14-2025 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TRINIDAD CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2025 (LIVE/HYBRID)
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kelly called the live-hybrid meeting to order at 6:00pm. Council members in attendance: Kelly, Tuttle, Breckenridge, and Kenny. City Staff in attendance: City Clerk/Interim City Manager Gabriel Adams, Administrative Assistant Anton Souza, and Grant Administrator Angela Cather. Approximately (6) participants were present by video-conference, and (6) were present live at the beginning of the meeting.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. ADJOURN TO 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. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1)) Name of case / administrative appeal: ALT Trail Re-Opening, Coastal Development Permit Appeal No. A-1-TRN-25-0020 IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION – No reportable action taken.
V. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion (Kenny/Tuttle) to approve the agenda as submitted. Passed 4-0.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 07/08/2025 cc, 08/06/2025 scc, 09/09/2025 cc Motion (Kenny/Tuttle) to approve the 07/08/2025 minutes as submitted. Passed 4-0.
Motion (Kelly/Tuttle) to approve the 08/06/2025 scc minutes as submitted. Passed 4-0* * Kelly, Tuttle, Varela attended the meeting, but Varela’s resignation last month left only Kelly and Tuttle to approve, so the Council voted 4-0 with confidence to approve the minutes as submitted.
Motion (Kenny/Kelly) to approve the 09/09/2025 cc minutes as submitted. Passed 3-0-1. Tuttle abstained due to his absence from the meeting.
VII. COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Tuttle: Nothing to report.
Kenny: Nothing to report.
Breckenridge: Nothing to report.
Kelly: Attended the LAFCO meeting. Discussed excluding the Humboldt Redwood Company from the Kneeland Fire District’s annexation request, and appointed the new Vice Chair. CERT met by video-conference on September 25 to organize the upcoming block party and discuss pre-storm prep. HMRA met to create the 2026 meeting schedule. Announced the results of the Trinidad Town Hall paint color combo voting process, with Whirpool Blue being the most popular base/body color for the building.
VIII.PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT – City Manager & Law Enforcement HCSO Lt. McCall summarized calls for service, included in the meeting packet.
Interim City Manager Gabriel Adams noted his satisfaction and confidence with the City’s public safety team (HCSO and Pacific Coast Security) and shared that he met HCSO Deputy Josh Boyer who is serving our area and is local to the Trinidad area with family and connections here.
IX. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR – None
(Three (3) minute limit per Speaker unless Council approves request for extended time.) X. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Financial Statements – August 2025
2. Law Enforcement Report – September 2025.
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3. Second Reading of Ordinance 2025-03; Amending Chapter 8.04 and 13.12 of the Trinidad Municipal Code Defining Authority, Responsibilities, and Duties of the County Health Officer While Acting as the City of Trinidad Health Officer.
4. Receive/Accept FY2023-2024 Audit Prepared by JJACPA.
5. Audit Engagement Letter with JJACPA, Inc. to Prepare June 30, 2025, Financial Statements.
Motion (Kenny/Breckenridge) to approve consent agenda as submitted. Passed 4-0.
XI. DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
1. Annual Unmet Transit Needs Hearing
Interim City Manager Gabriel Adams explained that each year HCAOG conducts a citizen participation process to assess unmet transit needs within Humboldt County. The public is invited during the hearing to express their opinion, solutions, complaints, or suggestions regarding Humboldt County’s public transportation systems and/or general unmet transit needs.
Adams welcomed HCAOG Associate Regional Planner Stevie Luther (participating by video-conference) to introduce the topic and opened the public hearing to receive input.
Public comment included:
Carol Mone’ – Trinidad Area Resident
Public transit arrives at the airport every hour, but much fewer routes continue to Trinidad. If someone wanted to drive to the Airport to catch a southbound route, they would struggle to find parking. I would recommend better parking services at the airport for bus riders, bike storage, and more frequent service.
Council comments included:
Tuttle: As Trinidad’s local representative on the HTA Board, keep in mind that we are working on micro-transit to Trinidad to fill that need. A pilot program for phone-in requests for a ride from Trinidad to the airport is in progress. Please continue to submit comments to HTA. It is very helpful to hear the community’s input.
Comments will be submitted to HCAOG.
2. Discussion/Decision to Appoint Two Councilmembers to Represent the City in Government-to-Government (G2G) Meetings
Interim City Manager Adams explained that most recently on June 10, 2025, the Council evaluated the benefits of appointing two (2) members to represent the City on a standing committee for Tribal Governmentto-Government consultations (G2G), vs. appointing two (2) members on an ad-hoc format when consultations were needed or requested. The Council determined that the ad-hoc format was more suitable for the G2G format primarily due to Brown Act logistics and restrictions that apply to Council appointed standing committees.
There are several issues of mutual interest that G2G consultations between the City and both the Trinidad Rancheria and the Yurok Tribe would benefit from. Staff is requesting Council to appoint two (2) members to participate in G2G consultations, with dates and topics yet to be determined.
Upon appointment, Staff will notify both tribal entities that City representatives have been selected and the logistics to settle on consultation dates can begin.
There was no public comment on this item.
Motion (Breckenridge/Tuttle) to appoint Kenny and Kelly to represent the City in this round of ad-hoc Government-to-Government meetings with the Yurok Tribe and Trinidad Rancheria. Passed unanimously. 10-14-2025 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
3. Discussion/Decision regarding 2025 Job Classification and Compensation Study Report prepared by Regional Government Services (RGS)
Interim City Manager Adams explained that this topic was first introduced to the Council by former City Manager Karen Suiker in 2016. It was a budgeted priority that was carried forward for several years following but never gained the traction needed to become a reality. Staffing challenges following the covid-era forced hiring decisions that subsequently created inequities in pay rates, job duties, and complicated organizational function. The risks associated with the inequities prompted a serious need for a professional, third-party review of the City’s job classification, structure, and compensation package and policy.
Staff presented findings and illustrated the needs for this study during budget preparations in May 2024. The Council prioritized the project upon adoption of the FY2025 Budget. Former City Manager Joe Tagliaboshi brought a proposal forward to engage with Regional Government Services (RGS) to conduct the study. On March 11, 2026 the Council approved a $25,000 contract for services with RGS.
The project began by City staff feeding RGS with the City’s current organizational structure, long-range vision and needs, current job descriptions, and employee policies.
The second phase consisted of a deep-dive questionnaire/survey each employee was requested to complete, in their own words, helping RGS better understand the employee’s own understanding of their position, with detailed tasks and responsibilities listed. Each survey submitted was reviewed by City management for concurrence.
The third phase was for RGS to digest all the information provided, develop a legitimate index of job descriptions and titles that match the duties described, and begin the compensation study phase based on the framework created. City Management fully supports the Classification Titles and Job Descriptions proposed by RGS.
The importance of this project at this time cannot be understated. There are significant HR risks associated with un-structured job descriptions, arbitrary hiring practices, and the absence of a clear path staff can rely on during their employment with the City. Clear job descriptions are essential tools required to carry out annual performance evaluations. Fair compensation and policies create the predictability needed to attract and retain valuable employees – an organization’s most valuable asset.
Compensation Study:
RGS will be represented tonight by Classification & Compensation Team Lead Advisor Patty Howard, who will be available to answer detailed questions about the study findings, in particular the median income concluded that forms the basis for the target rate of pay recommended for each position identified in the plan.
The study focuses on Internal Alignment and Implementation components, summarized on pages 11 and 12.
The rational with alignment is to create a salary differential between series classifications based on Human Resource practices, recognizing the complexity of the work expected at each level and the differences in experience and certifications required to perform the respective duties.
The Cost of Implementing the salary adjustments is described on page 12. The alignment of current salaries to market median ranges from approximately 15%-33%.
Due to the complexity of identifying sustainable resources to fund this alignment in full, staff is recommending a 10% increase across the board upon adoption of this policy tonight to show faith and response by the Council in recognizing the findings presented in the report. The flat dollar monthly adjustment impact to the payroll budget would be just under $1,800. The savings achieved from not having the City Manager salary liability for several months, plus having not yet hired a Grant Administrator his year, along with not having the full salary applied to the T3 in-house operator will more than cover this increase for the rest of FY2026. 10-14-2025 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
Part two of this phase, as identified in the recommended motion on page 13, is to allow staff time to perform the necessary financial analysis and develop a phased-in approach that provides increases over a multi-year time period until salaries for all classifications are competitive with the market.
Patty Howard echoed the summary provided by the City Manager, explaining the complexity of the analysis, the cities selected for comparison, the outliers, alignment, median salary range (vs. mean salary) how the compensation study tied into the classification results, and shared strategies for the phased alignment approach.
Council questions included:
Kelly: I appreciate all the hard work that went into this study as it was long overdue. It’s good hygiene. I also want to point out the observation of how important it is to have a competent ACM role in relationship to the CM. The City is very fortunate to have navigated the recent City Manager resignation so seamlessly.
This is why each of these classifications are so important, along with the transition structure. Another example is with our grant team, whose job is very crucial at times due to the heavy financial risks associated with each project. I support the layering/phased approach and the manager’s recommendation, with a minor revision that gives the Council budgetary discretion before reaching full alignment.
Breckenridge: Echoed Kelly’s statement, and noted how impressed she was with this study, long-overdue.
Kenny: Regarding the Administrative Assistant, we should revise the section regarding complaints to say “…in consultation with the City Manager.” Same for the Special Project Manager. That position should “assist with planning, development of policies, and implementation… in consultation with the City Manager”, etc. The City should also be mindful of the volatile revenue sources and plan conservatively when it comes to salary liabilities. There are quality of life benefits that City employees choose when coming to work here vs. for another bigger agency, that may balance the hard cash difference. We have to keep this in mind.
Tuttle: The City of Fortuna opted for 4 day work weeks to balance where their budget was unable to provide.
Maybe we could consider this type of option if we’re unable to afford full alignment. Retention of our valued employees is very important.
Public comment included:
Anita Thompson – Trinidad
I fully support the suggested 10% initial pay increase. This is an expensive place to live. Rents and bills still need to get paid. Most of our staff is relatively young, and income is very important during this stage in their lives. Retention is very important as well. I really appreciate our dedicated and professional city staff.
Mayor Kelly recommended a slight revision to the motion recommended in the staff report.
Motion (Kelly/Kenny) to adopt the 2025 Job Classification Plan and Compensation Policy prepared by Regional Government Services, authorize a budget amendment to cover a 10% salary increase effective immediately as the first step in aligning salaries to the median rates identified in the plan, and develop a phased strategy proposal to consider that might reach full alignment beginning with the July 01, 2026 FY Budget. Passed 4-0.
4. Discussion/Decision regarding November Council Meeting Schedule Interim City Manager Adams explained that the City Council meeting date is set by resolution, identifying regular meetings to be held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. The Council tends to cover its business obligations at the first meeting, leaving the second monthly meeting date for overflow or items that are time sensitive.
Tuesday, November 11 is the scheduled meeting date, but it also falls on the Veteran’s Day holiday this year.
Staff is requesting direction from Council on a preferred reschedule date.
Options include, but are not limited to:
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- Wednesday, November 12
- Tuesday, November 18
Motion (Tuttle/Kenny) to push the November meeting date to Wednesday, November 12. Passed 4-0.
5. Discussion/Decision regarding City Council Vacancy Appointment City Manager Adams explained that the City accepted a letter of resignation from former Councilmember Carrie Varela on September 09, and authorized staff to begin recruitment. Varela was elected in November 2024 and will have served 8 months of a 4-year term upon acceptance of her resignation. The City must actively seek a replacement for the remainder of her term through December 2028*. *A successful candidate will be able to serve until the next General Election (November 2026). If they wish to continue beyond that date and serve the full term, they will have to complete the nomination process next summer to have their name appear on the November 2026 ballot, and win that election seat in order to serve the full term through December 2028.
The current Councilmember terms are:
Kelly Term Expires December 2026
Tuttle Term Expires December 2026
Breckenridge Term Expires December 2026
Vacant Term Expires December 2028 - subject to a certification vote in November 2026.
Kenny Term Expires December 2028
Basic eligibility requirements for serving on the City Council are:
- Must reside inside the city limits
- Must be a registered voter, inside the City limits.
- In the case of an appointment, the new member must be affirmed by a majority vote of the remaining Council members during an open session.
The City Council is responsible for appointing a new member to fulfill the remaining term, and may set whatever qualifications, criteria, and experience they feel is necessary for the applicants to have. Vacancy notices were published at various locations within the community. The local news media outlets have also publicized the position, along with City announcements. The notifications remained posted through the filing period.
As of the filing deadline of October 10, two (2) letters of interest were received, from city residents John Waskiewicz and Andrew Davis.
Public comment included:
John Waskiewicz (candidate) – Trinidad
Introduced himself. Moved here as a wildfire refugee from Redding with his partner Gloria Spiegle residing on Underwood Drive, looking for a safe, secure, and healthy environment to call home. Volunteering to serve at the request of his friends and neighbors, and to put his experience serving on various resource committees to work for Trinidad. Looking forward to join this Council should it find me a desirable candidate.
Andrew Davis (candidate) – Trinidad
Provided a written statement included in the meeting packet, and introduced himself. Grew up in a small town and watched his parents serve as town leaders. This is a continuation of that life-long interest in public service, finance, and accounting for nearly 20 years. Hopes to bring this expertise to the City and provide smart solutions to problems that achieve goals and preserve the small town character of this community. Referenced the 1-year of past service on the Animal Advisory Committee (AAC).
Council comments included:
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Kelly: Appreciated both candidates for stepping up. I was in a similar position when I first applied to be on the Council. I didn’t get selected, but ended up on the Planning Commission, then running for Council during an election.
Tuttle: Both candidates are qualified. However, how we handle conflict resolution is an important part of our role as Councilmembers. I witnessed Davis attack AAC Chair Breckenridge during meetings and this is a sticking point for me. As a result of that conflict, I stepped down from the committee, and could not support Davis for this position. I would recommend Waskiewicz to fill the vacancy.
Kenny: The spirit of volunteerism is alive and well. Both are great candidates which makes this a tough decision. The tiebreaker for me would be the financial expertise which would be a good addition to our Council.
I’m leaning toward Davis.
Breckenridge: Agreed that both are strong candidates. Whoever we don’t pick has an option to run for several open seats next November. Waskiewicz has been very pleasant to get to know. Unfortunately I was the recipient of Davis’s aggression during the AAC meetings and it was very unpleasant. I’d rather not spend my last year of service on the Council feeling uncomfortable and would prefer working together with Waskiewicz.
Kelly: I worked with Davis on the AAC and encouraged him to apply for this position. I envision Waskiewicz working well with the Land Trust and Tribal governments. He’s a very intriguing candidate that I support. The election coming up will open up more opportunities to serve the City.
Motion (Tuttle/Breckenridge) to appoint John Waskiewicz to fill the remaining term through December 2026.
Passed 3-1.
6. Staff Activity Report – September 2025
Interim City Manager Adams summarized the detailed report, included in the meeting packet for reference.
Informational item only. No decision was made.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- Discussion (Breckenridge) regarding implications of the STR cap, background, etc..
ADJOURNMENT: 8:00pm.
Submitted by: Approved by:
_____________________________ _____________________________ Gabriel Adams Cheryl Kelly
Trinidad City Clerk Mayor