Great Redwood Trail Agency
Agenda

Regular Meeting
May 15, 2025 10:30 AM
521 K Street, Eureka, CA 95501
https://thegreatredwoodtrail.org/

Board of Directors
Chair Mary Sackett • Vice Chair Steve Madrone • City Representative Debra Garnes •  James Campbell •  James Gore •  Caryl Hart •  John Haschak •  Maureen Mulheren •  Jeff Hunerlach

Staff Members
Executive Director, Elaine Hogan • Operations Manager, Bridget Nichols • Financial Development Manager, Tyler Egerer • General Counsel, Elizabeth Coleman • State Coastal Conservancy Project Manager for Humboldt County, Hannah Bartee • Civil Engineer, Dave Anderson, P.E.

To attend the meeting via Zoom on a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device: 

• Open this website on your browser: https://zoom.us/join or open the app on your phone • Enter Meeting ID: 870 1939 3670

• Enter Passcode: 843627 

• All participants will be automatically muted except when called on to speak 

If you would like to make public comment via Zoom: 

• Wait until you hear the board ask for public comment or comment on agenda item 

• Raise your hand by clicking on “Reactions” in the meeting controls, then “Raise Hand” 

• Wait until you are called on 

• Unmute yourself when you’re called on and give your public comment 

• When your three-minute time limit is up, return to “Reactions” and “Lower Hand” 

To attend the meeting over the phone (audio only): 

• Call (669) 444-9171 

• Enter Meeting ID: 870 1939 3670

• Enter Passcode: 843627 

If you would like to make public comment over the phone: 

• Wait until the board chair calls for public comment or comment on agenda item 

• Enter *9 to raise your hand 

• Wait until you are called on 

• Enter *6 to unmute yourself 

• You will have three minutes to comment 

• Enter *6 to mute yourself after you have given your comment

Remote Zoom participation for members of the public is provided for convenience only. In the event that the Zoom connection malfunctions for any reason, the GRTA Board of Directors reserves the right to conduct the meeting without remote access

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

To request disability-related modifications or accommodations for accessible locations or meeting materials in alternative formats (as allowed under Section 12132 of the ADA) please contact us via phone or email at least 72-hours before the meeting 707-463- 3280 or info@thegreatredwoodtrail.org

1. Call to Order

   • Roll Call

2. Staff Reports
   Discussion Comment    View Item

   The Executive Director and staff from GRTA's Operations & Maintenance Division, Business & Financial Administration Division, and Trail Development Division will give reports on recent activities and future plans.
3. Matters from the Board
   Discussion Comment

   Board members share relevant information from their respective jurisdictions.
4. Public Comments
   Discussion Comment
   Comments will be limited to three minutes per person and not more than ten minutes per subject, so that everyone can be heard and may be further limited at the discretion of the Chair of the Board if the number of commentors reasonably so requires. “Public comment” time is limited to matters under the jurisdiction of the Agency that may not have been considered by the Agency previously and are not on the agenda. No action will be taken. Members of the public may also comment during specific agenda items when recognized by the Chair.
5. Public Hearing on Job Vacancies, Recruitment & Retention in Compliance with AB 2561
   Discussion Comment    View Item

   California State Assembly Bill (AB) 2561 was approved on September 22, 2024, and added §3502.3 to the Government Code. This law requires public agencies to present the status of their vacancies in a public hearing before their governing body at least once per fiscal year prior to the adoption of a final budget for the fiscal year. GRTA has no vacancies. Two recruitments were conducted this fiscal year and both were successful, resulting in the hiring of Operations Manager, Bridget Nichols, and Financial Development Manager, Tyler Egerer.
6. Resolution 2025-06 Establishment of an External Bank Account for Payroll Purposes
   Discussion Possible Action Comment    View Item

   To effect the takeover of payroll and related services from the County of Sonoma, at the expiration of their payroll services contract at the end of June, and in keeping with established policies of the County of Sonoma Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector, the Executive Director seeks approval to contract with outside banking services to establish an account specifically for the purposes of paying biweekly payroll, payroll taxes, and ancillary employee benefits. 
7. FY 2025-26 Budget Presentation and Resolution 2025-07 to Adopt the FY 2025-2026 Agency Budget
   Discussion Possible Action Comment    View Item

   Staff presents a comprehensive budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. The budget is balanced, utilizing funds appropriated by the State and granted through the State Coastal Conservancy, and positions the agency to continue developing its organizational structure to advance the Great Redwood Trail. 
8. Adopt a Resolution Introducing, Reading the Title of, and Waiving Further Reading of an Ordinance Entitled Great Redwood Trail Agency Unclaimed Property Disposition Ordinance
   Discussion Possible Action Comment    View Item

   This item presents a resolution introducing, reading the title of, and waiving further reading of an ordinance pursuant to Section 2080.6 entitled "Great Redwood Trail Agency Unclaimed Property Disposition Ordinance." If adopted, this ordinance would establish that after the statutory three-month period for maintaining possession of lost or unclaimed items, the Executive Director may conduct a virtual or in-person auction of items remaining unclaimed on GRTA property, and dispose of any unsold items at her discretion.
9. Professional Services Agreement for Hauling at South Fork Station in Redcrest
   Discussion Possible Action Comment    View Item

   After decades of unauthorized inhabitance and illegal dumping, GRTA recently regained site control over the former South Fork Station property in Redcrest. The next step is to remove trash and debris that have been dumped on the site. There is sufficient funding in this year's budget to accommodate these activities. 
10. Non-Exclusive Property Management License Agreement with Blue Lake Rancheria
    Discussion Possible Action Comment    View Item

    The Blue Lake Rancheria seeks a license agreement with the Great Redwood Trail Agency to maintain and manage GRTA parcels that span approximately 0.3 miles of right-of-way along the A&M Rail Corridor beginning in the east at Chartin Road and terminating in the northwest at or near the Hwy 299 crossing near Blue Lake Rancheria and Blue Lake, CA. This item seeks a delegation of authority to the Executive Director to enter into a license agreement with the Blue Lake Rancheria to allow for management and maintenance of the described area for a two-year period. 
11. Non-Exclusive License Agreement with The Wildlands Conservancy for GRTA Access & Emergency Power Shovel Stabilization
    Discussion Possible Action Comment    View Item

    A GRTA-owned power shovel north of Island Mountain precariously located near a cliff above the Eel River needs to be moved to a more stable location due to recent land movement activity threatening it to fall into the river. Access to the power shovel is through The Wildlands Conservancy property, which means the GRTA will need an access agreement with The Wildlands Conservancy. This item is requesting that the Board authorize the Executive Director to enter into an access agreement with The Wildlands Conservancy and approve an emergency procurement of services with a contractor to stabilize the power shovel to prevent from falling into the Eel River.
12. Consent Agenda
    Discussion Possible Action Comment    View Item
    These items are expected to be routine and non-controversial. The Board of Directors will act upon them at one time without discussion. Any directors, staff member or interested party may request that an item be removed from the consent agenda for discussion.

    • Approval of Special Meeting Minutes from April 3, 2025

    • Amendment to License Agreements with City of Arcata, Consent to Assignment of Maintenance Access to PG&E

13. Closed Session
    Discussion Possible Action Comment
    • Possible Action Litigation - Pending/Existing Litigation Comment Conference with Legal Counsel
      Regarding Abandonment and Railbanking Filings, Docket Number: AB-1305 before Surface
      Transportation Board [Government Code section 54956.9(a)] Existing Litigation Pursuant to
      Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
    • Possible Action Litigation - Pending/Existing Litigation Comment Conference with Legal Counsel
      Regarding Humboldt County Code Enforcement Case CE25-2501, APN 200-303-007-000
      [Government Code section 54956.9(a)] Existing Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Section
      54956.9 (d)(1)

    • Possible Action Litigation - Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation. Potential initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4) - 1 matter.

14. Announcement of Next Meeting
    Discussion Comment

    The next regularly scheduled meeting of the GRTA Board of Directors is Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 10:30am in-person at Ukiah City Council Chambers and Eureka City Council Chambers with remote participation via telephone and Zoom.

AGENDA NOTE All items appearing on the agenda are subject to action by the Board of Directors. Staff recommendations are subject to action by the Board of Directors. Staff recommendations are subject to change by the Board.

ADDITIONS TO AGENDA The Brown Act, Section 54954.2, states that the Board may take action on off-agenda items when: a) a majority vote determines that an “emergency situation” exists as defined in Section 54956.5, or b) a two-thirds vote of the body, or a unanimous vote of those present, determines that there is a need to take immediate action and the need for action arose after the agenda was legally posted, or c) the item was continued from a prior, legally posted meeting not more than five calendar days before this meeting.

ADDITIONAL MEETING INFORMATION FOR INTERESTED PARTIES Written materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Board of Directors are available for public inspection with 72-hour notice. Documents maintained for public inspection are considered draft documents until approved by the Board of Directors. Official records are maintained for public inspection.

CLOSED SESSION If agendized, GRTA may adjourn to a closed session to consider litigation or personnel matters. Discussion of litigation or pending litigation may be held in closed session by authority of Government Code Section 54956.9; discussion of personnel matters by authority of Government Code Section 54957; to confer with their negotiator regarding real property by authority of Government   Code Section 54956.8