Great Redwood Trail Agency- Agenda

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 • Trail Development Manager, Leah Mancabelli • Administrative Analyst, Adriana Rodriguez • Trail & Property Maintenance Technician, Mike Gordon • Trail & Property Maintenance Technician, Austin Morgan • General Counsel, Elizabeth Coleman • State Coastal Conservancy Project Manager for Humboldt County, Hannah Bartee • State Coastal Conservancy Project Manager for Mendocino & Trinity counties, Christine Aralia • Civil Engineer, Dave Anderson, P.E.

Director Hart will be appearing remotely pursuant to Resolution No. 2026-01 and Gov. Code section 54953.8.7

Online and Phone Teleconferencing Instructions

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

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Direct Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82395018236?pwd=O6KqzA2p0vCzbmiYJpkxAC8Nc1IO9E.1

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

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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

Call to Order
- Roll Call
Matters from the Board
Discussion Comment
Staff Reports
Discussion Comment View Item
- Executive Director
- Operations & Maintenance Division
- Trail Development Division
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.
- Delegate Authority to Executive Director to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement with Caltrans for the Indianola Trail Connection
- Resolution 2026-03: CalPERS Contract Amendment to Tax-Defer Member Paid Contributions
- Resolution 2026-04: Driver Training and Record Review Policy
- Resolution 2026-05: Investment Policy
- Resolution 2026-06: Formalizing existing practice of not utilizing pesticides and herbicides
- Resolution 2026-07: Filing an Application for Elective Coverage of State Disability Insurance with the California Employment Development Department
- Approval of Amended Employment Agreement: Executive Director
Memorandum of Understanding: Hopland Band of Pomo Indians
Discussion Possible Action Comment View Item
This MOU memorializes the shared values, aligned goals, and collaborative intentions of GRTA and the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians and establishes a framework for ongoing government-to-government partnership in connection with the development and stewardship of the Great Redwood Trail within the Tribe's ancestral territory in the Hopland area.
Memorandum of Understanding: Blue Lake Rancheria
Discussion Possible Action Comment View Item
This MOU memorializes the shared values, aligned goals, and collaborative intentions of GRTA and Blue Lake Rancheria (BLR) and establishes a framework for ongoing government-to-government partnership in connection with the development and stewardship of the Great Redwood Trail.
Memorandum of Understanding: Adanac Ranch (Stuart Bewley)
Discussion Possible Action Comment View Item
This item recommends the Board of Directors approve a non-binding memorandum of understanding between GRTA and R. Stuart Bewley, a private landowner in the Eel River Canyon with a 13,046-acre ranch and timber property known as Adanac Ranch, located adjacent to the GRTA right-of-way where trail is planned to be developed. It outlines activities of mutual interest that are beneficial for both parties to further explore such as trail alignment off GRTA right-of-way, access for trail construction and maintenance, promotion of conservation efforts, increased wildfire resilience, and the potential for development of trail-serving amenities such as a campground or seasonal staff housing.
Staffing Plan Presentation: A Phased Approach
Discussion Possible Action Comment View Item
Staff will present a phased approach to increasing internal and consultant capacity over the next year. The comprehensive staffing plan outlines the Agency's approach to scaling up through the implementation of three phases, each with goals and timelines. Information presented includes the rationale for the phased approach, description of each phase, an updated summary of each of the Agency's divisions, position descriptions, and salary scale. Together, these documents establish the organizational framework and hiring roadmap that will guide GRTA's growth from its current team of six to a full agency of 14–16 permanent staff over the next year or so.
- Resolution 2026-02: Repeal and Replace Administrative Policy Manual Sections 0301 Authorized Positions and 0302 Job Descriptions
Resolution 2026-08: Adopt the Great Redwood Trail Master Plan
Discussion Possible Action Comment View Item
This item asks the Board to adopt a resolution that approves the Master Plan for the Great Redwood Trail as the framework for the implementation of the Great Redwood Trail project, commits the GRTA to the goals and concepts set forth therein as the guiding document under which future steps bringing the project into fruition will be planned and designed, evaluated, implemented, and operated, including segments completed and operated by GRTA and those spearheaded by partner entities. This item further asks the Board, by adoption of the proposed resolution, to find the adoption of the Master Plan exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, and to direct staff to file a Notice of Exemption regarding the adoption of the Master Plan.
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.
Adjournment
The next regular meeting of the Board of Directors is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 10:30am.