All Humboldt

The Humboldt County Planning Commission recommended a comprehensive Regional Climate Action Plan for approval by the Board of Supervisors after a lengthy and divided hearing. The commission narrowly passed the plan with new greenhouse gas emissions thresholds for development that were less stringent than what consultants recommended, following a debate over housing affordability and environmental goals.

The Shelter Cove Resort Improvement District board addressed a formal public complaint against a director in a tense open session, while also moving forward with a massive, grant-funded fire abatement program for over 3,000 vacant lots. The board also celebrated the successful completion of a new water well project, significantly boosting the community's groundwater supply and water resilience.

Arcata residents may soon see significant increases in their water bills to fund critical infrastructure projects, as the City Council reviewed a new rate study on Wednesday. The council also received a report detailing a staggering 71% increase in state-mandated housing goals and controversially approved a contract for an environmental review of the proposed Rogers Garage housing project.

The Humboldt County Association of Governments board meeting on Thursday saw a robust discussion over the allocation of state transportation funds, with a proposed roundabout project in Fortuna drawing public criticism for potentially increasing traffic. While the board directed staff to move forward with the funding plan, they also approved emergency repair funds for a bridge in Blue Lake and heard updates on transit improvements funded by Measure O.

The Trinidad City Council appointed resident John Wessels-Poole to fill a vacant seat during its October 14 meeting. The council also unanimously approved a long-awaited job classification and compensation study, authorizing an immediate 10% salary increase for all city staff. Additionally, the winning paint colors for the Town Hall renovation were announced.

The Fortuna Planning Commission has approved a 26-foot-tall accessory dwelling unit on Elizabeth Barcus Way in a contentious 4-1 vote. The decision came after numerous neighbors voiced strong objections regarding the structure's height, scale, and potential impact on privacy and neighborhood character.

The Eureka Planning Commission conditionally approved a controversial short-term vacation rental on East Avenue by requiring the addition of an off-street parking space after neighbors raised concerns. The commission also greenlit a new cannabis retail store on Broadway, despite future parking challenges highlighted by Caltrans.

The Arcata Planning Commission has again postponed the adoption of its comprehensive Local Coastal Program (LCP), pushing the decision to February 2026. The delay stems from complex negotiations with the California Coastal Commission over policies for sea level rise adaptation and the regulation of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

The Arcata Fire District Board of Directors is escalating its concerns about the district's capacity to provide emergency services for Cal Poly Humboldt's expanding campus, seeking to leverage a university offer for state-level lobbying. During their October 14 meeting, the board also approved the purchase of a new command vehicle and formally adopted the 2025 California Fire Code.

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors unanimously directed staff to proceed with code enforcement actions on a long-disputed property near Trinidad, citing years of non-compliance and missed deadlines for remediation. The lengthy meeting also included honoring a lifelong community volunteer, recognizing the upcoming North Coast Stand Down for veterans, and receiving updates on state legislation and public health harm reduction strategies.

The Arcata Fire District Board of Directors approved a new three-year labor agreement with its firefighters, featuring annual 4% wage increases. The board also adopted its 2025-26 budget and took steps to address concerns over its ability to service future high-rise developments in Arcata's coastal zone. A significant change to the regional mutual aid agreement, which will delay response from neighboring agencies, was also a key topic of discussion.

The Shelter Cove Resort Improvement District’s Parks & Recreation Committee is exploring a major shift in priorities, considering the reallocation of a $300,000 sports court grant to address urgent repairs at the Community Center. A recent engineering assessment found the center is structurally sound but requires immediate attention for leaks and mold, prompting discussions on the best use of available funds.

The Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) board of directors received a clean financial audit for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, a significant milestone in bringing the agency's financial reporting up to date. The board also approved a new search for long-term renewable energy contracts to meet its clean energy goals, and discussed the ongoing operations of the Humboldt Sawmill biomass plant.

The Arcata City Council approved using $300,000 in city funds to begin planning for the 'Reconnect Arcata' project after state funding was cut. The decision followed a debate on fiscal responsibility, while the council also heard extensive public comment urging the establishment of a sister city relationship with Gaza. Additionally, the council issued proclamations for Fire Prevention Week, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Latinx Heritage Month.

The Humboldt County Planning Commission approved a modified signage plan for the McKinleyville U-Haul and recommended a contentious rezoning in Eureka during a lengthy meeting on October 2. Both decisions came after significant public opposition, with commissioners navigating community concerns over visual blight, neighborhood character, and traffic.

Newly-elected Assemblymember Chris Rogers addressed the Humboldt County Human Rights Commission, providing an update on his first legislative session. Rogers detailed new laws focused on Klamath River tribal rights and immigrant protections, while also fielding questions from commissioners on topics including remote meeting access, single-payer healthcare, and the county's sanctuary status.

The Fortuna City Council has directed staff to draft a total ban on the sale of nitrous oxide and create a tobacco retail license ordinance following a stark public health presentation. The council also heard a sobering report from the Fortuna Police Employees Association, which detailed a critical officer retention problem and nearly 3,000 hours of overtime worked in just over three months.

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting on October 7, 2025, featured the unveiling of Startup Humboldt, a major economic development initiative aimed at fostering local innovation and job growth. The board also passed contentious resolutions on a coastal sign ordinance and opposition to offshore oil drilling, alongside celebrating the anniversaries of the California Grange and Changing Tides Family Services.

The Rio Dell City Council addressed a full agenda on October 7, opting to maintain the current cannabis cultivation tax rate despite industry pressures. The council also agreed to further investigate a long-standing residential drainage issue on View Avenue and postponed spending on the proposed Davis Street Park acquisition pending a grant decision.

The Humboldt Bay Harbor District is moving forward with its offshore wind terminal project after the federal government unexpectedly withdrew over $434 million in grants. District staff have outlined a plan to use state funding to cover a resulting $4.2 million shortfall for preliminary work, with strong support from labor and community partners.