Humboldt County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Humboldt County agendas: $898,000 shelter contract, $1.8M in housing funds, McKinleyville rezoning

Three Humboldt County bodies met in the first week of October with agendas covering an $898,000 construction contract, $1,810,078 in housing funds, a McKinleyville rezoning tied to an Ace Hardware expansion, and five cannabis and mining permit items. Minutes have not been published for any of the three meetings, so the records available show what was scheduled for consideration, not what was decided. No vote tallies are available.

Board of Supervisors, Oct. 6

The Board's agenda included awarding the Animal Shelter ADA Compliance Project, Project Number 2026-101, to Sequoia Construction Specialties, Inc. for $898,000, with change orders up to $89,800.

Supervisors were also asked to authorize applications to use $1,810,078 of HOME Investment Partnership Program income for the We Are Up affordable housing project and Owner-Occupied Rehab Program loans.

Other items: accepting for processing a petition to amend the General Plan designation from Residential Estates (RE) to Commercial Services (CS) to match current Community Commercial (C-2) zoning; adopting a resolution rescinding Resolution No. 24-107 and amending the County's Conflict of Interest Code; and supplemental budgets of $529,619 for Probation CalAIM, $560,078 for HOME program expenses, and $38,000 for Roads Measure O.

Planning Commission, Oct. 1

Commissioners met at 6:00 PM in the Board of Supervisors Chambers in Eureka. The main public hearing was the Black Dog Partnership, LP request to shift about 2.95 acres in McKinleyville from Residential Low Density (RL)/R-1 to Community Services (CS)/C-2, plus a lot line adjustment and a Special Permit for wetland fill.

The associated Ace Hardware expansion was described as about 53,250 sq ft of new paving for an estimated 56 parking spaces, about 38,770 sq ft of gravel surface, and three structures totaling 11,730 sq ft.

Three consent items were listed: a two-year extension to split a 0.95-acre parcel into two parcels in the Eureka area (Pastori Minor Subdivision and Coastal Development Permit Extension, PLN-2023-18184-EXT); a third and final two-year extension to divide about 1.54 acres into nine lots in McKinleyville, expiring August 21, 2028 if approved (Parks Major Subdivision Extension, PLN-2024-19037-EXT03); and a conditional use permit adding cannabis distribution and non-volatile manufacturing to an approved 9,792 sq ft mixed-light cultivation operation in the Rohnerville area (Quantum Leasing LLC, PLN-2026-19563).

Zoning Administrator, Oct. 1

The Zoning Administrator met at 10:00 AM with five consent-calendar items and no public hearings scheduled. Consent items are typically approved without discussion unless pulled.

Staff recommended denying three commercial cannabis cultivation permits for insufficient evidence to make required findings: Humboldt's Finest Agriculture, LLC (14,000 sq ft existing outdoor cultivation, APN 210-117-023, PLN-11869-CUP, Dinsmore area); Karolina Dragoytchev (10,920 sq ft mixed light and 2,000 sq ft outdoor, APN 221-161-016, PLN-11321-CUP, Ettersberg area); and Will Randall (10,000 sq ft existing outdoor, APN 221-061-038, PLN-13028-SP, Salmon Creek area).

Staff also recommended approving 15-year renewals of two instream gravel mining permits on the Lower Eel River: Hauck Bar (CUP-10-02/SMP-10-01/RP-10-01, CA Mine ID #91-12-0029, PLN-2026-19495, Alton area) and Leland Rock (CUP-11-02/SMP-11-01/RP-11-01, CA Mine ID #91-12-0069, PLN-2026-19497, Alton area).

Coming up

The Planning Commission meets Oct. 15 for a public hearing on the Humboldt Bay Area Plan and Local Coastal Plan Amendment. The Commission is scheduled to deliberate on zone reclassifications for parcels within the plan and consider recommending the updates to the Board of Supervisors. The agenda also lists review and approval of the October 1, 2026, Action Summary.

Humboldt supervisors to weigh $5.09M mental health contract, other large spending

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors is set to consider a $5.09 million contract for long-term residential mental health services, the largest single item on the board's recent agendas. The contract, with Windsor Sacramento Estates, appears on the consent calendar for the board's August 11 meeting. The board also has a $4.9 million state health funds transfer and a $2.25 million nursing contract on its August 18 agenda. Meanwhile, the Planning Commission and Zoning Administrator will hold hearings on land-use permits. None of these items have been decided yet, as minutes have not been published for the August 11, 18, or 20 meetings.

Board of Supervisors – August 11 agenda

The board's consent calendar includes:

• A $5,090,000 contract with Windsor Sacramento Estates for mental health services.
• Applications for Caltrans grants for Rohnerville Airport runway and other airport projects.
• A $750,000 Regional Coordination Grant for workforce development.
• Renewal of ambulance permits for Arcata-Mad River, Southern Trinity, and K'ima:w Medical Center.
• Supplemental budgets totaling over $670,000 for aviation fuel and consultant services.

Board of Supervisors – August 18 agenda

The board will consider:

• A $4,900,000 transfer to the California Department of Health Care Services, which requires waiving the Nuclear-Free Ordinance.
• A $2,254,000 contract with Foothill Heights Care Center for long-term residential skilled nursing and mental health treatment.
• Authorization of a $350,000 ARPA loan to North Coast Children's Services and more than $500,000 to First 5 Humboldt for child care facilities.
• Award of a $1,168,584 contract to Kernen Construction for Measure O Bald Hills Road surfacing (Phase II).
• Establishment of the Humboldt County Tourism Advisory Board and adoption of its bylaws.

Planning Commission – August 20 agenda

The commission will hold public hearings on three conditional use permits:

• A cannabis cultivation operation in Whitethorn: 22,035 sq ft outdoor cultivation, 2,200 sq ft propagation, and 250,000 gallons annual water use (APN 108-023-010-000).
• A short-term rental in a tsunami hazard zone in Manila (APN 400-112-007).
• A firewood cutting business in Carlotta (APN 206-251-028).

The commission will also hold a workshop on a draft ordinance to allow low-impact camping on private rural lands, in line with Assembly Bill 518. One consent item, a special permit for a short-term rental in McKinleyville, has been cancelled.

Zoning Administrator – August 20 agenda

The zoning administrator will consider several coastal development permits, including:

• Tree removal at 5177 Woodland Way, Eureka (removal of 8 redwood trees, 12–40 inches DBH) – recommended to continue to a date uncertain.
• A grading and retaining wall modification near Orick – recommended to continue.
• Trenchless fiber optic cable installation in rights-of-way – recommended to continue.
• Replacement of a 10-inch sewer force main along Hammond Trail in McKinleyville – recommended for approval with CEQA exemptions.
• Replacement of a mobile home with a manufactured home at 772 Eucalyptus, McKinleyville – recommended for approval with conditions.

Coming up

The Board of Supervisors will meet on August 25 to consider:

• A $1,470,976 contract with SVT Gruppe, Inc. for security and secure transportation services.
• A $566,321 supplemental budget for the Sheriff's Office and Public Health Branch (Prop 64).
• A public hearing to revoke 16 building permits due to unpaid fees.
• Ratification of a non-exclusive ride-sharing concession agreement with Uber Technologies, Inc.
• A $139,158 agreement for a Juvenile Hall camera system.

All meetings are open to the public. Agendas and minutes are available on the county's website.

Humboldt County Board Set to Adopt Budget, Weigh $33 Million in Airport Projects

Budget and youth services contract on July 7 agenda

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors was scheduled July 7 to adopt the FY 2026-27 county and special district budgets, a vote that requires a four-fifths majority. The same agenda included a proposed $72,000 contract with the Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods to administer youth development programs. Routine consent items covered reappointments to the Workforce Development Board and Headwaters Fund Board, approval of prior meeting action summaries, and May 2026 supervisor expense reports.

Minutes for the July 7 meeting had not been published as of this report, so outcomes are not yet confirmed.

Outdoor lighting ordinance hearing continued

Also on July 7, the Board was scheduled to continue a public hearing on a proposed outdoor lighting ordinance (Item 26-723) to August 11, 2026. The proposed rules would add Section 313-105.1 to the Humboldt County Code, establishing design standards for outdoor lighting in unincorporated coastal areas, and amend definitions in Sections 313-138, 313-141, 313-147, and 313-154.

Airport infrastructure and federal grants reviewed July 14

The Board's July 14 agenda centered on county aviation projects backed by federal grants. The items include:

• Acceptance of a $12,827,980 FAA grant for taxiway relocation at California Redwood Coast - Humboldt County Airport (ACV), and a $12,384,494.82 construction contract with Granite Construction Company for that project.
• Acceptance of a $586,132 FAA grant for vertical guidance systems at Murray Field Airport, and a $417,700 contract with Cal Electro, Inc.
• Acceptance of a $3,694,895 FAA grant for runway rehabilitation at Rohnerville Airport, and a $3,404,095 contract with Mercer-Fraser Company.
• Approval of an $83,412.51 Wildlife Services Program agreement.

Minutes for this meeting were not yet published, so final action on each item is not confirmed.

Planning Commission takes up Bay Area Plan, parcel subdivision

The Planning Commission met July 16 to hold a public workshop on the draft Humboldt Bay Area Plan (LRP-2023-18700). The commission also considered the Siena Nelson Parcel Map Subdivision (PLN-2025-19465), which would divide 2.51 acres in the Blue Lake area into two parcels, and was asked to approve the June 18, 2026, Action Summary.

Zoning Administrator continues cannabis cultivation request

The Zoning Administrator's July 16 agenda carried a single consent item: a request to continue the Shepp-Cruz Family Farm outdoor cannabis cultivation project (PLN-12034-CUP) to a date uncertain. The project, on APN 108-023-010-000 in the Whitethorn area, proposes 22,035 square feet of outdoor cultivation and a 2,020-square-foot greenhouse. Irrigation would come from an approved groundwater well at an estimated 250,000 gallons per year, with 23,150 gallons of storage. All power would be supplied by a solar PV system, and two seasonal employees are proposed.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings were listed for the next 14 days. The continued outdoor lighting ordinance hearing is scheduled for August 11, 2026.

Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approves $2.7M mental health contract, prepares for budget vote

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors at its June 23 meeting approved a $2.7 million multi-year contract for outpatient mental health therapy services, according to the agenda. The board also accepted a CalTrans grant for the Beautifying the Bay project and extended financing agreements for the Headwaters Fund. This week, the board will vote on the FY 2026-27 county and special district budgets, a decision that requires a four-fifths majority.

Recent actions (June 23 meeting)

The board acted on a consent calendar that included:

• **$2,714,400 contract with Thomas Milam MD, Inc.** for outpatient mental health therapy services from July 2026 through June 2029. The contract covers therapy for county residents.
• **$285,389 CalTrans grant and $256,850 contract with Redwood Community Action Agency** for the Beautifying the Bay project, which improves public spaces along Humboldt Bay.
• **$142,980 budget transfer and $50,000 travel expense** for the interim Aviation Director and for reconciliation of Passenger Facility Charges with Ricondo.
• **Extension of Headwaters Fund lender agreements** with the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission and North Edge Financing through June 30, 2027.
• **Adoption of a resolution** establishing a policy for managing technical disruptions during public meetings.

*Note: Minutes from the June 23 meeting have not yet been published. The items listed above are as presented on the agenda and may have been modified or voted differently.*

This week: July 7 Board of Supervisors meeting

The board will consider two major items at its upcoming meeting:

• **FY 2026-27 County and Special District budgets.** Adoption requires a four-fifths vote of the board. The budgets set spending for county operations and special districts for the fiscal year starting July 1.
• **$72,000 contract with the Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods** to administer youth development programs.

The consent calendar also includes reappointments to the Workforce Development Board and the Headwaters Fund Board, approval of prior meeting action summaries, and May 2026 supervisor expense reports.

Coming up

• **Board of Supervisors** – July 7, 2026 (agenda available at county website). The budget vote and youth services contract are the main items.

No other upcoming meetings were listed in the available data.