
Fortuna council sets closed session on police chief employment
The City Council will meet Oct. 5 for a closed-session discussion under California law, followed by a public report-out.






The City Council will meet Oct. 5 for a closed-session discussion under California law, followed by a public report-out.

The Oct. 1 agenda lists a proposed employment agreement for Gary Storts covering July 2027 through June 2031, but does not provide terms or show whether the board approved it.

The Oct. 5 agenda lists approval of a facility lease, but does not disclose its term, financial terms or operating requirements.

The unanimous action covers final design, bid-phase services and SCADA construction implementation at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

The board’s Sept. 14 agenda lists a public hearing on Coastal Grove Charter School’s Material Revision Addendum, but does not describe the requested changes or indicate an outcome.

The 4-0 vote authorizes Mayor Debra L. Garnes to sign a letter with Arcata and Fortuna supporting the state’s draft recommendations before public comment closes Aug. 28.

The Redwood Coast Energy Authority will provide about $140,000 a year in in-kind staff services if enough local jurisdictions sign the agreement.

The Redwood Coast Energy Authority board discussed municipal utilities, rural electric cooperatives and other models but made no decision to form or acquire a utility.

The Planning Commission continued a hearing on an 89-foot wireless facility to an unspecified date while seeking comparable coverage and visual information for alternate sites.

A workshop draft would allow small-scale camping on qualifying rural parcels, but commissioners and residents said costs, fire safety, sanitation and other requirements need more work before formal action.

The 3-1 vote allowed removal of eight redwoods at 5177 Woodland Way, including a roughly 64-inch, 162-year-old second-growth tree staff had recommended retaining.

The City Council approved a wastewater capital-budget amendment and sole-source purchase after a failed rotary union overheated the dryer and left it out of service for four to six weeks.

Minutes from the Sept. 14 meeting say the district could face two more years of liability tied to a 2024–25 NCSMIG assessment true-up, but do not detail the payment schedule or underlying records.

The proposed GRIP award would support tribally owned microgrids and unfreeze a Contracts and Grants Manager position if finalized.

The Oct. 1 hearing includes proposed land-use changes, three new structures, about 56 parking spaces and wetland filling; the Board of Supervisors would still need to act on the plan and zoning changes.

The Oct. 1 agenda recommends denying permits tied to 36,920 square feet of existing cultivation while approving continued instream mining at Hauck Bar and Leland Rock, but records no final decisions.

The permit covers 22,035 square feet of outdoor cultivation and 2,200 square feet of propagation near Wilder Ridge Road, with conditions on water storage, culverts and wildlife-agency compliance.

The ordinance adds Chapter 5.30 to the Fortuna Municipal Code; Councilmember Abe Stevens opposed it.

The five-year agreement with Owsley Electric follows a competitive solicitation; RCEA also reported a successful $2.9 million investment-tax-credit application for the project.

The agency reported a 50% renewable, 50% carbon-free REpower mix for 2025 and projects 62% renewable power in 2026.

The board approved a Moffat & Nichol contract for continued planning, permitting and design work funded through a California Energy Commission grant.

Approved minutes say a Guzi-West survey found asbestos-containing material in a flood-affected office closet before wall-paneling removal, but key technical records remain unavailable in public postings reviewed.

The board voted 5-0 on Aug. 19 to adopt emergency regulations for Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, but the meeting minutes do not state when they take effect or what utilities must do.

The 3-1 votes revised staff conditions for the Call and Maples projects, while county officials prepare a proposed large-tree moratorium and tree-preservation ordinance.