Assembly committee advances bill requiring human CSU faculty amid AI concerns
SB 928 cleared the Assembly Higher Education Committee on a 10-0 vote and heads to the Assembly floor.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt CountyHumboldt County
Civic Digest
What your local boards and councils decided, from their own agendas and minutes.
Fortuna council advances 0.75-cent sales tax measure for November ballot
The council gave first reading to an ordinance and adopted a resolution to send the measure to voters in the Nov. 3, 2026 general municipal election.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Eureka council shifts offshore-drilling plan after ordinance found incompatible with coastal rules
Staff said the draft ban on onshore support facilities cannot be adopted as written, prompting a move toward a resolution and later coastal-program amendments.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Assembly passes AB 1795 to set statewide smoke-damage standards after wildfire debate
The bill would create statewide inspection, testing and remediation standards for smoke-damaged homes after wildfires. It now moves to the next step in the legislative process.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Cutten board packet tees up staffing reduction, $800,000 teacher residency grant and Ridgewood bond spending
The May 11 agenda includes a proposed .762 FTE classified reduction, an $800,000 grant offer and two Ridgewood facilities spending items, though the packet does not show final board action.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Fortuna council adopts new fee schedule with building-permit pricing shift
Council approved a 2026-27 fee schedule that raises most building fees 2.9% and moves many permits toward valuation-based pricing, while staff said the building division would still need a small general fund subsidy.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Eureka police say homeless survey rose to 239 responses as council hears treatment bottlenecks
Police said this year’s homeless survey drew 239 responses, up from 221 in 2024, as council members heard about slower access to treatment and service gaps.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Eureka awards Halvorsen Park trail contract, approves $400,000 project budget
Council action on May 5 moved the Halvorsen Park Trail Project into construction by awarding the contract to GR Sundberg, Inc. and setting aside $400,000 for the work.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Assembly committee advances SB 1229 to curb coastal disaster rebuild loopholes
The measure would tighten how coastal rebuild exemptions are used when replacement structures could block public access or affect sensitive areas.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Assembly committee advances SB 675 to restructure Imperial County air district
The measure moved forward after sharply divided testimony over board changes, transparency rules and concerns about permitting delays and unfunded mandates.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Assembly panel scrutinizes larger Prop. 98 reserve, smaller school settle-up
Finance proposed shifting $1.7 billion from the 2025-26 school settle-up into the Prop. 98 rainy day fund, a move lawmakers and the LAO questioned at a budget hearing.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
California officials say Workforce Pell won’t be ready by July 1 without more rules, data work and funding
State Student Aid Commission officials told lawmakers California is not on track to launch the new federal short-term training aid program on time.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Assembly advances SB 73 election-security bill after heated floor debate
The measure passed 54-16 on urgency and on final passage, with lawmakers split over whether it strengthens election protections or raises constitutional and transparency concerns.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Assembly passes Safe at Home expansion for immigrant service providers after sharp debate
AB 2624 cleared the Assembly 49-19 after floor arguments over speech, fraud, and investigative reporting concerns.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Planning Commission moves toward denying Arcata short-term rental permit after neighbor complaints
Commissioners discussed denial or tighter conditions for a Pepperwood Lane short-term rental after a neighbor described repeated noise and traffic impacts, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Humboldt supervisors tee up $35.2 million CalPERS prepayment, reserve transfer and hiring freeze
The June 9 agenda also would move $2 million from the Tax Loss Reserve Fund and authorize voluntary furloughs as the county finalizes its FY 2026-27 budget.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Arcata council backs levee-augmentation option for wastewater plant future
The council chose Alternative One for the city’s wastewater feasibility study, advancing levee work and marsh management instead of leaving the issue open.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Eureka lays out about $41 million in capital projects, including streets, trails and flood work
City council members received an update on roughly $21 million in completed work and about $41 million in projects still underway, with questions about paving, solar readiness, dredging and boat-launch funding.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Arcata sends struggling electricity-use tax back to Energy Committee as revenue falls to about $40,000
Staff told the council the voter-approved tax now covers about 17 meters, far fewer than at its launch, and council members asked the Energy Committee to review whether it should be reduced or eliminated.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Rio Dell suspends animal transfers to Miranda’s Rescue amid sheriff investigation
Council minutes show Rio Dell stopped sending animals to Miranda’s Rescue and paused accepting owner surrenders after Chief Josh Phinney said the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was investigating the provider.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Rio Dell council adopts $24.7M budget with major capital program and no staffing increase
The unanimous June 2 vote locks in a $10 million water-distribution project, earthquake repairs and a planned draw on reserves while keeping staffing flat.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Rio Dell council orders immediate rollout of rental housing inspections after 4-1 vote
After initially weighing a suspension, the council directed staff to implement the program right away following staff assurances about available personnel and public criticism from a rental property owner.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Rio Dell awards $680,835.70 Eel River Trail ramp contract
Council also approved $120,611 in GHD construction-management services for the grant-backed accessibility project.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County
Eureka council hears public push to fund regional climate staffing
At the June 2 meeting, multiple speakers urged the city to help fund a Regional Climate Action Plan coordinator or program manager position tied to implementation work.
The Sidekick5 months ago
Humboldt County