[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5975890,"mediaKeyId","5834489-b6675148416fb0a79217a1d8234bb7aa","parentId",5834489,"title","Public voices concerns about harbor commission conduct, censure of commissioner and financial strain","audioSeconds",460,"startMs",2304000,"endMs",2764000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834489-b6675148416fb0a79217a1d8234bb7aa&start=2304&end=2764","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834489-b6675148416fb0a79217a1d8234bb7aa/thumbnail_2304000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5975890/Del-Norte-County/California/Public-voices-concerns-about-harbor-commission-conduct-censure-of-commissioner-and-financial-strain","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975890-c0baca5346ba99ab1f181c50985e208d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775626383&Signature=dk-pFwZp0y0orGP6XuPOcYQGlMTyv1cwASIjrDhi25vMciMVYUj2ATKQkcNh2JxzKLGgDDLvlRuz4jVBzy9wPsaascOHMgATlmyDyscBaH6Knv3CRIv7oQNfmFSrkJnBQJFsPZIrZxfMp87hr5QZkwMpFNi3us57UytNKImizurL0ZnoXwVYp~4n7vHN5q2w7ajXe2ZSDhQ3AbqWgkWf9xvFsrV9BGNPNWt89oAo9Kk2AtUuKWbg~A5rsp-tZDov7iKC~GGhO78cq6WL9-ys9hWkkdek3Nho7XbxqNGtjrP8kV3utvGbULorSvtM-tKd~zNNuZQy7kvJ26h8XEZwCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","County Of Del Norte","date","2025-09-24T00:00:00Z","article","Several members of the public urged the Board of Supervisors to pay attention to ongoing problems at the Harbor Commission, saying the commission’s internal disputes and legal disputes threaten the harbor’s ability to operate and generate revenue.

Public commenters said a Harbor Commission chair had repeatedly tried to expel women from commission meetings earlier in the year and that a recent censure of Commissioner Annie Niemer (spelled variously in public comments) was preventing effective commission governance. One commenter said they had filed an ACLU complaint and accused the commission of editing meeting videos and falsifying minutes; another said the harbor faced fines for lacking insurance and was at risk of insolvency.

Speakers named a newly seated commissioner, identified as Mr. Evans, who is a sworn peace officer at Pelican Bay, and said his appointment followed Niemer’s censure. Commenters expressed concern about whether a person with separate law‑enforcement affiliations should serve on the commission. Several speakers said the commission’s internal conflict has led to legal expenses (one commenter estimated $55,000 in defense costs) and reduced revenue generation.

Other commenters urged caution in the supervisors’ involvement, noting a supervisor who spoke at a harbor meeting had encouraged a commissioner to violate terms of office and warning supervisors to “stay in their lane.” Speakers urged supervisors to address the harbor’s governance problems to prevent the harbor from becoming a county liability.

Board members did not take immediate action on these public‑comment allegations at this meeting. The public record shows several speakers made similar claims during the open‑comment period; the board did not refer the matter to staff for an independent inquiry during the session recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors 9-23-25","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple public commenters told the board the Harbor Commission is dysfunctional, citing attempts to remove public attendees, a censure of a commissioner (Annie Niemer), alleged editing of meeting videos and missing insurance at the harbor — concerns the board did not act on at this session.","taxTitle","Del Norte County, California","taxId",15614,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975893,"County reports 45% completion of five‑year strategic plan; advisers recommend removing two items",497,3037000,3534000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834489-b6675148416fb0a79217a1d8234bb7aa&start=3037&end=3534","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834489-b6675148416fb0a79217a1d8234bb7aa/thumbnail_3037000.jpg","/articles/5975893/Del-Norte-County/California/County-reports-45-completion-of-fiveyear-strategic-plan-advisers-recommend-removing-two-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975893-e5684dddfcda46c1ea44436a4f8b5ade/orig.mp4?Expires=1775626383&Signature=LTMiBv6AHLR4tz~mV1ZOmRdVt4DFZAUYdN9EMRPawvp2st46fjhSoYCzCkl6f~k4M4T~00HCwrjDHuPIAnuHZA~7Kgnkg~ZIyHbq85iEQ~IOHbeeFIteqTjIP845xqPOhX60EONHP8rpC5Sw6j42-3Hnhi5i6ycvStl9evgFJhsVzZgpemAkccEZ3FJVHoV82BgtRdYJjUP5owQse5moqbPcXK7nT4gSVN-H~bxMuBpsTNNboFerJoAuEufAHo0pPnuaP64ihXVpUNARYqNJZid7yClEZLhgfYDk-wcSrj5hjt40o~Og4jNkFmBqCaEiQpasc7UVonwF4xohkOEbfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County administration told the Board of Supervisors the county’s five‑year strategic plan is now about 45% complete and described recent achievements, upcoming work and two technical‑advisory‑committee recommendations to amend the plan.

County staff said the plan—organized into four focus areas (staff capacity; infrastructure and economic development; law, justice and homelessness; and governance and budget)—uses ClearGov’s Clear Plans platform to track action items. Staff reported overall completion rose from about 35% (Q4 last year) to roughly 45% in the current year. Staff provided focus‑area figures: infrastructure and economic development up to 43% (from 36%), law/justice/homelessness up to 44% (from 39%), and general governance and budget up to 47% (from 38%).

The presentation listed completed and near‑completed items: a structural study the board adopted previously, creation of a standalone human resources and risk management department, completion of two Measure R‑funded public projects, elevation of homelessness work from ad hoc to a standing technical advisory committee, and ongoing work on policy and personnel rules, jail rehabilitation, microgrid assessment, broadband grant work, airport improvements and implementation of a new ERP accounting system.

Staff also identified items the strategic plan technical advisory committee is proposing to remove as part of the annual review: a short‑term vacation rental regulation item (e.g., Airbnbs) and a county property cleanup action tied to the Clean California initiative, both of which members said no longer reflect feasible or funded priorities. The committee also asked the board to consider a staffing analysis for the county public defender function to determine whether to continue contracting or pursue a staffed public defender position.

Public commenters, including Norma Williams (chapter president, Del Norte County Employees Association, SEIU 1021), praised an employee appreciation idea but urged the board to consider logistics, equity across shifts and prior program lessons. Other public speakers questioned whether the plan adds value to residents and urged more demonstrable community benefits. County staff said the platform is publicly available on the county website for transparency and tracking.

The update was informational; the board did not take immediate policy action on the proposed deletions but staff said the advisory committee’s recommendations would be presented as potential amendments for formal board consideration in a future meeting.","County administration presented a quarterly strategic‑plan update showing progress to 45% completion overall, highlighted completed projects and proposed removing short‑term rental regulation and a Clean California funding item from the plan due to changed priorities and funding availability.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975895,"Supervisors hear explanation of mental-health and out-of-county placement contracts pulled from consent agenda",227,1939000,2166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834489-b6675148416fb0a79217a1d8234bb7aa&start=1939&end=2166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834489-b6675148416fb0a79217a1d8234bb7aa/thumbnail_1939000.jpg","/articles/5975895/Del-Norte-County/California/Supervisors-hear-explanation-of-mental-health-and-out-of-county-placement-contracts-pulled-from-consent-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975895-9254127913b780a7061665b4f21f0b86/orig.mp4?Expires=1775626383&Signature=Lo1r0BCj53nBrqAgc6k-8RMUIJSBGly2nFtEzYPfIgNi6gJxDRUODt3xjN82XUqTspLdIUPhyCSnfYIBTqrSYmEUhZaXvQVQs06WBs0Jed27r~mYldBksUZGhryXR25Z6WSibpY2qXkyG2OoVJr5GU1UJEjE1IS33lDfSSXg2gNyKCcFzuc8tYNe~dBWydk5vMxpwQQVLzO2u5OTAwj0zL7Ev0RlUD1P0-dUYMWcKVX5jw9GwKu3WJ3lLAWFl6v~HLcZl~CWWo3y3l0xEsORyjvRoStW-oLfPXMW2T0LNEy68z7Ca6cx4n-PR5SyWSzRWxD0Zh~I42QzW5UGa3oM9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Del Norte County's Board of Supervisors approved a package of consent‑agenda items that included the county's agreement with the Department of Health Care Services for specialty mental health services, an interagency agreement for placement of foster and juvenile probation youth in an out‑of‑county short‑term residential therapeutic program (STRTP), and a renewal with an out‑of‑county residential treatment provider.

Raynell Brown, director of the county Department of Health and Human Services, explained the consent items after the board pulled items 6, 7 and 8 for public comment. Brown said the specialty mental health agreement is a state required contract under the Welfare and Institutions Code and defines a spectrum of Medi‑Cal specialty mental health services available to eligible county residents.

Brown read core elements of the DHCS agreement’s Attachment A, which lists medication support, day treatment, day rehabilitation, crisis intervention and stabilization, adult and crisis residential treatment, psychiatric health facility services, intensive services and targeted case management, among other services. In fiscal year 2024–25, Brown said the county served 1,033 unduplicated clients under the specialty mental health services agreement.

On consent item 7, Brown described a required collaboration between social services and behavioral health for placements when county youth need specialty mental health services and there are no appropriate in‑county placements. The county uses out‑of‑county STRTP facilities when beds and levels of care are needed. Brown identified 4Kids2Kids in Carpinteria as one contracted STRTP and stated the county had one current placement there; over the past fiscal year the county placed four youth and one probation youth in STRTP facilities.

Consent item 8 was a renewal of a contract with Mid Valley Recovery Facilities for residential treatment services. Brown said the requested not‑to‑exceed amount remains $40,000 for fiscal year 2024–25; last year the county served one client at Mid Valley at a cost of about $4,400. Brown noted the county also used Granite Wellness in Grass Valley last year; cumulative placements across providers totaled nine clients at about $63,000.

Brown and other speakers emphasized that many of these services are provided out of county because Del Norte lacks in‑county specialty residential facilities. Multiple public commenters urged transparency about what services the contracts provide and expressed concern about distant placements and family access. After the public comment and Brown’s explanations, the board approved items 1 through 14 of the consent agenda, including items 6–8, on a recorded vote.","County Health and Human Services explained three consent‑agenda agreements for specialty mental health services, out‑of‑county short‑term residential treatment for youth, and residential treatment renewals; supervisors approved the consent agenda after public comment and staff clarifications.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975901,"County approves line-of-credit to Border Coast Regional Airport Authority with contract edits",2224,2716000,4940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834489-b6675148416fb0a79217a1d8234bb7aa&start=2716&end=4940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834489-b6675148416fb0a79217a1d8234bb7aa/thumbnail_2716000.jpg","/articles/5975901/Del-Norte-County/California/County-approves-line-of-credit-to-Border-Coast-Regional-Airport-Authority-with-contract-edits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975901-059b008150bfa9850b2171bd8637ea9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775626383&Signature=hdwQfqlgiRVZvkUk9peaIM6p9Jnt887GYMTXqzmWvvavSFTT07e0K1ftX0UX6ARYbkQBkfdVeelfEiKJreYDHqqpUbQYqs9pImIMAT6j0c1xMo3Yjx1BM7kK8moimOlGwSQqQkc0pFRZweEb9Q4E~0Xg6WWfuJ5Bgo9QOGhH6pAiLYiyfi8U-VkBODpNVaj5eHxlF1E0rCepMnKkqtB3NFh12uOKkNvcGr-iiG~CymbfN4pFRFzVW-keDcEhOkfpLqPvpaanxkLnjp9ruOtrogZXWsfiJ5jkm3VRm42rp2iFkmAdg-A4Ippuxo3MOaG~K-KYovJxU~NjU5xreDXepg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Del Norte County supervisors voted unanimously to approve a line of credit to the Border Coast Regional Airport Authority and directed staff to correct contract language and authorize the chair to sign the agreement on the county's behalf. The board approved the action after supervisors requested specific wording changes to clarify responsibility for outstanding balances and county disbursement obligations.

The change the board asked for would replace an equality-based repayment phrase with language that makes the airport authority responsible for “fully fund[ing] any outstanding loan balance,” according to Supervisor Starkey. The board also added an explicit clause stating the county is not obligated to make future disbursements under the line-of-credit agreement and authorized the chair to execute the document on the county's behalf.

Supervisors discussed the item during general government business. Supervisor Starkey recommended two textual corrections to the draft agreement: one to make the airport authority, not the county, responsible for full repayment if a balance remains; and a second to clarify that the county will not be required to make future disbursements under the line of credit. Supervisor Starkey moved approval with those edits; Supervisor Howard seconded. The county administrative officer asked that the motion also explicitly authorize the chair to sign the amended agreement; the board amended the motion to add that authorization and voted.

County staff and multiple public commenters noted operational and revenue challenges at the airport, saying the authority has struggled to cover operating costs and to attract sufficient passenger traffic. Commenters urged longer-term strategies—such as attracting a regional carrier, increasing enplanements, or runway improvements—rather than repeated short-term county support. The board did not adopt additional conditions beyond the contract wording revisions and the chair's signing authority.

The motion passed on a recorded vote with Supervisors Starkey, Wilson, Howard and Chair Borges voting yes. The final signed agreement will reflect the revised repayment language and the county's non-obligation to future disbursements as directed by the board.

Next steps: county staff will update the draft agreement to reflect the board's language changes, add the clause authorizing the chair to sign, and present the final document for signature and implementation.","Del Norte County supervisors approved a line of credit to the Border Coast Regional Airport Authority with edits requested by supervisors and direction authorizing the board chair to sign the amended agreement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public voices concerns about harbor commission conduct, censure of commissioner and financial strain

County reports 45% completion of five‑year strategic plan; advisers recommend removing two items

Supervisors hear explanation of mental-health and out-of-county placement contracts pulled from consent agenda

County approves line-of-credit to Border Coast Regional Airport Authority with contract edits