Board honors volunteers and approves routine business; retirement resolution passes

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors started its Jan. 28 meeting with recognitions and routine business, including a proclamation honoring Robert Long for 16 years of running the Coats for the Cold program and adjournments in memory of Jeanne Cancellier and Chuck Leishman. The board approved its consent calendar and adopted a retirement resolution for Melissa Williams.

Supervisor Arroyo read a resolution recognizing Robert Long's Coats for the Cold initiative, which staff said has distributed more than 5,000 new coats and roughly 20,000 lightly used coats through schools, businesses and community groups. The board paused to photograph Long and members of the community.

Later the board unanimously adopted a retirement resolution for Melissa Williams, who served more than 26 years with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office in corrections and training roles. Williams and colleagues attended the chamber for a brief recognition and made remarks.

The board approved the full consent calendar, noting that two items had been pulled for discussion earlier in the meeting. During public comment a resident asked for additional transparency on large consent budget actions, citing a supplemental budget item of $7,781,774 that had been placed on consent.

Votes at a glance - Consent calendar: Motion to approve carried 5-0. - Retirement resolution for Melissa Williams: Motion to adopt carried 5-0. - Proclamation honoring Robert Long: read as part of consent and formally recognized. (No separate roll-call required.)

The board moved to other pulled items after completing these routine matters.