Humboldt County supervisors approve consent calendar 5-0; public commenters press homelessness, protest-safety and climate concerns

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved the consent calendar 5-0 at its Tuesday, July 8 meeting and later met in closed session to discuss labor negotiations and two legal matters, County Counsel said; no reportable action followed.

Chair Bushnell opened the meeting and called roll before the Board voted to adopt the consent calendar. A motion to approve the consent calendar was moved and seconded; County staff announced, "Motion carries 5 0." No individual votes were recorded on the public record.

Public comment before the Board focused on several local concerns. Kent Sawatzki, a Blue Lake resident, praised the county’s cooperation with local law enforcement and asked the county to support relocation and services for people living in informal camps, saying, "We're working with him ... by Sunday hopefully these people will be relocated to some place where they can get the services they need." Sawatzki also described a recent trespassing incident at a power facility in Blue Lake and said previous warnings had been ignored.

Joanna McGarry, a resident, framed several observations around climate resilience and local events, urging collective action and expressing concern about the carbon footprint of the upcoming Rumble in the Redwoods air show: "We need everybody to go and get the water to put out the fire collectively." She also urged attendees to travel collectively rather than in individual cars if the event proceeds.

Barbara Karnum, a resident, asked the Board to consider physical protections on the courthouse sidewalk for people exercising First Amendment rights, saying there "should be some kind of barrier put on the sidewalk" to reduce the risk posed by vehicles.

Board members then recessed for a closed session. County Counsel stated the Board would meet "pursuant to California Government Code section 54957.6 in order to review the County's position and instruct its designated labor negotiators" and "pursuant to California Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) in order to discuss existing litigation" concerning the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project (FERC Project No. 77-285) and Christopher Mitchell v. County of Humboldt, Case No. 3:24-CV-03845-RFO. After the closed session, County Counsel reported, "There was no reportable action taken with regards to items K-1 through K-3."

The Board adjourned and noted there would be no meeting the following week.