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HCOG approves RTIP funding recommendations and selects auditor; Fortuna intersection wins funding amid safety vs. VMT dispute
Summary
The board directed staff to negotiate a contract with Moore & Associates for triennial performance audits, approved the draft 2026 RTIP (notable recommended allocations: Blue Lake $625,000; Eureka $750,000; Ferndale $425,000; Fortuna $500,000), and approved resolutions to amend the RTP and adopt the RTIP. The Fortuna Kenmar & Ross Hill intersection project drew public criticism about VMT effects and a city defense stressing crash rates and connectivity to planned trails.
HCOG members voted Nov. 20 to advance several administrative and funding items: staff were authorized to negotiate with Moore and Associates to conduct the triennial performance audits; the board approved recommended RTIP project priorities and directed staff to submit the draft to Caltrans.
Consultant selection: Staff explained the RFP process and recommended Moore and Associates as the triennial performance auditor for fiscal years 2022'23 through 2024'25 because they were a well-rated, value-conscious candidate. The board authorized the executive director to enter contract negotiations with the firm.
RTIP project list and funding: Staff recapped recommended RTIP funding requests and prioritization. The most notable construction recommendations were: Blue Lake truck-route construction (recommended $625,000), Eureka Hawthorne & Humboldt Bike Boulevard ($750,000), Ferndale Francis Street rehabilitation ($425,000), and Fortuna Kenmar & Ross Hill intersection improvements ($500,000). Staff said the TAC concurred and prioritized construction projects to limit exposure to construction-cost escalation.
Fortuna project debate: CRTP and other public speakers objected that some design concepts for the Fortuna intersection would increase vehicular capacity and therefore could induce more driving and VMT. "You can't reduce VMT by creating a project that increases vehicular capacity," a CRTP speaker argued. Fortuna's city manager responded that the intersection experiences high crash rates and operational failures, that the project will include bike and pedestrian facilities in later design phases, and that the improvement supports planned mill-site redevelopment that could bring jobs and services into Fortuna and reduce VMT over time.
Board action and deadlines: The board approved resolutions to amend the RTP to include two projects and to adopt the 2026 RTIP; the chair directed staff to finalize the RTIP and submit it to Caltrans prior to the Dec. 15 deadline. The motions passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition in the meeting audio.
