Severin Welcome addressed the Mendocino County Historic Review Board during public comment on Jan. 5, 2009, urging the board to help convene a local conversation about stormwater management in the village and to consider small pilot projects such as rain gardens to improve infiltration and reduce contaminants reaching the shoreline.

"I just wanted to kind of publicly express my observation of the way that water flows through the village," Welcome said, and described concern that stormwater carries contaminants into the sea and affects salmon. He suggested preparing short illustrative drawings of possible interventions used elsewhere and proposing pilot sites in town to demonstrate bio‑filtration and infiltration approaches.

Welcome asked whether the board would find a helpful way to bring that conversation forward and suggested coordination with the county supervisor, saying the board of supervisors "would be very interested, maybe, in helping you facilitate that." Board members and staff replied that the Historic Review Board would typically weigh in when a formal project is proposed, and they suggested talking with department of transportation or the supervisor's office for larger infrastructure projects and grant opportunities.

Welcome asked that his name be spelled for the record; staff recorded the spelling ("S e v e r i n Welcome"). The board thanked him for coming and indicated staff or supervisors' offices might be a pathway to elevate project proposals.

The board did not take formal action on the matter; members indicated they would be available to discuss projects if and when community members develop a specific proposal.