Humboldt County supervisors approve hiring Ehlers & Cooney for review of proposed wind ordinance 68.2

Humboldt County supervisors voted to hire Ehlers & Cooney to review proposed Ordinance 68.2, the county's draft wind-energy ordinance, and to have county staff — led by Kevin Cordray — serve as the point of contact during the review.

Speaker 4 summarized conversations with the county's insurance company and with Kevin Cordray, who recommended an attorney at Ehlers & Cooney with experience in wind-energy ordinances. The insurance company also offered five hours of free consultation through its preferred counsel; supervisors discussed using those hours but expressed a preference for a specialized firm. Speaker 3 moved to engage Ehlers & Cooney and specifically referenced an attorney with experience responding to developers; Speaker 8 seconded. The board approved the letter of engagement by voice vote.

Board members said a simple letter of engagement would be sufficient to begin work and that Cordray would streamline communications between the planning and zoning commission and the hired attorney. Supervisors also discussed the cost implications if additional hours beyond the insurer's five free hours were required.

The board did not adopt or amend Ordinance 68.2 at the meeting; the action was limited to sending the ordinance for legal review and requesting a recommendation back to the board.