Fortuna Council directs city manager to work with community on Depot Museum nonprofit transition

Fortuna — The Fortuna City Council voted unanimously at a special meeting to direct the city manager to work with interested community members to initiate a transition of the Depot Museum to a nonprofit organization.

Staff told the council the museum’s annual operating cost has historically ranged between $27,000 and $32,000, that the primary expense is a part‑time curator position, and that the museum currently holds almost $22,000 in donated funds. Staff’s updated recommendation, as read at the meeting, was to “direct the city manager to work with interested community members for them to initiate the transition of the Depot Museum to a nonprofit 501(c)(3), including development of agreements for the transfer of the museum collection and lease of the facility, and to return to council with final agreements for approval.”

The museum’s curator, Alex Service, who said the Depot is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, urged the council to treat a nonprofit transition as one option rather than a foregone conclusion. Service said the museum’s incorporation into the Parks and Recreation Department and oversight by the Historical Commission gives the community public oversight. Service recommended a “friends of the Depot Museum” 501(c)(3) that would raise funds while the city retained governance and ownership, and warned that transferring ownership could reduce public oversight.

Several members of the public and local historical organizations backed Service’s appeal. Milton Feagley, secretary‑treasurer of the Society of Humboldt County Pioneers, and Donna Moxon, the society’s president, told council they support the museum and asked that the city preserve current operating hours while a transition is explored. Resident Zoe Dabney, who has academic training in budget analysis, praised staff’s budget work and urged close collaboration with the curator, saying the community should be allowed to pursue private fundraising such as donations and membership drives.

Council members asked staff how long the donation fund would sustain operations during a transition. Staff responded that the $22,000 would cover roughly nine months of operations depending on the timing of reduced hours and other decisions, and that the city can accept donations on behalf of a group seeking to incorporate but would not itself form the nonprofit. Staff also noted legal fundraising differences between city‑run activities and a tax‑exempt nonprofit (for example, raffles), which nonprofits can conduct but cities generally cannot.

After receiving public comment and discussion, a council member moved, and another seconded, to direct the city manager to work with interested community members on the transition. The council approved the motion by roll call vote: Diaz — yes; Stevens — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Trent — yes; Mayor Johnson — yes.

Staff said it will use the museum’s donation funds to support operations during the transition period and will return to the council with proposed agreements. The final FY 2026–27 budget, incorporating any direction from tonight’s workshop, is scheduled for adoption at the council’s regular meeting on June 1, 2026.