Del Norte supervisors approve street vacations, begin outreach on non‑county roads and fund general‑plan safety work

The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors on Friday unanimously approved two street‑vacation resolutions, authorized outreach to emergency responders to prioritize repairs on non‑county maintained roads and approved a contract amendment and budget transfers to fund updates to the county’s general plan safety element.

The board accepted staff’s recommendation to vacate the Stalant and Showerman segments of Jordan Street—both paper streets not currently improved—while retaining a 20‑foot utility easement to preserve a county sewer line. Assistant County Engineer (presenter) said the vacations would return parcels to Stalant Medical Group and Sam Schauerman and extinguish an older deferred improvement agreement. The board approved the resolutions after no public comment.

Why it matters: The street vacations clear title and enable potential future health‑care and housing improvements on the affected parcels while preserving necessary utility access. The outreach on non‑county roads responds to repeated concerns about emergency access that have left some residents isolated during storms and fires.

The board also directed staff to begin outreach to emergency responders to gather input on which non‑county maintained roads should be eligible for next year’s general‑fund repairs; county staff said roughly $50,000 per year has been used for targeted fixes such as ditching, shoulder work and temporary rock placement to improve access for emergency vehicles. Supervisor Wilson moved the action; it passed unanimously.

On planning, the board approved budget transfers and signed amendment #1 to Agreement 2025‑020 with SHN not to exceed $190,530 to fund professional services for the General Plan safety element update and required environmental documentation. County staff explained that the transfers create internal line items to allow payment to the consultant; the board recorded unanimous support.

Other actions: The board approved directing HR to coordinate county employee appreciation events and leadership workshops, and approved a step increase for the Human Resources and Risk Management Director per department‑head evaluation policy. The board also introduced an ordinance to add alternative public‑notice procedures to county code (public hearing set for 11/12/2025) and adopted a resolution designating county posting locations for public notices.

Votes at a glance: - Jordan St. vacations (Stalant & Showerman): motion to approve; mover: Supervisor Howard; second: Supervisor Wilson; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - Outreach to emergency responders for non‑county roads: motion to approve; mover: Supervisor Wilson; second: Supervisor Short; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - SHN amendment / budget transfers for General Plan safety element: motion to approve; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0); amount: $190,530. - Approve employee appreciation/workshop coordination: motion to approve; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - HR Director step increase to step H effective 10/11/2025: motion to approve; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - Introduce Public Notice Alternative Procedure Ordinance and set hearing for 11/12/2025: motion to introduce and set hearing; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - Adopt resolution establishing public‑notice posting sites: motion to adopt; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0).

What’s next: Staff will gather emergency‑responder input over the coming months and return estimates before next year’s budget cycle. The public hearing on the public‑notice ordinance is scheduled for the board’s next regular meeting on Nov. 12.

Speakers quoted (first reference): Assistant County Engineer (presentation), Supervisor Wilson, Supervisor Howard, Supervisor Short, Chair Borges.