To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Accept a Donation of a Mechanized Wheelbarrow from the Humboldt Trails Council for Developing, Improving and Maintaining of Trails within the McKay Community Forest
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Accept a donation of a mechanized wheelbarrow as described in the attached letter from the Humboldt Trails Council; and
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board to sign the attached letter of appreciation.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Sustainable Natural Resources & Infrastructure Stewardship
Strategic Plan Category: 5002 - Manage the McKay Coummunity Forest site for long-term sustainable timber harvest, recreation, and conservation
DISCUSSION:
Recreational trails within the McKay Community Forest are being developed, improved and maintained in collaboration with multiple organizations including the Humboldt Trails Council, Humboldt County Office of Education, Two Feathers Native American Family Services and Redwood Coast Mountain Bike Association (RCMBA).
The Humboldt Trails Council sponsors the Volunteer Trail Stewards program which organizes volunteers at several trail sites in the county. Currently, Public Works and the Humboldt Trails Council are implementing a weekly workday on Tuesdays in the McKay Community Forest with a group of ten to 15 regular volunteers (called “Delta Force”) and a weekly workday on Wednesdays anchored by students enrolled in the Court & Community Schools program of the Humboldt County Office of Education. In addition, there is a monthly workday on the first Saturday of the month, with each month sponsored by a local organization or business that typically organizes approximately 15 to 20 volunteers to join other volunteers. Recent sponsors for the monthly workdays include the Humboldt Composite Mountain Bike Team, RCMBA, Redwood Empire Endurance Riders, Providence Nursing Leadership, College of the Redwoods Forestry and Natural Resources Club, Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka, Girl Scout Troop 90062 and Boy Scout Troop 1027. Two Feathers Native American Family Services has become a consistent source of volunteers for the monthly workdays. RCMBA is also working to complete a mountain bike-specific downhill trail and a bike skills area near the Northridge Drive trailhead.
The trails near the Northridge Drive trailhead and around Redwood Acres have received a tremendous amount of work and are nearing completion. The trails are being developed with care to integrate them with the forest setting, to include elements that provide character and variability and to incorporate drainage features and surface materials for durability and sustainability. The intent is to develop trails that are safe and fun to use and fit appropriately on the landscape as naturally as possible.
Public Works owns a piece of equipment called a mechanized wheelbarrow which is track-mounted and supports moving gravel and soil more efficiently than standard wheelbarrows. Attachment 1 contains an offer letter from the Humboldt Trails Council to purchase a second mechanized wheelbarrow and donate it to Public Works. Funds were provided to the Humboldt Trails Council by a generous donor who is a regular volunteer in the Delta Force group at the McKay Community Forest. The estimated value of the mechanized wheelbarrow is $3,232.45. Having two of these pieces of equipment would boost productivity and help ensure that if one unit is down for maintenance or servicing, then at least one unit is available. Attachment 2 contains a letter of appreciation.
Public Works recommends that your Board accept the donation of a mechanized wheelbarrow, as described in the attached letter from the Humboldt Trails Council and authorize the Chair of the Board to sign the attached letter of appreciation.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
1710716 (McKay Community Forest)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
The estimated value of the mechanized wheelbarrow is $3,232.45. The cost for operating and maintaining the equipment is minimal and will be funded through the McKay Community Forest budget unit (1710716). Accepting the donated equipment would alleviate the need for Public Works to identify funding and pursue the future purchase of a second mechanized wheelbarrow.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
The proposed action will have no impact on staffing.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Humboldt Trails Council
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to accept the equipment which is offered as a donation. This alternative is not recommended because it would be a lost opportunity to boost the productivity for developing, improving and maintaining trails within the McKay Community Forest.
ATTACHMENTS:
1 Letter from the Humboldt Trails Council to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (March 4, 2025)
2 Letter of Appreciation
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A