To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Renaming of County Bridge Number 04C023 in the Fieldbrook Area
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Waive the County of Humboldt Bridge Naming Policy (Resolution 95-92) for re-naming bridge number 04C023
2. Change the name of County bridge number 04C023 to Dulouwirughuqa’n Bridge.
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STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Workforce & Operational Excellence
Strategic Plan Category: 3004 - Strengthen relationships with tribal government entities
DISCUSSION:
Assembly Bill (AB) 2022 (Ramos) Chapter 479 of 2022 Statutes, declares the word “sq_” an offensive ethnic, racial, and sexist slur. During 2023, public agencies were required to identify and report to the California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names (CACGN) all instances of the derogatory “sq_” term in public geographic features and place names under their jurisdiction.
In Humboldt County this applies to county bridge number 04C023 which has the “sq_” word. The United States Geologic Survey has already changed the name of the creek to “Tip Top Ridge Creek.” However, the county is responsible for changing the name of the bridge.
The CACGN has requested that the County of Humboldt change this bridge name in consultation with California Native American Tribes. When selecting a replacement name, AB 2022 requires adhering to the following priorities:
1. Honor the original, traditional, or current name used by the tribes to refer to the geographic feature or place.
2. Names incorporating the local indigenous language(s).
3. Preserve the original intent of the geographic names as a historical record of the cultural landscape (using general descriptors and generic terms such as river, creek, mountain, or an appropriate term from the indigenous language of the area), considering the historical, cultural, or ethnic significance of the original name.
As this bridge is in aboriginal Wiyot territory, the county sent a request to the Wiyot Tribe, Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria, and the Blue Lake Rancheria requesting consultation on the renaming of this bridge. The Wiyot Tribe has proposed the name “Dulouwirughuqa’n” as this is the Soulatluk (Wiyot language) word for Fieldbrook. The Bear River Rancheria concurred with this recommendation.
Following approval of the name change, the next step is for the county to submit the proposed name to the CACGN by Aug. 6, 2024. The CACGN will review replacement names no later than Oct. 1, 2024, and vote on all the replacement names by Jan. 1, 2025.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Road Maintenance (1200325)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1200325) |
FY24-25 |
|
|
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$1,200.00 |
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$ |
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$1,200.00 |
|
|
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
|
Funding Sources (1200325) |
FY24-25 |
|
|
|
State/Federal Funds |
$1,200.00 |
|
|
|
Other |
$ |
|
|
|
Total Funding Sources |
$1,200.00 |
|
|
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
Changing the name after approval will require the creation and installation of signs in the relevant locations. The estimated cost associated with manufacturing and installing the required signs is $1,200, which is covered by the Road Fund.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
Sign manufacture and replacement will be done by existing sign crew staff.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
CACGN
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your board may choose not to approve the recommended name change. However, this alternative is not recommended as it would retain the current name which is inconsistent with State Law and contrary to the county’s own procedures.
ATTACHMENTS:
N/A
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A