To: Board of Supervisors
From: Clerk of the Board
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
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Appoint New Members to the Humboldt County Fire Safe Council and Send Letters of Appreciation to Outgoing Members
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the recommended appointments to the Humboldt County Fire Safe Council; and
2. Authorize the Chair to sign Letters of Appreciation for outgoing members.
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STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 1001 -Support and sustain partnerships between public safety and partner agencies to enhance public safety in our communities
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Fire Safe Council (HCFSC) was formed by the Board of Supervisors as a county committee in 2002. The committee is currently enabled through Oct. 5, 2026, by Resolution No. 21-101. Per the Board of Supervisors’ updated Protocol for Board of Supervisors Appointments dated Jan. 30, 2024, the Fire Safe Council is listed on Exhibit 1 of Attachment B so therefore is excluded from the “at large” appointment protocol.
The Van Duzen Watershed Fire Safe Council (VDWFSC) is seeking to update their alternate member on the HCFSC and has nominated Mika Cook for this role. Cook, who has experience with wildfire preparedness planning, will replace outgoing alternate Elliot Brown who has served in the position since July 2019.
Further, the Humboldt County Prescribed Burn Association (HCPBA) has nominated, current alternate and founding member of the HCPBA, Jeff Stackhouse to replace Elicia Goldsworthy as the primary representative filling their primary seat on the HCFSC. Goldsworthy was appointed in October of 2021 and is now transitioning to other duties.
Additionally, the HCPBA nominates Henri Holbrook, HCPBA Burn Coordinator, as their new alternate representative.
In addition, Supervisor Steve Madrone is nominating Eric Darragh, Mid Klamath Watershed Council Fire Program Director, as his second appointed alternate, representing the Fifth Supervisorial District.
Lastly, Supervisor Mike Wilson has nominated current alternate, Arcata Fire Protection District Chief, Chris Emmons, as his primary member appointee for the Second District. Emmons will be filling the seat vacated by Fire Marshal, Ed Laidlaw, who stepped down after over six years of active service on the council. Supervisor Wilson also nominates Arcata Fire Protection District Assistant Chief, Wayne Peabody, to be his new alternate appointee on the HCFSC.
Nomination letters can be found in Attachment 1 and letters of appreciation are provided in Attachment 2.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Grant Funding
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This action will not have an impact on the Humboldt County General Fund. Maintaining the HCFSC gives the County of Humboldt and partner agencies and organizations a competitive advantage when seeking grant funds related to implementing the Humboldt County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The HCFSC has proven to be an invaluable resource for the county as strategies are developed and funding is sought to carry out the recommendations of the CWPP. The current CWPP, last updated in 2019 with guidance from the HCFSC, has been praised for its comprehensiveness and has been a powerful tool for leveraging funding and catalyzing support. Since its re-certification in 2019, the CWPP has been cited in multiple county and collaborator grant applications, playing a part in leveraging over $64 million dollars of local, state, and federal funding to support implementation projects countywide.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board discretion
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Nomination Letters
Attachment 2: Letters of Appreciation
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A