This article appeared in the Eureka Reporter on 17 September 2007. 

The Eureka-Arcata Route 101 Corridor Improvement Project draft environmental impact report will be the focus of discussions by county officials Tuesday as the effort to make improvements along the stretch of highway continues.

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to meet Tuesday in the Supervisors’ Chamber at the Humboldt County Courthouse at 9 a.m.

The board is expected to review comments provided by Public Works Director Tom Mattson and county staff, as well as hear a presentation on the proposed project and alternatives from representatives of the California Department of Transportation.

The draft environmental impact report considers several long-term project alternatives, which include doing nothing, closing all medians and increasing the speed limit to 65 mph, and building an overpass at Indianola Road.

Caltrans has implemented several interim measures to improve highway safety, including implementing the “safety corridor” with slower speeds and flashing lights at intersections, as well as extending on- and off-ramps at the Airport Road intersection.

Although the county’s Aviation Division supports the concept of a signalized intersection for the safety and improvement of the access to Airport Road and Cole Avenue from Highway 101 near Murray Field, staff comments to the board indicated that there were significant concerns related to one of the proposals.

According to staff documents, one of the proposals that would alter access to Airport Road does not indicate what social and economic impacts it might have on the airport.

Following the Caltrans presentation, Chris Rall, the executive director of the bicycling advocacy group Green Wheels, will give a PowerPoint presentation to the board.


SUPERVISORS’ AGENDA AT A GLANCE

CONSENT CALENDAR — 9 A.M.
+ Letter of support for Sen. Pat Wiggins’ Senate Bill 562 – Public Resources: Salmon and Steelhead: Protection: Fishery Restoration.

Agricultural Commissioner
+ Approval of standard agreement between the California Department of Food and Agriculture and Humboldt County for the eradication of meadow knapweed.

Board of Supervisors
+ Consider approving the placement of the United Way Thermometer in front of the Courthouse during October and November for the annual fundraising campaign.
+ Consider approving placement of the Humboldt Senior Resource Center Capital Campaign Thermometer in front of the Courthouse during December 2007 and January and February of 2008.
+ Resolution recognizing the 70th anniversary of Wayne and Johnie Whitmire.

Community Development Services
+ Retroactive advanced step for Jennifer Jenkins with an effective date of Aug. 14.

County Administrative Office
+ Consider reserving 15 percent of the Forest Service reserve payments for county projects under Title III, and direct staff to notify the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Forest Services accordingly.

Health and Human Services-Mental Health Branch
+ Consider approving the right of exercising the option to extend the lease agreement with John Stubban for 1122 Fifth St. property in Eureka beginning Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2008, related to the AB2034/334 Homeless Program.
+ Adjust salary for Jonathan Sommers, M.D., physician/psychiatrist Step A to Step E effective Aug. 27 pursuant to Sect. 7 of the Humboldt County Salary Resolution.

Health and Human Services-Public Health Branch
+ Approval of Budget Revision and Agreement with the California Department of Health Services for various HIV/AIDS programs.

Health and Human Services-Social Services Branch
+ Approve agreement with Arcata Endeavor Inc. for $20,000 through June 30, 2008, to assist with the Transportation Assistance Program.

Personnel
+ Amendment to compensation plans for management and confidential employees and elected and appointed officials.

Public Works
+ Consideration of a cooperative agreement between the Department of Homeland Security-Transportation Security Administration and Humboldt County for law enforcement services at the Arcata-Eureka Airport.
+ Consideration of the security entrances expansion and remodel — Humboldt County Courthouse Project Number 170206.
+ Approve grant allocations from the Humboldt County Fish and Game Advisory Commission in the total amount of $3,470.

Sheriff
+ Allocation of legal office assistant effective immediately.

Treasurer-Tax Collector
+ Resolution to auction tax-defaulted properties.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
+ Commendation for Veronica Bodeen upon her retirement.
+ Commendation for Eric Verprauskus, a Volunteer In Service To America, in the Economic Development Division.
+ Proclaim Sept. 16-22 as Barbershop Harmony Week.

MATTERS INITIATED BY BOARD MEMBERS
+ Letter to the California Senate in support of amendments proposed to Senate Bill 496 authored by Cogdill: Purchasing Agents-Adding Language to Restore Indian Gaming-Special Distribution Funding.

MATTERS SET FOR TIME CERTAIN
Public Works — 9:30 A.M.
+ Eureka/Arcata Corridor Draft Environmental Impact Report and presentation on the project and alternatives from staff of the California Department of Transportation.

Board of Supervisors — 10 A.M.
+ PowerPoint presentation on the U.S. Highway 101 corridor project by Green Wheels Executive Director Chris Rall.

PUBLIC APPEARANCES — 1:30 P.M.
A 15-minute portion of the meeting reserved for people desiring to address the board on any matter not on the agenda that is under the jurisdiction of the board. Those wishing to speak are requested to sign a speakers sheet at the front doors of the chamber by 1:25 p.m.

PUBLIC HEARINGS — 1:45 P.M.
Community Development Services
+ Hear the Lane zone reclassification/parcel map subdivision/special permit that amends Sect. 311-7 of the Humboldt County Code by reclassifying the existing parcel from an agriculture general zone (2.5 acre minimum) to a residential suburban zone (1 acre minimum).