Supervisors OK harbor resolution

Grant Scott-Goforth/The Times-Standard
12/19/2012 02:25:45 AM PST

The Board of Supervisors passed a resolution Tuesday that commits county support to Humboldt Bay harbor development, as well as completing a strategic plan and blueprints for marketing the area within one year.
Concerns were raised about the cost of creating the plans, which remain undefined, and approving the resolution before the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District had a chance to discuss it.
The resolution passed 3-2, with 3rd District Supervisor Mark Lovelace and 2nd District Supervisor Clif Clendenen dissenting.
The resolution was spearheaded by the Humboldt Bay Harbor Working Group, a citizen group focused on creating jobs while protecting the environment, according to Chairwoman Susana Munzell.
She said the group is focusing on two pivotal strategies for revitalization: community support and political will.
”The possibilities included in the resolution are just that -- possibilities,” Munzell said.
The resolution cites a 1997 study by John Quigley, which states “Humboldt Bay's Harbor has the potential to create over 3,000 direct jobs, generate over $90 million per year in additional payroll and create more than $400 million in the region's gross regional product.”
The resolution also calls for the county to develop within one year a “cohesive and coordinated” marketing plan to attract maritime businesses, and a 12-year strategic plan for the harbor.
”We also recognize that we may need more recent data,” Munzell said.
More than 10 people spoke in favor of the resolution at Tuesday's meeting, many of them involved with the working group.
Lovelace raised concerns that the resolution binds the county to “two studies as yet undefined, as yet unfunded.”
”I just think that those efforts need to be part of a combined strategy,” he said.
Lovelace said harbor revitalization is already underway through Prosperity, a partnership of local organizations dedicated to economic development.
Fourth District Supervisor Virginia Bass asked County Counsel Wendy Chaitin for clarification on the county's commitment to the projects.
Chaitin said the commitments -- developing a marketing plan and 12-year strategic plan for the harbor -- would be self-imposed, and that if the county did not take action within the one-year limit, the county would not be open to litigation.
Harbor district Commissioner Richard Marks said he was excited about a working group looking at the bay, but the presentation's timing raised concerns.
”I do have a little issue with collaboration,” he said. “I wish this resolution was brought to ... our board before the supervisors.”
Clendenen echoed the sentiment.
”I certainly appreciate the enthusiasm,” he said. “I guess I'm just a little uncomfortable getting ahead of the primary jurisdiction -- the harbor district.”
First District Supervisor Rex Bohn said the group was trying to gather local support before bringing the resolution before the harbor district.
”It's just basically saying we support the work,” he said. “I think they dovetail very well with the harbor.”
The board also heard a presentation regarding a proposed statewide effort to eradicate an invasive grass species -- spartina -- from local salt marshes.
The board also recognized Clendenen's four years of service as 2nd District supervisor. Clendenen was elected in 2008, and lost a bid for reelection to Estelle Fennell this year. Tuesday's meeting was his last as acting supervisor.