Supes weigh in on transportation needs

Each year, the Humboldt County Association of Governments asks local residents to identify unmet transportation needs during a public hearing before the Board of Supervisors. The findings help to prioritize transportation projects ensure Local Transportation Fund claimants “have enough time to evaluate potential unmet needs findings and consider any additional allocations in the new fiscal year’s budget proposal,” according to the staff report.

Charlotte Merkel, deputy director of the county General Services and Business division, said the county is focused on areas where there is little to no public transportation available.

“For example, we did a test example for Old Arcata Road where we did on demand services such as a taxi service versus putting a full bus out there which would cost $350,000 to run a year and we might have had four people ride the bus. It looks at stuff like that,” she explained. “…The (Humboldt County Association of Governments) looks at all of the requirements needed throughout the county and then they determine whether it’s met, can be met, or not based on their requirements.”

Several community members speaking during public comment seemed to misinterpret the agenda item and, rather than discussing unmet transit needs, criticized the requirement to wear a facial covering on public transportation.

“I want to comment on people who ride public transit and have health conditions where they can’t wear masks or facial coverings and that their needs are not being met,” said one resident who did not identify himself. “It’s a violation of their constitutional state rights and federal rights and it also violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. These policies really need to be rethought to be able to accommodate everyone in the community. It’s just not legal, it’s not fair and it’s not just.”

Returning to the board, 4th District Supervisor and board chair Virginia Bass reiterated that the board was looking for feedback regarding unmet transportation needs.

Echoing a resident speaking during public comment, 2nd District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell underscored the need for more public transit availability in Southern Humboldt County.

“One of the large needs that I hear from my constituents is service between Garberville and Redway,” she said, noting that transportation was once available between the two communities.

Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone said Southern Humboldt’s unmet transportation needs seem to come up every year.

“One of the things that I think would be very helpful for our communities when these unmet needs do come up and are suggested or mentioned, it’d be really nice to close the loop,” he said. “There doesn’t seem to be a process whereby (the Humboldt County Association of Governments) can report back to the board on what they look at in regards to these unmet needs. I understand that sometimes the needs can’t be met…but I really think it’d be very valuable for the public if we could have a loop back where they come back after the unmet needs hearings and provide a sort of report on whether or not those needs can be met.”

Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson made a motion to forward Tuesday’s public comment on unmet transit needs to the Humboldt County Association of Governments for review. Bushnell seconded and the motion passed unanimously in a 5-0 vote.