TRP228 by C.M.I.

SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 Crescent City, CA

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024

www.triplicate.com

Crescent City renews Emergency status along Pebble Beach Drive

Photo credit, Roger Gitlin

City cones block Pebble Beach Drive between 7th and 8th Streets

BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

At the February 5 City Council meeting, Councilors declared an emergency per Public Contract Code 22050. The emergency declaration allows the City to by pass the normal competitive bidding process in order to procure services and contractors to address the emergency: in

this case the continual slide activity that has undermined a section of Pebble Beach Drive between 7th and 8th Street. The Council, with a 5-0 vote, renewed its February declaration, Tuesday evening. City Staff continue to maintain communication with the Coastal Commission regarding permitting and Cal Trans regarding funding. The City has applied for Emergen-

Tobacco Awareness program conducts decoy operations across Del Norte One clerk checked identiﬁcation of the minor but was unaware of the 21 year old age threshold to purchase tobacco products. Those stores found to be in violation will receive education and training assistance to help prevent the retailers and staff from future violations. Health Education coordinator Crystal Yang of the DN TUPP stating, “ Tobacco retailers have a key role in preventing youth access to tobacco products so conducting decoy stings helps us to identify what’s going on in our community. We’d like to thank retailers who are doing their part to prevent minors from using tobacco and nicotine products.” Since 2016, California has raised the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21. The Triplicate asked coordinator Yang if the TUPP

BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

With the utilization of an underage decoy, the Del Norte County Tobacco Use Program (TUPP) officially observed six retail stores who reportedly sold tobacco products to an individual under the age of 21. These Young Adult Tobacco Purchase Surveys (YATPS) also called decoy stings are permitted to be conducted by law enforcement or government agencies like TUPP, in order to assess compliance with guidelines that prohibit the sale of tobacco products to underage individuals. On December 21, TUPP sent a decoy into 19 retail operations across the City and Del Norte county. One half dozen stores reportedly sold tobacco products to an underage decoy. Of the six, five retailers declined to ask for valid age identification.

Please see DECOY, Page 4

cy Opening (EO) funding. If approved, EO funding is 100 percent reimbursable. Upon approval, funds must be spent within 270 days. The clock on the time frame has commenced. The hopeful expedient ﬁx is temporary. The EO funds purpose is intended to cover only the immediate costs to stabilize the emergency, reopen Pebble Beach Drive and provide for public safety. The estimated costs for the

temporary ﬁx is unknown for repair costs and scope of work. The City is required to revisit whether an emergency allowing the City to contract without formal bids is still necessary at each regular meeting. Staff shared with councilors the narrow time frame window is not enough time to competitively let bids.

City Prefers Tunnel Option on Last Chance Grade

BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

The Crescent City council has sent a letter to the California Department of Transportation North Region, Environmental expressing its strong support for the timely resolution of the Last

Chance Grade Project, outlined in the recently released Draft Environmental Impact Report. Jaime Matteoli, Last Chance Grade Project and Corridor Manager addressed and updated councilors on Last Chance Grade status. Matteoli delivered the

recently released Draft Environmental Impact Report/ Environmental Impact Statement (DEIR/EIS) and indicated Cal Trans has reduced option choices to the ﬁnal two: Option F, the Tunnel option and Option X, the Retaining Wall option. The Please see TUNNEL, Page 2

Courtesy Photo /The Triplicate

INDEX

Phone Number: 707-460-6727 Opinion

Classifieds

Community Calendar

Crossword Puzzle