Humboldt County Supervisors Unanimously Appoint Michael Smith to McKinleyville Advisory Committee

Twelve McKinleyville residents applied for a single seat on the town's municipal advisory committee, and the Board of Supervisors found the choice uncommonly difficult. When the vote finally came, it was unanimous: Michael Smith, a 33-year-old who has lived in McKinleyville his entire life, was appointed to the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee to fill the at-large vacancy left by Maya Conrad's departure.

Smith addressed the Board before the vote, grounding his candidacy in deep local roots. He "went to kindergarten all the way through high school in McKinleyville," he told supervisors, and said he is "excited to maybe have an opportunity to give back to a community that's given me a lot." The appointment will run through Sept. 1, 2028, the remainder of the existing four-year term.

The selection drew genuine admiration from the dais. Supervisor Steve Madrone, whose Fifth District includes McKinleyville, said he was "just blown away by the amount of interest here." Faced with 12 applicants, he acknowledged he could not "really pick a top candidate or a top three because there are so many excellent candidates." Madrone credited the quality of the field to McKMAC itself, describing the committee as an important advisory body whose diverse membership and engaged community have helped it "grow in such an amazing way."

Supervisor Rex Bohn moved to appoint Smith, arguing his perspective was precisely what the committee needed: "every decision he is going to be making is through the lens of a three-year-old," a reference to Smith's young child and expanding family. The room lightened further when Supervisor Michelle Bushnell offered congratulations on Smith's forthcoming twins. Smith's reply drew laughter: "it was an accident."

Bohn's motion carried without dissent.

The other 11 applicants for the seat were Heather Bergan, Asia Brunell, Paul Chamberlain, Clancy DeSmet, Samuel Gregorio, Tere Hicks, Linda Holland, Cassandra Kemic, Gordon Leppig, Suzanne Lippre, and Carol Schmitt.

The McKMAC advises the Board of Supervisors on matters affecting the McKinleyville community, including public works, health, safety, welfare, and public financing. It also reviews proposed zoning and General Plan amendments and makes advisory recommendations to the Humboldt County Planning Commission. The committee's eight voting members must live in, own property in, or do business in the greater McKinleyville area. Three seats are appointed by the Fifth District Supervisor, three at-large members are appointed by the full Board, and one seat each is held by a McKinleyville Community Services District Board member and the MCSD General Manager. The committee meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m.

Smith will be required to file a Statement of Economic Interests under FPPC Form 700 and complete AB1234 ethics training before fully taking up the role.