CITY OF ARCATA
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER FEBRUARY 09, 2022
1 A special meeting of the city Council of the City of Arcata was held on the above date at 5:38 p.m. as a hybrid meeting, via teleconference utilizing Zoom Video Communications and in person, with Mayor Atkins-Salazar presiding. Notice of this meeting was posted on February 4, 2022. PRESENT: Atkins-Salazar, Matthews, Schaefer, Watson. ABSENT: Goldstein.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Diemer, Assistant City Manager/Personnel Director Demello, IT Manager Savage, City Clerk Dory.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Atkins-Salazar invited public comment.
Bob, a member of True North Organizing Committee, spoke in favor of quickly making an appointment to fill the upcoming vacancy on the City Council.
Cynthia Woods, Deacon at St. Alban's Episcopal Church and member of True North Organizing Committee, spoke in favor of appointing a new member to the City Council.
Chris Richards spoke in favor of holding a special election to fill the upcoming City Council vacancy.
Joanne McGarry spoke in favor of appointing a new City Council member.
Patricia spoke in favor of holding a special election to fill the upcoming City Council vacancy.
Jim spoke in favor of holding a special election to fill the upcoming City Council vacancy.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar closed the public comment period.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Accept the Resignation of Councilmember Emily Goldstein; Declare a Vacancy on the Arcata City Council; Consider Available Options for Filling the Vacant Unexpired Term; Choose Option A, B or C; and, if Choosing Option B, Adopt Resolution No. 212-43 Calling for a Special Municipal Election to be held June 7, 2022.
City Manager Diemer explained the options available to the Council for filling the upcoming vacancy coming about by the resignation of Councilmember Emily Goldstein. She stated that, by April 30, the Council would have to decide if it wanted to hold a special election in either June or November 2022 or make an appointment by April 30, 2022. If an appointment was made, that person would hold the seat until the November 8, 2022, general municipal election; the Council would be unable to make an appointment to fill the seat through the November 2024 election.
City Manager Diemer said that if the Council chose to hold a special election to be held either June 7, 2022, or November 8, 2022, the person elected would serve until November 2024. She February 9, 2022
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said the estimated cost for a special election in June 2022 was $7,500. She said she did not have an estimate for adding the seat to the November 2022 ballot. She told the Council that if it chose to hold an election on June 7, 2022, it would have to adopt Resolution No. 212-43, calling for the election, that evening.
ON MOTION BY WATSON, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A FOUR-TOZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL ACCEPTED THE
RESIGNATION OF COUNCILMEMBER EMILY GOLDSTEIN EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2022, DECLARED A VACANCY ON THE CITY COUNCIL, AND ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 212-43 CALLING FOR A SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD JUNE 7, 2022. AYES: ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, WATSON. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bridget Dory
City Clerk