CITY OF ARCATA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER MARCH 02, 2022
1 A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Arcata was held on the above date at 6:01 p.m. as a hybrid meeting, via teleconference utilizing Zoom Video Communications and in person, with Mayor Atkins-Salazar presiding. PRESENT: Atkins-Salazar, Schaefer, Matthews, Watson.
ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Diemer, Assistant City Manager/Personnel Director Demello, Director of Community Development Loya, City Manager Khatri, Finance Director Starzhevskiy, Director of Environmental Services Sinkhorn, Chief of Police Ahearn, IT Manager Savage, City Clerk Dory
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Atkins-Salazar led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
A. Proclamation Recognizing March 8, 2022, as International Women's Day.
Councilmember Matthews read the proclamation.
Carilyn Goldammer thanked the Council for its recognition of International Women's Day.
B. Proclamation in Recognition of Girl Scout Week, March 6-12, 2022.
Councilmember Schaefer read the proclamation.
REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
A. Historic Landmarks Committee Annual Report.
William Rich, chair of the Historic Landmarks Committee, gave an oral version of the Committee's annual report.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar invited public comment.
Kent Sawatzky expressed his concern about a lack of consideration of historic assets in Bayside.
Joanne McGarry encouraged the City, when evaluating historical assets, to remember to also consider the time before the settlement era when the Wiyot occupied the land.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar closed the public comment period.
EARLY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Atkins-Salazar invited public comment.
Kent Sawatzky said he supported equality of the genders. He also said he understood there would be multiple Coastal Development Permits for the Old Arcata Road project.
Chris Richards said he felt the Council's goal-setting session was productive, and hoped Mayor Atkins-Salazar would be able to participate in discussions on the Gateway Area Plan.
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Joanne McGarry urged the Council to re-declare the climate emergency. She also encouraged the Council to move the Earth Flag to the top of all City flag poles.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar closed the public comment period.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Watson requested items B, D, E, F, and G be removed from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar invited public comment.
Uri Driscoll commented that the wastewater treatment plant needed to be upgraded before any new development affected its capacity. He recommended the clean-up of garbage along Samoa Boulevard.
Ken Sawatzky requested items D and F be removed from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED ITEMS A. APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 9, 2022, AND C. BIWEEKLY REPORT ON GENERAL WARRANTS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR MARCH 2, 2022. AYES: ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, WATSON.
NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
A. Adopt the City Council Minutes of February 9, 2022.
B. Item VII-B was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
C. Bi-Weekly Report on General Warrants.
D. Item VII-D was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
E. Item VII-E was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
F. Item VII-F was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
G. Item VII-G was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
B. Adopt the City Council Minutes of February 16, 2022.
Councilmember Watson requested the minutes be changed to reflect that he recommended the length of time for public comment be increased to four minutes, and that Mayor Atkins-Salazar declined to do so at that time.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY WATSON, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 16, 2022, WITH THE FOLLOWING CHANGE: ADD "COUNCILMEMBER WATSON REQUESTED March 2, 2022
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THE LENGTH OF TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT BE INCREASED TO FOUR MINUTES. MAYOR ATKINS-SALAZAR DECLINED TO DO SO AT THAT TIME." AYES: ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, WATSON. NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
D. Declare a Continuation of the Local Emergency Related to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Councilmember Watson recommended that recommendation no. 2 in the staff report be eliminated because he felt it was no longer true that the state of emergency continued to directly impact the ability of Council members to meet safely in person.
Councilmember Schaefer recommended leaving recommendation no. 2 as it currently was because things were changing rapidly and some people still did not feel safe meeting in person.
Councilmember Matthews agreed.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar invited public comment.
Kent Sawatzky instructed the Council members to abstain from voting if they did not have enough information to make a finding.
Uri Driscoll said that if the language was not clear and concise, it needed to come back to the Council for consideration.
Joanne McGarry asked the Council to not consider the pandemic over because people were still dying.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar closed the public comment period.
MATTHEWS MOVED TO DECLARE A CONTINUATION OF THE LOCAL
EMERGENCY RELATED TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.
City Manager Diemer suggested that the language in the second recommendation could read: "Find that the COVID-19 state of emergency continues to directly impact the ability of the Council and the public to meet safely in person."
SCHAEFER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED ON A THREE-TO-ONE VOICE VOTE. AYES: ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES:
WATSON. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL REQUESTED STAFF REVIEW THE
LANGUAGE FOR DECLARING A CONTINUATION OF THE LOCAL EMERGENCY
RELATED TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC TO LINE UP ALL THE LEGAL FINDINGS.
E. Adopt Resolution No. 212-49 Incorporating a List of Projects for Fiscal Year 2022/2023 to be Funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act.
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On inquiry by Councilmember Watson, City Engineer Khatri explained that annually the City adopted a list of road improvement projects it intended to be funded by SB 1 funds, which monies came from the state gas tax and registration of vehicles. He then answered questions from the Council.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar invited public comment.
Kent Sawatzky asked if any SB 1 funding was intended to be used for the roundabout at Jacoby Creek Road and Old Arcata Road and if they were, why a California Environmental Quality Act review was not being completed?
Uri Driscoll said he wanted to see the list of projects and the process for public input in determining the projects, and asked if any of the SB 1 funds were used for bicycle paths.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar closed the public comment period and said that staff would be available to answer Mr. Sawatzky's and Mr. Driscoll's questions outside of the meeting.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 212-49 INCORPORATING A LIST OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022/2023 TO BE FUNDED BY SB 1: THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. AYES:
ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, WATSON. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
F. Adopt Resolution No. 212-50 Establishing the City's Opposition to State Ballot Measure 21-0042A1, the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act.
City Manager Diemer said this was a request from CalCities to oppose the Taxpayer Protection Government Accountability Act, a ballot measure that had qualified for the November 2022 election.
She said that CalCities had requested cities to state there were provisions in this bill that were similar to a bill in 2018 that would have severely restricted local governments' ability to impose fees or submit ballot measures. She said the bill would require that taxes include a sunset time and that a voter-initiated measure would be required to pass by a 75 percent vote, whereas they currently could pass by a 50 percent vote. She said it also could restrict the amount government could charge for rent of city property.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar invited public comment.
Kent Sawatzky expressed his concern that his questions be answered in public. He declared his support for the bill saying he thought it would provide accountability.
Uri Driscoll said he was confused about this item. He said that if it was opposing taxpayer protections, he was against it. Further, it was good to have a sunset on taxes.
Sherri agreed with the City opposing this ballot measure because it took away local government's ability to raise funds and the local voters' ability to pass an initiative.
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Mayor Atkins-Salazar closed public comment.
ON MOTION BY WATSON, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 212-50 ESTABLISHING THE CITY'S OPPOSITION TO STATE BALLOT MEASURE 21-0042A1, THE TAXPAYER PROTECTION AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. AYES: ATKINSSALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, WATSON. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
G. Approve an Agreement with the State of California, Acting by and through the Department of Transportation for Clean-Up and Maintenance of State Highways in the City Limits for Fiscal Year 2021/2022 in the Amount of $24,000, and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
On inquiry by Councilmember Watson, City Engineer Khatri stated that $24,000 was the amount of money Caltrans had available for this project.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar invited public comment. None was received. Mayor Atkins-Salazar closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A
UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL APPROVED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ACTING BY AND THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION, FOR CLEAN-UP AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE HIGHWAYS IN THE CITY LIMITS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021/2022 IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,000, AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS.
AYES: ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, WATSON. NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
RECESS: The Council recessed from 7:35 to 7:40 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Receive an Update on the Local Coastal Program.
Director of Community Development Loya gave an update on the Local Coastal Program.
Councilmember Schaefer expressed her desire to have a study session with the Planning Commission on the Local Coastal Program.
Councilmember Schaefer left the Council Chamber at 9:15 p.m. and returned at 9:17 p.m.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar invited public comment.
Kent Sawatzky said he did not understand how the City's proposed Local Coastal Program would allow it to dip into the County's jurisdiction.
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Patricia Cambianica said it was disconcerting to move wetlands to another area and fill-in the original wetland. She also said she wished the stormwater/wastewater treatment plant issues would be addressed in more detail in the Program.
Jim Becker asked how a wetland in the state's jurisdiction would be addressed? Joanne McGarry said that Mother Earth batted last and these programs needed to take that into account, as well as the global climate change reality.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar closed the public comment period.
B. Elect a New Vice Mayor and Consider Vice Mayor Goldstein's Liaison Appointments.
City Manager Diemer said that based on the Council's protocol, it would be Councilmember Schaefer who would rotate into the Vice Mayor position.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar invited public comment.
Kent Sawatzky asked how the Council would address putting someone back into the rotation after they had been removed as Mayor.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar closed the public comment period.
ATKINS-SALAZAR NOMINATED SARAH SCHAEFER FOR THE POSITION OF VICE MAYOR. WATSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE. AYES: ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, WATSON. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
ON MOTION BY WATSON, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS
VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL APPOINTED COUNCILMEMBER MATTHEWS AS ITS
PRIMARY REPRESENTATIVE TO THE HUMBOLDT TRANSIT AUTHORITY, AND
WATSON AS ITS PRIMARY REPRESENTATIVE TO THE HUMBOLDT/DEL NORTE
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE TEAM JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT AND THE HOMELESSNESS SERVICES WORKING GROUP. AYES: ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, WATSON. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Atkins-Salazar invited public comment.
Kent Sawatzky recommended the Council keep an eye on its rising litigation costs. He also said that by limiting Councilmembers' access to staff, the City was putting itself in jeopardy of being sued.
He also said that the public's questions asked during a meeting should be answered in a meeting.
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Shoshanna requested some red curbs, crosswalks, and bicycle lanes be repainted, specifically on L.
K. Wood Boulevard, and Alliance Road. She also requested lighted crossing signals at six locations on those streets.
Joanne McGarry announced she had become a City volunteer in the Environmental Services Department to promote composting. She encouraged everyone to participate in the Arcata Playhouse's event in honor of International Women's Month.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar closed Oral and Written Communications.
COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
Councilmember Matthews announced the next Chamber Mixer would be held on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. at the Aquatic Center in Eureka. She also reported on her attendance at a meeting at the Board of Directors of the Humboldt Waste Management Authority.
Councilmember Schaefer reported on her participation in the monthly Critical Mass Bicycle Ride which honored Jennifer Garcia at the location of the her recent car/pedestrian bicycle accident on St.
Louis Road.
Mayor Atkins-Salazar reported on her attendance at a meeting of Arcata Main Street. She also reported on her and Councilmember Schafer's attendance at the City/Cal Poly Humboldt Liaison quarterly meeting.
Councilmember Matthews reminded everyone that there were atrocities happening worldwide and in the Ukraine.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bridget Dory
City Clerk