CITY OF ARCATA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER FEBRUARY 15, 2023
1 A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Arcata was held on the above date at 6:00 p.m. as a hybrid meeting, via teleconference utilizing Zoom Video Communications and in person, with Mayor Schaefer presiding. Notice of this meeting was posted on February 10, 2023. PRESENT:
Schaefer, Matthews, Atkins-Salazar, Stillman, White. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Diemer, City Attorney Diamond, Assistant City Manager/Personnel Director Demello, Director of Community Development Loya, Director of Environmental Services Sinkhorn, City Engineer Khatri, Finance Director Miller, Building Official Bishop, IT and Digital Media Specialist Carrillo, City Clerk Dory.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Mayor Schaefer read a statement acknowledging that Arcata (Goudi'ni) sat on ancestral Wiyot land.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Schaefer led the Pledge of Allegiance.
REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
A. Annual Report from the Historic Landmarks Committee.
William Rich, Chairperson of the Historic Landmarks Committee, gave an oral version of the Committee's annual report.
EARLY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Phillip Nicklas read a letter from American Legion Post 274 requesting the City fly the United States flag at the top of the Veteran's Memorial Flagpole on the Plaza.
Leslie Troxel spoke regarding the issue of mental illness amongst the homeless. She presented photos of a homeless encampment at 14th and F Streets. She said homelessness, mental illness and addiction could not be ignored.
Malcolm Ridings, speaking on behalf of Cal Poly Humboldt's Student Equitable Housing Alliance, spoke about housing as a human right and requested the community work with the alliance to make housing equitable in Arcata.
Annabelle, a student at Cal Poly Humboldt, spoke about the university's and Arcata's housing problem, speaking in favor of increased infrastructure and adequate, affordable, safe housing.
Kim Vandenplas spoke in favor of flying the United States flag at the top of the Plaza flagpole.
Patricia Lai urged the City to clean up the trash at the South I Street entrance to the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary.
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Judy Longshore requested help for the neighborhood with the houseless encampment at 14th and F Streets.
Martha Longshore spoke about the need for help with the houseless encampment at 14th and F Streets.
Mayor Schaefer closed Early Oral Communications.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Schaefer removed item H from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
Councilmember White removed items E and G from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment. No one came forward to speak. Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS
VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY 15, 2023, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: E.
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 223-23, APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR SPECIFIED
GRANT FUNDS FOR THE ARCATA BALL PARK AND CARLSON PARK
IMPROVEMENTS; AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS; G. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 223-33, A RESOLUTION OF
THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ARCATA AUTHORIZING JOINT
APPLICATION TO AND PARTICIPATION IN THE HOMEKEY PROGRAM AND AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 212-51, AND AUTHORIZE AMENDMENTS TO THE STANDARD AGREEMENT; AND H. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 223-39, A RESOLUTION
OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ARCATA AUTHORIZING JOINT
APPLICATION TO AND PARTICIPATION IN THE HOMEKEY PROGRAM AND AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 212-40, AND AUTHORIZE AMENDMENTS TO THE STANDARD AGREEMENT. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
A. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of February 1, 2023.
B. Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
C. Declare a Continuation of the Local Emergency Related to the Coronavirus Pandemic through March 3, 2023.
D. Adopt Resolution No. 223-35, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Establishing A Fee Schedule for Administrative Fee Citation Procedures for Municipal Code Title VII, Chapter 3—Water.
E. Item VIII-E was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
F. Adopt Resolution No. 223-36, Authorizing Investment of Monies in the Local Agency Investment Fund.
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G. Item VIII-G was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
H. Item VIII-H was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
I. 1) Approve the Agreement for Employment, City Manager, and 2) Adopt Resolution No. 223-38, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending the Class and Pay Resolution for Management, Mid-Management, Confidential & Appointed Employees.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
E. Adopt Resolution No. 223-23, Approving an Application for Specified Grant Funds for the Arcata Ball Park and Carlson Park Improvements; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
On inquiry by Councilmember White, Director of Environmental Services Sinkhorn assured the Council that funds for maintenance of all facilities, including the Ball Park and Carlson Park, would always be included in the City's budget.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY WHITE, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 223-23, APPROVING AN
APPLICATION FOR THE SPECIFIED GRANT FUNDS FOR THE ARCATA BALL PARK
AND CARLSON PARK IMPROVEMENTS, AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
G. Adopt Resolution No. 223-33, a Resolution of the Governing Body of the City of Arcata Authorizing Joint Application to and Participation in the Homekey Program and Amending Resolution No. 212-51, and Authorize Amendments to the Standard Agreement.
On inquiry by Councilmember White, Director of Community Development Loya explained that the proposed amendment to the Homekey Standard Agreement was to not identify potential residents by income level, but to identify them as being homeless or at risk of being homeless. He explained that some homeless veterans might be precluded due to their income level if income levels were specified. He said the program would be capped at 80 percent of the area median income.
STILLMAN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 223-33, A RESOLUTION OF THE
GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ARCATA AUTHORIZING JOINT APPLICATION
TO AND PARTICIPATION IN THE HOMEKEY PROGRAM AND AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 212-51, AND AUTHORIZE AMENDMENTS TO THE STANDARD
AGREEMENT, AND SPECIFY THAT INCOME SHALL BE CAPPED IN THE REGULATORY AGREEMENT AT 80 PERCENT OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
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Rebecca Smith, attorney with Legal Services of Northern California, expressed concern with this change and questioned why the Homekey program would anticipate serving individuals or families who earned 50 percent or more of the area median income.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSTENTION. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN.
NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: WHITE.
H. Adopt Resolution No. 223-39, a Resolution of the Governing Body of the City of Arcata Authorizing Joint Application to and Participation in the Homekey Program and Amending Resolution No. 212-40, and Authorize Amendments to the Standard Agreement.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSTENTION, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 223-39, A RESOLUTION
OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ARCATA AUTHORIZING JOINT
APPLICATION TO AND PARTICIPATION IN THE HOMEKEY PROGRAM AND AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 212-40, AND AUTHORIZED AMENDMENTS TO THE
STANDARD AGREEMENT, AND SPECIFIED THAT INCOME SHALL BE CAPPED IN THE REGULATORY AGREEMENT AT 80 PERCENT OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME.
AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: WHITE.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Introduce Ordinance No. 1552 Adding Chapter 5—Residential Rental Inspection Program (RRIP), to Title VIII—Building Regulations of the Arcata Municipal Code.
City Engineer Khatri gave a history of the formation of the proposed Residential Rental Inspection Program. He noted that properties that were already inspected by the Arcata Fire District would not be included in the program. He asked the Council to move forward with the program.
Building Official Bishop said the goal of the Residential Rental Inspection Program (RRIP) was to improve the quality of housing in Arcata. He said the program would include all rental housing not already inspected by the Arcata Fire District. He explained the self-certification option in the program stating that those properties would be inspected once every five years. He directed the Council's attention to the one-page checklist for the inspections which covered basic life-safety items.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Devon Shannon McGeary encouraged the Council to adopt the ordinance saying it would benefit tenants' lives.
An unidentified member of the audience stressed the importance of the City being able to test mold in the future. They expressed support for adoption of the ordinance.
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A member of the Humboldt Equitable Student Housing Alliance stressed the importance of identifying and preventing black mold.
A Cal Poly Humboldt student spoke about the importance of supporting students who may not have housing.
Dave Hochman, a member of the working group for the ordinance, voiced his dissatisfaction with some aspects of the proposed ordinance and requested changes be made.
An unidentified member of the audience, who was a member of the Humboldt Equitable Student Housing Alliance, spoke in favor of the ordinance.
Jessie spoke in favor of the ordinance, but expressed concern the fees would be passed on to the tenants.
Leonard Perry asked if housing at Cal Poly Humboldt would be subject to the inspections.
Michaela Shayne Navarro asked if education could be provided to new renters.
Natalia asked that the students be welcomed as part of its community.
Charmaine Lawson supported the students and their efforts to secure housing.
An unidentified member of the audience asked that the City work with the students to guarantee housing for them.
Lance spoke in support of the housing inspections. He asked the City to work with the university and to inspect campus housing.
An unidentified member of the audience expressed frustration.
Crane said students and community members needed rental inspections.
An unidentified member of the audience spoke in favor of the inspection program and said they hoped it would apply to the dorms on campus.
Ruby Cayenne Gustafson said the student housing situation was unacceptable and she expected it to be solved promptly.
Bob Kimmel proposed the rental inspection program be referred to a committee for refinement.
Marlon Jones II recommended adoption of the ordinance and that more be done to provide adequate housing for students.
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Robert Parton suggested the City take care of the homeless problem before sending bureaucrats to handle property owners.
Lisa Pelletier voiced her support of the rental inspection program and urged the Council to adopt the ordinance.
Juan Guerrero, Associated Students President, Cal Poly Humboldt, voiced his support for the ordinance.
An unidentified member of the audience urged the Council and the community to help students obtain housing.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
MATTHEWS MOVED AND ATKINS-SALAZAR SECONDED TO INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 1552, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA ADDING CHAPTER 5, RESIDENTIAL RENTAL INSPECTION PROGRAM, TO
TITLE VIII, BUILDING REGULATIONS, OF THE ARCATA MUNICIPAL CODE, WAIVE
READING OF THE TEXT AND CONSENT TO READ THE ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY.
MATTHEWS AMENDED THE MOTION TO DIRECT STAFF TO BEGIN TO WORK
WITH THE ARCATA FIRE DISTRICT AND SEE IF THE CITY CAN TAKE OVER RENTAL INSPECTIONS. WHITE SECONDED THE AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION.
THE MOTION, AS AMENDED, PASSED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE. AYES:
SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
RECESS: The Council recessed from 8:24 to 8:34 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS
A. 1) Consider a Salary Adjustment for Councilmembers as Provided Under State Law; 2) If a Salary Adjustment is Made, Identify the Amount of the Salary Increase in Ordinance No. 1564, and Introduce Ordinance No. 1564 Amending the Arcata Municipal Code Title II (Administration), Chapter 1 (Council), Section 2010 (Salaries of the City Council Members).
Assistant City Manager/Personnel Director Demello explained that salaries for City Council members were governed by California statute and were restricted in frequency and amount for adjustment. She said that adjustments could only be considered after an election and were limited to an increase of five percent (5%) for each full year after the last adjustment. She said that Arcata's last adjustment was in 2021. She told the Council that the current monthly salary was $772.28. She stated that the Council could consider an adjustment of up to five percent for each of the two previous years, and that would result in a new monthly salary of $849.51.
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STILLMAN MOVED AND MATTHEWS SECONDED TO INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 1564, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA
AMENDING THE ARCATA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADJUST COUNCILMEMBER SALARY , TITLE II—ADMINISTRATION, CHAPTER 1—COUNCIL, SECTION 2010, BY FIVE PERCENT (5%) PER YEAR FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS, FOR A TOTAL OF 10 PERCENT, TO $849.51 MONTHLY; WAIVED READING OF THE TEXT AND CONSENTED TO READ BY TITLE ONLY.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment. None was received. Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Fred Weis said that public engagement in Arcata was not being handled properly and asked if someone outside the City could handle public engagement for the Gateway Area Plan process.
Mayor Schaefer closed Oral and Written Communications.
COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
Councilmember Stillman reported on a meeting of the Board of Directors of Arcata Main Street.
Councilmember Matthews reported on her attendance at a meeting of the Board of Directors of Humboldt Waste Management Authority. She announced the Arcata Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner would be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023. She reminded everyone that February was Black History Month.
Mayor Schaefer reported on a meeting with Congressman Huffman regarding offshore wind energy generation.
Councilmember White reported on her attendance at a meeting of the Housing and Homelessness Services Working Group. She gave a report on the Safe Parking Program. She also reported on the community clean-ups in Valley West.
Councilmember Stillman suggested adopting an ordinance requiring new needles only be issued in exchange for used needles in a receptacle.
DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
A. Set a Date of Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., for a Joint Study Session with the Planning Commission on Sea Level Rise.
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BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL SET A JOINT STUDY SESSION WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2023, AT 6:00 P.M., IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
B. Study Session with Committee Chairpersons, Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL CONFIRMED IT WOULD HOLD A STUDY SESSION WITH COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2023, AT 6:00 P.M., IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
C. Annual Goals-Setting Study Session, Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL CONFIRMED IT WOULD HOLD ITS ANNUAL GOALS-SETTING STUDY SESSION ON TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023, AT 6:00 P.M., IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
D. Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget Study Session, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL CONFIRMED IT WOULD HOLD A FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 BUDGET STUDY SESSION ON TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2023, AT 6:00 P.M., IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bridget Dory
City Clerk