CITY OF ARCATA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER MARCH 15, 2023
1 SPECIAL MEETING
A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Arcata was held on the above date at 5:30 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 March 10, 2023.
PRESENT: Schaefer, Matthews, Atkins-Salazar, Stillman, White. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Diemer, Deputy Director of Environmental Services—Community Services Benvie, IT and Digital Media Specialist Carrillo, City Clerk Dory.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry recommended the Council appoint new committee members who were visionaries.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
COMMITTEE INTERVIEWS
A. Interview Two Candidates to Fill Two Vacancies on the Wetlands and Creeks Committee for a Term Beginning Immediately and Ending March 31, 2024, and a Term Beginning April 1, 2023, and Ending March 31, 2026.
The City Council interviewed Emma Held and Steven Railsback for two vacancies on the Wetlands and Creeks Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:58 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Arcata was held on the above date at 6:02 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 March 10, 2023.
PRESENT: Schaefer, Matthews, Atkins-Salazar (left at 7:53 p.m.), Stillman, White. ABSENT:
None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Diemer, Director of Community Development Loya, Director of Environmental Services Sinkhorn, Finance Director Miller, City Engineer Khatri, Chief of Police Ahearn, Assistant City Engineer Caisse, Deputy Director of Environmental Services—Community Services Benvie, 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.
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FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Schaefer led the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA MODIFICATION
STILLMAN MOVED AND WHITE SECONDED TO CONTINUE AGENDA ITEM XIE., RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE MAD RIVER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL'S
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION, TO THE CITY COUNCIL'S REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 5, 2023.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment. There was none. 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.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
A. Certificate of Appreciation for Dave Couch for His 36 Years of Service to the City of Arcata.
Councilmember Stillman read the Certificate of Appreciation and presented it to retiree David Couch who said he had enjoyed a great career at a great place to work.
B. Proclamation in Recognition of Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, March 29, 2023.
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar read the proclamation and presented it to Logan Rosselli, College Core Fellow working with the Arcata Veterans Hall, who accepted the proclamation on the Arcata Veterans Hall's behalf.
C. Proclamation in Recognition of World Rotaract Week, March 13-19, 2023.
Mayor Schaefer read the proclamation and presented it to Matthew Cendejas from Lost Coast Rotaract who spoke about its focus and mission.
D. Proclamation in Recognition of March for Meals Month, March 2023.
Councilmember Matthews read the proclamation.
EARLY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry gave suggestions regarding the Land Acknowledgment statement and the order of the agenda, and spoke about eco-machines and decentralized wastewater systems for new development.
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Fred Weis acknowledged Julie Vaissade-Elcock's work as a Planning Commissioner. He noted that inclusionary zoning was not included in the Gateway Area Plan. He asked if the upcoming Sea Level Rise Study Session would be recorded, and if not if the Council could allocate $175 to record it.
Gregory Daggett said he hadn't seen that the City was including environmental justice in local land use planning in any of its documents.
Kent Sawatzky recommended the Council find out when the City's liability insurance would be re-evaluated so that it would know as soon as possible what its new premiums would be as the result of recent payouts.
Mayor Schaefer closed Early Oral Communications.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember White removed items A and G from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry removed items C, D, E, and I from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, AND WITH A
UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR MARCH 15, 2023, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: A.
APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 1, 2023; C. APPROVE THE PROJECT PLANS AND AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
FOR THE ARCATA SOUTH I STREET BOAT LAUNCH FACILITY IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT (REBID) TO MERCER-FRASER COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF $672,721.00 (BASE BID + ADDITIVE ALTERNATIVE NO. 2); D. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 223-43, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA AMENDING THE CLASS AND PAY RESOLUTION—MANAGEMENT, MID-MANAGEMENT, CONFIDENTIAL & APPOINTED EMPLOYEES [TO
CORRECT A TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR TO SALARY RANGE C177, STEP 2]; E.
REAPPOINT MICHAEL FURNISS, ERIN KELLY AND YANA VALACHOVIC TO THE FOREST MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR TERMS ENDING MARCH 31, 2026; G. REAPPOINT CHRISTIAN FIGUEROA TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM ENDING MARCH 31, 2027; AND I. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 223-42 ACCEPTING A FEE TITLE INTEREST IN ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NO. (APN) 505-251- 011 AND A PUBLIC ACCESS EASEMENT OVER A PORTION OF APN 505-251-013
FROM HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS OR
SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST AND RESCIND RESOLUTION NO. 223-08. AYES:
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SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
A. Item VIII-A was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
B. Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
C. Item VIII-C was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
D. Item VIII-D was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
E. Item VIII-E was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
F. Reappoint Mishka Straka to the Transportation Safety Committee (TSC) for a Term Expiring March 31, 2026.
G. Item VIII-G was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
H. Appoint Guy Aronoff to the Transactions and Use Tax Oversight Committee for a Term Expiring September 30, 2026.
I. Item VIII-I was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of March 1, 2023.
Councilmember White clarified with the rest of the Council that its direction at its March 1, 2023, meeting regarding the Gateway Area Plan, was that there be some form-based code created to assist in further engagement, and that the Council receive an update in July on the General Plan update.
City Manager Diemer said the original scope of work with Ben Noble included three sets of twomeetings each open to the public to receive public input, with a follow-up workshop on a Saturday with the Planning Commission to go through its material and draft recommendations.
She said the plan now was to use that fourth meeting for the Planning Commission to provide as much input as it could to Ben Noble to move forward in developing the form-based code. Then, public engagement would continue with that code.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Fred Weis voiced his objection that the minutes of March 1, 2023, did not reflect action taken by the Council. He presented his version of how the minutes could read.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A
UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL DIRECTED THE MINUTES BE AMENDED AND BROUGHT BACK ON APRIL 5, 2023, FOR APPROVAL. AYES:
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SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
C. Approve the Project Plans and Award a Construction Contract for the Arcata South I Street Boat Launch Facility Improvement Project (REBID) to MercerFraser Company in the Amount of $672,721.00 (Base Bid + Additive Alternative No. 2); Authorize the City Engineer to Increase the Contract Amount by up to $100,908.15, (15 Percent, for a Total Not to Exceed $773,629.15) to Allow for Any Unforeseen Contingencies; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry asked for clarification of this item and asked if the Coastal Commission had approved the project.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
Assistant City Engineer Caisse said the majority of this item was being funded by a Division of Boating and Waterways grant and consisted of a new floating boat launch facility. He said all permits had been received. He explained that the project was bid once before and the bids were over the budget, so it had been re-bid.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A
UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE PROJECT PLANS
AND AWARDED A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE ARCATA SOUTH I
STREET BOAT LAUNCH FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (REBID) TO MERCER-FRASER COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF $672,721.00 (BASE BID + ADDITIVE ALTERNATIVE NO. 2); AUTHORIZED THE CITY ENGINEER TO INCREASE THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY UP TO $100,908.15, (15 PERCENT, FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $773,629.15) TO ALLOW FOR ANY UNFORESEEN CONTINGENCIES; AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINSSALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS:
NONE.
D. Adopt Resolution No. 223-43, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending the Class and Pay Resolution—Management, Mid-Management, Confidential & Appointed Employees [to Correct a Typographical Error to Salary Range C177, Step 2].
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry asked about the typographical error.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
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City Manager Diemer explained that in the class and pay resolution, two numbers were transposed in Step 2 for salary range C177.
ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY WHITE, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 223-43, A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA AMENDING THE CLASS AND PAY RESOLUTION—MANAGEMENT, MID-MANAGEMENT, CONFIDENTIAL & APPOINTED EMPLOYEES [TO CORRECT A TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR TO SALARY RANGE C177, STEP 2]. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
E. Reappoint Michael Furniss, Erin Kelly and Yana Valachovic to the Forest Management Committee for Terms Ending March 31, 2026.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry commented that sometimes this committee held meetings in the forest, and she wanted to make sure there was good notification of the meeting being held in the forest and that the public was invited.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A
UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL REAPPOINTED MICHAEL FURNISS,
ERIN KELLY AND YANA VALACHOVIC TO THE FOREST MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR TERMS ENDING MARCH 31, 2026. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
G. Reappoint Christian Figueroa to the Planning Commission for a Term Ending March 31, 2027.
Councilmember White thanked Planning Commissioner Christian Figueroa for his service.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A
UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL REAPPOINTED CHRISTIAN FIGUEROA TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM ENDING MARCH 31, 2027. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE.
NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
I. Adopt Resolution No. 223-42 Accepting a Fee Title Interest in Assessor's Parcel No. (APN) 505-251-011 and a Public Access Easement over a Portion of APN 505-251- 013 from Humboldt State University Real Estate Holdings or Successor in Interest and Rescind Resolution No. 223-08.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry asked for more information on this item.
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Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
Deputy Director of Environmental Services—Community Services Benvie said that through this item the City would be acquiring a 1.3-acre parcel that would expand the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary and help complete one of the final Coastal Development Permit Conditions of the McDaniel Slough Restoration Project—to secure an additional public access point.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 223-42 ACCEPTING A FEE TITLE INTEREST IN ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NO. (APN) 505-251- 011 AND A PUBLIC ACCESS EASEMENT OVER A PORTION OF APN 505-251-013
FROM HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS OR
SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST AND RESCIND RESOLUTION NO. 223-08. AYES:
SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Appoint Up to Two New Members to the Wetlands and Creeks Committee for a Term Beginning Immediately and Ending March 31, 2024, and a Term Beginning April 1, 2023, and Ending March 31, 2026.
ATKINS-SALAZAR MOVED AND STILLMAN SECONDED TO APPOINT TO THE
WETLANDS AND CREEKS COMMITTEE STEVEN RAILSBACK FOR A TERM BEGINNING IMMEDIATELY AND ENDING MARCH 31, 2024, AND EMMA HELD FOR A TERM BEGINNING APRIL 1, 2023, AND ENDING MARCH 31, 2026.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Sherri asked for the second candidate's name.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
Mayor Schaefer responded that one of the candidates was Emma Held.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
B. Receive a Presentation on CalPERS Pension Update from GovInvest.
Finance Director Miller introduced Ira Somer from GovInvest who gave a detailed presentation on the status of the City's CalPERS Pension holdings. He described the basic concept as being that money going into CalPERS would equal money being paid out by CalPERS. He said funds came from three sources: employee contributions, employer contributions and investments, with the largest portion coming from investments. He explained how lower investment income March 15, 2023
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resulted in higher contributions required from the City. He said investment income in the last two years had been abysmal resulting in the City's current unfunded accrued liability estimate of $29.61 million.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Gregory Daggett wondered how this liability would get paid.
Kent Sawatzky asked how inflation was calculated into this. He said the City needed to be conservative in its budgeting.
Jane Woodward suggested this be the topic of a study session. She recommended the Councilmembers become educated about budgeting and economics.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
RECESS: The Council recessed from 7:44 to 7:53 p.m.
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar left the meeting at 7:53 p.m.
C. Consider Adopting Resolution No. 223-44, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Accepting the Mid-Year Budget Review and Approving Associated Budget Revisions for the Fiscal Year 2022-23.
Finance Director Miller said there were minor changes being made to the budget for unanticipated expenditures and a new project. She listed the major changes as: $30,000 for an extreme weather shelter; $30,000 for a Josiah Lawson mural; $355,000 to pre-order a new street sweeper; $195,000 for grant expenditures for Carlson Park; $185,000 for a deficit in the Information Technology budget; and $193,000 for increased utility expenses. She said the City's total expenditures were $79 million with revenues of $65 million, resulting in a $13 million shortfall. She contributed the shortfall to grant revenue timing. She said there was $4.7 million in water system capital expenditures and that was being covered by reserves from the water fund; the rest of the shortfall was the result of new street sweeper budgeting. She reported that the general fund reserves balance was 58 percent of total expenditures, and the City's policy was to maintain a minimum of 25 percent. She gave the status of all the enterprise funds. She said the budget for revenues was $1.1 million more than anticipated. She reported that there were significant challenges coming forward for which the City needed to plan, including a reduction in sales tax and transient occupancy tax revenues.
Councilmember Matthews asked that the Council receive a report on the allocation given to Arcata Main Street and asked that receipt of budget reports from Arcata Main Street be agendized.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL CANCELED THE CITY COUNCIL OFFICE REMODEL PROJECT.
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Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Gregory Daggett pointed out the importance of street sweeping to keep garbage from the streets out of the waterways and keep the City in compliance with its Regional Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.
Joanne McGarry suggested that putting a lot of effort, time, energy, people, and money toward the unhoused population would benefit the community. She also suggested reviewing what the City was contributing to Arcata Main Street and the Chamber of Commerce.
Fred Weis thanked Finance Director Miller for a clear, concise, and easy-to-understand presentation.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A FOURTO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 223-44, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA TO AMEND RESOLUTION NO. 223-01 ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-23. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES; NONE. ABSENT: ATKINS-SALAZAR.
ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
D. Approve Proposed Amendments to Humboldt Waste Management Authority's (HWMA) Joint Powers Agreement and Direct the Mayor to Execute the Restated and Amended Agreement.
Deputy Director of Environmental Services—Community Services Benvie explained that the amendments to the Joint Powers Agreement were to accommodate SB 1383's mandate for organics diversion. She stated this amendment would establish flow control so that Humboldt Waste Management Authority could move forward with establishing an organics recycling infrastructure.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry expressed her support for the regional approach to this complicated issue.
Gregory Daggett said that a lot of recyclables ended up in the landfill and asked how much of the local recycling was really being recycled.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A FOURTO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL DIRECTED THE
MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE RESTATED AND AMENDED JOINT POWERS
AGREEMENT WITH HUMBOLDT WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY. AYES:
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SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: ATKINSSALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Fred Weis asked if the Council was interested in making a decision on the L Street couplet. He urged the Council to watch the Planning Commission meetings.
Gregory Daggett asked who would be the presenters at the upcoming March 28, 2023, study session on sea level rise.
Joanne McGarry advocated for decentralized wastewater treatment and expressed her concern about unhoused people.
Ken Sawatzky encouraged the City to move its wastewater treatment plant. He predicted a recession or depression.
Mayor Schaefer closed Oral and Written Communications.
COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
City Manager Diemer announced that the two new electric buses would be in service the following week.
Mayor Schaefer announced that the Council members would be attending a CivicWell Policymakers Conference March 16-19, 2023.
Councilmember White announced Playhouse Arts' Ninth Street location that provided an opportunity for the unhoused to do art and get out of the weather. She said the extreme weather shelter would be closing for maintenance. She reported she and Mayor Schaefer had been working with local organizations to try to find resources for the unhoused. She put in a request to allocate $175 for recording the upcoming study session on sea level rise.
Mayor Schaefer reported further on the current work of faith-based and other local organizations to find resources for the unhoused.
DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
A. Joint Study Session with the Planning Commission on Sea Level Rise, Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL CONFIRMED IT WOULD HOLD A
JOINT STUDY SESSION WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON SEA LEVEL RISE ON TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2023, AT 6:00 P.M., IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
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B. 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 WILL HOLD ITS 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 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bridget Dory
City Clerk