CITY OF ARCATA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER MAY 17, 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 May 12, 2023. PRESENT:
Schaefer, Matthews, Stillman, White. ABSENT: Atkins-Salazar. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Diemer, Director of Community Development Loya, City Engineer Khatri, Director of Environmental Services Sinkhorn, 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.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Schaefer led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
A. Proclamation in Honor of Kinetic Sculpture Racing, May 27, 2023.
Mayor Schaefer read the proclamation.
B. Proclamation Designating the Month of May 2023 as Arcata Tourism Month.
Councilmember Matthews read the proclamation and presented it to Annalisa Rush, outgoing Interim Executive Director of the Arcata Chamber of Commerce, who thanked the Council and spoke of the Chamber's mission and the importance of tourism in Arcata and Humboldt County.
C. Proclamation in Honor of Older Americans Month, May 2023.
Councilmember White read the proclamation and presented it to Maggie Kraft, from the Area 1 Agency on Aging, who read from a writing on ageism and ableism by Ashton Applewhite.
EARLY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry said Arcata needed to be much more transparent and needed to continue to address climate change.
Gregory Daggett spoke of the fire district's inability to fight fires in buildings over three stories tall.
He said, taking into consideration sea level rise, it would take substantial time to determine where Arcata could place buildings in the coastal zone.
James Becker advocated for preserving the open space on L Street by making it a linear park, and for placing stop signs on K Street.
Fred Weis noted that at a meeting at the Creamery Building on May 16, a linear park on L Street was not discussed as the public had hoped it would be.
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Calder Johnson spoke of his concern with the continuing vandalism of the community garden at 11th and F Streets.
Patricia Cambianica reported on a meeting of businesses in the Creamery District and their support of a linear park on L Street.
Mayor Schaefer closed Early Oral Communications.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Gregory Daggett requested item F be removed from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
Joanne McGarry requested item C be removed from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
Jim Becker requested item G be removed from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A FOUR-TOZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR MAY 17, 2023, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: C. BI-WEEKLY REPORT ON DISBURSEMENTS; F. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 223-54 APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CALIFORNIA
COASTAL COMMISSION'S LCP LOCAL ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM FOR
CONDUCTING A SEA LEVEL RISE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT AND CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ADAPTATION PLAN FOR COASTAL RESILIENCY, AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS; AND G. APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN OPENGOV INC. AND THE CITY OF ARCATA FOR DEPLOYMENT AND A THREE-YEAR
SUBSCRIPTION OF THE BUDGETING AND PLANNING, AND ENTERPRISE ASSET MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE MODULES IN THE AMOUNT OF $341,739, AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS.
AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
A. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of April 19, 2023.
B. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of May 3, 2023.
C. Item VIII-C was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
D. Award a Contract for the 2023 Timber Harvest (Logging & Trucking) to George Huffman DBA Northern Roads & Timber for the Amounts of: $300 per Thousand Board Feet (MBF) for Logging; $91/MBF for Logs Hauled to Arcata; $136.80/MBF for Logs Hauled to Scotia; and $106/MBF for Logs Hauled to Either Samoa, Eureka, or Korbel; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
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E. Award a Contract in the Amount of $334,783.39 to GHD, Inc., for Professional Services to Support the Project Specifications and Estimates (PS&E) and Right-of-Way (ROW) Phases of the Annie and Mary Trail Connectivity Project; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
F. Item VIII-F was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
G. Item VIII-G was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
C. Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry request the Council consider asking for a report from Arcata House Partnership about all the moneys it had spent for The Grove, the Safe Parking Program, and the extreme weather shelter.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS
VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ACCEPTED THE BI-WEEKLY REPORT ON DISBURSEMENTS. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES:
NONE. ABSENT: ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
F. Adopt Resolution No. 223-54 Approving an Application for Grant Funds from the California Coastal Commission’s LCP Local Assistance Grant Program for Conducting a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment and Capital Improvement Project Adaptation Plan for Coastal Resiliency, and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Gregory Daggett said the City could not move forward with adoption of the Gateway Area Plan or the General Plan update without the results of this project. He asked that this item be moved to New Business so the details of the grant could be discussed.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A FOUR-TOZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 223-54 APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE
CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION'S LCP LOCAL ASSISTANCE GRANT
PROGRAM FOR CONDUCTING A SEA LEVEL RISE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ADAPTATION PLAN FOR COASTAL
RESILIENCY, AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, WHITE.
NOES: NONE. ABSENT: ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
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G. Approve an Amendment to the Agreement between OpenGov Inc. and the City of Arcata for Deployment and a Three-Year Subscription of the Budgeting & Planning, and Enterprise Asset Management Software Module in the Amount of $341,739, and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
James Becker asked for a brief description of this item.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
City Manager Diemer said the Council had a goal to consolidate software the City used. She said the City launched building permits through OpenGov and the intent of this item was to start moving a lot of other software systems onto one platform. She said the entire City Budget would be online and updated daily. She said this software would also consolidate asset management and the Capital Improvements Plan.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY WHITE, AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO
VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL APPROVED AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN OPENGOV INC. AND THE CITY OF ARCATA FOR
DEPLOYMENT AND A THREE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION OF THE BUDGETING &
PLANNING, AND ENTERPRISE ASSET MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE MODULES IN THE AMOUNT OF $341,739, AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Receive a Report of Arcata Main Street's Recent Activities and Upcoming Plans Tied to the City's American Rescue Plan Act Funding.
Tanasa Daniel, President of the Board of Arcata Main Street, gave a report on its activities. He said it had produced and was working on 40 events that year. He stated that in order to support its service agreement with the City, Arcata Main Street was requesting continuation of the funding from the City. He expressed the Board's excitement with its new staff members and board members, and that the Oyster Festival was returning to the Plaza in 2023. He said the budget for fiscal year 2023/2024 was $239,676.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry asked that organizations commit to zero waste, fewer cars with other accessible means of transportation to and from events, and take climate change into account.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
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B. Provide Prioritization of Potential New or Expanded Solid Waste, Recycling, and Organics Collection Services and Authorize the City Manager to Enter into Sole-Source Negotiations with Recology to Meet Senate Bill 1383's Requirements for Curbside Collection and Hauling.
Deputy Director of Environmental Services—Community Services Benvie recommended the Council receive an update on the status of franchise agreement negotiations with Recology on Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) progress and prioritize expanded new services outside of SB 1383 compliance.
She reviewed the requirements of SB 1383 and the status of the City's compliance. She noted several upcoming rate increases relative to tipping fees and recycling processing fees.
Eric Keller-Heckman, Executive Director, Humboldt Waste Management Authority, answered questions from the Council about food waste and green waste handling.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
An unidentified member of the audience complained that there was no service option for those who generated very little waste and did their own composting.
Gregory Daggett surmised that reducing the green waste drop off yardage would result in more illegal dumping. He asked how much of recyclables were actually being recycled.
Ivan West, Full Cycle Compost, suggested allowing people to submit proof of their composting via a website. He noted that Full Cycle Compost was not a fiscal threat to Recology's business model.
Joanne McGarry complained that the plan was complicated and not climate friendly.
Tobin McKee, Full Cycle Compost, expressed concern about mandatory fees for low-income residents and those doing backyard composting. He encouraged the Council to seek an opt out for backyard composters.
Kevin asked if there would be exemptions for commercial farms operating within the City.
Patricia Cambianica requested an opt out for those who used small local businesses or composted in their back yards.
The four Councilmembers ranked service priorities as follows (H=high priority, M=medium priority and L=low priority)
Frequency of Pickup H, M, H, H
Community compost hauling H, H, H, H
No-cost kitchen caddy H, M, L, L
Bulky item pick-up in City right-of-way M, H, H, H
Multi-family bulky item pick-up M, M, L, M
Community clean-up dumpsters L, M, H, H
Education/outreach L, M, H, H
No-cost green waste M, M, H, H
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ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A FOUR-TOZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL AUTHORIZED THE CITY
MANAGER TO ENTER INTO SOLE SOURCE NEGOTIATIONS WITH RECOLOGY TO MEET SENATE BILL 1383 REQUIREMENTS FOR CURBSIDE COLLECTION AND HAULING. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
RECESS: The Council recessed from 8:35 to 8:39 p.m.
C. Review and Accept the General Plan Annual Progress Report and Adopt Resolution No. 223-53 forwarding the Report to State Agencies.
Director of Community Development Loya recommended the Council adopt Resolution No. 223-53 accepting Arcata's 2022 General Plan Annual Progress report.
STILLMAN MOVED AND MATTHEWS SECONDED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 223-
53. Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Gregory Daggett asked why no one was questioning the high price for the Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrade, Phase I. He said the City needed to pay more attention to preparing for sea level rise.
Fred Weis said there were insurance and lending issues associated with condominiums. He surmised that when landlords who purchased rentals in the 1980s and 1990s died, those rentals would most likely be taken out of the rental market and sold.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE.
AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Gregory Daggett asked about the status of talks with the Arcata Fire District regarding its capabilities in relation to building height.
Fred Weis reported on two recent meetings at the Creamery Building.
Mayor Schaefer closed Oral and Written Communications.
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COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
A. Receive an Update from City Engineer Netra B. Khatri on the City’s Local Road Safety Plan.
City Engineer Khatri gave an update on the Local Road Safety Plan, a document necessary for future funding from the Highway Safety Improvement Program. He showed a map noting high-volume collision intersections and a list of counter-measures. He said the next steps included meeting with stakeholders and finishing the draft document by October.
B. Other Council and Staff Reports.
Councilmember White reported on a neighborhood clean-up in Valley West on May 7, 2023. She reported on CUNA's participatory budget meeting. She reported on her attendance at a meeting of the Housing and Homelessness Working Group. She reported on work at The Grove and West Village. She announced that Arcata House Partnership was now operating a food pantry.
Councilmember Stillman reported on her attendance at the groundbreaking for the Cal Poly Humboldt housing at the Craftsman's Mall.
Mayor Schaefer reported that she had been appointed the chair of the Finance Committee for the Redwood Coast Energy Authority. She announced the Oyster Festival Kickoff Party on June 3, 2023, at Wrangletown Cider Company.
Councilmember Matthews reported on her attendance at the Humboldt Bay Trail South groundbreaking ceremony. She announced upcoming community events—the Fairy Festival, Forest Moon Festival and Humboldt Crabs game.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:31 p.m. in solidarity with Centro del Pueblo and the community garden at 11th and F Streets.
Respectfully submitted,
Bridget Dory
City Clerk