CITY OF ARCATA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER JUNE 21, 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 June 16, 2023. PRESENT:
Schaefer, Matthews, Atkins-Salazar, Stillman, White. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Diemer, Finance Director Miller, Director of Community Development Loya, Chief of Police Ahearn, Director of Environmental Services Sinkhorn, City Engineer Khatri, Deputy Director of Environmental Services—Community Services Benvie, Natural Resources Technician McDowall, 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. Certificate of Appreciation for Christian Figueroa for His Three Years of Service on the Arcata Planning Commission.
Councilmember White read the Certificate of Appreciation and presented it to Mr. Figueroa who said it had been a pleasure working with the Planning Commissioners, staff, and the Council.
B. Proclamation in Celebration of the Fourth of July Jubilee, July 4, 2023.
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar read the proclamation and presented it to Gloria Baker from the Arcata Chamber of Commerce, who invited everyone to the Plaza for the Fourth of July Jubilee.
REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
A. Annual Report from the Forest Management Committee.
Dennis Halligan, Chairperson of the Forest Management Committee, presented an oral version of the committee's annual report.
EARLY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Dan Burman, from First 5 Humboldt, thanked the City and Recreation Supervisor Stevens and staff for their work hosting the play groups at the D Street Neighborhood Center.
Fred Weis recommended the introduction of the General Plan include the words "non-indigenous" or ""European origin." He also recommended direct communication between the Transportation Safety Committee and the Planning Commission.
Joanne McGarry encouraged transparency/truth/trust, honesty/humility/humaneness, caring/compassion/connectedness, courage/boldness/bravey/decisiveness. She recommended Arcata June 21, 2023
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regularly hold a resiliency conference. She asked for help in finding a new location for her Peace and Justice Center sign.
Carlos read a letter from Centro del Pueblo urging action to protect the Sanctuary Garden. He called for a public announcement of full solidarity with the Garden to support and protect it.
Cynthia Amerman, from Cal Poly Humboldt's Department of Native American Studies, and Andrea Delgado, from the Department of English, read a letter from staff and departments at Cal Poly Humboldt in support of the Sanctuary Garden and against attacks on it.
Brenda Perez read from the City's 2017 Sanctuary Declaration and said the statements in the document should be a daily practice in Arcata. She presented a letter signed by 60 people and organizations.
An unidentified member of the audience requested the Council attend to the recommendation of the Transportation Safety Committee regarding the L Street corridor.
Mayor Schaefer closed Early Oral Communications. She affirmed that the City was dedicated to supporting the Sanctuary Garden and solving the recent crimes there.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember White requested items B, F, and H be removed from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
Mayor Schaefer requested item G be removed 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 JUNE 21, 2023, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: B. APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 6, 2023; F. AWARD A
CONTRACT FOR CARLSON PARK PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION TO MIRACLE RECREATION—PLAYPOWER, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $259,972.84, INCLUDING TAX; AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO INCREASE THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY UP TO $12,998 (5 PERCENT, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $272,970.84) TO ALLOW FOR ANY UNFORESEEN
CONTINGENCIES; AWARD A CONTRACT FOR CARLSON PARK PLAYGROUND SURFACING PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION TO SOF SURFACES, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $89,991.07; AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO INCREASE THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY UP TO $4,499 (5 PERCENT, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $94,490.07) TO ALLOW FOR ANY UNFORESEEN CONTINGENCIES; AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS; G. APPROVE THE DESIGN AND AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE June 21, 2023
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2023 ARCATA ANNUAL PAVING PROJECT TO GR SUNDBERG, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,383,470 (INCLUDING BASE BID AND ADDITIVE ALTERNATIVES 1 TO 3); AUTHORIZE THE CITY ENGINEER TO APPROVE CHANGE ORDERS AND INCREASE THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY UP TO $138,347 (10 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL BID, FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,521,817) TO ALLOW FOR ANY UNFORESEEN CONTINGENCIES AND ADDITIONAL WORK AS NECESSARY; AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS; AND H. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 223-63, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF ARCATA AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR A MANUFACTURED
HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND REVITALIZATION (MORE) PROGRAM GRANT UP TO $3 MILLION.
A. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of June 6, 2023.
B. Item VIII-B was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
C. Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
D. Accept In-Kind Donation of a New Scoreboard for the Arcata Ball Park from the Humboldt Crabs.
E. Award a Contract for the 2023 Corporation Yard Buildings Siding Replacement Project to Kyle Boughton DBA North Star Development in the Amount of $63,715.57; Authorize the City Manager to Increase the Contract Amount by up to 5 Percent ($3,185.78 for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $66,901.35) to Allow for Unforeseen Contingencies; 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.
H. Item VIII-H was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
B. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of June 7, 2023.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE MINUTES OF JUNE 7, 2023, CORRECTED AS FOLLOWS: ON THE FIRST PAGE, IN THE THIRD PARAGRAPH UNDER EARLY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, CHANGE "LINDA PEREZ" TO "BRENDA PEREZ." AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE.
NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
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F. Award a Contract for Carlson Park Playground Equipment Purchase and Installation to Miracle Recreation—PlayPower, Inc., in the Amount of $259,972.84, including Tax; Authorize the City Manager to Increase the Contract Amount by up to $12,998 (5 Percent, for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $272,970.84) to Allow for Any Unforeseen Contingencies; Award a Contract for Carlson Park Playground Surfacing Purchase and Installation to Sof Surfaces, Inc., in the Amount of $89,991.07; Authorize the City Manager to Increase the Contract Amount by up to $4,499 (5 Percent, for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $94,490.07) to Allow for Any Unforeseen Contingencies; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
On inquiry by Councilmember White, Director of Environmental Services Sinkhorn explained that the City took input from the Valley West community and then contacted vendors. She said there were no local playground equipment manufacturers.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry asked that the public be informed of the purchases farther in advance of the bid award. She also recommended purchasing locally-designed equipment over purchasing from out-oftown companies.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, SECONDED BY WHITE, AND WITH A
UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL AWARDED A CONTRACT FOR CARLSON
PARK PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION TO MIRACLE RECREATION—PLAYPOWER, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $259,972.84, INCLUDING TAX; AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO INCREASE THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY UP TO $12,998 (5 PERCENT, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $272,970.84) TO ALLOW FOR ANY UNFORESEEN CONTINGENCIES; AWARDED A
CONTRACT FOR CARLSON PARK PLAYGROUND SURFACING PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION TO SOF SURFACES, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $89,991.07;
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO INCREASE THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY UP TO $4,499 (5 PERCENT, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $94,490.07) TO ALLOW FOR ANY UNFORESEEN CONTINGENCIES; AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
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G. Approve the Design and Award a Construction Contract for the 2023 Arcata Annual Paving Project to GR Sundberg, Inc., in the Amount of $1,383,470.00 (Including Base Bid and Additive Alternatives 1 to 3); Authorize the City Engineer to Approve Change Orders and Increase the Contract Amount by up to $138,347.00 (10 Percent of the total bid, for a Total Not to Exceed $1,521,817.00) to Allow for Any Unforeseen Contingencies and Additional Work as Necessary; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
Councilmember Matthews said she noticed there was no bike lane on the east side of H Street between 17th and 18th Streets. She asked if the eight parking spaces in that block could be removed to accommodate a bike lane. She said this would be in keeping with the City's Complete Streets policy.
City Engineer Khatri said there was not room in the block on H Street between 17th and 18th Streets for a five-foot bike lane in addition to parking. He said it was not ideal to remove the eight parking stalls, but the only way to make room for a bike lane would be to remove the parking or the sidewalk. He said staff's solution was to have a sharrow in that block. He said one option was to enhance the signage for the sharrow so that people would know they were supposed to share the road.
On inquiry by Councilmember Atkins-Salazar, City Manager Diemer said a concern was raised by a member of the public regarding labor compliance and payment of prevailing wages on a job with this particular contractor. She said the Labor Commissioner did determine wages had been paid correctly. She said the other concerns raised were not in regard to requirements within this project, therefore, staff's recommendation was to move forward with this bid award.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Colin Fiske, Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities, encouraged the City to remove the parking lane and install a bike lane in fulfillment of the complete streets policy.
Matt Simmons, Redwood Coalition for Climate and Environmental Responsibility, emphasized that it was very dangerous for bicyclists in areas where bike lanes disappeared. He said he didn't want there to be a precedent that removing parking was too costly and therefore an exception could be made to the complete streets policy.
An unidentified member of the audience spoke in support of installing a bike lane on H Street between 17th and 18th Street. She said prioritizing bike lanes was an investment in the next generation.
Wendy Ring said people did not know what sharrows were. She said they did not provide safety to cyclists, especially when appearing and disappearing. She said the complete streets policy was about rebalancing the use of streets and she encouraged it be followed.
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City Manager Diemer said this would be a minor modification in the contract involving striping, so she advised the Council it could approve the contract and have a later agenda item to discuss removal or retention of the parking.
ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY WHITE, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS
VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE DESIGN AND AWARDED A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE 2023 ARCATA ANNUAL PAVING PROJECT TO GR SUNDBERG, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,383,470 (INCLUDING BASE BID AND ADDITIVE ALTERNATIVES 1 TO 3); AUTHORIZED THE CITY ENGINEER TO
APPROVE CHANGE ORDERS AND INCREASE THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY UP TO $138,347 (10 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL BID, FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,521,817) TO ALLOW FOR ANY UNFORESEEN CONTINGENCIES AND ADDITIONAL
WORK AS NECESSARY, AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL
APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS, AND DECIDED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AT A
FUTURE MEETING TO REEVALUATE THE EAST SIDE OF H STREET BETWEEN 17TH AND 18TH STREETS FOR PARKING VERSUS A BIKE LANE. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
H. Adopt Resolution No. 223-63, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Authorizing Application for a Manufactured Housing Opportunity and Revitalization (MORE) Program Grant up to $3 Million.
Councilmember White said this grant could help prevent more homelessness and she thanked staff for applying for it.
ON MOTION BY WHITE, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 223-63, A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA AUTHORIZING APPLICATION
FOR A MANUFACTURED HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND REVITALIZATION(MORE) PROGRAM GRANT UP TO $3 MILLION. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINSSALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS:
NONE.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Public Hearing on the Proposed Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24, Consider Adopting Resolution No. 223-55 Adopting the Proposed Appropriations Limit for FY 2023-24, Public Hearing on FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget, and Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 223-57 Adopting the City Budget for FY 2023-24.
Finance Director Miller asked the Council to approve the 2023/2024 Appropriation Limit (Gann Limit) and stated the prior year's appropriations limit was adjusted by 1.87 percent to $19.9 million.
She further asked the Council to adopt the City's 2023/2024 annual budget as presented that night.
She gave the Council an overview of the budget changes since its June 7 meeting and the fund estimated balances.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
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Joanne McGarry noted that there was no fossil fuel divestment protocol at CalPERS and said the City should be aware of that.
Patricia Cambianica expressed concern that the organizational chart in the budget did not include an entry for city committees.
Gregory Daggett asked why no one had answered the questions as to why the upgrades for the wastewater treatment plant had increased from $52.5 million to $62 million.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
Finance Director Miller explained that the contract for the wastewater treatment plant upgrade with Wahlund Construction was for approximately $54 million, but there were several additional contracts for the upgrade including design, construction engineering, and environmental oversight.
She said the City had an agreement with the State of California for reimbursement of up to $64 million, and the current cost for the upgrades was approximately $65 million.
ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 223-55, A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT UNDER ARTICLE XIII B OF THE
CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION AND ESTABLISHING THE PERIOD FOR CONTESTING SUCH LIMIT; ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 223-57, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, STILLMAN, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
James Becker said community member and committee input into the Gateway Area Plan draft and form-based code was being ignored. He asked the Council to declare the L Street corridor a linear park.
Joanne McGarry expressed her wish for a Peace and Justice Center. She asked when the City would stop using gas-powered landscaping tools. She recommended a task force be formed to deal with the houseless community crisis before winter.
Fred Weis asked, in regard to the form-based code, for 3-D modeling and inclusionary zoning. He expressed his disappointment with the lack of home ownership opportunities in the Gateway Area.
Gregory Daggett spoke about Arcata's noise element being violated and not enforced and said he planned to inform the State of California.
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Lisa Pelletier thanked the Council for assisting with cleanup at the Sanctuary Garden and allocatiug $5,000 toward a security system.
Sherri said that despite numerous recommendations by the Transportation Safety Committee, staff had continued to push for the K and L Street couplet. She questioned if this was acceptable.
Mayor Schaefer closed Oral and Written Communications.
COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
On inquiry from Councilmember White, City Manager Diemer said that Cal Poly Humboldt was still defining its numbers and would be leasing the Comfort Inn in the upcoming year for student housing and possibly a second motel.
Councilmember Stillman said she did see the possibility for condominiums in Arcata's future and she spoke about the Owner-Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP) for insurance for condominium projects. She announced that the Planning Commission had changed the start time of its meetings to 5:30 p.m. She said that 140 new living units for the homeless had been created in the last two years.
She commended Arcata House Partnership for making great strides in dealing with homelessness.
She suggested the Transportation Safety Committee and Public Safety Committee be combined and asked that this be an agenda item. She declared that inclusionary zoning would happen in the future.
Councilmember White reported on her attendance at a climate conference, the ribbon cutting for the West Village Studios, and a meeting of the Housing and Homelessness Working Group. She said she volunteered at Centro del Pueblo's community garden, She reported on the following events that had taken place or were upcoming: Playhouse Arts participatory budget project, Communidad Unida del Norte de Arcata (CUNA) participatory budget project, and a community barbecue for the homekey projects and the Cal Poly Humboldt students housed in motels.
Councilmember Stillman suggested the Council take the lead in addressing condominium insurance with its legislators.
Mayor Schaefer said that Redwood Coast Energy Authority would have an update on the Climate Action Plan and the Rural Resilient Energy Network at its next meeting. She reported on her and Vice Mayor Matthews' attendance at a Cal Poly Humboldt Liaison meeting, and her attendance at an Equity Arcata Advisory Team meeting.
Councilmember Matthews complimented Arcata Main Street on a great Oyster Festival. She announced a Pride March in Ferndale on June 24, 2023.
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar announced that the Arcata Chamber of Commerce still needed volunteers for the Fourth of July Jubilee. She reported on her attendance at a ground-breaking ceremony for the Indianola underpass.
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ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember White read a tribute to Jessica McGuinty, followed by a moment of silence, and the Council adjourned in her memory at 8:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bridget Dory
City Clerk