CITY OF ARCATA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER NOVEMBER 15, 2023
1 SPECIAL MEETING
A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Arcata was held on the above date at 5:46 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 November 9, 2023. PRESENT: Schaefer, Matthews, Atkins-Salazar. ABSENT: Stillman, White. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Diemer, City Engineer Khatri.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment. No one came forward to speak. Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
COMMITTEE INTERVIEW
A. Interview One Candidate for a Vacancy on the Transportation Safety Committee for a Term Expiring March 31, 2026.
The Council interviewed Nia Lorraine Tikoo for a seat on the Transportation Safety Committee for a term expiring March 31, 2026.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:51 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 November 9, 2023. PRESENT: Schaefer, Matthews, Atkins-Salazar, White (via teleconference). ABSENT:
Stillman. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Diemer, City Attorney White, City Attorney Goldstein, City Engineer Khatri, Director of Environmental Services Sinkhorn, Finance Director Miller, Director of Community Development Loya, IT and Digital Media Specialist Carrillo, City Clerk Dory.
Councilmember White appeared via teleconference. She confirmed she was ill and declared she did not have any other person in the room with her.
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.
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CEREMONIAL MATTERS
A. Proclamation in Recognition of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, November 11–18, 2023.
Mayor Schaefer read the proclamation and presented it to Winchell Dillenbeck from Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives (AHHA), Healthcare for All, and Alliance for Retired Americans, who urged the Council to continue its support of the Safe Parking Program and asked it to support tiny villages and legal camping sites.
B. Proclamation Designating November 25–December 31, 2023, asThe Season of Wonder and Light in Arcata.
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar read the proclamation and presented it to Bob Judevine, Vice Chair, Arcata Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, who thanked the Council for its attention to small businesses in Arcata.
C. Proclamation in Recognition of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, November 2023.
Mayor Schaefer read the proclamation and said it would be mailed to Hospice of Humboldt.
REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
A. Annual Report from the Transactions and Use Tax Oversight Committee.
Jeffrey Knapp, Chair of the Transactions and Use Tax Oversight Committee, gave an oral version of the Committee's Annual Report.
EARLY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Jerryl Lynn Rubin asked the Council to make a statement against antisemitism in the community.
Susan Parsons thanked the Council for everything it was doing on behalf of unhoused people and thanked Councilmember Stillman for getting more laundry cards for the library.
Tara Drobnick, a resident who was deaf, said she had not been able to attend meetings using closed captioning because the closed captioning and live stream closed captioning did not work.
She requested the City look into strengthening its communication technologies to make sure they were working for Council meetings.
Joanne McGarry recommended a task force on homelessness be formed to explore how to best create a better existence for the vulnerable and unhoused.
Sean said that Jewish people were not feeling safe and the issue was pro-Palestinian human rights advocates versus Zionists. He said this needed to be taken seriously.
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Robin said that when Jews in Arcata said they were fearing for their safety, he was concerned.
He said the present ongoing violence against Palestinians in Gaza should be more of a wake on our moral considerations than the subjective fear of anyone.
Leonard, spoke on behalf of his Jewish friend, Crane, who said he was willing to voice his solidarity with the organizers asking for the passage of a resolution in support of Palestine.
Mayor Schaefer closed Early Oral Communications.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Matthews requested item D 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 ATKINS-SALAZAR, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS AND WITH A
FOUR-TO-ZERO ROLL CALL VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER 15, 2023, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM D. APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN PLAYHOUSE ARTS AND CITY OF ARCATA TO CONTINUE A PARTNERSHIP CONDUCTING VALLEY WEST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT;
AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, WHITE.
NOES: NONE. ABSENT: STILLMAN. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
A. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of October 24, 2023.
B. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of November 1, 2023.
C. Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
D. Item VIII-D was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
E. Adopt Resolution No. 234-19 Accepting a Conservation Easement on a Portion of Assessor’s Parcel No. 500-011-007, Adjacent to the Arcata Community Forest.
F. Adopt Resolution No. 234-20, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Authorizing Submittal of Individual Grant Applications for All CalRecycle Grant Programs for Which the City of Arcata is Eligible.; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
G. Approve the Purchase of a Prius Prime ($37,538.76, Including Tax) and Award Purchase Contract to Mid-City Motor World; Approve the Purchase of one Ford F350 ($80,050.32, Including Tax and Freight) and Award Purchase Contract to Harper Motors; Approve the Purchase of one Hyster Forklift ($41,205.60, Including Tax and Freight) and Award Purchase Contract to Pape Material Handling; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
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ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
D. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Playhouse Arts and City of Arcata to Continue a Partnership Conducting Valley West Community Engagement; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
Councilmember White recused herself from the discussion and vote on this item because she worked for Communidad Unida del Norte de Arcata (CUNA).
City Manager Diemer recused Councilmember White on Zoom.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry asked if this was an MOU with CUNA through its fiscal sponsor, or if this was an MOU with Playouse Arts?
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
City Manager Diemer confirmed that the entire scope of the MOU was for CUNA.
ON MOTION BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A
THREE-TO-ZERO ROLL CALL VOTE WITH TWO ABSENCES, THE COUNCIL
APPROVED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN PLAYHOUSE
ARTS AND CITY OF ARCATA TO CONTINUE A PARTNERSHIP CONDUCTING VALLEY WEST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT; AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: STILLMAN, WHITE (RECUSED). ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Appoint One New Member to the Transportation Safety Committee for a Term Expiring March 31, 2026.
ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, AND WITH A
FOUR-TO-ZERO ROLL CALL VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL
APPOINTED NIA LORRAINE TIKOO TO THE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY COMMITTEE FOR A TERM EXPIRING MARCH 31, 2026. AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: STILLMAN.
ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
B. Consider Resolution No. 234-21 Calling for an Immediate Cease-Fire in Gaza City Manager Diemer said a resolution was developed by local residents seeking to find collective language to express the community's revulsion over the killing of innocent civilians resulting from the Israel-Hamas war. The group sought to bring forth statements that could be commonly supported and that language was submitted to the Council. After the agenda was November 15, 2023
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released, further discussions continued in the community and the City Council received emails and phone calls suggesting revised language as well as new resolutions. She said the passage of a resolution would require three affirmative votes.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
The following people spoke in support of the Council adopting a resolution calling for a ceasefire: Karely Rojas, Jumilla Hashem, Chelsea, Nikita, Jade, Athena, Leonard, Crane, Jasmine, an unidentified member of the audience, Abby, an unidentified member of the audience, Olivia Fox, Karpani Burns, Sam Neuwirth, Oranadi, Julie Dunn, Johnny Glanert, Mr. Gerard, Nadia, two unidentified members of the audience, Jose, Ellen, George, Montana, Akiba Monta, Sarai Bordeaux, Dave Meserve, Nymiah Eliyahu, Leila Roberts, Gihane, Jakob Joachin, Ricardo Bacart, and Amy. Written comment was received from Dave Meserve.
The following people spoke against the Council adopting the proposed resolution: Two unidentified members of the audience, Rabbi Bob Rottenberg, Elizabeth, Gary Bloomfield, Reverend Suzanne Carter, Tamar, Daria, Ian Armstrong, Leila, Sherri Starr, James Flower, Susan Parsons, Oren Nahsohn, and Emily. Written comment was received from Deborah Kallick (two emails), Katie Reid (two emails), Abigail Winstone, Amon Armstrong, Carl Maloney, Ishai Erez, Jerryl Lynn Rubin, Rabbi Naomi Steinberg (two emails), Joseph Burkes, M.D., Lilach Asayag, Oren Nahsohn, and Tamar Krigel.
The following people spoke in support of peace: Rabbi Eli Cowen, Joanne McGarry, Brianne Hutchinson, and Roy Gomez.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
RECESS: The Council recessed from 9:02 to 9:10 p.m.
SCHAEFER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 234-21 CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASE FIRE IN GAZA. THE MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND.
C. Consider Direction to Staff on the General Plan 2045 Comprehensive Update.
City Manager Diemer explained that this agenda item was the result of conversations at the last City Council/Planning Commission study session on the General Plan update. She said it was brought up that several of the policies housed in the Gateway Area Plan chapter would be appropriate throughout the community. So, this was a check-in point from staff to find out of the Council wanted to work toward this.
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
The following people spoke against abandoning the Gateway Area Plan and extending its policies throughout the City: Joanne McGarry, Ursula Newman, Laurie Waldorf, Glen Colwell, November 15, 2023
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Katie Pretzinger Loncar, Lisa Brown, Lisa Pelletier, Kathleen Stanton, Jim, and Jim Becker.
Written correspondence was received from Ann Wallace
The following people spoke in favor of extending some or all of the Gateway Area Plan policies throughout the City: Fred Weis, Colin Fiske from Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities, and Genevieve Serna.
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Kari spoke about traffic and parking issues in Bayside and said Bayside could not accommodate a recently proposed 80-unit development.
An unidentified member of the audience expressed their concern with the 80-unit development in Bayside in regard to parking and solar shading.
Mayor Schaefer closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, AND WITH A
FOUR-TO-ZERO ROLL CALL VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL
DECIDED TO KEEP THE GATEWAY AREA PLAN SEPARATELY WHILE
DIRECTING THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO LOOK THROUGH ITS POLICIES AND SEE WHICH ONES COULD BE APPLICABLE TO THE GENERAL PLAN.
AYES: SCHAEFER, MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, WHITE. NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: STILLMAN. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Schaefer invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry said it was important for our leaders and staff to consider providing a venue for people, such as a Peace and Justice Center, to talk about issues that come up.
Fred Weis said there were a lot of things about the Gateway Area Plan that he thought were infeasible and went on to say the density could not be what had been stated.
Mayor Schaefer closed Oral and Written Communications.
COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar thanked the Chamber of Commerce for the beautiful lights on the Plaza. She explained the purpose of the Road Use Charge Technical Advisory Committee.
Councilmember Schaefer announced there were e-bike rebates available through the State of California and the Redwood Coast Energy Authority.
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Councilmember White reported that Communidad Unida del Norte de Arcata (CUNA) had a successful sidewalk cleaning event. She announced donations for the houseless and their pets could be left at Six Rivers Brewery.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bridget Dory
City Clerk
**ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, AMENDED BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY ATKINSSALAZAR, AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE
COUNCIL AMENDED THE MINUTES TO ADD ANY PUBLIC SPEAKERS WHO MAY HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT, INCLUDING GREG KING.
NEW BUSINESS—C. Consider Direction to Staff on the General Plan 2045 Comprehensive Update. Greg King said physical barriers needed to be installed on the roads separating cars and pedestrians to force drivers in Arcata to slow down.