CITY OF ARCATA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER MARCH 06, 2024
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 Matthews presiding. Notice of this meeting was posted on March 1, 2024. PRESENT:
Matthews, Stillman, Atkins-Salazar, Schaefer White. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Diemer, City Engineer Khatri, Director of Community Development Loya, Finance Director Miller, Director of Environmental Services Sinkhorn, IT and Digital Media Specialist Carrillo, City Clerk Dory.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Mayor Matthews read a statement acknowledging that Arcata sat on ancestral Wiyot land.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Matthews led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
A. Proclamation Recognizing March 8, 2024, as International Women's Day.
Councilmember White read the proclamation and presented it to Carolyn Goldammer and Linda, from the International Women's League for Peace and Freedom, who thanked the Council for acknowledging International Women's Day and announced an event on Sunday, March 10, at 6:30 p.m, at Arcata Playhouse.
B. Proclamation in Recognition of Sunshine Week, March 10–16, 2024.
Councilmember Schaefer read the proclamation and presented it to Jessica Schlachter, Co-President of the League of Women Voters of Humboldt County, who explained the League's history and purpose.
C. Proclamation in Recognition of March for Meals Month, March 2024.
Mayor Matthews read the proclamation and said it would be mailed to the recipients.
AGENDA MODIFICATION
ATKINS-SALAZAR MOVED TO TAKE UP NEW BUSINESS ITEM A DIRECTLY AFTER EARLY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS.
STILLMAN AMENDED THE MOTION TO LIMIT PUBLIC COMMENT TO ONE HOUR.
THE AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND.
STILLMAN SECONDED THE MAIN MOTION.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
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EARLY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry spoke about facade organizations wherein the facade was taken care of, but what really needed to be taken care of was what was behind the facade.
Daniel Malloy, a resident of Escarda Court, requested a flashing crosswalk sign at the crosswalk located near the intersection of St. Louis Road and Janes Creek Drive.
Craig Johnson, a resident of Bayside Road, requested the Council agendize a discussion of the availability of fire insurance as some of his neighbors' policies were being canceled and new homeowners were not able to obtain insurance.
Mayor Matthews closed the Early Oral Communications.
NEW BUSINESS (MODIFICATION)
A. Consider Resolution No. 234-36, A Resolution of the City Council of the City Of Arcata Calling for Peace in the Middle East.
Mayor Matthews announced that public comment would be limited to one hour with each speaker being allotted three minutes and that there would be no ceding of time from one speaker to another.
City Manager Diemer said there had been continued work within the community looking at many different sides of the complex war in the Middle East and trying to come up with language for a resolution that would not further divide the community. She said the draft resolution in the packet was based on past meetings, community collaboration, and past public comment.
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Rabbi Bob Rottenberg voiced his support for the resolution and offered three amendments: 1) Change the wording in the title to, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Calling for Cease-Fire in the Israel-Palestine Conflict; 2) In the third bullet point paragraph, add the words "to Gaza" at the end; 3) Add the following paragraph to the end of the resolution: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution is sent to the offices of President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris, Governor Gavin Newsom, Senator Laphonza Butler, Senator Alex Padilla, Representative Jared Huffman, State Senator Mike McGuire, Assemblymember Jim Wood, urging them to take immediate action to use their position and influence to end the violence and take significant steps toward peace in the region."
The following people voiced their support for the resolution, most agreeing with the changes suggested by Rabbi Bob Rottenberg: Dan Shahin, Dave Meserve, Jeffrey Robinson, Chip Sharpe, Paul Pitino, an unidentified Jewish person, Carey, Fahreed Ahmed, Joanne McGarry, Mike Wilson, an unidentified member of the audience, Sherri, Natasha, Alice Finen, Sondra, Lisa Pelletier, Tamar Krigel, Daryah, Amon Armstrong, Lilach Assayag, and Gary Bloomfield.
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Andrea Armand from the Humboldt Friends Meeting (the Quakers), read a published letter to the editor expressing their call for an immediate cease-fire and immediate unrestricted movement of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Jeffrey Harris, from Myrtletown, spoke in opposition to the cease-fire resolution and outlined an alternative plan.
Sam Neuwirth spoke in support of the resolution as amended by Rabbi Rottenberg, and asked for the addition of the words "and permanent" before "cease-fire" in the first bulleted paragraph and in the fourth bulleted paragraph, and the addition of "and the authority of the International Court of Justice at the Hague."
Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 234-36 WITH THE
FOLLOWING CHANGES SUGGESTED BY RABBI BOB ROTTENBERG AND SAM NEUWIRTH: 1) CHANGE THE TITLE TO READ, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA CALLING FOR A CEASE-FIRE IN THE ISRAELPALESTINE CONFLICT; 2) IN THE FIRST BULLETED PARAGRAPH, INSERT THE WORD "PERMANENT" BETWEEN "MUTUAL" AND "CEASE-FIRE;" 3) ADD THE WORDS "TO GAZA" AT THE END OF THE THIRD BULLETED PARAGRAPH; AND 4) ADD TO THE END OF THE RESOLUTION, "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT A
COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION IS SENT TO THE OFFICES OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN
AND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS, GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM, SENATOR
LAPHONZA BUTLER, SENATOR ALEX PADILLA, REPRESENTATIVE JARED
HUFFMAN, STATE SENATOR MIKE MCGUIRE, AND ASSEMBLYMEMBER JIM
WOOD, URGING THEM TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO USE THEIR POSITION
AND INFLUENCE TO END THE VIOLENCE AND TAKE SIGNIFICANT STEPS TOWARD PEACE IN THE REGION." AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINSSALAZAR, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS:
NONE.
RECESS: The Council recessed from 7:23 to 7:30 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
STILLMAN MOVED AND WHITE SECONDED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR MARCH 6, 2024, AS PRESENTED.
Mayor Matthews invited public comment. None was received. Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
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A. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of February 21, 2024.
B. Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
C. Approve an Agreement with Oscar Larson & Associates Consulting Engineers for Engineering Design Services for the Coating of Water Tank No. 4 in the Amount of $59,600.00; Authorize the City Engineer to Increase the Contract Amount for up to $8,940 (15 Percent), for a Total Not to Exceed $68,540, to Allow for Any Unforeseen Contingencies; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
D. Adopt Resolution No. 234-35 Incorporating a List of Projects for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 to be Funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act.
E. Request the Annual Engineer's Report and Preparation of Notices to Declare the City's Intention to Continue to Levy and Collect Assessments of Existing Assessment Districts to Include Mad River Parkway Business Center Landscape Maintenance Assessment District, Windsong Subdivision Landscape Maintenance Assessment District and Janes Creek Meadow Landscape Maintenance Assessment District.
F. Adopt Resolution No. 234-37 Authorizing the Destruction of Certain City Records Maintained by the City Relating to the Finance Department as Permitted under Section 34090 of the California Government Code and the Secretary of State's Local Government Records Program.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Item XI-A was moved to New Business (modification) before Consent Calendar.
B. Consider Adopting Resolution No. 234-34, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Accepting the Mid-Year Budget Review and Approving Budget Revisions for the Fiscal Year 2023-24.
Finance Director Miller gave the Council an update and review of its current budget, including a couple of new projects and a brief look at next year's budget. She said the budget adjustments equaled a large dollar amount and that all related to a couple of projects that were not completed in the prior fiscal year. She noted that the mid-year adjustments also reflected new projects, and that revenue adjustments added up to almost an additional $1.2 million.
Finance Director Miller explained that staff was asking for $246,000 to cover anticipated retirement leave cash-outs and one new part-time position (.75 FTE) for a Water/Wastewater Mechanic II. She said the budget adjustments included a one-time $25,000 to cover the insurance deductible for stormwater damage to apartments on L. K. Wood Boulevard, a $128,000 increase in utility costs, $140,000 increase in fuel and bus maintenance costs due to the new Cal Poly Humboldt route, $12,000 for solar panels and benches at bus stops, $60,000 as a one-time cost for event support, $40,000 for City Hall plumbing and break room project, $12,000 to fix a damaged streetlight, a $20,000 increase for abandoned vehicle costs, $20,000 in one-time funding for additional training of new police officers, and $50,000 for engineering services for Water Tank No. 4 rehabilitation. She reported that overall, the budget was in a healthy position and was in a good, solid place as far as fund balances and reserves.
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SCHAEFER MOVED AND WHITE SECONDED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 234-34, A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA TO AMEND RESOLUTION NO. 223-57 ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24.
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Gregory Dagget asked about budget transparency through new software and asked how the money for the wastewater treatment plant upgrades was being spent. He asked how water and wastewater funds being spent on pensions was being explained to the rate payers. Finally, he asked if there was revenue coming in from traffic enforcement.
Joanne McGarry suggested community fund money be spent on a community peace and justice center for the people to gather.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Gregory Daggett said he did not see evidence of traffic enforcement in Arcata. He asked to see action.
Joanne McGarry said the action the Council took that evening in adopting a cease-fire resolution saved lives.
Mayor Matthews closed Oral and Written Communications.
COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
A. Receive a Report from Finance Director Tabatha Miller on Vacant Property Tax Measures and Vacant Property Regulations.
Finance Director Miller gave an overview of vacant property tax measures through the United States. She said a vacant property tax was a penalty for allowing property to sit empty. She shared a list of taxes approved by other cities such as San Francisco; Oakland; Washington, D.C.; and Vancouver, British Columbia. She spoke about identifying vacant properties, exemptions or exclusions, and gave an overview of regulations. She then answered questions from the Council.
B. Other Council and Staff Reports.
City Manager Diemer reported on ridership from the transit passes given to residents of Sorrel Place and the Yurok housing project: 88 individual riders and almost 60,000 trips.
Director of Community Development Loya said staff had worked to extend this program for another three years.
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Councilmember Schaefer announced a Heat Pump Workshop hosted by Redwood Coast Energy Authority on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at the D Street Neighborhood Center. She reported on the successful Home-Away-from-Home potluck that was held on Sunday, March 3, and said Equity Arcata hosted a successful International Film Festival. She said that week was the Social Justice Summit at Cal Poly Humboldt. She announced Kintay Johnson and she were the new co-chairs of the Equity Arcata Board of Directors. She announced a Chamber of Commerce Mixer at North Coast Growers Harvest Hub on Ericson Court on Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Mayor Matthews announced she and Councilmember Atkins-Salazar would be attending a CalCities Conference on Friday, March 8, 2024.
Councilmember Stillman said that the Green and Gold bus ridership was up. She spoke about the large number of cars driving with one burned-out headlight. She praised the Northcoast Growers Association's new food hub on Ericson Court.
Councilmember White reported on her attendance at an Advanced CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) training, a meeting of the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission (RREDC), a meeting of the RREDC Loan Committee, a Valley West clean up, and the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Awards Dinner. She announced that in honor of International Women's day, Zero to Fierce would be showing at Playhouse Arts March 9-10, 2024. She encouraged people to use the transit system because it would take higher ridership to result in a more robust system.
DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
A. Set a Date for a Study Session with City Committee and Commission Chairpersons.
City Manager Diemer stated that a date could not be determined at which all five Councilmembers could attend, so additional Doodle Polling would take place to try to find an agreeable date.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bridget Dory
City Clerk