CITY OF ARCATA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER MAY 01, 2024
1 SPECIAL MEETING
A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Arcata was held on the above date at 5:29 p.m. with Mayor Matthews presiding. Notice of this meeting was posted on April 26, 2024.
PRESENT: Matthews, Stillman, Atkins-Salazar, Schaefer, White. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Diemer, Human Resources/Administrative Services Director Vink, Finance Director Miller.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry shared that when she saw that labor negotiations were occurring, she recalled a previous report regarding CalPERS and stated there was a need to be prudent in investment selection when taking into consideration what employees may want.
Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
The Council retired to closed session.
CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 (Three Items). Employee Organizations: International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 3; Arcata Police Association; and Management/MidManagement/Confidential Employees. Agency Negotiator: Keira Vink.
The Council met in closed session in the City Manager's Conference Room.
The Council returned to the Council Chamber at 5:52 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 (Three Items). Employee Organizations: International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 3; Arcata Police Association; and Management/MidManagement/Confidential Employees. Agency Negotiator: Keira Vink.
Mayor Matthews stated there was nothing to report out from the closed session.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:01 p.m.
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REGULAR MEETING
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Arcata was held on the above date at 6:01 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 April 26, 2024.
PRESENT: Matthews, Stillman, Atkins-Salazar, Schaefer, White. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Diemer, Human Resources/Administrative Services Director Vink, Director of Community Development Loya, Director of Environmental Services Sinkhorn, Finance Director Miller, Deputy Director of Community Development Dart, IT and Digital Media Specialist Carrillo, City Clerk Dory, Executive Assistant/Deputy City Clerk Varley.
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. Swear-in the New City Clerk
City Clerk Dory issued the Oath of Office to incoming City Clerk Varley. City Clerk Varley took a seat and Mayor Matthews issued an outgoing Oath to City Clerk Dory in recognition of her many years of service and retirement on May 3, 2024.
B. Proclamation in Recognition of the 32nd Annual National Association of Letter Carriers' Food Drive Day, Saturday, May 11, 2024.
Councilmember White read the proclamation and presented it to David Reed, Development Director for Food for People, and Karl Cartolano, a letter carrier. David thanked the letter carriers for the many hours they would contribute to this event and gave instructions for how to donate to or volunteer for the food drive on May 11, 2024.
C. Proclamation Celebrating Water Week, May 5–11, 2024.
Vice-Mayor Stillman read the proclamation.
D. Proclamation in Recognition of National Nurses Week, May 6–12, 2024.
Councilmember Schaefer read the proclamation and presented it to Sara Bestul and an unidentified individual who accepted the proclamation on behalf of Mad River Community Hospital.
E. Proclamation in Recognition of National Hospital Week, May 12–18, 2024.
Councilmember Schaefer read the proclamation and presented it to Sara Bestul and an unidentified individual who accepted the proclamation on behalf of Mad River Community Hospital.
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EARLY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry expressed her appreciation for Ceremonial matters, spoke about the cease-fire resolution that had been adopted by the City Council, and said that she hoped it would make a difference in the local community and elsewhere in the world.
Fred Weis spoke about housing as a goal, shared that he had attended the most recent Planning Commission meeting and reported instances of what he thought were deceptions made by staff.
He said that if the Gateway Code did not support the Gateway Area Plan, it should not be adopted until it did.
An unidentified member of the audience spoke about the protest at the Cal Poly Humboldt campus and the police response. He said that what occurred was young people engaging in their civic responsibilities and spoke in favor of student safety.
Victoria spoke out against Tom Jackson Jr. being the president of Cal Poly Humboldt.
Gregory Daggett spoke out against Cal Poly Humboldt's response to the protest on campus.
Daniel shared information about a brochure that he had written and spoke about politics and religion.
Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember White removed items E and G from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
Mayor Matthews invited Public Comment.
There was no public comment.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A
UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR MAY 1, 2024, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS E. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 234-46 AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A STANDARD AGREEMENT WITH
THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT FOR $3,000,000 IN MORE GRANT FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT A MOBILEHOME REHABILITATION PROGRAM AND G. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 234-45 AUTHORIZING A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM FOR UP TO $1,500,000 FOR THE TENANT-BASED
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE HOME STANDARD AGREEMENT. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINSSALAZAR, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS:
NONE.
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A. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of April 3, 2024.
B. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of April 16, 2024.
C. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of April 17, 2024.
D. Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
E. Item VIII-E was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
F. Adopt Resolution No. 234-44 Authorizing Application for, and Receipt of, the Office of Planning and Resources' Adaptation Planning Grant for Climate Adaptation Planning.
G. Item VIII-G was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
E. Adopt Resolution No. 234-46 Authorizing the Execution of a Standard Agreement with the California Department of Housing and Community Development for $3,000,000 in MORE Grant Funds to Implement a Mobilehome Rehabilitation Program.
Councilmember White shared that her constituents wanted to express their gratitude for the City moving forward on items E and G on the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
There was no public comment.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY WHITE, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 234-46 AUTHORIZING
THE EXECUTION OF A STANDARD AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR $3,000,000
IN MORE GRANT FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT A MOBILEHOME REHABILITATION PROGRAM. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
G. Adopt Resolution No. 234-45 Authorizing a Grant Application to the HOME Investment Partnerships Program for up to $1,500,000 for the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program and Authorize the Mayor to Sign the HOME Standard Agreement.
Councilmember White shared that her constituents wanted to express their gratitude for the City moving forward on items E and G on the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
There was no public comment.
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ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 234-45 AUTHORIZING
A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM FOR UP TO $1,500,000 FOR THE TENANT-BASED RENTAL
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE HOME STANDARD AGREEMENT. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Adopt Resolution No. 234-43, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Waiving the 180-Day Waiting Period for a CalPERS Annuitant [Danette Demello] to Begin Post-Retirement Employment [Government Code Sections 7522.56 & 21224].
Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services Vink shared that Danette Demello had been the Assistant City Manager for the City of Arcata from 2006 to 2024 and that the City Manager's Office was seeking the Council's approval to allow her to enter into post-retirement employment with the City prior to the CalPERS 180-day waiting period. She said this was necessary because there were pending projects with critical deadlines that would need to be finished while existing staff, due to their workload, would not have the time to complete these projects. She shared that one project was a revamp of the Personnel Rules and Standards which would need to be completed prior to July 1, 2024.
On inquiry by Mayor Matthews, Director Vink said that Annuitant Demello would be working the City until the listed projects and one additional project were completed.
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
There was no public comment.
ON MOTION BY WHITE, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 234-43, A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA WAIVING THE 180-DAY WAITING PERIOD FOR A CALPERS ANNUITANT [DANETTE DEMELLO] TO BEGIN POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT [GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTIONS 7522.56 & 21224]. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
B. Approve a Summer City Council Meeting Schedule for 2024.
City Manager Diemer shared that the June 19, 2024, City Council meeting would fall on a national holiday, Juneteenth, and that by way of the Municipal Code there could not be a meeting on that date. She said that based on previous discussions in Council meetings, a meeting for June 12, 2024, had been set so that there would still be two meetings for the month of June. She explained that it was also an opportunity for council members to talk if there were any other conflicts to take into consideration when setting the summer schedule.
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Mayor Matthews shared that she would be missing the August 21, 2024, meeting due to travel to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois as a delegate.
On inquiry by Mayor Matthews, City Manager Diemer confirmed that a majority of the Council said they could meet at 4:00 p.m. for the special meeting on May 9, 2024.
Councilmembers Matthews and Schaefer spoke in favor of canceling the July 3, 2024, Council meeting.
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
There was no public comment.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, AND WITH A
UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL CREATED A SUMMER SCHEDULE THAT WOULD HAVE THE COUNCIL NOT MEET ON JUNETEENTH AND JULY 3, 2024, IN OBSERVANCE OF THE FOURTH OF JULY, AND TO MOVE THE JUNETEENTH MEETING TO JUNE 12, 2024, INSTEAD AND CANCEL THE JULY 3, 2024, MEETING. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
C. Discuss Options for Securing Alcoves in Commercial Districts.
City Manager Diemer reported that at their recent meetings, the Planning Commission received an application and general interest regarding commercial scissor gates in alcoves around town.
She shared that the Planning Commission had discussed hours of operation regarding when the gates would be open versus closed, emergency services access, general design and aesthetics of alcove enclosures, multi-tenant sites, consideration for inside and outside of historic districts in town, and alternatives to gates. She explained that the Planning Commission was looking for general direction from the Council before creating design standards and code around this topic.
Councilmember White shared that there was a bigger systemic issue causing the need for the scissor gates. She spoke in favor of addressing the issue of safety and said that some gate designs could be conducive to not looking like a prison which was a concern of hers. She proposed having a shared key for the gates to assist with maintaining a schedule for when the gates were to remain open.
Councilmember Stillman advised that other types of remedies such as fenced-in properties, gates installed behind windows, and lights could also be taken into consideration. She spoke about the costs of gates and repairs incurred by property owners.
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar said that there were systemic issues that the Council continued to address and that the issue was also bigger than Arcata. She explained that the use of scissor gates would be a good compromise. She shared that the roll down gates could attract graffiti and spoke in favor of style considerations.
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Councilmember Schaefer agreed that there was a systemic issue and said that she would prefer the use of scissor gates to generally hostile architecture. She spoke in favor of taking alcove size into consideration when approving gate installment.
Councilmember Matthews spoke in favor of having additional lighting and more of a presence on the Plaza. She recommended a design review to make sure the gates were aesthetic.
Councilmembers Matthews, Atkins-Salazar, Schaefer, and White all recommended a schedule of set hours for when gates were to remain open.
On inquiry by Councilmember White, City Manager Diemer explained that typically in land use law, if something was approved in the moment, it would run with the land. She said that she did not think that the City would be able to require the removal of scissor gates in the future.
Councilmember White said that the gates may not be affordable for all businesses that needed them. She spoke in favor of supporting safe camping.
Councilmember Stillman mentioned that it was important to consider whether or not the gates installed were reversible or permanent fixtures. She spoke in favor of setting a goal to have more housing downtown as part of the solution.
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Noah Lifland spoke about the effect on other businesses when those who inhabited an alcove would move on to another one after a gate had been installed.
Andrew asked if overnight camping on the Plaza was enforceable and if it was being actively enforced. He said he was not sure if installing gates would help solve the issue of people being unhoused in Arcata.
Fred Weis said it could be difficult to require businesses to have gates open during certain hours and spoke in favor of a master key that would allow others to open the gate if needed. He recommended alternatives to hostile architecture such as sloped benches and planter boxes.
Joanne McGarry recommended having a task force to look at this sort of issue. She spoke in favor of mural installation, alternatives to scissor gates, and addressing systemic issues.
Gregory Daggett said that scissor gates would not address the issue of businesses having windows broken due to vandalism. He said that more cameras would be needed in Arcata.
Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
Councilmember Stillman commented on how the Caravan of Dreams needed gates due to the types of items that were left in their alcoves that could only be removed by City staff.
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Councilmember Atkins-Salazar emphasized that the Council would continue to work on addressing the systemic problems and use the scissor gates in the meantime to help address the issue.
Councilmember White said she liked the idea of murals on roll down gates.
On inquiry by Mayor Matthews, City Manager Diemer said there was no outright prohibition of scissor gates in the City, but that there were certain areas that did require design review. She said that they were discussing a City-wide policy.
Councilmember Matthews said she was in favor of design review for Plaza businesses.
Councilmember Stillman recommended taking design standards into consideration for new buildings.
On inquiry by Councilmember White, City Manager Diemer shared that the permit would run with the property, not with a particular tenant or business, in regard to maintaining standard hours of operation for the gates.
City Manager Diemer said to the point of opening up the flood gates, police staffing levels and presence had increased, and the camping was substantially reduced compared to months prior.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry spoke about her experience at the protest that took place at the Cal Poly Humboldt campus, she shared her concerns about police action, and requested a report from the police department regarding their plans for response in the future.
Jeff Harris, from Myrtletown, spoke about the Antisemitism Awareness Act that was passed by the House of Representatives on May 1, 2024. He shared his experience of speaking with officers who responded to the protest at the Cal Poly Humboldt campus.
Gregory Daggett noted that there was a need for enforcement in regard to disruptive noise from car mufflers and asked if there was a plan for enforcement.
Fred Weis spoke about the May 29, 2024, special City Council meeting that was to take place and said he had questions about the potential adoption process of the Environmental Impact Report, General Plan, Gateway Area Plan and the Gateway Code. He spoke about areas of improvement and listed items that he said were not included in the Gateway Area Plan such as bathrooms, bus stops, and transit centers.
Nick Zabram shared that he had participated in the protest on campus, said that the faculty at Cal Poly Humboldt had passed a vote of No Confidence in President Tom Jackson Jr., and requested May 1, 2024
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the cancellation of the mutual aid agreement between the Arcata Police Department and the Cal Poly Humboldt Police Department.
John Emig mentioned the issue of graffiti at the pump station on the south end of the Courtyard Apartment Complex and asked for more police patrol through the complex.
Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
City Manager Diemer reported on the response support that Arcata Police Department (APD) had provided to Cal Poly Humboldt for the prior week and a half. She explained that mutual aid was integral to the operation of APD, as they used it regularly to provide and receive support from other agencies in the region.
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar left the Council Chamber at 7:51 p.m. and returned at 7:54 p.m.
Councilmember Schaefer reported on Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) purchasing power from the Foster Clean Power solar rig, she said that RCEA was also working on a grant that would provide solar to rural fire stations. She reported on her travel to Massachusetts to visit the Vineyard Offshore Wind project and shared that she attended the education learning lab for wind energy.
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar reported that there would be an Arcata Chamber of Commerce mixer at Urban Market on May 2, 2024, and she announced the call for volunteers to help with the Arcata Chamber's annual Oyster Festival on June 15, 2024. She spoke about people calling for different levels of intervention regarding the protest at Cal Poly Humboldt and spoke in favor of giving the university the chance to work on solving their problems internally.
Mayor Matthews spoke about her trip to Massachusetts to visit the Vineyard Offshore Wind project. She reported on her attendance at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Humboldt Waste Management Authority. She said that the closure to traffic at the Farmers' Market had been successful so far and shared that she had been selected to travel as a delegate to the 2024 Democratic International Convention in Chicago, Illinois.
Councilmember Stillman shared that there were two large garbage service pickups a year for Humboldt Waste Management Authority. She reported on her attendance at Redwood Rising on April 30, 2024, and on her attendance at a meeting of the Board of Directors for Humboldt Transit Authority.
Councilmember White reported on her attendance at a meeting of the Board of Directors for the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission. She announced that there would be a community cleanup in Valley West Park on Sunday, May 5, 2024.
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar announced that May was Bike Month.
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DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
A. Set a Special City Council Meeting for May 22, 2024, at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber, to Meet in Closed Session to Discuss Public Employment—City Manager.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL SCHEDULED A SPECIAL MEETING FOR MAY 22, 2024, AT 5:30 P.M., IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, TO MEET IN CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT-CITY MANAGER.
B. Set a Special City Council Meeting for May 28, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, to Meet in Closed Session to Discuss Public Employment—City Manager.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL SCHEDULED A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MAY 28, 2024, AT 4:00 P.M., IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, TO MEET IN CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS PUBLIC EMPLOYMENTCITY MANAGER.
C. Confirm the May 29, 2024, Special City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, to Consider Certification of the Environmental Impact Report, Adoption of the Gateway Code, Adoption of the Gateway Area Plan, Adoption of the General Plan 2045, and Discuss the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Budget.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL CONFIRMED IT WOULD HOLD A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MAY 29, 2024, AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE
COUNCIL CHAMBER, TO CONSIDER CERTIFICATION OF THE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT, ADOPTION OF THE GATEWAY AREA
CODE, ADOPTION OF THE GATEWAY AREA PLAN, ADOPTION OF THE GENERAL PLAN 2045, AND DISCUSS THE FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 BUDGET.
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar announced she would arrive close to 7:00 p.m. for the special City Council meeting on May 29, 2024.
Councilmember Schaefer announced she would not be in attendance at the May 15, 2024, City Council meeting.
Mayor Matthews announced she would not be in attendance at the June 5, 2024, City Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rhea Varley
City Clerk