CITY OF ARCATA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER JUNE 05, 2024
1 SPECIAL MEETING
A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Arcata was held on the above date at 5:44 p.m. with Vice Mayor Stillman presiding. Notice of this meeting was posted on May 31, 2024.
PRESENT: Stillman, Schaefer, White. ABSENT: Matthews, Atkins-Salazar. STAFF PRESENT:
City Manager Diemer, Human Resources/Administrative Services Director Vink, Finance Director Miller.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment was received.
CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 (One Item). Employee Organization: Arcata Police Association.
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 6:12 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 (One Item). Employee Organization: Arcata Police Association.
Agency Negotiator: Keira Vink.
The Council returned to the Chamber at 6:12 p.m.
RECESS: The Council recessed from 6:12 p.m. to 6:17 p.m.
Vice Mayor Stillman stated there was nothing to report out from the closed session.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:17 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Arcata was held on the above date at 6:17 p.m. as a hybrid meeting, via teleconference utilizing Zoom Video Communications and in person, with Vice Mayor Stillman presiding. PRESENT: Stillman, Schaefer, White. ABSENT:
Matthews, Atkins-Salazar. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Diemer, City Engineer Khatri, Director of Community Development Loya, Human Resources/Administrative Services Director Vink, Finance Director Miller, IT and Digital Media Specialist Carrillo, City Clerk Varley.
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AGENDA MODIFICATION
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY WHITE, AND WITH A THREE-TOZERO VOICE VOTE WITH TWO ABSENCES, THE COUNCIL MOVED THE
ARCATA SCHOOL DISTRICT'S PRESENTATION TO JUST BEFORE OLD BUSINESS ON THE AGENDA. AYES: STILLMAN, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES:
NONE. ABSENT: MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Vice Mayor Stillman read a statement acknowledging that Arcata sat on Wiyot land.
FLAG SALUTE
Vice Mayor Stillman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
A. Proclamation in Recognition of World Oceans Day, June 8, 2024.
Councilmember White read the proclamation and presented it to Julie Stewart, Vice Chair of Surfrider Humboldt. Julie and Marina Story thanked the Council and encouraged the community to attend certified restaurants who had committed themselves to an oceanfriendly cause.
B. Proclamation Designating June 9–15, 2024, The Week of the Oyster.
Vice Mayor Stillman read the proclamation and presented it to Bob Judevine from the Board of Directors for the Arcata Chamber of Commerce. Bob thanked the Council for the honor of taking on the Oyster Festival and extended the invitation to everyone to attend.
C. Proclamation Recognizing June 2024 as National Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month.
Councilmember Schaefer read the proclamation and presented it to Joann Conzelmann and Rhonda Johnson from the Alzheimer's Association who thanked the Council and said that the community could support the cause by participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer's on October 19, 2024, at the Adorni Center in Eureka.
REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
A. Annual Report from the Forest Management Committee.
Michael Furness, Vice Chair of the Forest Management Committee, gave an oral version of the Committee's annual report to the Council.
COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
City Manager Diemer shared that the draft of the Fiscal Year Budget 2024/2025 would be available to the Council soon and that the public hearing for it would take place at the June 12, 2024, special City Council meeting.
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Finance Director Miller gave an overview of how to access and use the online budget tool via OpenGov. She explained that the tool could be used by both the Council and the public, and that City Council Goals were included as well as priority projects. She highlighted the different activity sections and icons that allowed report viewing and encouraged people to play around with it and reach out to her with any questions.
Councilmember Schaefer reported that the Sister City Committee would be doing a showing of the film "Big Yellow" on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at the Arcata Playhouse at 6:30 p.m.. She shared that Thursday, June 6, 2024, would be the Arcata Chamber Mixer and Oyster Festival kickoff.
Councilmember White reported that she and Mayor Matthews had been judges at the Humboldt Lemonade Day on June 1, 2024. She announced that Valley West would have a cleanup on July 7, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., reported on her attendance at a Loan Committee meeting for the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission. She also reported on her attendance at the ribbon cutting for the Redwood Park playground improvements on June 5, 2024.
Councilmember Stillman reported on her attendance at a meeting of the Board of Directors of Humboldt Transit Authority and announced that for the months of June and July, there would be free rides on Arcata and Mad River Transit System. She reported on her attendance at the June 1, 2024, Humboldt Trails Summit as well as the Arcata Fire District's June 4, 2024, meeting regarding their lease with the Arcata Volunteer Fire Association.
EARLY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Vice Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry said that Humboldt Board of Supervisors passed a Cease Fire resolution and thanked the Council for being leaders on that topic. She said it was time for the community to take climate action and spoke in favor of Arcata being an international City of peace.
Gregory Daggett spoke about building height and said he thought it was a mystery as to why there was still interest in seven story buildings. He said that there seemed to be some confusion regarding the letter from the Arcata Fire District.
Craig Johnson from Bayside said that the Old Arcata Road construction was negatively impacting his neighborhood. He shared his concerns regarding some wetland being moved into that area and said the roadway entrance to the neighborhood was being stifled, making it difficult to turn in with a truck and a trailer.
Patricia Buchanan shared concerns regarding the Gateway and zoning proposals which included building height, emergency access, and over-building. She said that the feeling of community in a town was more important than the issues that sought to divide it.
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Glen Colwell thanked the Council for extending the LU-9 Implementation Measure duration to four years instead of just two. He noted that there was a half-page editorial in the local newspaper that expressed the concerns of the residents in the Sunset area and encouraged the Council to read it.
Lori Colwell shared that she had read Lisa Brown's opinion piece in the Mad River Union and spoke in favor of removing Implementation Measure LU-9 from the General Plan. She requested that the Zoning Administrator review threshold be reduced by two stories.
Colin Fiske inquired when the best time to comment on the General Plan would be.
City Manager Diemer responded that the appropriate time would be during that item.
Vice Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Schaefer removed item H from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
There was no public comment.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY WHITE, AND WITH A THREE-TOZERO VOICE VOTE WITH TWO ABSENCES, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR JUNE 5, 2024, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM H.
AWARD A CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,348,570.13 TO GHD, INC., TO
COMPLETE THE PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND ESTIMATE (PS&E) PHASE OF THE US 101 AND SUNSET AVENUE INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT;
AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. AYES: STILLMAN, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
A. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of May 9, 2024.
B. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of May 15, 2024.
C. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of May 22, 2024.
D. Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
E. Adopt Ordinance No. 1568, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending Mobilehome Rent Stabilization Regulations, Consent to Waive Reading the Text and Read by Title Only.
F. Adopt Resolution No. 234-58, Approving the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Annual Report on Measure A Special Tax for All Non-Tax Exempt Parcels and Directing That Said Fee be Collected through the Property Tax Rolls for Fiscal Year 2024/25.
G. Amend the Existing Bike Share Program Contract with Tandem Mobility LLC to Extend the Term for Two Years, Ending May 15, 2026; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
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H. Item IX-H was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
I. Adopt the Successor Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Arcata and International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 3 for July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025, Authorize the Mayor to Execute; and Adopt Resolution No. 234-55, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending the Class and Pay Resolution for International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 3.
J. Adopt Resolution No. 234-53, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Establishing and Authorizing Supplemental Compensation and Benefits for Management and Confidential Employees [to Reflect Revisions and Additions]; and Adopt Resolution No. 234-54, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending the Class and Pay Resolution—Management, Mid-Management, Confidential & Appointed Employees [to Reflect a 5% Salary Increase Effective First Full Pay Period After Approval and future increases for FY 2025/2026 and FY 2026/2027].
K. Adopt Resolution No. 234-59 Proclaiming June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ Pride Month in the City of Arcata and Authorizing the Rainbow Pride Flag to be Flown on the Flagpole at Arcata City Hall During the Month of June.
L. Continue the Gateway Area Plan and Gateway Code Item to July 17th, 2024.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
H. Award a Contract in the Amount of $1,348,570.13 to GHD, Inc., to Complete the Plans, Specifications, and Estimate (PS&E) Phase of the US 101 and Sunset Avenue Interchange Improvements Project; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Applicable Documents.
City Engineer Khatri reported that this contract would be moving to the design phase and shared that they had applied for construction funding earlier in the year and said they were hoping to hear back on the status of their application by the middle of the year. He said that the City would be addressing comments from the planning phase at a public meeting that would be scheduled.
On inquiry by Councilmember Stillman, City Engineer Khatri confirmed that the project was still in the design phase.
Vice Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Fred Weis said that he thought certain improvements that the Council had recommended in February should be included in the contract. He shared his concern that the flashing yellow lights would not provide enough safety and said he felt that having a public meeting after the design phase was too late and asked for a meeting in the near-term.
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Gregory Daggett stated that he was having second thoughts on the project in regard to safety. He shared his concerns about how drivers would approach the roundabouts and commented on how he saw a lot of damaged cars around the area.
James Becker inquired about eliminated parking on the other side of the bridge and asked if the conversation with Caltrans regarding it had come any further. He said he was wondering if there would be a protective lane near the skate park and encouraged including some level of flashing lights on the freeway off ramps.
Colin Fiske shared that Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities' position had not changed on the project, he said that they had certain concerns and he had been told their concerns would be addressed.
Vice Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
Councilmember Schaefer asked for the items that had been discussed at the City Council meeting in February to be considered.
SCHAEFER MOVED TO AWARD A CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,348,570.13 TO GHD, INC., TO COMPLETE THE PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND ESTIMATE (PS&E) PHASE OF THE US 101 AND SUNSET AVENUE INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT; AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS.
On inquiry by White, City Engineer Khatri said that they would consider eliminating a slip lane but could not guarantee it. He said that they could do a small staff report in July or August to respond to the comments that had been received in February before moving to the full design.
WHITE SECONDED THE MOTION, THE MOTION CARRIED WITH A THREE-TOZERO VOICE VOTE WITH TWO ABSENCES. AYES: STILLMAN, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS:
NONE.
NEW BUSINESS (MODIFICATION)
A. Receive an Update from the Arcata School District Regarding District Developer Fee Consideration.
Luke Biesecker, Superintendent, and Travis West, Chief Business Official, from the Arcata School District provided an update regarding district developer fee consideration. Superintendent Biesecker explained that they had looked at population information for the area spanning several years. He presented the timeline of their developer fee consideration and shared projections with results from two studies that they had conducted. He shared the district's updated considerations and advised that they had qualified for financial hardship and received funding for a T-K facilities expansion due to the State increasing age ranges. He acknowledged that additional growth was projected and that the District would need to continue to monitor the need for June 5, 2024
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developer fees. He explained that next steps would be determined by the District's Board of Trustees and that there was not a specific timeline to bring back a resolution.
On inquiry by Councilmember White, Superintendent Biesecker explained that there were noticing requirements that would be followed if a resolution was brought back by the Board of Trustees.
Councilmember Stillman spoke about Senate Bill 937, and how collecting fees could not occur until after a building was occupied and recommended that District look into it.
Vice Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Fred Weis said he had been confused about developer fees for schools because they were not very much money. He said that it did not seem like the funds would go very far for the school district.
Gregory Daggett noted that spoke about California being the most expensive state in regard to developer fees. He noted that there were a lot of seniors in the community who owned homes and may be living on a fixed-income. He said that it did not seem like the right things were being done to create affordable housing.
Vice Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
Superintendent Biesecker responded and explained that the most recent study was for approximately three dollars and ten cents per residential square foot.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Place Transactions and Use Tax Measure on Ballot for November 5, 2024.
Vice Mayor Stillman announced that the item to place a Transactions and Use Tax Measure on the Ballot would not be discussed due to the lack of a quorum needed to take a super-majority vote.
RECESS: The Council Recessed from 8:01 p.m. to 8:08 p.m.
B. Adopt an Amended 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].
Human Resources and Administrative Services Director Vink reported that Resolution No. 234- 43 had been amended based on the requirement from CalPERS to change the title of the position and to change the salary. She explained that those were the only two changes in the amended item.
Vice Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
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No public comment was received.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY WHITE, AND WITH A THREE-TOZERO VOICE VOTE WITH TWO ABSENCES, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED AMENDED RESOLUTION NO. 234-43. AYES: STILLMAN, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
C. Consider Adoption of the General Plan Comprehensive Update with the Exception of the Gateway Area Plan.
Director of Community Development Loya indicated that the item was a continuation from the May 29, 2024, City Council meeting. He said that he would like to inquire regarding one of the topics that he had noted as still needing discussion, he said he was confused as to why LU-1f was listed as an item.
Vice Mayor Stillman requested to include loud cars under Health and Safety on page 6-24 under "A World of Noise", she said she was not sure exactly where it would go but that she would like to see it included.
Vice Mayor Stillman opened the public hearing.
Gregory Daggett said he appreciated the want to include language regarding loud cars and asked what action would be taken. He inquired as to why the police department could not come up with the resources to enforce car noise.
Fred Weis proposed that LU-1f should be looked at mainly to decrease the City's liability, he said that there would be virtually no single-family housing on individual lots. He noted other items to look at including electric vehicle charging stations and rewording some policies transferred from Gateway to the General Plan.
Launa Weird said that the General Plan and Gateway Area Plan were opportunities to see how culture could be affected by using the plans. She requested that locations be called in where people could meet peacefully with intention.
Colin Fiske expressed his appreciation for the proposal to include language in the plan to potentially allow future pedestrianization on the Plaza. He spoke about the topic of density and said that research showed how denser development would help achieve a walkable community.
He said density was an equity issue and spoke in favor of upzoning in the Sunset neighborhood.
Lisa Brown shared her concerns regarding Implementation Measure LU-9 and said she was looking for answers to questions regarding the impact on the town and historical neighborhoods.
Vice Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
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Councilmember Schaefer said she would like to discuss how to practically enforce noise. She requested to add language to support noise enforcement.
Councilmember White spoke about noise pollution and said enforcement could be done near high schools.
Councilmember Stillman spoke in favor of including loud cars on the decibel chart in the Noise Element.
City Manager Diemer spoke about some success that the Police Department had with enforcement of cars in certain areas within the past twelve to fifteen months and areas to look for improvement. She said that it was more of an enforcement issue.
On inquiry by Councilmember Stillman, Director Loya confirmed that they would have GHD determine the appropriate place to include loud cars.
Councilmember Stillman spoke about opportunities for higher density in regard to Bayview without devastation such as Accessory Dwelling Units.
Councilmember Schaefer said she felt that she felt they had addressed Bayview at the prior May 29, 2024, City Council meeting with pushing the implementation measure time period out.
On inquiry by Councilmember Stillman, Councilmember Schaefer said she was still fine with the implementation measure being four years.
Councilmember White spoke in favor of six years.
Councilmember Schaefer asserted that she would like to hear from the rest of the Council who were not at the meeting before changing anything regarding LU-9.
Councilmember Stillman said that she felt that D-2a was a possibility in the long-term but she felt that there was a large amount of residential in the community and that it was premature.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE CITY COUNCIL DIRECTED STAFF TO MOVE "CONSIDER A LONG-TERM PLAN FOR MAKING THE PLAZA CAR FREE" TO AN IMPLEMENTATION MEASURE YEAR FIVE IN REGARD TO POLICY D-2A.
Councilmember Schaefer said that she felt Policy LU-1f was non-committal and she felt that building more dense housing was striking a balance.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE CITY COUNCIL DIRECTED STAFF TO REMOVE LU-1F.
Councilmember White asked to speak about CM-4c.3, she read a letter from her constituent and said that she would like to see CM-4c.4 removed.
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Director Loya said that he believed this was part of the Complete Streets Policy. He said he did not think that removing the sub-policy would impact the ability to establish woonerfs.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE CITY COUNCIL DIRECTED STAFF TO INCLUDE LANGUAGE SPECIFIC TO WOONERFS AND CHANGE "SHALL" TO "SHOULD" IN CM-4C.4.
Councilmember White requested to have conversation regarding electrical vehicle charging stations.
Councilmembers Stillman and Schaefer discussed how charging stations and modes of transportation were still rapidly evolving.
Councilmember Schaefer noted that part of the focus of the General Plan was to use modes of transportation other than cars, so having the charging stations could be negligible.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE CITY COUNCIL DECIDED NOT TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CHARGING STATION INSTALLATION.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY WHITE, AND WITH A THREE-TOZERO VOICE VOTE WITH TWO ABSENCES, THE CITY COUNCIL CONTINUED THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE GENERAL PLAN TO JULY 17, 2024, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER. AYES: STILLMAN, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR.
ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Adopt Resolution No. 234-57 Calling for a General Municipal Election to be Held November 5, 2024, and Consider Appointing a Subcommittee to Draft Arguments in Favor of the Transactions and Use Tax (TUT) Measure.
Vice Mayor Stillman announced that the item Calling for a General Municipal Election to be Held on November 5, 2024, and Consider Appointing a Subcommittee to Draft Arguments in Favor of the Transactions and Use Tax (TUT) Measure would be taken up at a later meeting.
B. ItemXII-B was moved to New Business (modification) before Old Business.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Vice Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
James Becker thanked the Council for addressing the L Street corridor. He said he believed that the Linear Park, is planned properly, would be a huge plus for the future.
Fred Weis said that he thought it would be helpful to have a list of changes in addition to track changes for procedures and processes going back to April, 23, 2024. He said he wanted the June 5, 2024
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Council to be aware that input from the committees had not been properly taken into consideration by the Planning Commission. He requested additional meetings for the General Plan process.
Vice Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
A. Confirm the June 12, 2024, Special City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber to Discuss and Adopt the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Budget.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMED THE JUNE 12, 2024, SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER TO DISCUSS AND ADOPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 BUDGET.
Councilmember White shared a reminder about the upcoming Arcata Chamber Mixer and Oyster Festival kickoff.
The Council adjourned to closed session, for closed session items included on a separately noticed agenda, at 9:16 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rhea Varley
City Clerk