CITY OF ARCATA
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER JUNE 12, 2024
1 A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Arcata was held on the above date at 5:15 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 June 7, 2024.
PRESENT: Matthews, Stillman, Atkins-Salazar, Schaefer, White. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Diemer, Finance Director Miller, Human Resources/Administrative Services Director Vink, IT and Digital Media Specialist Carrillo.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
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 City Council met in closed session in the City Manager's Conference Room.
B. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.8. Assessor’s Parcel Nos. 507-362-025, -026. Agency Negotiator: Karen Diemer, City Manager. Negotiating Parties: International Woodworkers Local 398. Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
The City Council met in closed session in the City Manager's Conference Room.
C. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.8. Assessor’s Parcel No. 507-362-055. Agency Negotiator:
Karen Diemer, City Manager. Negotiating Party: Will Adams. Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
The City Council met in closed session in the City Manager's Conference Room.
The Council returned to the Chamber at 5:40 p.m.
RECESS: The Council recessed from 5:40 p.m. to 6:00 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.
Mayor Matthews stated there was nothing to report out from the closed session on this item.
B. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.8. Assessor’s Parcel Nos. 507-362-025, -026. Agency Negotiator: Karen Diemer, City Manager. Negotiating Parties: International Woodworkers Local 398. Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
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Mayor Matthews stated there was nothing to report out from the closed session on this item.
C. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.8. Assessor’s Parcel No 507-362-055. Agency Negotiator:
Karen Diemer, City Manager. Negotiating Party: Will Adams. Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
Mayor Matthews stated there was nothing to report out from the closed session on this item.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Gregory Daggett spoke about the safe parking program, he said that he had seen different prices quoted regarding the program and asked for clarity on the costs of the program. He said the valuation of the program was questionable.
Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
A. Proclamation in Celebration of the Fourth of July Jubilee, July 4, 2024.
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar read the proclamation and presented it to J.D. Garza-Valencia from the Arcata Chamber of Commerce who expressed gratitude for the proclamation.
CONSENT CALENDAR
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY WHITE, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS
VOICE VOTE, THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR JUNE 12, 2024, AS PRESENTED. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINSSALAZAR, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS:
NONE.
A. Approve the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Senior Resource Center's Arcata Community Center Application and Permit for Use of Facilities, Waive Usage Fees Associated with the Senior Resource Center's Meal and Activity Programs at the Arcata Community Center; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents Through 2030.
B. Adopt Resolution No. 234-60 Approving the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Annual Report on Stormwater Drainage Maintenance Fee for All Non-Tax Exempt Parcels and Directing That Said Fee be Collected through the Property Tax Rolls for Fiscal Year 2024/25.
C. Approve Amendments to the Agreement between the City of Arcata and Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA) for Operations and Maintenance of the Arcata & Mad River Transit System (A&MRTS) and Vehicles; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
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OLD BUSINESS
A. Public Hearing on Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Appropriation Limit, Consider Adopting Resolution No. 234-61 Adopting the Appropriation Limit for FY 2024-25, Public Hearing on FY 2024-25 Proposed Budget, and Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 234-62 Adopting the City Budget for FY 2024-25.
Finance Director Miller explained that there was a correction to the Resolution for the Appropriations Limit which included correcting a dollar amount and removing what had been paragraph six, which did not apply to the 2024/2025 Fiscal Year. She asked to discuss the Appropriations Limit first and then move on to the Proposed Budget as a separate item. She recommended opening a public hearing first when discussing each item.
ATKINS-SALAZAR MOVED AND SCHAEFER SECONDED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC
HEARING REGARDING THE APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025.
On inquiry by Mayor Matthews, City Manager Diemer confirmed that public comment could be taken due to the public hearing even though it was not necessarily required.
THE MOTION PASSED WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE, ABSENT:
NONE, ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Finance Director Miller explained that this was a process that the City went through every year, she said that the City had historically had a large margin which the State had borrowed from during the previous year. She said that the limit was in place to manage spending and explained the factors for calculating the limit which included the prior year's appropriation limit, population, and price. She shared that all of Humboldt County had seen a decrease in population in the last year and went on to explain that the limit for the upcoming fiscal year would be $20,349,412 with local revenues subject to the appropriations limit being about $14.5 million.
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
There was no public comment.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 234-61, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA ADOPTING THE 2024/2025 APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT UNDER ARTICLE XIII B OF THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINSSALAZAR, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS:
NONE.
Finance Director Miller gave a staff report on the proposed budget, she shared the City Council goals and City Council priority projects. She gave an overview of approved programs for the June 12, 2024
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2024/2025 Fiscal Year and shared estimated fund balances. She noted that the General Fund – fund balance reserves would provide for 299 days of operations if the General Fund stopped taking money in, she said that it had a reserve of over 80 percent. She gave a review of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) programs and projects, and said that there was a deadline of December 31, 2024, for committing funds for programs to projects. Director Miller discussed the Capital Improvement Program and presented additional items to take into consideration such as a Grant Management Program and an Economic Development Program.
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 RESOLUTION NO. 234-62,
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 BUDGET AND CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES:
NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
B. Place Transactions and Use Tax Measure on Ballot for November 5, 2024.
Finance Director Miller gave a summary of the proposed Transactions and Use Tax (TUT) ballot measure. She reminded the Council that the current rate was eight and a half percent, which would be increased to nine and one-quarter percent if the three-quarters of one cent addition was passed. She emphasized that it was a general tax, meaning that there were no restrictions on how the funds could be used. She noted that the increase to the TUT lent to a proactive economic development strategy and reviewed the programs that could be funded by the tax revenue.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 234-52,
PLACING A THREE-QUARTERS OF ONE CENT ADDITION TO THE CITY'S
TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX MEASURE ON THE BALLOT FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 5, 2024. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
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.
City Manager Diemer explained that in preparation for November 5, 2024, staff had prepared a resolution to declare a general municipal election and request the County of Humboldt conduct the election. Additionally, the Council would consider appointing a subcommittee to draft an argument in favor of the Transactions and Use Tax measure.
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On inquiry by Mayor Matthews, Finance Director Miller explained that there were a few different committee members who may be interested in being a part of the subcommittee.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 234-57 CALLING FOR A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 5, 2024, AND APPOINTED A SUBCOMMITTEE OF MAYOR MATTHEWS,
INTERESTED COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AND COUNCILMEMBER WHITE IF SHE
WANTED TO, TO DRAFT ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF THE TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX MEASURE. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
B. Receive a Report from the County of Humboldt and Provide Input to the County to Share Arcata's Prioritization of Essential Services in an Era of Natural Disasters.
The Council received a report from Sean Quincy with the Humboldt County Administrative Office, and Humboldt County Director of Public Works, Tom Matson, regarding the impacts of natural disasters and the costs of providing essential services.
Mr. Quincy spoke about the diversion of local funds to the State level and the Grand Jury report that called for the County to do more to prepare for natural disasters. He discussed a revenue measure that could be placed on the November ballot to assist in supporting local disaster preparedness.
Mr. Matson emphasized the need to maintain roads, because without roads there would be no natural disaster response. He gave an overview of disasters in recent history and their impacts on the associated costs of road replacement and maintenance.
Councilmember White recommended engaging with the Arcata Community Emergency Response Team during their training that would take place in July, 2024.
Councilmember Schaefer recommended reaching out to associated businesses of the Arcata Chamber of Commerce.
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar requested materials to reference when discussing the potential measure with community members.
Councilmember Matthews emphasized the importance of illustrating the value of the potential revenue measure to the residents of Arcata since many of the impacted roads may be outside of City limits.
Councilmember Stillman explained that roads leading into and out of Arcata may be impacted, she recommended that the County visit local Rotary clubs.
The Council thanked Mr. Quincy and Mr. Matson for their presentation.
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ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rhea Varley
City Clerk