CITY OF ARCATA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER AUGUST 07, 2024
1 SPECIAL MEETING
A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Arcata was held on the above date at 5:00 p.m. in person with Mayor Matthews presiding. Notice of this meeting was posted on August 2, 2024. PRESENT: Matthews, Stillman, Atkins-Salazar, Schaefer. ABSENT: White. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Diemer, City Engineer Khatri.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
No public comment was received.
CLOSED SESSION
A. EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1): City Manager.
The City Council met in closed session in the City Manager's Conference Room.
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL––ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, Significant Exposure to Litigation, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2): One potential case.
The City Council met in closed session in the City Manager's Conference Room.
CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
A. EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1): City Manager.
Mayor Matthews stated there was nothing to report out from the closed session for this item.
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL––ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, Significant Exposure to Litigation, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2): One potential case.
Mayor Matthews stated there was nothing to report out from the closed session for this item.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:02 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 Matthews presiding. Notice of this meeting was posted on August 2, 2024.
PRESENT: Matthews, Stillman, Atkins-Salazar, Schaefer. ABSENT: White. STAFF PRESENT:
City Manager Diemer, City Engineer Khatri, Director of Environmental Services Sinkhorn, August 7, 2024
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Finance Director Miller, Building Official Bishop, Environmental Programs Manager Sefcik, IT and Digital Media Specialist Carrillo, 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. Certificate of Appreciation for Michael Winkler for His 9 Years of Dedication to Graffiti Removal in the City of Arcata.
Mayor Matthews read the Certificate of Appreciation and presented it to Michael Winkler who thanked the Council and City Manager Diemer for their recognition and shared his experience of getting involved in graffiti removal.
REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
A. Annual Report from the Energy Committee.
Energy Committee Chairperson Michael Winkler gave an oral version of the Committee's annual report and answered questions from the Council.
COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
A. Receive an Update on the Newly Adopted Residential Rental Inspection Program from Building Official Joe Bishop.
Building Official Bishop provided an update regarding the City's Residential Rental Inspection Program. He shared that there were 1,443 registered parcels in the program and gave examples of common corrections that staff had seen. He explained that many mailers had been sent out throughout the implementation process and outlined next steps such as recommending minor changes to be made to the City of Arcata Municipal Code. He said that in looking towards the future, staff was considering how to implement a digital tracking system. He noted a letter someone had written to the City sharing appreciation for the Building Inspector for watching out for their safety.
B. Receive an Update Regarding the Complete Streets Policy from City Engineer Netra B. Khatri.
City Engineer Khatri provided an update on the City's Complete Streets Policy, he shared that the policy had been adopted in 2022. He explained that metrics were required to be tracked as a part of this policy, and that the City had only provided one exemption so far. He reviews some of the project's metrics, noted that the number of projects to enhance safety should be more than six, and that staff would continue to track metrics over the next ten years. He shared that he would be back in front of the Council again to provide another update in two years.
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C. Receive an Activity Report for the 2nd Quarter of 2024 from Chief of Police Bart Silvers.
Chief of Police Silvers presented an activity report for the second Quarter of 2024 for the Arcata Police Department. He explained that three officers had been added to staff which allowed them to add three officers to the Community Outreach Team. He said that the department had acquired two new eBikes which had already been beneficial to efficiently responding to calls for service.
He spoke about improvements to the Carlson Park in partnership with New Directions. He shared that one officer had been promoted to the position of Detective. He noted that there had been an increase in officer-initiated incidents throughout the City due to the addition to staff. He spoke about the upcoming retirement of a Sergeant and reviewed metrics for the quarter.
D. Other Council and Staff Reports.
Councilmember Schaefer shared that equity arcata had several upcoming events which included a showing of the film "Unsolved Hate" on August 23, 2024, at the D Street Neighborhood Center and a Home Away from Home potluck on September 8, 2024. She said that equity arcata would also be supporting Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods to host a community conversation regarding events in Palestine during a three day event on September 18–20. She stated that the I Block Party would take place on September 2, 2024.
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar reported that the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCOAG) did not meet in July, but that through HCOAG, she was working with other groups to pursue the feasibility of a regional housing trust fund. She reported that she had met with ** Chief Evans from the Arcata Fire District. She shared that the Obon Festival would take place on Sunday, August 11, 2024, in the Creamery District.
Mayor Matthews reported that she had toured the new student housing at the Craftsman Mall.
She shared that Cal Poly Humboldt Move-in Day would take place on Saturday, August 17, 2024; and that the Arcata Lantern Floating Ceremony would take place on Saturday, August 10, 2024, with community members being able to make lanterns at the Farmers' Market earlier in the day on August 10.
Councilmember Stillman shared that she was wearing a T-Shirt to promote Ride Humboldt with Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA), and that she would be working with HTA on the Earth Center. She said that Rumble of the Redwoods would take place on Saturday, August 10 and Sunday August 11, 2024, at the Arcata Airport. She took a moment to remember Siddiq Kilkenny who had recently passed away.
EARLY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Bob Falls shared that he had been a resident of Arcata since 1970, and that he was at the meeting to present a letter regarding concerns he had about drainage issues at North Fork and Janes Creek.
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Isaac Lyons said that he was in attendance on behalf of Carly Tambling of Bright and Green. He shared that Bright and Green was requesting $3,000 of the City's ARPA funds to contribute to reducing single-use waste at citywide events.
Mary Gelinas acknowledged City Manager Diemer and said she was one of the finest leaders she had ever had the opportunity to work with. She said that City Manager Diemer had the ability to be a strategic thinker while having a great heart.
Maya Conrad, a local realtor, said that she wanted to thank and congratulate City Manager Diemer for her exemplary service. She said she was grateful to know her and for her years of service.
An unidentified speaker said congratulations and thanked City Manager Diemer for everything she had done for Arcata and the community. She acknowledged City Manager Diemer's grace under pressure.
Roger James said that a large part of why he and his wife had moved to Arcata was due to the work that staff and City Manager Diemer did. He thanked her for everything that she had done for the community.
Kevin Hoover spoke about covering news in which City Manager Diemer was involved for about three decades and said that he observed she was a sort of polymath, taking joy in process while carrying out the will of the people. He shared a story of the laughter City Manager Diemer brought to the room and thanked her for her service.
Colin Fiske, from the Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities (CRTP) thanked City Engineer Khatri for his report on the Complete Streets Policy and spoke in favor of continued transparency on the policy. He shared his admiration and thanks for City Manager Diemer.
Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Matthews pulled item E.
Councilmember Stillman pulled Item D.
STILLMAN MOVED FOR APPROVAL OF ITEMS A-I MINUS E AND D.
The motion died due to a lack of a second.
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
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ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A FOUR-TOZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR AUGUST 7, 2024, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: D. BI-WEEKLY REPORT ON DISBURSEMENTS; AND E.
ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 1569, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ARCATA AMENDING THE LAND USE CODE, TITLE IX, PLANNING AND
ZONING, OF THE ARCATA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT THE GATEWAY CODE AND ZONING DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY; WAIVE READING THE TEXT AND CONSENT TO READ BY TITLE ONLY. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: WHITE. ABSTENTIONS:
NONE.
A. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of June 12, 2024.
B. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of June 20, 2024.
C. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of July 17, 2024.
D. Item IX-D was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
E. Item IX-E was moved to Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
F. Accept a Total of $9,900 in Donations for Three Commemorative Benches in the Arcata Community Forest and along the Arcata portion of the Humboldt Bay Trail – North.
G. Adopt Resolution No. 245-06 Authorizing the City Manager to File a Financial Assistance Application with the State Water Resources Control Board to Fund the City's 2019 Waterline Replacement Project; and Adopt Resolution No. 245-08 Stating Its Intent to Reimburse Expenditure By The State Water Resources Control Board Made in Support of The City's 2019 Waterline Replacement Project.
H. Approve the Purchase of One Toro Workman UTX Utility Vehicle ($32,258.43, Including Tax and Freight) and Award Purchase Contract to Turf Star Western; Approve the Purchase of One GO-4 Sliding Door Electric Vehicle ($46,102.59, Including Tax and Freight) and Award Purchase Contract to Turf Star Western; Approve the Purchase of One John Deere 6130M Tractor with a Tiger Bengal Brute Mid-Mount Boom Mower System ($278,759, Including Tax and Freight) and Award Purchase Contract to Tiger Mowers Inc.; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
I. Modify Award of 2024 Timber Sale to KP's Custom Milled Redwood for 50 MBF of Redwood; Award an Agreement for 235 MBF of Redwood 15" in Diameter & Larger in the 2024 Timber Sale to Willits Redwood Company; Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate Sale of Redwood Logs Smaller than 15" in Diameter; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
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ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
D. Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
Councilmember Stillman recused herself from the discussion and vote on this item because she received a check from the City through the Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, AND WITH A
THREE-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH TWO ABSENCES, THE COUNCIL ACCEPTED THE BI-WEEKLY REPORT ON DISBURSEMENTS. AYES: MATTHEWS, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: STILLMAN (RECUSED), WHITE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
E. Adopt Ordinance No. 1569, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending the Land Use Code, Title IX, Planning and Zoning, of the Arcata Municipal Code to Adopt the Gateway Code and Zoning Districts Throughout the City; Waive Reading the Text and Consent to Read by Title Only.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, AND WITH A
FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL CONTINUED THE PUBLIC HEARING AND THIS ITEM TO THE SEPTEMBER 4, 2024, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: WHITE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Receive Update on Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Budget of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds and Consider Reallocating Appropriated Funds.
Finance Director Miller presented an update regarding the City's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that needed to be spent or committed by December 31, 2024. She explained that the term "committed" had an updated meaning for ARPA funds and required that contracts, deliverables or agreements needed to be in place for funds to be considered committed. She said that there were very few items in the budgeted amount for ARPA funds that met the commitment requirements. She explained that the remaining funds may be subject to reimbursement to the Federal Government if not spent or committed by the December deadline. Director Miller recommended reallocating funds to Police Department staffing and noted that it was expected that about $427,000 would be remaining in unspent funds by the end of the year. She said that her recommendation was for the Council to provide authorization to reappropriate $269,000 from existing ARPA projects to Police Department staffing.
Councilmember Stillman said that if funds were reallocated to the police department, then funds could be relocated to the General Fund. She said that there would be a chance to revisit funds during mid-year.
On inquiry by Councilmember Atkins-Salazar, Finance Director Miller clarified that the requested $269,000 transfer to Police Department staffing would be a swap and not an additional allocation. She said that officers would start being paid out of ARPA instead of the General Fund, essentially saving in one place and reserving in another.
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Councilmember Schaefer emphasized that she wanted to support projects that had already been committed to in prior meetings. She requested that specific tracking be done to ensure that those projects were completed.
On inquiry by Councilmember Atkins-Salazar, Finance Director Miller said that they were currently about $2,240 over budget for ARPA.
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry requested clarification for where funds went for Arcata House Partnership, she asked if there was any available funding to put towards Bright and Green or creating Earth banners. She spoke in favor of not giving up ARPA funds.
Isaac Lyons said that he was a local general contractor and that he proposed a public-private relationship, he asked for support to get over and through housing challenges.
Colin Fiske spoke about the $500,000 designated in 2021 and said that he viewed it as discretionary funding. He said that the need for funding of climate projects was enormous and the City should follow up on its pledge to spend those dollars.
Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
Councilmembers Atkins-Salazar and Schaefer spoke in favor of honoring the allocated projects previously specified by the Council.
Finance Director Miller explained that at mid-year, a budget amendment would be done to adopt those budgets in the General Fund to set aside for the projects.
ON MOTION BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A
FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL DIRECTED STAFF TO REALLOCATE $269,000 FY 2024-25 BUDGET FROM THE ARPA FUND (224) PROJECTS TO POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFFING IN THE ARPA FUND (224).
AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: WHITE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
B. Receive an Update on the US 101 and Sunset Avenue Interchange Improvements Project; and Provide Directions as Appropriate.
City Engineer Khatri provided an update regarding the US 101 and Sunset Avenue Interchange Improvements Project, he reviewed the comments provided regarding the project at a previous City Council meeting. He explained that they had received feedback to remove the proposed slip lane that was included to prevent traffic from backing up onto the Highway 101, to make the crosswalks wider and to be raised, and to make the sidewalks wider as well. He explained that they were not able to eliminate the slip lane, but that the crosswalks were now designed to be wider and raised with pedestrian activated rapid flashing signs. In response to the request for wider sidewalks, he shared that a Class 4 bicycle lane was being created which would not be August 7, 2024
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replacing the 10 foot wide walkway. He stated that the project was in the preliminary design phase and moving towards final design with construction anticipated to start in 2026/2027.
On inquiry by Councilmember Schaefer, City Engineer Khatri said that vehicles in transit from F Street would be funneled into one lane.
On inquiry by Councilmember Atkins-Salazar, City Engineer Khatri explained that the sidewalk was a Class 1 trail.
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry said that she thought the future of Arcata should be to discourage car traffic and promote other ways to get around town, she asserted that cars should not be given the top priority.
Colin Fiske, from CRTP, said that a Class 1 trail would not be sufficient as it stood, he spoke in favor of continuing the separation around the other legs of the roundabout while ensuring that there were connections, objected to including slip lanes, and requested that roundabout safety for folks with disabilities be considered.
Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
City Engineer Khatri added that the City had worked with Humboldt Transit Authority to include bus stops as well.
Councilmember Stillman commented that the roundabout would better accommodate the longer busses that were on the roads.
Councilmember Schaefer requested to see exploration of separating facilities or striping the Class 1 trail and providing barriers of separation for safety.
On inquiry by Atkins-Salazar, City Engineer Khatri confirmed that they were out of space and spoke about parking being the primary tradeoff.
Mayor Matthews thanked City Engineer Khatri for his presentation.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Approve an Additional Budget Appropriation in Fiscal Year 2024-25 of $270,000 from Unreserved General Fund - Fund Balance and $200,000 from Open Space, Parks & Trails Special Tax Fund - Fund Balance; Award a Construction Contract for the Arcata Ball Park Improvement Project to Hooven & Co. Inc. in the Amount of $1,585,146.50; Authorize the City Engineer to Increase the Contract Amount by up to $63,405.86 (4 Percent, for a Total of $1,648,552.36); and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
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Director of Environmental Services Sinkhorn presented an update regarding the Arcata Ball Park Improvements Project with a recommendation to award a bid for construction. She said that the ballpark was iconic, had been in its location since before the highway was installed, and was in need of improvements. She shared updates that had already been made as the City had access to funding, she explained that the $1 million that had been awarded by Senator McGuire would be used to replace the aging facade, open up the entryway, and to make accessibility improvements to the family-friendly left field line. She said that a bid had been put out on July 3, 2024, and that two bids had been received which were fifty percent over budget.
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar left the Chamber at 8:11 p.m. and returned at 8:12 p.m.
Director Sinkhorn advised that staff had considered options to take when bids were received over budget and concluded that there was an imperative need to move forward with the bids received due to timing and construction costs continuing to escalate. She said that in order to leverage the state grant from Senator McGuire, staff was recommending an additional budget adjustment from the General Fund of $270,000 with an additional $200,000 of reserves from the Measure A, Open Space, Parks and Trails fund. She explained that the funds sourced from the General Fund would not take away from Priority Projects and that one of the purposed of passing Measure A in 2020 was to help fund unanticipated challenges or opportunities which staff felt this project qualified for.
Mayor Matthews pointed out that many new visitors were coming in due to the Crabs being in a different league and that this was a priority project from Senator McGuire. She agreed that rebidding may bring more expensive results.
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar said that she felt prices would only go up at this point for construction, she said they should also look at a higher fence in the outfield due to a car being hit recently.
Councilmember Schaefer requested to explore options for working with Caltrans on improvements and agreed that leagues of a higher caliber would keep coming in.
Councilmember Stillman suggested that funds could be raised from a Baton Rouge fundraiser for this cause possibly in May of 2025.
STILLMAN MOVED, AND SCHAEFER SECONDED TO APPROVE AN ADDITIONAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 OF $270,000 FROM THE UNRESERVED GENERAL FUND AND $200,000 FROM THE OPEN SPACE, PARKS & TRAILS SPECIAL TAX FUND; AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE ARCATA BALL PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO HOOVEN & COMPANY INC.
IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,585,146.50; AUTHORIZE THE CITY ENGINEER TO INCREASE THE CONTRACT BY UP TO $63,405.86 (FOUR PERCENT OF THE TOTAL); AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL
APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS.
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Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry said that the ballpark's historic significance for Arcata was wonderful, spoke in favor of thinking about different ways for people to get to the ballpark, and said she was disappointed in the level of waste at the games.
Gregory Daggett requested a picture of the proposed project, he said that what he had seen in the past looked static. He spoke in favor of including a vertical garden or something similar.
Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
THE MOTION PASSED WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER.
NOES: NONE. ABSENT: WHITE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Joanne McGarry requested that the Earth flag be placed next to the speaker's podium in the Council Chamber. She spoke in favor of the Council being viewed at the same time as the public speakers on the screen during City Council meetings and requested that a new resolution be brought to the Council to oppose the United States providing funding to Israel.
Gregory Daggett said that he felt that car noise was not being taken seriously and that he felt that the Oath was not taken seriously either. He expressed disappointment that his concerns were not being addressed.
Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Matthews took a moment to honor City Manager Diemer and congratulate her on her upcoming retirement.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rhea Varley
City Clerk
** Corrected on August 21, 2024, on motion by Schaefer, seconded by Atkins-Salazar, and with a four-to-zero voice vote with one absence, in Item D––under Council and Staff Reports, correct spelling of “Chief Evans” to “Chief Emmons.”