CITY OF ARCATA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SPECIAL AND REGULAR
COUNCIL CHAMBER OCTOBER 16, 2024
736 F Street, Arcata Wednesday, 6:00 PM
AGENDA
1 Special accommodations for the disabled who attend City meetings can be made in advance by contacting the City Clerk at 822-5953. Assistive listening devices are available.
Pursuant to Government Code section 54957.5, all writings or documents relating to any item on this agenda which have been provided to a majority of the City Council, including those received less than 72 hours prior to the City Council meeting, will be made available for public inspection in the agenda binder located on the counter in the lobby at Arcata City Hall, 736 F Street, during normal business hours, and on the City's website at www.cityofarcata.org.
PLEASE NOTE: Speakers wishing to distribute materials to the City Council at the meeting are requested to provide 10 copies to the City Clerk.
How to Observe and Participate in the Meeting:
Observe:
Members of the public can attend the meeting in person or observe the meeting on Zoom (see below), on Access Humboldt Channel 10, online by visiting www.cityofarcata.org and clicking on the See Live Meetings, Agendas, and Archives button on the home page, or on the City’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/CityofArcataCA Public Comment Participation in Person and on Zoom:
Members of the public may attend the meeting in person and give public comment. Or, they may access the meeting via Zoom to provide public comment.
1. Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device: Please use this URL:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84502174129
2. If you want to comment during the public comment portion of any item, click on raise your hand on the right-hand side of your screen. When it is time for public comment on the item on which you wish to speak, the Clerk will unmute you. You will have 3 minutes to comment (2 minutes for Early Oral Communications), subject to the Mayor’s discretion.
Or join by phone:
1. *67 1-669-900-6833
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2. Enter Meeting ID: 845 0217 4129
3. If you are accessing the meeting via telephone and want to comment during the public comment portion of any item, press star (*) 9 on your phone. This will raise your hand. When it is time for public comment on the item on which you wish to speak, the Clerk will unmute your phone. You will hear a prompt that will indicate your phone is unmuted. You will have 3 minutes to comment (2 minutes for Early Oral Communications), subject to the Mayor’s discretion.
SPECIAL MEETING
5:30 p.m.
1. ROLL CALL
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
3. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL––EXISTING LITIGATION,
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). Name of Case: City of Arcata v. AO Kiriki Ben Tut Malik Silkiss; and Marc Delany, et al., Humbolt County Superior Court, Case number CV2401719.
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL––EXISTING LITIGATION,
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). Name of Case: City of Arcata v. AO Kiriki Ben Tut Malik Silkiss; and Marc Delany, et al., Humbolt County Superior Court, Case number CV2401719.
5. OPEN SESSION—Commission Interview
A. Interview One Applicant for One Vacancy on the Planning Commission for a Term Expiring March 31, 2028.
6. ADJOURNMENT
REGULAR MEETING
6:00 p.m.
I. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
II. FLAG SALUTE
III. ROLL CALL
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IV. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
A. Certificate of Appreciation for George Williamson for His 11 Years of Service on the City of Arcata's Energy Committee.
V. REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
VI. COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
All reports shall be specifically limited to items relating to City business and shall not request or lead to action by the Council at this meeting.
A. Receive an Introduction and Overview of the OpenGov Transparency Portal from Tabatha Miller, Finance Director.
B. Receive an Update from Tabatha Miller, Finance Director, on Measure H.
C. Other Council and Staff Reports.
VII. EARLY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The City Council values your comments. The public comment period allows people to address the Council on matters not on the agenda. This early section of public comment is limited to 15-minutes and speakers are limited to 2 minutes each. If you prefer to have a full 3 minutes of time for your public comment, this item is continued at the end of the meeting under item XIII (13) where speakers are granted 3 minutes. Please know that pursuant to the Brown Act, the Council cannot discuss or take action on items not listed on the agenda. The Council may respond to statements. There will also be a time to provide public comment specific to each item when that item is being reviewed by the Council.
VIII. N/A
IX. CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the City Council and are enacted in one motion. There is no separate discussion of any of these items. If discussion is required, that item is removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately. At the end of the reading of the Consent Calendar, Council members can request that an item be removed for separate discussion. Members of the public may comment on any items remaining on the consent calendar in the comment period before the vote.
A. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of October 2, 2024.
B. Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
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C. Adopt Resolution No. 245-11 Authorizing the Destruction of Certain City Records Maintained by the City Relating to the Departments of City Manager (City Manager, Contracts and Special Projects, Human Resources, City Clerk), Environmental Services (Recreation), and Finance as Permitted under Section 34090 of the California Government Code and the Secretary of State's Local Government Records Program.
D. Adopt Resolution No. 245-13, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending Regulations Governing Commercial Cannabis Activity Permits.
E. Approve an Annual Proclamation Designating September 15–October 15 as Latinx Heritage Month in the City of Arcata; and Add the Proclamation to the Council-Approved List.
F. Approve the Quote Amendment for an Additional $36,308.26 to Purchase Three (3) Cla-Val Pressure Reducing Valve/Vault Systems for a Total Amount of $218,050.16 (including sales tax); Authorize the City Engineer to Increase the Purchasing Amount by up to $21,805.02 (10%, for a Total of $239,855.18) to Allow for Any Unforeseen Contingencies and Additional Equipment as Necessary; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Applicable Agreements and Documents.
X. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
XI. OLD BUSINESS
XII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Appoint One New Member to the Planning Commission for a Term Expiring March 31, 2028.
B. Introduce Ordinance No. 1572, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata, Amending Article 1 in Chapter 2, Title II of the Arcata Municipal Code to Include the City Manager's Authority to Sign Documents; Waive Reading of the Text and Consent to Read by Title Only.
The City’s Community Development Department regularly submits grant applications to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). HCD has informed the City that in order for the City Manager to execute HCD contracts or other grant documents going forward; the City is required to have specific language regarding this signing authority in the Arcata Municipal Code. Amendments to Chapter 2, Officers & Employees, of Title II, Administration, are necessary for the City to comply with this requirement.
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RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Council:
1) Introduce Ordinance No. 1572, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata, Amending Article 1 in Chapter 2, Title II of the Arcata Municipal Code to Include the City Manager’s Authority to Sign Documents; and 2) Waive reading of the text and consent to read by title only.
C. Introduce Ordinance No. 1573, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending Arcata Municipal Code Regulations Regarding ShortStay Vacation Rentals and Boards, Commissions, Committees and Task Forces; Waive Reading of the Text and Consent to Read by Title Only.
The City is making administrative changes to the Arcata Municipal Code through this Ordinance. First, the Ordinance will change the deadline for Short-Stay Vacation Rental permit renewals so it is concurrent with the expiration date.
Second, the Ordinance will change the regular meeting time for the Historic Landmark Committee to every other month. And third, the Ordinance will eliminate the Economic Development Committee; the members of which will be encouraged to participate in development of the Economic Development Strategic Plan. Council may introduce Ordinance No. 1573 at this meeting and adopt it at the next.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Council:
1) Receive a staff report and consider public comment;
2) Introduce Ordinance No. 1573, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending Arcata Municipal Code Regulations Regarding Short-Stay Vacation Rentals and Boards, Commissions, Committees; and Task Forces; and 3) Waive reading of the text and consent to read by title only.
D. Public Hearing on Updates to the Master Fee Schedule; and Adopt Resolution No. 245-12, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Adopting Changes to the City's Master Fee Schedule.
The City reviews and updates the City’s fees, consistent with the goal of ensuring, with only a few exceptions, that fees for City services are sufficient to recover the cost of providing those services. The attached update for selected fee reductions and increases was prepared to meet this strategic objective.
The California Government Code requires that increases and new fees be presented to the City Council at a public hearing in accordance with Section 66016 and 6062a.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Council:
1) Open the public hearing to receive public comment on the proposed updates to the Master Fee Schedule for FY 2024-25; and
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2) Adopt Resolution No. 245-12, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Updating the Master Fee Schedule for Various Fees and Service Charges for FY 2024-25.
E. Authorize the City Manager to Provide the California Transit Indemnity Pool (CalTIP) Notice of the City’s Intent to Terminate Participation in Transit Vehicle Coverage Programs, Effective May 1, 2025; and Work with Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA) on an Agreement for Transfer of Cityowned Transit Vehicles to HTA.
The City currently contracts with HTA to provide all operations and maintenance services for the Arcata and Mad River Transit System (A&MRTS), including scheduling and staffing drivers for A&MRTS routes, parking A&MRTS buses in the HTA yard, and providing regular preventive maintenance, inspections, repair services, and refueling of A&MRTS vehicles.
However, the City currently retains ownership and liability for the vehicles comprising the A&MRTS fleet. Insurance coverages for A&MRTS vehicles and operations are provided through the California Transit Indemnity Pool (CalTIP), for which the City pays annual contributions of approximately $65,000-$75,000, and prices have been increasing year over year.
To increase the efficiency of transit services, it is in City’s best interest to transfer ownership of and liability for the A&MRTS transit system and vehicles to HTA.
Since the City has already paid its annual CalTIP membership contributions for the 24/25 Program Year, the earliest the City can withdraw from the coverage programs is effective May 1, 2025. CalTIP requires written notice of a member’s intent to withdraw from the Liability Program by October 31st of the preceding program year; and such notice may be rescinded, if necessary, prior to January 31, 2025.
City staff has been in conversation with management staff at HTA and will continue to explore options for contractually transferring ownership of A&MRTS transit operations to HTA in 2025.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Council:
1) Authorize the City Manager to provide the California Transit Indemnity Pool (CalTIP) notice of the City’s intent to terminate participation in transit vehicle coverage programs, effective May 1, 2025; and
2) Work with Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA) on an agreement for transfer of Cityowned transit vehicles to HTA.
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F. Approve an Additional Budget Appropriation in Fiscal Year 2024/25 of $60,000 from the Reserved Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act Fund Balance; Approve a Contract Amendment in the Amount of $60,000 to GHD, Inc., for Additional Construction Management and Inspection Services for the Old Arcata Road Improvements Project; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Applicable Documents.
On September 20, 2023, the Council awarded a contract in the amount of $210,000 to GHD, Inc., for construction management and inspection services for the Old Arcata Road Improvements Project. This is a complex project and has required a greater degree of support than originally anticipated. The $60,000 amendment amount is expected to be sufficient to cover the support needed through project completion, which is expected to be December 2024.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Council:
1) Approve an additional budget appropriation in fiscal year 2024/25 of $60,000 from Reserved Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act Fund Balance; 2) Approve a contract amendment in the amount of $60,000 to GHD, Inc., for additional construction management and inspection services for the Old Arcata Road Improvements Project, and
3) Authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable documents.
XIII. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
The City Council values your comments. The public comment period allows people to address the Council on matters not on the agenda. Speakers will be limited to 3 minutes each. Please know that pursuant to the Brown Act, the Council cannot discuss or take action on items not listed on the agenda. The Council may respond to statements.
XIV. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
A. Study Session with the Planning Commission on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
XV. CLOSED SESSION
XVI. CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
XVII. ADJOURNMENT
Other than items continued or tabled to a date certain, the Council may, by majority vote, continue all matters not completed by 10:30 p.m.