CITY OF ARCATA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER OCTOBER 16, 2024
1 SPECIAL MEETING
A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Arcata was held on the above date at 5:30 p.m. in person with Mayor Matthews presiding. Notice of this meeting was posted on October 11, 2024. PRESENT: Matthews, Stillman, Schaefer, White. ABSENT: Atkins-Salazar. STAFF PRESENT: Director of Community Development Loya, Assistant City Engineer Caisse.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
No public comment was received.
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., Humboldt County Superior Court, Case number CV2401719.
The City Council met in closed session in the City Manager's Conference Room.
The Council returned to the Council Chamber at 5:45 p.m.
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., Humboldt County Superior Court, Case number CV2401719.
Mayor Matthews stated that there was nothing to report out from this closed session item.
OPEN SESSION—Commission Interview
A. Interview One Applicant for One Vacancy on the Planning Commission for a Term Expiring March 31, 2028.
The Council interviewed Ashton Hamm for a seat on the Planning Commission for a term expiring March 31, 2028.
RECESS: The Council recessed from 6:01 p.m. to 6:03 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:03 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 6:03 p.m. as a hybrid meeting, via teleconferencing utilizing Zoom Video Communications and in person, with Mayor Matthews presiding. Notice of this meeting was posted on October 11, 2024.
PRESENT: Matthews, Stillman, Schaefer, White. ABSENT: Atkins-Salazar. STAFF PRESENT:
Director of Community Development Loya, Director of Environmental Services Sinkhorn, Finance Director Miller, Assistant City Engineer Caisse, 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 George Williamson for His 11 Years of Service on the City of Arcata's Energy Committee.
Vice Mayor Stillman read the Certificate of Appreciation and presented it to George Williamson.
AGENDA MODIFICATION
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A FOUR-TOZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL MOVED EARLY ORAL
COMMUNICATIONS BEFORE STAFF REPORTS AND INCREASED THE FIFTEEN MINUTE PERIOD TO THIRTY MINUTES. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS:
NONE.
EARLY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (MODIFICATION)
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Public Comment: Sean, Kristen Murphy, Dana Quillman, Paul Pitino, Dan Shahin, Gregory Bonagura, Stephanie Thomas, Crane Conso, Dionna Ndlovu, Emily, an unidentified member of the audience, Aaron Monroe, Dr. Kintay Johnson, an unidentified member of the audience, Alice Finen, Karpani Burns, and an unidentified member of the audience.
Mayor Matthews closed the early oral communications period.
COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
A. Receive an Introduction and Overview of the OpenGov Transparency Portal from Tabatha Miller, Finance Director.
Finance Director Miller provided an introduction and overview of the OpenGov Transparency Portal.
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B. Receive an Update from Tabatha Miller, Finance Director, on Measure H.
Finance Director Miller gave an informational presentation regarding Measure H.
C. Other Council and Staff Reports.
Presenters: Councilmember Schaefer, Vice Mayor Stillman, Councilmember White.
VII. Item VII was moved to Early Oral Communications (Modification).
CONSENT CALENDAR
STILLMAN MOVED TO ADOPT ITEMS B-F.
THE MOTION DIED DUE TO THE LACK OF A SECOND.
On inquiry by Councilmember Schaefer, Vice Mayor Stillman confirmed that she had to recuse herself on Item B, not Item A.
SCHAEFER MOVED, AND WHITE SECONDED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER 16, 2024, AS PRESENTED, ITEMS A-F.
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Public Comment: Joanne McGarry addressed the Council regarding Items B and C.
Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
The Council voted, with Vice Mayor Stillman recusing on Item B.
On inquiry by the City Clerk, Vice Mayor Stillman confirmed that she was abstaining from the entire vote.
THE MOTION PASSED WITH A THREE-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE AND ONE ABSTENTION. AYES: MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, WHITE.
NOES: NONE. ABSENT: ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: STILLMAN.
A. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of October 2, 2024.
B. Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
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.
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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 CouncilApproved 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.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Appoint One New Member to the Planning Commission for a Term Expiring March 31, 2028.
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
There being no public comment, Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY WHITE, AND WITH A FOUR-TOZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL APPOINTED ASHTON HAMM TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM ENDING 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.
City Clerk Varley informed the Council that the revisions proposed by this ordinance would satisfy a requirement recently set forth by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). She noted that the City Manager would be granted signing authority as provided in California Government Code section 40602., when authorized by motion, resolution, minute order or other appropriate action by the Council.
WHITE MOVED, AND SCHAEFER SECONDED TO 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.
Mayor Matthews opened the public hearing.
There being no public comment, Mayor Matthews closed the public hearing.
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THE MOTION PASSED ON A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE.
AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
C. 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; Waive Reading of the Text and Consent to Read by Title Only.
Director of Community Development Loya identified a change to be made to the proposed ordinance before being introduced due to the first section not being required. He recommended that the Council strike the words "Short-Stay Vacation Rentals and" from the title and to strike the text in Section One and put in the word "Reserved". He explained the rest of the proposed changes would modify the meeting frequency for the Historic Landmarks Committee, and change the role of the Economic Development Committee.
WHITE MOVED, AND STILLMAN SECONDED TO INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 1573, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA AMENDING THE ARCATA MUNICIPAL CODE REGULATIONS; WITH A STRIKE TITLE THROUGH "SHORT-STAY VACATION RENTALS AND"; BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES, AND TASK FORCES; WAIVE READING OF THE TEXT AND CONSENT TO READ ONLY BY TITLE; AND STRIKE THE TEXT SECTION ONE AND REPLACE WITH "RESERVED," OR AS AMENDED BY STAFF.
Mayor Matthews opened the public hearing.
Joanne McGarry spoke in favor of adding a council of elders to the City's committees.
Mayor Matthews closed the public hearing.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE.
AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
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.
Finance Director Miller noted that this was a companion item to the item on the October 16 Consent Calendar regarding amendments to Commercial Cannabis Activity Permit (CCAP)regulations. She said that fees must be reasonable and just cover the cost of the services provided, she stated that staff had reviewed and revised based on updated calculations of costs to provide those services. She explained the only changes to the fee schedule were in regard to CCAP activity and that it was estimated that the City may see a forty percent reduction in CCAP revenue.
Mayor Matthews opened the public hearing.
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There being no public comment, Mayor Matthews closed the public hearing.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A FOUR-TOZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED 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 FISCAL YEAR 2024-25. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS:
NONE.
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 City-owned Transit Vehicles to HTA.
Finance Director Miller shared that this was the first step in turning over fleet vehicles from the City's transit program to Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA). She noted that the notice could be revoked if needed between October 31, 2024, and January 31, 2025.She explained that the process could save the City between $65,000 and $70,000 the following year if vehicles were no longer on the City's book.
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Public Comment: Joanne McGarry.
Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A FOUR-TOZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL AUTHORIZED THE
CITY MANAGER TO PROVIDE THE CALIFORNIA TRANSIT INDEMNITY POOL
NOTICE OF THE CITY'S INTENT TO TERMINATE PARTICIPATION IN TRANSIT VEHICLE COVERAGE PROGRAMS, EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2025; AND TO WORK
WITH HUMBOLDT TRANSIT AUTHORITY ON AN AGREEMENT FOR TRANSFER OF CITY-OWNED TRANSIT VEHICLES TO HTA. AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS:
NONE.
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.
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Assistant City Engineer Caisse shared that GHD, Inc. was working with the City on the Old Arcata Road Improvements Project. He explained that the project required a little more support and that the City was nearing the end of the budget for it. He noted that the budget would still be tight with this proposed adjustment, but that they should still be able to complete the project.
SCHAEFER MOVED, AND STILLMAN SECONDED TO APPROVE AN ADDITIONAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION FOR 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, FOR ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION SERVICES FOR OLD ARCATA ROAD; AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS.
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
There being no public comment, Mayor Matthews closed the public comment period.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE.
AYES: MATTHEWS, STILLMAN, SCHAEFER, WHITE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Matthews invited public comment.
Public Comment: Shea Freedomhowler, Joanne McGarry, Gina Munoz, Gene, Shannon Townsend, Sandra Martocchia, Ellen, and Laurie.
Mayor Matthews closed the oral and written communications period.
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.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL CONFIRMED A STUDY SESSION WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2024, AT 5:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rhea Varley, City Clerk