City Council - Regular Meeting - January 15, 2025
1. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Vice Mayor White read a statement acknowledging that Arcata sat on ancestral Wiyot land.
2. FLAG SALUTE
Vice Mayor White led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
a.
Proclamation Recognizing the Arcata High School Tigers for Winning the 2024 CIF 6-AA State Championship.
1. Arcata High Tigers Championship Proclamation 2025.pdf Councilmember Schaefer read the proclamation and presented it to Northern Humboldt Union High School District Superintendent Roger Macdonald, Principal of Arcata High School Kristin Federber, and Arcata High School Football Coach Matt Magers.
b.
Proclamation Recognizing January 2025 as National Mentoring Month.
1. National Mentoring Month Proclamation 2025.pdf
Councilmember Matthews read the proclamation and presented it to Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Coast Florence Parks.
4. REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
a.
Receive Annual Report from the Planning Commission.
1. PC 2024 Annual Report.pdf
This item was tabled for a future meeting.
5. COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
a.
Receive an Update from Equity Arcata Manager Mo Harper-Desir Regarding Equity Arcata.
Equity Arcata Manager Harper-Desir reviewed the history of equity arcata leading to its current focus and spoke about recent collaborations. She detailed that assessment tools would soon be implemented to help understand the current status of the City and create targeted programs.
b.
Receive an Update from Director of Community Development David Loya on the City of Arcata’s Housing Programs and Projects.
Director of Community Development Loya and Deputy Director of Community Development Dart presented an update regarding the City's housing programs and projects spanning the prior year and looking to the future.
c.
Receive an Update Regarding Arcata House Partnership from Executive Director Dr. Darlene Spoor.
The Executive Director of Arcata House Partnership (AHP) Dr. Spoor presented a video that provided an overview of the different services and partnerships that AHP provided to the community. Dr. Spoor emphasized that AHP was only part of the continuum across the county for providing these needed services.
d.
Receive a 2024 Year-End Review from City Manager Merritt Perry.
City Manager Perry provided a list including 62 of the City's accomplishments for 2024. He highlighted several achievements for each department.
e.
Other Council and Staff Reports.
Presenters:
Matthews, Schaefer, White.
6. EARLY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Vice Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment:
Joanne McGarry, Sarit Polevoy, Tamar Krigel, Amy Ball Wicklund, Scott Sway, Amon Armstrong, Hillary Kilimnik, and Chad White.
Vice Mayor White closed the early oral communications period.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
MATTHEWS MOVED, AND SCHAEFER SECONDED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR [FOR JANUARY 15, 2025, AS PRESENTED, ITEMS A-I].
Vice Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment:
Brenda Pérez, Mr. Cervantes, and Lizbeth (Luna) Cano Sanchez with Centro del Pueblo each addressed the Council regarding Item D.
Vice Mayor White closed the public comment period.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A THREE-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH TWO ABSENCES. AYES: WHITE, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR
a.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of December 12, 2024.
1. 12-12-2024 City Council Special Minutes.pdf
Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of December 12, 2024.
b.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of December 18, 2024.
1. 12-18-2024 City Council Minutes.pdf
Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of December 18, 2024.
c.
Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
1. Staff Report Bi-Weekly Report on Cash Distributions .pdf
2. Attachment A. Cash Disbursements 12.7.24 to 1.3.25_Redacted.pdf Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
It is recommended that the Council approve the report on disbursements
listing for the period
December 7, 2024, through January 3, 2025.
d.
Approve a Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Arcata and Centro del Pueblo for Management and Operations of the Bayside Park Farm; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report Approve an MOA with Centro del Pueblo for Operation and Management of Bayside Park Farm .pdf
2. Attachment A. City of Arcata and Centro del Pueblo MOA – Bayside Park Farm.pdf Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
It is recommended that the Council approve a Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Arcata and Centro del Pueblo for Management and Operations of the Bayside Park Farm; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Applicable Documents.
e.
Approve an Amended Agreement between the City of Arcata and Friends of the Arcata Marsh Extending the Term an Additional Five Years to December 31, 2030; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report Approve an Amended Agreement between City of Arcata and Friends of the Arcata Marsh Extending Term Five Years .pdf
2. Attachment A. FOAM (2015-19, 20-24) agmt amendment 2, 5yr extension (2025-30).pdf Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
It is recommended that the Council approve an amended agreement between the City of Arcata and Friends of the Arcata Marsh extending the term an additional five years to December 31, 2030; and authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable documents.
f.
Approve an Amended Mariculture Lease Extension through December 31, 2026, with Scott Sterner, dba North Bay Shellfish, for a Portion of Tide and Submerged Land in Arcata Bay.
1. Staff Report Mariculture Lease Extension with North Bay Shellfish.pdf
2. Attachment A. Sterner dba North Bay Shellfish LLC lease amendment Jan 2024 - Dec 2026.pdf Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
It is recommended that the Council approve an amended mariculture lease extension through December 31, 2026, with Scott Sterner, dba North Bay Shellfish, for a portion of tide and submerged land in Arcata Bay.
g.
Adopt Resolution No. 245-29 Authorizing Examination of Sales or Transactions Use Tax Records.
1. Staff Report Adopt Resolution No. 245-29 Authorizing Examination of Sales or Transactions and Use Tax Records.pdf
2. Attachment A. Resolution No. 245-29 Authorizing Examination of Sales or Transactions and Use Tax Records.pdf Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
It is recommended that the Council adopt Resolution No. 245-29 authorizing examination of sales or transactions and use tax records and superseding all prior Resolutions pursuant to subdivision (b) of Revenue and Taxation Code Section 7056.
h.
Adopt Resolution No. 245-28 Transferring All Management, Functions, and Assets of the Arcata & Mad River Transit System Services Including Dial-A-Ride to Humboldt Transit Authority; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report Adopt Resolution 245-28— Transfer All AMRTS Services and Vehicles Including Dial-A-Ride to HTA.pdf
2. Attachment A. Resolution No. 245-28 .pdf
Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
It is recommended that the Council:
Adopt Resolution No. 245-28 transferring all management, functions, and assets of the Arcata & Mad River Transit System Services including Dial-A-Ride to Humboldt Transit Authority; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Applicable Documents.
i.
Approve Purchase of Badger Remote Read Water Meters from PACE Supply for $306,016; Authorize City Engineer to Increase Purchasing Amount by up to $30,602 (10%, for Total of $336,618); Authorize City Manager to Sign Necessary Agreements and Documents.
1. Staff Report Purchase of Remote Read Water Meters for Waterline Replacement Project.pdf
2. Attachment A. Pace_Supply_Quote_2236700_sales tax.pdf Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
It is recommended that the Council:
1)Authorize the purchase of Badger remote read water meters from PACE Supply in the amount of $306,016; 2)Authorize the City Engineer to increase the purchasing amount by up to $30,602 (10%, for a total of $336,618) to allow for any unforeseen contingencies and additional equipment as necessary; and 3)Authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable agreements and documents.
8. NEW BUSINESS
a.
Appoint One New Member to the Planning Commission for a Term Expiring March 31, 2027.
1. 2025-1-15 Candidate List PC.pdf
ON MOTION MY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A THREE-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH TWO ABSENCES, THE COUNCIL APPOINTED AMANDA HICKEY TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM EXPIRING MARCH 31, 2027. AYES: WHITE, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Vice Mayor White opened the public comment period.
There being none, Vice Mayor White closed the public comment period.
Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
APPOINT AMANDA HICKEY TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM EXPIRING MARCH 31, 2027
b.
Consider City Council Salary Adjustment and Introduction of Ordinance No. 1574 Amending the Arcata Municipal Code Title II (Administration), Chapter 1 (Council), Section 2010 (Salaries of the City Council Members).
1. Staff Report Consider Ordinance No. 1574 Adjusting Council Salary.pdf
2. Attachment A. Ordinance No. 1574 Council Salaries.pdf Human Resources/Administrative Services Director Vink explained that after each election, the Council had an opportunity to review their salaries for a potential increase. She said the increase could be between one and five percent or could be based off the cost of living. She noted that it had been past practice to increase the Council salaries by five percent.
Director Vink responded to questions and comments from the Council.
Director Vink detailed that salaries would increase from $849.51 to $934.46 per month if a motion was made to do the increase at five percent per year.
Vice Mayor White opened the public hearing.
Gregory Daggett said he did not have an issue with a salary increase, but that he did have concerns regarding ethics and due diligence.
Vice Mayor White closed the public hearing.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A THREE-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH TWO ABSENCES, THE COUNCIL CHOSE A FIVE PERCENT INCREASE; INTRODUCED ORDINANCE NO. 1574, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA, AMENDING THE ARCATA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADJUST COUNCILMEMBER SALARY, TITLE II (ADMINISTRATION), CHAPTER 1 (COUNCIL), SECTION 2010; WAIVED READING OF THE TEXT AND CONSENTED TO READ BY TITLE ONLY. AYES: WHITE, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
FOR A FIVE PERCENT INCREASE; INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 1574, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA, AMENDING THE ARCATA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADJUST COUNCILMEMBER SALARY, TITLE II (ADMINISTRATION), CHAPTER 1 (COUNCIL), SECTION 2010; WAIVE READING OF THE TEXT AND CONSENT TO READ BY TITLE ONLY.
c.
Introduce Ordinance No. 1576, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending the Arcata Municipal Code Relating to Purchasing Procedures, Title II (Administration), Chapter 4 (Fiscal Administration).
1. Staff Report Introduce Ordinance No. 1576 Amending AMC Purchasing Procedures, Title II, Chapter 4.pdf
2. Attachment A. Ordinance No. 1576.pdf
Finance Director Miller shared that the ordinance would update existing purchasing procedures to reflect the recommendations of the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act Commission. She said that consistent with Assembly Bill No. 2192, the ordinance would increase the thresholds for bids for equipment, materials, and supplies from $60,000 to $75,000; increase the value for professional services contracts; and increase the threshold of informally bid public projects to $75,000 or less.
Vice Mayor White opened the public hearing.
There being no public comment, Vice Mayor White closed the public hearing.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A THREE-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH TWO ABSENCES, THE COUNCIL INTRODUCED ORDINANCE NO. 1576, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA AMENDING THE ARCATA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO PURCHASING PROCEDURES, TITLE II (ADMINISTRATION), CHAPTER 4 (FISCAL ADMINISTRATION); WAIVED READING OF THE TEXT AND CONSENTED TO READ BY TITLE ONLY. AYES: WHITE, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: STILLMAN, ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 1576, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA AMENDING THE ARCATA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO PURCHASING PROCEDURES, TITLE II (ADMINISTRATION), CHAPTER 4 (FISCAL ADMINISTRATION); WAIVE READING OF THE TEXT AND CONSENT TO READ BY TITLE ONLY.
9. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Vice Mayor White opened the public comment period.
Public Comment:
Susan Parsons, Gregory Daggett, Cole Jermaine, an unidentified member of the audience, Allyson Rosen, Joseph Burkes, and Jamilla.
Vice Mayor White closed the oral and written communications period.
10. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
a.
Schedule a Study Session with Committee and Commission Chairpersons for February 12, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL SCHEDULED A STUDY SESSION WITH COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION CHAIRPERSONS FOR FEBRUARY 12, 2025, AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Vice Mayor White held a moment of silence and adjourned the meeting in honor of the late President Jimmy Carter.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,