City Council - Regular Meeting - March 19, 2025
1. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Mayor Stillman read a statement acknowledging that Arcata sat on ancestral Wiyot land.
2. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Stillman read the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
a.
Proclamation in Recognition of Sunshine Week, March 19–20, 2025.
1. Sunshine Week Proclamation 2025.pdf
Councilmember White read the proclamation.
b.
Proclamation in Recognition of Tsunami Preparedness Week, March 22–30, 2025.
1. Tsunami Week 2025.pdf
Councilmember Schaefer read the proclamation and presented it to Councilmember White who accepted it on behalf of the Redwood Coast Tsunami Work Group.
4. STAFF REPORTS
a.
Receive an Update from Director of Community Development David Loya Regarding the City’s Manufactured Housing Opportunity & Revitalization (“MORE”) Program.
Director of Community Development Loya presented regarding the Manufactured Housing Opportunity & Revitalization (“MORE”) Program . He said that it was a state funded program and explained that the award was for $3 million with 36 total awards. He emphasized that the loans from this program would convert to grants after three years of a recipient living in the home. He touched on why mobile homes were being considered and the importance of the program.
b.
Other Staff Reports.
Presenter
: City Manager Perry.
5. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [EARLY - TIME LIMITED] Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: An unidentified member of the audience, Shawn Leon, Tricia Murphy, and Doug Moyer.
Mayor Stillman closed the oral and written communications [early-time limited] period.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Matthews pulled Item I.
Mayor Stillman pulled item D.
SCHAEFER MOVED, AND MATTHEWS SECONDED TO ADOPT [CONSENT CALENDAR] ITEMS A THROUGH C, E, F, G, H, J, AND K.
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Joanne McGarry addressed the Council regarding Items E through K.
Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
ADOPT ITEMS A THROUGH C, E, F, G, H, J, AND K.
a.
Approval to Waive Reading of the Text and Consent to Read by Title Only for any Ordinance on this Agenda.
b.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting of March 5, 2025.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Mar05_2025 - English.pdf
c.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of March 5, 2025.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Mar05_2025 - English.pdf
e.
Approve a Lease Agreement with Vero Fiber Networks, LLC, for Communications Equipment at Larson Park (Assessor’s Parcel No. 505-051-002); and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Approve a Lease with Vero Fiber Networks, LLC, for Communications Equipment at Larson Park .pdf
2. Attachment A - Vero Lease with Site Plan.pdf
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
It is recommended that the Council:
Approve a lease agreement with Vero Fiber Networks, LLC, for communications equipment at Larson Park (Assessor’s Parcel No. 505-051-002); and Authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable documents.
f.
Reappoint Danny Hagans to the Forest Management Committee for a Three-Year Term Ending March 31, 2028.
1. Staff Report - Reappoint Danny Hagans to the Forest Management Committee for a Three-Year Term Ending March 31, 2028.pdf Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
It is recommended that the Council reappoint Danny Hagans to the Forest Management Committee for a Three-Year Term Ending March 31, 2028.
g.
Reappoint John Kell III and Pedro Peloso to the Parks and Recreation Committee for Three-Year Terms Ending March 31, 2028.
1. Staff Report - Reappoint John Kell III and Pedro Peloso to the Parks and Recreation Committee .pdf Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
It is recommended that the Council reappoint John Kell III and Pedro Peloso to the Parks and Recreation Committee for a Three-Year term ending March 31, 2028.
h.
Reappoint Jeremy Svehla to the Wetlands and Creeks Committee for a Three-Year Term Ending March 31, 2028.
1. Staff Report - Reappoint Jeremy Svehla to the Wetlands and Creeks Committee for a Three-Year Term Ending March 31, 2028.pdf Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
It is recommended that the Council reappoint Jeremy Svehla to the Wetlands and Creeks Committee for a three-year term ending March 31, 2028.
j.
Approve Plans and Award a $1,377,922.90 Contract for the Plunkett Waterline Retrofit Project to Allen Gill Const., Inc.; Authorize City Engineer to Increase Contract up to 10% for Contingencies; and Authorize City Manager to Execute Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report- Approve and Award Contract for Plunkett Waterline to Allen Gill Construction .pdf
2. Attachment A - Plunkett Waterline Retrofit Project_BID SUMMARY.pdf Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
It is recommended that the Council:
Approve the project plans and award a construction contract for Plunkett Waterline Retrofit Project to Allen Gill Construction, Inc. in the amount of $1,377,922.90; Authorize the City Engineer to increase the contract amount by up to 10 percent ($137,792.29 for a total amount not to exceed $1,515,715.19) to allow for any unforeseen contingencies or additional work; and Authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable documents.
k.
Adopt Resolution No. 245-38 in Appreciation of the City of Arcata Voters for Supporting and Adopting Measure H.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Resolution No. 245-38 in Appreciation of City of Arcata Voters for Supporting and Adopting Measure H.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution No. 245-38 in Appreciation of Arcata Voters for Supporting Measure H.pdf
3. Attachment B - Arcata Parks and Playgrounds Map.pdf
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
It is recommended that the Council adopt Resolution No. 245-38 in appreciation of the City of Arcata Voters for supporting and adopting Measure H.
d.
Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
1. Staff Report - Cash Distributions 2.22.2025-3.7.2025.pdf
2. Attachment A - Cash Disbursements 2.22.25-3.7.25.pdf Mayor Stillman stated that she needed to recuse herself from Item D.
No public comment was received.
ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A THREE-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE AND ONE ABSTENTION, THE COUNCIL APPROVED ITEM D. AYES: WHITE, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: STILLMAN (RECUSED).
Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
Approve Item D.
i.
Reappoint Peter Lehman, Matthew Simmons, and Daniel Tangney to the Planning Commission for Four-Year Terms Expiring March 31, 2029.
1. Staff Report - Reappoint Three Members to the Planning Commission for terms expiring March 31, 2029.pdf The Council deliberated on whether to schedule interviews for the three seats up for reappointment given that there was an application to take into consideration from Sheldon Heath who was not a current commissioner.
On inquiry by Director of Community Development Loya, Councilmember Matthews advised that the Council would not interview a separate applicant whose application came in past the deadline.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL CHOSE TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SHELDON HEATH TO INTERVIEW FOR A SEAT ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
No public comment was received.
ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL CONTINUED THE ITEM TO THE NEXT MEETING. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
Continue the item to the next meeting.
7. OLD BUSINESS
a.
Consider Approval of the Agreement for Transfer of Ownership and Management of the Arcata & Mad River Transit System to Humboldt Transit Authority; and Authorize City Manager to Execute all Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Approve Agreement for Transfer of Ownership and Management of A+MRTS to HTA.pdf
2. Attachment A - Agreement for Transfer of AMRTS Vehicles and Operations 20250314.pdf City Engineer Khatri gave a report on funding being transferred to Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA) for the Arcata & Mad River Transit System in addition to the services that had already been transferred. He highlighted that HTA would continue to provide service and that the City was in communication with HTA to see if they could provide services for the Transit Center as well.
City Engineer Khatri responded to comments and inquiries from the Council.
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Joanne McGarry, and Gregory Daggett.
Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE AGREEMENT FOR TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF THE ARCATA & MAD RIVER TRANSIT SYSTEM TO HUMBOLDT TRANSIT AUTHORITY; AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
Approve the Agreement for Transfer of Ownership and Management of the Arcata & Mad River Transit System to Humboldt Transit Authority; and Authorize City Manager to Execute all Applicable Documents.
8. NEW BUSINESS
a.
Consider Adopting Resolution No. 245-39, Accepting the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report.
1. Staff Report - 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report Review.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution No. 245-39 Accepting the 2024 General Plan APR.pdf Deputy Director of Community Development Dart explained that the City was doing well with Accessory Dwelling Units and only lagging in above-moderate income housing production. She noted that the report included a table detailing each implementation measure for the General Plan and shared that the biggest update was that the General Plan 2045 had been adopted.
Director of Community Development Loya and Deputy Director of Community Development Dart responded to comments and inquiries from the Council.
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment:
Gregory Daggett.
Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 245-39, ACCEPTING THE GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
Adopt Resolution No. 245-39, accepting the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report.
9. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [CONTINUED]
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment:
Joanne McGarry, Gregory Daggett,
an unidentified member of the audience, and Peter Warner.
Mayor Stillman closed the oral and written communications [continued] period.
10. COUNCIL REPORTS
Presenters:
Schaefer, Matthews, White, and Stillman.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,