City Council - Regular Meeting - May 21, 2025
1. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Mayor Stillman read a statement acknowledging that Arcata sat on ancestral Wiyot land.
2. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Stillman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
a.
Certificate of Recognition Presented to Zac Ramsey.
1. Zac Ramsey Certificate of Recognition.pdf
Councilmember Matthews read the Certificate of Recognition and presented it to Zac Ramsey.
b.
Proclamation in Honor of Kinetic Sculpture Racing, May 24, 2025.
1. Kinetic Grand Championship 2025 Proclamation.pdf
Councilmember Schaefer read the proclamation and presented it to representatives from the Kinetic Universe.
c.
Proclamation in Recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, May 2025.
1. Proclamation_AAPI Heritage month _May2025.pdf
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar read the proclamation.
4. STAFF REPORTS
a.
Receive an Update on the City of Arcata’s Climate Adaptation and Energy Projects from Deputy Director of Environmental Services, Emily Benvie.
Deputy Director of Environmental Services—Community Services Benvie provided an update regarding the City's Climate Adaptation and Energy Projects. She also reviewed the purpose of having a climate resilient pipeline and explained that the City's was compiled of a set of projects, plans, and programs to cohesively demonstrate the City's work to build a resilient community.
b.
Receive an Update Regarding the City of Arcata's Local Coastal Program from Director of Community Development, David Loya.
Director of Community Development Loya presented an update regarding the Local Coastal Program. He reviewed work to date since the last update was made, the public process, and next steps leading to submission for certification at the end of 2025. He concluded with an overview of the timeline for introducing and adopting the Local Coastal Element.
c.
Other Staff Reports.
No additional staff reports were received at this time.
RECESS
: The Council recessed from 6:51p.m. until 6:54 p.m.
5. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [EARLY - TIME LIMITED] Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Abraham Serafino, Shawn Leon, Fareed Ahmed, Tricia Murphy, Ellen P., an unidentified member of the audience, and Ryan.
Mayor Stillman closed the oral and written communications [early - time limited] period.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Matthews removed Item K from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
SCHAEFER MOVED AND ATKINS-SALAZAR SECONDED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR EXCLUDING ITEM K.
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Gregory Daggett, Joanne McGarry, and Fareed Ahmed each addressed the Council regarding Item F.
Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
Adopt the consent calendar excluding Item 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 May 7, 2025.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_May07_2025 - English.pdf
c.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of May 7, 2025.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_May07_2025 - English(1).pdf
d.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting of May 8, 2025.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCSS_May08_2025 - English.pdf
e.
Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
1. Staff Report - Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.pdf
2. Attachment - Cash Disbursements 4.26.25 to 5.9.25.pdf Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
It is recommended that the Council approve the report on disbursements listing for the period April 26, 2025, through May 9, 2025.
f.
Approve an Amendment to the Contract for Phase 1 of the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facilities Upgrade Project with Wahlund Construction, Inc. in the Amount of $750,000; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Approve Contract Amendment to Wahlund Construction for Phs 1 Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facilities Upgrade.pdf Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
It is recommended that the Council:
Approve an amendment to the contract for Phase 1 of the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facilities Upgrade Project with Wahlund Construction, Inc. in the amount of $750,000; and Authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable documents.
g.
Adopt Resolution No. 245-47 Dedicating a Utility Easement to Pacific Gas and Electric Company for Electrical Upgrades for Phase 1 of the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facilities Upgrade Project; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Documents.
1. Staff Report - Approve PGE Easement for Phase 1 Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facilities Upgrade.pdf
2. Attachment A - EXHIBIT A 1106-01-10078_503-241-013 Easement.pdf
3. Attachment B - RESOLUTION 245-47.pdf
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
It is recommended that the Council:
Adopt Resolution No. 245-47 dedicating a 10-foot utility easement over Assessor’s Parcel Nos. 503-241-013 and 503-241-015 for electrical upgrades for Phase 1 of the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facilities Upgrade Project; and Authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable documents.
h.
Adopt Resolution No. 245-45 Proclaiming June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + Pride Month and Authorizing the Two-Spirit and Intersex Inclusive Progress Pride Flag to be Flown on the Flagpole at Arcata City Hall During the Month of June.
1. Staff Report - Proclaim June as LGBTQ Plus Pride Month and Authorize the Pride Flag to be Flown.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution No. 245-45_Pride Flag.pdf
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
It is recommended that the Council adopt Resolution No. 245-45 proclaiming June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + Pride Month in the City of Arcata and authorizing the Two-Spirit Pride Flag to be flown on the Flagpole at Arcata City Hall during the month of June.
i.
Approve Two Annual Proclamations in Recognition of June as Pride Month and June 19 as Juneteenth in the City of Arcata; and Add a Proclamation for Each to the Council-Approved List.
1. Staff Report - Approve Two Annual Proclamations for Pride Month and Juneteenth in the City of Arcata .pdf
2. Attachment A - Pride Month Proclamation.pdf
3. Attachment B - Juneteenth Proclamation.pdf
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
It is recommended that the Council:
Approve two annual proclamations in recognition of June as Pride Month and June 19 as Juneteenth in the City of Arcata; and Add each mentioned proclamation to the Council-Approved list.
j.
Award an Annual Contract to Newterra in the Amount of $75,600 for Fiscal Year 2025/26 for Quarterly Maintenance of Aerators in the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Plant Oxidation Ponds; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Current and Future Contracts.
1. Staff Report - Award a Contract to Newterra for the Maintenance of the WWTP Oxidation Ponds Aerators.pdf
2. Attachment A - Quote from Newterra.pdf
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
It is recommended that the Council:
Award a contract to Newterra Corporation Inc. in the amount of $75,600 for the 2025/26 fiscal year for quarterly maintenance of aerators in the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Plant Oxidation Ponds; Authorize the City Manager to award this contract in future fiscal years; and Authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable documents.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
Motion to 1) award a contract to Newterra Corporation Inc. in the amount of $75,600 for the 2025/26 fiscal year for quarterly maintenance of aerators in the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Plant Oxidation Ponds; 2) authorize the City Manager to award this contract in future fiscal years; and 3) authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable documents. Consent Calendar vote.
k.
Approve Sponsorship in an Amount Equivalent to the Plaza Event Fees of $1,300 for the Playhouse Arts and Fairy Festival’s 2025 Arcata Fairy Festival Planned on the Arcata Plaza on July 27, 2025.
1. Staff Report - Sponsorship for Arcata Fairy Festival .pdf
2. Attachment A - Fairy Festival Email to Council dated April 29, 2025.pdf
3. Attachment B - Fairy Festival 2025 Sponsorship Letter.pdf Councilmember Matthews explained she had been in contact with the organizer of the Fairy Festival, and that they were hoping to waive the traffic fee.
City Manager Perry explained that the request was for the City to donate Plaza Event fees including $1,275 for the traffic control fee.
MATTHEWS MOVED AND ATKINS-SALAZAR SECONDED TO APPROVE ITEM K WITH ADDITIONAL $1,275.
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
There being none, Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
Approve item K with the additional $1,275.
l.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of May 21, 2025.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_May21_2025 - English.pdf
7. NEW BUSINESS
a.
Consider Adopting Resolution No. 245-46 Committing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Income Loan Funds to the Roger’s Garage Affordable Housing Project.
1. Staff Report - CDBG Roger's Garage.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution No. 245-46 CDBG PI Roger's Garage.pdf
3. Attachment B - Roger's Garage Plan Set.pdf
4. Attachment C - Comment from J. Holder_Redacted.pdf
Director of Community Development Loya asked the Council to open the public hearing, take public comment, and defer deliberations until a new hearing that would be held at a future date. He proceeded to provide an overview of the steps taken on the project to date and reviewed the proposed course of action. He touched on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption, explaining that a formal decision for the CEQA process would come later.
City Attorney Goldstein reiterated that the item was being presented to Council to lay the groundwork as the City moved forward in reviewing comments and considering the CEQA exemption. She said staff's recommendation was for Council not to take action at this time.
Mayor Stillman opened the public hearing.
Public Commen
t
:
McKinzie Dubill with Danco Communities (applicant) spoke in support of the project.
Due to varying concerns including the project location, the CEQA exemption, project funding, soil contamination, health safety, and traffic congestion; the following members of the public expressed opposition to the proposed project:
Fareed Ahmed, Marion Amber, Kevin, Gregory Daggett, an unidentified member of the audience, Michelle Warner, an unidentified member of the audience, Kari Samlaska, Finley Rae Klein, Sara, Joanne McGarry, Joe Serene, Lisa Brown, Ellen P., Kathleen Stanton, and Megan Davis.
An unidentified member of the audience spoke in support of the project with extensive environmental review.
Mayor Stillman closed the public hearing.
Director Loya said there would be another chance to speak at the next hearing.
No Council action was taken.
It is recommended that the Council:
Adopt an Infill Exemption (CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15332) for the project; Adopt Resolution No. 245-46 authorizing the application for and allocation of up to $1,331,773.00 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Income (PI) to support gap financing for the acquisition of property for the Roger’s Garage multi-family affordable housing development project and Program Income General Administration; and Continue the CDBG Public Hearing to June 4, 2025, to consider authorizing an application for CDBG PI for up to $300,000.00 for the Business Assistance (BA) and Microenterprise (ME) program.
b.
Consider Introducing Ordinance No. 1579, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Adding Article 11 to Title IV, Chapter 2, Making it Unlawful for Any Person in the City to Sell, Offer, Distribute, or Provide Nitrous Oxide to Any Person.
1. Staff Report - Introduce Ordinance No. 1579 for Nitrous Oxide Regulations to Title IV of the Arcata Municipal Code.pdf
2. Attachment A - 1579 Nitrous Oxide Ordinance.pdf
City Manager Perry provided background on the proposed ordinance, reviewing the common uses of nitrous oxide and the increasing misuse of it as a recreational drug. He said that the ordinance would limit use of nitrous oxide to specific uses regulated under specific codes, he said that violations would be misdemeanors and could result in jail time and penalties.
Brianna Sherlock, Senior Program Manager, and Courtney Angelo, Health Education Specialist, with the County's Department of Public Health presented on use and accessibility of nitrous oxide in the County.
City Manager Perry and County staff responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
WHITE MOVED AND MATTHEWS SECONDED TO INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 1579, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA ADDING ARTICLE 11 TO TITLE IV, CHAPTER 2, MAKING IT UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON IN THE CITY TO SELL, OFFER, DISTRIBUTE, OR PROVIDE NITROUS OXIDE TO ANY PERSON.
Mayor Stillman opened the public hearing.
Public Comment
: Joanne McGarry spoke in favor of being a community where people did not seek things like this to cope with their lives.
Mayor Stillman closed the public hearing.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
White
Seconded by:
Matthews
Introduce Ordinance No. 1579, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Adding Article 11 to Title IV, Chapter 2, Making it Unlawful for Any Person in the City to Sell, Offer, Distribute, or Provide Nitrous Oxide to Any Person.
c.
Consider Introducing Ordinance No. 1578, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending Chapter 3, Water, of Title VII, Public Works, of the Arcata Municipal Code.
1. Staff Report - Introduce Ordinance No. 1578, Amendments to Title VII Chapter 3 of the Arcata Municipal Code (1).pdf
2. Attachment A - Ordinance No. 1578.pdf
Deputy Director of Environmental Services—Streets and Utilities Culbert presented that the proposed changes would incorporate new Cross Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH) compliance standards. He said the current code referred to an outdated regulatory handbook. He explained that the amendments would give the updated plan the control it needed to enforce under new conditions of the handbook.
Deputy Director Culbert responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
SCHAEFER MOVED AND ATKINS-SALAZAR SECONDED TO INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 1578, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA AMENDING CHAPTER 3, WATER, OF TITLE VII, PUBLIC WORKS, OF THE ARCATA MUNICIPAL CODE.
Mayor Stillman opened the public hearing.
There being no public comment, Mayor Stillman closed the public hearing.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
Introduce Ordinance No. 1578, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending Chapter 3, Water, of Title VII, Public Works, of the Arcata Municipal Code.
8. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [CONTINUED]
Mayor Stillman invited comment.
Public Comment
: Elma, Jody, Joanne McGarry, Isaac, Alice Finen, Naomi Silvertree, Sherri, Gene, Tamar, and Cate Be.
Mayor Stillman closed the oral and written communications [continued] period.
9. COUNCIL REPORTS
Presenters
: Matthews, White, Atkins-Salazar, Schaefer, and Stillman.
10. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
a.
Schedule a Joint Study Session with the Planning Commission for June 30, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL SCHEDULED A JOINT STUDY SESSION WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR JUNE 30, 2025, AT 5:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,