City Council - Regular Meeting - June 18, 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.
Proclamation in Recognition of Juneteenth, June 19, 2025.
1. Juneteenth Proclamation 2025.pdf
Vice Mayor White read the proclamation and presented it to Lexxi Reed and Rosemary Grady with Black Humboldt.
b.
Proclamation in Celebration of the Fourth of July Jubilee, July 4, 2025.
1. Fourth of July 2025.pdf
Councilmember Matthews read the proclamation and presented it to Board Secretary of the Arcata Chamber of Commerce, Ashley Osia.
4. STAFF REPORTS
a.
Receive an Update from Juvenile Diversion Counselor, Leah Valdivia, Regarding the Arcata Police Department's Juvenile Diversion Program.
Juvenile Diversion Counselor Leah Valdivia presented regarding the City's Juvenile Diversion Program touching on the program's purpose, referrals, accountability counseling, projects and partnerships. She concluded with an overview of the program's six-month plan.
b.
Other Staff Reports.
None were received at this time.
5. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [EARLY - TIME LIMITED] Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Daniel Pacheco Sanchez, Abraham, Cynthia Potente, Fareed Ahmed, Daniel Shahin, Shawn Leon, and Ellen P.
Mayor Stillman closed the oral and written communications [early - time limited] period.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Joanne McGarry addressed the Council regarding Items E, F, and G.
Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR [FOR JUNE 18, 2025, AS PRESENTED, ITEMS A THROUGH G]. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Schaefer
Adopt the Consent Calendar.
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 June 4, 2025.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Jun04_2025 - English.pdf
c.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of June 4, 2025.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Jun04_2025 - English.pdf
d.
Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
1. Staff Report - Report on Cash Distributions 5.24.2025-6.6.2025.pdf
2. Attachment A - Cash Disbursements 5.24.25 to 6.6.25.pdf Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Schaefer
It is recommended that the Council approve the report on disbursements listing for the period May 24, 2025, through June 6, 2025.
e.
Approve a Revised Hiring and Recruitment Incentive Program Administrative Policy to Include Out of State Lateral Police Officers and the Classifications of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Police Chief.
1. Staff Report - Arcata Police Department Lateral Police Officer Hiring and Recruitment Incentive.pdf
2. Attachment A - Hiring and Recruitment Incentive Administrative Policy.pdf Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Schaefer
It is recommended that the Council approve a revised Hiring and Recruitment Incentive Program Administrative Policy, allowing out of state lateral police officers and the classifications of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Police Chief to be eligible for the lateral Police Officer hiring incentive.
f.
Reassign Planning Commission Chair, Scott Davies, to a Resident Member; and Reappoint Commissioner Amanda Hickey to the Planning Commission as an At Large Member for a Term Expiring March 31, 2027, Pursuant to Arcata Municipal Code Sec. 2202.B.
1. Staff Report - Reappoint Planning Commissioner Hickey.pdf Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Schaefer
Staff recommends that the Council reassign Planning Commission Chair, Scott Davies, from live/work in the planning area to a resident member and reappoint Commissioner Amanda Hickey to the Planning Commission as an at large member effective July 1, 2025, for a term ending March 31, 2027.
g.
Approve Purchase of Water Meter Boxes from PACE Supply Corp. in the Amount of $143,907.12; and Approve Necessary and Associated Related Actions.
1. Staff Report - Approve Purchase of Meter Boxes from PACE Supply for $143,907.12.pdf
2. Attachment A - Combined Pace quotes meter boxes.pdf
Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Schaefer
It is recommended that the Council approve the purchase of water meter boxes from PACE Supply Corp. in the amount of $143,907.12; authorize the City Engineer to increase the purchasing amount by up to 10% to allow for any unforeseen contingencies; and authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable documents.
7. OLD BUSINESS
a.
Public Hearing to Receive Public Comment on the Roger’s Garage Affordable Housing Project.
1. Staff Report - CDBG PI - Roger's Garage.pdf
2. Attachment A. Public Comment 5.21-6.8.2025_Redacted.pdf Director of Community Development Loya announced that no action would be taken at this meeting due to new information impacting the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. He said that the City would be taking a step back to reassess the environmental impact and recommended that the Council receive public comment. **
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar announced that she needed to recuse herself from the matter due to her husband having future involvement in the project, she left the Chamber at 6:58 p.m.
Mayor Stillman opened the public hearing.
Public Comment
:
Due to varying concerns including the project's CEQA exemption, location, design, proximity to school, funding, site contamination, health safety risk, and traffic impacts; the following members of the public expressed opposition to the proposed project:
An unidentified member of audience, Kevin, an unidentified member of the audience, Lynn Roberts, Michelle Warner, Jeanette Wilson, Fareed Ahmed, Tara Moss, Alan Cook, Jim Hartshorn, Kevin Johnson, Kari Samlaska, Erin Bennett, Joe Serene, Joanne McGarry, Lisa Brown, and Megan Davis.
For reasons touching on economic diversity, the project's location, legal obligations for housing, current housing availability limitations, and environmental remediation; the following members of the public spoke in favor of the proposed project:
Cristin Kenyon, Rebecca Smith, and Genevieve Serna.
Mayor Stillman closed the public hearing.
No action was taken.
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar reentered the Chamber at 7:55 p.m.
RECESS
: the Council recessed from 7:55 p.m. to 8:02 p.m.
8. NEW BUSINESS
a.
Public Hearing to Consider Adopting Resolution No. 245-56 Confirming the Report of 2024 Lien Letter Recipients of Delinquent Garbage Account Fees.
1. Staff Report - Delinquent Garbage Account Lien Letters 2024 .pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution 245-56 Delinquent Garbage Account Fees 2024.pdf
3. Attachment B - AIC lien letter_2025_Redacted.pdf
Deputy Director of Environmental Services—Community Services Benvie gave a presentation explaining that Recology provided curbside property waste and that landowners were ultimately responsible for paying the bills for it. She said those who did not pay after notices were sent out were placed on a Lien List to be recorded with the County after the July deadline.
Mayor Stillman opened the public hearing.
There being no public comment, Mayor Stillman closed the public hearing.
MATTHEWS MOVED AND SCHAEFER SECONDED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 245-56 CONFIRMING THE REPORT OF 2024 LIEN LETTER RECIPIENTS OF DELINQUENT GARBAGE ACCOUNT FEES.
Deputy Director Benvie responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
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:
Schaefer
Adopt Resolution No. 245-56 Confirming the Report of 2024 Lien Letter Recipients of Delinquent Garbage Account Fees.
b.
Public Hearing to Consider Adopting Resolution No. 245-55 Authorizing Application for Community Development Block Grant Program Income for Business Assistance and Microenterprise Programs (Not Subject to the California Environmental Quality Act [CEQA]).
1. Staff Report - CDBG PI BA ME.pdf
2. Attachment A. Res. No 245-55.pdf
Director of Community Development Loya reported that this action item would authorize the City to apply for local Community Development Block Grant Program income to add it to an existing open grant that would be closing the following year for business assistance and microenterprise loans.
Mayor Stillman opened the public hearing.
Public Comment
: Joanne McGarry asked what examples would not be subject to CEQA and stated that she wanted to support business and microenterprise.
Mayor Stillman closed the public hearing.
Director Loya responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 245-55 AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM INCOME FOR BUSINESS ASSISTANCE AND MICROENTERPRISE PROGRAMS NOT SUBJECT TO CEQA. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
Adopt Resolution No. 245-55 authorizing application for Community Development Block Grant Program Income for Business Assistance and Microenterprise Programs Not Subject to CEQA.
c.
Public Hearing to Consider Establishing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/2026 Appropriations Limit (“Gann Limit”) and Revising the FY 2024/2025 Appropriations Limit.
1. Staff Report - Public Hearing on FY 2025-26 Appropriations Limit and Revised FY 2024-25 Appropriations Limit .pdf
2. Attachment A. Resolution No 245-52 FY 2025-26 Gann Limit.pdf
3. Attachment B. FY 2025-26 Calculation Documentation.pdf
4. Attachment C. Resolution No. 245-54 Revised FY 2024-25 Gann Limit.pdf
5. Attachment D. FY 2024-25 Calculation and Documentation.pdf Mayor Stillman opened the public hearing.
Assistant City Manager Miller presented regarding the Appropriations (Gann) Limit. She explained that the 2024/2025 limit needed to be revised before proceeding due to an error in the past resolution. She reviewed the 2024/2025 Appropriations Limit, sharing that the limit was $20,349,412. She said that the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 was about an 8.2% increase to $22,019,469.
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public comment
: An unidentified member of the audience asked if 1,000 housing units were included in the Gann Limit.
Mayor Stillman closed the public hearing.
Director Miller responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 245-52 ESTABLISHING THE FISCAL YEAR 25/26 APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT; AND ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 245-54 REVISING THE 24/25 APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
Adopt Resolution No. 245-52 Establishing the Fiscal Year 25/26 Appropriations Limit; and Adopt Resolution No. 245-54 Revising the 24/25 Appropriations Limit.
d.
Public Hearing to Adopt Resolution No. 245-53 Adopting the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Proposed Budget.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget.pdf
2. Attachment A. RESOLUTION NO 245-53 FY 2025 Budget.pdf
3. Attachment B. FY 2025-26 Budget Account Listing.pdf
Mayor Stillman opened the public hearing.
Assistant City Manager Miller provided an overview of the proposed budget explaining that three study sessions had occurred to date for it. She reviewed Council Priority Projects and the proposed numbers for the total budget.
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Joanne McGarry spoke about the benefit of Tenant-Based Rental Assistance. She said the funds were ending which would have an impact on her and spoke in favor of keeping people in safe spaces to live.
Mayor Stillman closed the public hearing.
Director Miller responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY WHITE, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 245-53 ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 PROPOSED BUDGET. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
White
Adopt Resolution No. 245-53 adopting the fiscal year 2025/26 proposed budget.
e.
Introduce Ordinance No. 1580, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Adding Section 3200 to Designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones to Chapter 1, Fire Prevention and Fire Protection, of Title III, Public Safety, of the Arcata Municipal Code.
1. Staff Report - Introduce Ordinance No. 1580, Amendment to Title III Chapter 1 of the Arcata Municipal Code .pdf
2. Attachment A - Ordinance No. 1580.pdf
3. Attachment B - Local Responsibility Area, Fire Severity Zones Map.pdf Director of Environmental Services Sinkhorn gave a presentation reporting that CAL FIRE now required agencies in local responsibility areas to adopt a map if there was a moderate or high fire severity. She shared Arcata's fire hazard severity zones, explained that the map had been released to the public, and noted that the jurisdiction could only raise fire hazard severity if making an amendment.
Mayor Stillman opened the public hearing.
Public Comment
: An unidentified member of the audience spoke in support of the fire department.
Mayor Stillman closed the public hearing.
Director Sinkhorn responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
ON MOTION BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL INTRODUCED ORDINANCE NO. 1580, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA ADDING SECTION 3200 TO DESIGNATE FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES TO CHAPTER 1, FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE PROTECTION, OF TITLE III, PUBLIC SAFETY, OF THE ARCATA MUNICIPAL CODE. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Matthews
Introduce Ordinance No. 1580, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Adding Section 3200 to Designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones to Chapter 1, Fire Prevention and Fire Protection, of Title III, Public Safety, of the Arcata Municipal Code.
9. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [CONTINUED]
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Tricia Murphy, Ella, Jody, Joanne McGarry, Alice Finen, Gene Ameduri, Cate, Ryan, and Ramira.
Mayor Stillman closed the oral and written communications [continued] period.
10. COUNCIL REPORTS
Presenters
: Atkins-Salazar, Stillman, White, Matthews, and Schaefer.
11. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
a.
Cancel the July 2, 2025, City Council Meeting.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS THE COUNCIL CANCELLED THE JULY 2, 2025, CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
b.
Confirm 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 CONFIRMED A JOINT STUDY SESSION WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR JUNE 30, 2025, AT 5:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
c.
Confirm a Joint Study Session with the Board of Directors for the Arcata Fire District for July 30, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL CONFIRMED A JOINT STUDY SESSION WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ARCATA FIRE DISTRICT FOR JULY 30, 2025, AT 3:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
12. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
**
The Minutes were corrected at the City Council meeting of July 16, 2025, as follows
:
"c. Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of June 18, 2025.
City Manager Perry detailed that the City received a letter from Jason Holder requesting the addition of detailed comments to the minutes. He noted that while it may not be appropriate to add more detail to the minutes, there was one correction that the City Clerk had identified.
On inquiry by City Manager Perry, Councilmember Atkins-Salazar confirmed that she had recused due to a potential for conflict and clarified that she did not say that her husband would have involvement in the project but that she did say that her husband would be employed by Danco.
Councilmember Schaefer requested to make the change regarding the language around Councilmember Atkins-Salazar's recusal.
SCHAEFER MOVED AND ATKINS-SALAZAR SECONDED TO APPROVE ITEM C WITH THE AMENDED CHANGE.
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
There being none, Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: MATTHEWS. ABSTENTIONS:
NONE."