City Council - Regular Meeting - November 05, 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.
Closed Session Reports:
Prior to Roll Call, City Manager Perry reported that the City had settled Claim No. 1 with GRS Construction for the Old Arcata Road Project for the amount of $84,207.72, including the release of the monies that were owed to them for the regular work on the construction contract.
Mayor Stillman stated that there was nothing to report out from the other closed session item on the agenda.
3. ROLL CALL
All councilmembers present.
4. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
a.
Proclamation Recognizing November 2–9, 2025 as California Retired Teacher's Week.
1. CA Retired Teachers Week Proclamation 2025.pdf
Councilmember Schaefer read the proclamation and presented it to Abigail Proulx with the California Retired Teacher's Association.
b.
Proclamation Recognizing November 2025 as Indigenous Heritage Month.
1. Indigenous Heritage Month 2025.pdf
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar read the proclamation.
c.
Proclamation Recognizing November 2025 as National Hospice & Palliative Care Month.
1. Arcata Hospice and Palliative Care Month Proclamation 2025.pdf Councilmember Matthews read the proclamation and presented it to Laurel Middlemiss, Board Member of Hospice of Humboldt.
5. REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
None.
6. AGENDA MODIFICATION
Assistant City Manager Miller requested that Old Business, Item b. be removed from the agenda.
ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL REMOVED ITEM B FROM OLD BUSINESS—ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 256-18 AUTHORIZING STAFF TO INITIATE THE PROPOSITION 218 PROCESS FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE CITY OF ARCATA'S WATER AND WASTEWATER RATES. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
Remove Item B from Old Business—Adopt Resolution No. 256-18 Authorizing Staff to Initiate the Proposition 218 Process for Adjustment to the City of Arcata's Water and Wastewater Rates.
7. STAFF REPORTS
a.
Receive an Update from City Manager Merritt Perry Regarding the Results of the First FlashVote Survey for the City of Arcata.
1. Community Priorities - Survey Results - Arcata CA - FlashVote.pdf City Manager Perry and Kevin Lyons with Flashvote provided a presentation regarding the results of the first FlashVote survey for the City of Arcata.
b.
Other Staff Reports.
Presenters
: Perry.
8. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [EARLY - TIME LIMITED] Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Scott Davies, Melanie Bettenhausen, Margarette Draper, Kim Jedkins, Shawn Leon, Pat Kanzler, Mike, an unidentified member of the audience, and Jude Power.
Mayor Stillman closed the oral and written communications [early - time limited] period.
9. N/A
None.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Stillman opened the public comment period.
Public Comment:
Joanne McGarry.
Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY WHITE, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR [FOR NOVEMBER 5, 2025, AS PRESENTED, ITEMS A THROUGH H]. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
White
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 October 15, 2025.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Oct15_2025 - English.pdf
c.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of October 15, 2025.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Oct15_2025 - English.pdf
d.
Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
1. Staff Report - Report on Cash Distributions 10.4.25-10.24.25.pdf
2. Attachment A - Cash Disbursements 10.4.25 to 10.24.25.pdf Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
White
It is recommended that the Council approve the report on disbursements listing for the period October 4, 2025, through October 24, 2025.
e.
Adopt Resolution 256-13 Amending the Class and Pay Resolution – Compensation and Benefits for Hourly Rated Part-time, Temporary, and Seasonal Personnel; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Reso 256-13 to Amend Hourly Employees Class and Pay.pdf
2. Attachment A - Reso 256-13 Hourly Class and Pay Final.pdf
f.
Approve the Purchase of Five 2026 Hybrid Ford Mavericks for the City Fleet and Award a Contract to Harper Motors in the Amount of $185,240.30, Including Tax; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Approve Purchase of Five 2026 Hybrid Ford Mavericks and Award Contract to Harper Motors for $185,240.30.pdf
2. Attachment A - Hybrid Ford Maverick Harper Motors Quote.pdf
g.
Approve the Appointment of Rehired Senior Planner, Delo Freitas, at Salary Range M152, Step 6.
1. Staff Report - Authorize appointment of Delo Freitas to Step 6 in the salary band of Senior Planner.pdf
h.
Approve the Purchase of Four Used Ford Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles from the Bear River Rancheria for a total of $180,000; Authorize an Additional $20,000 for Associated Set Up Costs; and Approve Necessary and Associated Related Actions.
1. Staff Report - Authorize Police Department Purchase of Four Used Patrol Cars.pdf
2. Attachment A - Car Quote.pdf
11. OLD BUSINESS
a.
Adopt Resolution No. 256-16 and Resolution No. 256-17 Declaring the Intent of the City to be Reimbursed for Certain Water and Wastewater System Capital Expenses from the Proceeds of Indebtedness.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Resolutions Declaring Intent to Reimburse the City from Bond Proceeds for Certain Capital Expenditures.pdf
2. A - Resolution No. 256-16 Reimbursement Resolution (Water).pdf
3. B - Resolution No. 256-17 Reimbursement Resolution (Wastewater).pdf Assistant City Manager Miller presented to the Council regarding the logistics of the proposed reimbursement resolutions.
City Engineer Khatri presented to the Council regarding the City's water and wastewater capital improvement projects.
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Gregory Daggett.
Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
Director Khatri responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
ON MOTION BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 256-16 DECLARING THE INTENT OF THE CITY OF ARCATA TO BE REIMBURSED FOR CERTAIN WATER SYSTEM CAPITAL EXPENSES FROM THE PROCEEDS OF INDEBTEDNESS; AND ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 256-17 DECLARING THE INTENT OF THE CITY OF ARCATA TO BE REIMBURSED FOR CERTAIN WASTEWATER SYSTEM CAPITAL EXPENSES FROM THE PROCEEDS OF INDEBTEDNESS. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Schaefer
Adopt Resolution No. 256-16 declaring the intent of the City of Arcata to be reimbursed for certain water system capital expenses from the proceeds of indebtedness; and Adopt Resolution No. 256-17 declaring the intent of the City of Arcata to be reimbursed for certain wastewater system capital expenses from the proceeds of indebtedness.
b.
Adopt Resolution No. 256-18 Authorizing Staff to Initiate the Proposition 218 Process for Adjustments to the City of Arcata’s Water and Wastewater Rates.
1. Staff Report - Resolution Initiating the Proposition 218 Process for Adjustments to Water and Wastewater Rates.pdf
2. Attachment A - Arcata Water and Wastewater Rate Study - Draft 10.29.25.pdf
3. Attachment B - City of Arcata Prop 218 Notice Draft 10.29.25.pdf
4. Attachment C - Prop 218 Process Resolution No. 256-18.pdf OLD BUSINESS, ITEM B—
Adopt Resolution No. 256-18 Authorizing Staff to Initiate the Proposition 218 Process for Adjustments to the City of Arcata’s Water and Wastewater Rates was removed from the agenda.
No Council action was taken regarding this item.
12. NEW BUSINESS
a.
Approve Use of up to $371,717 of Opioid Settlement Funds to Serve Unsheltered and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Impacted Individuals by Providing Temporary Shelter and Wrap Around Services.
1. Staff Report - Proposed Use of Opioid Settlement Funds.pdf
2. Attachment A - Temporary Emergency Shelter Proposal Arcata House Partnership10.30.2025.pdf
3. Attachment B - Proposal for MobileOurSpace - a program of Playhouse Arts.pdf
4. Attachment B1 - OurSpaceMobile budget.pdf
Assistant City Manager Miller provided a staff report regarding the City's share of California Statewide Opioid Settlements and proposed uses for the funds.
City Manager Perry and Assistant City Manager Miller responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
Caroline Griffith and Gabrielle Bacchus with Playhouse Arts presented and responded to inquiries from the Council regarding the OurSpace program and the OurSpaceMobile proposal.
Darlene Spoor, Executive Director of Arcata House Partnership, provided a presentation and responded to inquiries from the Council regarding Arcata House Partnership and the proposed temporary emergency use shelter.
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Gregory Daggett, Shawn Leon, Joanne McGarry, an unidentified member of the audience, Nile, Pat Kanzler, an unidentified member of the audience, an unidentified member of the audience, Heidi Kurtis, Amy Scott, an unidentified member of the audience, Emma Dendler, and Shannon Townsend-Bettis.
Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE USE OF $217,048 OF OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS TO SERVE UNSHELTERED AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS BY PROVIDING EMERGENCY SHELTER AND WRAP AROUND SERVICES THROUGH ARCATA HOUSE PARTNERSHIP; AND APPROVED THE USE OF $154,669 OF OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS BY PROVIDING DAYTIME SHELTER, RELIEF, AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR THE CLUBHOUSE MODEL FOR OURSPACE, A PROGRAM OF PLAYHOUSE ARTS; AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
RECESS
: The Council recessed from 8:24 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
Approve the use of $217,048 of opioid settlement funds to serve unsheltered and substance use disorder impacted individuals by providing emergency shelter and wrap around services through Arcata House Partnership; and approve the use of $154,669 of opioid settlement funds by providing daytime shelter, relief, and supportive community services for the clubhouse model for OurSpace, a program of Playhouse Arts; and authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable documents.
b.
Review and Approve Revisions to the City Officials’ Protocol Manual.
1. Staff Report - Review and Approve Revised City Official's Protocol Manual.pdf
2. Attachment A - City Officials' Protocol Manual 2025 Redline Version.pdf Deputy City Attorney Goldstein presented regarding seven proposed changes to the City Officials' Protocol Manual.
City Manager Perry and Deputy City Attorney Goldstein responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Joanne McGarry, Shawn Leon, an unidentified member of the audience, Rick Toledo, Pat Kanzler, Tricia Murphy, an unidentified member of the audience, Dan Shahin, Rebecca Gomez, Kevin Johnson, Jay Smith, Jade, an unidentified member of the audience, an unidentified member of the audience, Fred Weis, Mario Fernandez, an unidentified member of the audience, Lisa Brown, Amy Scott, Ellen P., and Merissa.
Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, MINUS THE AMENDMENT TO SECTION 8.7.1 (PUBLIC COMMENTS DURING THE MEETING) AND AMENDING SECTION 8.9 SECTION VII (ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [EARLY - TIME LIMITED]) AND MOVING FORWARD WITH THE OTHER FIVE THINGS. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
Approve the proposed amendments, minus the amendment to Section 8.7.1 (Public Comments During the Meeting) and amending Section 8.9 Section VII (Oral and Written Communications [Early - Time Limited]) and moving forward with the other five things.
13. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [CONTINUED]
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Joanne McGarry, Tricia Murphy, an unidentified member of the audience, Shannon Townsend-Bettis, and Amy Scott.
Mayor Stillman closed the oral and written communications [continued] period.
14. COUNCIL REPORTS
Presenters
: Schaefer, Atkins-Salazar, Stillman, White, and Matthews.
15. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
16. CLOSED SESSION
None.
17. CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
No additional reports.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,