City Council - Regular Meeting - November 19, 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. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Varley called roll.
4. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
a.
Proclamation in Recognition of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, November 16–22, 2025.
1. Hunger Homelessness Awareness Week Proclamation 2025.pdf Councilmember Schaefer read the proclamation and presented it to Nezzie Wade, Co-Founder and President of AHHA, and Gretta Stockwell, a member of the Board of Directors for Food for People.
b.
Proclamation Designating November 16–December 31, 2025, as the Season of Wonder and Light in Arcata.
1. Season of Wonder and Light Proclamation 2025.pdf
Councilmember Matthews read the proclamation and presented it to Meredith Maier, Executive Director of the Arcata Chamber of Commerce.
5. REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
a.
Annual Report from the Forest Management Committee.
1. Annual Report from the Forest Management Committee PDF.pdf Michael Furniss, Chair of the Forest Management Committee, provided an oral version of the Committee's Annual Report.
b.
Annual Report from the Transactions and Use Tax Oversight Committee.
1. FY 2024-25 Annual TUTOC Report to City Council.pdf
Assistant City Manager Miller requested to have the item moved to the middle of New Business.
ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL POSTPONED THE ITEM UNTIL LATER IN THE AGENDA. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Later in the meeting at 7:32 p.m., during New Business, Steve Cole, Vice Chair of the Transactions and Use Tax Oversight Committee, presented an oral version of the Committee's annual report.
6. STAFF REPORTS
a.
Receive an Update on the Arcata Strategic Arts Plan and Preview of the 2025-26 Call for Art from Emily Benvie, Environmental Services Deputy Director, and Jaqueline Dandeneau, Executive Artistic Director of Playhouse Arts.
Deputy Director of Environmental Services—Communities Services Benvie and Jackie Dandeneau, Executive Artistic Director of Playhouse Arts, provided a three-year review of the Arcata Strategic Arts Plan.
7. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [EARLY - TIME LIMITED] Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Shawn Leon, Cy, Nezzi Wade, Logan, Heidi Kurtis, George Green, an unidentified member of the audience, and Tricia Murphy.
Mayor Stillman closed the oral and written communications [early - time limited] period.
8. N/A
None.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
ATKINS-SALAZAR MOVED AND SCHAEFER SECONDED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR [AS PRESENTED FOR NOVEMBER 19, 2025, ITEMS A THROUGH D].
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:
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 November 5, 2025.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Nov05_2025 - English.pdf
c.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of November 5, 2025.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Nov05_2025 - English.pdf
d.
Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
1. Staff Report – Report on Cash Distributions 10.25.2025-11.08.2025.pdf
2. Attachment A – Cash Disbursements 10.25.25 to 11.8.25.pdf Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Schaefer
It is recommended that the Council approve the report on disbursements listing for the period October 25, 2025, through November 8, 2025.
10. OLD BUSINESS
There was none.
11. NEW BUSINESS
a.
Adopt Resolution No. 256-20 Supporting Humboldt County Association of Governments Regional Housing Needs Allocation Methodology.
1. Staff Report – Support the Humboldt County Association of Governments draft Regional Housing Needs Allocation Methodology.pdf
2. Attachment A. Resolution No. 256-20.pdf
3. Attachment B. HCAOG RHNA Methodology Staff Report .pdf Director of Community Development Loya and Deputy Director of Community Development Dart presented regarding the proposed Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) methodology.
Director Loya provided an amended version of Resolution No. 256-20 to the Council for consideration. The proposed amended language added a second item to the "NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED . . . " section of the resolution as follows: " 2) recommends Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAoG) work with affected jurisdictions to demonstrate the 50/50 method meets all five statutory objectives pursuant to Government Code Section 65584(d), including affirmatively furthering fair housing, infill development, and achieving the region's greenhouse gas reduction targets recognizing the AFFH Mapping Tool does not produce desired results in Humboldt County." Director Loya and Deputy Director Dart responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
WHITE MOVED AND ATKINS-SALAZAR SECONDED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 256-20 SUPPORTING HUMBOLDT COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ALLOCATION METHODOLOGY WITH STAFF RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS; AND DIRECT STAFF TO FORWARD RESOLUTION 256-20 TO THE HCAOG BOARD.
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Joanne McGarry.
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.
RECESS
: The Council recessed from 7:26 p.m. until 7:31 p.m.
Moved by:
White
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
Adopt Resolution No. 256-20 Supporting Humboldt County Association of Governments Regional Housing Needs Allocation Methodology with staff recommended amendments; and direct staff to forward Resolution No. 256-20 to the HCAOG Board.
b.
Conduct a Public Hearing to Receive Input Regarding Unmet Transit Needs; and Direct Staff to Forward All Comments to the Humboldt County Association of Governments.
1. Staff Report - Public Hearing to Receive Input Regarding Unmet Transit Needs.pdf
2. Attachment A - Unmet Transit Needs Synopsis.pdf
3. Attachment B - Unmet Transit Needs Flyer.pdf
City Engineer Khatri presented regarding the hearing process for unmet transit needs.
Director Khatri responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
Mayor Stillman opened the public hearing.
Public Comment:
April Joyce, Dan Shahin, and Joanne McGarry.
Mayor Stillman closed the public hearing.
No Council action was taken on this item.
c.
Public Hearing on Updates to the Master Fee Schedule; and Adopt Resolution No. 256-21, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Adopting Changes to the City’s Master Fee Schedule.
1. Staff Report – Public Hearing on Select Updates to the Master Fee Schedule Resolution No. 256-21 .pdf
2. Attachment A – Resolution No. 256-21 Adopting Changes to the City’s Master Fee Schedule.pdf
3. Attachment B – Attachment A to Resolution No. 256-21.pdf Assistant City Manager Miller presented regarding a mid-year update including fees being added or corrected on the City's fee schedule.
Mayor Stillman opened the public hearing.
There being no public comment, Mayor Stillman closed the public hearing.
ON MOTION BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 256-21 ADOPTING CHANGES TO THE CITY'S MASTER FEE SCHEDULE. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Schaefer
Adopt Resolution No. 256-21 adopting changes to the City's Master Fee Schedule.
d.
Find Ordinance No. 1583 to be Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act; and Introduce Ordinance No. 1583, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending Title VIII of the Arcata Municipal Code and Adopting by Reference the
1. Staff Report - Introduce Ordinance No. 1583, Amending Arcata Municipal Code Pertaining to CA Building Code Updates.pdf
2. Attachment A - Ordinance No. 1583 AMC TITLE VIII_Final.pdf Building Official Bishop presented regarding the proposed amendments to Title VIII of the Arcata Municipal Code that Ordinance No. 1583 would make.
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Joanne McGarry.
Mayor Stillman closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL FOUND THAT THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1583 WAS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15061 (B)(3) OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES FOR THE REASONS STATED IN ORDINANCE NO. 1583; AND INTRODUCED ORDINANCE NO. 1583, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA AMENDING TITLE VIII OF THE ARCATA MUNICIPAL CODE AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, THE UNIFORM HOUSING CODE, THE UNIFORM CODE FOR THE ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS, AND THE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE; AND WAIVED READING OF THE TEXT, AND CONSENTED TO READ BY TITLE ONLY. AYES: STILLMAN, WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
Find that adoption of Ordinance No. 1583 is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines for the reasons stated in Ordinance No. 1583; and Introduce Ordinance No. 1583, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending Title VIII of the Arcata Municipal Code and Adopting by Reference the 2025 California Building Standards Code, the Uniform Housing Code, the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, and the Property Maintenance Code; Waive Reading of the Text, and Consent to Read by Title Only.
12. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [CONTINUED]
Mayor Stillman invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Dan Shahin, Brice Barker, Dwayne, Joanne McGarry, Abraham, and Jody.
Mayor Stillman closed the oral and written communications [continued] period.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Perry provided a report.
14. COUNCIL REPORTS
Presenters
: Schaefer, Atkins-Salazar, White, Matthews, and Stillman.
15. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
a.
Cancel the Regular Meeting of December 3, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL CANCELLED THE REGULAR MEETING OF DECEMBER 3, 2025, AT 6:00 P.M.
b.
Schedule the Special Meeting to Elect a Mayor and Vice Mayor for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2025, in the Council Chamber.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL SCHEDULED THE SPECIAL MEETING TO ELECT A MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR FOR 5:30 P.M. ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2025, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
16. CLOSED SESSION
There was none.
17. CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
There were none.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rhea Varley
City Clerk