City Council - Regular Meeting - January 21, 2026
1. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Mayor White read a statement acknowledging that Arcata sat on ancestral Wiyot Land.
2. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor White led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Varley called roll.
4. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
a.
Proclamation in Honor of the Multijurisdictional Fire Department Response to the January 2, 2026, Downtown Arcata Fire.
1. 2026 Honoring Local Fire Departments.pdf
Councilmember Matthews read the proclamation and presented it to the Arcata Fire District staff who responded to the fire emergency on January 2, 2026.
b.
Proclamation Recognizing January 2026 as National Mentoring Month.
1. National Mentoring Month Proclamation 2026.pdf
Councilmember Schaefer read the proclamation.
5. REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
There was none.
6. STAFF REPORTS
a.
Receive an Update from Director of Environmental Services Emily Sinkhorn and GHD Technical Director Rebecca Crow Regarding the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facility Long-Range Feasibility Study.
City Engineer Khatri provided an update and introduced Rebecca Crow who provided an overview of the project with the anticipated timeline.
b.
Receive an Annual Update from the Equity Arcata Team: Mo Harper-Desir and Fernando Paz, Regarding Equity Arcata.
Equity Arcata Co-Managers Mo Harper-Desir and Fernando Paz provided an annual update regarding Equity Arcata.
7. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [EARLY - TIME LIMITED] Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Pat Kanzler.
Mayor White closed the oral and written communications [early - time limited] period.
8. N/A
None.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Matthews removed Item N from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Joanne McGarry, Gregory Daggett, and Margaret Draper.
Mayor White closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS A THROUGH M [WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM N: APPROVE A SPONSORSHIP FOR THE KINETIC UNIVERSE'S KINETIC GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP RACE IN AN AMOUNT EQUIVALENT TO THE PLAZA EVENT FEES OF $1,300 FOR THE SCULPTURE RACE PLANNED ON THE ARCATA PLAZA ON MAY 23, 2026]. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
Adopt Consent Calendar Items A through M.
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 December 11, 2025.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Dec11_2025 - English.pdf
c.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting of December 17, 2025.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Dec17_2025 - English.pdf
d.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of December 17, 2025.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Dec17_2025 - English.pdf
e.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting of January 9, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Jan09_2026 - English.pdf
f.
Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
1. Staff Report - Report on Cash Distributions 12.6.2025-1.10.2026.pdf
2. Attachment A - Cash Disbursements 12.6.2025 to 1.10.2026.pdf Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
It is recommended that the Council approve the report on disbursements listing for the period December 6, 2025, through January 10, 2026.
g.
Adopt Resolution No. 256-27 Adopting the Local Impact Program Guidelines – California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exempt per the Commonsense Exemption (CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)).
1. Staff Report - Local Impact Program Guidelines.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution 256-27.pdf
h.
Adopt Resolution Nos. 256-29 and 256-30 to Amend Management and Confidential, and Arcata Police Association Class and Pay; and Adopt Resolution No. 256-31 to Amend Management and Confidential Supplemental Compensation and Benefits.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Reso 256-29, 256-30 and 256-31 transfer of Juvenile Diversion Counselor classification.pdf
2. Attachment A - Reso 256-29 Management and Confidential Class and Pay.pdf
3. Attachment B - Reso 256-30 Arcata Police Association Class and Pay.pdf
4. Attachment C - Resolution 256-31 Management and Confidential Supplemental Compensation and Benefits.pdf Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
It is recommended that the Council:
Adopt Resolution No 256-29, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending the Management, Mid-management, Confidential and Appointed Employees Class and Pay; and Adopt Resolution No. 256-30, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending the Class and Pay for the Arcata Police Association [to Reflect Revisions and Additions].
Adopt Resolution No. 256-31, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending the Supplemental Compensation and Benefits Resolution – Management, Mid-management, Confidential, and Appointed Employees [to Reflect Revisions and Additions].
i.
Approve a Letter of Opposition to be Sent to the Humboldt County Planning & Building Department for the Proposed Conditional Use Permit to Build a New Telecommunications Tower Near 422 Shirley Boulevard; and Authorize the Mayor to Sign the Letter.
1. Staff Report - Approve Letter of Opposition for a CUP to Build a New Telecommunications Tower Near 422 Shirley Boulevard.pdf
2. Attachment A - Cell Tower Letter of Opposition.pdf
j.
Adopt Resolution No. 256-28 Approving Execution of Grant Funds from the Ocean Protection Council to Develop an Arcata Sea Level Rise Adaptation Pathways Plan. Not a Project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
1. Staff Report - Adopt Resolution 256-28 Approving Execution of Grant Funds from the Ocean Protection Council .pdf
2. Resolution No. 256-28.pdf
k.
Adopt Resolution No. 256-33 Updating the City of Arcata Investment Policy.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Resolution No. 256-33 Updating the City Investment Policy.pdf
2. A. Red-lined Investment Policy 1.12.2026.pdf
3. B. Investment Policy Clean Version 1.21.2026.pdf
4. C. Resolution No. 256-33 Update the City of Arcata Investment Policy.pdf
5. D. Management Directive 7.1.2024.pdf
l.
Reappoint Amanda Hickey to the Planning Commission for a Term Expiring March 31, 2027.
1. Staff Report - Reappoint Amanda Hickey to Planning Commission.pdf
m.
Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cal Poly Humboldt for the US 101 and Sunset Avenue Interchange Improvements Project; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Necessary Documents Pertaining to the MOU.
1. Staff Report - Approve MOU with Cal Poly Humboldt for the US 101 and Sunset Ave Interchange Project.pdf
2. Attachment A - MOU Sunset Interchange 011326.pdf
n.
Approve a Sponsorship for the Kinetic Universe’s Kinetic Grand Championship Race in an Amount Equivalent to the Plaza Event Fees of $1,300 for the Sculpture Race Planned on the Arcata Plaza on May 23, 2026.
1. Staff Report - Sponsorship for Kinetic Sculpture Race.pdf
2. Attachment A - Kinetic Grand Championship Letter to Council 2026 .pdf The Council discussed ideas of how to organize and create guidelines for which events to sponsor; they came to general consensus that the sponsorship amount for the Kinetic Grand Championship Race should also include set up fees.
ATKINS-SALAZAR MOVED AND MATTHEWS SECONDED TO ADOPT ITEM N WITH CHANGING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT TO $2,575.
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Jennifer Thelander.
Mayor White closed the public comment period.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Matthews
Adopt N with changing the dollar amount to $2,575.
10. OLD BUSINESS
a.
Approve an Amendment to the Bike Share Program Contract with Tandem Mobility, LLC to Add Two New E-bike Stations and Extend the Term for Three Years, for up to $137,500 per Program Year; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Related Documents.
1. Staff Report - Amend Existing Bike Share Program Agreement with Tandem Mobility to Extend the Contract for 3 More Years.pdf
2. Attachment A - Quote QU0212a (3).pdf
City Engineer Khatri presented regarding the City's bikeshare program and the proposed amendment to the contract with Tandem Mobility.
Director Khatri responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Joanne McGarry.
Mayor White closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL APPROVED AN AMENDMENT TO THE BIKE SHARE PROGRAM CONTRACT WITH TANDEM MOBILITY TO ADD TWO NEW E-BIKE STATIONS AND EXTEND THE TERM FOR THREE YEARS FOR UP TO $137,500 PER PROGRAM YEAR; AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL RELATED DOCUMENTS. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
11. NEW BUSINESS
a.
Introduce Ordinance No. 1585, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending the Arcata Municipal Code Title II, Chapter 10, to Make Biennial Consumer Price Index Adjustments to Campaign Contribution Limitations.
1. Staff Report - Introduce Ordinance No. 1585 Increasing Campaign Contribution Limits.pdf
2. Attachment A - Ordinance No. 1585 Campaign Contribution Limitations.pdf City Clerk Varley provided a staff report regarding the proposed biennial consumer price index adjustments to campaign contribution limitations for the 2026 election cycle.
Mayor White opened the public hearing.
Public Comment:
Daniel Shahin.
Mayor White closed the public hearing.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL INTRODUCED ORDINANCE NO. 1585, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA AMENDING THE ARCATA MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE II, CHAPTER 10, TO MAKE BIENNIAL CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ADJUSTMENTS TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITATIONS. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Stillman
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
Introduce Ordinance No. 1585, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending the Arcata Municipal Code Title II, Chapter 10, to Make Biennial Consumer Price Index Adjustments to Campaign Contribution Limitations.
12. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [CONTINUED]
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment:
Gregory Daggett, Tricia Murphy, Joanne McGarry, Daniel Shahin, Jody, and Tamar Krigel.
Mayor White closed the oral and written communications [continued] period.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Perry provided a report.
14. COUNCIL REPORTS
Presenters
: Stillman, Atkins-Salazar, Schaefer, Matthews, and White.
15. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
a.
Set a Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Budget Study Session for April 6, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL SET A FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 BUDGET STUDY SESSION FOR APRIL 6, 2026, AT 3:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
b.
Set a Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Budget Study Session for April 8, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL SET A FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 BUDGET STUDY SESSION FOR APRIL 8, 2026, AT 3:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
c.
Set a Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Budget Study Session for April 29, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL SET A FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 BUDGET STUDY SESSION FOR APRIL 29, 2026, AT 3:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
16. CLOSED SESSION
There was none.
17. CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
There were none.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,