City Council - Regular Meeting - February 04, 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 Recognition of Black Liberation Month, February 2026.
1. Black History Month Proclamation 2026.pdf
Councilmember Schaefer read the proclamation.
5. REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
a.
Receive Annual Report from the Planning Commission.
1. PC 2025 Annual Report.pdf
Planning Commission Chair Matthew Simmons provided an oral version of the Commission's annual report.
6. STAFF REPORTS
a.
Receive a Presentation from County of Humboldt Staff on the Continuum of Care.
Mayor White announced that this item would be postponed to a future date.
b.
Receive an Arcata Fire District 2025 Year-End Report from Fire Chief Chris Emmons.
Fire Chief Chris Emmons with the Arcata Fire District provided a 2025 year-end report.
c.
Receive an Arcata Police Department 2025 Year-End Activity Report from Police Chief Chris Ortega.
Chief of Police Ortega provided a year-end activity report for 2025.
7. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [EARLY - TIME LIMITED] Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Phil Bradley (who provided a written communication), Tamar Krigel, an unidentified member of the audience, an unidentified member of the audience, an unidentified member of the audience, Bradley, and Lily.
Mayor White closed the oral and written communications [early - time limited] period.
8. N/A
None.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
RECESS
: The Council recessed from 6:58 p.m. to 7:09 P.M.
STILLMAN MOVED, AND MATTHEWS SECONDED, TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR [FOR FEBRUARY 4, 2026, AS PRESENTED, ITEMS A THROUGH L].
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Joanne McGarry.
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:
Stillman
Seconded by:
Matthews
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 January 21, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Jan21_2026 - English.pdf
c.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of January 21, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Jan21_2026 - English.pdf
d.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting of January 22, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Jan22_2026 - English.pdf
e.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting Study Session of January 22, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCSS_Jan22_2026 - English.pdf
f.
Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
1. Staff Report - Report on Cash Distributions 1.11.26-1.23.26.pdf
2. Attachment A - Cash Disbursements 1.11.26-1.23.26.pdf Moved by:
Stillman
Seconded by:
Matthews
It is recommended that the Council approve the report on disbursements listing for the period January 11, 2026, through January 23, 2026
g.
Adopt 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 - Adopt Ordinance No. 1585.pdf
2. Attachment A - Ordinance No. 1585 Campaign Contribution Limitations.pdf
h.
Adopt Resolution No. 256-37 Authorizing Destruction of Certain City Records Maintained by the City as Permitted under Section 304090 of the California Government Code and the Secretary of State’s Local Government Records Program.
1. Staff Report - Approval of Annual Destruction of Records.pdf
2. Attachment A. Resolution 256-37 Destruction of Records 2026.pdf
3. Attachment B. Exh A_Approval for and Certification of Destruction_Building 2026.pdf
4. Attachment C. Exh B_Approval for and Certificaton of Destruction_City Clerk 2026.pdf
5. Attachment D. Exh C_Approval for and Certificaton of Destruction_CMO Contracts_Projects.pdf
6. Attachment E. Exh D_Approval for and Certificaton of Destruction_CMO HR Payroll.pdf
7. Attachment F. Exh E_Approval for and Certificaton of Destruction_CMO Front Desk.pdf
8. Attachment G. Exh F_Approval for and Certificaton of Destruction_Community Development.pdf
9. Attachment H. Exh G_Approval for and Certificaton of Destruction_ES 2025.pdf
10. Attachment I. Exh H_Approval for and Certificaton of Destruction_Finance FY 25.26.pdf
11. Attachment J. Exh I_Approval for and Certificaton of Destruction_Recreation (003).pdf
i.
Award Construction Contract to Sustainable Living Builders, Inc. in the amount of $173,150 for the Alliance Intertie Electrical System Replacement, Re-Roof and Solar Project; Approve Necessary and Associated Related Actions—CEQA Exempt per Section 15301.
1. Staff Report - Award Construction Contract for Alliance Intertie Improvements Project.pdf
2. Attachment A - BID SUMMARY_Alliance Intertie Imps.pdf
j.
Approve Two Contract Amendments with Carollo Engineers for Phase I Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facilities Upgrade Project: 1) $161,860 for Construction Management Services; 2) $44,390 for Engineering Services; and Authorize City Manager to Sign Documents.
1. Staff Report - Approve 2 Carollo Engineers Contract Amendments Phs 1 Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facilities Upgrade Project.pdf
2. Attachment A - CM-O Amendment Request No. 2 - Jan 2026 Rev3.pdf
3. Attachment B - Carollo_Chlorine Demand Study Proposal_11.20.25.pdf
k.
Adopt Resolution No. 256-35 Adopting Permanent Local Housing Allocation Funding Allocations for the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Allocation Years; California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exempt per the Commonsense Exemption (CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15061(b)(3)).
1. Staff Report - Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Funding for 2021, 2022 and 2023.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution No. 256-35.pdf
l.
Approve an Amendment to Extend the Grazing Lease with John E. and Charline H. Ford, dba John Ford Ranch, Assessor’s Parcel Nos. 501-061-001, -002,-003 and -005 through December 31, 2026; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Approve Amendment Extending Existing John Ford Ranch Grazing Lease through December 31, 2026.pdf
2. Attachment A - Ford Grazing Lease Amendment2_extend to 12.31.2026.pdf
10. OLD BUSINESS
a.
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 - Adopt Resolution No. 256-18 Initiating the Proposition 218 Process for Water and Wastewater Rates.pdf
2. A. BWA City of Arcata Water and Wastewater Rate Study, January 14, 2026 Draft No Appendix.pdf
3. B. Resolution 256-18 Initiate the Proposition 218 Process.docx.pdf
4. C. Draft Proposition 218 Notice of Public Hearing on Proposed Water and Wastewater Rate Increases.pdf
5. D BWA Presentation - City of Arcata W+WW Rate Study 1.14.2026.pdf Assistant City Manager Miller presented regarding the proposed City of Arcata Water and Wastewater Rate increases covering fiscal years 2026–2030.
Principal Erik Helgeson of Bartle Wells presented regarding the respective financial plans and rate recommendations.
Director Miller and Principal Helgeson responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Gregory Daggett, Jony Wise, Joanne McGarry, and an unidentified member of the audience.
Mayor White closed the public comment period.
The Council deliberated regarding which rate implementation scenario to choose.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ONE VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 256-18 AUTHORIZING STAFF TO INITIATE THE PROP 218 PROCESS FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE CITY OF ARCATA'S WATER AND WASTEWATER RATES BASED ON SCENARIO 2 PROVIDED IN THE STAFF REPORT. AYES: WHITE, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: ATKINS-SALAZAR. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
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 based on Scenario 2 provided in the staff report.
11. NEW BUSINESS
a.
Public Scoping Hearing on Potential Projects the City may Submit for Funding Under the State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2025 Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA).
1. Staff Report - Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Scoping Hearing .pdf
2. A. Potential Community Development Projects.pdf
3. B. CDBG Scoring Matrix .pdf
Vice Mayor Atkins-Salazar left the Chamber at 8:33 p.m. due to her need to recuse on account of having a financial conflict of interest for the Roger's Garage Affordable Housing Project because of her husband's employment by the project applicant, Danco. This project was listed as one of the potential projects in Attachment A for the agenda item.
Director of Community Development Loya presented regarding the process of submitting projects for funding under the State Community Development Block Grant 2025 Notice of Funds Availability.
Director Loya responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
Mayor White opened the public hearing.
Public Comment
: An unidentified member of the audience, Gregory Daggett, an unidentified member of the audience, an unidentified member of the audience, Joanne McGarry, an unidentified member of the audience, Jony Wise, an unidentified member of the audience, Mike Taylor, Connie Stewart, Justin Regnier, S. Smith, Spagnum, and Aaron Bennett.
Mayor White closed the public hearing.
The Council provided comments and proposed adding one project to the list by general consensus.
This item was a public hearing consisting of discussion only; no Council action was taken.
12. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [CONTINUED]
Vice Mayor Atkins-Salazar reentered the Chamber at 9:40 p.m.
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment:
An unidentified member of the audience (who provided a written communication), Michael, Joanne McGarry, Hillary, an unidentified member of the audience, Abraham, Linda, an unidentified member of the audience, Kyle, Larance, Dan Shahin, and an unidentified member of the audience.
Mayor White closed the oral and written communications [continued] period.
Councilmember Stillman left the Chamber at 9:59 p.m. and returned at 10:01 p.m.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
There was none.
14. COUNCIL REPORTS
Presenters
: Matthews, Schaefer, Atkins-Salazar, Stillman, and White.
15. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Future Agenda Item
: Mayor White requested to agendize a discussion or Study Session regarding disaster preparedness.
a.
Confirm Three Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Budget Study Sessions for April 6, 8, and 29, 2026—Each at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL CONFIRMED THREE FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 BUDGET STUDY SESSIONS FOR APRIL 6, 8, AND 29, 2026—EACH 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 10:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,