City Council - Regular Meeting - February 18, 2026
1. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Vice Mayor Atkins-Salazar read a statement acknowledging that Arcata sat on ancestral Wiyot land.
2. FLAG SALUTE
Vice Mayor Atkins-Salazar led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Varley called roll.
4. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
There were none.
5. REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
a.
Receive Annual Report from the Historic Landmarks Committee.
1. HLC 2025 Annual Report.pdf
The Historic Landmarks Committee Chair, Bill Rich, provided an oral version of the committee's annual report.
6. STAFF REPORTS
There were none.
7. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [EARLY - TIME LIMITED] Vice Mayor Atkins-Salazar invited public comment.
There being no public comment, Vice Mayor Atkins-Salazar closed the oral and written communications [early - time limited] period.
8. N/A
None.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Atkins-Salazar invited public comment.
Public Comment:
Carly Tambling, and Joanne McGarry.
Vice Mayor Atkins-Salazar closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A THREE-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH TWO ABSENCES, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR [AS PRESENTED FOR FEBRUARY 18, 2026, ITEMS A THROUGH H]. AYES: ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: WHITE, SCHAEFER. 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 February 4, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Feb04_2026 - English.pdf
c.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of February 4, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Feb04_2026 - English.pdf
d.
Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
1. Staff Report - Report on Cash Distributions 1.24.26-2.6.26.pdf
2. Attachment A - Cash Disbursements 1.24.26 to 2.6.26.pdf Moved by:
Stillman
Seconded by:
Matthews
It is recommended that the Council approve the report on disbursements listing for the period January 24, 2026, through February 6, 2026
e.
Adopt Resolution No. 256-38 Extending the Local Emergency Caused by the Downtown Fire on January 2, 2026.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Resolution No. 256-38 Extending the Local Emergency Caused by the Downtown Fire on January 2, 2026.pdf
2. A. Resolution No. 256-38 Extending Local Emergency .pdf
f.
Approve a Lease Agreement with Robert L. Figas for a Portion of the 4700 West End Road Property; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Approve Lease Agreement with Robert L. Figas for Portion of the 4700 West End Road Property .pdf
2. Attachment A - Figas 4700 West End Lease Agreement_Jan.2026.pdf
g.
Approve a $2,500 Sponsorship for Bright and Green to Provide Reusable Dishware at Community Events, Including the Saturday Arcata Farmers’ Markets.
1. Staff Report - Approve a $2,500 Sponsorship for Bright and Green to Provide Reusable Dishware at Community Events.pdf
h.
Approve an Amendment to the Agreement for Franchise Agreement Negotiation Assistance with CSG Consultants, Inc., in the amount of $20,000 with a Term Extended to October 31, 2026; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report- Amend CSG Consultants Professional Services Agreement in the amount of $20,000.pdf
2. Attachment A - CSG Consultants Professional Services Agreement_Redacted.pdf
3. Attachment B - CSG Consultants Proposal for Franchise Agreement Negotiations.pdf
10. OLD BUSINESS
a.
Provide Direction 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 - Review Potential CDBG Projects List for 2025 Application .pdf
2. Attachment A - Potential CDBG Project List.pdf
3. Attachment B - CDBG Scoring Matrix.pdf
Deputy Director of Community Development Dart and Director of Community Development Loya presented.
Vice Mayor Atkins-Salazar opened the public hearing.
Public Comment
: Joanne McGarry, and Tabatha Miller.
Vice Mayor Atkins-Salazar closed the public hearing.
Director Loya, Deputy Director Dart, and Assistant City Manager Miller responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
The Council deliberated regarding which application options to choose and whether to defer the decision to a future date.
ON MOTION BY MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A THREE-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH TWO ABSENCES, THE COUNCIL CONTINUED THE PUBLIC HEARING TO A TIME CERTAIN OF FEBRUARY 26, [2026], AT 5:00 P.M. [IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER]. AYES: ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: WHITE, SCHAEFER. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Stillman
Continue the public hearing to a time certain of February 26 at 5:00 p.m.
11. NEW BUSINESS
There was none.
12. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [CONTINUED]
Vice Mayor Atkins-Salazar invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Joanne McGarry, and Tricia Murphy.
Vice Mayor Atkins-Salazar closed the oral and written communications [continued] period.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Perry provided a report.
14. COUNCIL REPORTS
Presenters
: Matthews, Stillman, and Atkins-Salazar.
15. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
a.
Schedule an Annual Study Session with Committee and Commission Chairpersons for February 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL SCHEDULED AN ANNUAL STUDY SESSION WITH COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION CHAIRPERSONS FOR FEBRUARY 26, 2026, AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
The start time for this study session was later adjusted to 5:15 p.m. due to the public hearing for Agenda Item 10-a. being continued to the same 5:00 p.m. start time.
b.
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 7:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,