City Council - Regular Meeting - March 18, 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. AGENDA MODIFICATION
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL MOVED ITEM E OF NEW BUSINESS–ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 256-50 DEMANDING AN IMMEDIATE END TO THE UNITED STATES-ISRAELI WAR AGAINST IRAN–TO BE PLACED AT THE BEGINNING OF NEW BUSINESS AS ITEM A.
AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
Move Item E of New Business—Adopt Resolution No. 256-50 Demanding an Immediate End to the United States-Israeli War Against Iran—to be placed at the beginning of New Business as Item A.
5. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
a.
Proclamation in Recognition of Sunshine Week, March 15–21, 2026.
1. Sunshine Week Proclamation 2026.pdf
Councilmember Matthews read the proclamation.
b.
Proclamation in Recognition of Two-Spirit Celebration and Appreciation Day, March 20, 2026.
1. Two-Spirit Day Proclamation 2026.pdf
Councilmember Schaefer read the proclamation and presented it to Alexis Villegas, Community Liaison for Queer Humboldt.
6. REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
There was none.
7. STAFF REPORTS
There were none.
8. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [EARLY - TIME LIMITED] Mayor White invited public comment.
Public comment:
Shawn Leon, Rainer Shea, and an unidentified member of the audience.
Mayor White closed the oral and written communications [early - time limited] period.
9. N/A
None.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public comment:
Joanne McGarry.
Mayor White closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR [AS PRESENTED, FOR MARCH 18, 2026, ITEMS A THROUGH K]. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Stillman
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 February 26, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Feb26_2026 - English.pdf
c.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting Study Session of February 26, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCSS_Feb26_2026 - English(1).pdf
d.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting of March 4, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Mar04_2026 - English.pdf
e.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of March 4, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Mar04_2026 - English(1).pdf
f.
Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
1. Staff Report - Report on Cash Distributions 2.21.2026-3.6.2026.pdf
2. Attachment A - Cash Disbursements 2.21.2026-3.6.2026.pdf Moved by:
Stillman
Seconded by:
Schaefer
It is recommended that the Council approve the report on disbursements listing for the period February 21, 2026, through March 6, 2026
g.
Reappoint Erin Kelly and Yana Valachovic to the Forest Management Committee, Each for a Three-Year Term Ending March 31, 2029.
1. Staff Report - Reappoint Erin Kelly and Yana Valachovic to the Forest Management Committee for an Additional Term.pdf
h.
Reappoint Stephanie Lane and Heather Quarles to the Parks and Recreation Committee, Each for a Three-Year Term Ending March 31, 2029.
1. Staff Report - Reappoint Stephanie Lane and Heather Quarles to the Parks and Recreation Committee for an Additional Term.pdf
i.
Reappoint Emma Held to the Wetlands & Creeks Committee for a Three-Year Term Ending March 31, 2029.
1. Staff Report - Reappoint Emma Held to the Wetlands and Creeks Committee for a Three-Year Term Ending March 31, 2029.pdf
j.
Reappoint Peggy Martinez to the Transportation Safety Committee (TSC) for a Three-Year Term Ending March 31, 2029.
1. Staff Report - Reappoint Current Member of the Transportation Safety Committee for a Three-Year Term Ending March 31, 2029.pdf
k.
Approve Sponsorship in an Amount Equivalent to the Plaza Event Fees of $2,575 for the Playhouse Arts and Fairy Festival’s 2026 Arcata Fairy Festival to be Held on the Arcata Plaza on June 28, 2026.
1. Staff Report - Approve Fairy Festival Sponsorship .pdf
2. Attachment A - Fairy Festival Email to Council 2_23_2026.pdf
11. OLD BUSINESS
a.
Public Hearing to Authorize Submission of Three Applications for Funding under the State 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
1. Staff Report - Authorize Submission of the Community Development Block Grant 2025 Applications .pdf
2. A. Resolution 256-40.pdf
3. B. Resolution 256-46.pdf
Director of Community Development Loya presented.
Mayor White opened the public hearing.
Public comment:
Joanne McGarry.
Mayor White closed the public hearing.
STILLMAN MOVED AND SCHAEFER SECONDED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 256-40 AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF THREE 2025 CDBG APPLICATIONS; AND RESOLUTION NO. 256-46 DESIGNATING THE NEPA CERTIFYING OFFICER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO APPLICATIONS DESCRIBED IN RESOLUTION NO. 256-40.
The Council provided comments.
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:
Schaefer
Adopt Resolution No. 256-40 authorizing submission of three 2025 CDBG applications; and Resolution No. 256-46 designating the NEPA Certifying Officer for environmental documents related to applications described in Resolution No. 256-40.
b.
Adopt Ordinance No. 1581, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Adopting a Comprehensive Update to the Coastal Zoning Ordinance; and Resolution No. 256-49 for Submittal of the Local Coastal Program Comprehensive Update.
1. Staff Report - Adopt LCP Ordinance and Resolution.pdf
2. A. Ord 1581 CZO 2026.pdf
3. B. Res 256-49 LCP 2026.pdf
Director of Community Development Loya presented.
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public comment:
Joanne McGarry.
Mayor White closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL CONFIRMED THE AMENDMENT MADE ON MARCH 4, 2026, TO STRIKE THE WORD "PARKING" FROM SECTION 2.14.080.D.1.c OF THE COASTAL ZONING ORDINANCE; ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 1581, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA ADOPTING A COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE TO THE COASTAL ZONING ORDINANCE, WAIVED READING OF THE TEXT, AND CONSENTED TO READ BY TITLE ONLY; AND ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 256-49, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL TO THE COASTAL COMMISSION FOR CERTIFICATION. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Stillman
Seconded by:
Matthews
Confirm the amendment made on March 4, 2026, to strike the word “parking” from Section 2.14.080.D.1.c of the Coastal Zoning Ordinance; adopt Ordinance No. 1581, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Adopting a Comprehensive Update to the Coastal Zoning Ordinance, waive reading of the text, and consent to read by title only; and adopt Resolution No. 256-49, A Resolution of the City council of the City of Arcata Authorizing Submittal to the Coastal Commission for Certification.
12. NEW BUSINESS
a.
AGENDA MODIFICATION: Adopt Resolution No. 256-50 Demanding an Immediate End to the United States-Israeli War Against Iran.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Resolution No. 256-50 Demanding an Immediate end to the U.S.-Israeli War Against Iran .pdf
2. A. Resolution No. 256-50 Demanding an Immediate End to the US-Israeli War Against Iran.pdf This Item was originally placed on the Agenda as New Business, Item E. Due to an agenda modification at the beginning of the meeting, this item was moved to be considered at the beginning of New Business.
City Manager Perry presented.
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public comment:
Dan Shahin, Rainer Shea, Eileen Mandelbom, Judy Foster, Chip Sharp, Shawn Leon, Joanne McGarry, Dave Meserve, Tamar Krigel, Megan Naserie, Mojgan Mahdiz, and Abraham.
Mayor White closed the public comment period.
The Council provided comments and deliberated.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 256-50 DEMANDING AN IMMEDIATE END TO THE UNITED STATES-ISRAELI WAR AGAINST IRAN. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
Adopt Resolution No. 256-50 Demanding an Immediate End to the U.S.-Israeli War Against Iran.
b.
Appoint Three Members to Three Vacancies on the Transportation Safety Committee; Designate One Member to a Planning Area Term Ending March 31, 2027, Effective Immediately, and Two Members to Resident Terms Ending March 31, 2029, Effective April 1, 2026.
1. 2026-03-18 Candidate List TSC.pdf
The Council discussed the three interviews that took place earlier in the evening for the Transportation Safety Committee. The appointments to the three vacancies on the committee were made as detailed in the motion below.
STILLMAN MOVED AND MATTHEWS SECONDED FOR THE PLANNING AREA TERM ENDING MARCH 31, 2027, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: MILIA LANDO; RESIDENT TERM ENDING MARCH 31, 2029, EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2026: SAMANTHA SAUTER; AND RESIDENT TERM ENDING MARCH 31, 2029, EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2026: JEFF SCHINDLER.
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
For the Planning Area term ending March 31, 2027, effective immediately: Milia Lando; Resident Term ending March 31, 2029, effective April 1, 2026: Samantha Sauter; and Resident Term ending March 31, 2029, effective April 1, 2026: Jeff Schindler.
c.
Consider Adopting Resolution No. 256-47, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Accepting the Mid-Year Budget Review and Approving Budget Revisions for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
1. Staff Report - Consider Adopting Resolution 256-47, Approving Budget Revisions for FY 2025-26.pdf
2. A. Mid-Year Budget Resolution 256-47.pdf
3. B. Exhibit to Resolution 256-47.pdf
4. C. FY 2025-26 Mid-Year Supplemental Requests Summary.pdf Assistant City Manager Miller presented.
Mayor White invited public comment.
There being none, Mayor White closed the public comment period.
Assistant City Manager Miller responded to comments and inquiries from the Council.
ON MOTION BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 256-47 APPROVING BUDGET REVISIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Stillman
Adopt Resolution No. 256-47 approving budget revisions for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
d.
Public Hearing to Consider Accomplishments to be Reported for Arcata’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Grant Numbers 22-CDBG-PL-20035 Valley West Neighborhood Center Assessment for Final Closeout.
1. Staff Report - Valley West Neighborhood Assessment CDBG Closeout 22-CDBG-PL-20035.pdf
2. Attachment A. Valley West Community Center Assessment.pdf Director of Community Development Loya presented.
Mayor White opened the public hearing.
Public comment:
Joanne McGarry.
Mayor White closed the public hearing.
Director Loya responded to comments and inquiries from the Council.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL DIRECTED STAFF TO SUBMIT THE FINAL REPORTS AND THE CLOSEOUT PACKAGE TO THE STATE; AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
Direct staff to submit the final reports and the closeout package to the State; and authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable documents.
e.
Adopt Resolution No. 256-48 Accepting the 2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report.
1. Staff Report - 2025 General Plan APR.pdf
2. Attachment A - Reso No 256-48.pdf
Director of Community Development Loya presented.
Mayor White invited public comment.
There being none, Mayor White closed the public comment period.
Director Loya responded to comments and inquiries from the Council.
ON MOTION BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 256-48 ACCEPTING THE 2025 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Stillman
Adopt Resolution No. 256-48 accepting the 2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report.
13. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [CONTINUED]
Mayor White opened the public comment period.
Public comment:
Joanne McGarry, Tamar Krigel, an unidentified member of the audience, and Jody.
Councilmember Stillman left the Council Chamber at 7:48 p.m. and returned at 7:51 p.m.
Mayor White closed the oral and written communications [continued] period.
14. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Perry provided a report.
City Manager Perry and Fire Chief Chris Emmons with the Arcata Fire District responded to comments and inquiries from the Council.
15. COUNCIL REPORTS
Presenters:
Matthews, Schaefer, Atkins-Salazar, Stillman, and White.
16. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
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.
17. CLOSED SESSION
There was none.
18. CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
There were no additional reports.
19. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,