City Council - Regular Meeting - April 01, 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.
Certificate of Recognition Presented to the Students of Sunnybrae Middle School.
1. SunnyBrae Middle School Students Cert. of Appreciation_2026.pdf Asia Brannell and students from Sunny Brae Middle School accepted the Certificate of Recognition.
b.
Proclamation in Recognition of the Week of the Young Child, April 11–17, 2026.
1. Week of the Young Child 2026 Proclamation.pdf
The proclamation was later mailed to North Coast Childrens Services.
c.
Proclamation in Recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, April 2026.
1. 2026 SAAM Proclamation.pdf
Councilmember Schaefer read the proclamation and presented it to two representatives from North Coast Rape Crisis Team.
d.
Proclamation in Recognition of the 2026 Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival, April 16–19, 2026.
1. Godwit Days Proclamation 2026.pdf
Councilmember Stillman read the proclamation and spoke about the upcoming event.
5. REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
There was none.
6. STAFF REPORTS
There were none.
7. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [EARLY - TIME LIMITED] Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Jesse Almas, and an unidentified member of the audience.
Mayor White closed the oral and written communications [early - time limited] period.
8. N/A
None.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Atkins-Salazar requested that Items F and G be pulled from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
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 FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED [CONSENT CALENDAR] ITEMS A THROUGH E AND ITEM H. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: MATTHEWS. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Stillman
Adopt Items A through E and Item H.
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 March 18, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Mar18_2026 - English.pdf
c.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of March 18, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Mar18_2026 - English.pdf
d.
Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
1. Staff Report - Report on Cash Distributions 3.7.2026-3.20.2026.pdf
2. Attachment A - Cash Disbursements 3.7.2026-3.20.2026.pdf Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Stillman
It is recommended that the Council approve the report on disbursements listing for the period March 7, 2026 through March 20, 2026
e.
Approve an Application for Grant Funds from the California State Coastal Conservancy for the Jolly Giant Creek and Butcher Slough Coastal Resilience and Restoration Planning Project; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Approve California State Coastal Grant Application for Jolly Giant Creek and Butcher Slough Restoration.pdf
h.
Approve a Contract Amendment Amounting to $11,890 with Northpoint Consulting Group, Inc., for Engineering Services for the First Street Lift Station Improvement Project, for a Total Not to Exceed $182,200; and Authorize City Manager to Sign Documents.
1. Staff Report - Approve Contract Amendment for First Street Lift Station Improvement Project's Engineering Services.pdf
2. Attachment A - NCG Eng and Design Svcs for 1st St Lift Station Imps_AMEND1.pdf
f.
Request the Annual Engineer's Report and Preparation of Notices to Declare the City's Intention to Continue to Levy and Collect from Existing Assessment Districts to Include Mad River Parkway Business Center, Windsong Subdivision and Janes Creek Meadow.
1. Staff Report - Request Annual Engineer's Report and Preparation of Notices for Existing Assessment Districts.pdf
2. Attachment A - 2026-2027-Janes Creek Meadows - Engineer's Report.pdf
3. Attachment B - 2026-2027-Windsong District - Engineer's Report.pdf
4. Attachment C - 2026-2027-MRBP - Engineer's Report.pdf Assistant City Engineer Caisse responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
ATKINS-SALAZAR MOVED AND STILLMAN SECONDED TO APPROVE ITEM F [REQUEST THE ANNUAL ENGINEER'S REPORT AND PREPARATION OF NOTICES TO DECLARE THE CITY'S INTENTION TO CONTINUE TO LEVY AND COLLECT FROM EXISTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS TO INCLUDE MAD RIVER PARKWAY BUSINESS CENTER, WINDSONG SUBDIVISION AND JANES CREEK MEADOW].
Mayor White invited public comment.
There being none, Mayor White closed the public comment period.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: MATTHEWS. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Stillman
Approve Item F.
g.
Authorize Staff to Investigate and Potentially Issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Redesign and Update of the Visit Arcata Website.
1. Staff Report - Authorize Staff to Investigate and Potentially Issue RFP for Redesign and Update of Visit Arcata Website.pdf Assistant City Manager Miller responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
ATKINS-SALZAR MOVED AND SCHAEFER SECONDED TO INVESTIGATE OPTIONS FOR REDESIGNING AND UPDATING THE CITY OWNED VISIT ARCATA WEBISTE AND, IF DEEMED APPROPRIATE, BRING THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS BACK TO THE COUNCIL AFTER THE ECONOMIC STRATEGIC PLAN.
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public comment
: Joanne McGarry, and Crystal Hensen.
Mayor White closed the public comment period.
THE MOTION PASSED ON A THREE-TO-ONE-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER. NOES: STILLMAN. ABSENT: MATTHEWS. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Schaefer
Investigate options for redesigning and updating the city owned Visit Arcata website and if deemed appropriate bring the Request for Proposals back to Council after the Economic Strategic Plan.
10. OLD BUSINESS
There was none.
11. NEW BUSINESS
a.
Public Hearing on City Staff Vacancies and the City’s Recruitment and Retention Efforts to Comply with Legal Obligations (Government Code Section 3502.3).
1. Staff Report and Public Hearing on Employee Vacancies.pdf
2. Attachment A - 2025 Agency Presentation Vacancies and Recruitment Efforts.pdf Human Resources and Administrative Services Director Vink provided a presentation.
Mayor White opened the public hearing.
Public comment
: Joanne McGarry, and Gregory Daggett.
Mayor White closed the public hearing.
This item was a presentation and public hearing only. No Council action was taken.
b.
Introduce Ordinance No. 1584, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Repealing Article 12 (Public Safety Committee) in Chapter 3 (Boards, Commissions, Committees and Task Forces) of Title II (Administration), of the Arcata Municipal Code.
1. Staff Report - Repeal PSC.pdf
2. Attachment A - 1584 PSC Repeal Ordinance.pdf
Police Chief Ortega presented.
Mayor White opened the public hearing.
Public comment:
Crystal Hensen, Gregory Daggett, and Joanne McGarry.
Mayor White closed the public hearing.
Chief Ortega responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL INTRODUCED ORDINANCE NO. 1584, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA REPEALING ARTICLE 12 (PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE) IN CHAPTER 3 (BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES, AND TASK FORCES) OF TITLE II (ADMINISTRATION), OF THE ARCATA MUNICIPAL CODE; WAIVED READING OF THE TEXT AND CONSENTED TO READ BY TITLE ONLY. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: MATTHEWS. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Stillman
Introduce Ordinance No. 1584, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Repealing Article 12 (Public Safety Committee) in Chapter 3 (Boards, Commissions, Committees and Task Forces) of Title II (Administration), of the Arcata Municipal Code; waive reading of the text and consent to read by title only.
12. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [CONTINUED]
Mayor White invited public comment.
Councilmember Stillman left the Chamber at 7:17 p.m. and returned at 7:20 p.m.
Public comment:
Gregory Daggett, and Joanne McGarry.
Mayor White closed the oral and written communications [continued] period.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
There was none.
14. COUNCIL REPORTS
Presenters:
Stillman, Atkins-Salazar, Schaefer, and White.
15. 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.
16. CLOSED SESSION
There was none.
17. CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
There were none.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,