City Council - Regular Meeting - May 06, 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 Older Americans Month, May 2026.
1. Older Americans Month 2026 Proclamation.pdf
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar presented the proclamation to Andrea Camera, LTCOP Coordinator for Area 1 Agency on Aging.
b.
Proclamation Recognizing May 2026 as National Historic Preservation Month.
1. Natl Historic Preservation Month 2026.pdf
Councilmember Schaefer presented the proclamation to Historic Landmarks Committee Chair, William Rich and Vice-Chair of the Historical Sites Society of Arcata, Karole Ely.
5. REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
There was none.
6. STAFF REPORTS
a.
Receive a Staff Report Regarding Measure G from Assistant City Manager and Finance Director Tabatha Miller.
Assistant City Manager and Finance Director Tabatha Miller provided a staff report regarding Measure G.
7. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [EARLY - TIME LIMITED] Mayor White invited public comment.
There being none, Mayor White closed the oral and written communications [early - time limited] period.
8. N/A
None.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor White requested that Item I 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 MATTHEWS, SECONDED BY SCHAEFER, AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONCE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED [CONSENT CALENDAR] ITEMS A THROUGH H AND J THROUGH L. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: STILLMAN. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
Adopt Items A through H and J through L.
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 Study Session of April 6, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCSS_Apr06_2026 - English(1).pdf
c.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting Study Session of April 8, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCSS_Apr08_2026 - English(1).pdf
d.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting of April 15, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Apr15_2026 - English.pdf
e.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of April 15, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Apr15_2026 - English.pdf
f.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting of April 22, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Apr22_2026 - English.pdf
g.
Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
1. Staff Report - Report on Cash Distributions 4.4.2026-4.24.2026.pdf
2. Attachment A - Cash Disbursements 4.4.2026-4.24.2026.pdf Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
It is recommended that the Council approve the report on disbursements listing for the period April 4, 2026, through April 24, 2026
h.
Adopt Ordinance No. 1586, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending the Arcata Municipal Code Relating to Cannabis Consumption Lounge Permits, Standards, and Restrictions – Negative Declaration (State Clearinghouse No. 2016012039).
1. Staff Report - Ord No. 1586.pdf
2. Attachment A - Ordinance 1586 Cannabis Consumption.pdf
j.
Adopt Resolution No. 256-62 to Amend Management and Confidential Supplemental Compensation and Benefits; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report-Adopt Resolution 256-62 to Amend the Management and Confidential Compensation and Benefits.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution 256-62_2024-2027 Mgmt Conf Comp and Benefits.pdf Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
It is recommended that the Council:
Adopt Resolution No. 256-62, 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]; and Authorize the City Manager and designee to execute all related documents.
k.
Adopt Resolution No. 256-56, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Approving the City of Arcata’s Administrative Policy Regarding Ethics and Financial Training; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Resolution 256-56 Administrative Policy Ethics and Financial Training.pdf
2. Attachment A - Administrative Policies and Procedures Ethics and Financial Awareness Final.pdf
l.
Adopt Resolution No. 256-63 Approving A Letter of Agreement Between the City of Arcata and Arcata Police Association to Amend the 2024–2027 Memorandum of Understanding in Regard to Medical Benefits; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Documents.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Resolution 256-63 to Approve Letter of Agreement Between City of Arcata and Arcata Police Association.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution 256-63 Approve Letter of Agreement Between City of Arcata and Arcata Police Association.pdf
3. 2026-05-06 City of Arcata and Arcata Police Association Letter of Agreement.pdf
i.
Adopt Resolution No. 256-54, Authorizing the City Manager or City Engineer to Accept Deeds and Grants to the City on Behalf of the City Council.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Resolution No. 256-54 Authorize City Manager or City Engineer to Accept Easement Deeds and Grants.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution No. 256-54 .pdf
City Engineer Khatri responded to inquiries from the Council.
Mayor White invited public comment.
There being none, Mayor White closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL APPROVED ITEM I [ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 256-54, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR CITY ENGINEER TO ACCEPT DEEDS AND GRANTS TO THE CITY ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL]. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSTENT: STILLMAN. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
Approve Item I.
10. OLD BUSINESS
There was none.
11. NEW BUSINESS
a.
Receive a Report and Make a Finding that Emergency Procurement to Repair Failed Culverts at 4700 West End Road is Necessary; Find the Project Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and Approve Necessary and Associated Related Actions
1. Staff Report - Receive Report and Authorize Staff to Proceed with Emergency Repair of Failed Culverts at 4700 West End Road.pdf
2. Attachment A - Failed Culvert 1.pdf
3. Attachment B - Failed Culvert 2.pdf
City Engineer Khatri provided a report.
City Engineer 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 MATTHEWS, AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL MADE A FINDING THAT THE EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT TO REPAIR THE FAILED CULVERTS AT 4700 WEST END ROAD WAS NECESSARY; AND DIRECTED STAFF TO PROCEED WITH THE PROCUREMENT AND UTILIZE RESERVE FUNDS FOR THE REPAIRS; FOUND THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM CEQA; AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: STILLMAN. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
Find that the emergency procurement to repair the failed culverts at 4700 West End is necessary; and direct staff to proceed with the procurement and utilize reserve funds for the repairs; find that the project is exempt from CEQA; and authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable documents.
b.
Adopt Resolution No. 256-51 Adopting the Humboldt County Regional Climate Action Plan as the City of Arcata’s Climate Action Plan and Making California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Findings as a Responsible Agency.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Resolution 256-51 Adopting the Humboldt County Regional Climate Action Plan as the City's CAP.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution 256-51.pdf
3. Attachment B - Final Regional Climate Action Plan.pdf Deputy Director of Environmental Services—Community Services Benvie and Director of Community Development Loya provided a report.
Deputy Director Benvie and Director Loya responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
Mayor White invited public comment
Public Comment:
Colin Fiske, Carly Tambling, and Joanne McGarry.
Mayor White closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION 256-51 ADOPTING HUMBOLDT COUNTY'S REGIONAL CLIMATE ACTION PLAN (RCAP) AS THE CITY OF ARCATA'S CLIMATE ACTION PLAN AND MAKING CEQA FINDINGS AS A RESPONSIBLE AGENCY. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: STILLMAN. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
Adopt Resolution 256-51 adopting Humboldt County's Regional Climate Action Plan (RCAP) as the City of Arcata's Climate Action Plan and making CEQA findings as a responsible agency.
12. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [CONTINUED]
Mayor White invited public comment.
There being none, Mayor White closed the oral and written communications [continued] period.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
There was none.
14. COUNCIL REPORTS
Presenters
: Matthews, Schaefer, Atkins-Salazar, and White.
15. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Future Agenda Items
:
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL REQUESTED A FUTURE AGENDA ITEM TO RECEIVE A REVIEW AND UPDATE REGARDING THE EXCESSIVE RESEIDENTIAL UTILITY USERS TAX.
a.
Schedule a Special Meeting Study Session with the Planning Commission Regarding a Land Use Code Update for June 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL SCHEDULED A SPECIAL MEETING STUDY SESSION WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION REGARDING A LAND USE CODE UPDATE FOR JUNE 8, 2026 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
b.
Schedule a Special Meeting Budget Study Session for May 13, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL SCHEDULED A SPECIAL MEETING BUDGET STUDY SESSION FOR MAY 13, 2026 AT 3:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
16. CLOSED SESSION
There was none.
17. CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
There were none.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,