City Council - Regular Meeting - May 20, 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 Kinetic Sculpture Racing, May 23, 2026.
1. Kinetic Grand Championship 2026 Proclamation.pdf
Goosetoph Waddlesworth, Rudabega Queen for the 2026 Kinetic Racing Championship, accepted the proclamation. The proclamation was read by Councilmember Schaefer.
5. REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
There was none.
6. STAFF REPORTS
a.
Receive an Annual Report from the Arcata Chamber of Commerce.
Meredith Maier, Executive Director of the Arcata Chamber of Commerce, presented the Chamber's annual report.
Arcata Chamber of Commerce Operations & Event Manager, Gloria Baker, and Media Director, Zach Lathouris, presented a Visit Arcata website draft to the Council.
7. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [EARLY - TIME LIMITED] Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Pat Kanzler, 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
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 ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR [FOR MAY 20, 2026, AS PRESENTED, ITEMS A THROUGH G]. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: STILLMAN. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Matthews
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 May 6, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_May06_2026 - English.pdf
c.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of May 6, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_May06_2026 - English.pdf
d.
Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
1. Staff Report - Report on Cash Distributions 4.25.2026-5.8.2026.pdf
2. Attachment A - Cash Disbursements 4.25.2026-5.8.2026.pdf Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
It is recommended that the Council approve the report on disbursements listing for the period April 25, 2026, through May 8, 2026
e.
Make a Finding that it is Necessary to Continue Emergency Procurement to Repair Failed Culverts at 4700 West End Road; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Continue to Make Finding that Emergency Procurement to Repair Culverts at 4700 West End Rd is Necessary.pdf
2. A. Work Progress (1).pdf
3. B. Work Progress (2).pdf
f.
Approve a Letter of Support for Assembly Bill 1821, California Public Records Act: Agency Response Time; and Authorize the Mayor to Sign the Letter.
1. Staff Report - Approve Letter of Support for Assembly Bill 1821.pdf
2. Attachment A - AB 1821 Letter of Support.pdf
g.
Adopt Resolution No. 256-64 Proclaiming June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + Pride Month in the City of Arcata and Authorizing the Two-Spirit Pride Flag to be Flown on the Flagpole at Arcata City Hall During the Month of June.
1. Staff Report - Proclaim June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month and Authorize the 2S Pride Flag to be Flown .pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution No. 256-64_Pride Flag.pdf
Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
It is recommended that the Council adopt Resolution No. 256-64 proclaiming June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + Pride Month in the City of Arcata and authorizing the Two-Spirit Pride Flag to be flown on the Flagpole at Arcata City Hall during the month of June.
10. OLD BUSINESS
a.
Hold a Hearing to Consider Abatement for the Properties Located at 4600 West End Road, Arcata, CA 95521, Assessor's Parcel No. 507-081-055; and Adopt Resolution No. 256-55 Authorizing the City to Abate Nuisance Conditions and Recover Costs.
1. Staff Report- Hold a Public Hearing to Consider Abatement for Properties at 4600 West End Rd and Adopt Resolution No.256-55.pdf
2. Attachment A - Second Notice to Abate Nuisance_May52026.pdf
3. Attachment B - Resolution No. 256-55.pdf
Mayor White opened the hearing.
Deputy Director of Environmental Services—Streets & Utilities Culbert provided a report.
Property Owner, Bob Figas, provided testimony.
MATTHEWS MOVED AND SCHAEFER SECONDED TO CONTINUE THE HEARING TO THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING ON JUNE 3 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
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, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: STILLMAN. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Schaefer
Continue the hearing to the next Council meeting on June 3 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
11. NEW BUSINESS
a.
Receive an Update on the Current Status of the City’s Residential Rental Inspection Program and Next Steps.
1. Staff Report - Update on the Current Status of the Residential Rental Inspection Program and Next Steps.pdf Building Official Bishop provided an update regarding the City's Residential Rental Inspection Program (RRIP) and proposed changes to the program.
Building Official Bishop discussed proposed changes to the RRIP fee structure and responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
The Council deliberated regarding the proposed fee structure options.
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment
: Joanne McGarry.
Mayor White closed the public comment period.
Acting City Manager Loya, Building Official Bishop, and Code Compliance/Permit Technician Garcia responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL AGREED THAT STAFF SHOULD COME BACK AT A FUTURE MEETING WITH A DRAFT ORDINANCE REFLECTING PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE RRIP PROGRAM.
Certain direction was given, but no Council action was taken.
There was a presentation and discussion only for this item.
12. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [CONTINUED]
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment
: An unidentified member of the audience who provided a written communication to the Council, 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
: Matthews, Schaefer, Atkins-Salazar, and White.
15. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
a.
Cancel the July 1, 2026, City Council Meeting.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL CANCELLED THE JULY 1, 2026, CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
b.
Confirm 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 Chamber.
BY GENERAL CONSENSUS, THE COUNCIL CONFIRMED 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 CHAMBER.
16. CLOSED SESSION
There was none.
17. CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
There were none.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,