City Council - Regular Meeting - August 05, 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
There were none.
5. REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
a.
Receive Annual Report from the Transportation Safety Committee.
1. TSC_Annual_Report_2025_2026.pdf
Transportation Safety Committee Chair, Genevieve Serna, provided an oral version of the committee's annual report.
6. STAFF REPORTS
a.
Receive an Update on the 2026-27 Call for Art and Playhouse Outside Arts Grant from Emily Benvie, Environmental Services Deputy Director, and Jaqueline Dandeneau, Executive Artistic Director of Playhouse Arts.
Deputy Director of Environmental Services Benvie and Executive Artistic Director of Playhouse Arts, Jacqueline Dandeneau, presented.
b.
Receive an Update Regarding the Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) from Executive Director of RCEA, Beth Burks.
Executive Director of RCEA, Beth Burks, presented.
7. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [EARLY - TIME LIMITED] Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment:
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
City Clerk Varley requested that Item D be removed from the Consent Calendar due to a missing attachment.
Councilmember Matthews requested that Item H be removed 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 STILLMAN, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR [FOR AUGUST 5, 2026] WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM D AND ITEM H. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: SCHAEFER. ABSENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Stillman
Seconded by:
Matthews
Adopt the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item D 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 July 15, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Jul15_2026 - English.pdf
c.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of July 15, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Jul15_2026 - English.pdf
e.
Adopt Ordinance No. 1592, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending Chapter 5, Residential Rental Inspection Program, of Title VIII, Building Regulations, of the Arcata Municipal Code.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Ordinance 1592 Amending Chapter 5 (RRIP) of Title VIII of the Arcata Municipal Code.pdf
2. Attachment A - DRAFT_1592 RRIP Amendments.pdf
f.
Accept Donations for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year of $10,686.62 from the Friends of the Arcata Marsh and $25,000 from the Humboldt Crabs.
1. Staff Report - Accept Donations for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year of $10,686.62 from FOAM and $25,000 from the Humboldt Crabs.pdf
g.
Approve a Contract Amendment with Carollo Engineers in the Amount of $240,135 for Engineering Services for the Phase 1 Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facilities Upgrade Project; and Authorize City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Approve Carollo Engineers Contract Amendment $240,135 - Phs 1 Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facilities Project.pdf
2. Attachment A - Arcata Design and ESDC Amendment Project Scope Rev2 Final.pdf
i.
Adopt Resolution No. 267-03, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Approving the City of Arcata’s Administrative Policy Regarding Usage of Artificial Intelligence; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Resolution 256-57 Administrative Policy Re Usage of Artificial Intelligence.pdf
2. Attachment A- Resolution 267-03 Administrative Policy and Procedures Regarding Usage of Artificial Intelligence.pdf
j.
Adopt Resolution No. 267-07 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute All Agreements and Any Amendments for the Reconnect Arcata Project with the California Department of Transportation.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Resolution No. 267-07 to Execute Agreements for the Reconnect Arcata Project.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution 267-07.pdf
k.
Award Bid for the 2026 Timber Sale of Douglas-Fir and Western Hemlock Logs to North Fork Lumber Company; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Award Bid for the 2026 Timber Sale of Douglas-fir and Western Hemlock Logs to North Fork Lumber.pdf
l.
Adopt Resolution No. 267-09 Approving and Authorizing Execution of Purchase and Sale Agreement for Sale of APN Nos. 507-251-039-000 and 507-251-040-000, Located at the Intersection of Belle Falor Court and Ericson Way.
1. Staff Report - Approve and Authorize Execution of Purchase and Sale of APN Nos. 507-251-036-000 and -040-000.pdf
2. Attachment A - Resolution 267-09 DessertsOnUs Purchase Agreement.pdf
3. Attachment B - Exhibit A 2026_07_28 Desserts on us Purcase and Sale Agreement.pdf
d.
Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
1. Staff Report - Report on Cash Distributions 7.4.26-7.24.26.pdf City Clerk Varley informed the Council that Item D, Bi-Weekly Report on Cash Disbursements, would be brought back at the next regular meeting and include the missing attachment showing the disbursement activity in addition to the activity for the following period.
Mayor White invited public comment.
There being none, Mayor White closed the public comment period.
No Council action was taken for this item.
h.
Make a Continued Finding that Emergency Procurement to Repair Failed Culverts at 4700 West End Road is Necessary; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Continue to Find Emergency Procurement to Repair Culverts at 4700 West End Rd Necessary.pdf
2. Attachment A - 4700 W End Culvert Repair.pdf
City Engineer Khatri responded to comments and inquiries from the Council.
MATTHEWS MOVED AND STILLMAN SECONDED TO ADOPT ITEM H [MAKE A CONTINUED FINDING THAT EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT TO REPAIR FAILED CULVERS AT 4700 WEST END ROAD IS NECESSARY; AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS].
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public comment:
Joanne McGarry.
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, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: SCHAEFER. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Matthews
Seconded by:
Stillman
Adopt Item H.
10. OLD BUSINESS
a.
Approve a Contract Amendment in the Amount of $1,500,000 to Wahlund Construction, Inc., for Additional Work on Phase 1 of the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facilities Upgrade Project; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Approve Wahlund Construction $1,500,000 Contract Amendment for Phase 1 Arcata Wastewater Treatment Project.pdf City Engineer Khatri provided a staff report.
STILLMAN MOVED AND ATKINS-SALAZAR SECONDED TO APPROVE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,500,000 TO WAHLUND CONSTRUCTION, INC., FOR ADDITIONAL WORK ON PHASE 1 OF THE ARCATA WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES UPGRADE PROJECT; AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS.
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, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: SCHAEFER. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Stillman
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
Approve a contract amendment in the amount of $1,500,000 to Wahlund Construction, Inc., for additional work on Phase 1 of the Arcata Wastewater Facilities Upgrade Project; and authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable documents.
b.
Provide Direction on the Primary Argument in Favor of the Transactions and Use Tax Measure on the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election Ballot.
1. Staff Report - Provide Direction on Signers for Primary Argument in Favor of Transactions and Use Tax Ballot Measure.pdf
2. Attachment A - Primary Argument in Favor of Measure.pdf
3. Attachment B - List of Five Signers_Redacted.pdf
City Clerk Varley provided a staff report.
Mayor white invited public comment.
Public Comment:
Dan Shahin.
Mayor White closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, SECONDED BY STILLMAN,
AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL AUTHORIZED THAT INSTEAD OF THE COUNCIL, THE PROPOSED FIVE INDIVIDUAL VOTERS COULD SIGN THE PRIMARY ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF THE TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX MEASURE FOR THE NOVEMBER 2026 ELECTION PRIOR TO SUBMITTAL TO THE ELECTIONS OFFICIAL. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: SCHAEFER. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Stillman
Authorize that instead of the Council, the proposed five individual voters could sign the primary argument in favor of the Transactions and Use Tax Measure for the November 2026 Election prior to submittal to the Elections Official.
11. NEW BUSINESS
a.
Ratify the Employment Agreement with Jennifer Dart for the Position of Director of Community Development, for the term of August 16, 2026, to August 16, 2030.
1. Staff Report - Ratify Employment Agreement with Jennifer Dart for Community Development Director.pdf
2. Attachment A - Jennifer Dart Community Development Director Employment Contract 2026-2030.pdf Human Resources and Administrative Services Director Vink provided a staff report.
The Council provided comments.
STILLMAN MOVED AND MATTHEWS SECONDED TO ACCEPT THE APPOINTMENT OF JENNIFER DART TO THE POSITION OF DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EFFECTIVE AUGUST 16, 2026; AND RATIFY THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH JENNIFER DART FOR THE POSITION OF DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, FOR THE TERM OF AUGUST 16, 2026, TO AUGUST 16, 2030; AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS.
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public comment:
Joanne McGarry.
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, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: SCHAEFER. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Stillman
Seconded by:
Matthews
It is recommended that the Council:
Accept the appointment of Jennifer Dart to the position of Director of Community Development effective August 16, 2026.
Ratify the employment agreement with Jennifer Dart for the position of Director of Community Development, for the term of August 16, 2026, to August 16, 2030; and Authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable documents.
b.
Award a Contract in the Amount of $161,965 to GHD, Inc., for Environmental Review and CEQA Compliance Services for Future Development of the Happy Valley Site (APN No. 507-081-038); and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Award GHD Contract in the Amount of $161,965 for Happy Valley Site.pdf
2. Attachment A - Arcata Happy Valley CEQA Compliance GHD Proposal.pdf Director of Community Development Loya provided a staff report.
Mayor White invited public comment.
There being none, Mayor White closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL AWARDED A CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $161,965 TO GHD, INC., FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND CEQA COMPLIANCE SERVICES FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HAPPY VALLEY SITE (APN NO. 507-081-038); AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: SCHAEFER. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Stillman
Seconded by:
Matthews
Award a contract in the amount of $161,965 to GHD, Inc., for environmental review and CEQA compliance services for future development of the Happy Valley site (APN No. 507-081-038); and authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable documents.
c.
Introduce Ordinance No. 1593, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending Chapter 5, Title V of the Arcata Municipal Code to Update the Definition of a “Nuisance,” Change the Nuisance Abatement Hearing Officer to the City Manager, and
1. Staff Report - Introduce Ordinance No.1593 of the Arcata City Council Amending Chapter 5 of Title V, Arcata Municipal Code.pdf
2. Attachment A - 1593 Nuisance Ordinance.pdf
Building Official Bishop introduced Attorney Remlinger, representing the City Attorney's Office, who provided a staff report.
Mayor White opened the public hearing.
Public comment:
Dan Shahin.
Mayor White closed the public hearing.
Attorney Remlinger responded to inquiries and comments from the Council.
ON MOTION BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL INTRODUCED ORDINANCE NO. 1593, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA AMENDING CHAPTER 5, TITLE V OF THE ARCATA MUNICIPAL CODE TO UPDATE THE DEFINITION OF A "NUISANCE," CHANGE THE NUISANCE ABATEMENT HEARING OFFICER TO THE CITY MANAGER, AND ALLOW FOR THE RECOVERY OF ATTORNEY'S FEES FOR NUISANCE ABATEMENT; WAIVED READING OF THE TEXT, AND CONSENTED TO BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: SCHAEFER. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Stillman
Introduce Ordinance No. 1593, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Arcata Amending Chapter 5, Title V of the Arcata Municipal Code to Update the Definition of a “Nuisance,” Change the Nuisance Abatement Hearing Officer to the City Manager, and Allow for the Recovery of Attorney’s Fees for Nuisance Abatement; and waive reading of the text, and consent to be read by title only.
12. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [CONTINUED]
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public comment:
Joanne McGarry, and Dan Shahin.
Mayor White closed the oral and written communications [continued] period.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Perry provided a report.
14. COUNCIL REPORTS
Presenters:
Stillman, Atkins-Salazar, Matthews, and White.
15. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Future Agenda Item
: By general consensus, the Council supported and item to consider sponsorship of the Redwood Regional Economic Summit on October 1st and 2nd, 2026.
16. CLOSED SESSION
There was none.
17. CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
There were none.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m. in memory of Former Mayor Carl Pellatz.
Respectfully submitted,