City Council - Regular Meeting - August 19, 2026
1. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Vice Mayor Atkins-Salazar read a statement acknowledging that Arcata sat on ancestral Wiyot land.
2. FLAG SALUTE
Vice Mayor Atkins-Salazar led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Varley called roll.
4. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
a.
Proclamation Recognizing September 6–12, 2026, as Suicide Prevention Week.
1. Suicide Prevention Week Proclamation 2026.pdf
Councilmember Stillman read the proclamation and presented it to Board Secretary for the Greater San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Heather Freitas.
b.
Certificate of Appreciation for David Loya for his 19 1/2 Years of Service to the City of Arcata.
1. Loya David Retirement Certificate.pdf
Vice Mayor Atkins-Salazar read the certificate of appreciation and presented it to Community Development Director, David Loya.
Councilmember Schaefer entered the Chamber at 6:24 p.m.
5. REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
a.
Receive Annual Report for the Energy Committee.
1. Energy Comm Annual Report 2025_presented 2026_FINAL.pdf Michael Winkler, Chair of the Energy Committee, provided an oral version of the Committee's Annual Report.
b.
Receive Annual Report for the Parks and Recreation Committee.
1. Park and Rec Committee Annual Report 2025.pdf
John Kell III, Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee, provided an oral version of the Committee's Annul Report.
6. STAFF REPORTS
a.
Receive a Report from Deputy Director of Environmental Services Emily Benvie Regarding Recreation, Parks and Facilities 2025 Highlights.
1. ANNUAL REPORT 2025 - Final5.6.26_dept.pdf
Deputy Director of Environmental Services Benvie gave a staff report.
b.
Receive an Information-Only Presentation Regarding Data Centers from Building Official Joe Bishop.
Mayor White entered the Chamber at 6:53 p.m.
Building Official Bishop provided a staff report and City Manager Perry provided comments to the Council.
By General Consensus, the Council expressed interest in considering a Data Center Moratorium on a future City Council meeting agenda.
7. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [EARLY - TIME LIMITED] Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment:
Jonathan Maiullo, Daniel Pierce, and Oz.
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 SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR [FOR AUGUST 19, 2026]. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Stillman
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 August 5, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Aug05_2026 - English.pdf
c.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of August 5, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Aug05_2026 - English.pdf
d.
Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
1. Report on Cash Distributions 7.4.2026-8.7.2026.pdf
2. A. Cash Distributions 7.4.26-8.7.26.pdf
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Stillman
It is recommended that the Council approve the report on disbursements listing for the period July 4, 2026, through August 7, 2026
e.
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. A. Image of Newly Installed Bridge Footings.pdf
f.
Adopt 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,
1. Staff Report - Adopt 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
g.
Adopt Resolution No. 267-11, Approving the Award of State Coastal Conservancy Grant Funds for the Jolly Giant Creek and Butcher Slough Coastal Resilience and Restoration Planning Project; Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Resolution No. 267-11 for Award of the State Coastal Conservancy Grant for Coastal Resilience Project.pdf
2. A. Resolution No. 267-11.pdf
h.
Approve a Sponsorship in an Amount Equivalent to $581 for the Special Event Application, Barricade Usage, and Traffic Control Plan Fees for the 40th Annual I Block Party on September 7, 2026.
1. Staff Report - Sponsorship for the 2026 I Block Party on September 7, 2026 at 12p.m. to 7p.m. .pdf
2. A. Request for Support – 40th I Block Party.pdf
i.
Approve a Sponsorship at the Silver Level for the Redwood Region Economic Summit on October 1st and 2nd, 2026 in an Amount Equivalent to $1,500.
1. Staff Report - Approve Sponsorship at the Silver Level for the Redwood Region Economic Summit Equaling $1,500.pdf
2. A. Sponsorship Information Sheet.pdf
j.
Adopt Resolution No. 267-08 Amending the Class and Pay Resolution for Employees Represented by Operating Engineers Local 3 [to Correct a Calculation Error to Salary Grade G213].
1. Staff Report-Adopt Resolution No 267-08, A Resolution to Amend the Class and Pay Reso-OE3.pdf
2. Attachment A. Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata No. 267-08 Class and Pay for OE3 Represented Employees.pdf
10. OLD BUSINESS
There was none.
11. NEW BUSINESS
a.
Appoint One New Member to the Energy Committee for a Term Expiring September 30, 2027; and Appoint One New Member to the Wetlands and Creeks Committee for a Term Expiring March 31, 2028.
1. 2026-08-19_CandidateList_EC_WCC.pdf
Mayor White invited public comment.
There being none, Mayor White closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL APPOINTED MOONLIGHT MACUMBER TO A WETLANDS AND CREEKS COMMITTEE TERM EXPIRING MARCH 31, 2028. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
No Council action was taken regarding an appointment to the Energy Committee.
Moved by:
Stillman
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
Appoint Moonlight Macumber to a Wetlands and Creeks Committee term expiring March 31, 2028.
b.
Public Hearing to Adopt Project Action; and Introduce Ordinance Nos. 1591 and 1590, for the Whaley House Proposed Rehabilitation and Lot Split at 1395 H Street, Arcata.
1. Staff Report - Whaley House Proposed Rehabilitation and Lot Split at 1395 H Street, Arcata; File No. 256-016-PM-PDP.pdf
2. A. Project Action Draft.pdf
3. B. Draft Ordinance No. 1590.pdf
4. C. Draft Ordinance No. 1591.pdf
5. D. Historic Resource Report .pdf
6. E. Ordinance No. 950 LHP-80-31.pdf
7. F. National Register Application 1979.pdf
Mayor White opened the public hearing.
Senior Planner Freitas provided a report.
Applicants Sean Thonson and Nick Lucchesi provided comments to the council.
SCHAEFER MOVED AND STILLMAN SECONDED TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO THE SEPTEMBER 16, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public comment:
Joanne McGarry.
Mayor white closed the public comment period
THE MOTION PASSED WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
No further Council action was taken for this item.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Stillman
Continue the public hearing to the September 16, 2026, City Council regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
c.
Approve the Plans and Award a Contract for the 2026 Annual Pavement Maintenance Project to R.A.O. Construction Co., Inc., in the Amount of $2,564,942; Adopt a CEQA Categorical Exemption; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Applicable Documents.
1. Staff Report - Approve the Design and Award a $2,564,942.00 Contract for the 2026 Annual Paving Project to RAO Construction.pdf
2. Attachment A - BID SUMMARY_2026 Annual Pavement Maintenance.pdf City Engineer Khatri and Assistant City Engineer Caisse provided a staff report and 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 ATKINS-SALAZAR, SECONDED BY STILLMAN, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE PROJECT PALNS AND AWARDED A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR 2026 ANNUAL PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE PROJECT TO R.A.O. CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,564,942; ALSO ADOPTED A CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION FOR THE PROJECT, PURSUANT TO THE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301(C); AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
RECESS
:
The Council recessed from 8:18 p.m. to 8:24 p.m.
Moved by:
Atkins-Salazar
Seconded by:
Stillman
Approve the project plans and award a construction contract for 2026 Annual Pavement Maintenance Project to R.A.O. Construction Company, Inc., in the amount of $2,564,942; Also adopt a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption for the project, pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c); and Authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable documents.
d.
Consider Adopting Resolution No. 267-12 Revising the Budget for Juvenile Diversion Counselor Position Funding.
1. Staff Report - Adopt Resolution No. 267-12 Amending the FY 2026-27 Budget for Juvenile Diversion Counselor Position.pdf
2. A. Resolution No. 267-12 Amending the FY 2026-27 Budget.pdf Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Miller provided a staff report and then responded to inquiries and comments prom the Council.
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public comment:
Joanne McGarry.
Mayor White closed the public period.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 267-12 REVISING THE BUDGET FOR JUVENILE DIVERSION COUNSELOR POSITION FUNDING. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Stillman
Seconded by:
Matthews
Adopt Resolution No. 267-12 revising the budget for Juvenile Diversion Counselor position funding.
e.
Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 267-05 Authorizing Submission of Program Income Only Application for Funding for Business Assistance and Microenterprise Programs. Not Subject to the California Environmental Quality Act.
1. Staff Report - CDBG PI Business Assistance .pdf
2. A. Resolution No. 267-05.pdf
Director of Community Development Dart provided a staff report.
Community Development Specialist Sauter responded to inquires and comments from the Council.
Mayor White opened the public hearing.
There being no public comment, Mayor White closed the public hearing.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 267-05 AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF PROGRAM INCOME ONLY APPLICATION FOR FUNDING FOR BUSINESS ASSISTANCE AND MICROENTERPRISE PROGRAMS. NOT SUBJECT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, ALSO KNOWN AS CEQA; AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS.
Moved by:
Stillman
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
Adopt Resolution No. 267-05 authorizing submission of Program Income only application for funding for Business Assistance and Microenterprise programs. Not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act, also known as CEQA; and authorized the City Manager to execute all applicable documents.
f.
Public Hearing on Updates to the Master Fee Schedule; and Adopt Resolution No. 267-10, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Adopting Changes to the City’s Master Fee Schedule.
1. Staff Report - Public Hearing on Updates to the Master Fee Schedule.pdf
2. A. Resolution 267-10 Revising Fee Schedule.pdf
3. B. Attachment A to Resolution No. 267-10.pdf
Mayor White opened the public hearing.
Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Miller provided a staff report.
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public Comment:
Joanne McGarry.
Mayor White closed the public hearing.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY MATTHEWS, AND WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 267-10, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA ADOPTING CHANGES TO THE CITY'S MASTER FEE SCHEDULE. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, MATTHEWS, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Matthews
Adopt Resolution No. 267-10, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Adopting Changes to the City's Master Fee Schedule.
12. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [CONTINUED]
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public comment:
Joanne McGarry.
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
: Matthews, Schaefer, Atkins-Salazar, Stillman, and White.
15. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
a.
Schedule a Joint Study Session with the Planning Commission for September 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the D Street Neighborhood Center for the Purpose of Discussing the Housing Element update and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing.
Mayor White announced that this item would not be scheduled and that the Council and Planning Commission would be repolled for a new date.
16. CLOSED SESSION
There was none.
17. CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
Mayor White stated that there was nothing to report out from any of the four closed session items that the Council met regarding earlier in the evening before the regular meeting.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,