City Council - Regular Meeting with Successor Agency - September 02, 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 Recognition of Coastal Cleanup Month, September 2026.
1. Coastal Cleanup Month Proclamation 2026.pdf
Councilmember Atkins-Salazar read the proclamation and presented it to Northcoast Environmental Center Operations Manager, Laurel McKay, and
Coastal Programs Coordinator, Kennedy Vaillancourt.
5. REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
There were none.
6. STAFF REPORTS
There were none.
7. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [EARLY - TIME LIMITED] Mayor White invited public comment.
Public comment:
Anton Souza.
Mayor White closed the oral and written communications [early - time limited] period.
8. MEETING OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE ARCATA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY A meeting of the Successor Agency to the Arcata Community Development Agency was held on September 2, 2026, at 6:10 p.m. as a hybrid meeting, via teleconference utilizing Zoom Video Communications and in person, with Board Chairperson White presiding. Notice of this meeting was posted on August 28, 2026. PRESENT: White, Atkins-Salazar, Schaefer, Stillman. ABSENT: Matthews. STAFF PRESENT: Assistant City Manager Miller, Secretary/Clerk Varley.
a.
SUCCESSOR AGENCY CONSENT CALENDAR
Board Chairperson White invited public comment.
Public comment:
Joanne McGarry.
Board Chairperson 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 BOARD APPROVED THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY CONSENT CALENDAR [FOR SEPTEMBER 2, 2026, AS PRESENTED). AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: MATTHEWS. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Stillman
Approve the Successor Agency Consent Calendar.
1. Approve the Secretary and Clerk of the Board's Filing of the 2026 Notice of Biennial Review, Conflict of Interest Code, with the City of Arcata; and Ratify the Determination that No Amendment is Required.
1. Staff Report - Approve Filing of 2026 Notice of Biennial Review and Conflict of Interest Code.pdf
2. Attachment A - COI Code.pdf
3. Attachment B - Biennial Notice of No Changes TO COI Code 2026.pdf
b.
OLD BUSINESS
There was none.
c.
NEW BUSINESS
There was none.
d.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. and the City Council meeting resumed.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public comment:
Joanne McGarry.
Mayor White closed the public comment period.
ON MOTION BY STILLMAN, SECONDED BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONSENT CALENDAR [FOR SEPTEMBER 2, 2026, AS PRESENTED], ITEMS A THROUGH I. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: MATTHEWS. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Stillman
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
Adopt the Consent Calendar, Items A through I.
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 19, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CMSM_Aug19_2026 - English.pdf
c.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of August 19, 2026.
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCM_Aug19_2026 - English.pdf
d.
Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
1. Staff Report - Report on Cash Distributions 8.8.2026-8.21.2026.pdf
2. Attachment A - Cash Disbursements 8.8.2026-8.21.2026 Plus (1) 7-29-2026.pdf Moved by:
Stillman
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
It is recommended that the Council approve the report on disbursements listing for the period August 8, 2026, through August 21, 2026, including one ACH payment from July 29, 2026.
e.
Approve the City Manager's Filing of the 2026 Local Agency Biennial Notice, Conflict of Interest Code, with the City of Arcata; and Ratify the Determination that No Amendment is Required.
1. Staff Report - Approve the City Managers Filing of the 2026 Local Agency Biennial Notice Conflict of Interest Code.pdf
2. Attachment A - II-8 Conflict of Interest Code.pdf
3. Attachment B - 2026 Local Biennial Notice_Signed.pdf
f.
Continue to find 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 Culvert at 4700 West End Rd Necessary .pdf
2. Attachment A - Upstream.pdf
3. Attachment B - Outfall.pdf
4. Attachment C - Downstream.pdf
5. Attachment D - Alcove.pdf
g.
Adopt Resolution No. 267-16 Revising the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/2027 Budget for Measure G Renewal Flyer Printing and Mailing.
1. Staff Report - Request for FY 2026-27 Budget Adjustment for Printing and Mailing Measure G Renewal Flyer.pdf
2. A. Resolution No. 267-16 Budget Amendment.pdf
3. B. Sample - 2024 Measure H Flyer .pdf
h.
Ratify an Extension of the Employment Agreement with Merritt Perry for the Position of City Manager, for the term of August 19, 2024, to August 19, 2029.
1. Staff Report - Ratify Extension of Employment Agreement with Merritt Perry for the Position of City Manager.pdf
2. Attachment A - Employment Agreement with Merritt Perry for the Position of City Manager.pdf Moved by:
Stillman
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
It is recommended that the Council:
Ratify an extension of the employment agreement with Merritt Perry for the position of City Manager, for the term of August 19, 2024, to August 19, 2029; and Authorize the Mayor to execute all applicable documents.
i.
Approve an Amendment to the Construction Contract with Synagro-WWT, Inc. for the 2026 Digester Cleaning Project in the Amount of $193,375.59; and Approve Necessary and Associated Related Actions.
1. Staff Report - Amend Synagro-WWT,Inc. Contract for the 2026 Digester Cleaning Project in the Amount of $193,375.59.pdf
2. Attachment A - Contract w-Synagro-WWT, Inc. for 2026 Digester Cleaning Project_executed.pdf
3. Attachment B - Digester Cleaning 2026 Bid Tabulation .pdf
10. OLD BUSINESS
There was none.
11. NEW BUSINESS
a.
Approve an Application for Funding from the Great Redwood Trail Agency for the Arcata Gateway Trails Project.
1. Staff Report - Approve an Application for Funding from the Great Redwood Trail Agency for the Arcata Gateway Trails Project.pdf
2. Attachment A - Arcata Gateway Trails Project Map.pdf Director of Environmental Services Sinkhorn provided a staff report.
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public comment:
Carol Vander Meer, Colleen Clifford, Carla Osbourne, Joanne McGarry, Dan Shahin, and Nancy Inhara.
Mayor White closed the public comment period.
Director Sinkhorn 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 APPROVED AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING FROM THE GRTA FOR THE GATEWAY TRAILS PROJECT INCLUDING PHASES A AND B. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: MATTHEWS. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Stillman
Approve an application for funding from the GRTA for the Gateway Trails Project including Phases A and B.
b.
Consider Approving Playhouse Arts’ Permit Application for the Sunny Brae Porchfest Special Event on October 4, 2026.
1. Staff Report - Review and Make Determination of Request by Playhouse Arts to Approve Porchfest Special Event on Oct. 4th.pdf
2. Attachment A - 2026 Porchfest Major Special Event Application_Redacted.pdf
3. Attachment B - Porchfest 2026 Conditions.pdf
Deputy Director of Environmental Services Benvie provided a staff report.
Mayor White invited public comment.
Neroli Devaney and Jackie Dandeneau with Playhouse Arts (applicant) provided comments to the Council.
Public comment:
Tia Nolan, Joanne McGarry, and Dan Shahin.
Mayor White closed the public comment period.
The Council provided comments and inquiries.
ON MOTION BY SCHAEFER, SECONDED BY ATKINS-SALAZAR, AND WITH A FOUR-TO-ZERO VOICE VOTE WITH ONE ABSENCE, THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE MAJOR SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT APPLICATION FROM PLAYHOUSE ARTS FOR SUNNY BRAE PORCHFEST OCTOBER 4, 2026. AYES: WHITE, ATKINS-SALAZAR, SCHAEFER, STILLMAN. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: MATTHEWS. ABSTENTIONS: NONE.
Moved by:
Schaefer
Seconded by:
Atkins-Salazar
Approve the major special event permit application from Playhouse Arts for Sunny Brae Porchfest October 4, 2026
12. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS [CONTINUED]
Mayor White invited public comment.
Public comment:
Joanne McGarry, Oz, and Dan Shahin.
Mayor White closed the oral and written communications [continued] period.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
There was none.
14. COUNCIL REPORTS
Presenters
: Schaefer, Atkins-Salazar, Stillman, and White.
15. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There were none.
16. CLOSED SESSION
There was none.
17. CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
There were none.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,