CITY OF ARCATA
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA
Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 5:15 p.m.
City Manager's Conference Room
736 F Street, Arcata
Special accommodations for the disabled who attend City meetings can be made in advance by contacting the City Clerk at 822-5953. Assistive listening devices are available. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Pursuant to Government Code section 54957.5, all writings or documents relating to any item on this agenda which have been provided to a majority of the City Council, including those received less than 72 hours prior to the City Council meeting, will be made available for public inspection in the agenda binder located on the counter in the lobby at Arcata City Hall, 736 F Street, during normal business hours, and on the City's website at www.cityofarcata.org.
PLEASE NOTE: Speakers wishing to distribute materials to the City Council at the meeting are requested to provide 10 copies to the City Clerk.
_____________________________________________________________________________________ How to Observe and Participate in the Meeting:
Observe:
Members of the public can attend the meeting in person for Agenda Item 4-a.
Public Comment Participation in Person:
Members of the public may attend the meeting in person and give public comment.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
During special meetings, public comment is only taken at the beginning of the meeting. Pursuant to the Brown Act Section 54954.3(a), the public comment period provides an opportunity for people to address the Council only on items that are listed on the Special City Council Meeting Agenda.
3. CLOSED SESSION
a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL––EXISTING LITIGATION, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). Name of Case: City of Arcata v. AO Kiriki Ben TutMalik Silkiss; and Marc Delany, et al., Humboldt County Superior Court, Case number:
CV2401719.
4. OPEN SESSION
a. Interview One Applicant for One Vacancy on the Energy Committee for a Term Ending September 30, 2027.
5. CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL––EXISTING LITIGATION, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). Name of Case: City of Arcata v. AO Kiriki Ben TutMalik Silkiss; and Marc Delany, et al., Humboldt County Superior Court, Case number:
CV2401719.
6. ADJOURNMENT
October 21, 2026 - City Council Agenda
ENERGY COMMITTEE
One Vacancy—No Planning Area Requirement
ONE APPLICANT
Resident Benjamin Narwold
APPOINTMENT
Term ends
September 30, 2027
CANDIDATE LIST
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2026
City of Arcata
Commission/Committee Application Form
Person(s) seeking consideration for appointment to a commission or committee may complete the attached application and mail or deliver it to the City Manager's Office at the address below. The City Council interviews and appoints all committee and commission members.
Please mark for which Commission/Committee this application is being submitted. (Please mark all that apply.)
D Planning Commission
D Economic Development Committee
I vi Energy Committee
D Forest Management Committee
D Historic Landmarks Committee
D Parks and Recreation Committee
D Public Safety Committee
D Transactions and Use Tax Oversight
Committee
D Transportation Safety Committee
D Wetlands and Creeks Committee
RECEIVED
(Please type or print legibly in ink.)
SEP 09 2026
Name: Benjamin Narwold
Home Address
Mailing Addres
Home Phone: ( ___ _ Cell Phone:
Best Form of Contact (email, phone, cell phone): _e_m_a_il _ ___________ _ ~ Reside within City Limits OR □ Live/Work in the Arcata Planning Area (To determine residency status, please consult the Arcata City Limits street address list and the Arcata Planning Area map at https://www.cityofarcata .org/329/Vacancies-Applications) Length of Time in the Arcata Area: 15 years Email Address:
Over 18. Years of Age: li1 Yes □ No
Occupation or Former Occupation if Retired: Graduate Research Fellow Schatz Energy Research Center
Work Addres
Work Phone: .....L__.J-_ _______ Your Job Title: Graduate Research Fellow Currently in MS program Education (last year completed) ____ _ City of Arcata I 736 F Street, Arcata, CA 95521 1 (707) 822-5953 Fax: (707) 822-8018 1 [email protected]
Please feel free to use additional paper and/or attach your resume to this applic_ation.
Please state an or anizations in which ou are current! involved.
Cal Poly Humboldt
Schatz Energy Research Center
HARVEST California
California Agrivoltaics Working Group
Reasons for wantin to serve on this commission/committee.
Having grown up in Arcata and returning to the community to pursue my master's degree at Cal Poly Humboldt, I feel a strong personal,connection to the city and a responsibility to contribute to ifs future. I want to serve on the Energy Committee because I am passionate about helping Arcata improve en~rgy efficiency, reduce fossil fuel consumption, and expand practical and equitable access to renewable energy. This opportunity would allow me to apply the knowledge and skills I am developing through my graduate studies, while learning from community members and City leaders. I would be proud to bring the perspective of both a community member who grew up in the city and a graduate student studying energy and policy to the committee's w9rk and help Arcata achieve its sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction goals.
I bring an academic and professional background in renewable energy. As an undergraduate at UC Davis, I studied renewable energy systems and developed an understanding of energy technologies, sustainability, and the challenges involved in transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Through my nonprofit work with HARVEST California in agrivoltaics, the integration of solar energy production with agric_ulture, I have also gained practical experience with innovative, community-oriented renewable energy solutions. Combined with my graduate-level research and analytical skills at Cal Roly Humboldt and my lifelong connectron to Arcata, this experience would allow me to contribute informed, practical, and locally grounded perspectives to the committee.
If appointed, your name, appointment date, and term of office will be subject to public disclosure.
I certify un
Signed:
r·nia that the foregoing is true and correct.
Date: 9/9/2026
City of Arcata I 736 F Street, Arcata, CA 955211 (707) ~22-5953 Fax: (707) 822-80181 [email protected]
EXCERPT FROM ARCATA MUNICIPAL CODE, TITLE II, CHAPTER 3 ARTICLE 14—ENERGY COMMITTEE
(Amd. Ord. 1505, eff. 6/15/2018)
SEC. 2260. Creation, Powers and Duties. (Added Ord. 1305, eff/ 5/19/2000; Amd. Ord. 1352, eff. 5/20/2005; Amd. Ord. 1367, eff. 1/18/2008; Ord. 1505, eff. 6/15/2018) The Energy Committee is hereby created. Its powers and duties shall be as follows:
A. To study, evaluate and make recommendations to the City Council, Commissions, or City staff as appropriate regarding energy efficiency, energy conservation and conversion to renewable energy sources within the community.
B. To study, evaluate and provide energy information, education and program administration to the City Council, Commissions, or City staff as appropriate.
C. To advise the City Council, Commissions, or City staff as appropriate on sustainable energy and greenhouse gas emission reduction considerations in City planning and regulation.
D. To advise the City Council, Commissions, or City staff as appropriate on potential ways for the City to generate its own renewable energy.
SEC. 2261. Meetings. (Amd. Ord. 1305, eff. 5/19/2000; Amd. Ord. 1352, eff. 5/20/2005; Ord. 1505, eff. 6/15/2018) The Energy Committee shall hold regular meetings once in every odd-numbered month as set by schedule established by the Committee or as necessary on call of the Chair.
SEC. 2262. Membership. (Amd. Ord. 1305, eff. 5/19/2000; Ord. 1505, eff. 6/15/2018) The Energy Committee shall consist of seven (7) members who shall be selected for their interest, knowledge, or experience in energy usage, conservation, regulation and/or generation.
SEC. 2262.1. Term. (Amd. Ord. 1352, eff. 5/20/2005; Ord. 1505, eff. 6/15/2018) The annual expiration date of a term for the Energy Committee member shall be September 30.
SEC. 2263. Secretary. (Amd. Ord.1305, eff. 5/19/2000)
The Director of Environmental Services or his/her designee shall serve as the Secretary to the Energy Committee.