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Unless Otherwise Noted, All Items on the Agenda are Subject to Action.
Meeting Called to Order at 6:30 PM
1. Pledge of Allegiance and Establish a Quorum of the Council Council Members Present:
Adelene Jones, Mayor
Elizabeth Mackay, Councilmember
Elise Scafani, Councilmember
Christopher Edgar, Councilmember
Council Members Absent:
Angela Shull, Mayor Pro-Tem
Staff Present:
Amanda Mager, City Manager/City Clerk
Anali Gonzalez, Administrative Assistant
Tonie Quigley, Office Assistant
Mike Foget, City Engineer (SHN)
Public Present:
Kit Mann, Jean Lynch, Kent Sawatzky, Julie Christie
2. Approve Agenda
Motion: To Approve the Agenda as presented
Motion by: Councilmember Edgar, Second: Councilmember Mackay Public Comment: None
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Mackay, Scafani, Edgar Nays: None Absent: Shull Motion Summary: Motion Passed
Blue Lake City Council Minutes
Tuesday, January 23, 2024~ 6:30 p.m. ~Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building-111 Greenwood Road, Blue Lake-Behind City Hall
CITY OF BLUE LAKE
C A L I F O R N I A
111 Greenwood Road
P.O. Box 458
Blue Lake, CA 95525
(707) 668-5655
Fax: (707) 668-5916
www.bluelake.ca.gov
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3. Public Comment:
Kent Sawatzky- Justin not here to record, interesting meeting in McKinleyville that attended regarding development, the Maddy Act document needs to be posted timely, as some people don’t know when the term expires.
Justin- apologized for not being at the meeting, an interesting day, thought his website was a government agency.
Jean- phones not being answered as spammed, guy in parking lot filming video.
Julie- wanted to be recognized as mentor’s month, reach out to the community early with communications.
Public Comment Closed.
4. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Annual Presentation Mayor Jones reads the agenda report and introduces Kit Mann (CERT representative).
The Blue Lake CERT present their annual report to the Council; the CERT is an active and engaged organization that provides emergency support services to the City of Blue Lake and surroundings areas.
Public Comment:
Kent Sawatzky- in the past Ray Rousseau would take a cat to the creek, willows in the area are troublesome, city was not prepared, no sandbags or community watch, could work with CERT.
Julie-comment community, can we get quarterly reposting instead of annual, get CERT out more in the community awareness.
Jean Lynch- was part of CERT, had question about insurance. A call out by the fire district would protect the members. Training between CERT and the fire department is important.
Public Comment Closed.
The Council thanks Kit Mann for the presentation.
5. Introduce and Conduct the First Reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Blue Lake adding section 6.04.035 to Chapter 6.04 of Title 6 of Blue Lake Municipal Code to Adopt Dog Leash Regulations and Determining the Ordinance to be Exempt from CEQA Mayor Jones introduces the item and reads the staff report.
The City Council has directed staff to amend Chapter 6.04 of Title 6 of the City’s Municipal Code to add regulations requiring that all dogs be leashed on public property. The City Attorney has prepared Section 6.04.035 which amends Title 6 Chapter 6.04.
As this item amends the City Municipal Code, it must be adopted through the ordinance adoption process, this requires a first and second reading prior to adoption at a regularly scheduled Council Meeting.
Public Comment:
Julie-great, happy to see more protection for the community. Suggest posting public notice.
Justin-Clarification, will go into law 30 days after second reading? Correct Kent- point of order, never been in process where council has right to answer questions. Happy day for dog owners.
Public Comment Closed.
Motion: To introduce and conduct the first reading of Section 6.04.035 which is an amendment to the Blue Lake Municipal Code to adopt dog leash regulations.
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay, Second: Councilmember Edgar 3 | P a g e
There were no comments from the Council.
Vote: Ayes Jones, Mackay, Scafani, Edgar Nays: None Absent: Shull Motion Summary: Motion Passed
6. Greenwood Road Lateral Replacement Project and Fund 60 (Water) and 70 (Wastewater) Budget Amendment.
Mayor Jones introduces the item and reads the staff report.
Council discussion.
City Manager Mager provides general information to Council regarding the Greenwood Road Lateral Replacement Project and budget amendment. Mike Foget the City Engineer is present for any questions Council may have.
Councilmember Scafani- Questions about the budget amendment for Fund 60 and 70. Comments on current City projects and deadlines.
Councilmember Edgar- comments on budgetary constraints.
City Manager Mager- comments on the importance of the Greenwood Road Lateral replacement project.
Councilmember Edgar-Comments on the City’s cost in Emergency repairs.
Councilmember Scafani- asks City Engineer Mike Foget for his standpoint on the Greenwood Road Lateral replacement project.
Mike Foget, City Engineer- Explains the Greenwood Road Lateral replacement project and how crucial it is to the City’s infrastructure.
Councilmember Scafani- Comments on the budget impacts, on Fund 60 & 70.
Public Comment:
Kent-distressing, no reason for the project, do not agree with any part of the project. This is not a reasonable way to do business. Engineering costs way too high, 46%+, should go out to bid.
Julie- Did we know this was coming, why no discussion earlier on. Would appreciate prior discussion, get a master plan together.
Jean Lynch-talked to neighbors, meters not working, probably dripping, don’t know if city been notified.
Mike Foget-no need to dig to replace meters, this is a project in the works. Directly to Kent: where do you get 46%+- not sure where that comes from. Contingencies are to fill any gaps or shorts that may come up, so do not need to continue to go back and ask for more funding.
Public Comment Closed.
Council Discussion:
Councilmember Scafani- Inquires about possible grants to help fund the project.
City Manager Mager- States the City has presented the overall project to USDA.
Councilmember Scafani-Comments on the deficit in the wastewater program.
City Manager Mager- the recent rate study was done to help the deficit in the wastewater program.
Motion: To amend the FY 23/24 budget to allow the expenditure of $266,000 from Fund 60 and $177,000 from Fund 70, and to authorize the City engineer to prepare the plans and specifications and bid documents for lateral replacement project and authorize the City Manager to release the project out to bid and to award the bid to the lowest qualified bidder. The City engineer will provide construction management and inspection services as necessary.
Councilmember Scafani: Points out the funds are in Fund 72.
City Manger Mager: Confirms.
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Motion: To amend the FY 23/24 budget to allow the expenditure of $266,000 from Fund 60 and $177,000 from Fund 72, and to authorize the City engineer to prepare the plans and specifications and bid documents for lateral replacement project and authorize the City Manager to release the project out to bid and to award the bid to the lowest qualified bidder. The City engineer will provide construction management and inspection services as necessary.
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay, Second: Councilmember Edgar Vote: Ayes: Jones, Mackay, Edgar Nays: Scafani Absent: Shull Motion Summary: Motion Passed
7. Resolution Number 1226-A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Blue Lake, Declaring Assessor Parcel Numbers 025-201-009, 025-201-019 and 025-201-023 as Surplus Lands as Per the Requirements of the State of California’s Surplus Lands Act and Directing the City Manager to Notice the Parcels as Per the Requirements of the Act.
Mayor Jones introduces the item and reads the staff report.
The City is required to notice the availability of City owned property for housing development per the State of California’s Surplus Lands Act. The City currently owns three parcels that meet this noticing criteria.
Councilmember Mackay- Inquires about the zoning of the City’s parcels.
City Manager Mager- explains the Surplus Land Act
Public Comment:
Julie- have not done a good job stating what surplus land is. Website has great explanations. Once declared as surplus, anyone can come in and take over.
Kent- Clarify what the land could be used for. Long list of uses. Do you not need it? Where will the corp. yard go to? Further from the treatment plant? I Recommend having an exit strategy for the corp yard.
Public Comment Closed.
Motion: To Adopt Resolution Number 1226 as presented and direct the City Manager to make the appropriate notice.
Motion by: Councilmember Edgar, Second: Councilmember Mackay There were no comments from the Council.
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Mackay, Scafani, Edgar Nays: None Absent: Shull Motion Summary: Motion Passed
8. Humboldt County Sheriff Law Enforcement Contract Update Mayor Jones introduces the item and reads the staff report.
The Council ad-hoc committee and the City Manager met with representatives of the Sheriff’s Office, to discuss the proposed law enforcement increases and to discuss options and opportunities to reduce cost impacts to the City.
City Manager Mager-the meeting with representatives of the Sheriff’s Office went well.
Mayor Jones- mentions applying for Measure Z funds.
Councilmember Edgar-comments on the sheriff’s contract amount and services.
City Manager Mager- comments on original action by the Board of Supervisors. The City’s proposal is to apply the first quarterly payment against the second quarterly payment.
Public Comment:
Kent Sawatzky: Comments on Measure Z and Sheriff contract. 5 | P a g e
Public Comment Closed.
Mayor Jones applauds the City Manager’s grant writing skills.
9. Council Correspondence:
a. League of California Cities Legislative Information
Mayor Jones reads council correspondence from Linda Trent regarding water/sewer deposit return policy.
City Manager Mager- States staff is currently working on a policy and will bring back to council.
Mayor reads a council correspondence from Kent Sawatzky.
10. Consent Agenda:
a. October 2023 and November 2023 Meeting Minutes
Motion to pull the October 2023 meeting minutes.
Councilmember Mackay-Page 2 spelling of the word Sheriff, spelling of Schirle and Matthew Councilmember Elise- Page eight Elise Scafani, Future agenda meeting remove special meeting.
Motion to: approve October meeting minutes with corrections and additions.
Motion by Councilmember Mackay, Second by: Councilmember Scafani Public Comment:
Julie Christie- requests to have a statement redacted on page five.
City Manager Mager- States she will consult with City Attorney.
Mayor Jones- Explains it may not be possible to redact.
Julie Christie- Verbally acknowledges Mayor Jones statement.
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Mackay, Scafani, Edgar Nays: None Absent: Shull Motion Summary: Motion Passed
b. Warrants and Disbursements
Councilmember Scafani: Inquires about staff members and their position benefits.
Motion to: approve warrants and disbursements.
Motion by: Councilmember Scafani, Second by: Councilmember Edgar Vote: Ayes: Jones, Mackay, Scafani, Edgar Nays: None Absent: Shull Motion Summary: Motion Passed
11. Reports of Council and Staff:
Councilmember Edgar- Attended RDEC meeting. Comments on Offshore Wind Project.
Councilmember Scafani- Attended Blue Lake Parks and Recreation Meeting and Blue Lake Public Safety Meeting.
Mayor Jones- Attended HCAOG meeting.
Councilmember Mackay-Attended Blue Lake Chamber of Commerce meeting. States Annie and Mary Day will be on Sunday July 14, 2024.
a. City Manager Report
City Manager Mager provides a verbal managers report to Council. b. Financial Report
12. Future Agenda Items
• Refund Water Deposit Policy
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• First Amendment Audit YouTube Video
• Manager’s Evaluation
13. Motion: To adjourn 9:20 p.m.
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay, Second: Councilmember Scafani There were no comments from the Council.
Public Comment: None
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Mackay, Scafani, Edgar Nays: None Absent: Shull Motion Summary: Motion Passed