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Unless Otherwise Noted, All Items on the Agenda are Subject to Action.
1. Meeting Called to Order at 6:30 PM
2. Pledge of Allegiance and Establish a Quorum of the Council Council Members Present: 
Adelene Jones, Mayor
Angela Shull, Mayor Pro-Tem
Elise Scafani
Elizabeth Mackay
Council Members Absent:
Christopher Edgar
Staff Present:
Amanda Mager, City Manager
Anali Gonzalez, Administrative Assistant
Tonie Quigley, Office Assistant
Public Present:
Kent Sawatzky, Mardi Granger, Jean Lynch, Lisa Hoover, Julie Christie, Justin, Lori Ponte,
3. Approval of the Agenda
Mayor Jones points out approval of the agenda is missing from the agenda.
Councilmember Mackay suggests item 13 be added to the April 23, 2024 agenda due to councilmember Edgars absence since he brought the item forward.
Councilmember Shull suggests the council postpone item 11 to allow sufficient time for discussion.
Motion: To Approve agenda as delivered
Motion by: Councilmember Scafani
Motion: to approve the agenda with the postponement of item 13.
Motion by: Councilmember Scafani.
Second: Councilmember Mackay
Public Comment: None
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Scafani, Mackay Nays: None Abstain: Shull Absent: Edgar Motion Summary: Motion Passed
Blue Lake City Council Minutes
Tuesday, March 26, 2024~ 6:30 p.m. ~Special 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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4. Public Comments on closed Session Item: no public comment
5.Closed: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 a Closed Session will be held to conduct an Employee Performance Evaluation for the Position of City Manager.
Motion: to go into closed session.
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay Second: Councilmember Shull Vote: Ayes: Jones, Shull, Scafani, Mackay Nays: None Absent: Edgar Motion Summary: Motion Passed
6.Closed Session Report: the council unanimously decided to have a closed session special meeting on April 9, 2024 at 6:30 pm.
7.Moment of Silence in Memory of Blue Lake Resident Larry Kight.
8. Public Comment:
Marty Granger~ asked who Larry Kight is?
Mayor Jones provides some background on deceased Blue Lake resident Larry Kight.
9. Blue Lake Commissioner Application review and Appointment Mayor Jones reads the agenda report into the record and asks applicants if they would like to speak.
Jason Csech applied for the Planning Commission and shares his background in planning.
Christopher Firor applied for the Parks and Recreation commission and shares his background in park and recreation.
Mayor Jones opens public comment.
Public Comment: Lori Ponte stated zoom sound gargled, coming in person.
Public comment closed.
There were no comments from the Council.
Motion: to appoint the following applicants
• Jason Csech- Planning Commission
• Jacob Hussin- Economic Development Commission
• Sherri Green- Arts and Heritage Commission
• Jan Henry- Parks and Recreation commission
• Chris Firor- Park and Recreation Commission
• Ed Nickerson- Public Safety Commission.
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay, Second: Councilmember Shull Vote: Ayes: Jones, Scafani, Shull, Mackay Nays: None Absent: Edgar Motion Summary: Motion Passed
10. Introduce and conduct the First Reading of Ordinance Number 544, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Blue Lake Modifying Section 13.08.060 of Chapter 13.08 of Title 13 of the Blue Lake Municipal Code Regarding Customer Deposits.
Mayor Jones reads the agenda report into the record.
City Manager Mager- Intedata the City’s water sewer billing software company asked staff to add clarifying language to Exhibit A. The city proposes an amendment to the language. Exhibit A under item number 1 proposing to add “the month following the date which the account is closed.” This allows staff to stay consistent with how our billing system works.
Mayor opens public comment:
Julie Christie- commented that this has been a past issue, and good work on the dog leash law ordinance. 3 | P a g e
Public Comment Closed.
Back to council.
Motion to introduce and conduct the first reading of Ordinance Number 544 by title only with the changes noted.
Motion By: Councilmember Scafani Second by: Councilmember Mackay Roll Call Vote: Yes: Jones, Scafani, Shull, Mackay Absent: Edgar Motion passed unanimously.
11. Resolution Number 1227- State Water Resources Control Board Direct Operation and Maintenance Fund Program.
Mayor Jones reads the agenda report and asks staff if they would like to add anything to this item.
City Manager Mager: provides background information on the State Water Board operation and maintenance fund program.
Mayor opens public comment.
Public Comment: Julie Christie commented on Ordinance 544 asking if this would result in lower rates for customers.
Public comment closed.
Motion: to adopt Resolution Number 1227.
Motion by: Councilmember Schull, Second: Councilmember Mackay There were no comments from the Council.
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Scafani, Shull, Mackay Nays: None Absent: Edgar Motion Summary: Motion Passed
12. Review Staff Updates to the City of Blue Lake’s Visioning Document and Provide Recommendations and/ or Direction for Further Analysis.
Mayor Jones introduces and reads the agenda report.
Council Discussion:
City Manager Mager- brought this item to council to continue discussions on the Blue Lake’s Visioning Document. No action needed now.
Mayor Jones- states in 1997 Blue Lake only had two commissions. Welcomes the idea of town hall meetings for public input but would also like to get commissions input as well.
Councilmember Scafani- expresses concern towards staff current workload and taking on a new project.
Mayor Jones- asked staff how they feel about taking on a new project.
City Manager Mager- appreciates council’s concern for staff and emphasizes the importance of the visioning document. Has discussed The Blue Lake Visioning Document with city planner and will be brought to the Planning commission. Project does not have to be on the fast track. Would like to continue to focus on the document to some level.
Councilmember Mackay: expresses how the City of Blue Lake Visioning Document is great and suggests a facilitator with experience to lead potential future meetings.
Councilmember Scafani- states the document should be brought to the public since the document dates to 1997.
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Mayor Jones- states commissions are the spoke people for the people.
Mayor Jones opens public comment:
Lisa Hoover-interesting approach supports commissions leading and then to the public, but not to expect the public to make all committee meetings.
Lori Ponte- Concur with Lisa, needs a process including community input as well as commissions.
Julie Christie- concurred with Lisa and Lori, not a fast-track item, been around a long time, General Plan needs updating, focus on general plan.
Public comment closed.
Council Discussion:
Mayor Jones- asks the city manager if the Blue Lake Visioning Document has been introduced to the commissions.
City Manager Mager- the Economic Development Commission has seen the document. Economic Development and Planning commission would be the two commissions actively working on Blue Lake Visioning document and brought forward to council with recommendations and approval.
Councilmember Scafani- asks about the General Plan update.
City Manager Mager- the city has been updating sections of the general plan. Extensive process.
Garry Rees (City Planner) would be the best person to provide an update on the general plan.
Councilmember Scafani-requests the general plan presentation with the city planner be added to future agenda items.
City Manager Mager- states it would be beneficial for council to educate themselves on the general plan to understand the extensive process on updating the general plan. Agrees a presentation from the City Planner would be beneficial for council.
Mayor Jones- suggests commissions excluding Public Safety commission review the Blue Lake Visioning Document and a representative from the commission’s report back to council.
Public Comment: Kent Sawatzky-strongly supports Julie comment.
Councilmember Mackay- suggests the City host a series of town hall meetings for community input on the Blue Lake Visioning Document.
Council discussion ends.
13. Discussion Regarding Retail Cannabis Operations in the City of Blue Lake and Potential Changes to the City’s Cannabis Ordinance. Discussion and direction.
Mayor Jones introduces and reads the agenda report.
Councilmember Mackay- states she brought the item forward for discussion because the city could use more of a tax base. Limit it to one or two café style/dispensaries.
Councilmember Shull- states the permit process is very regulated.
Councilmember Scafani- points out many cannabis dispensaries are going out of business.
City Manager Mager- recommends council to direct staff to do some research on cannabis regulations, associated costs, and bring back to council.
Councilmember Mackay- would like to direct staff to investigate cannabis ordinances to limit the amount of retail cannabis businesses in Blue Lake.
Council directs staff to research Cannabis regulations and bring back to council.
Mayor Jones opens public comment:
Mardi Granger- Why not put out another survey as was done years ago. 5 | P a g e
Lori Ponte- Public and safety impacts to community, is there anyone asking for this type of business in town? Not in favor of selling marijuana Trinidad, Fortuna, or Loleta- no sales or dispensaries -quoted statistic of states, doesn’t see the need as there are options.
Kent Sawatzky- asked in the past about selling, turned down. Could have sold 100-200K in product.
Interesting conversation thinks business will go to online sales, many brick-and-mortar closing.
Julie Christie- wondered about permit process and location important as kids. We have many special events with alcohol, I know we need sales tax revenue, are we all buying online? Public Comment Closed.
Council discussion:
Councilmember Mackay- asks if a consumer buys an item online does the city receive sales tax depending on where it is delivered.
City Manager Mager- for the most part yes. Has noticed district taxes on online purchases.
Councilmember Shull- states she would like to get the City attorney’s perspective and determine the success rate of dispensaries around the area.
Mayor Jones- states she would like staff to look into implementing limit on retail cannabis businesses in the City.
Council directs staff to gather information on retail cannabis aspects.
14. First Amendment Auditor Discussion -Discussion /tabled until April meeting
15. Redwood Curtain Design Annual contract –
Mayor Jones introduces and reads the agenda report.
Council Discussion:
Councilmember Scafani- has been working with Redwood Curtain Design on updating the City website. Progress has been made but there is still additional work to be done. Introduces a proposal for 1 year flex time website design and technical support with Redwood Curtain Design. Proposal included in the council packet.
Mayor Jones- asks City Manager if a budget amendment would be needed for the potential new service agreement with Redwood Curtain Design.
City Manager Mager- the city can absorb the cost and no budget amendment is required.
Councilmember Scafani: Currently we are only paying him 30 dollars a month Mayor Jones- this year proposal would start?
Councilmember Scafani- it would start the beginning of April 2024.
Councilmember Mackay- seeks clarification on the cost of the services.
Councilmember Scafani- it would be $180 times 11 months $1800 dollars for a full year. Correction that’s the wrong amount, it would $1980 for a full year with one month free.
Mayor Jones opens Public comment:
No public comment
Public comment closed.
Motion: to authorize staff to enter into a new service agreement with Redwood Curtain Design for 1 year with one month free.
Motion by: Councilmember Schull, Second: Councilmember Mackay There were no comments from the Council
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Vote: Ayes: Jones, Scafani, Shull, Mackay Nays: None Absent: Edgar Motion Summary: Motion Passed
16. Council Correspondence
Mayor Jones reads a council correspondence from Justin.
17. Consent Agenda:
a. January 23, 2024, Regular Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor Jones would like to pull the item January 23, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes from the consent agenda.
b. Warrants and Disbursements
Motion to approve the warrants and disbursements.
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay Second by: Councilmember Scafani There were no comments from the Council.
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Scafani, Shull, Mackay Nays: None Absent: Edgar Motion Summary: Motion Passed
January 23, 2024, Regular Council Meeting Minutes
Comments from the Council:
Mayor Jones- page 5 of the January 23, 2024, Regular Council Meeting Minutes where it says consent agenda there is a missing motion.
City Manager Mager- states she has in her January 2024 notes a motion to accept minutes with corrections and additions from councilmember Mackay and second by Councilmember Shull.
Motion: to approve the January 23, 2024, minutes with the correction and additions.
Motion by: Councilmember Shull Second by: Councilmember Mackay Vote: Ayes: Jones, Scafani, Shull, Mackay Nays: None Absent: Edgar Motion Summary: Motion Passed
b. Reports of Council and staff
Councilmember Scafani- attended RCEA meeting.
Mayor Jones- HWMA meeting cancelled this month. Attended Measure Z advisory committee meeting on Thursday March 14, 2024. The City is asking for 35,000 dollars.
Councilmember Shull- attended HCAOG meeting and Blue Lake Chamber of Commerce meeting.
Councilmember Mackay- attended the Blue Lake Economic Development meeting. Mentions Annie and Mary vendor applications.
a. City Manager Report- City Manager Mager provided a verbal report to council. A written report will be provided at the next City Council meeting in April. b. Financial Report- postponed to April 23, 2024 City Council meeting.
Mayor Jones-requests Financial Report postponed as a future agenda item.
Councilmember Scafani- suggests the council have the City’s accountant have a working session to learn about the budget. Special budget work session.
18. Future Agenda Items
• General Plan Update Presentation
• Eisner’s Exclusive Negotiating Agreement
• April 9, 2024, City Council Special Meeting
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Councilmember Scafani- suggests the city has a page on the website for public feedback on City projects. Mentions zoom technology not working properly.
19. Adjourn
Motion: to adjourn 9:20 pm.
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay, Second: Councilmember Shull There were no comments from the Council.
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Scafani, Shull, Mackay Nays: None Absent: Edgar Motion Summary: Motion Passed