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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
Elise Scafani, Councilmember
Elizabeth Mackay, Councilmember
Christopher Edgar, Councilmember
Council Members Absent:
Angela Shull, Mayor Pro Tem
Staff Present:
Amanda Mager, City Manager
Anali Gonzalez, Administrative Assistant/ City Clerk
Tonie Quigley, Office Assistant
Mike Foget, City Engineer (SHN)
Jordan Ludtke, Staff Engineer (SHN)
Public Present:
Mardi Granger, Beckie Thornton, Julie Christie, Justin, Lori Ponte, Winona Pitts.
2. Pledge of allegiance and established quorum of the council.
Mayor Pro Tem Shull absent.
3. Public Comment:
Tina Catalina-Town square not there~ read a poem she wrote about that.
Mardi Granger- Justin’s last day recording. Important he is rewarded. Can we pay him to come, each council member contributes.
Julie Christie-can’t hear well, concurs with prior speakers.
Winona Pitts-thanks Justin, important& appreciated, willing to contribute Kent Sawatzky-Justin needs help, he would donate.
Blue Lake City Council Minutes
Tuesday, April 23, 2024~ 6:30 p.m. ~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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Public Comment Closed.
4. City of Blue Lake Bike Month Proclamation May 2024-Action Mayor Jones introduces and reads the City of Blue Lake Bike Month Proclamation.
Motion: To proclaim May as Bike month in Blue Lake.
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay, Second: Councilmember Scafani Public Comment:
Kent Sawatzky-cannot hear, cannot participate
Lori Ponte- cannot hear, will come down in person
Public comment closed:
Councilmember Scafani- mentions the E bike voucher program from Redwood Energy Coast Authority. Recently launched anyone can apply for the program.
Mayor Jones- Notes a date error on the Blue Lake Proclamation.
City Manager Mager- Announces Blue Lake bike activities for the month of May. Bike helmet giveaway, bike rodeo, and bike raffle.
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Scafani, Mackay, Edgar Nays: Absent: Shull Motion Summary: Motion Passed
5. City of Blue Lake Lemonade Day Proclamation-Action
Mayor Jones introduces the item and reads the City of Blue Lake Lemonade Day Proclamation.
Motion: To proclaim June 1, 2024, as Lemonade Day in Blue Lake.
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay, Second: Councilmember Edgar No council discussion.
Public Comment:
Jeff Wickizer-longtime resident Blue Lake is a safe town, kids can ride bikes, Eureka not so much. My girls have done Lemonade Day for 4 years making from $300 to $1200 year. Girls have learned to track expenses and marketing. Has gotten very successful
Councilmember Mackay- Asked Jeff Wickizer where the lemonade stand will be located.
Jeff Wickizer-In Eureka at the Pacific Outfitters parking lot Winona Pitts-read from Brown act, unproductive, not ok that we cannot hear.
Councilmember Scafani- requests staff to move teleconferencing device closer to council in order for the public to hear better.
Mayor Jones- Apologizes to the public for technical difficulties.
City Manager Mager- states that live meeting logistics will be prioritized. The quality of the Zoom teleconference meeting cannot be guaranteed. Technical challenges experience by either the participant or the City will not interrupt or halt progress of the meeting. Disclosure on the agenda.
Public comment ends.
Council Vote: Ayes: Jones, Scafani, Mackay, Edgar Nays: Absent: Shull Motion Summary: Motion Passed
6. Hatchery Road Truck Route Improvement Project, 90% Design Plan Presentation by SHN Engineering- Discussion/Action
Mayor Jones introduces items and reads agenda report.
Jordan Ludtke with SHN engineering. Project engineer for the Hatchery Road Truck Route Improvement Project. Working on the rest of the design. Hope to complete the design in the next month 3 | P a g e
or so and secure funding in the next few years. Focused on pedestrian safety, traffic calming measures and bike safety. Walks council through the final layout and presents design to the City and provide opportunity for any questions and feedback.
Council Discussion:
Mayor Jones- asked if the Powers Creek signage will be removed along with the vegetation surrounding the sign.
City Manager Mager- Explained that Taylor way corner has a lot of opportunity for change with Powers Creek Development. Part of branding and signage looking at for the best location. This location is a critical point for safety measures. We may lose a little bit of real estate to create a safer crossing.
Councilmember Mackay- Does that mean that will calm traffic? Jordan Ludtke- Hopefully, this is one of the locations we did a pop-up installation so we coned off where the new sidewalk would be to make sure cars could turn.
Councilmember Scafani- Asks if staff spoke to truck drivers? How many were surveyed.
City Engineer Forget- Yes. Green Diamond, North Folk Lumber, Gary Johnson, Kernen.
Councilmember Mackay- awkward space where the Annie and Mary trail meet the stop sign stops right in the middle of the trail. Is that going to be changed because it is awkward.
City Manager Mager-The city does have a lot of weird intersections in Blue Lake and working with a lot of constraints in the city. These designs are not 100 percent of what council would love. Constraints not necessarily get around.
Councilmember Mackay- Suggests signage for the weird intersection by the trail.
Mayor Jones- Suggests Trail crossing signs to notify drivers and bicyclists.
City Engineer Foget- Slowing down traffic measures implemented.
Councilmember Scafani- Asked about the bulb out where H street comes into Hatchery. Eastside of the intersection.
Jordan Ludtke- That is a mountable concrete. Rock stamped concrete. Cars will have to slow down to go around, and any large truck would have to drive over that which will make the drivers slow down.
Councilmember Scafani- Asks what the speed limit for somebody to take that turn? Mentions when they had a pop-out, she would take the turn approximately 20mph.
City Engineer Foget- Physical features implemented to help drivers reduce speed.
Council discussion ends.
Mayor Jones opens public comment:
Winona Pitts- commented again on difficulty of hearing, coming down with kids in pj’s.
Kent Sawatzky-comment on meeting not being a qualified meeting as not able to hear or participate.
Public comment closed.
Motion: To accept the draft plan and direct staff to proceed with finalizing and submitting the plan.
Motion by: Councilmember Edgar, Second: Councilmember Mackay Public Comment: None
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Scafani, Mackay, Edgar Nays: Absent: Shull Motion Summary: Motion Passed
7. Review and Consider Approval of Exclusive Negotiating Agreement.
Property: Blue Lake (City Owned) Parcel Nos 025-201-019 and 025-201-009 Negotiating Parties: Kenneth Eisner and Tasha Eisner
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Subject of agreement: Exclusive negotiating agreement: potential lease or sale or City owned property.
Mayor Jones reads agenda report Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with Tasha Eisner and Keneth Eisner. Eisner’s were not able to attend the council meeting due to traveling.
Council discussion:
Councilmember Edgar-Asks the ad hoc committee if there are any issues with the proposed ENA.
Councilmember Scafani- States the Ad hoc committee has not met due to Einer’s accepting the ENA as presented.
City Manager Mager- Eisner’s agreed to the City’s agreement. City Attorney drafted agreement.
Eisner’s paid their deposit and are eager to formulate ideas and start site investigations.
Councilmember Mackay- Asks if the property is two parcels.
City Manager Mager- Believes it’s two parcels but in other areas it’s referenced as one parcel. Tax line assessment runs across.
Councilmember Mackay-Asks about the garbage on the site and what will be done with the salvage.
City Manager Mager-Eisner’s own Humboldt Sanitation and are equipped to clean up historical garbage on property. Mentions the potential of Eisner’s bringing this back to council to negotiate price reduction.
Mayor Jones- Asks if there is anything of value on site.
City manager Mager- The city had a historical survey done to make sure we had the capacity to remove the building. Some salvage but complicated process.
Councilmember Scafani- Asks what the definition is of historical garbage? City Manager Mager- materials that have collected over the years. Abandoned junk.
Council discussion ends:
Motion: To accept the ENA as presented and authorize the mayor to sign the agreement.
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay, Second: Councilmember Scafani Public comment: None
There were no comments from the Council.
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Scafani, Mackay, Edgar Nays: Absent: Shull Motion Summary: Motion Passed.
8. Conduct the second reading and adopt by Title Only 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- Action Mayor Jones reads agenda report Ordinance number 544- Water Deposit Policy Amendment.
Motion: to conduct the second reading and adopt by title only Ordinance Number 544.
Motion by: Councilmember Edgar, Second: Councilmember Mackay Public comment: None
There were no comments from the Council.
Roll Call Vote: Yes: Jones, Scafani, Mackay, Edgar Nays: Absent: Shull Motion Summary: Motion Passed
9. Discussion Regarding Retail Cannabis Operations in the City of Blue Lake and Potential Changes to the City’s Cannabis Ordinance-Discussion/Direction Mayor Jones reads agenda report retail cannabis ordinance discussion. Staff was asked to find sample ordinances and recommendations for consideration by the Council. 5 | P a g e
City Manager Mager- Last council meeting we discussed retail cannabis in the city of Blue Lake.
Council directed staff to fins sample ordinance to allow retail cannabis businesses in the city.
Consulted with city attorney and recommended the City of Weed ordinance for council to review.
We can bring forward for recommendation at a later date.
Mayor Jones- states she was looking for permitting process.
City Manager Mager- Suggests the council can change and propose and limit the number of businesses. Set up a good framework for evaluation.
Councilmember Edgar- states he would like to limit the retail cannabis businesses.
City Manager Mager- Through the municipal code you permit certain activities through the zoning regulations and then that can go through either a process of evaluation first off by staff to see if permit requirements or zoning regulations are met. Then forwarded to the Planning commission and staff write recommendations or council can form a commission designated to review cannabis applications. Up to council on how to format
Mayor Jones- States she likes the extra layer or two before it comes to council.
Councilmember Edgar- Mentions the city is small and not a lot of available spaces conducive to having retail cannabis businesses.
City Manager Mager- Opportunity in the Powers Creek District. Potential for some properties in town to be knocked down, rebuilt, and renovated. Mentions when the opportunity zone was created prior commissions and council almost overthought the process which is understandable sometimes by overwriting and overthinking you start to find you precluded business. Opportunity zone written to let economics drive business. With this topic a little more restrictive through the though process.
The city still needs to conduct further research on regulatory levels. Suggests council review the City of Weed Ordinance, make notes, and bring back to staff.
Mayor opens public comment:
Kent Sawatzky- pipe dream
Public comment closed.
Directs staff to conduct research and bring it back to council at the next schedule meeting in May.
10. First Amendment Auditor-Discussion.
Mayor Jones introduced and read the agenda report First Amendment Auditor. Asks staff to provide an update on training, security, and signage installation.
Council discussion:
City Manager Mager- Staff has been trained in First Amendment Audits. Signage to delineate staff space. The first amendment policy is being developed and will be reviewed by the city attorney and brought back to council. All new employees will be taking the first amendment training.
Councilmember Edgar- States it’s unfortunate the first amendment audit happened to staff. Training has been implemented.
Councilmember Scafani-Asks if staff is asking no more than one member of the public in the City Hall.
City Manager Mager- Not in City Hall but the front counter. There are times when there is too many people trying to come to the front counter. Staff are trying to accommodate members of the public as best as possible.
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Councilmember Scafani- States City Hall has a sizable room if staff could move the counter back to accommodate two or three people especially when weather is bad.
City Manager Mager- We don’t have members of the public stand in the rain. Part of the issue is not having a bunch of people standing at City Hall counter and limiting the time of filming staff and interrupting business. Part of the policy development. We accommodate the members of the public as best as we can.
Councilmember Scafani- Asks if staff is consulting with the city attorney regarding the First Amendment Policy. Asks about the City’s insurance.
City Manager Mager- CIRA is our insurance provider and they have facilitated training for staff.
Councilmember Scafani- asks if the cameras at city hall are always working. Asks if the videos are subject to PRA. Asked how many cameras the city has and where they are located at city hall.
City Manager Mager- Cameras run during specific hours and set to come on based upon motion after hours. States assumption video footage is subject to PRA. Three total cameras, two in the front and one in the back catching entrance points and windows.
Council discussion ends.
11. Council Budget Training-Discussion/Action
Mayor reads agenda report council budget training. Councilmember Scafani has requested staff to conduct budget training in preparation for the upcoming Fiscal Year 24/25 budget discussions. The City’s accountant is available to meet with Councilmembers and recommends that this training take place outside of a Council meeting setting.
City Manager Mager- states in talking with City Accountant his schedule is very busy. The City Accountant prefers to set up some time to meet with Councilmembers in pairs or individually.
Better use of time if the training took place outside of the Council meeting. Coordinate training through the city clerk.
Councilmember Scafani- Clarifies her request was to have a presentation of the budget not a budget training.
City Manager Mager- states councilmember Scafani could benefit from spending time with City accountant to go over current existing budget.
Mayor Jones- Stated if a councilmember needs additional training reach out to the City Accountant and arrange a meeting.
Councilmember Scafani- Asked the rest of the Council if they are interested in council budget training.
Councilmember Mackay- Yes
Councilmember Edgar- No, thanks.
Councilmember Scafani- Expressed the importance of understanding the City’s budget.
City Manager Mager- Stated the budget is not overly complicated, the complicated part is fund accounting.
Council discussion ends.
12. Council Correspondence:
a. League of California Cities Legislative Priority List b. Lemonade Day Agenda Item Request- Jeff Wickizer
13. Consent Agenda
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a. Warrants and Disbursements
Motion: To accept warrants and disbursements
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay, Second: Councilmember Scafani Public comment: None
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Scafani, Mackay Nays: Absent: Shull, Edgar There were no comments from the Council.
14. Reports of Council and Staff.
Councilmember Scafani-attended RCEA meeting.
Councilmember Edgar- Attended Blue Lake Park and Rec commission. New members of the Parks and Recreation commission Jan Henry and Chris Firor.
Mayor Jones- Attended HWMA meeting and HCAOG meeting. Announced the May Day Block Party in Blue Lake Saturday April 27, 2024.
Councilmember Mackay-Attended League of Women Voters Luncheon.
Written City Manager Report.
a. City Manager Report-included in agenda packet.
b. Financial Report- included in agenda packet.
15. Future Agenda Items
• Review of Cannabis Ordinance
• Zoom Camera Replacement
• Draft Budget FY 24-25
Councilmember Mackay- Stated she will be gone most of June.
16. Closed Session: 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 by: Councilmember Edgar Vote: Ayes: Jones, Mackay, Scafani, Edgar Nays: Absent: Shull Motion Summary: Motion Passed
No reportable action from closed session.
17. Adjourn
Motion: To adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m.
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay, Second: Councilmember Scafani Vote: Ayes: Jones, Scafani, Mackay, Edgar Nays: Absent: Shull Motion Summary: Motion Passed