1 | P a g e
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
Angela Shull
Elise Scafani
Christopher Edgar
Staff Present:
Amanda Mager, City Manager
Scott Gordon, City Accountant
Anali Gonzalez, City Clerk
Tonie Quigley, Office Assistant
Garry Rees, SHN Consulting City Planner
Public Present:
Darcy Lima, Melissa Combs Regina Fuller, Kent Sawatzky, Brian Quennel, Jean Lynch, Erin McClure, Lisa Hoover, Beckie Thorton, Winona Pitts, Linda Cooley, Mackenzie, Ron Hill,
2. Approval of Agenda
Public comment:
Kent Sawatzky
Public comment closed.
Motion: To reverse item 5 and 6 and approve agenda.
Blue Lake City Council Minutes
Tuesday, July 23, 2024~ 6:30 p.m. ~Regular City 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
2 | P a g e
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay, Second: Councilmember Shull There were no comments from the Council
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Mackay, Shull, Scafani, Edgar Nays: None Absent: None Motion Summary: Motion Passed
3. Public Comment – The Public is invited to present petitions, make announcements, or provide other information to the City Council that is relevant to the scope of authority of the City of Blue Lake that is not on the Agenda. The Council may provide up to 15 minutes for this public input session. To assure that each individual presentation is heard, the Council may uniformly impose time limitations of 3 minutes to each individual presentation. The public will be given the opportunity to address items that are on the agenda at the time the Council takes up each specific agenda item.
Mayor Jones opens Public Comment:
Ron Hill- commented on decommissioning of powerplant, gave background on himself, various ways of doing this work, city has locked us out. Can we answer questions.
Linda Cooley-read email sent to council to record
Kent Sawatzky- comment to Ron and Linda – wholeheartedly agree with you, BL taxes are 2nd highest in county. Don’t want to spend my time in BLBecky Thornton- comment that business owner for 24 years, shut down, studio now – advertising to get people out here. Have worked hard, with no co-operation from the city or city council.
Dana- last meeting, we talked about where to put bathrooms at town square. I’m furious, no grass, too much concrete. Not expecting this.
Julie Moug- used to be resident, representing Robert, he is aware of litigation – he has equipment on property, does not want it to be sold.
Julie Christie- Anne Mary day was a good day. Evolution is coming in next few decades, be ready for it. Be ready for the election. Be diligent and positive.
Kate Hitt- comment that she lives in BL, used to take the bus when Rancheria ran bus. Now long trip, 3 hours. Help get more buses routed between here and Arcata and McKinleyville Erin McClure- commented that she owns property and city lease has expired. Don’t trust the city manager, now work with the city attorney
4. Prioritizing Essential Services in an Era of Natural Disasters- Presentation Statement by the Humboldt County: Over the past three decades Sacramento has taken $500 million In revenue from Humboldt County’s budget. The combination of unfunded mandates and state takeaways is costing us more than $25 million each year, and, with the State’s current budget deficit, more takeaways are on the way. We need additional, guaranteed sources of local funding just for Humboldt County-that cannot be taken by Sacramento. We want to share the magnitude of the issues we see facing Humboldt County and hear your top priorities in advance of what is going to be a challenging budget cycle.
Public Comment:
Kate Hitt- if 1% passes, what would annual be?
Humboldt County Rep-Projecting to be 24 million dollars. A lot of public exposure.
Steve Madrone- consider supporting, takes a 67% vote
3 | P a g e
Kent Sawatzky- spoke about taxpayer league, old, longtime organization. Tom, Steve and I don’t see things the same, so we must agree to disagree.
Julie Christie- please share presentation on zoom. Everybody needs to be conscious and slow down.
We need local businesses, counties and cities to work together.
Lin’s iPhone- support measure. Recently driving through county, and road is terrible. Glad to hear there are matching funds
5. City of Blue Lake General Plan Overview-Presentation Garry Rees, City Planner Consultant from SHN, will make a presentation on the City’s General Plan, along with providing updated information on the various elements associated with the plan.
Public Comment:
Kent Sawatzky-states that he strongly supports what is being discussed. A flaw in the outlook; a lack of tiny homes. If we encouraged tiny homes, we would increase the population. Keep local families here, grandparents and grandchildren.
Julie Christie- concur with Kent
Lisa Hoover- Thank you Garry, like to understand as a member of the public. Major documents are not clear, and hard to navigate. Seems elements in GP should be updated. (Garry addressed her questions.)
Erica Dykehouse- proposed that new changes be shared with homeowners. Our property zoning changed. Encourage that information be shared on websites and not social platforms. (Garry addressed)
Jeff Landen- thank you Garry, one thing that struck me, some elements need to be addressed, the population fluctuates. Projection for 2000, still small vs what we have now.
Jean Lynch-commented that the area where I live is low density, in creating housing it will increase traffic. Like to see that looked at, taken to the planning commission. Like to see more planning commission meetings happen.
Public comment closed.
6. Resolution Number 1231-A Resolution of the City Council Amending the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget to Reflect Actual and Projected Revenues and Expenditures-Action The City Accountant presents Resolution Number 1231; this resolution is a budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. The budget amendment will revise the adopted Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget to more accurately reflect actual and projected revenues and expenditures.
Mayor Jones opens public comment:
Julie Christie made a public comment.
Kent Sawatzky-made a public comment.
Regina Fuller- Finance Director of the Humboldt County Sheriff office. Apologized for not being here for the June Council meeting.
Public comment closed.
Councilmember Scafani- Inquires about legal costs on page 4.
City Manager Mager- Confirms the legal costs associated with Mitchel Law Firm Councilmember Scafani- Inquires about animal control cost increase City Manager Mager- Dog leash law and several dog bite incidents. 4 | P a g e
Councilmember Scafani-Page 8 curious about expenditures on the Library Project. Does not recall that amount recalls the cost to be 60k.
City Manager Mager-We did not receive additional funds we were able to use existing budget.
Motion: To Adopt Resolution Number 1231- A resolution of the City Council adopting the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget Amendment.
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay Second by: Councilmember Edgar Vote: Ayes: Jones, Mackay, Shull, Edgar Nays: Scafani Absent: None Motion Summary: Motion Passed
7. Resolution Number 1234- CalOES Authorizing Resolution and Signatory Designation-Action In order for the City of Blue Lake to conduct business /activities with CalOES and FEMA, we must have an updated resolution designating and authorizing the signatory authorities for grant applications and fund requests. This resolution must be updated every three years, and it is now time for the City of Blue Lake to update the authorizing resolution. Staff recommend designating the City Manager and the Mayor as the designated signatory authorities.
Motion: To authorize the City Manager to expend funds from Fund 38 to pay off the balance of the Town Square Property Purchase Loan.
Motion by: Councilmember Shull, Second: Councilmember Edgar Public Comment: None
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Mackay, Shull, Edgar, Scafani Nays: Absent: None Motion Summary: Motion Passed
8. Council Correspondence
9. Consent Agenda
A. May 28, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes
B. June 11, 2024, Special Meeting Minutes
Motion: To approve May 28, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes and June 11, 2024, Special Meeting Minutes.
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay, Second: Councilmember Shull Public Comment: None
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Mackay, Shull, Edgar, Scafani Nays: Absent: None Motion Summary: Motion Passed
C. Warrants and Disbursements
Council member Edgar recused himself from Warrants and Disbursements Motion: to approve June 2024 Warrants and Disbursements.
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay, Second: Councilmember Shull There were no comments from the Council
Public Comment:
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Mackay, Shull, Scafani, Nays: None Absent: None Abstention:
Councilmember Edgar
Motion Summary: Motion Passed
5 | P a g e
10. Reports of Council and Staff
a. City Manager Report
b. Financial Report
11. Public comment:
Dayna made a public comment.
Kent Sawatzky made a public comment.
Julie Christie made a public comment.
Lisa Hoover made a public comment.
Public comment closed.
Motion to go into closed session.
Motion by: Angela Shull, Second by: Councilmember Edgar Vote: Ayes: Jones, Mackay, Shull, Scafani, Edgar
12. Closed Session: CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Property: Portions of APN Nos. 312-131-037-000, 312-131-045-000, 312-131-046-000, and 312- 190-010-000, in the unincorporated area of the County of Humboldt, State of California. Agency Negotiator: Amanda Mager, City Manager: Ryan Plotz, Assistant City Attorney Negotiating Parties: Erin McClure, Trustee
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment.
13. Closed Session: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: two cases.
NO REPORTABLE ACTION OUT OF THE CLOSED SESSION.
Motion: to move out of closed session
Motion by: Councilmember Mackay, Second: Councilmember Edgar There were no comments from the Council
Voted unanimously with one abstention.
Motion Summary: Motion Passed
14. Adjourn
Motion: to adjourn 10:55 pm.
Motion by: Councilmember Edgar, Second: Councilmember Mackay There were no comments from the Council
Voted unanimously.
Motion Summary: Motion Passed