1. Call to Order: 6:30 p.m.
2.Pledge of Allegiance and Establish a Quorum of the Council Councilmembers Present:
Adelene Jone- Mayor
Angela Shull- Mayor Pro Tem
Christopher Edgar
Elise Scafani
Staff Present:
Amanda Mager- City Manager
Anali Gonzalez- City Clerk
Tonie Quigley- Office Assistant
Mike Forget- SHN Engineer
Garry Rees- SHN Planner
Public Present: Mike Forget, Erin McClure, Jean Lynch, John Sawaski, Kent Sawatsky, Mardi Grainger, Lisa Hoover, Kat Napier, Garry Reese, two unknown females, Michelle Lewis-Lusso, Justin Goad.
3. Moment of Silence for long-time resident Nancy Brunson and Mark Allen Whitman.
4. Approval of Agenda
Motion: To approve agenda as delivered.
Motion by: Councilmember Shull, Second: Councilmember Edgar Public Comment: none
There were no comments from the Council
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Shull, Scafani, Edgar Nays: None Absent: None Motion Summary: Motion Passed
5. Public Comment:
Kent Sawasky: not supporting measure O. No on O. Water Tank got on agenda. Went up to tank, SHN there w/out permission. Property should be assessed as residential.
Kat Napier: looked along Greenwood. Some damage there due to negligence. Listed all addresses and damage at each address. Suggested preventative measures.
Julie Christie: busy meeting last night at Skinner store. Good example of community. Kids did good at the
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
Blue Lake City Council Minutes
Tuesday, August 27,2024 6:30 p.m. ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall fair. Agree with other speakers.
Erin McClure: made an offer, was turned down. Taking control of gate, using my own lock. Public Works can call me to open the gate. SHN digging hole, called city attorney, told me to tell them to leave. They did. I will be managing the property.
Mayor Jones addresses Erin McClure public comment. Her understanding was that SHN was collecting soil samples and had previously arranged and agreed upon. No large drilling was done. Asks staff to respond.
Mike Foget: Explained why SHN was at tank drilling. Core sampling. Apologized that they did not give proper notification. Geotechnical boring.
City Manager Mager: Geotech work was scheduled months ago, and the crew did not know the requirement to contact property owner. The city takes full responsibility for lack of proper notification, won’t happen again. Explains this is an active negotiation and deferring communication between property owner Erin McClure and City Manager through the City Attorney Ryan is best. City Attorney is very responsive to property owner Erin McClure.
Public Comment Closed.
6.City of Blue Lake Commission Appointments – Discussion The City of Blue Lake has received applications for open positions on the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Planning Commission, and the Arts and Heritage Commission. Jeff Byrd has applied for the Parks and Recreation position and Elaine Hogan and Mathew Schang are reapplying for the open seats on the Planning Commission. Former council member Elizabeth Mackay applied for the Arts and Heritage commission.
Jeff Byrd has served as a Parks Commissioner in the past years. Elaine Hogan is a former Councilmember and current member of the Planning commission; Mathew Schang is also currently serving on the Planning Commission. Elizabeth Mackay is a former Councilmember. All four applicants have been active commission participants and have demonstrated knowledge in their areas of application.
Council Discussion:
Councilmember Edgar: Asks about any overlapping in commission application.
City manager Mager: no and most of the commission applications are reupping their term.
Councilmember Scafani- Expresses concern over Mathew Schang’s residence and proposes to hold Mr.
Schang’s application until the concern can be clarified. States Mr. Schang does not currently live in Blue Lake. Reached out to Mathew Schang today and has not heard back.
Mayor Jones: States Mr. Schang lists an address in Blue Lake on his application.
City Manager Mager: The City has not received notification that Mr. Schang has moved outside the city limits.
Councilmember Scafani: would like to appoint all applicants other than Mathew Schang’s application.
Proposes to hold application until next month once the concern regarding his residence is clarified by Mr.
Schang.
Public Comment:
Jean Lynch: Planning commission very important. Only met 3 times this year. Not due to quorum, but lack of projects. It is important that the public have input. Like applicants present.
Kent Sawasky: applicants not in room, no heart in the role. Stated that he has residents in all parts of Humboldt County, including Hoopa. Like to have people here in the room. The planning commission should be working on other projects.
Julie Christie: encourage applicants to be there. Important. Commented on Elaine, since she is part of Great Redwood Trail.
Public Comment Closed.
Mayor Jones and Mayor Pro Tem Shull discuss the topic of making it a requirement for commissioner applicants to attend the council meeting for appointment. This will allow the applicant to give a statement and advocate for the position they’re applying for.
Mayor Pro Tem Shull: States she would like to give Mr. Schang the benefit of the doubt that their residence still is in Blue Lake and would not like to exclude his application. Mr. Schang is already on the Planning commission and there is no indication he has moved out of his residence.
Mayor Pro Tem Shull: motions to appoint all the applicants to their respective commission.
Mayor Jones seconds the motion to appoint all the applicants to their respective commission. • Jeff Byrd was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission. • Elaine Hogan was appointed to the Planning Commission. • Mathew Schang was appointed to the Planning Commission. • Elizabeth Mackay was appointed to the Arts and Heritage commission.
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Shull, Edgar Nays: None Abstain: Scafani Absent: None Motion Summary: Motion Passed
7.City of Blue Lake Economic Development Administration Grant Presentation The City received funding from Economic Development Administration under the 2019 Disaster Recovery Program to analyze economic opportunities in the City of Blue Lak with a focus on recreation investment.
The City was funded to analyze the development of an RV park and campground, along with support businesses that could be viable in the event that the RV park and campground was deemed feasible.
The City has completed a multi-year assessment, which included numerous meetings with community members, local and regional investors, industry leaders, Blue Lake Commissions, and local business operators. The City hired Storyland Studios to conduct the analysis, facilitate the outreach and to develop the project proformas and architectural renderings.
Storyland Studios has finalized the development analysis and staff will present the results of the study, along with conceptual drawings reflecting future investment concepts.
No action required: staff is presenting the results of the project and will be closing out the grant as all grant objectives have been met.
Public Comment:
Lisa Hoover: last council meeting, circulation not updated as part of general plan, main traffic, land use, like to see circulation element on next agenda.
Kent Sawatzky: I wish we had this type of presentation at the end of meeting. The concept is pipedream.
Stop wasting time on big projects, focus on smaller projects.
Julie Christie: commented on her concerns
John Sawatzky: think great concepts. Feel we need to develop the city at same time.
Garry Reese: met with Lisa Hoover during office hours. Went over some of the work that was done under the Strategic Growth Council Grant. Lisa was kind enough to review the draft circulation element, and this is where her knowledge is coming from. I would like to give her credit for taking a look at that.
8. Adopt and Paint a Fire Hydrant Program
The Arts and Heritage Commission, in partnership with the Blue Lake Volunteer Fire Department, has developed a project that will bring art into our community, while at the same time updating our fire hydrant infrastructure.
The proposed “Adopt and Paint a Fire Hydrant” Program will solicit community artists to adopt a local fire hydrant for painting and it is proposed that the hydrants be painted on a designated date. This will create an opportunity for the City to host an “art day” that will encourage community [participation on many levels.
The Arts and Heritage Commission is asking for Council’s authorization to release the project by purchasing the paint for the hydrants and marketing and organizing the event. This will be done in coordination with the Arts and Heritage Commissioners, along with the Blue Lake Volunteer Fire Department.
Fiscal Impact: The City is required to paint and maintain our fire hydrants and as such, the purchase of the paint for the project is an allowable expense. The estimated budget is $250.00 overall not per hydrant.
Motion: to authorize the Arts and Heritage Commission and City staff to coordinate the Adopt and Paint a Fire Hydrant Project as described in project proposal.
Motion by: Councilmember Scafani, Second: Councilmember Shull Public Comment: Julie Christie: thank you for making no motion before letting the public speak.
Downtown should be downtown
John Sawatzky: I like the idea, sounds like fun.
Public comment closed. Back to council for the vote.
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Shull, Scafani, Edgar Nays: None Absent:None Motion Summary: Motion Passed
9.Announcement of Council Vacancy Process and Application Submission Deadline Due to a Council resignation, the Blue Lake City Council has a vacancy for a two-year term seat. At the Special Council meeting on August 16, 2024, the Council directed staff to advertise the vacancy and bring back applications for review and consideration at the regular Council meeting in September.
In compliance with Government Code Section 36512 (B), the City Council will be accepting applications for appointments through the September 27, 2024, 4pm deadline. Appointment consideration will take place at a special Council meeting on October 8, 2024.
Public Comment: No public comment
10.Council Correspondence
11.Consent Agenda:
Motion by: Councilmember Scafani to pull July warrants and disbursements and conflict waiver and memorandum of agreement authorization.
a. June 25, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes
Motion: To approve June 25, 2024, City Council meeting minutes.
Motion by: Councilmember Scafani, Second: Councilmember Shull Public Comment: none
There were no comments from the Council
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Shull, Scafani, Edgar Nays: None Absent: None Motion Summary: Motion Passed
b. July Warrants and Disbursements
Councilmember Edgar recuses himself from the July Warrants and Disbursements.
Motion: To approve July warrants and disbursements.
Motion by: Councilmember Shull, Second: Councilmember Scafani Public Comment: Kent Sawaski: commented on warrants
Julie Christie: commented on warrants and disbursements Council discussion: Councilmember Scafani inquires about Wildland Operators check #12203 for $11,475.00.
City Manager Mager: Wildland Operators is building the bike park. Reimbursement check for materials, fuel, and equipment.
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Shull, Scafani Nays: None Recused: Edgar Motion Summary: Motion Passed
c. Conflict Waiver and Authorization to Enter into a MOU with Fieldbrook Community Services.
Motion: To Accept the conflict waiver and direct City Attorney, in consultation with the City Manager , to develop an agreement with the Fieldbrook CSD for services associated with the monitoring of the Fieldbrook CSD’s wastewater station and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement upon the final recommendation by the City Attorney.
Motion by: Councilmember Shull, Second: Councilmember Edgar Public Comment:
Lori Ponte: problem with Chris setting it in motion. What is reimbursement to city? Julie Christie: needs to be incentive to the city to take this on. Needs to come back to council with written MOU
Kent Sawatzky: good to partner with Fieldbrook
John Sawatzky: think it would be wise to see MOU for approval Motion amended: to accept the conflict waiver and direct City Attorney, in consultation with the City Manager , to develop an agreement with the Fieldbrook CSD for services associated with the monitoring of the Fieldbrook CSD’s wastewater station and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement upon the final recommendation by the City Attorney. The final MOU brought back to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting for final approval.
Motion by: Councilmember Shull, Second amended: Councilmember Edgar Vote: Ayes: Jones, Shull, Scafani, Edgar Nays: None Absent: None Motion Summary: Motion Passed
12. Reports of Council and Staff
a. Managers’ Report
b. Financial Report
c. The Council reports back on meetings they have attended for the month of August.
Public Comment:
Lori: understand trying to help property owners out, but where in the budget does that money come in, and is it property that the city really will benefit from
Kent Sawatzky: commented on city managers report.
13. Future Agenda Items
• Detailed Financial Report
• MOU- Fieldbrook
14. Adjournment
Motion: To adjourn the meeting at 9:10 pm.
Motion by: Councilmember Scafani, Second: Councilmember Edgar Public Comment: none
There were no comments from the Council
Vote: Ayes: Jones, Shull, Scafani, Edgar Nays: None Absent: None Motion Summary: Motion Passed
Clerks Name
City Clerk, City of Blue Lake