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1.Called to Order: 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Jones, Councilmember Edgar, Councilmember Firor, Councilmember Scafani
Councilmembers Absent: Councilmember Shull
Staff Present: City Manager Mager, City Clerk Gonzalez, Office Assistant Quigley Public Present: Mardi Grainger, Michelle Lewis-Lusso, Kat Napier, Becki Thornton, Alex Ricca, Erin McClure, Lin Glen, Verda Pitts, John Sawatsky, Emily Wood, Dennis Whitcomb, Matt Isaac, Jean Lynch, Megan Acevedo, Lori Ponte
Staff Present: City Manager Mager, City Attorney Plotz, City Clerk Gonzalez, Administrative Assistant Quigley
2.Pledge of Allegiance
3.Approval of the Agenda
Councilmember Scafani: Requests to move “future agenda items” above the closed session item.
No Public Comment
Motion by: Councilmember Scafani to approve the agenda moving future agenda items before the closed session.
Seconded by: Councilmember Edgar
Motion Summary: The motion carried unanimously.
4.Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda:
Lin Glen: Comments on the lack of a polling location in Blue Lake.
Becky Thornton: Comments on the actions of the Council on October 8, 2024.
Lori Ponte: Requests that a Commissioner representative provide a report at City Council meetings.
Kat Napier: Comments on social media posts and untrue commentary.
Alex Ricca: States that the City election is the most contentious election he has seen in 43 years.
Jon Sawatsky: States that he accepts the Council appointment but feels it was preordained.
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, October 22, 2024 6:30 p.m. ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 2 | P a g e
Dennis Whitcomb: Comments that the discussion over signage could have been alleviated if community members participated at the commission level.
5. City of Blue Lake Public Safety Commission Appointment:
Mayor Jones introduces the item and reads the staff agenda report. Alex Ricca has applied for a vacant seat on the Public Safety Commission, Yahaira Padilla has applied for an Advisory position on the Arts and Heritage Commission and Mathew Issac has applied for a vacant seat on the Planning Commission.
Councilmember Scafani: Questions the Arts and Heritage Commission application; states that the commission is full.
City Manager Mager: Clarifies that the position is an Advisory Position.
Alex Ricca introduces himself to the Council; he’s a long-time resident of Blue Lake and worked for the City’s Parks and Recreation department.
Mathew Issac introduces himself as a twenty-year resident, raising his family in Blue Lake and wants to help the City grow.
Councilmember Scafani: Asks Mathew Issac if he’s attended Council and Planning Commission meetings and if he will be able to attend.
Motion: To appoint Alex Ricca to the Public Safety Commission, Mathew Issac to the Planning Commission and Yahaira Padilla to the Arts and Heritage Commission Advisory position.
Motion by: Councilmember Edgar
Seconded by: Councilmember Firor
Public Comment:
John Sawatzky: Acknowledges Alex Ricca’s contribution to the community Motion Summary: Motion passed by consensus
6. Presentation of the Draft Blue Lake 2023 Fiscal Audit Mayor Jones Presents the item and reads the staff report.
Brett Jones, Auditor from JJACPA, presents the draft audit; there is one reportable finding regarding the timeliness of the audit adoption; he will be issuing an unqualified opinion which reflects that the auditor found the City’s financial statements to be free of material issues. This is the opinion that the City wants to receive.
Mayor Jones: Asks if the finding will result in any penalties to the City.
Brett Jones: States that he doesn’t anticipate that it will result in any issues.
Councilmember Scafani: Questions the reference to a communication letter that wasn’t in the report.
Brett Jones: It will be in the final report.
Public Comment: None
7. Introduce and Conduct the First Reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Blue Lake Adding Section 17.24.260 of Title 17 (Zoning) to Amend Section 17.24.260 of the Blue Lake Municipal Code- Discussion/Action
Councilmember Scafani: States her support of this ordinance change. 3 | P a g e
Public Comment:
Kat Napier: Comments on metal fasteners.
Motion: To conduct the first reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Blue Lake Adding Section 17.24.260 of Title 17 (Zoning) to Amend Section 17.24.260 of the Blue Lake Municipal Code by title only
Motion by: Councilmember Scafani
Seconded by: Councilmember Edgar
Motion Summary: Consensus
8. Discussion Regarding Law Enforcement services and Future Partnership ConsiderationsDiscussion/Action Mayor Jones introduces the item and reads the staff report.
City Manager Mager presents the item; provides background on the issues regarding the current Sheriff contract indemnification language and future escalating costs and service levels.
Erike Young, CIRA Representative, provides information related to the indemnification issues, and provides information on the possible formation of a joint powers authority for law enforcement services in the future.
Clarifies that Ferndale is a CIRA member agency as is the City of Blue Lake; as member agencies, CIRA is familiar with their risk levels. Dispatch services are being explored and Cal Poly Humboldt’s dispatch department may be interested in providing services.
Councilmember Scafani: Recommends forming an ad-hoc committee of the Council.
Public Comment:
Alex Ricca: Comments on the City’s history with police services and partnership with Trinidad.
Jean Lynch: Comments on Blue Lake having a police department; questions liability.
Erike Young: Clarifies that CIRA is the risk manager and would be providing the liability coverage, or the JPA could seek other coverage.
Lori Ponte: Comments on liability issues.
Council directs staff to pursue discussions and to bring recommendations back to the Council as information is gathered.
9. City Council Assignments
Mayor Jones introduces the item and reads the staff report.
Council discusses current Council assignments.
Motion: To appoint Councilmember Firor to the assignments vacated by former Councilmember Mackay.
Motion by: Councilmember Scafani
Seconded by: Councilmember Edgar
No public comment
Motion Summary: Consensus
10. Council Correspondence
Mayor Jones reads correspondence
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11a. Consent Items:
Mayor Jones introduces the item
Motion: To pull the warrants and disbursements from consent and to approve the August 27, 2024 meeting minutes and the Retired Teachers Proclamation
Motion by: Councilmember Scafani
Seconded by: Councilmember Firor
Public Comment:
John Sawatzky: Comments on public comment on correspondence Lori Ponte: Comments on Mayor Jones reading Council Correspondence Motion Summary: Consensus
11b. Warrants and Disbursements
Note: Councilmember Edgar recuses himself and leaves the room.
Mayor Jones introduces the item.
Motion: To accept the warrants and disbursements
Motion by: Councilmember Scafani
Seconded by: Councilmember Firor
Public Comment: None
Motion Summary: Consensus (Jones, Scafani, Firor)
Reports of Council and Staff
Councilmember Edgar: States that he attempted to contact Blue Lake Rancheria representative Jason Ramos but did not receive a return call.
Councilmember Scafani: Nothing to report
Councilmember Jones: Reports on Humboldt Waste Management Authority, Arts and Heritage and Humboldt County Association of Government meetings.
Note: Councilmember Scafani leaves the room at 8:04pm.-Returns at 8:08pm
12. Future Agenda Items:
• Formation of an ad-hoc for law enforcement services
• Final Audit presentation and adoption
• Second reading and adoption of metal roof ordinance
• Circulation Element
Council discusses future meeting dates.
13. Closed Session.
Motion: To enter into closed session (8:22pm)
Motion by: Councilmember Scafani
Seconded by: Councilmember Firor
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Public Comment:
Lin Glen: Supports leasing City owned land; a City councilmember should be on any negotiating team.
Kat Napier: Supports leasing land.
Motion Summary: Consensus
Motion: To come out of closed session at 10:00pm; nothing to report Motion by: Councilmember Scafani
Seconded by: Councilmember Edgar
No Public Comment
Motion Summary: Consensus
14. Adjournment
Motion: Motion to Adjourn (10:00pm)
Motion by: Councilmember Scafani
Seconded by: Councilmember Edgar
No Public Comment
Motion Summary: Consensus