Minutes — Blue Lake City Council, January 27, 2026

CTY OF BLUE LAKE

CALIFORNIA
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, January 27th, 2026~ 6:30 pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 1 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Sawatzky called the meeting to order at 6:30 2 3 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4 5 3. ROLL CALL AND ESTABLISH A QUORUM OF THE COUNCIL
6 7 COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: City Manager Short established a quorum of council 8 members: Present: Mayor John Sawatzky, Mayor Pro Tem Elise Scafani, Council 9 Member Kat Napier, Council Member Terri Bayles, Council Member Michelle Lewis10 Lusso 11 12 COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
13 14 STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Jennie Short and Park, Recreation Director Emily 15 Wood, and Videographer Justin Goad
16 17 4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to move agenda 18 item 17 after agenda item 11. Second by Council member Lewis-Lusso. 19 Voice Vote: Motion passed unanimously
20 21 5. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
22 The following persons addressed Council:
• Tim Daniels with Bike Park Alliance announcing Feb 28 23 th Mad Scramble 24 Fundraiser for bike park
25 • Julie Christie- Suggested investing in a conference speaker for better audio 26 and discussed McKinleyville bike park planning
27 • Letter received from Kent Sawatzky regarding consent agenda item 6.j 28 6. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Corrected City Council Minutes for April 22nd 29 , 2025 – Regular Meeting b. Corrected City Council Minutes for June 24th 30 , 2025 - Regular Meeting c. Corrected City Council Minutes for June 27th 31 , 2025 – Special Meeting d. Corrected City Council Minutes for July 3rd 32 , 2025 – Special Meeting e. Corrected City Council Minutes for October 28th 33 , 2025 – Regular Meeting f. Corrected City Council Minutes for November 25th 34 , 2025 – Regular Meeting g. City Council Minutes for December 23rd 35 , 2025 - Regular Meeting h. Receive Disbursements for Period of December 1st – December 31st 36 2025 37 i. Adopt amended Resolution 1246 “Comfort Zone Variance” to replace Resolution 38 1245 “Comfort Zone Variance”
39 j. Approve Professional Service Agreement Between City of Blue Lake and 40 Colantuono, Highsmith, & Whately, PC.
41 CTY OF BLUE LAKE

CALIFORNIA
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, January 27th, 2026~ 6:30 pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 42 7. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
43 The following persons addressed council:
44 • Adelene Jones: Wondering why minutes don’t indicate first and second 45 motion for adjourned meetings
46 • Julie Christie: Shared same concerns, would prefer that first and second 47 motions made for adjourned meetings, but
48 49 Motion by Council Member Lewis-Lusso to approve Consent Agenda, Second by 50 Council Member Bayles.
51 Voice Vote: Motion passed unanimously.
52 53 ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION OR ACTION
54 55
56 8. APPROVE RESOLUTION 1249 DECLARATION OF CERTIFICATION OF RESULTS 57 FROM THE SPECIAL 2026 MUNICIPAL RECALL ELECTION
58 On January 6, 2026 a special municipal election was held in the City of Blue Lake, and 59 voters were asked to vote by mail-in ballot whether Mayor Pro Tem Elise Scafani be recalled 60 (removed) from the office of Blue Lake City Council Member. The Humboldt County 61 Registrar of Voters has completed the canvass of the results, and the attached Resolution 62 has been prepared for adoption. The election results are attached as “Exhibit A” to 63 Resolution 1249 and indicates that Mayor Pro Tem Scafani has not been recalled from the 64 City Council, and will remain in service through the remainder of the term, ending 2026. 65 66 Public Comment:
67 • Adelene Jones: Noted low participation for recall election 68 • Julie Christie: Happy to hear that elections office helped reduce financial burden on 69 the city. Thanked council for their service
70 • Juan Cervantes: Staff went above and beyond to help which kept costs low 71 • Tracy F: Relieved that recall is done and looking forward to moving forward 72 73 Motion by Council member Napier to approve Resolution 1249 “Declaring result from the special municipal recall election dated January 6th 74 2026”; and pursuant to section 75 34459 and 34460 of the Government Code, the acting city clerk is directed to file the 76 adopted measure to the Secretary of State Office. Second by Council member Bayles. 77 Voice Vote: Motion passed unanimously
78 79
80 9. APPROVE PROPOSED FRAMEWORK AND TIMELINE FOR FY 26-27 BUDGET 81 DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION; DISCUSS PROPOSED BUDGET MONITORING AND 82 CONTROLS

CTY OF BLUE LAKE

CALIFORNIA
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, January 27th, 2026~ 6:30 pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 83 In recent years the frequency for presentation of financial statements to the Council has 84 varied. In an effort to set up realistic expectations with the recent complete turnover in 85 Finance department staff, two options for the frequency of financial statements are proposed 86 for Council’s consideration.
87 Council was asked to consider and select a frequency for financial statement presentation 88 (option 1: quarterly or option 2: semi-monthly), appoint an Ad Hoc Finance Committee, and 89 provide direction as appropriate.
90 91 Public Comment:
92 • Julie Christie: Referenced Humboldt County Fair Board and lighthouse group that 93 produces monthly reports
94 95 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to approve option 1 Proposed Timeline for FY 26-27 96 Budget Development and Adoption of Ad Hoc Finance Committee of Council Members 97 Napier and Bayles. Second by Council member Lewis-Lusso. 98 Voice Vote: Motion passed unanimously
99 100 10.APPROVE THE SCHEDULE OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR 2026 101 To accommodate the November general municipal election and holiday season, Council 102 is asked to review and consider revising possible meeting dates as follows. Discussing 103 these dates now will assist staff in effectively managing agendas and reports. 104 Council is also asked to discuss need to pre-set Special Meeting dates based upon 105 following conversations from the previous agenda item 106
107 Public Comment:
• Adelene Jones: Has personal preference for November 17th and December 15th 108 109 • Julie Christie: Would like review of ordinance that addresses two council meetings 110 a month
111
112 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to accept proposed 2026 Regular City Council 113 Meeting Scheduled meetings normally held the forth Tuesday of each month, with the following exceptions:Move November meeting to the 17th 114 and hold a special meeting on December 8 115 th Second by Council member Lewis-Lusso. 116 Voice Vote: Motion passed unanimously
117
118 11.APPROVE RESOLUTION 1250 FOR APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM CITY CLERK 119 Jill Duffy, Interim City Manager, was appointed Acting City Clerk at the continued Council 120 meeting of August 26, 2025 (meeting was held August 27, 2025). The permanent City 121 Manager, Jennie Short, assumed office on January 5, 2026, and Ms. Duffy is no longer 122 employed by the City; however she continues to voluntarily assist with Acting City Clerk 123 obligations during this transitional period.

CTY OF BLUE LAKE

CALIFORNIA
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, January 27th, 2026~ 6:30 pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 124
125 Public Comment:
126 • Adelene Jones: Requests open-mindedness when city staff is required to step into 127 other roles (ie City Manager as acting City Clerk)
128 Motion by Council member Bayles to approve Resolution 1250, Appointing Jennie 129 Short as acting City Clerk. Second by Lewis-Lusso
130 Roll Call Vote:
131 Sawatzky: Aye
132 Napier: Aye
133 Lewis-Lusso: Aye
134 Scafani: Aye
135 Bayles: Aye
136 Motion passed unanimously
137 12.RECEIVE AND APPROVE REVISED FISCAL YEAR 25-26 BUDGET, APPROVE 138 RESOLUTION 1251; TAKE ACTION AS APPROPRIATE
139 Receive and approve the fourth Revised Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget presentation and 140 approve Resolution No. 1251 “Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Adoption”. Budget Ad hoc 141 members Napier and Bayles met with City Manager Short and former interim City 142 Manager Duffy on Tuesday, January 20 to review and discuss this report and 143 recommends Council adopt the FY 2025-26 Budget as presented. 144
145 Public Comment:
146 • Adelene Jones: Expressed disappointment in City Manager’s salary relative to the 147 previous administration
148
149 Motion by Council member Lewis-Lusso to Approve the Organizational Chart as presented and the Classification Pay Plan effective January 5th 150 2026 and approve 151 Resolution 1251 FY 25-26 Budget Adoption. Second by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani 152 Voice Vote: Motion passed unanimously
153
154 13.COMMISSON CONSOLIDATION AND RECRUITMENT DISCUSSION 155 Council created an Ad Hoc Committee to evaluate the existing commissions and to make 156 recommendations for possible changes to the structure and duties of the commissions. A 157 presentation will be made by the Committee and further discussion regarding direction may 158 be provided
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CTY OF BLUE LAKE

CALIFORNIA
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, January 27th, 2026~ 6:30 pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 162
163 Public Comment:
164 • Mardi Granger: Loves the idea, makes sense
165 • Lin Glen: Questions regarding logistics of combining commissions and fiscal 166 impact
167 • Adalene Jones: Doesn’t see overlap of commissions or need to combine 168 • Justin Goad: More people in a meeting may present difficulties with video 169 logistics, space for seating, quorum requirements
170 • Julie Christie: Commissions have been difficult to fill, can see incorporation 171 between some of the commissions
172
173 Council took a 5-minute break
174
175 14.APPOINTMENT TO ARTS & HERTIAGE COMMISSION
176 The terms of three (3) of the five City’s Park and Recreation Commissioners are set to expire on January 30th 177 , and there is an existing vacancy for an unexpired term ending 178 January 2027. City Council is asked to consider and discuss the three received applications 179 for either reappointment or appointment to the commission. 180
181 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to appoint Shamus Kistner to serve on the Arts and 182 Heritage Commission. Second by Lewis-Lusso.
183 Voice Vote: Motion passed unanimously
184
185 Public Comment:
186 • Adelene Jones: In support of Sherri Green
187
188 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to appoint Sherri Green to serve on the Arts and 189 Heritage Commission. Second by Bayles.
190 Voice Vote: Motion passed unanimously
191 15. APPOINTMENT TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
192 The terms of three (3) of the five City’s Economic Development Commissioners are set to expire on January 30th 193 . Two of the Commissioners have opted to not apply for 194 reappointment, and at the time of report publication staff is awaiting whether the third 195 Commissioner has decided whether to apply for reappointment 196 NO ACTION; Lack of applicants.
197
198 16.APPOINTMENT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
199 The terms of three (3) of the five City’s Park and Recreation Commissioners are set to expire on January 30th 200 , and there is an existing vacancy for an unexpired term ending 201 January 2027. City Council is asked to consider and discuss the three received applications

CTY OF BLUE LAKE

CALIFORNIA
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, January 27th, 2026~ 6:30 pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 202 for either reappointment or appointment to the commission. 203
204 Public Comment: None
205
206 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to reappoint Bettina Eppes and Jan Henry to 207 the Parks and Recreation Commission. Second by Lewis-Lusso 208 Voice Vote: Motion passed unanimously
209
210 17.APPOINTMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
211 The terms of three (3) of the five City’s Public Safety Commissioners are set to expire on January 30th 212 , 2026. City Council is asked to consider and discuss received applications for 213 either reappointment or appointment to the commission. 214
215 Public Comment:
216 • Julie Christie: Commends the commission applicants 217
218 Motion by Council Member Napier to appoint Ted Hales to the Public Safety Commission. 219 Second by Council Member Bayles
220 Voice Vote: Motion passed 4:1, Mayor Pro Tem Scafani recused herself 221
222 Motion by Council Member Lewis-Lusso to appoint Josha Stark to the Public Safety 223 Commission. Second by Council Member Napier.
224 Voice Vote: Motion passed 4:1, Mayor Pro Tem Scafani recused herself 225
226 Motion by Council Member Lewis-Lusso to appoint Angela Dare to the Public Safety 227 Commission. Second by Council Member Napier
228 Voice Vote: Motion passed 4:1, Mayor Pro Tem Scafani recused herself 229
230 18. APPOINTMENT TO PLANNING COMMISSION
231 The Blue Lake Planning Commission consists of five members and requires three members 232 for a quorum. Since October 2025 the Commission has lacked quorum due to three 233 vacancies, preventing regular Commission meetings and the review of planning project 234 applications (variances, conditional use permits, site reviews, etc) under the Blue Lake 235 Municipal Code. The lack of a Planning Commission quorum impedes the City’s ability to 236 process development applications.
237 NO ACTION: Staff directed to assist with recruitment 238
239 19.COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE
240 Email received from Kent Sawatzky regarding closed session item 241
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CTY OF BLUE LAKE

Blue Lake City CouncilJanuary 27, 2026

Blue Lake City Council
January 27, 2026