1 CITY 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, March 24, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ 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 p.m. 2 3 2. Pledge of Allegiance
4 5 3. Roll Call and Establish a Quorum of the Council
6 7 Councilmembers Present: City Clerk Green established a quorum of Council Members. 8 Present: Mayor John Sawatzky, Mayor Pro Tem Elise Scafani, Council Member Kat 9 Napier, Council Member Michelle Lewis-Lusso, and Council Member Terri Bayles 10 11 Councilmembers Absent: None
12 Staff Present: City Manager Jennie Short, City Clerk Samantha Green, Park and 13 Recreation Director Emily Wood, and Videographer Justin Goad. 14 15 4. Approval of the Agenda
16 17 Motion by Councilmember Bayles to approve the agenda. Second by Councilmember 18 Lewis-Lusso.
19 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
20 21 5. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items:
22 • Julie Christie: Requested updates in audio. Suggested discussing ADU’s to meet 23 HCD requirements.
24 25 6. Consent Agenda
a. City Council Minutes for February 10th 26 , 2026 – Regular Meeting b. City Council Minutes for February 24th 27 , 2026 – Regular Meeting c. City Council Minutes for March 3rd 28 , 2026 – Special Meeting 29 d. Dog House Lease
30 e. Modification of City Hall Hours Open to Public
31 f. Update Signatories on Local Agency Investment Fund {Resolution 1258} 32 g. Rejection of Danielle Burkhart Claim
33 h. February 2026 Disbursements
34 35 Manager Short recommended that council pull items 6a, 6b, 6c to adopt the corrections made. 36 Mayor Pro Tem requested to pull items 6d and 6e for discussion. 37 38 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to approve items 6f, 6g, 6h. Second by Councilmember 39 Lewis-Lusso.
40 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
41 2
CITY 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, March 24, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 6a. City Council Minutes for February 10th 42 2026 – Regular Meeting 43 Corrections made to names/titles
6b. City Council Minutes for February 24th 44 2026 - Regular Meeting 45 Corrections made to names/titles
46 47 Public Comment: None received
48 49 Motion by Councilmember Lewis-Lusso to approve item 6a and 6b corrections to the 50 minutes. Second by Councilmember Bayles
51 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
52 6c. City Council Minutes for March 3rd 53 2026 – Special Meeting 54 Corrections made to name/titles
55 56 No action, minutes will be brought back at the next meeting to include a time that council 57 convened into closed sessions.
58 59 6d. Dog House Lease
60 Council Members asked for clarification on inspection schedule, discussed hours of 61 operations, and the possibility of utilities being paid by the tenant. 62 63 Public Comment:
64 • Julie Christie: Thinks Darci should have priority on facility use 65 • Darci Lima: Curious how much the Clemence Snack Shack has generated in the last 66 10 years. Brought up other facilities as options for rental that aren’t being utilized. 67 • Jeff Bird: Avid supporter of Dog House
68 • Dana: Thinks renting out the Dog House for 1-2 days is a terrible idea. Also has 69 friends from all over that come to Blue Lake for the Dog House 70 71 Motion by Council Member Napier to Approve the Contract as written with the understanding 72 that council will revisit the terms of that contract before the next extension. Second by Council 73 Member Lewis-Lusso
74 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
75 76 6e. Modification of City Hall Hours Open to Public 77 City Manager Short explained that closing to the public on Fridays’ benefits staff by 78 allowing dedicated time for financial tasks, staff meetings, and ongoing training. 79 80 Public Comment:
81 • Darci Lima: Asked about water bills due on Fridays. 82 3
CITY 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, March 24, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 83 84 Motion by Council Member Bayles to approve revised hours open to the public. Second by 85 Council Member Napier.
86 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
87 88 Items for Council Discussion or Action
89 7. Arts and Heritage Commission Update
90 The Arts and Heritage Commission has developed a community survey and accompanying 91 flyer for distribution. The Commission has also drafted a Land Acknowledgement and is 92 seeking Council feedback prior to presenting it to the Blue Lake Rancheria. After Rancheria 93 review, it will return to Council for final consideration and publication. 94 95 Public Comment:
96 • Julie Christie: Feels uncomfortable that the Arts and Heritage Commission started 97 the Land Acknowledgement on their own. Urges further research regarding Land 98 Acknowledgment. Provided feedback on City logo vs seal 99 • Rebecca Collins: Beautifully written, has pause. Blue Lake Rancheria is more than 100 one tribe.
101 • Angela Dare: Agreed with Julie and Rebecca, gave feedback for logo 102 • Bettina Eppier: Provided feedback on logo, likes that it captures what you see in 103 Blue Lake
104 • Becky: Likes the yellow line adjustment and suggested sticking to City seal for 105 legal documents and logo for advertising
106
107 No action was taken, feedback was received by the Council, and the Commission will 108 come back with revisions for the Land Acknowledgement and the Logo. 109
110 8. Appointment to Parks and Recreation Commission
111 During the Council Meetings on January 27, 2026, and February 24, 2026, appointments 112 were made to the Parks and Recreation Commission, filling 4 of the 5 spots on the 113 Commission. Jeff Bird, a previously serving commissioner with Parks and Rec, has 114 expressed interest in continuing his participation with the Commission. 115
116 Public Comment:
117 • Julie Christie: Feels staff should fill the role of informing Commissioners with City 118 Council matters and updates
119 • Darci Lima: Supports Jeff as a continuing Commissioner 120
121 Motion by Council Member Lewis-Lusso to reappoint Jeff Bird to the Parks and Recreation 122 Commission. Second by Council Member Bayles.
4 CITY 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, March 24, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 123 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
124 9. Consider Introduction of Ordinance No. 550, an Ordinance Amending Blue Lake 125 Municipal Code Chapter 13.12 Regulating Cross Connections, Waive Further 126 Reading, and Introduce by Title Only
127 The proposed ordinance amendment is administrative in nature and does not change the 128 regulatory requirements of the City’s Cross-Connection Control Program. It removes 129 fixed fee amounts from the code and authorizes the City Council to establish and adjust 130 fees by resolution. The amendment also updates Section 13.12.020 (Definitions) to 131 include “User Supervisor” and “Cross-Connection Control Specialist,” and amends 132 Section 13.12.050 to include authority of a City designated Cross-Connection Control 133 Specialist.
134
135 Public Comment:
136 • Julie Christie: Would like Public Works updates periodically. Supports amending 137 Ordinance
138
139 Motion by Council Member Lewis-Lusso to introduce and conduct the first reading by title 140 only of Ordinance 550 Amending Chapter 13.12 of the Blue Lake Municipal Code regulating 141 cross-connections to remove fixed fee amounts and definitions and update user supervisor 142 provisions. Second by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani.
143 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
144
145 10.Consider Introduction of Ordinance No. 551, an Ordinance Amending Blue Lake 146 Municipal Code Chapter 15.04 Regulating California Building Standards, Waive 147 Further Reading, and Introduce by Title Only
148 The proposed ordinance amends Section 15.04.030 to clarify that building permit, 149 inspection, and related fees shall be established by resolution of the City Council and 150 may be amended from time to time as deemed necessary. The ordinance also repeals 151 Section 15.04.060, which was previously reserved for fees addressed within the building 152 code.
153
154 Public Comment: None received
155
156 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to introduce ordinance 551 amending chapter 15.04 of title 157 15 of the Blue Lake Municipal Code to remove building fee provisions. Second by Council 158 Member Lewis-Lusso.
159 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
160
161 11. Fee Schedule Update- Parks and Recreation
162 The City’s recreation fee schedule was last updated in 2023. The first draft was presented at 163 the Feb 24, 2026, Council Meeting and the following draft fee schedule has been created to 5 CITY 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, March 24, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 164 include fee adjustments and new line items for cost recovery purposes related to special 165 events and recreation programming.
166
167 Public Comment:
168 • Rebecca Collins: Advised that staff check into policies regarding raffles 169 • Bettina Eppier: Commented on schedule regarding Medieval Festival and the Horse 170 Arena.
171 • Julie Vinum: Concerned with proposed fee updates regarding horse arena 172 • Dana: Not opposed to increase in fees, working on MOU with City. 173 • Darci Lima: Arena donated by Bill Roda (?) for equestrian use. Addressed restroom 174 situation regarding facility use rentals
175 • Julie Christie: Would like to see this fee schedule used as a fluid document 176
177 Motion by Council Member Lewis-Lusso that Elise Scafani and John Sawatzky form an ad 178 hoc to assist the director of parks and recreation to develop a fee schedule and bring it back to 179 the next meeting in April. Second by Council Member Bayles 180 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
181
182 12. Memorandum of Understanding- Humboldt County Public Works- Regional 183 Edible Food Recovery Program
184 In September 2016, Governor Edmund Brown Jr. signed SB 1383 establishing methane 185 emissions reduction targets, including a 2025 goal to recover 20% of edible food 186 currently disposed of. Jurisdictions are required to implement edible food recovery 187 programs under CCR Title 14. Humboldt County cities have agreed to collaborate, 188 designating the County as lead for a Regional Edible Food Recovery Program 189 Professional Services Agreement. The County has secured a consultant for an amount 190 not to exceed $64,713.76, with costs shared proportionally by population. The City of 191 Blue Lake’s share is $566.07, a minimal cost that ensures compliance with SB 1383 192 planning requirements; implementation will be addressed separately. 193
194 Public Comment:
195 • Rebecca Collins: Mentioned different organizations that have participated in similar 196 programs
197
198 Motion by Council Member Napier to authorize the City Manager to execute a MOU with the 199 HCPW for the Regional Edible Food Recovery Program. Second by Council Member Bayles 200 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
201 13. Hazard Mitigation Plan Approval [Resolution 1257] 202
203 This item was tabled to the next Regular City Council Meeting in April 6 CITY 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, March 24, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 204
205 Motion by Lewis-Lusso to table the item until April’s Regular City Council Meeting. Second 206 by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani
207 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
208
209 14. Memorandum of Understanding- Humboldt County Association of Governments 210 (HCAOG)- Partnering Assets & Authorities for Comprehensive Transit (PAACT) 211 The City of Blue Lake has been working with HCAOG on the (PAACT) Project. The MOU 212 allows for HCAOG to reimburse the City for SHN or staff time spent working on this 213 project up to $8,000 with the City’s share being $1,000. 214
215 Public Comment:
216 • Julie Christie: Thanked Council for continuing relationship with HCAOG 217
218 Motion by Council Member Bayles to authorize the City Manager to execute the MOU with 219 HCAOG for Partnering Assets & Authorities for Comprehensive Transit (PAACT). Second by 220 Council Member Napier
221 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
222
223 15. Designation of Subordinate Officer of Alcoholic Beverage Control License 224 Application Determinations of Public Convenience or Necessity 225 California Business and Professions Code section 23958 is used for determining 226 whether issuance of a license results in an undue concentration of licenses. Each 227 jurisdiction can designate a subordinate officer or body that can make determinations of 228 public convenience or necessity. Designation of the City Manager is recommended. 229
230 Public Comment: None received
231
232 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to designate the City Manager as the subordinate officer 233 for the City of Blue Lake to make determinations of public convenience or necessity regarding 234 ABC license applications where undue concentration exists. Second by Lewis-Lusso. 235 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
236
237 16. Council Correspondence
238 a. Letter of Support – MBTTA grant application
239 b. Danco Communities Notice of Default
240
241 Public Comment:
242 • Rebecca Collins: So far to go with Bike Park, not understanding what motive is 243 regarding the grant.
7 CITY 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, March 24, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 244 • Julie Christie: Agrees with comments and would like Council to be involved with 245 allocation of grant funds
246
247 17. Reports of Council and Staff
248 a. Ad Hoc Committee Reports:
249 - Fiscal Policy: Council Members Napier and Bayles continuing this and 250 determining priorities.
251 - HWMA Meeting: Discussion around organics processing feasibility study. 252 - HCAOG: Denied Eureka’s appeal for arena allocation. MCSD added as 253 advisory member.
254 - Chamber of Commerce: looking for more board members. 255
256 b. Commission Updates:
257 - Arts and Heritage: Have gotten a lot done in a short amount of time. 258 - Public Safety: Newly appointed commission has resigned, looking for an 259 additional commissioner. Continuing projects that were started in the past. Not 260 in favor of combining commissions
261
262 c. City Manager Report:
263 - Housing Element: Seventh Cycle Housing Element has officially kicked off 264 and the annual progress report was submitted to HCD for Sixth Cycle 265 Housing Element.
266 - Commission Chair Meeting: Discussed duties, expectations, physical set up 267 of the meetings, as well as roles of the Chair, the Clerk, and the Liaison. 268 - Great Redwood Trail: Master plan was adopted and section 39 in Blue Lake 269 was ranked as Tier 1
270 - Green Waste Day: May 9, 2026
271
272 18. Future Agenda Items Requested by Council
273 - Bathrooms at Horse Arena and Town Square
274 - Discussion: How to Move Forward with Strategic Planning 275 - Discussion: Possibility of Two Liaisons per Commission 276
277 Adjourn at 10:31 p.m.
278
279 Prepared by: Samantha Green
280 City Clerk, City of Blue Lake