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, April 28, 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- Present:
8 Mayor John Sawatzky, Mayor Pro Tem Elise Scafani, Council Member Kat Napier, Council 9 Member Terri Bayles, Council Member Michelle Lewis-Lusso 10 11 Councilmembers Absent: None
12 13 Staff Present: City Manager Jennie Short, City Clerk Samantha Green, and Parks and Recreation 14 Director Wood
15 16 4. Approval of the Agenda:
17 Motion by Councilmember Bayles to approve the agenda as is. Second by 18 Councilmember Lewis-Lusso.
19 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
20 21 5. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items
22 • Jean: Addressed ADA compliance at the parks
23 • Noah: Announced the dates for an upcoming show: Khan the Musical 24 • Anne: Expressed confusion regarding events and the proposed fee increases and urges 25 more research into fee schedule.
26 27 6. Consent Agenda:
28 a. City Council Minutes for March 3, 2026 – Special Meeting 29 b. City Council Minutes for March 11, 2026- Special Meeting 30 c. City Council Minutes for March 24, 2026 – Regular Meeting 31 d. City Council Minutes for April 7, 2026 – Special Meeting 32 e. March Disbursements Report
33 f. Update Signatories on Tri-Counties Bank Accounts [Resolution 1259] 34 g. Authorize City Manager to execute Memorandum of Mutual Understandings with the 35 North Coast Resource Partnership
36 37 Motion by Councilmember Lewis-Lusso to approve the consent agenda items a-e, and g. Second 38 by Councilmember Napier.
39 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
40 41 Consent Agenda Item 6f was pulled by Councilmember Bayles 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, April 28, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 42 6f. Update Signatories on Tri-Counties Bank Accounts [Resolution 1259] 43 Councilmember Bayles requested further discussion regarding item 4 of Resolution 1259, which 44 requires two signatures for all checks valued at $1,000 or more. City Manager Short explained that 45 requiring two signatories for smaller frequently issued checks can create logistical challenges and 46 noted that the proposed modification is intended to alleviate this issue. 47 48 Motion by Councilmember Napier to Adopt Resolution 1259 titled “Resolution of the City 49 Council of the City of Blue Lake Updating Signatories on the Tri Counties Bank Accounts” 50 Second by Councilmember Lewis-Lusso.
51 Voice vote: 4:1 with Councilmember Bayles dissenting. 52 53 ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION OR ACTION
54 55 7. Proclaim April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 56 April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, serving as an opportunity to 57 increase public awareness, support survivors, and promote education and prevention efforts within the 58 community. A representative from North Coast Rape Crisis Team was present to accept the proclamation and announced their 2nd 59 annual Dancing in the Rain Gala on May 2, 2026. 60 61 Public Comment: None received
62 63 Motion by Councilmember Lewis-Lusso to Approve the Proclamation Recognizing April as 64 Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Second by Councilmember Bayles. 65 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously.
66 67 8. Proclaim May 2026 as Older Americans’ Month
68 In previous years, Area 1 Agency on Aging (A1AA) has partnered with the City of Blue Lake during the 69 month of May, Older Americans’ Month, to discuss the agency’s and the city’s efforts to help older 70 adults promote healthy aging. A representative from Area 1 Agency on Aging was present to accept 71 the proclamation and shared more about the services they offer. 72 73 Public Comment: None received
74 75 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to Approve the Proclamation Recognizing May as Older 76 American’s Month. Second by Councilmember Lewis-Lusso. 77 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously.
78 79 9. Acceptance of Mad Scramble Donation to Bike Park by RCMBA 80 The Redwood Coast Mountain Bike Alliance held the annual Mad Scramble in February 2026. The 81 proceeds from this event were designated as a fundraiser for the Blue Lake Bike park. RCMBA 82 Collected $5,090 and presented a check to the City Council for acceptance. 83 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, April 28, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 84 Public Comment:
85 • Julie Christie: Suggests distinguished funds ear marked for the bike park specifically. 86 87 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to accept the donation and to approve the expenditure 88 towards the invoice for GLJ. Second by Councilmember Lewis-Lusso. 89 Voice vote: Motion passed 3:2, with Mayor Sawatzky and Councilmember Napier dissenting. 90 91 10.Appointment to Public Safety Commission
92 On February 25, the City Clerk received a resignation from a recently appointed member of the Public 93 Safety Commission, creating a vacancy for a term ending in January 2028. Notice of the vacancy was 94 announced at the March 24 2026 meeting as well as posted at the Post Office, on the City Hall 95 bulletin board, and on the City’s website. Cynthia Carlson attended the Public Safety Commission 96 meeting on April 6 and expressed continued interest in serving on the Commission. 97 98 Public Comment:
99 • Julie Christie: Voiced support for the applicant
100
101 Motion by Councilmember Napier to appoint Cynthia Carlson to the Public Safety 102 Commission term expiring in January of 2028. Second by Councilmember Lewis-Lusso. 103 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously.
104
105 11.Public Safety Commission: Update from the Chair
106 In December, the Public Safety Commission conducted a survey regarding street traffic on I Street. 107 Based on the findings, the Commission developed recommendations, which were presented to the 108 City Council by Chair Ted Hales.
109
110 Public Comment:
111 • Noah: Asked if there were added costs for LE stakeouts of problem areas. 112 • Julie Christie: Thanked Ted and the Commission. Recommended painting cross walks near tot 113 lot.
114
115 No action was taken on this item; however, Council discussed numerous traffic aids/solutions 116 including; speed limit signs, painting/re-painting curbs and cross walks, and targeted enforcement by 117 HCSO. City Manager Short will come back with recommendations regarding the problem areas 118 identified and prices for speed tables.
119
120 12. First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance No. 550 Amending Chapter 13.12 of the 121 Blue Lake Municipal Code Relating to Cross-Connection Control 122 The City Attorney suggested re-starting the process with a further first reading due to structural issues 123 relating to the ordinance format. The proposed ordinance amendment is administrative in nature and 124 does not change the regulatory requirements of the City’s Cross-Connection Control Program. It 125 removes fixed fee amounts from the code and authorizes the City Council to establish and adjust fees 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, April 28, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 126 by resolution. The amendment also updates Section 13.12.020 (Definitions) to include “User 127 Supervisor” and “Cross-Connection Control Specialist,” and amends Section 13.12.050 to include 128 authority of a City designated Cross-Connection Control Specialist. 129
130 Public Comment: None received
131
132 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to waive further reading and introduce Ordinance No. 550, 133 entitled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Blue Lake Amending Chapter 13.12 of Title 134 13 of the Blue Lake Municipal Code Relating to Cross-Connection Control,’ and set the ordinance for 135 second reading and adoption at the next regular meeting. Second by Councilmember Lewis136 Lusso. 137
138 Roll call vote:
139 Aye: Sawatzky, Scafani, Napier, Lewis-Lusso, Bayles 140 Motion passed unanimously.
141
142 13. First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance No. 551 Amending Chapter 15.04 of the 143 Blue Lake Municipal Code Relating to Building Permit and Inspection Fees 144 The City Attorney suggested re-starting the process with a further first reading due to structural issues 145 relating to the ordinance format. The proposed ordinance is administrative in nature and seeks to 146 amend Section 15.04.030 to clarify that building permit, inspection, and related fees shall be 147 established by resolution of the City Council and may be amended from time to time as deemed 148 necessary. The amended ordinance also repeals Section 15.04.060, which was previously reserved 149 for fees addressed within the building code. Following adoption of this ordinance, staff will return to the 150 City Council with a proposed resolution establishing updated fees. 151
152 Public Comment:
153 • Julie Christie: Agrees with ordinance change and asked for a description of what was redacted 154 to be included in the packet
155
156 City Clerk Green clarified and confirmed that the red line changes were included in the packet that was 157 provided to council and the public.
158
159 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to waive further reading and introduce Ordinance No. 551, 160 entitled ‘An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Blue Lake Amending Chapter 15.04 of 161 Title 15 of the Blue Lake Municipal Code Relating to Building Standards Fees,’ and set the 162 ordinance for second reading and adoption at the next regular meeting. Second by Councilmember 163 Bayles.
164
165 Roll call vote:
166 Aye: Sawatzky, Scafani, Napier, Lewis-Lusso, Bayles 167 Motion passed unanimously.
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, April 28, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 168 14.Fee Schedule Update – Parks & Recreation
169 The City’s recreation fee schedule was last updated in 2023. The first draft of the 2026 fee 170 schedule was presented at the February 24th, 2026, Council meeting and March 4th, 2026, 171 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting. The second draft of the fee schedule was presented at the 172 March 24th, 2026, Council Meeting. Director Wood has met with the Council’s ad hoc committee and 173 City Manager Short to make further revisions and present this final draft to Council on April 28th, 2026. 174
175 Public Comment:
176 • Patrick Clearly: Helps organize Buddy Brown Festival with Humboldt Folklife. 177 Understands the need to increase fees. With the proposed fees, concerned about 178 sustainability of event as costs would go from “$550 to $2,200” 179 • Lin Glenn: Worried about the future of these events. Suggests pausing the fee increase 180 and creating a committee.
181 • Jackie: Talked about creative place making as economic measure rather than 182 increasing fees. Feels that Blue Lake provides great opportunities for economic growth 183 • Julie: Thanked Emily for drafting this and for the platform it’s created for discussion. 184 Blue Lake brings people in, but city not getting much in sales tax back. Feels food truck 185 prices are below average.
186 • Bettina: Fees have tripled, but okay with that since it’s a big event. Happy that non187 profit discount has remained. Talked about positive economic impact on local businesses. 188 • Resident: Waits every year for certain events and schedules vacations around these 189 events. Feels this is part of the quality of life.
190 • Kit Mann: Feels adopting fee schedule tonight would be premature. Concerned about 191 viability of events. Feels that there are too many admin fees for various items and 192 questions cost recovery on certain items.
193 • Darci Lima: Likes that Blue Lake is a party town. Feels some of the increases are 194 astronomical. Feels that park rentals should include bathrooms. 195 • Noah: Recognizes times are hard and that everyone needs money, not sure if this is 196 the best way. Would like to be a part of more conversations to fine tune this. 197
198 Council and staff discussed the financial sustainability of City-supported events, emphasizing 199 that there is no intent to eliminate or discourage community events, but rather to address the 200 gap between event-related costs and revenue. It was noted that current fees do not fully recover 201 City expenses and that local sales tax revenues provide only limited funding. Council 202 expressed appreciation for strong community interest and participation and indicated a desire 203 for additional time to consider options and gather further input. The importance of community 204 involvement through sponsorships, donations, and volunteer support was highlighted as a way 205 to help offset costs. It was also noted that at least one event has already been canceled due 206 to insufficient revenue. Staff encouraged the public to provide specific, detailed feedback on 207 the proposed fee schedule to better inform future revisions. 208
209
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, April 28, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 210 No action was taken, however a community workshop with the parks and rec fee schedule ad hoc was scheduled for May 12th 211 at 5:00 p.m. Community members 212 expressing interest in being part of a solution were encouraged to come. 213
214 Council took a break and reconvened at 8:55 p.m.
215
216 15. Bill Nessler Car Show Parks & Recreation Donation Plan 217 The 21st Annual Bill Nessler Car Show is scheduled for August 9th, 2026, and is organized by City 218 staff. Event sponsorships have recently been introduced as line items within the proposed Parks and 219 Recreation Fee Schedule, which was presented to the City Council for consideration at this meeting. 220
221 Public Comment:
222 • Rebecca Collins: Asked about the presence of older model cars. 223 • Julie Christie: Asked whether the money went to the City or the Chamber of Commerce. 224 • Emily Wood: Clarified that Annie & Mary day is put on by the Chamber of Commerce and the car 225 show is put on by the city, hence the fees will go to the city. 226
227 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to approve the draft with possible suggested additions as 228 delivered. Second by Councilmember Lewis-Lusso.
229 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously.
230
231 16.Dell Arte Pre-Festival Report
232 Dell’ Arte is required to submit a pre-festival and post-festival report to the City every year that a festival 233 is proposed to take place between June 19 and August 23. Dell’ Arte is not proposing any major 234 changes to the festival relative to what is allowed by the Conditional Use Permit. In accordance with 235 condition of approval 9 of Resolution No. 9-2014, the Humboldt Folklife Society has submitted a 236 separate Facility Rental Agreement (Prash Hall for the barn dance) and applications for a Special Event 237 Permit and Encroachment Permit (closure of H st for the all-day free festival) These applications are for 238 ministerial permits that are processed by City staff. 239
240 Public Comment:
241 • Kash: Wasn’t notified of item on the agenda.
242 • Patrick: Clarified that the Humboldt Folklife event is part of the Mad River Festival 243
244 Councilmember Bayles recused herself due to a conflict of interest at 9:03 p.m. before the item 245 was announced by Mayor Sawatzky and returned at 9:10 p.m. after a vote was taken. 246
247 Motion by Councilmember Napier to Accept the Pre-Festival Report from Dell’ Arte. Second by 248 Councilmember Lewis-Lusso.
249 Voice vote: 4:0 with Councilmember Bayles Abstaining. 250
251
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, April 28, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 252 17. Cal PERS Health Insurance [Resolution 1260]
253 In November 2025, the City Council Approved Redwood Empire Municipal Insurance Fund 254 (REMIF) as the City’s health insurance provider beginning January 1, 2026. On April 2, 2026, the City 255 was notified that there would be a 48% increase in prices under the PRISM/CIRA policy. In an effort to 256 find a more affordable and stable health insurance provider, CalPERS was contacted by City Manager 257 Short to determine whether the contract with CalPERS for health insurance could be renewed. 258 CalPERS provided health insurance benefits from 1993-2002. 259
260 Public Comment: None received
261
262 Motion by Councilmember Napier to Adopt Resolution 1260 titled “Electing to be Subject to 263 the Public Employees’ Medical and Hospital Care Act at an Unequal Amount for Employees 264 and Annuitants – All Employees” and to Authorize the City Manager to sign all documents 265 necessary to implement the new health insurance program. Second by Councilmember 266 Lewis-Lusso.
267
268 Roll call vote:
269 Aye: Sawatzky, Scafani, Napier, Lewis-Lusso, Bayles 270 Motion passed unanimously.
271
272 Councilmember Bayles made a motion as stated by City Manager Short that “the city will pay 273 for the PERS gold premium for employees only in the amount of $1,020.58 for FY 26/27 and a 274 maximum of $2,050 per month for two party or family” Second by Lewis-Lusso. 275 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously.
276
277 18. Finance Department Restructure Phase 1
278 With the resignation of the City Accountant and the difficulty staff has experienced in trying to find a 279 replacement, staff is requesting the expansion of our half-time Administrative Accountant Specialist to a 280 full-time position.
281
282 Public Comment:
283 • Rebecca Collins: Advised the City Council that the ordinance would have to be changed to put 284 the City Clerk under the City Manager as proposed in the restructure and emphasized the 285 important of the Clerks role in finance matters.
286 • Julie Christie: Concurs with Rebecca, looking for restoration of productivity and balance of 287 power.
288
289 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to modify the Finance Department’s Organizational Chart to 290 increase from one and half (1 ½ ) to two (2) full-time Administrative Account Specialists. Second by 291 Councilmember Napier.
292 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
293
8 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, April 28, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 294 19.Authorize City Manager to Execute Contract with Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office for 295 Fiscal Year 2026-27 for Law Enforcement Services
296 The City of Blue Lake has contracted with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department for 297 many years to provide law enforcement services within the City of Blue Lake. Each year the 298 Sheriff's Department provides the City with new calculations for the cost of services for the 299 next year. A reasonable increase in rates is proposed by the County to cover the increase in 300 direct costs for the units providing services.
301
302 Public Comment:
303 • Julie Christie: Suggests supporting sheriff’s office through budget because without it costs of 304 coverage will continue going up. Supports renewal of contract. 305
306 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to Authorize the Mayor and City Manager to sign the 307 agreement with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department to provide Law Enforcement 308 Services within the City of Blue Lake. Second by Councilmember Bayles 309 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
310
311 20.Authorize City Manager to Execute Contract with Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office for 312 Fiscal Year 2026-27 for Animal Shelter Services
313 The City of Blue Lake has contracted with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department for many years to 314 provide Animal Shelter Services for the City of Blue Lake. Each year the 315 Sheriff's Department provides the City with new calculations for the cost of services for the next year 316 based upon the previous fiscal year. A reasonable increase in rates is proposed by the County to cover 317 the increase in direct costs for the services.
318
319 Public Comment:
320 • Julie Christie: Supports additional coverage if affordable. Suggested promoting a spay and 321 neuter clinic with microchipping by collaborating with local organizations. 322
323 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to Authorize the Mayor and the City Manager to sign the 324 First Amendment to the Agreement to Provide Animal Shelter Services for the City of Blue Lake. 325 Second by Councilmember Bayles.
326 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously.
327
328 21. Council Correspondence- None received.
329
330 22. Reports of Council and Staff
331 a) Ad hoc Committee Reports
332 b) Commission Updates
333 c) City Manager Report: The City Manager provided additional information and updates on 334 report items as requested by the Council
335
9 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, April 28, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 336 Public Comment
337 • Julie Christie: Suggested bringing reports back as agenda items for itemized discussion and 338 requested relevant staff, including Public Works and the City Engineer, be present to provide 339 updates.
340
341 23. Future Agenda Items Requested by Council.
342 1. Bike Park Financial Report and Corrective Action Plan 343 2. Parks and Rec Fee Schedule
344 3. Housing Element Public Workshop Update
345
346 24. Closed Session Agenda:
347 a) Public comment on closed session items: None received 348
349 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to move into closed session. Second by Councilmember Lewis350 Lusso. 351 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously.
352
353 b) Council convened into Closed Session at Skinner Store at 11:19 p.m. for the purpose of:
354 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Property: Approximately three 355 (3) acres of land that is a portion of City owned Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 312-161- 356 018-000 and 312-161-015-000 Agency Negotiator: John Sawatzky, Kat Napier, Jennie 357 Short, City Manager; and Ethan Walsh (attorney for City) and Russ Gans (attorney for 358 City) Negotiating parties: DANCO parties Chris Dart, McKenzie Dibble Under 359 negotiation: Price and terms of payment.
360 c) Report Out of Closed Session: Council reconvened at 11:59 p.m. at the Skinner Store to 361 report out of Closed Session. The City Council directed the City Manager to sign and deliver 362 a notice of termination to Danco Communities
363
364 Adjourn at 11:59 p.m.
365
366 Prepared by: Samantha Green, City Clerk