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, May 26, 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 8 Present: Mayor John Sawatzky, Mayor Pro Tem Elise Scafani, Councilmember Kat 9 Napier, Councilmember Michelle Lewis-Lusso.
10 11 Councilmembers Absent: Councilmember Bayles
12 13 Staff Present: City Manager Jennie Short, City Clerk Samantha Green, and Park and 14 Recreation Director Emily Wood.
15 16 4. Approval Of the Agenda –
17 18 Motion by Councilmember Napier made a motion to approve the agenda. Second by 19 Councilmember Lewis-Lusso.
20 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously.
21 22 5. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items
23 • Kent Sawatzky: Expressed feeling fortunate that the City does not have a contract 24 with Mirandas Rescue.
25 • Julie Christie: Reminded folks about Annie and Mary day and that vendor 26 applications are still not available yet.
27 28 6. Consent Agenda
29 a. City Council Minutes for April 28, 2026
30 b. Receive Financial Quarterly Report for period of January 1 through March 31, 2026 31 c. Approve the monthly report on disbursements for the period April 1 through April 30, 2026 32 33 Motion by Councilmember Napier to pass items 6a and 6c. Second by Councilmember 34 Lewis-Lusso.
35 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously.
36 37
38 Consent Agenda Item 6b was pulled by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani 39 40
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, May 26, 2026~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 42 6b. Receive Financial Quarterly Report for period of January 1 through March 31, 43 2026.
44 Mayor Pro Tem Scafani asked about the discrepancy in the cash balance and why it was more 45 than previously reported in the rate study. City Manager Short explained that this was just cash 46 and did not include funds.
47 48 Public Comment: None received
49 50 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to receive and file the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Third 51 Quarter Financial Reports. Second by Councilmember Lewis-Lusso. 52 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
53 54
55 ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION OR ACTION
56 7. 7 57 th Cycle Housing Element Update Process Overview and Upcoming Community 58 Engagement.
59 In Accordance with the State Housing Element Law and the City’s MOU with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), Blue Lake’s 7 60 th Cycle Housing 61 Element is being prepared. Michelle Nielsen with Planwest Partners, Inc. was present and 62 provided an overview of upcoming community engagement opportunities. 63 64 Public Comment:
65 • Kent Sawatzky: Feels welcomed, didn’t feel heard at previous meetings related to 66 housing element. Was thankful that everything seemed to be on schedule. 67 • Julie Christie: Urged everyone to focus on the process, to review the General Plan, 68 and asked what the State is mandating for income.
69 70 Motion by Councilmember Napier to review and file the report. Second by Mayor Pro Tem 71 Scafani.
72 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
73 74 8. City Engineer Update – SHN – Mike Foget.
75 The City Engineer and Project Engineer, Jordan Ludtke, were present for updates regarding 76 multiple projects within the city. Jordan presented a PowerPoint regarding updates directly 77 related to the Truck Route and Mike went over project funding summary and opportunities 78 for the Truck Route, Wastewater Treatment Plant, Water tanks, and Powers Creek 79 Restoration. Jordan also briefly touched on the ADA compliance issue at the library and 80 explained this correction would be at no extra cost to the city. Mike also answered questions 81 related to the Bike Park.
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, May 26, 2026~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 83 Public Comment:
84 • Kent Sawatzky: Has been tracking the Baduwa’t project, grant money drying up. 85 Concerned about water tank #1 and lack of maintenance. 86 • Kit Mann: Lives on Powers Creek and suggests that material needs to be removed. 87 • Julie Christie: Feels there wasn’t enough public input regarding the Bike and Skate 88 Park and requested due process and transparency going forward. Suggested 89 collaboration with Fish and Game regarding Powers Creek 90 91 No action was taken
92 93 9. Conduct Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 550 Amending Chapter 94 13.12 of Title 13 of the Blue Lake Municipal Code Relating to Cross-Connection 95 Control.
96 The first reading and introduction of Ordinance No. 550 was conducted on April 28, 2026, 97 during the Regular Council Meeting. A summary of the proposed ordinance amendment was 98 publicly posted, and a certified copy of the full text was available at City Hall five days prior 99 to the second reading and adoption pursuant to Govt Code 36933. 100
101 Public Comment: None received
102
103 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to conduct the second reading, waive further reading and 104 adopt Ordinance No. 550 titled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Blue Lake 105 Amending Chapter 13.12 of Title 13 of the Blue Lake Municipal Code Relating to Cross106 Connection Control. Second by Councilmember Napier. 107
108 Roll Call Vote:
109 Ayes: Sawatzky, Scafani, Napier, Lewis-Lusso
110 Absent: Councilmember Bayles
111 Motion passed unanimously
112
113 10. Conduct Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 551 Amending Chapter 114 15.04 of Title 15 of the Blue Lake Municipal Code Relating to Building Standard 115 Fees.
116 The first reading and introduction of Ordinance No. 551 was conducted on April 28, 2026, 117 during the Regular Council Meeting. A summary of the proposed ordinance amendment was 118 publicly posted, and a certified copy of the full text was available at City Hall five days prior 119 to the second reading and adoption pursuant to Govt Code 36933 120
121 Public Comment: None received
122
123
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, May 26, 2026~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 124 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to conduct the second reading, waive further reading and 125 adopt Ordinance No. 551 titled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Blue Lake 126 Amending Chapter 15.04 of Title 15 of the Blue Lake Municipal Code Relating to Building 127 Standard Fees. Second by Councilmember Napier.
128
129 Roll Call Vote:
130 Ayes: Sawatzky, Scafani, Napier, Lewis-Lusso
131 Absent: Councilmember Bayles
132 Motion passed unanimously
133
134 11. Fee Schedule Update – Parks and Recreation.
135 After receiving feedback from Council, City Staff, and the now the public during a Community Workshop held on May 12th 136 , Parks and Recreation Director Wood presented a 137 final draft to Council.
138
139 Public Comment:
140 • Kent Sawatzky: Asked about the non-profit discount. 141 • Kit Mann: Acknowledged hard work by Director Wood and the Ad Hoc. Pointed out 142 that there are only about eight (8) major events in Blue Lake and is concerned 143 about events being driven out of Blue Lake. Says Buddy Blues “has moved out of 144 Perigot Park”
145 • Dana Rivinius: Is onboard with charging non-residents for use of the Horse Arena. 146 Suggested modifying $50 charge.
147 • Bettina Eipper: Thinks Horse Arena should be free to all. 148 • Lin Glenn: Supports Kit and Bettina’s concerns about losing events. Likes the idea 149 of fundraising and concerned about parking.
150
151 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to adopt the presented fee schedule for parks and 152 recreation with an effective date of 7/1/26 and direct staff to bring forward an amendment to 153 Ordinance No. 525 for review and consideration at a future Council Meeting. Second by 154 Councilmember Lewis-Lusso.
155 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
156
157 12. Extension of SHN’s Professional Service Contract for Planning and Engineering 158 Service.
159 The contract that was executed on May 31, 2023, for on-call municipal engineering, on-call 160 municipal planning, and on-call municipal survey, materials testing, environmental services, 161 and geotechnical related services, is set to expire on June 1, 2026. The city will prepare and 162 issue a request for proposals for these services. In the interim, city staff is proposing an 163 extension of SHN’s contract until December 31, 2026, allowing for uninterrupted services 164 while the RFP process is completed.
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, May 26, 2026~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 165 Public Comment:
166 • Julie Christie: Would like to give other local businesses opportunity for RFP. 167 • Kent Sawatzky: Supports the extension and thanked SHN for keeping rates the 168 same. Expressed support for RFP.
169
170 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to authorize the City Manager to execute addendum No. 171 2026-01 to the Services Agreement with SHN dated May 31, 2026, for on call municipal 172 engineering and planning services. Second by Councilmember Napier. 173 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
174
175 13. Annual Multi-Chamber Collaborative Mixer Fee Waiver Request from Arcata 176 Chamber of Commerce.
177
178 Public Comment:
179 • Kent Sawatzky: Feels some of the chambers are “quite wealthy” pleased to 180 welcome the chambers to Blue Lake.
181 • Julie Christie: Willing to sponsor the event as it’s crucial to educate the public 182 about the importance of the Chamber of Commerce.
183
184 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to not waive the fee, Second by Councilmember Lewis185 Lusso. 186 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
187
188 14. Bike and Skate Park Update.
189 A corrective action plan was approved by the Council in February 2026. Since then, financial 190 reports outlining what has been paid by the city and associated donations have been 191 generated. The site is currently winterized, but with the onset of spring there are numerous 192 weeds and grasses growing in and around the plastic and asphalt. The site needs to be 193 maintained and prepared for a drone survey. Volunteers from the various and bike and 194 skate groups are willing to complete this work.
195
196 Public Comment:
197 • Emily Wood: Has down research on bike parks in other communities. Would like to 198 start looking at these other communities locally and how they had a successful 199 product.
200 • Kent Sawatzky: Feels that the bike park has been constructed for extreme use. 201 Concerned about litigation and liability related to the bike park. 202 • Betinna Eipper: Clarified that public input regarding the bike park was received. 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, May 26, 2026~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 203 • Kevin Fisher: Encouraged the Council to help move forward with this project. 204 Looking forward to having a date to remove tarps and start cleaning it up. Feels 205 that 100% of riders would be able to use the bike park for its intended use. 206 • Julie Christie: Suggests creating an Ad Hoc for the bike park. Encouraged 207 sponsorships and more dialogue sooner than later.
208
209 No motion was taken; however, Council directed city staff to allow volunteers to resume 210 maintenance of the bike park to facilitate SHN’s drone survey. 211
212 15.Council Correspondence: None
213
214 16.Reports of Council and Staff
215 a. Ad hoc Committee Reports:
216 Commission Committee: Will move forward with unification/standardizing language of 217 commissions but will not be eliminating any commissions at this time. 218 Powerplant Committee: Working to meet soon.
219 Bike Park Committee: Waiting for finalized reports. 220 Transparency Committee: Working on getting improved audio visual set up for 221 council chambers and discussing the City’s YouTube channel. 222 Budget Committee: Appreciative of the financial information City Manager Short has 223 provided.
224
225 b. Commission Updates
226 Public Safety: The commission had a productive discussion with Blue Lake Fire Chief 227 Vanuku following the fire on Leeverlan Court. Chief Miller of the Blue Lake Rancheria 228 Police Department was in attendance, and representatives from the Humboldt County 229 Sheriff’s Office continue to participate regularly. 230 Parks and Rec: Appointed the Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. Commission has 231 good ideas and is happy to see the Commission turning to ideas regarding fundraising 232 and volunteering.
233
234 c. City Manager Report
235 City Manager Short provided additional information and updated on report items as 236 requested by the Council.
237
238 Public Comment:
239 • Kent Sawatzky: Pleased with the working relationship with the Tribe. Spoke about 240 water tanks and McClure Trust.
241 • Julie Chrisite: Requested a break between the items under Reports of Council and 242 Staff for more time for public comment.
243
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, May 26, 2026~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 244 17.Future Agenda Items
• June 4 245 th Special Meeting at 6:30
• June 10 246 th Special Meeting to present the first draft of the 26/27 budget • June 23rd Regular Meeting to hopefully adopt the budget before July 1st 247 248
249
250 Public Comment:
251 • Julie Chrisite: Would like the Bike Park Ad Hoc to “get rolling” and is happy about 252 the review of the budget and urges to pass the budget within the next two 253 meetings.
254
255 18.Closed Session Agenda:
256 a. Public Comment on Closed Session agenda item(s). 257 • Kent Sawatzky: Supports City Manager Short.
258 • Julie Christie: Concurs with Kent and hopes Council also supports City Manager 259 Short.
260
261 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to move into closed session. Second by Councilmember 262 Lewis-Lusso.
263 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously.
264
265 b. Council convened into Closed Session at Skinner Store at 10:15 for the purpose of 266 Public Employee Performance Evaluation
267 Title: City Manager
268 California Government Code section 54957(b)(1)
269
270 c. Report Out of Closed Session. Council reconvened at 11:59 at the Skinner Store to 271 a report out of Closed Session. No reportable action was taken. 272
273 Adjourn at 11:59 p.m.
274
275 Prepared by: Samantha Green, City Clerk