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, June 23, 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 2. Pledge of Allegiance
3 3. Roll Call and Establish a Quorum of the Council
4 5 Councilmembers’ Present: City Clerk Green established a Quorum 6 Present: Mayor John Sawatzky, Mayor Pro Tem Elise Scafani, Councilmember Kat Napier, 7 Councilmember Michelle Lewis-Lusso, Councilmember Terri Bayles. 8 Councilmembers Absent: None
9 Staff Present: City Manager Jennie Short, City Clerk Samantha Green, Park and 10 Recreation Director Emily Wood, and Videographer Justin Goad. 11 12 4. Approval Of the Agenda –
13 14 Motion by Councilmember Bayles to approve the agenda. Second by Councilmember 15 Lewis-Lusso.
16 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
17 18 5. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items:
19 • Stephanie Dickinson: Addressed the Council regarding a public nuisance located at 20 540 K St. and requested assistance from the City in addressing the issue, by either 21 beginning the abatement process or requesting assistance from the County. 22 • Karen Gilkerson: Requested that the council prioritize storm drain maintenance and 23 action to address the immediate and ongoing flooding problems. 24 • Jan Henry: Presented a generous monetary gift on behalf of the Brunson Family 25 Fund to the Parks and Recreation department. The donation includes $150,000 26 towards the completion of the bike and skate park, $50,000 to the skating rink, and 27 $202,000 to be put in an endowment to support the Parks and Recreation department 28 for a total donation of $402,000.
29 • Julie Christie: Thanked Ann and Jan for orchestrating the donation, suggested 30 meeting with Council in closed session to discuss finer details of donation. Would like 31 to see creek restoration come back and more involvement with CDFW (California 32 Department of Fish and Wildlife).
33 34 6. Consent Agenda
35 a. Approval of May 26, 2026, City Council Meeting Minutes 36 b. Approval of June 10, 2026, City Council Meeting Minutes 37 c. May 2026 Disbursements
38 39 Motion by Councilmember Lewis-Lusso to pass the consent agenda. Second by 40 Councilmember Bayles.
41 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
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, June 23, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 42 ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION OR ACTION
43 44 7. Election Updates
City Clerk Green attended an informational meeting on June 18th 45 hosted by the Humboldt 46 County Office of Elections in preparation for the upcoming Statewide General Election on 47 November 3, 2026, and highlighted important dates outlined on the candidate calendar that 48 was shared.
49 50 Public Comment:
51 • Jennifer Kramer: Asked how the word will be spread about the City Council terms 52 that are set to expire.
53 • Julie Christie: Suggested it’s up to the community to also help spread the word. 54 55 No action was taken.
56 57 8. Consolidation of the General Municipal Election [Resolution 1261] 58 The Statewide General Election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, and two City Council 59 terms are set to expire. California Elections Code Sections 10002 and 10400 authorize a 60 local governing body to request consolidation of a general municipal election with the 61 statewide election. The City of Blue Lake partners with the Humboldt County Office of 62 Elections to conduct its elections, including the City Council election. Consolidation requires 63 approval by City Council resolution, which was prepared by City Clerk Green. 64 65 Public Comment:
66 • Julie Christie: Concurred with staff recommendation. 67 68 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to Adopt Resolution 1261 titled “A Resolution of the City 69 Council of the City of Blue Lake Requesting Consolidation of the General Municipal Election 70 with the Statewide General Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026”. Second by 71 Councilmember Lewis-Lusso.
72 73 Roll Call Vote:
74 Ayes: Sawatzky, Scafani, Napier, Lewis-Lusso, Bayles 75 Motion passed unanimously.
76 77 9. Hill Construction Proposal for Power Plant Fuel Removal 78 The City owns the power plant property and desires to remove the fuel pile towards the west 79 end of the property. Hill Construction has approached the City with a proposal to remove the 80 pile at no cost to the City.
81 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, June 23, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 83 Public Comment:
84 • Mardi Grainger: Asked for clarification regarding cost to the City. 85 • Adelene Jones: In favor of moving forward and has wanted to see the plant cleaned 86 up for many years.
87 • Tom Tellez: Asked about the full-sized logs and expressed concerns with chipping 88 these logs.
89 • Julie Christie: Suggested setting up first come first serve agreement if others are 90 interested in completing the work.
91 92 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to authorize City Staff to create the contract and move 93 forward with the involvement of the Power Plant Ad Hoc. Second by Councilmember Bayles 94 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously.
95 96 10.Car Show Donation Designation
97 Director Wood presented an event sponsorship proposal for the Bill Nessler Car Show at the 98 April 28, 2026, City Council meeting. The fundraiser benefits the Parks and Recreation 99 Department. Director Wood requested City Council approval to allocate up to $4,500 in 100 sponsorship revenue toward the cost of a topographic drone survey of the Bike and Skate 101 Park.
102
103 Public Comment:
104 • Jennifer Kramer: Asked whether the survey was required for a grant or insurance; later 105 expressed concerns about Fund 15 and oversight of donations. 106 • Adelene Jones: Noted Car Show revenue has traditionally supported Parks and 107 Recreation.
108
109 Amended Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to authorize staff to use up to $4,500 from the 110 2026 Bill Nessler Car Show to fund the drone survey. Second by Councilmember Lewis111 Lusso. 112 Voice vote: Motion passed 4:1, with Councilmember Napier dissenting 113
114 11. Bike Park Grant Application – MBTTA
115 The Mountain Bike Tribal Trail Alliance (MBTTA) has collaborated with the City to apply for 116 the 2026 Arts in California Parks Program to benefit the Blue Lake Bike & Skate Park. 117 MBTTA informed City staff that the preliminary application was selected to advance to the 118 full application round. The submission deadline for the full application is June 26, 2026. 119 Director Wood requested City Council approval to continue supporting MBTTA in the next 120 phase of the application process and presented a concept for proposed artwork installations. 121 Shaun Fyfe was in attendance with Tribal Artist Sorren Richards to answer any questions 122 about the process.
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, June 23, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 124 Public Comment:
125 • Adelene Jones: Highlighted the role of the Arts and Heritage Commission and 126 suggested utilizing the Commission for further input. 127 • Julie Christie: Expressed appreciation for volunteers and spoke in favor of moving 128 forward.
129 • Jennifer Kramer: Supports the project and asked about the durability of the artwork 130 on cement compared to wood surfaces.
131 • Sorren Richards: Shared experience regarding the use of high-durability paint for 132 longevity.
133
134 Motion by Councilmember Napier to authorize city staff and Mountain Bike Tribal Trail 135 Alliance to proceed with the full application round of the 2026 Arts in California Parks program 136 for the Blue Lake Bike and Skate Park. Second by Councilmember Bayles. 137 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
138
139 12. Adoption of Parks and Recreation Fees [Resolution 1262] 140 During the May 26, 2026, City Council meeting, City Council unanimously approved a 141 revised Parks and Recreation Fee Schedule presented by Director Wood, with an effective 142 date of July 1, 2026. Resolution No. 1262, which adopts the updated Parks and Recreation 143 Fee Schedule previously established under Resolution No. 1107, was presented to City 144 Council for formal adoption.
145
146 Public Comment:
147 • Adelene Jones: Expressed sadness that the Blue Lake Chamber of Commerce is 148 being charged to host Annie and Mary Day as it has been perceived to be a City 149 Event.
150 • Julie Christie: Supported moving forward with adoption of the fee schedule and 151 pointed out that it can always be brought back for revisions. 152
153 Motion by Councilmember Lewis-Lusso to authorize and adopt Resolution 1262. Second by 154 Councilmember Napier.
155 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
156
157 Council took a break at 8:25 p.m. and reconvened at 8:31 p.m. 158
159 13. Update Ad Hoc Committee – Danco Project
160 City Council established an Ad Hoc Committee for the Danco Project over a year ago, with 161 current members John Sawatzky and Kat Napier. In light of recent correspondence, Council 162 reviewed the committee’s role and considered whether any modifications to the committee’s 163 charges were needed prior to the next meeting with Danco. 164
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, June 23, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 165 Public Comment:
166 • Julie Christie: Spoke in favor of committee continuity and requested Ad Hoc updates 167 during meetings.
168
169 Motion by Councilmember Lewis-Lusso to continue with the established Danco Project Ad 170 Hoc Committee of John Sawatzky and Kat Napier and replace interim City Manager Duffy with 171 current City Manager Short. Second by Councilmember Bayles 172 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
173
174 14. Resolution 1263: Adopting List of Projects for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Funded by 175 SB1: the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 176 The City utilizes Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funding provided 177 through Senate Bill 1 (SB1) to maintain and rehabilitate streets throughout the City. Staff 178 identified priority projects for the upcoming fiscal year, including pothole repair and road 179 rehabilitation on Hartman Avenue/G Street, Chartin Road, and Railroad Avenue, as well as 180 replacement of traffic and directional signage. City Council considered adoption of a 181 resolution authorizing the use of RMRA funds and submission of the required project 182 application through CalSMART.
183
184 Public Comment: None
185
186 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to adopt Resolution 1263 titled “Resolution Adopting a List 187 of Projects for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Funded by SB1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act 188 of 2017.” Second by Councilmember Lewis-Lusso
189 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously.
190
191 15.Final Draft Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget [Resolution 1264] 192 The Budget Ad Hoc Committee reviewed the updated Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget on June 193 17, 2026, and recommends adoption as presented. Staff incorporated revisions related to 194 CalPERS liabilities, planning costs, grant reimbursements, Town Square reimbursements, 195 and additional street maintenance funding. The updated budget reduces the projected deficit 196 from $91,628 to a surplus of $2,420 and was presented to City Council for consideration and 197 adoption.
198
199 Public Comment:
200 • Julie Christie: Commended City Manager Short for the outlay of the budget and 201 supported passing the budget as is and making amendments as needed. 202
203 Motion by Councilmember Napier that the Council adopt Resolution No. 1264 to adopt the 204 operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Second by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani. 205
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, June 23, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 206 Roll Call Vote:
207 Ayes: Sawatzky, Scafani, Napier, Lewis-Lusso, Bayles 208 Motion passed unanimously
209
210 The organizational chart will be brought back with edits as requested by Council. 211
212 16. Council Correspondence
213 • City Clerk Green read an email that was sent by Jeff Harnden regarding a formal 214 public nuisance noise complaint.
215
216 Public Comment on Correspondence
217 • Julie Christie: Recommended putting pressure on CDFW to come in to provide 218 assistance with flood concerns.
219
220 17.Reports of Council and Staff
221 a. Ad hoc Committee Reports
222 Transparency: Exploring different ideas for meeting videos and the City website. 223 RREDC: Members were happy about the JPA being signed and submitted by partnering 224 cities.
225 HCAOG: Working on transportation, taking steps towards a new Executive Director. 226 RCEA: Approved a purchase for a new “home” for the organization and will have one 227 location for everyone instead of two. Mayor Pro Tem Scafani also had the opportunity to 228 tour the Diabolo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.
229
230 b. Commission Updates
Public Safety: Safety Fair has been set for September 12th 231 from 10am to 2pm and will 232 be held in the parking lot at City Hall. Touch a Truck and information booths will be 233 present.
234 Arts and Heritage: Had not met in the last three months due to quorum issues. 235 Parks and Recreation: Commended the commissioners for digging in and going after it 236 and securing a huge donation.
237
238 c. City Manager Report:
239 The City Manager report will be provided at the second Tuesday meeting of the month. 240
241 18.Future Agenda Items Requested by Council
242 Hazard Mitigation Plan Adoption
243 City Manager Report to be provided during second Tuesday of the month meeting 244
245
246
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, June 23, 2026 ~ 6:30pm ~ Regular Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall 247 19.Closed Session Agenda:
248
249 a. Public Comment on Closed Session agenda items
250 • Julie Christie: Felt that Danco took advantage and urged Council to not let 251 them continue taking advantage.
252
253 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scafani to move into closed session. Second by Councilmember 254 Lewis-Lusso
255 Voice vote: Motion passed unanimously
256
257 b. Council convened Closed Session at the Skinner Store at 10:00 p.m. for the 258 purpose of:
259 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION 260 Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of 261 Section 54956.9: one case. Facts and circumstances involve claims by Danco 262 Communities that the City’s election to terminate the Development and Disposition 263 Agreement after notice and opportunity to cure is not permitted under the terms of the 264 parties’ agreement.
265 c. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION 266 Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9:
267 one case.
268 d. Public Employee Performance Evaluation
269 Title: City Manager
270 California Government Code section 54957(b)(1).
271 e. Report Out of Closed Session. Council reconvened at 12:22 a.m. at the Skinner 272 Store to report out of Closed Session. An Ad Hoc Committee was formed for the 273 purpose of performance evaluation of the City Manager. Councilmembers Lewis274 Lusso and Bayles will serve on this committee. No other reportable actions were 275 taken.
276
277 Adjourned at 12:22 a.m.
278
279 Prepared by: Samantha Green, City Clerk