POINT ARENA CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Barbara Burkey
Vice Mayor Dan Doyle
Councilmember Anna Dobbins
Councilmember Jim Koogle
Councilmember Jeff Hansen
MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 17, 2026 6:00 PM
CITY HALL, 451 SCHOOL ST.
& VIA TELECONFERENCE
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88269848341
REGULAR SESSION – 6:00 P.M.
I CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
II APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
III MAYOR’S REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
A) Mendocino County Sheriff Update - Deputy McNally presented full January statistics after noting that recent meeting schedule changes had resulted in prior reports covering only about 15 days of data. In January there were 59 calls for service in Point Arena and 213 calls across the South Coast, including incidents such as a vehicle theft, vandalism, disturbances, citizen assists, and several 911 hang-ups. Lieutenant Lee added that deputies continue monitoring issues such as homeless encampments, though individuals often return after being asked to leave, and stated that immigration enforcement activity during the Fourth of July events was highly unlikely and that the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is not coordinating with federal immigration enforcement.
IV COUNCIL REPORTS
MCOG – Councilmember Hansen discussed the closure of Highway 1 near Stornetta and concerns about impacts to the South Coast with winter storms approaching. It was reported that Caltrans may accelerate its repair timeline, and that Supervisor Haschak has been contacted and indicated he will work to address the community’s concerns with Caltrans.
EDFC – Mayor Burkey reported attending a recent Economic Development and Finance Corporation (EDFC) board meeting where a new Business Reinvestment Fund was introduced.
The fund is supported by community donations and provides loans to qualified Mendocino County small businesses, with repayments reinvested into the fund to support additional businesses and job creation. The Councilmember also noted that there was no California League of Cities meeting this month, but the next meeting will take place March 13 in Ukiah and a report will be provided afterward.
ACAC – Vice Mayor Doyle reported that the Arena Cove Advisory Committee met and noted that the pier hoist is now operational and the new harbor technician has begun work. Updates were also provided on the campground project, with the wetland study pending, and the pier project, where final design and permitting are nearing completion. The committee discussed potential charges for use of the product hoist and forklift related to crab pots, as well as the concept of a harbor district as a possible way to share operational costs. It was also noted that the pier may experience a small deficit this year, which will be reviewed further in the budget update.
City of Point Arena
City Council Meeting Minutes – February 17, 2026
V PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (Public Comment Period)
Kevin Harrison asked about the status of the City’s green waste program and when residents might be able to begin using the service following the City’s purchase of a truck for the project. Staff acknowledged the question and indicated that an update would be provided.
VI CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS
The City Manager reported that the Point Arena Pier hoist installation has been completed by Allied Crane and the pier is now operational following minor adjustments. Training for Pier Technician Abby Stoffers is progressing with support from members of the fishing fleet, and a new invoicing system has been implemented to improve tracking of pier revenues. The wastewater chief operator has begun inspections of local restaurants and auto-related businesses to ensure proper fats, oils, grease, and other waste controls, and positive feedback was noted regarding the cleanliness of downtown and pier restrooms maintained by City sanitation staff. Updates were also provided on community interest in forming a Neighborhood Watch, the City’s contract with Bennett Engineering to begin infiltration and inflow design work, ongoing efforts to complete sewer rate studies and secure engineering support, and the availability of the City’s home repair loan program for qualifying homeowners.
VII CONSENT CALENDAR
A) Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes of January 20 and January 29, 2026 B) Transaction Report – January 2026
C) Wastewater Report – January 2026
D) Staff Reports: Administration, Wastewater, Streets/Parks E) Letter of Support for Northern Rural Energy Network
F) Resolution 2026-03 Approving Signatory Authority
Item F was added to the Agenda by Council on a 5-0 vote.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Councilmember Dobbins, Second by Vice Mayor Doyle. Motion passed unanimously 5-0.
VIII MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW
A) FY 2025-2026 Mid-Year Budget Review -- The City Manager presented the mid-year budget review, noting that revenues are tracking at or slightly above 50% of projections set in June 2025. Measure X sales tax has generated approximately $60,000 in the first six months, and the City has also begun receiving cannabis tax revenue totaling about $8,000 to date. Most departmental expenditures remain within estimates, with some adjustments made in administration, streets, and utilities. Parks expenditures have decreased due to staffing reorganization, and pier revenues are close to projections, with hoist costs expected to be City of Point Arena
City Council Meeting Minutes – February 17, 2026
reimbursed through a Coastal Conservancy grant. Wastewater accounts are currently showing a deficit but are expected to balance once additional sewer fee revenues are received later in the fiscal year.
Former Interim City Manager Peggy Ducey provided additional context on the budget, noting that revenue projections are holding well despite seasonal fluctuations. She emphasized that staff has worked to keep expenditures low and that the City remains cautious due to ongoing financial pressures from previous years. The Council also discussed the importance of building financial reserves over time, with a long-term goal of establishing a savings reserve equivalent to a portion of the City’s general fund. Councilmembers asked several clarifying questions regarding specific line items and acknowledged the efforts of staff in managing costs and maintaining the City’s financial stability.
IX PUBLIC HEARINGS
A) GP# 2025-01 Community Health & Safety Element Amendment: Sea Level Rise - The Assistant City Manager presented the final phase of the City’s sea level rise planning effort, funded by a $100,000 grant from the California Coastal Commission. The project resulted in a sea level rise study and proposed amendments to the Community Health and Safety Element of the General Plan and Local Coastal Program. The amendment had previously been presented to the Council, but additional concerns raised by the City Planner prompted further review and coordination with the Coastal Commission. Staff noted that the amendment before Council had been revised following that review and was now ready for adoption.
Additional coordination resulted in approximately $2,500 in unreimbursed costs, as the grant funding had already been fully expended.
Consultants from Environmental Science Associates and a representative from the California Coastal Commission provided brief comments, noting that the proposed amendment reflects collaborative work between City staff, consultants, and Coastal Commission staff since 2022.
Commission staff expressed support for the amendment, describing it as a strong initial set of sea level rise policies that can serve as a foundation for future adaptation planning.
Councilmembers expressed appreciation for the additional review and flexibility included in the language. The public comment period was opened and closed with no speakers.
Motion to approve proper public noticing of the project by Councilmember Dobbins, Second by Councilmember Hansen. Motion passed unanimously 5-0 Motion to adopt Resolution 2025-19 and GP #2025-01 by Councilmember Dobbins, Second by Councilmember Hansen. Motion passed unanimously 5-0.
B) Coastal Development Permit #2026-02: 130 West Lake Street - The Mayor recused herself from consideration of Coastal Development Permit No. 2026-02 for 130 West Lake Street due to proximity to the project site, and Vice Mayor Doyle presided over the item. Staff presented the application for a 500-square-foot detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a suburban residential parcel that already contains a single-family home. The project includes associated City of Point Arena
City Council Meeting Minutes – February 17, 2026
utilities, parking, and septic improvements, and was determined to be categorically exempt from CEQA. Staff noted the project complies with applicable zoning, setback, and height requirements, though several conditions of approval were recommended, including native landscaping, neutral color swatches, relocation of the proposed septic field outside a habitat buffer if feasible, and approval of the septic system by the Department of Environmental Health. No members of the public spoke during the hearing. The applicants briefly addressed the Council, noting the ADU would allow them to move into the smaller unit as they transition toward retirement while leaving the main home for family use. The applicants also thanked staff for their assistance during the process.
Motion to approve proper public noticing of the project by Councilmember Dobbins, Second by Councilmember Hansen. Motion passed unanimously 4-0 with Mayor Burkey recused.
Motion to approve CDP #2026-02 by Councilmember Hansen, Second by Councilmember Dobbins. Motion passed unanimously 4-0 with Mayor Burkey recused.
X REPORTS/ACTION ITEMS – All items under this section are for discussion and possible action.
A) Pier Fee Schedule Update -- Staff presented proposed revisions to the Point Arena Pier fee schedule, which had previously been reviewed by the Arena Cove Advisory Committee and brought forward for Council consideration. Changes include modest increases to launch fees, landing fees, boat storage, and launch passes, the introduction of a $2 per crab pot charge for outgoing crab pots using the hoist, a $5 hoist fee for non-crab uses, a $1 per minute late return fee, and a merchandise pricing structure designed to achieve at least a 50% profit margin. Staff noted the adjustments are intended to better recover operational costs while maintaining affordability for fleet members and visitors, and estimated the changes could generate approximately $7,900 in additional annual revenue to help reduce the pier’s operating deficit. Councilmembers expressed appreciation for the Advisory Committee’s work on the proposal.
Motion to approve revised pier fees by Vice Mayor Doyl, Second by Councilmember Dobbins. Motion passed unanimously 5-0
B) Cultural Awareness Training -- Staff presented a proposal to fund a cultural awareness training session to be provided by Kno’Qoti Native Wellness, Inc. in response to the vandalism of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women mural in November 2025. The mural honors Native women and highlights the historic and ongoing trauma experienced by Native communities. Staff explained that the training would support continued learning, dialogue, and relationship-building between the City and neighboring Native communities. The proposed session would be held at City Hall and would include City staff, with Councilmembers encouraged to attend, and invitations extended to local service agencies that interact with Native residents. The estimated cost of the training is $4,000, which staff noted may be partially reimbursed through training grant funding.
City of Point Arena
City Council Meeting Minutes – February 17, 2026
Representatives from Kno’Qoti Native Wellness and the Manchester Band of Pomo Indians spoke about the goals of the training, which include increasing understanding of Native history and lived experiences, improving communication with tribal communities, and supporting informed and respectful decision-making. Councilmembers discussed the value of the training and whether it should be limited to City staff and partner agencies or expanded to the general public. While there was interest in broader community participation, Councilmembers generally agreed that the initial training should focus on staff and service providers, with the possibility of additional community-oriented sessions in the future.
Motion to approve the cultural awareness training for City staff by Vie Mayor Doyle, Second by Councilmember Hansen. Motion passed unanimously 5-0.
C) Personnel Manual Update - The City Manager reported that the City’s personnel manual had last been updated in 2014 and that significant legal changes related to employee management have occurred since that time. A new comprehensive template was developed in 2024 by CIRA and Liberty Cassidy Whitmore to ensure compliance with current legal requirements. The revised personnel manual was presented as the final draft, with no changes to previously approved employee benefits such as vacation accrual or holidays, and no fiscal impact associated with adoption. Brian Ettinger of CIRA, who assisted with the update, was present to answer questions and noted that while the manual provides strong guidance on personnel policies and employee data protections, ongoing cybersecurity training for staff is recommended to address evolving risks.
Motion to adopt the City’s Personnel Manual by Councilmember Hansen, Second by Vice Mayor Doyle. Motion passed unanimously 5-0.
XI ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10pm.
Approved at the March 17, 2026 City Council Meeting
_____________________________ ______________________________ Barbara Burkey, Mayor Paul Andersen, City Clerk
POINT ARENA CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Barbara Burkey
Vice Mayor Dan Doyle
Councilmember Anna Dobbins
Councilmember Jim Koogle
Councilmember Jeff Hansen
MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 10, 2026 4:00 PM
CITY HALL, 451 SCHOOL ST.
& VIA TELECONFERENCE
https://zoom.us/j/88269848341
SPECIAL SESSION – 4:00 P.M.
I CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
II APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve agenda by Councilmember Dobbins, Second by Vice Mayor Doyle.
Motion passed unanimously 5-0.
III PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (Public Comment Period)
IV REPORTS/ACTION ITEMS – All items under this section are for discussion and possible action.
A) Professional Services Agreement with Lumos & Associates for General Engineering Services and Completion of the Windy Hollow Road Rehabilitation Project Plan Set – The Assistant City Manager presented a proposed professional services agreement with Lumos & Associates to provide general engineering services and assist with completion of the Windy Hollow Road rehabilitation project. The agreement includes a $20,000 base contract to provide on-call engineering services for the City, including support for road construction projects, infrastructure evaluation, and coordination with consultants and Caltrans. In addition, a task order of approximately $40,000 would allow Lumos to complete the final engineering plans for the Windy Hollow project. Staff explained that the plans must be completed by late April in order to submit an application to the California Transportation Commission for approximately $800,000 in Local Partnership Program funding. The City currently has $400,000 from prior funding cycles that will expire in June, along with another $400,000 available in future cycles, with matching funds expected through the Mendocino Council of Governments.
Aaron Brusatori of Lumos & Associates introduced himself as the proposed project engineer and described the scope of work, which includes completing the remaining design work, conducting additional topographic surveys and roadway core samples, evaluating drainage conditions, and preparing final construction documents. He explained that the engineering analysis would determine whether existing road base materials can be recycled and ensure the roadway is designed to support anticipated traffic, including heavier vehicles, with an expected lifespan of approximately 15–20 years. Councilmembers asked questions regarding City of Point Arena
City Council Minutes – March 10, 2026
roadway design, project funding sources, environmental considerations, and potential habitat issues. Staff noted that a biological review is planned to identify any environmental concerns and that findings will be addressed as part of the project planning process.
Motion to approve contract with Lumos Engineering by Vice Mayor Doyle, Second by Councilmember Dobbins. Motion passed unanimously 5-0.
V ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the City Council adjourned at 4:13pm.
Approved at the March 17, 2026 City Council Meeting
_____________________________ ______________________________ Barbara Burkey, Mayor Paul Andersen, City Clerk