Arcata public meetings in 2022

City Council - Regular Meeting

The City Council adopted an ordinance for mandatory organic waste disposal reduction and approved the environmental plan for the Annie & Mary Trail Connectivity Project. The Council also authorized a $118,000 contract amendment for form-based code services and updated overnight restrictions for the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Adopted Ordinance No. 1560 for mandatory organic waste disposal reduction (unanimous)
• Adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration and reporting plan for Annie & Mary Trail Connectivity Project (unanimous)
• Approved $118,000 contract amendment for Planwest Partners form-based code services (unanimous)
• Introduced Ordinance No. 1562 restricting Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary use from one hour after sunset to sunrise (unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution No. 223-26 authorizing destruction of certain city records (unanimous)
• Approved $116,618 construction contract for 2022 Annual Sidewalk Improvement Project REBID to R.A.O. Construction Co., Inc. (unanimous)
• Approved $8,111.26 contract amendment for Kernen Construction asphalt project (unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution No. 223-27 amending compensation and benefits for hourly part-time, temporary, and seasonal personnel (unanimous)

City Council - Annual Meeting to Swear-in, Elect Mayor & Vice Mayor

The City Council swore in two new members and elected Schaefer as Mayor and Matthews as Vice Mayor. The Council also assigned members to regional boards and commissions and voted to uphold Measure M while seeking judicial resolution on its legality.

• Adopted Resolution No. 223-28 declaring November 8, 2022 election results (4-0)
• Swore in Councilmembers Meredith Matthews and Kimberley White
• Elected Schaefer as Mayor (unanimous)
• Elected Matthews as Vice Mayor (unanimous)
• Approved Council Member assignments to regional boards, committees, and commissions (unanimous)
• Decided to uphold Measure M and seek judicial resolution regarding state or federal law (unanimous)

Historic Landmarks Committee - Regular Meeting

The meeting was adjourned by the clerk because a quorum was not present. No substantive decisions were made.

Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

The Planning Commission unanimously approved two residential development projects. The commission also received public comment on the Draft Parks and Recreation Element of the General Plan 2045.

• Approved Design Review and Planned Development Permit Review for Valley East Lofts Multifamily Development Project (unanimous)
• Approved Design Review Permit and Hillside Development Permit for Pires Residential Development at 547 Bayside Road (unanimous)

City Council - Regular Meeting

The meeting was adjourned at 6:01 p.m. because a quorum was not present. No substantive decisions were made, and all agenda items were continued to future meetings.

Economic Development Committee - Regular Meeting

The Committee approved the minutes from the November 1, 2022, meeting. Members received a presentation from the Arcata Chamber Executive Director and an update from the Business of the Year Subcommittee.

• Approved amended November 1, 2022, meeting minutes (unanimous)

Zoning Administrator - Regular Meeting

The Zoning Administrator approved a Minor Use Permit and Design Review Permit for a rear yard setback site modification at 455 Union St. The meeting also included the approval of previous meeting minutes.

• Approved Minor Use Permit and Design Review Permit for Parkway Apartment Complex (File 223-001-MUP-DR)
• Approved minutes from September 16, 2021, and July 5, 2022

Public Safety Committee - Special Meeting

The committee approved a request for Chief Ahearn to issue a public safety press release regarding holiday safety. Members also reviewed crime data and discussed ongoing sub-committee efforts in Valley West and graffiti prevention.

• Approved minutes of October 26, 2022 meeting (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved motion for Chief Ahearn to issue a holiday public safety announcement (unanimous voice vote)

Energy Committee - Special Meeting

The Energy Committee voted to support the electrification ordinance as proposed, incorporating comments discussed during the meeting. Staff provided updates on solar and heating projects at the Arcata Community Center.

• Approved July 18, 2022 meeting minutes (5-0-1)
• Supported proposed electrification ordinance with committee comments (7-0-0)

Historic Landmarks Committee - Regular Meeting

The Historic Landmarks Committee recommended that the Planning Commission support the findings of the Historic and Architectural Report for 697 Eighth Street. A review of the assessment for 785 18th Street was continued due to a lack of quorum.

• Approved September 15, 2022 meeting minutes with modification (3-0)
• Recommended support for Historic and Architectural Report for 697 Eighth Street to the Planning Commission (3-0)
• Continued review of 785 18th Street assessment due to lack of quorum

City Council - Regular Meeting

The City Council introduced two ordinances to update the municipal code regarding building regulations and mandatory organic waste disposal reduction. The council also approved the bi-weekly disbursement report and the minutes from the November 2 meeting.

• Introduced Ordinance No. 1561 updating building regulations to reflect state law (4-0)
• Introduced Ordinance No. 1560 regarding mandatory organic waste disposal reduction (4-0)
• Accepted bi-weekly report on disbursements (unanimous)
• Approved November 2, 2022 meeting minutes with one correction (4-0)
• Confirmed election certification and swearing-in meeting for December 15, 2022 (consensus)
• Continued budget adjustment and contract amendment for Strategic Infill Redevelopment Program to a future meeting due to lack of quorum

Planning Commission - Special Meeting

The Planning Commission conducted a ranking exercise to provide structure to the Community Benefits Program associated with the Gateway Area Plan. No other substantive decisions were recorded.

• Performed ranking exercise for the Gateway Area Plan Community Benefits Program

Wetlands and Creeks Committee - Regular Meeting

The Wetlands and Creeks Committee recommended approval of the Open Space Element of the Arcata General Plan. The committee also nominated a property acquisition for Measure A funding and appointed two representatives to an ad hoc group.

• Approved September 20, 2022 meeting minutes (4-0-1)
• Recommended approval of the Open Space Element of the Arcata General Plan (4-0-0)
• Decided to submit written comments on the Resource Conservation and Management Element to staff (4-0-0)
• Recommended transferring Measure A invasive species inventory funding to Jolly Giant Creek fish monitoring (5-0-0)
• Nominated Christie property acquisition appraisal and option agreement guarantee for Measure A funding (5-0-0)
• Appointed Hawkins and Svehla to the Open Space Special Tax Ad Hoc Group (5-0-0)

Forest Management Committee - Special Meeting

The Forest Management Committee approved the 2023-2024 fiscal year priorities for Measure A Special Tax funding. The committee also maintained the current representatives for the Open Space Special Tax Ad Hoc group.

• Approved special meeting minutes from August 11, 2022 (4-0)
• Approved special meeting minutes from September 8, 2022 (4-0)
• Retained Furniss and Valachovic as representatives for the Open Space Special Tax Ad Hoc group (4-0)
• Designated 2023-2024 fiscal year priorities as Margaret Lane, ACF Trail 9 Alternative, and road improvements in JCF/SPI/HSU (4-0)

Parks and Recreation Committee - Regular Meeting

The Committee approved minutes from two previous special meetings and nominated two members to an ad-hoc group for the Open Space Special Tax. The meeting also included updates on the Annie & Mary trail connectivity project and the Humboldt Bay Trail North.

• Approved Aug 15, 2022 special meeting minutes (5-0)
• Approved Oct 12, 2022 special meeting minutes with spelling correction (5-0)
• Nominated Bonnie MacEvoy and Johnny Kell to the Open Space Special Tax Ad-Hoc Committee (5-0)

Historic Landmarks Committee - Special Meeting

The committee discussed the introduction and policies of the Historical Preservation Element update. No formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

The Planning Commission cancelled the December 27, 2022 meeting and rescheduled the remaining November meeting to November 15, 2022. The Commission also amended the October 25 minutes to include public comments regarding the Gateway Area Plan and missing website documents.

• Amended October 25 minutes to include comments on Gateway Area Plan progress and missing website letters (3-2)
• Rescheduled November meeting to November 15, 2022 (Unanimous)
• Cancelled December 27, 2022 meeting (Unanimous)

City Council - Regular Meeting

The City Council awarded a $215,340 contract for wastewater treatment facility levee expansion and declared four city-owned properties as surplus lands. The Council also approved a memorandum of understanding for community engagement in Valley West.

• Approved $215,340 contract to SHN Consulting Engineers & Geologists, Inc. for wastewater levee expansion (4-1)
• Adopted Resolution No. 223-21 declaring two lots on Belle Falor Court, Happy Valley property, and Little Lake property as surplus lands (unanimous)
• Approved MOU with Playhouse Arts for Comunidad Unida del Norte de Arcata (CUNA) Valley West community engagement (unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution No. 223-22 accepting an easement deed for public sidewalk purposes over Parcel No. 021-163-007 (unanimous)
• Declared a continuation of the local emergency related to the Coronavirus Pandemic (unanimous)
• Signed letter of support to fund Senate Bill 907 for certified farmers' markets EBT support (unanimous)
• Approved City Council meeting minutes from October 5 and October 19, 2022 (unanimous)

Economic Development Committee - Regular Meeting

The committee approved the addition of member Panta to the Business of the Year subcommittee. The meeting included a presentation on Small Business Development Center services and updates on local business leadership.

• Approved minutes from October 4, 2022 (unanimous)
• Approved adding member Panta to the Business of the Year subcommittee (unanimous)

Public Safety Committee - Regular Meeting

The committee approved the September 28, 2022, meeting minutes. Members discussed strategies to increase public participation and reviewed goals for sub-committees focusing on safe corridors, Valley West, homeless services, and the Safe Arcata Plan.

• Approved September 28, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Set November agenda to include sub-committee reports, dashboard report, and holiday public safety (general consensus)

Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

The Planning Commission approved a Mills Act Contract for the Jacoby Storehouse Property and permits for the Westwood Garden Apartments. The commission also approved the minutes from the October 11, 2022 meeting.

• Approved Planning Commission Minutes from October 11, 2022 (5-0-1)
• Approved Resolution PC-22-03 for Jacoby Storehouse Property Mills Act Contract (6-0)
• Approved Planned Development Amendment, Tree Removal Permit, and Design Review Permit for Westwood Garden Apartments at 2351 Westwood Court (5-1)