Kevin L. Hoover Mad River Union ARCATA CITY HALL – Weighty matters on the Arcata City Council’s first meeting of 2020 went unheard Thursday night because of another important case that remains unsolved – that of the April 15, 2017 killing of Humboldt State student David Josiah Lawson. During Early Oral Communication, several speakers alleged that a…
Arcata Mayor Winkler ‘extremely proud’ of false, divisive statements as ethicists disqualify him from annexation hearing
Winkler is also compromised in serving as mayor due to his personal business entanglements. His company, Redwood Energy, continued to consult with developer AMCAL after it had submitted a project – the Village housing development – for city approval. That disqualified him from participating in the matter and left the City Council with four members and a tied vote on the matter. Prior business relations will prevent him from participating in the decision on DANCO’s Creek Side Homes project at this Wednesday’s council meeting as well.
Arcata selects 2020 mayor and vice in annual swap out
Kevin L. Hoover Mad River Union ARCATA CITY HALL – Every December, the City Council names its mayor and vice mayor for the year to come, and rejiggers the numerous liaison responsibilities the five councilmembers have in relating to the outside world. For the past year, Brett Watson has served as mayor and Michael Winkler…
Arcata City Council guides Plaza Task Forcers
“I’ve been coming to these meetings since 1995, hearing the same recommendations and nothing’s been done,” Grey said. She urged bold change, and taking risks on initiatives even if they may not work. “Everybody wants change,” she said.
More tax on pot biz? City Council: ‘Meh’
Steve Robles Mad River Union ARCATA – While considering different ways of generating revenue at last week’s Arcata City Council meeting, city officials decided to avoid weighing another tax on what some consider a considerably overburdened industry – cannabis. After discussing the ways such a levy would be assessed with city staff, board members quickly…
Arcata delays regs for vacation rentals
Steve Robles Mad River Union ARCATA – Citing a lack of stakeholder notice, Arcata’s City Council delayed a decision to cap the city’s short-term rentals at 125 and add more regulations and fees on operating those units. City staff admitted the owners of those properties had not been properly notified of the pending decision, and…
Arcata looks at mobile home park protection
Steve Robles Mad River Union ARCATA – As mobilehome owners struggle to stay afloat with rising rents, the City of Arcata is considering the landscape of the market in coming years. The role of mobilehome parks in addressing affordable housing requirements is essential in Humboldt, and an increasing amount of the owners of these sites…
Arcata declares climate emergency, citizens demand action
Kevin L. Hoover Mad River Union HUMBOLDT – As part of a youth-organized protest spanning 150 countries, citizens gathered en masse on the Arcata Plaza last Friday to demand action on climate change. Speakers decried the gulf between the magnitude of the global warming threat and decisive action by political leaders. Struggling to be heard…
Council signs off on Annie & Mary Trail design
Steve Robles Mad River Union ARCATA/BLUE LAKE – Following decades of consideration, Arcata’s City Council unanimously approved an initial design last week for the long-planned Annie and Mary Trail project, a bike and pedestrian path which will wind its way through the city and out to Blue Lake. The trailway design, which will connect existing…
Temperance League Fountain to get historical plaque
Steve Robles Mad River Union ARCATA – The Arcata City Council voted last week to form language for a plaque at the Women’s Christian Temperance Union fountain on the Plaza. Following a unanimous vote, in which only City Manager Karen Diemer briefly mentioned the history of the temperance movement, the council formed a subcommittee comprised…