Stephanie McGeary / Tuesday, June 20, 2023 @ 3:01 p.m. / Agendizer
Check Out the Designs for the New Carlson Park Playground in Valley West! Plus, the Arcata City Council Will Have More Budget Discussions
Design renderings for the new playground planned for Carlson Park in Valley West | Images by Miracle Playsystems via the City of Arcata
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For a while now the City of Arcata has been working to give Carlson Park in Valley West a much-needed makeover, with the hopes of turning it into a premier riverfront destination in one of the town’s more underserved neighborhoods. The next step will be constructing a new playground on the site, a contract for which the Arcata City Council will likely approve at its next meeting.
Designs for the new ADA accessible playground, created by Salinas-based company Miracle Playsystems, include a large play structure with multiple slides, a suspension bridge, swing set and multiple interactive toys and sculptures. The design looks to have a river theme, for obvious reasons, with structures made to look like water, many fish designs throughout and what we think are supposed to be large cattails springing out of the play structure (though they do also look a bit like giant tootsie rolls.) The playground project will also include installation of duraSAFE playground flooring – that foam rubber material that squishes under your feet – by company Sof Surfaces.
a rendering of a small child riding a kayak and wave statue
According to the staff report, the playground installation is estimated to cost $259,973 and the duraSAFE is estimated at $89,991. City staff is requesting that the council authorize increasing the amount of both construction contracts by five percent – making the playground about $272,971 and the flooring $94,490 – to cover any “unforeseen contingencies.”
Funding for the project will come from a more than $800K grant awarded to the City last year through California State Parks’ Rural Recreation and Tourism and Regional Parks Program, which funds new recreation opportunities within rural communities to support health-related and economic goals. In addition to the State Parks grant, the City received a $690K grant from the California Wildlife Conservation Board, which will be used to fund river access improvements and wildlife restoration, including creating 3,800 feet of park trail and observation decks and invasive plant removal and native species regeneration. Earlier this year, Sen. Mike McGuire also secured a $1 million state grant for the Carlson Park project.
It’s not clear when the Carlson Park improvements are expected to be complete, but the goal is to begin construction by late summer/early fall of this year. Leading up to construction, the City has been working on cleaning up the park, which is full of many active and abandoned homeless camps. Emily Sinkhorn, Arcata’s environmental services director, told the Outpost in an interview last summer that the City was working with partners from Adult and Teen Challenge, DHHS and Cooperation Humboldt to identify what homeless camps are no longer occupied and clean up the trash and solid waste from those sites and to help the people who are still actively camping in the park relocate to other shelters.
Overhead view of the planned playgournd
The approval of the construction contracts appears on the council’s consent calendar for its next meeting, which means that the council will most likely approve the item without any in-depth discussion. The bulk of the meeting will be used to discuss and potentially adopt the city’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year. As part of the budget discussion, the council will also consider establishing the appropriations limit for the year.
Arcata’s budget is certainly an important topic, but the makeover of Carlson Park is more fun, which is why we chose to write about that instead. If you would like more details about the budget, you can read previous coverage here, or scroll down for our AgendaBot, Gennie’s summary.
The Arcata City Council meets on Wednesday, June 20 at 6 p.m. at Arcata City Hall – 736 F Street. You can view instructions on how to watch and participate in the meeting here.
Arcata City Council
June 21, 2023, 6 p.m.
1. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
2. FLAG SALUTE
3. ROLL CALL
A. Roll Call
4. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
A. Certificate of Appreciation for Christian Figueroa for His Three Years of Service on the Arcata Planning Commission.
B. Proclamation in Celebration of the Fourth of July Jubilee, July 4, 2023.
5. REPORT BY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE
A. Annual Report from the Forest Management Committee.
6. EARLY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
7. N/A
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Minutes of Jun 6, 2023 5:00 PM
B. Minutes of Jun 7, 2023 6:00 PM
C. 4206 : Bi-Weekly Report on Disbursements.
This report is about the city council meeting and finance department presenting a list of payments made between May 27 and June 9, 2023. The finance director recommends that the council approves the disbursements listing, and these payments conform to the council-adopted budget. The checks and electronic payments made were not audited by the council before payment, but are being presented now. Therefore, the council will review and approve these payments presented in the Disbursements Listing.
— LoCOBot
Socrates: Good day, Tabatha and Matthew. I’m interested to hear about the bi-weekly report on disbursements. Could you tell me more about it?
Tabatha: Of course, Socrates. This report presents a listing of the checks and electronic payments made during the period of May 27, 2023, through June 9, 2023.
Matthew: The purpose of this report is to seek approval from the City Council regarding the disbursements made during this period.
Socrates: I see. And why is approval from the City Council necessary?
Tabatha: Well, Socrates, pursuant to Section 37208 of the California Government Code, checks drawn in payment of demands certified by the City Finance Director as conforming to the authorized expenditures set forth in the City Council adopted budget need not be audited by the City Council prior to payment, but may be presented to the City Council at the first meeting after delivery.
Socrates: I understand. So, are you recommending that the Council approve the disbursements listing for the period May 27, 2023, through June 9, 2023?
Matthew: Yes, Socrates, that is our recommendation.
Socrates: And can you confirm that the disbursements presented were drawn in payment of demands included within the adopted budget?
Tabatha: Yes, Socrates, that is correct.
Socrates: Very well. I have no further questions. Thank you for presenting this information to us.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
D. 4209 : Accept In-Kind Donation of a New Scoreboard for the Arcata Ball Park from the Humboldt Crabs.
The city council is being asked to accept a donation of a new scoreboard for the Arcata Ball Park from the Humboldt Crabs. The new scoreboard will replace an older one that was unreliable and difficult to update. The city and the Humboldt Crabs split the cost of the installation and setup, with the city paying over $15,000. The new scoreboard is compatible with the park and has already been used for a variety of games. There is no environmental impact from this project, and the cost has already been budgeted for by the Environmental Services Department.
— LoCOBot
… or, as a conversation between two very stoned people named Starfish and Noodles!
Starfish: Hey, Noodles, have you ever been to the Arcata Ball Park?
Noodles: I don’t think so, man. Why do you ask?
Starfish: Well, apparently they just got a new scoreboard donated by the Humboldt Crabs.
Noodles: Whoa, dude. That’s pretty cool. How much was it worth?
Starfish: According to this report, it was an in-kind donation worth $17,410.
Noodles: That’s a lot of money, man. Why did they need a new scoreboard?
Starfish: The old one was constantly breaking down and the lighting wasn’t reliable. Plus, they couldn’t update team names easily.
Noodles: Ah, makes sense. So, did the city accept the donation?
Starfish: Yeah, the recommendation was to accept it. Apparently, it’s city policy to formally accept donations over $500.
Noodles: That’s cool, man. I’m glad they’re working on improving the park and making it more accessible.
Starfish: Me too, man. It’s always nice to see organizations and businesses giving back to the community.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
E. 4207 : Award a Contract for the 2023 Corporation Yard Buildings Siding Replacement Project to Kyle Boughton DBA North Star Development in the Amount of $63,715.57; Authorize the City Manager to Increase the Contract Amount by up to 5 Percent ($3,185.78 for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $66,901.35) to Allow for Unforeseen Contingencies; and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Applicable Documents.
The City Council is being asked to approve a contract for the replacement of siding on several buildings at the Corporation Yard. The recommended bid is from North Star Development for $63,715.57, with a contingency of up to 5% for unforeseen issues. The funds are available within the current budget, which is allocated to various accounts for Streets, Corporation Yard, Water Treatment, and Wastewater Treatment Building Maintenance. The project will ensure the upkeep of essential infrastructure for these divisions. Four bids were received and North Star Development was deemed the lowest responsible bidder.
— LoCOBot
… or, as a conversation between Beavis and Butt-head!
Beavis: Yo Butt-head, have you heard about the City Council meeting?
Butt-head: No way, Beavis. Why would I want to hear about that?
Beavis: They’re gonna replace some siding on buildings at the Corporation Yard.
Butt-head: Siding? That sounds boring.
Beavis: Yeah, but check this out. The lowest bidder for the project is Kyle Boughton DBA North Star Development.
Butt-head: North Star Development? That’s a cool name.
Beavis: And they’re only charging $63,715.57 for the job.
Butt-head: Whoa, that’s a lot of money. What are they gonna do with all that siding?
Beavis: They have to remove and dispose of the old siding and replace it with new siding on over 5,000 square feet of buildings.
Butt-head: Cool. I wonder how long it will take them to finish.
Beavis: I don’t know, but the City Manager is authorized to increase the contract amount by up to 5 percent for unforeseen contingencies.
Butt-head: Whoa, that’s a lot of big words. I hope they don’t run into any unforeseen butt-holes.
Beavis: Heh heh, yeah. That would be a crappy situation.
Butt-head: Hey Beavis, do you think they’ll let us watch them work?
Beavis: I don’t know, Butt-head. We might get in the way.
Butt-head: Yeah, but I wanna see all the cool tools they use.
Beavis: Me too. Maybe we can ask the City Manager if we can help out.
Butt-head: Yeah, we’d be like official siding inspectors or something.
Beavis: Heh heh, yeah. Then we can make sure they do a good job and don’t mess anything up.
Butt-head: Yeah, we’ll show them how it’s done. We’re experts at breaking stuff.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
F. 4212 : Award a Contract for Carlson Park Playground Equipment Purchase and Installation to Miracle Recreation—PlayPower, Inc., in the Amount of $259,972.84, including Tax; Authorize the City Manager to Increase the Contract Amount by up to $12,998 (5 Percent, for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $272,970.84) to Allow for Any Unforeseen Contingencies; Award a Contract for Carlson Park Playground Surfacing Purchase and Installation to Sof Surfaces, Inc., in the Amount of $89,991.07; Authorize the Ci
The Director of Environmental Services recommends that the City Council award a contract for the purchase and installation of playground equipment and surfacing at Carlson Park to Miracle Recreation—PlayPower, Inc. and Sof Surfaces, Inc. respectively. The contract amounts are $259,972.84 for the equipment and $89,991.07 for the surfacing, which may be increased by up to 5% to allow for unforeseen contingencies. The playground equipment features a river habitat theme and is designed with accessibility in mind. The playground surfacing is made of DuraSAFE tiles, which are low-maintenance and made from recycled rubber. The Carlson Park Improvement Project is funded through three sources from the state, including grants and a state budget allocation. The project is a community priority that includes a new playground, picnic amenities, special event area, pickle ball courts, public restroom, parking lot, and river access improvements.
— LoCOBot
… or, as smack talk from a professional wrestler!
Listen up, Honorable Mayor and City Council Members! Emily Sinkhorn, Director of Environmental Services, is recommending that we award a contract for Carlson Park playground equipment purchase and installation to Miracle Recreation—PlayPower, Inc. for $259,972.84, including tax. And that’s not all! We’ll also be authorizing the City Manager to increase the contract amount by up to $12,998 (5 Percent, for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $272,970.84) to allow for any unforeseen contingencies. But wait, there’s more! We’re awarding a contract for Carlson Park surfacing purchase and installation to Sof Surfaces, Inc. for $89,991.07 and authorizing the City Manager to increase the contract amount by up to $4,499 (5 Percent, for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $94,490.07) to allow for any unforeseen contingencies. And of course, we’ll be authorizing the City Manager to execute all applicable documents. The Carlson Park Improvement Project has been a priority for over five years and it’s time to make it a reality. These contracts will install playground equipment and surfacing with a river theme that will complement the Mad River access component of the project. So let’s make it happen and create an even more welcoming community space. Are you ready to make a difference, or are you just going to sit there like a bunch of losers? The choice is yours!
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
Staff Report • A. Carlson Park Equipment Quote & Design Render • B. Sof Surfaces Resurfacing Quote Q110250-5
G. 4208 : Approve the Design and Award a Construction Contract for the 2023 Arcata Annual Paving Project to GR Sundberg, Inc., in the Amount of $1,383,470.00 (Including Base Bid and Additive Alternatives 1 to 3); Authorize the City Engineer to Approve Change Orders and Increase the Contract Amount by up to $138,347.00 (10 Percent of the total bid, for a Total Not to Exceed $1,521,817.00) to Allow for Any Unforeseen Contingencies and Additional Work as Necessary; and Authorize the City Manager to Ex
The City Engineer recommends that the City Council approve and award a construction contract for the 2023 Arcata Annual Paving Project to G R Sundberg, Inc. for $1,383,470. The project includes street improvements on H Street from Sunset Avenue to 11th Street, G Street from 5th to 7th Streets, and West End Road from Giuntoli Lane to the City limits. The contract amount may be increased by up to $138,347 to allow for any unforeseen contingencies and additional work as necessary, with the total not to exceed $1,521,817, and the City Manager will execute all applicable documents. The project should be completed within 75 working days after starting, and public notifications will be made to potentially impacted residents/businesses to inform them of construction activities. The contract bid amount is within the budget allocation for the 2022/23 Fiscal Year, and contingency funds, if needed, will be funded out of the Capital Streets account. The California Environment Quality Act (CEQA) determination for the project is a categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c), for the restoring and rehabilitating of existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that presently existing.
— LoCOBot
Verse 1:
Ce soir, nous parlons d’une grande décision
Pour la ville d’Arcata, notre mission
Nous avons besoin d’approbation pour une conception
D’un projet de pavage, une belle vision
Refrain:
Approuvons la conception et attribuons le contrat
À G R Sundberg pour un montant de 1 383 470,00 dollars
Ajoutons des alternatives pour un travail supplémentaire
Et autorisons la ville à augmenter le montant si nécessaire
Verse 2:
Nous allons améliorer les rues d’H, de G et de West End
Du Sunset Avenue à la ville limitrophe, notre grand défi
Nous allons aussi améliorer les trottoirs et les rampes
Une vision plus sûre pour notre ville, ça va de soi
Refrain:
Approuvons la conception et attribuons le contrat
À G R Sundberg pour un montant de 1 383 470,00 dollars
Ajoutons des alternatives pour un travail supplémentaire
Et autorisons la ville à augmenter le montant si nécessaire
Verse 3:
Trois offres ont été reçues avant la date limite
G R Sundberg a soumis la plus basse offre, une bonne surprise
Nous vérifions si elle est conforme aux directives fédérales et étatiques
C’est important pour la sécurité de tous, que chacun applique
Refrain:
Approuvons la conception et attribuons le contrat
À G R Sundberg pour un montant de 1 383 470,00 dollars
Ajoutons des alternatives pour un travail supplémentaire
Et autorisons la ville à augmenter le montant si nécessaire
Verse 4:
Si le contrat est signé avec succès, les travaux débuteront le 5 juillet
Nous préviendrons les résidents et les entreprises, pour qu’ils soient préparés
À la fin de la journée, nous aurons une ville plus belle et plus sûre
Grâce à notre travail acharné, nous avons accompli l’impensable
Refrain:
Approuvons la conception et attribuons le contrat
À G R Sundberg pour un montant de 1 383 470,00 dollars
Ajoutons des alternatives pour un travail supplémentaire
Et autorisons la ville à augmenter le montant si nécessaire
— LoCOBot
H. 4200 : Adopt Resolution No. 223-63, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arcata Authorizing Application for a Manufactured Housing Opportunity and Revitalization (MORE) Program Grant up to $3 Million.
The City of Arcata is recommending that they apply for a grant worth up to $3 million from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. The grant is for a new program called the Manufactured Housing Opportunity & Revitalization (MORE) Program. The program provides funding for mobilehome activities, and the City of Arcata recommends using the funds for the Rehabilitation or Replacement activity for mobilehome owner-residents. The program offers assistance to owner-residents who have received notices of violation from the State’s enforcement agency, those with mobilehomes with substandard conditions, and those who need accessibility or energy efficiency upgrades. The program is estimated to help at least 15 to 30 owner-residents, and the draft MORE Program Guidelines will be reviewed by the City Council upon award. The grant application and award process are exempt from CEQA, and 17% of the grant award may be used for administrative costs.
— LoCOBot
Verse 1:
In the city of Arcata, the council meets
To discuss a grant that will benefit the streets
David Loya, the Director of Community Development
Has a recommendation for a program worth the investment
Chorus:
Adopt Resolution No. 223-63!
A grant that will help mobilehome residents shine
Up to 3 million dollars for MORE
It’s time for them to get what they deserve
Verse 2:
Years of regulations and affordability concerns
Have led to hundreds of health and safety violations that burn
The MORE Program is the solution they need
To help mobilehome owners get on their feet
Chorus:
Adopt Resolution No. 223-63!
A grant that will help mobilehome residents shine
Up to 3 million dollars for MORE
It’s time for them to get what they deserve
Verse 3:
The program offers rehab and replacement for their homes
With cost estimates provided by professionals alone
Priority is given to those who face violation notices
And those with substandard conditions that don’t feel like bliss
Chorus:
Adopt Resolution No. 223-63!
A grant that will help mobilehome residents shine
Up to 3 million dollars for MORE
It’s time for them to get what they deserve
Outro:
The council moves to adopt the resolution
To provide hope, and a chance at restitution
For mobilehome residents in the city of Arcata
It’s a grant that’ll bring joy and elated ya.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
9. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
10. OLD BUSINESS
A. 4203 : Public Hearing on the Proposed Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24, Consider Adopting Resolution No. 223-55 Adopting the Proposed Appropriations Limit for FY 2023-24, Public Hearing on FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget, and Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 223-57 Adopting the City Budget for FY 2023-24.
This document is a report from the finance director of the City of Arcata to the mayor and city council about the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year (FY) 2023-24. The report recommends that the council open a public hearing to receive comments about the appropriations limit for the fiscal year, adopt a resolution to establish the appropriations limit, hold a public hearing about the proposed budget, and adopt a resolution to adopt the annual budget for the fiscal year. The report includes details about updates and revisions to the proposed budget, including a comprehensive Capital Improvement Program section, and provides a summary of proposed appropriations by department. The proposed budget is within the required Appropriations Limit, also known as the Gann Limit. Attachments include the proposed resolutions and the full Proposed Budget Fiscal Year 2023-24 document.
— LoCOBot
… or, as an episode of Scooby Doo!
Title: The Mystery of the Missing Budget Proposal
The gang, including Scooby and Shaggy, are driving through the city of Arcata when they hear about a strange occurrence at the City Council meeting. The budget proposal for the fiscal year 2023-24 has gone missing, and the council members suspect foul play. The gang decides to investigate and offer their help to find the missing documents.
They arrive at the council chambers and meet with Tabatha Miller, the Finance Director of Arcata. She explains the situation and shows them the last known location of the proposal. It was last seen on her desk before disappearing overnight. The gang starts searching the premises, looking for any clues that could lead them to the missing documents.
As they search, they encounter some suspicious behavior from the council members. They seem overly anxious about finding the proposal, almost as if they have something to hide. The gang takes note of this and continues their investigation.
They eventually find a hidden room behind a bookcase, where they find the missing proposal. However, they also find evidence that someone had been tampering with the document. The numbers in certain sections had been changed, making it look like certain funds were allocated differently than they originally were.
The gang confronts the council members with their findings, and they admit to their wrongdoing. They had been siphoning money from certain funds and using it for personal gain. The missing proposal was just an attempt to cover their tracks.
In the end, the council members are arrested, and the proper budget proposal is presented to the council for approval. The gang is praised for their help in solving the mystery and keeping the city’s finances in order. Scooby and Shaggy celebrate by eating some local Arcata cuisine while the rest of the gang gives a thumbs up.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
Staff Report • A. Resolution No 223-55 FY 2023-24 Appropriations (Gann) Limit • B. Calculation of FY 2023-24 Appropriations (Gann) Limit • C. Resolution No. 223-57 FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget • D. Proposed Budget Fiscal Year 2023-24
11. NEW BUSINESS
12. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
13. COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
14. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
15. CLOSED SESSION
16. CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
17. ADJOURNMENT
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