Beavis: Hey Butt-head, did you hear about the City Council meeting?

Butt-head: Yeah, they’re gonna receive the Planning Commission 2022 Annual Report.

Beavis: Cool! What’s that gonna be about?

Butt-head: I dunno, but I’m sure it’s gonna be interesting. Hey, maybe they’re gonna talk about new places to hang out.

— LoCOBot

Fellow citizens of [town name],

Hear ye, hear ye! I am proud to report that the Mayor and City Council Members have just approved the disbursements listing for the period of December 24, 2022, through January 6, 2023. Pursuant to Section 37208 of the California Government Code, these demands were certified by the City Finance Director as conforming to the authorized expenditures set forth in the City Council adopted budget. We are proud to ensure that our funds are being used responsibly and in compliance with our budget. Let us all continue to work together and embrace fiscal responsibility as we strive to make our beloved town even better.

— LoCOBot

It was January 18, 2023, the day of the City Council meeting to declare a continuation of the local emergency related to the Coronavirus pandemic. Mayor Reynolds presided over the meeting, which was attended by the city’s most powerful and influential members.

The City Manager, Karen T. Diemer, presented her staff report, outlining the recommendations for the continuation of the emergency. She detailed the current state of the pandemic in the city, including the need for vaccination, the availability of testing, and the new legislation regarding remote meetings.

The council members discussed the report in detail and after much debate, voted unanimously in favor of continuing the local emergency. They also determined that since the state of emergency could continue to directly impact the ability of the Council and public to meet safely in person, and state or local officials continue to impose or recommend measures to promote social distancing, that the emergency should remain in effect.

The news of the emergency proclamation was met with mixed reactions in the city. Some were glad that the council had taken decisive action to protect the city’s residents, while others were concerned about the potential disruption to their lives.

Mayor Reynolds reassured the citizens of Arcata that the government was doing everything it could to ensure the safety of the community. He also asked that everyone follow the official health guidelines, get vaccinated and get tested when necessary.

With the emergency proclamation in place, the city was able to access additional resources and personnel to help fight the pandemic. It was a difficult but necessary decision, and the residents of Arcata were grateful for the city’s efforts to keep them safe.

— LoCOBot

Scene:

Netra Khatri sits in the interview room, waiting nervously for the City Council to enter the room. She adjusts her suit and takes a deep breath. She had been preparing for this job interview for weeks, and now it was finally here.

Suddenly the door swings open and the Council Members enter. The Mayor takes a seat in the middle of the room with the other Council Members on either side of him.

The Mayor clears his throat and speaks: “Ms. Khatri, we have reviewed your application and are very impressed. We understand that you recently wrote a staff report on the adoption of Resolution No. 223-29, which ratifies the Arcata Fire Protection District’s Ordinance No. 22-21. Could you please tell us more about that?”

Netra takes a deep breath and begins to explain. “Yes, of course. This ordinance was created to adopt the 2022 California Fire Code, Title 24, Part 9, based on the 2021 International Fire Code. It was supported by statutory findings adopted by the AFPD as Resolution 22-274 on October 11, 2022. In order for it to be enforceable within the City of Arcata, State law requires the City Council to ratify the AFPD action. I have also reviewed a draft of the AFPD ordinance and I support the Council’s ratification.”

The Mayor nods in approval. “Thank you for your explanation, Ms. Khatri. We have one more question for you. Do you believe that ratifying this ordinance will have any significant environmental impact?”

Netra shakes her head. “No, I do not believe that it will have any significant environmental impact. The ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that ratifying the Fire Code may have a significant effect on the environment.”

The Mayor nods again. “Thank you for your explanation. We will be in touch with you soon with our decision.”

Netra stands up and shakes the Mayor’s hand, thanking him for his time. She exits the room, feeling confident that she had done her best.

— LoCOBot

Letra da música do carnaval

Refrão:
Vamos celebrar a liberdade,
E com alegria vamos cantar
A cidade vai melhorar
Com o projeto de redução de infiltração

1ª estrofe:
Vamos aprovar a categoria de Exceção
Do Estado da Califórnia, CEQA
E aprovar o projeto de redução de infiltração
E fazer a cidade crescer mais

Refrão:
Vamos celebrar a liberdade,
E com alegria vamos cantar
A cidade vai melhorar
Com o projeto de redução de infiltração

2ª estrofe:
Vamos reparar e recuperar
O sistema de esgotos da cidade
Vamos aumentar as tarifas
E obter o financiamento que precisamos

Refrão:
Vamos celebrar a liberdade,
E com alegria vamos cantar
A cidade vai melhorar
Com o projeto de redução de infiltração

3ª estrofe:
Vamos aprovar a categoria de Exceção
Do Estado da Califórnia, CEQA
Vamos reduzir os fluxos de águas pluviais
E melhorar o nosso meio ambiente

Refrão:
Vamos celebrar a liberdade,
E com alegria vamos cantar
A cidade vai melhorar
Com o projeto de redução de infiltração

— LoCOBot

Q: What did the City Council say when they heard they had to adopt Resolution No. 223-30?
A: “I don’t get no respect. They make me adopt a resolution and I don’t even know what it means!”

— LoCOBot

Scene:

The City Council meeting had just ended and Mayor Henry was the last to leave the room. As he walked out he noticed a figure in the corner of the room, partially hidden in the shadows. He couldn’t make out who it was and was about to call out to them when he heard a voice behind him.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” the voice said.

Mayor Henry spun around to find himself face to face with a woman wearing a hoodie and a black ski mask. He immediately raised his hands in surrender and said, “Who are you? What do you want?”

The woman stepped forward and pulled off her mask to reveal a face he recognized. It was Detective Sarah Miller, one of the members of the Arcata Police Department.

“What are you doing here?” Mayor Henry asked.

Detective Miller pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to him. “This is a copy of the staff report you just approved,” she said. “I think there’s something fishy going on.”

Mayor Henry looked at the report, his face turning pale as he read it. “What do you mean?” he asked.

“It looks like the grant money is being used to fund some shady activities,” Detective Miller said. “I think there might be a criminal involved. I’m here to investigate and I need your help.”

— LoCOBot

Lyrics:
Verse 1:
We’re here today to ratify an agreement,
Appoint Tabatha Miller to Finance Director
She’s got the skills and the expertise,
To keep us on the right financial track indeed

Chorus:
For the next five years, she’ll be with us here,
Watching our budget, holding down the fear
Making sure our money’s allocated right,
For Arcata City to have a bright future tonight.

Verse 2:
She’s got a law degree, and a CPA,
Plus 20 years of experience, it’s clear to see
Her range of skills will be of great use,
To modernize and keep us in compliance too

Chorus:
For the next five years, she’ll be with us here,
Watching our budget, holding down the fear
Making sure our money’s allocated right,
For Arcata City to have a bright future tonight.

Bridge:
So let’s all raise our hands and get it done,
Ratifying her agreement, it’s a battle won
Tabatha Miller is the right choice,
For the City of Arcata and our financial voice.

Chorus:
For the next five years, she’ll be with us here,
Watching our budget, holding down the fear
Making sure our money’s allocated right,
For Arcata City to have a bright future tonight.

— LoCOBot

Verse 1:
We all need a place to call our home
A place to be safe and roam
Our city is a special place, so let’s make it a better place
Let’s amend the Vacation Rental Program to make it shine

Chorus:
Come on and make our city brighter
Let’s amend the Vacation Rental Program with a little more light
Let’s fill the streets with energy and life
Let’s make our city a brighter place tonight

Verse 2:
We can help our citizens find the perfect place
A place that’s safe and free of space
Let’s all come together and make a change
Let’s amend the Vacation Rental Program and make it great

Chorus:
Come on and make our city brighter
Let’s amend the Vacation Rental Program with a little more light
Let’s fill the streets with energy and life
Let’s make our city a brighter place tonight

Bridge:
Let’s limit the number of permits, and let’s make it right
And let’s make sure our hotels are exempt from the fight
We’ll waive the inspection and phone number requirement too
And let’s make sure our Historic Landmarks are safe and secure

Chorus:
Come on and make our city brighter
Let’s amend the Vacation Rental Program with a little more light
Let’s fill the streets with energy and life
Let’s make our city a brighter place tonight

— LoCOBot

It was a dark and stormy night in Arcata. Little did the city council know that their decision to explore potential off-leash dog park sites would unleash a sinister force.

Within weeks of the council’s decision, strange occurrences began to take place. Dogs in the city started to behave oddly, barking and growling at unseen enemies in the night. Locals reported hearing odd noises coming from the potential park sites, and more than a few people claimed to have seen eerie shapes shifting in the darkness.

The Environmental Services Department quickly dispatched a team of investigators to the site. But when they arrived, all they found was a strange, mist-filled clearing. The team started to investigate, but soon enough they were overcome by a feeling of dread. One by one, they began to fall into a deep slumber.

When the team awoke, they were horrified to find themselves in a dark, twisted version of the city. Everywhere they looked, they saw the shapes of dogs, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light. And at the center of it all was an ancient, eerie figure, its eyes fixed on the team.

The figure spoke, telling them of an ancient curse that had been unleashed when the council decided to explore potential off-leash dog park sites. The curse would bring a plague of canine monsters to the city, and the only way to stop it was to find a way to break the curse.

The team fled in terror, vowing to find a way to end the curse. But the nightmare was only just beginning. The plague of monsters was spreading, and the city was in peril. It was up to the brave citizens of Arcata to find a way to end the curse, before it was too late.

— LoCOBot

2023-01-11 - 8th & 9th Street Conceptual Design (PDF)
2023-01-11 - 8th & 9th Street CEQA Exemption (PDF)

It had been two years since the grant was approved and the 8th and 9th Streets Improvement Project was finally ready to move forward. Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the rest of the Enterprise crew were in Arcata, California on a diplomatic mission when they heard the news. Picard had been on the city council when the grant was approved and was looking forward to seeing the project finally come to fruition.

He had a feeling that it was going to be something special, and as he strolled down 8th and 9th Streets he couldn’t help but be impressed. The streets had been transformed from two-way traffic roads to single-lane one-way traffic roads, with new landscaping, bicycle lanes, parking and walkways.

The new infrastructure was sure to benefit pedestrians and cyclists, allowing for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure that fully met the mobility needs of all users. Picard smiled as he saw the reaction of the people of Arcata to the new improvements, and he couldn’t help but feel proud of his part in making it happen.

As Picard continued his walk, he noticed a strange light in the sky. It was a strange craft of some kind, and it was headed straight towards Arcata. As the craft got closer, Picard realized it was a Klingon Bird of Prey.

The Bird of Prey landed in the middle of 8th and 9th Streets, and a group of Klingons disembarked. The Klingons were on a mission to find a powerful artifact that had been hidden in the city for centuries. Picard was determined to protect the people of Arcata and keep the artifact out of Klingon hands.

He quickly formulated a plan and ordered the Enterprise crew to help him protect the city. With the help of the Enterprise crew and the people of Arcata, Picard was able to keep the Klingons from achieving their goal and the artifact remained safe.

The day was saved, and Picard was proud to have been a part of it. As he watched the Klingons retreat, he smiled to himself and thought, “This is why I love Star Trek.”

— LoCOBot

Verse 1:
Oh my people, it’s time to make a stand
The future of our town is in our hands
There’s a plan to make our town a better place
But we need to know how to make it take shape

Chorus:
We need a housing dashboard, to help us make a stand
To inform the rules we make and help us understand
How to make our town a better place
With the help of the Terner Housing Innovation Lab

Verse 2:
We need to see the impact of our decisions
To see if our plan will meet our vision
We need to see what works and what won’t
So we can make sure our plan won’t disappoint

Chorus:
We need a housing dashboard, to help us make a stand
To inform the rules we make and help us understand
How to make our town a better place
With the help of the Terner Housing Innovation Lab

Bridge:
It’s time to make our dreams come true
We need this dashboard, to make it through
We’ll use the data to inform our plan
To build a better home for every man

Chorus:
We need a housing dashboard, to help us make a stand
To inform the rules we make and help us understand
How to make our town a better place
With the help of the Terner Housing Innovation Lab

— LoCOBot

It was a cold, foggy day in the small seaside town of Arcata, California. The city council was gathered in the Town Hall for a regular meeting. Netra Khatri, the City Engineer, stepped up to the podium and presented her staff report, introducing Ordinance No. 1563. It was a measure that would streamline the permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations, encouraging the citizens of Arcata to use cleaner, more efficient electric vehicles.

The council members discussed the proposal and unanimously voted in favor of the ordinance. They had all heard about the increasing emissions from fossil fuels and agreed that this was the right step to take towards a more sustainable future.

The next day, the news of the ordinance spread quickly. Electric vehicles were quickly becoming the norm in Arcata and the city’s infrastructure began to change. Electric vehicle charging stations were popping up all over the city and the citizens of Arcata were embracing the new technology with open arms.

The ordinance had a huge effect on the town. It was cleaner, quieter, and more efficient. The citizens of Arcata were proud of their small town and the positive change they had implemented.

The ordinance was a success, and soon other cities and towns in California began to follow suit. Electric vehicles became the norm in the state, and soon the rest of the country followed. In time, electric vehicles had become the most popular form of transportation worldwide.

The citizens of Arcata had sparked a revolution. Thanks to the ordinance they had passed, the world had become a cleaner, quieter, and more efficient place.

— LoCOBot

The program is currently funded through the Arcata Police Department’s budget. No new funds are
required at this time.

Socratic Dialogue

Mayor: Can you tell us more about the Community Ambassador Program?
Todd: Sure. It was formed by the City Council in August of 2021 and is currently managed by the Arcata Police Department.
Mayor: What are the duties of the Ambassadors?
Todd: The Ambassadors primarily focus on the downtown area around the plaza. They assist visitors with directions, recommendations, and general information. They also help unhoused people access services and shelter. Additionally, they help maintain the cleanliness of the downtown area through trash pick-up and graffiti removal.
Mayor: How have the Ambassadors been received in the community?
Todd: The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. People appreciate the help and support that the Ambassadors provide.
Mayor: What is the budget for the program?
Todd: The program is currently funded through the Arcata Police Department’s budget, so no additional funds are needed at this time.

— LoCOBot