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Arcata Council Approves Nuisance Abatement Costs, Hears Public Concerns on Parking and Mideast Conflict

The Arcata City Council unanimously approved levying over $10,000 in costs for a nuisance property cleanup and approved a significant contract amendment for the Sunset Avenue interchange project. The brief meeting also featured public comments on campus-related parking shortages and the Israel-Hamas conflict, alongside a presentation from Equity Arcata.

Arcata Council Recoups Nuisance Abatement Costs, Addresses Infrastructure

**ARCATA, CA** – In a concise meeting Wednesday evening, the Arcata City Council took decisive action on a local nuisance property and advanced a major infrastructure project, while also hearing a range of public concerns from parking to international affairs.

Four of the five council members were in attendance for the meeting, which was not broadcast on Zoom due to technical difficulties. Council Member Stacy Atkins-Salazar was absent.

The council's most significant vote was the unanimous adoption of Resolution No. 256-05, which confirms city costs of $10,686.44 incurred to abate nuisance conditions at a property located at 2579 Baldwin St. Following a public hearing on the matter, the council authorized the city manager to place a lien on the property to recover the public funds spent on the cleanup.

Also passed was the consent calendar, which included a notable contract amendment with GHD Inc. for an additional $327,300. The funds are designated for further engineering and design services for the ongoing US 101 and Sunset Avenue interchange improvement project. The calendar also confirmed the reappointments of Jim Zoellick to the Energy Committee and Jill MacDonald and Jeanette Cooper to the Historic Landmarks Committee.

Public Comment Highlights Parking and Global Issues

During the public comment period, residents brought several pressing issues before the council. Two speakers raised concerns directly related to Cal Poly Humboldt's growth. One resident highlighted a shortage of bicycle parking, urging the city to increase capacity to accommodate the growing student population. Another speaker pointed to a lack of residential parking near the university, a problem they said was exacerbated by the opening of new dormitories.

Two other speakers addressed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. One community member implored the council to pass a resolution calling for the immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza. Another speaker recounted the Hamas attacks of October 7th, 2023, and asked the council to show support for Arcata's Jewish community.

Additionally, one resident spoke on procedural matters, calling for greater transparency and adherence to established rules for public comment at council meetings.

Equity Arcata and Community Proclamations

The council received an update from Equity Arcata, a partnership between the City of Arcata and Cal Poly Humboldt. Representatives Mo Harper-Desir and Fernando Paz outlined the organization's mission to foster a welcoming, safe, and racially equitable community. They announced several upcoming events aimed at community engagement, including:

* **Friday Night Market:** September 26th, 5:30 p.m. at the Arcata Plaza

* **La Tardeada:** October 3rd, 6:30 p.m. at the D Street Neighborhood Center

* **CDOR Connection Zone:** October 20th-25th on the Cal Poly Humboldt Campus

* **Home Away From Home Potluck:** December 7th, 5:00 p.m. at the D Street Neighborhood Center

Earlier in the meeting, Council member Kimberley White read a proclamation recognizing September 2025 as National PACE Month, honoring the Redwood Coast PACE program for its service to local seniors. The council also formally received a letter from the League of Women Voters of Humboldt County expressing support for immigrants.

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