PREMIER DESTINATION DOG PARK
A Premier Destination Dog Park in the City of Arcata will not only serve the residents of the city (which has no off leash areas within the city limits), but will also attract visitors and complement the Arcata Marsh and the Community Forest as local attractions of our town. If placed properly it will mitigate the off leash issues currently experienced in those areas, especially in the Arcata Marsh.
BICYCLE TRAVELER’S CAMPGROUND
A Bicycle Traveler’s Campground for those bike tourists that we all see pass through our town. They have no area to camp in the City of Arcata so they must go to the KOA campground south of Arcata (with a dangerous crossing of Hwy. 101), or stop north of Arcata at the Clam Beach campground. We are losing these tourism dollars and not accommodating a growing and low impact group of tourists. If placed properly on or near one of the bikeways through Arcata, we can accommodate them.
UPGRADE OF SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS
Our small neighborhood parks (pocket parks) are in the poorest condition of all 25+ parks in Arcata. These parks are usually the first parks that people with small children walk to in their neighborhood and they make the poorest impression because of their condition. They are usually lacking in amenities such as trash cans, dog-poop bags, drinking fountains and fences. The equipment in these parks is often insufficient and antiquated. Upgrade of these parks improves the neighborhoods and is an attraction to new residents.
COMMON INTEREST COMMISSION
Being a university town we are dominated by the university population. However, we do not have a forum for addressing the common "Town/Gown" issues that affect all university towns. I am proposing a Common Interest Commission (for lack of a better name) that would have as members, student residents, non-student residents, police (APD/UPD), city and university representatives, all as equal members. It would be a problem solving group with the power to move solutions forward to the City Council and HSU administration.
LATE NIGHT CITY TO CITY BUS SERVICE
A major complaint for years has been a lack of late night city to city bus service on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. There is no economical way to transport patrons and workers, or for people to attend events such as Arts Alive, Arts Arcata, McKinleyville Art Night and Fortuna Art night. An added benefit of this bus service would be to lower the number of DUIs issued because of the lack of available low cost options to return home.
SATELLITE PARKING LOT
Parking in downtown Arcata is a major issue for residents, employees and visitors. We need a safe attended Satellite Parking Lot that would serve all of us and relieve the pressure on our downtown areas. This parking lot will help visitors attending plaza events and pave the way for a more pedestrian friendly plaza with less car traffic.
INVESTIGATE LOW COST SOLUTION TO THE HOUSELESS CRISIS
The time has come for us to realistically address the lack of shelter for our local houseless community. We must investigate a low cost solution to the houseless crisis. Examples of this are Dignity Village in Portland, Oregon and Opportunity Village and House the Homeless in Eugene, Oregon, where tents, alternative structures and vehicle camping areas are provided, while waiting for a space in a regular shelter, transitional housing, or available affordable housing. I am proposing the City of Arcata to be a part of a larger regional solution, of this style.
HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTION OF RENTAL PROPERTIES
A large portion of our population are renters. We need to protect that population from the unsafe situations that exist in some rental properties that currently are non-inspected by the Fire Department or any other entity. I am proposing a simple Health and Safety Inspection of non-owner occupied rental properties done by our own city inspectors for safe exit, smoke/CO2 detector installation and operation, water heater/space heater safety, and safe electrical/gas service connections. If we truly value our renter population, at a minimum, the current Fire Department inspection of multiple unit rentals should be changed to include all rental properties.