What’s Going On with the Yreka City Council?

–Commentary based on the transcript of the Yreka City Council meeting held on March 18, 2025. Focused on the key events and issues discussed, an overview of the council’s activities and challenges.
The agenda is 117 pages, here is the link to the Yreka Agenda Center

The Yreka City Council’s recent meeting on March 18, 2025, revealed a mix of progress, contention, and unresolved questions that reflect both the city’s ambitions and its internal struggles. Held at the City Council Chambers, the nearly three-hour session showcased infrastructure advancements, community initiatives, and a heated debate over council member accountability that left attendees—and council members themselves—searching for clarity.

Video: Public Comments – Yreka you need to watch to the 31 minute mark and beyond!

A Spotlight on Councilman Drake Davis’s Seat

The meeting’s centerpiece was a contentious discussion under Item 11e: whether Councilman Drake Davis violated California Government Code Section 36513 by missing regular meetings for 62 consecutive days from October 15 to December 3, 2024. The law states that a council member’s seat becomes vacant if they are absent without permission for 60 days from regular meetings—or 70 days if the council meets monthly or less frequently. Councilman Paul McCoy, who raised the issue, argued the 60-day rule applied, citing Davis’s absence without formal leave and referencing a prior instance where the council granted McCoy an excused absence for health reasons in October 2024.

Davis countered that a canceled November 5 meeting reduced the council’s frequency to monthly, triggering the 70-day threshold, which he did not exceed. He admitted to illness and a family vacation during this period, claiming he informed colleagues at a special October 23 meeting—though it lacked a quorum and wasn’t a regular session. City Attorney Andrew Jared leaned toward the 70-day rule due to the cancellation, but emphasized that the council, not he, decides vacancies. The lack of a formal absence policy in Yreka’s municipal code fueled the ambiguity, with “absent without permission” left undefined.

Public reaction was polarized. Residents like Lorenzo Love demanded strict adherence to the 60-day rule, warning of legal repercussions. Steve Radford calling it a lesson and to move on, referencing the attorneys 70 day absentee rule and the canceled November meeting. Radford also pointed out that Yreka residents are and have been dealing many struggles, while Louise Gliatto and Jan Osborne urged compassion, citing Davis’s service and the council’s inconsistent handling of absences. After extensive debate, no decision was reached. A motion by Councilwoman Colleen Baker to postpone the matter to the next regular meeting on April 1 passed 3-1, leaving Davis’s status—and his voting rights—in limbo.

“the tables have turned and the only thing you’re listening to is not compassion it’s not consideration you want to hear what you want to hear.” stated a Yreka resident, “you only want to take the one piece of advice from the attorney that suits your agenda and uh this is really telling, what it is, it’s really kind of upsetting.”

“the city manager asked the attorney and the attorney said oh Drake gets 70, no he doesn’t that is a conflict of interest right there.” Stated Dawnmarie Autry, “and according to the FPPC (California Fair Political Practices Commission) they told me to call the attorney general and make a complaint because that is pure and simple conflict of interest when he read in the law”

Drake Davis at 1:45:37 (public comments)
“I missed the last meeting in October and then when you called the special meeting to evaluate our city administrator, I attended and I explained to you, Miss Baker at that time councilman keg and our city administrator the extent of my sickness. Okay and you knew about that, and I asked to leave the meeting because I was still convalescing and you said okay. I asked if you wanted me to stay you said no it’s not necessary. So you were apprised of that particular absentee the fifth. As a council we decided not to meet so and that was the election day.”

Progress on Infrastructure and Community Welfare

Amid the discord, the council made strides on other fronts. Two unanimous decisions advanced the long-planned new fire station at 915 South Main Street, the former ShopSmart site. Resolution 2025-10 allocated up to $50,000 for geotechnical assessments by Mid-Pacific Engineers, while Resolution 2025-11 approved the same amount for environmental site assessments by Petrol Logics Inc. These due diligence steps signal momentum toward construction, a priority celebrated by City Manager Jason Ledbetter and Fire Chief Lemos.

The council also tackled staffing and financial stability. Resolution 2025-8 (5-0) waived a 180-day post-retirement waiting period to rehire Joshua B. Thoring as a retired annuitant for the fire department, addressing shortages. Resolution 2025-9 (5-0) authorized up to $50,000 annually for fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26 to engage Weiss Law Firm and California Municipal Advisers LLC for a long-term financial plan and bond counsel services, laying groundwork for the fire hall’s funding.

Community welfare wasn’t overlooked. The consent agenda included a proclamation designating April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, backed by First Five Siskiyou’s Jean Trevisan. In comments suggestions for marketing plans, pinwheel gardens and a Children’s Memorial Flag underscored a commitment to child safety, earning praise from resident Gary Sams.

Governance Reforms and Operational Tensions

A procedural shake-up passed narrowly (3-2) with Ordinance 880’s second reading, amending the municipal code to require only a simple majority—rather than a supermajority—to appoint the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore. Sparked by a deadlock in December 2024, this change aims to prevent future stalemates, though it highlighted ongoing divisions, with Mayor Corey Middleton and McCoy dissenting.

The meeting wasn’t without friction. Audience disruptions prompted Middleton to threaten adjournment, and McCoy suggested reviewing Jared’s contract, reflecting distrust in legal guidance. Baker’s push to resume Zoom meetings, backed by a Communications Ad Hoc Committee, and her report on mobile home owners’ rent concerns hinted at broader accessibility and housing issues on the horizon.

Looking Ahead

Fire Chief Lemos’s report offered optimism, detailing over 2,000 responses in 2024 (mostly medical) and plans for elevator rescue and lithium battery fire training. Ledbetter teased upcoming community programs with the Resource Center, like Movies in the Park, and an urban design survey due March 28. Yet, the unresolved question of Davis’s seat looms large. Will past votes be invalidated if he’s removed?

Can the council unify to address Yreka’s needs?

As the April 1 meeting approaches, residents await answers. For now, the Yreka City Council navigates a delicate balance of progress and discord, with its next steps critical to both governance and community trust.

---