Blue Lake City Council

The City of Blue Lake is governed by a five-member, elected City Council, which establishes overall policies for the city. Annually, the council selects one of its members to serve as mayor and another to serve as mayor pro-tem. The mayor presides at council meetings; the mayor pro-tem presides in the mayor's absence. City Council meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month, unless otherwise posted. Meetings start at 6:30 p.m. and are held at the Skinner Store Building behind City Hall. 

City Council Members

Elections are held in November of even-numbered years, in which either two or three council members are elected to four-year terms. The council members work together to enact laws and establish administrative policy for the city through the council's rules and regulations. They also appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, Commissioners and Committee members.

 

Meet the Council

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John Sawatzky

Mayor
Contactjsawatzky@bluelake.ca.gov
Term expires: 2028
Committee Assignments
Primary:
City Council
Arts and Heritage Commission Liaison
Mayor Select Committee
HCAOG
Alternate:
Parks and Recreation Commission Liaison
CA League of Cities
Chamber of Commerce Liaison
Blue Lake Rancheria Liaison
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Michelle Lewis-Lusso

Council Member
Contactmlewis-lusso@bluelake.ca.gov
Term expires: 2028
Committee Assignments
Primary:
City Council
CA League of Cities
Baduwa't Watershed Council
Humboldt Waste Managment Authority
Alternate:
Public Safety Commission Liaison
Humboldt County Sheriff's Department Liaison
Fire Department Liaison
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Kat Napier

Council Member
Contactknapier@bluelake.ca.gov
Term expires: 2028
Committee Assignments
Primary:
City Council
Parks and Recreation Commission Liaison
Economic Development Commission Liaison
Alternate:
RCEA
HCAOG
RREDC
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Terri Bayles

Council Member
Contacttbayles@bluelake.ca.gov
Term expires: 2026
Committee Assignments
Primary:
City Council
RREDC
Fire Department Liaison
Chamber of Commerce Liaison
Alternate:
Baduwa't Watershed Council
Economic Development Commission Liaison
A headshot of a smiling woman in front of some bushes

Elise Scafani

Mayor Pro Tem
Contactescafani@bluelake.ca.gov
Term expires: 2026
Committee Assignments
Primary:
City Council
RCEA
Public Safety Commission Liaison
Blue Lake Rancheria Liaison
Humboldt County Sheriff's Department Liaison
Alternate:
Humboldt Waste Managment Authority
Mayor Select Committee
Arts and Heritage Commission Liaison

Join the Council

Parties interested in filling current Council vacancy should fill out a Council Application and return it to City Hall by July 15th 2025 to be considered at the July 22nd 2025 Council meeting.

Commission Application

City Council Application 2025

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