MINUTES OF
EUREKA CITY COUNCIL
August 5, 2025
The City Council of the City of Eureka met in REGULAR Session on the above date, 5:00 P.M. Closed Session, 6:00 P.M. Open Session, at the Eureka City Hall, Council Chambers, 531 “K” Street, Eureka.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
CLOSED SESSION - 5:00 P.M.
Conference with legal counsel - initiation of litigation (1 Case) Pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation
Significant exposure to litigation (2 Cases)
Pursuant to § 54956.9(d) (2) California Government Code REGULAR SESSION - 6:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Kim Bergel
Leslie Castellano
G. Mario Fernandez
Scott Bauer
Renee Contreras-DeLoach
ABSENT: Kati Moulton
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION: No Report
A) MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS – Mayor Bergel shared that a Special Meeting for PERS will take place, August 26th 5pm, in Council Chambers. Additionally, Regular City Council Meeting
Tuesday, August 05, 2025
Mayor Bergel shared that she just returned from a trip to Kimasu, Japan. She appreciated the opportunity to be there and will have presentation at a future meeting. Mayor Bergel also attended Get Out and Play Day, where she participated in Family Olympics. Met with some constituents, attended Summer Concerts on Waterfront, and this Sunday 8/10 will participate in the Humboldt Bay Marathon.
A.1 Proclamation- Coast Guard Month- Mayor Bergel presented a Proclamation-Coast Guard Month
B) PRESENTATIONS
B.1 Deborah Dukes Chairperson with Redwood Energy Committee presented information regarding Electric Home and Vehicle Fair to be held August 19th at Jefferson Community Center.
C) BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS: None
D) PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
Anonymous
Dave
Anonymous
E) PUBLIC HEARINGS
E.1 Appeal of the Jara Wooden Door Replacement Historic Preservation Review (HP-25-3) - Assistant Planner Alexandra Gonzalez provided a report.
Public Hearing Opened 6:46PM – The Following Members of the Public Addressed the Council on this Matter:
Coleen
Public Hearing Closed 6:48PM
Renee Contreras-DeLoach moved, seconded by G. Mario Fernandez, Adopt Resolution No. 2025-24 modifying the Historic Preservation Commission's conditional approval by removing Condition "A" to allow the replacement of three wooden doors with the proposed nine-lite doors on the east-facing façade of the carriage house located at 904 M Street, motion Carried.
Ayes: Leslie Castellano, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee ContrerasDeLoach Noes: None
Absent: Kati Moulton
Regular City Council Meeting
Tuesday, August 05, 2025
E.2 Annual Rate Review of Service Rate Adjustment for Solid Waste Collection - Project Manager Robin Praszker provided a report.
Public Hearing Opened 7:17PM – The following Members of the Public Addressed the Council on this Matter:
Deborah Dukes
Public Hearing Closed 7:20PM
G. Mario Fernandez moved, seconded by Leslie Castellano, Adopt Resolution No. 2025- 25 approving an increase of 9.46% in the rates for solid waste collection and an increase in the green waste fee by .94 cents by Recology Humboldt County effective July 1, 2025 and approving an increase of 4.29% in the rates for solid waste collection and a decrease in the green waste fee by .94 cents by Recology Humboldt County effective July 1, 2024, motion Carried.
Ayes: Leslie Castellano, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee ContrerasDeLoach Noes: None
Absent: Kati Moulton
E.3 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and SB 9 Inland Zoning Code Update - Development Services Director Kenyon provided a report.
Public Hearing Opened/Closed 7:45PM – No members of the Public Addressed the Council on this Matter.
Scott Bauer moved, seconded by Leslie Castellano, Declare the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to California Government Code (CA Govt. Code) §65852.21(k) and §66411.7(n) (Exemptions for local ordinances adopted to implement SB 9); CA Govt. Code §21080.17 (Exemption for local ordinances adopted to implement State ADU Law); and CEQA Guidelines §15061 ("Common Sense" exemption); and Waive full reading, read by title only, and introduce Bill No. 1049-C.S., "An ordinance of the City of Eureka amending Eureka Municipal Code Title 15, Chapter 155 (the Inland Zoning Code), §155.204 (Residential Zoning Districts), §155.316 (Accessory Dwelling Units), and §155.332.040 (Urban Lot Split Subdivision) consistent with current State law.", motion Carried.
Ayes: Leslie Castellano, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee ContrerasDeLoach Noes: None
Absent: Kati Moulton
F) CONSENT CALENDAR, Leslie Castellano moved, seconded by G. Mario Fernandez to approve Consent Calendar, minus F.3, motion Carried.
Regular City Council Meeting
Tuesday, August 05, 2025
F.1 Council Minutes – Approve Minutes of Regular Council Meeting July 15, 2025
F.2 Hill and McCullens Pump Stations Pump Upgrades Project Acceptance - Accept completion of the Hill & McCullens Pump Stations Pump Upgrade Project, Bid No. 2024-06; and
Authorize the filing of a ‘Notice of Completion’ at the Office of the County Recorder.
F.3 Municipal Auditorium West Wing Improvements 2025 - Bid 2025-06 – Award - Declare ORW Architecture the preferred architectural firm to lead the design services for the Municipal Auditorium – West Wing Improvements 2025 project; and Award the design services contract for Bid No. 2025-6 Municipal Auditorium – West Wing Improvements 2025 project to ORW Architecture; and Approve up to $455,552 as the design services fee for the Municipal Auditorium – West Wing Improvements 2025 project. – This Item was Pulled and Not Discussed.
F.4 Crowley Property Electrical Installation Project Bid No. 2024-11 - Project Acceptance - Accept the Crowley Property Electrical Installation Project; Bid No. 2024-11 and Authorize the filing of a ‘Notice of Completion’ at the Office of the County Recorder.
F.5 Board and Commission Appointments- Appoint Virginia Hedgecock to Open Boards and Commission Positions.
F.6 Commercial Street Marine Fueling Facility - Tank Replacement Project - Receive report of purchase for aboveground fuel storage tank, equipment and associated piping from Shields Harper & Co and authorize staff to enter into contracts for the tank replacement project at the Commercial Street marine fueling facility and provide an additional appropriation of $1,000,000.
F.7 Policy Update - 3.30 Temporary Disability Leave, 3.29 Parental Bonding Leave - Approve updates to Policy 3.30 Temporary Disability Leave (TDL), aligning benefits with CA EDD standards for State Disability Insurance (SDI) Voluntary Plans, enhancing benefits for employees recovering from childbirth, and separating the Parental Bonding Leave (PBL) component into a stand-alone policy for added Regular City Council Meeting
Tuesday, August 05, 2025
clarity and accessibility, and; Adopt Policy 3.29 Parental Bonding Leave, aligning benefits to with CA EDD for Paid Family Leave (PFL) Voluntary Plans.
Ayes: Leslie Castellano, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee ContrerasDeLoach Noes: None
Absent: Kati Moulton
G) LEGISLATIVE ACTION CORRESPONDENCE: None
H) ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS
H.1 Amendment to Eureka Municipal Code Section 150.105-121 for Live/Work Occupancies - Chief Building Official Riley provided a report.
No Members of the Public Addressed the Council on this Matter G. Mario Fernandez moved, seconded by Scott Bauer, Waive full reading, read by title only and Introduce Bill No. 1047-C.S., an ordinance of the City of Eureka amending Eureka Municipal Code Title 15, Chapter 150, Section 150.105-121, pertaining to Live/Work Occupancies, motion Carried
Ayes: Leslie Castellano, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee ContrerasDeLoach Noes: None
Absent: Kati Moulton
H.2 Amendment to Eureka Municipal Code Chapter 130.30 for Abandoned and Derelict Shopping Carts. - Chief Building Official Riley provided a report.
No members of the Public Addressed the Council on this Matter.
Leslie Castellano moved, seconded by Scott Bauer, Waive full reading, read by title only and Introduce Bill No. 1046-C.S., an ordinance of the City of Eureka amending Eureka Municipal Code Title 13, Chapter 130, Section 130.30, pertaining to abandoned and derelict shopping carts, motion Carried.
Ayes: Leslie Castellano, Scott Bauer, Renee Contreras-DeLoach Noes: G. Mario Fernandez
Absent: Kati Moulton
Regular City Council Meeting
Tuesday, August 05, 2025
I) REPORTS/ACTION ITEMS
I.1 League of California Cities Voting Delegate - City Clerk Pam Powell provided a report.
By Consensus Councilmember Bauer was nominated as Voting Delegate and Councilmember Fernandez was nominated as alternate.
No members of the Public Addressed the Council on this matter.
Leslie Castellano moved, seconded by Scott Bauer, Appoint Scott Bauer as voting delegate and G. Mario Fernandez as alternate for the League of California Cities Business Meeting to be held at the LOCC Annual Conference in Long Beach, October 8- 10, 2025, motion Carried
Ayes: Leslie Castellano, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee ContrerasDeLoach Noes: None
Absent: Kati Moulton
I.2 Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG)
Memorandum of Understanding - City Manager Slattery provided a report.
No members of the Public Addressed the Council on this Matter.
G. Mario Fernandez moved, seconded by Renee Contreras-DeLoach, Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) establishing terms and understanding between the City and HCAOG concerning staff expenses or other activities and expenses related to implementing and delivering of the Humboldt Partnering Assets and Authorities for Comprehensive Transit (PAACT) project., motion Carried
Ayes: Leslie Castellano, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee ContrerasDeLoach Noes: None
Absent: Kati Moulton
J) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
By Consensus, Council approved of Councilmember Contreras-DeLoach’s request on a report on ADA accessibility throughout the City.
By Consensus, Council approved of Councilmember Fernandez’s request for a Community Needs assessment at Strategic Visioning.
Regular City Council Meeting
Tuesday, August 05, 2025
K) CITY MANAGER REPORT- City Manager Slattery provided a report on Strategic Visioning.
L) PUBLIC COMMENT CONTINUED
M) COUNCIL REPORTS / CITY-RELATED TRAVEL REPORTS:
Councilmember Castellano, attended Disability Pride Festival and Housing related meetings, additionally Councilmember Castellano attended EMS meetings, Arts Alive and Friday Market.
Councilmember Fernandez, traveled to the NALEO Conference in Atlanta, Ga.
Councilmember Bauer, attended League Board of Directors meeting in San Jose, met with Assemblyman Rogers,
Councilmember Contreras-DeLoach, attended COPP Board meeting, CalCities Coastal Update, Emergency Shelter AdHoc, Assemblyman David Connelly, Governors Care Court, will attend Harbor 2x2, Indigenous Collaboration.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:37PM
APPROVED:
__________________________________
Kim Bergel
Mayor
Attest:
__________________________________
Shannon Fazio
Deputy City Clerk