MINUTES OF
EUREKA CITY COUNCIL
January 6, 2026
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 - existing litigation
City of Eureka, et al., v. Fusion Smoke & Glass LP, et al.
Humboldt County Superior Court, Case No. CV2500926
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54946.9 (d)(1) Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation
Ashley Nieman vs. City of Eureka - Humboldt Co. Superior Court Case CV2502427
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54946.9 (d)(1) Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation
City of Eureka vs. Zephyr Hospitality LLC and Does 1-10- Humboldt Co. Superior Court Case CV2502596
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54946.9 (d)(1) Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation
Brandey Wheeler vs. City of Eureka - Humboldt Co. Superior Court Case CV2501491 Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54946.9 (d)(1) REGULAR SESSION - 6:00 P.M.
Regular City Council Minutes
Tuesday, January 06, 2026
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Kim Bergel
Kati Moulton
Leslie Castellano
G. Mario Fernandez
Scott Bauer
Renee Contreras-DeLoach
ABSENT: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION: No Report
A) MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Bergel honored David McGinty, a former City of Eureka Community Services Director and offered condolences to his family.
Mayor Bergel met with Old Town Business owners, attended Builders Exchange dinner, Salty Boat Parade, attended Employee Recognition Dinner where she presented Kate Baldwin with Employee of Year award, attended CAPE Holiday Party and Betty Chinn Dinner. Did Christmas Carols at Bayview Village, went to St. Vincent for Christmas, attended PacOut Green Team Clean Up and Truckers Parade, Holiday Food Drive, attended Councilmember Mouton's Town Hall and Humboldt Bay Fire Badge Pinning.
B) PRESENTATIONS
B.1 Home for the Holidays Awards - Program Coordinator Madison Green provided a report.
B.2 Web Accessibility Presentation - Project Coordinator Suzanne RossMantle provided a report.
C) BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS: None
D) PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
Joanne McGarry
Pat
Rick
David
Anonymous
Bradley
Regular City Council Minutes
Tuesday, January 06, 2026
Andrew DeWitt
Madeline
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Shannon Townsend
Mark Adams
Phoenix
Lisa Hilliard
E) COUNCIL REPORTS / CITY-RELATED TRAVEL REPORTS:
Councilmember Fernandez, attended Employee Recognition Dinner and visited Hoopa modular factory.
Councilmember Contreras-DeLoach, attended Employee Recognition Dinner, Cram the Cruiser food drive, CAPE gift wrapping party, Eureka Theater fundraiser, Homeless Remembrance in Old Town and attended phone meeting with Supervisor Arroyo.
Councilmember Bauer, traveled to Palm Springs for League of California City meeting.
Attended Library Gala where Julie Fulkerson was honored, attended Humboldt Bay Fire JPA, Employee Recognition Dinner. He also spoke about the recent fire in Arcata.
Reminded public a walk in Cooper Gulch on Saturday will be held to discuss future plans.
Councilmember Moulton, attended OSPR meeting, Humboldt Bay Fire JPA, Employee Recognition Dinner, hosted Town Hall about Design Standards, acknowledged that today is January 6th and thanked those who participate in the public process.
Councilmember Castellano, attended Employee Recognition Dinner, traveled to Palm Springs for CalCities meeting. HCSD 2x2, rode bus to look at Christmas lights, attended Community Connections at Free Meal, served food on Christmas with Mayor Bergel.
F) PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
G) CONSENT CALENDAR - Kati Moulton moved, seconded by Renee ContrerasDeLoach, to approve the Consent Calendar, motion Carried.
Ayes: Kati Moulton, Leslie Castellano, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee Contreras-DeLoach
Noes: None
Absent: None
G.1 Council Minutes – Approve City Council minutes from December 2, 2025 as submitted.
Regular City Council Minutes
Tuesday, January 06, 2026
G.2 City Attorney Services Agreement - Consider and approve a new contract with City Attorney Robert N. Black to extend his term of office to December 31, 2026.
G.3 Mayor's Appointments to Boards and Commissions – Approve the Mayor’s appointments to Boards and Commissions.
G.4 Pavement Rehabilitation 2024 Bid No. 2024-17 - Accept Pavement Rehabilitation 2024 Project, Bid No. 2024-14 Authorize the filing of a ‘Notice of Completion’ at the Office of the County Recorder G.5 C.A.P.E. Division Allocations - Adopt Resolution No. 2026 - 01 to de-allocate one Social Services Coordinator classification and allocate one Program Coordinator classification to the City's Classification Plan.
G.6 Authorize Phase 2 Architect for Eureka Operations Complex - Authorize task order as part of the 2025-2026 On-Call Professional Services Agreement with Nichols Melburg and Rossetto in the amount of $585,000.00 (not-to-exceed) for Phase 2 design services for the Eureka Operations Complex Project; and Authorize City Engineer to negotiate and execute applicable contract documents; and Authorize corresponding budget allocation in the amount of $585,000.00.
H) LEGISLATIVE ACTION CORRESPONDENCE: None
I) ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS:
I.1 2025 California Building Standards Code – Chief Building Official Brendan Riley provided a report.
No members of the Public Addressed the Council on this Matter.
Kati Moulton moved, seconded by Leslie Castellano, Waive full reading, read by title only, and adopt Bill No. 1052-C.S., Ordinance No. 969 an ordinance of the City of Eureka amending Eureka Municipal Code Title 15, Chapter 150, Sections 150.015 through 150.026, pertaining to the adoption of codes, motion Carried Ayes: Kati Moulton, Leslie Castellano, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer Noes: None
Absent: Renee Contreras-DeLoach
Regular City Council Minutes
Tuesday, January 06, 2026
I.2 Amendment to Eureka Municipal Code 92.02 (California Fire Code Amendments) – Chief Building Official Brendan Riley provided a report.
No members of the Public addressed the Council on this Matter.
Leslie Castellano moved, seconded by Kati Moulton, Waive full reading, read by title only, and adopt Bill No. 1053-C.S., Ordinance No. 970 an ordinance of the City of Eureka amending Eureka Municipal Code Title 9, Chapter 90, Section 92.02, pertaining to California Fire Code amendments., motion Carried.
Ayes: Kati Moulton, Leslie Castellano, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee Contreras-DeLoach
Noes: None
Absent: None
J) REPORTS/ACTION ITEMS
J.1 Request to Begin Research of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Program – Police Chief Brian Stephens provided a report.
The following members of the Public Addressed the Council on this matter; Kendall Fence
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Blake Bachelor
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Larry Giventer
Joanne McGarry
David
Phillip
Jasmine Jolly
Anonymous
Andrew
Fox
Anonymous
Rachel
Hank Wicklund
Heinrich Soltow
Regular City Council Minutes
Tuesday, January 06, 2026
Scott Bauer moved, seconded by Kati Moulton, Authorization to Begin Research of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Program as per Chapter 104, Military Equipment Use Ordinance; and Direct staff to present a full program proposal, including operational policies, training standards, and fiscal impact, to the Community Oversight on Police Practices (COPP) board and the Independent Police Auditor for review and input; and Upon completion of research and consideration of oversight feedback, staff would return to the City Council with a formal request to implement a UAS program if the findings support a demonstrated benefit to the City of Eureka residents and the Eureka Police Department, motion Carried.
Ayes: Kati Moulton, Leslie Castellano, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee Contreras-DeLoach
Noes: None
Absent: None
J.2 Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) Methodology - Development Services Director Cristin Kenyon provided a report.
No members of the Public addressed the Council on this Matter.
By Consensus, Council moved to file Informal appeal.
Kati Moulton motioned, seconded by Scott Bauer to extend meeting to 10pm., motion Carried.
Ayes: Kati Moulton, Leslie Castellano, Scott Bauer, Renee Contreras-DeLoach Noes: None
Absent: G. Mario Fernandez
J.3 2025-26 Strategic Visioning Document – Postponed to January 20th Council Meeting.
J.4 Mayor Pro-Tem- Assistant City Manager Pam Powell provided a report.
Katie Moulton nominated Councilmember Leslie Castellano as Mayor Pro-Tem, seconded by Scott Bauer, motion carried
Kati Moulton moved, seconded by Scott Bauer, Elect a Mayor Pro-Tem to serve for 2026., motion Carried.
Ayes: Kati Moulton, Leslie Castellano, Scott Bauer, Renee Contreras-DeLoach Noes: None
Absent: G. Mario Fernandez
K) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Regular City Council Minutes
Tuesday, January 06, 2026
By Consensus, Council approved Councilmember Contreras-DeLoach request for an update on Safe Streets.
By Consensus, Council approved Councilmember Moulton request on policy regarding data retention.
By Consensus, Council approved Councilmember Castellano request on current Vacancy Registration for both Commercial and Residential.
By Consensus, Council approved Councilmember Castellano request to look into possibility of kitchen takeover at Free Meal.
L) CITY MANAGER REPORTS: None
M) PUBLIC COMMENT CONTINUED
ADJOURNMENT: 9:42PM
APPROVED:
__________________________________
Kim Bergel
Mayor
Attest:
__________________________________
Shannon Fazio
Deputy City Clerk