MINUTES OF
EUREKA CITY COUNCIL
February 3, 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 vs. Zephyr Hospitality LLC and Does 1-10- Humboldt Co. Superior Court Case CV2502596
REGULAR SESSION - 6:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Scott Bauer
G. Mario Fernandez
Kati Moulton
Leslie Castellano
Kim Bergel
Renee Contreras-DeLoach
ABSENT: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION: City Attorney Black reported that an urgency item was added to Closed Session. On a motion from Councilmember Fernandez and seconded by Councilmember Bauer, Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation Kelly Shane Pifferini v. The City of Eureka, et al., Case No. CV24-09191, United States District Court Northern District of California, Eureka Division.
Ayes: Leslie Castellano, Kati Moulton, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee Contreras-DeLoach
Noes: None
City Council
Tuesday, February 03, 2026
Absent: None
No other reportable actions were taken.
A) MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS: None
B) PRESENTATIONS:
B.1 2025 Welcome Center Update and Holiday Recap - Program Manager Green presented.
C) BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS: None
D) PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
Dave Startare
Joanne McGarry
Unidentified Speaker
Sheila
Unidentified Speaker
Amy Scott
Merissa
E) COUNCIL REPORTS / CITY-RELATED TRAVEL REPORTS:
Councilmember Castellano: Traveled to Sacramento to attend Cal Cities Housing, Community, and Economic Development Policy Committee. She toured the Hempcrete Housing project; attended the Eureka Chinatown Project groundbreaking ceremony; and the Main Street Vitality Meeting.
Councilmember Moulton: Attended the Eureka Chamber of Commerce Gala; COPP Board Meeting, and the Eureka Chinatown Project groundbreaking ceremony.
Councilmember Fernandez: Attended Redwood Region Economic Development Commission (RRDEC) meeting and received a presentation Humboldt Bay Harbor Director reading the loss of the Federal Grant for wind energy. An amended JPA for RRDEC was approved and will be presented at a future Council meeting for the City’s approval. He traveled to Sacrament to attend Cal Cities Governance, Transparency, Labor Relation Policy Committee meeting where much of the focus was on the use of AI and associated polices. He is grateful for protest and demonstrations over the past weekend and he was asked to speak at the memorial for Alex Pretti, conducted by local medical staff. He also attended the groundbreaking for the Eureka Chinatown Project.
He will be holding a Ward 3 Town Hall regarding the City’s Budget in the near future.
Councilmember Bauer attended the Redwood Coast Energy Commission January meeting where a new chairperson was selected. He hosted a dinner with a Sports Illustrated writer who was in the area to do an article on fishing the North Coast and Eureka. He traveled to Sacramento to attend the Cal Cities Environmental Quality Policy Committee and met with the Finance committee meeting for Cal Cities. He also City Council
Tuesday, February 03, 2026
attended and spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Eureka Chinatown Project as well as the Chamber of Commerce Gala.
Councilmember Contreras DeLoach attended the groundbreaking for the Eureka Chinatown Project, the Eureka Chamber Gala and Business award event. She met with Assembly member Damon Connolly and Supervisor Rex Bohn. She attended a Care Court meeting and has concerns and questions that it will make difference. She also met with teachers and counselors to hear concerns about a risk youth aging out of the foster care system. Traveled to Sacramento to attend Cal Cities Community Services Committee.
Mayor Bergel. Was honored to swear in the new board for the Eureka Chamber of Commerce at their annual gala and present certificates to the winning businesses.
Along with City Manager Slattery, she presented checks to Food for People and St Vincent dePaul. She also presented 5-year pin to Robert Williams for his five years of service with Uplift. Laquilh Hou Daqh “Where the Elder Are” Housing groundbreaking.
She attended the Eureka Chinatown Project groundbreaking. The Clam Beach run is on Saturday, February 7th. The annual Mental Health Townhall will be held on May 9, 2026. She attended local protests with her son. She then read a statement concerning events happening in Minnesota.
F) PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
G) CONSENT CALENDAR: Leslie Castellano moved, seconded by G. Mario Fernandez, Approve the Consent Calendar, motion Carried Ayes: Leslie Castellano, Kati Moulton, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee Contreras-DeLoach
Noes: None
Absent: None
G.1 Council Minutes – Approve the City Council regular meeting minutes of January 20, 2026 as submitted.
G.2 Award Bid No. 2025-17 Grace Marton Memorial Park Project – Declare RAO Construction Co. Inc., the low bidder for Bid No. 2025-17 Grace Marton Memorial Park Project; and
Award Bid. No. 2025-17 to RAO Construction Co. Inc. for the amount of $870,076; and
Appropriate $50,000 of general funds for construction contingency’ and Approve $920,00 for construction, which includes a contingency of approximately 6%.
G.3 Acceptance of the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program Award for the Sunset Heights Housing Development - Parcel 1 – Adopt Resolution No. 2026-06 of the City Council of the City of City Council
Tuesday, February 03, 2026
Eureka authorizing the acceptance and implementation of an Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program Award.
H) LEGISLATIVE ACTION CORRESPONDENCE: None
I) ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS: None
J) REPORTS/ACTION ITEMS:
J.1 Humboldt County Regional Climate Action Plan (RCAP) - Senior Planner Lohoefener provided a report. The following individuals addressed the Council regarding this subject matter:
Joanne McGarry
Scott Bauer moved, seconded by Renee Contreras-DeLoach, Adopt Resolution 2026-07 Humboldt County RCAP as the City of Eureka’s Climate Action Plan and make CEQA findings as a Responsible Agency., motion Carried
Ayes: Leslie Castellano, Kati Moulton, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee Contreras-DeLoach
Noes: None
Absent: None
K) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Approved by consensus, Councilmember Contreras-DeLoach requested a Homeless ad-hoc committee report presentation to Council.
Approved by consensus, Councilmember Fernandez requested a Care Court update.
L) CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Slattery provided an update on recent activities and protests. Chief Stephens has been very pro-active in understanding our community’s reaction. The recent COPP Board meeting was an opportunity to hear from concerned community members. Chief Stephens has released a statement to the community regarding ICE Agents, Federal and State law.
M) PUBLIC COMMENT CONTINUED: None
ADJOURNMENT: 7:45 PM
City Council
Tuesday, February 03, 2026
APPROVED:
__________________________________
Kim Bergel
Mayor
Attest:
__________________________________
Pamela J. Powell
City Clerk