MINUTES OF
EUREKA CITY COUNCIL
July 7, 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
Delman and Hazel Smith vs. City of Eureka, DOES 1-10 et al.
Humboldt Co. Superior Court Case CV2502760
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) Conference with Legal Counsel -Initiation of litigation (4 Cases) Pursuant to paragraph(4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 REGULAR SESSION - 6:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Renee Contreras-DeLoach
Scott Bauer
G. Mario Fernandez
Leslie Castellano
Kati Moulton
Kim Bergel
ABSENT: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION: No Report
A) MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 07, 2026
Mayor Bergel thanked City Staff; Swan, Amanda, Madison, Dean for excellent job at 4th of July Festival. HBF, Coast Guard, Brad Curtis for Fireman's Memorials. The Mayor also wanted to let everyone know that the Ingomar is hosting a light show every night 9- 9:12pm though Monday.
Mayor Bergel also attended PacOut Green Team Clean Ups, arranged an opportunity for local pastors to get together with regards to homelessness and housing, presented a challenge to all in attendance to participate at Free Meal for 20 min, only 4 attended.
Mayor Bergel attended Teen Challenge, Boys & Girls Club event, Human Trafficking Walk to raise awareness, HCOAG, was a judge at Fairy Festival, attended meeting about monument project, Clark Museum Drag Show, Friday Night Market, Thursday Night Market, Ingomar Light Show, DJ Rad at Coast Guard Plaza.
B) PRESENTATIONS: None
C) BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS: None
D) PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
Joanne McGarry
E) COUNCIL REPORTS / CITY-RELATED TRAVEL REPORTS:
Councilmember Castellano, attended Black Humboldt Juneteenth & Drag Brunch, had conversations on Homelessness, HTA.
Councilmember Moulton, attended Chamber Commerce 2x2, HBF JPA.
Councilmember Fernandez, traveled to Bennington, Arkansas for NALEO, attended July 4th event, Black Humboldt Juneteenth.
Councilmember Bauer, attended Cal Cities Finance meeting, Friday Night Market, HBF, RCEA Board Meeting, enjoying World Cup.
Councilmember Contreras-DeLoach, attended Humboldt Interfaith presentation with regards to SB 4, Mayor Bergel hosted interfaith meeting about housing, HBF meeting, 4th of July Festival, met with Lodging Alliance, Transportation meeting.
F) PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
G) CONSENT CALENDAR- Kati Moulton moved, seconded by G. Mario Fernandez, to approve Consent Calendar, minus G. 1, motion Carried.
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 07, 2026
Ayes: Kati Moulton, Leslie Castellano, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee Contreras-DeLoach
Noes: None
Absent: None
G.1 Council Minutes- Pulled from Consent
G.2 HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) 2024 Grant Application - Adopt corrected Resolution No. 2026 – 30 of the City Council of the City of Eureka authorizing staff to prepare and submit an application for the 2024 HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)
G.3 City of Eureka Water/Sewer Rate Study Contract Award - Authorize staff to execute a contract with Bartle Wells Associates in an amount not to exceed $109,600, and for the purpose of updating the City’s water and sewer rates and related utility fees.
G.4 LIT Modular Construction Sole Source Procurement - Find that this action is recommended by the Purchasing Agent and meets the Procurement Policies and Procedures set forth in EMC section 39.41.
Approve sole source purchase of 40 LIT Modular Construction bedroom units, 4 bathrooms, 1 dining facility, 1 laundry facility and 2 office units; and Approve up to $1,750,000 for the purchase and delivery.
H) LEGISLATIVE ACTION CORRESPONDENCE: None
I) ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS
I.1 Opportunity Zone 2.0 Application- Project Manager Sarah West provided a report.
No members of the Public Addressed the Council on this Matter.
Scott Bauer moved, seconded by G. Mario Fernandez, Adopt Resolution No. 2026 - 45 of the Eureka City Council supporting the nomination of census tracts in Eureka for Opportunity Zone 2.0 designation, motion Carried.
Ayes: Kati Moulton, Leslie Castellano, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee Contreras-DeLoach
Noes: None
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 07, 2026
Absent: None
I.2 Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) – City Manager Slattery provided a report.
The following members of the Public Addressed the Council on this Matter:
Damion Bradley
Chris Ambrosini
Neal Patel
Shamus Patel
Maginasa
Alpesh
Troy Ritchie
Anonymous
Meredith Mathews
Anonymous
Fernandez motion to amend 1% Jan 2027, 1% Jan 2028, motion dies due to lack of a second.
Leslie Castellano moved, seconded by Scott Bauer, Receive report; and Waive full reading, read by title only and introduce Bill No. 1060-C.S., An Ordinance of the City of Eureka Amending Title III, Chapter 35, Section 35.02 “Tax Imposed” of the Eureka Municipal Code; and Adopt Resolution Np. 2026 – 40 calling and giving notice of the holding of a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the submission to the voters of a ballot measure relating to the Transient Occupancy Tax; and Resolution No. 2026 – 42 of the City Council requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Humboldt to consolidate the General Municipal Election for a ballot measure to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 with the Statewide General Election to be held on that date; and Resolution No. 2026 - 43 of the City Council setting priorities for filing written arguments regarding a City ballot measure and directing the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis, motion Carried.
Ayes: Kati Moulton, Leslie Castellano, Scott Bauer
Noes: G. Mario Fernandez, Renee Contreras-DeLoach
Absent: None
J) REPORTS/ACTION ITEMS:
J.1 Balay Ko Foundation Donation - City Manager Miles Slattery provided a report.
No members of the Public Addressed the Council on this matter.
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 07, 2026
Kati Moulton moved, seconded by Renee Contreras-DeLoach, Accept Balay Ko Foundation donation to the City in the amount of $2,875,355, motion Carried.
Ayes: Kati Moulton, Leslie Castellano, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee Contreras-DeLoach
Noes: None
Absent: None
J.2 16 2nd Street Acquisition (APN 001-062-012) - City Manager Miles Slattery provided a report.
The following members of the Public Addressed the Council on this Matter:
Anonymous
G. Mario Fernandez moved, seconded by Scott Bauer, Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2026- 44 of the City Council Authorizing the Acquisition of APN 001-062- 012 on 2nd Street for $370,000; and Authorize the City Manager to sign all necessary documents to effectuate acquisition; and Approve appropriation of Balay Ko Foundation donation for purchase; and Approve filing a 50-year deed restriction on the property for its sole use as affordable/interim housing, motion Carried.
Ayes: Kati Moulton, Leslie Castellano, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee Contreras-DeLoach
Noes: None
Absent: None
J.3 Housing Element Update: Project Kickoff and Community Engagement - Development Services Director Cristin Kenyon provided a report.
The following members of the Public Addressed the Council on this Matter:
Anonymous
J.4 Small Business Incentives - Development Services Director Cristin Kenyon provided a report.
No Members of the Public Addressed the Council on this Matter.
K) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
By Consensus, Councilmember Castellano requested an update on Housing Trust Fund and ADU Financing.
L) CITY MANAGER REPORTS:
L.1 Bayside Village Update - Project Manager Jeff Davis provided a report.
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 07, 2026
M) PUBLIC COMMENT CONTINUED
ADJOURNMENT: 9:30PM
APPROVED:
__________________________________
Kim Bergel
Mayor
Attest:
__________________________________
Shannon Fazio
Deputy City Clerk