MINUTES OF
EUREKA CITY COUNCIL
August 4, 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, Petitioner v. Dick Leroy Henderson, et al., A Conservatee, by and through Kelli Schwartz, Humboldt County Public Guardian, Conservator of the Person and Estate, Respondents
Humboldt County Superior Court Case No. CV2601517
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9
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) REGULAR SESSION - 6:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Renee Contreras-DeLoach
Scott Bauer
G. Mario Fernandez
Leslie Castellano
Kim Bergel
ABSENT: Kati Moulton
City Council Minutes
Tuesday, August 04, 2026
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION: No report
A) MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Bergel attended Providence Picnic, hosted Gary on the Go and his staff to show them around Eureka, attended Get Out and Play Day, Disability Pride, went to Annie B.
Garden for Celebration of Life for Bill Peer, Unity Day service fair. Mayor Bergel was a judge at Woofstock, attended PacOut Green Team, F Street Block Party, Thursday Night Concerts, Friday Night Market, Arts Alive. Mayor Bergel also wanted to let the Public know about the upcoming dedication for Charlie Bean, August 14th 1:30-3:30PM recognized with Memorial Conference Room at Tri-Counties Independent Living.
Additionally, Mayor Bergel shared that there are openings on Historic Preservation and Finance Advisory.
A.1 Proclamation- Coast Guard Month - Mayor Bergel presented Proclamation-Coast Guard Month
B) PRESENTATIONS
B.1 FORE Community Golf Tournament - Program Resource Coordinator Sierra Wood presented on FORE Community Golf Tournament.
C) BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS: None
D) PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
Anonymous
Joanne McGarry
Teri Vrom-Little
Misty
Dave
Craig Benson
E) COUNCIL REPORTS / CITY-RELATED TRAVEL REPORTS:
Councilmember Castellano, attended presentation on SF New Deal, Disability Pride, Food for People Fundraiser.
Councilmember Fernandez, traveled to Los Angeles for NALEO conference, signed letter supporting Trans-Youth and gender-affirming care.
Councilmember Bauer, attended various meetings, Friday Night Market and Get Out and Play Day. Also attended Benbow Inn 100th Anniversary, RCEA meeting, Councilmember Contreras-DeLoach, shared about large food donation from LDS Charities, should last 2-3 months, attended celebration for 250 Anniversary of US. Met City Council Minutes
Tuesday, August 04, 2026
with Play Street staff, Humboldt Autism Alliance, will attend Pathway to Payday, Emergency Shelter AdHoc, CalTrans safety plans.
F) PUBLIC HEARINGS
F.1 Appeal of HP-25-11 at 1627 Pine Street; APN:004-071-015 - Senior Planner Chris Lohoefener provided a report. Councilmember Castellano recused herself and left Council Chambers. Public Hearing Opened 7:20 PM. The following individuals addressed the Council regarding this subject matter:
William Startare
Anonymous
Shawn Herilgy
Public Hearing Closed 7:29 PM
Councilmember Bauer motioned, seconded by Councilmember Fernandez, Adopt Resolution No. 2026-50 modifying the Historic Preservation Commission’s conditional approval of Historic Preservation Permit HP-25-11 for the Startare Residential Rehabilitation and Façade Alterations at 1627 Pine Street, including Condition A, C, D and E, motion carries.
Ayes: G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee Contreras-DeLoach Noes: None
Absent: Leslie Castellano, Kati Moulton
F.2 Annual Rate Review for Service Rate Adjustment for Solid Waste Collection - Project Manager Robin Praszker provided a report. The Public Hearing Opened/Closed 8:42PM. No members of the public addressed the Council regarding this subject matter.
Leslie Castellano moved, seconded by Scott Bauer, Adopt Resolution No. 2026 - 48 of the City Council approving a not to exceed increase of 8.52% in the rates for solid waste collection by Recology Humboldt County effective July 1, 2026, motion carries, Ayes: Leslie Castellano, Scott Bauer, Kim Bergel
Noes: G. Mario Fernandez, Renee Contreras-DeLoach
Absent: None
F.3 Public Hearing and Resolution Confirming Final Delinquent Transient Occupancy Tax Assessments and Authorizing the Recordation of Liens and Other Lawful Collection Remedies - Finance Director Lane Millar provided a report. The Public Hearing Opened/Closed 8:58PM, No members of the public addressed the Council regarding this subject matter.
City Council Minutes
Tuesday, August 04, 2026
G. Mario Fernandez moved, seconded by Renee Contreras-DeLoach, to consider any objections or protests regarding the delinquent Transient Occupancy Tax assessments; Adopt Resolution No. 2026 - 49 of the City Council Confirming Final Delinquent Transient Occupancy Tax Assessments, Certifying the Amounts Due and the Assessor's Parcel Numbers of the affected Properties, Confirming Compliance with Chapter 35 of the Eureka Municipal Code and California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 7283 and authorizing all other Lawful Collection Remedies, Minus APN # 005133012000, motion Carried.
Ayes: Leslie Castellano, G. Mario Fernandez, Scott Bauer, Renee ContrerasDeLoach Noes: None
Absent: Kati Moulton
G) CONSENT CALENDAR, G. Mario Fernandez moved, seconded by Leslie Castellano, to approve Consent Calendar, motion carries.
G.1 City Council Minutes – Approve Minutes of Regular Council Meeting July 21, 2026 as submitted.
G.2 Board and Commission Appointments – Approve Mayors Board Appointment of Will Adams to Planning Commission.
G) CONSENT CALENDAR
H) LEGISLATIVE ACTION CORRESPONDENCE:
By Consensus, Council approved Councilmember Castellano’s request for a letter of opposition to AB 1383.
By Consensus, Council approved Councilmember Fernandez’s request for a letter of support for California’s 211 Services, Behavioral Health Prevention letter.
I) ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS: None
J) REPORTS/ACTION ITEMS:
J.1 League of California Cities Voting Delegate - Councilmember Fernandez nominated Councilmember Bauer as Voting Delegate and Councilmember Castellano as an Alternate, Contreras-DeLoach seconded, nomination carries by consensus.
K) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
By consensus, Council approved Councilmember Bauer’s update on Data Center Ordinance.
City Council Minutes
Tuesday, August 04, 2026
By consensus, Council approved Councilmember Contreras-DeLoach’s request for a report on dynamic pricing.
L) CITY MANAGER REPORTS:
City Manager Miles Slattery provided a report on para-medicine program in Partnership with Providence.
M) PUBLIC COMMENT CONTINUED
ADJOURNMENT: 9:13PM
APPROVED:
__________________________________
Kim Bergel
Mayor
Attest:
__________________________________
Shannon Fazio
Deputy City Clerk