Regular City Council Meeting - September 5th, 2023
Mayor Bergel presiding; Councilmembers Moulton, Bauer, and Castellano present in Chambers. Councilmember Contreras-DeLoach attended via video conference, and Councilmember Fernandez was absent.
Report out of Closed Session - Watch
No reports out of closed session.
Mayor Bergel recognized and honored the work of previous Transportation Safety Commission member Caroline Chaffin-Brooks' service to the community and to the City. She also awarded a certificate of recognition to her family.
Mayor Bergel thanked constituents who challenged the Mayor and other City officials to bike and walk to work where possible. Mayor Bergel had been doing so and has enjoyed the experience.
Mayor Bergel attended Wiyot Days and encouraged everyone to check it out, it was a very special exhibition of indigenous culture.
Proclamations
Coastal Cleanup Month, September 2023 - Watch
Read by Councilmember Bauer, presented to representative from Northcoast Environmental Center.
Suicide Prevention Week, September 10-16, 2023 - Watch
Read by Councilmember Moulton. The proclamation was presented to Jacob Rosen, Managing Mental Health Clinician for Crisis Alternative Response of Eureka and Paul Bugnacki, Deputy Director of Behavioral Health at County of Humboldt Department of Health and Human Services. Bugnacki shared how important it is to recognize the importance of suicide prevention at the city level, and shared some of the resources that DHHS has for the community, including lock boxes for medications and weapons. Heather Frietas from American Foundation for Suicide Prevention also spoke and shared about an upcoming community event.
Week Without Driving, October 2-8, 2023 - Watch
Read by Councilmember Castellano, presented to Colin Fiske from the Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities. Fiske shared information about the upcoming nationwide Week Without Driving event, and shared what the idea behind the event is, and invited the public to participate.
Several community members shared their support of a City ordinance decriminalizing the use of psychedelic plants and fungi. Many community members shared their personal experiences with therapies involving substances and presented Council with signed letters supporting this cause.
Members of the public shared their support for the proclamations, including Suicide Prevention Month. These members share how suicide has affected their lives.
Other community members shared their concerns about incidents outside of City limits and beyond the scope of the City Council.
A commenter requested a copy of a survey conducted for the City. Public records are available in the online City of Eureka archive. Public Records Requests may be submitted online or at the City Hall Front Desk during regular business hours.
No items requested to be pulled from the consent calendar. Consent calendar approved as written with four Yes votes.
No items for legislative action correspondence.
Three ordinances were before the council to amend, adopt, and repeal. All three items had been before the council previously for review and proposal of any changes, and video from those council meetings are listed below. No changes were proposed for any of the items, and they were voted on separately. All items passed with four Yes votes. After adopted ordinances are signed, they will be assigned a number and available for view in the online City archives.
Recommendation: Receive report
Chief Jarvis presented crime statistics from new crime reporting standard. Noted that because changing from one model to another more detailed model, will make comparisons more difficult. Previous model had only allowed for one type of charge to be reported per incident, and not all of the charges that occurred in an incident.
Council asked clarifying questions about the statistics outlined by the report.
Chief Jarvis also reported on cameras in use by the City. There are three locations with fixed cameras. Those locations did capture video one assault, one robbery. Able to send camera footage to FBI for video enhancement to get better view of what did occur.
Mobile cameras placed per complaint or officer recommendation basis. Have seen a reduction in calls for service in areas where cameras are placed. Cameras are not monitored around the clock, but data will be retrieved as needed for specific time frames. Mobile camera placed at Sarah Bareilles concert allowed faster emergency response when medical emergency in crowd, able to reduce response time by considerable amount. Have seen lasting effects when cameras are placed in different areas. Mobile camera that had been significantly damaged is now repaired and back in action.
Council Questions & Comments
Councilmember Bauer recognized that there are people in the community with privacy concerns, and asked how long data is stored. Answer: Per City ordinance, 90 days unless required as part of an investigation.
Councilmember Bauer asked if data is shared without prompting or request. Answer: Data is only shared for a specific crime and specific suspect. Would not respond to requests to just view who appeared on video footage unless looking for a specific person.
Councilmember Moulton noted that there is a mobile camera on the street where she resides and had heard that cameras were activated by noise level. Asked if cameras were triggered by anything other than a report to send a notification or something similar. Answer: Cameras are recording all the time. Mobile cameras have ability to set an infrared zone, and if something enters that zone, the camera will make an automatic recording of that event. If there is a call in to Eureka Police Department for an incident or call for service for suspicious activity that occurred where the cameras are monitoring, Eureka Police will then reach out to the company and request video data for the timeframes requested.
Contreras-DeLoach commented that she appreciates the presentation and believes that the new reporting model will better serve the community and provide a better picture
Recommendation: Receive report, adopt policy presented, and authorize City Manager to sign agreement for Portfolio Line of Credit
Finance Director Lane Millar presented the proposed policy to council. Objectives of policy are to invest “idle funds” or funds in excess of the cash reserves needed for operations; to insure availability of funds, determined by cash flow analysis of funds to avoid overextending in investment; to be mindful of liquidity, or how easily investments can be turned back into cash; to choose a yield rate that is most beneficial to City, by finding the investment product that gives the best return. Policy also requires monthly reporting of investments to Council.
Prudent Investment Standard is required by State government code. This standard requires that the City’s money is handled responsibly. These standards include limits on how long money can be invested, how much can be invested in different risk levels, and that investment products meet the minimum quality rating required and is allowed by the State government code.
The City’s idle funds are currently only invested in the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF). Would like to invest in Treasury bonds. Treasury bonds meet all the standards required by State government code. Policy would authorize specific products with specific maturity lengths.
Portfolio line of credit is ability to draw against funds in portfolio without liquidating assets and losing return on investment. Is a strategy for accessing cash in an emergency and can avoid costs if funds are paid back in the statement period.
Council Questions & Comments
Councilmember Castellano asked if the portfolio line of credit would reduce the rate of return. Answer: it would if credit requested is not paid back within statement period, that will reduce the rate of return, and would get charged interest. Interest rate with PLOC is more favorable than other lines of credit.
Councilmember Castellano asked if will stack different investments with different maturity date. Answer: Yes, typical strategy would be to weigh the number of investments based on the return rates of today, but also keeping in mind that when investments become liquid, may not have same investment opportunities as did when investment started.
Councilmember Bauer asked if the City had opportunity to invest in something other than LAIF before. Answer: Yes, have had other investments in other agencies, but treasury rates had not been this high previously. In future, would be good to have investment advisor help review navigate beyond treasury bonds.
Council voted to adopt policy and authorize City Manager to sign agreement for Portfolio Line of Credit; four Yes votes.
Recommendation: Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Rural Communities Housing Development Corporation (RCHDC) establishing terms and understanding between the City and RCHDC concerning the development, construction and operation of affordable housing on City owned property.
City Manager Slattery reported on timeline of Housing Element and which City-owned parcels are slated for housing development. Referring to “Sunset Properties” between Harris and Henderson Streets, to the west of Fairfield Street. Housing element was officially updated to include these properties and allows for City to work directly with developer who meets housing element requirements. Currently working with Pacific Affiliates and RCHDC to establish guidelines for MOU.
Main requirements are that RCHDC and City hold public meeting and notice community members in area surrounding Sunset Properties to allow for input when developing properties to meet housing development goals. Meeting should be listening session without preconceived conceptual designs to communicate number of units, timeframes, and receive feedback from neighbors. After receive input, RCHDC should address concerns raised from community, and then bring design to council after including community input. After receiving input from Council, then go through process of developing housing.
Council Questions
Council has no questions.
Public Comment
Community members spoke in support of this MOU. Community member from Redwood Coast Regional Center had worked with RCHDC in securing funding for projects in Mendocino and Lake counties and would have funding available that RCHDC can apply for. Community member also spoke, sharing full support of housing development.
Council Comment
Councilmember Castellano commented very excited for development, shared that would be behind any opportunities for home ownership for residents.
Moulton appreciates that public input is written in as part of development process, specifically before the plans come to council and too late for changes.
Council voted to approve MOU; four Yes votes.
No items for future agenda items.
City Manager Slattery announced of press release, Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities Grant awarded $30 million to City of Eureka and Linc Housing.
Recreation Report Summer 2023 and Community Services Department from Jim Thomas, Community Services Recreation Supervisor
View Get Out and Play Day video from presentation
Shared report of events hosted over the summer by the City, including ongoing and new events. Summer started with Forest Moon Festival. About 800 people in attendance, including a family that drove all night to get to event. Successful RC Car event, in partnership with 707 Humboldt RC Group at Municipal Auditorium, with about 225 people in attendance. This event was successful and would like to have more in coming months. 9th annual Get Out and Play Day had about 2000 participants across all events. Summer camps had full enrollment except for one week. First year for Volleyball Camp, will be bringing back. Skate Nights in July had 18 kids and 54 adults attend. August Trash Bash, event in partnership with S.T.I.L. and PacOut Green Team from Pacific Outfitter. 36 people attended, removed 2,600 pounds of trash from waterfront trail near Walmart, over 90,000 pounds of trash removed since 2017 from waterfront trail and surrounding areas. 31 teams and 4 divisions in Adult Softball League. Is a very consistent, well-run program, as are Community Fitness programs at Adorni Center. Drop-in sports at Adorni Center have been successful.
Currently in Volunteer month, volunteer events each Saturday. Upcoming events include adult sports, Women’s Volleyball and Men’s Basketball starting up. Outside the Box After School Program started up, do have some openings. Will have recreation survey, looking for input from community regarding how to better serve community with current programs and new programs.
Shared future programs that are in the works, including environmental education programs, developing a team program, increase usage at Cooper Gulch site, a new approach and timing for the Youth Council program, as well as a winter Pickleball tournament.
Council Questions & Comments
Councilmember Moulton asked if Outside the Box program provide transportation to students. Answer: Does not come with transportation, does work with the schools in proximity to zoo, Washington, Cutten and Ridgewood elementary schools.
Councilmember Moulton asked if there are scholarships available, or is the program free. Answer: Does not believe there are scholarships available. City Manager Slattery did share that City employees do have an employment benefit of reduced cost at Outside the Box. City Manager Slattery suggested bringing up transportation in upcoming meeting between Councilmembers and Eureka City Schools about adding City After School programs to bus route. Had been done that way when Cooper Gulch hosted after school program.
Councilmember Castellano commented she had been working with Community School Advisory Panel working group, could be collaboration opportunity between City and the panel and possibly funding opportunity for some programs.
Councilmember Bauer thanked Community Services Recreation Supervisor Thomas and staff for work at Get Out and Play Day.
Mayor Bergel asked if costume drive would happen this year . Answer: The costume drive is a Community Access Project for Eureka (CAPE) program, CAPE does work with Community Services for costume drives, as well as gift drives during the holidays. Cape Costume Drive Information. City also collaborates with Rotary to do a gift drive for a family in the CAPE program, and City employees contribute to a gift drive for children in the CAPE program, for the Christmas holiday
Mayor Bergel expressed gratitude for work done in all the programs.
Public Comment Continued
No additional commenters.
Councilmember Castellano attended Community Economic Resilience Consortium meeting where California State Senator McGuire spoke about his priorities. Attended Humboldt County Association of Governments meeting. Attended Workforce Development board meeting—not a part of Council duties but it does pertain to developing workforce opportunities in the region. Attended CalCities Redwood Empire Division meeting. Attended Humboldt Transit Authority special meeting. Attended Eureka Main Street general meeting. Was elected to state Cal Non-Profits board, is not part of Council duties but will represent community. Attended recent Festival of Dreams. Held housing meetings. Went to union Labor Day picnic, attended Community School Advisory Council.
Councilmember Contreras-DeLoach been sick for a while. Met with concerned citizens about different local issues. Met with local churches and worked with City Manager to help them participate in food bank and services for community. Met with Clark Museum board about future plans. Attended Advance Native Political Leadership forum on building inclusive ecosystem approach to politics—is not a part of Council duties but will inform service on Council. Attended Friday Night Markets and Arts Alive, and attended Festival of Dreams.
Councilmember Moulton attended Arts Alive, and encourages public to see art exhibit of "30,000 Salmon" at Morris Graves Museum of Art. In the Second Ward, the South Eureka Neighborhood Alliance hosting Zoom call with Sargent Harvey from California Highway Patrol regarding potential purchase and plans for Jacobs campus. Will be attending meeting between Chamber of Commerce members and Councilmembers. Will be attending League of California Cities Meeting.
Councilmember Bauer attended Friday Night Markets. Attended Coast Guard Appreciation dinner at Elks Lodge. Will be hosting Town Hall meeting with County Supervisor Arroyo at Sequoia Park Gazebo, 5:30 on September 18.
Mayor's Announcements, Continued - Watch
Mayor Bergel added to her Mayor’s Announcements that she got to serve dinner at McKinleyville and Samoa Coast Guard Bases with Economic Development Project Manager Asbury, and share appreciation of the Coast Guard and their service to the community.
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