Isabella Vanderheiden / Tuesday, July 15 @ 10:42 a.m. / Agendizer
TONIGHT IN EUREKA CITY COUNCIL: Funding for the City’s New Corp Yard, New Rules for Local Greenways, and More!
Eureka City Hall, everybody! | Photo: Andrew Goff
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The Eureka City Council has a relatively light agenda lined up for tonight’s meeting, with just a few items on deck, including a $7.65 million funding request for the new Eureka Operations Complex and what will likely be a final vote on the city’s Gulch Greenway Ordinance.
Let’s dig into that agenda!
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A digital rendering of the new Eureka Operations Complex and Public Works headquarters. | Image: Scott Edwards Architecture
Eureka’s New Corp Yard
As plans for the new Eureka Operations Complex begin to take shape, city staff is asking the council for $7.65 million to fund the first phase of construction for the new maintenance facility and corporation yard, slated for an undeveloped 5.6-acre lot behind Lost Coast Brewery’s brewing facility on Highway 101.
The city will move its existing corp yard — the site where it stores and repairs fleet vehicles, heavy equipment, tools and other supplies — from its current location at 945 W. 14th Street, which sits in the coastal zone and is at increased risk of flooding. The new site was purchased from the owners of the Ocean View Cemetery in November 2023.
Another view of the new facility. | Image: Scott Edwards Architecture
In September 2024, the city approved a contract with Bay Area construction company Swinerton Builders to serve as the project’s “Construction Manager at Risk” — a go-between for the city and architect during pre-construction negotiations.
“Swinerton Builders prepared a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) proposal to perform the Phase 1 construction services,” the staff report states. “The first GMP submittal was for a total amount of $8,139,000.00. … City staff and Swinerton worked together, modifying specific construction scope items, to reduce the GMP by approximately $480,000 … [to] $7,659,000.00.”
Along with the $7.65 million funding allocation, staff is asking that the council approve $237,000 to Swinerton for “supplemental pre-construction services” for the second phase of the project and $324,000 to Scott Edwards Architecture for continued design services and construction documents.
You can read the full staff report here.
Gulch Greenway Ordinance
A few years ago, the City of Eureka set out to create comprehensive policies and management standards to protect wildlands, streams and riparian habitats in the city’s greenways and gulches through the Gulch Greenway Ordinance and overlay zone.
The ordinance amends the city’s current zoning map to set new development standards and additional permitting requirements for development within the “Gulch Greenway Management Area,” which includes parcels within and adjacent to Cooper Gulch, Second Gulch and the gulches of Martin Slough.
“The extent of the [management area] will be determined on a site-by-site basis at the time of application for development on parcels within the Gulch Greenway Overlay Zone,” according to the city’s website. “Sometimes, it is obvious from the City’s aerial imagery and LiDAR data that there is no GGMA on a property, while in other cases a site visit will be necessary to make the determination.”
Staff introduced the ordinance last month, and the council voted 3-0, with council members Scott Bauer and G. Mario Fernandez recused, to advance the ordinance. The council is expected to take a final vote at tonight’s meeting.
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All that, plus a presentation on the city’s 2025 Communications Plan and an update on patrol stats from the Eureka Police Department. Find the full agenda, with our Agendabot’s item summaries, below.
The Eureka City Council will meet on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Eureka City Hall — 531 K Street. Want to watch online? Remote viewing/participating instructions can be found here.
Eureka City Council
July 15, 2025, 6 p.m.
A. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Proclamation-Disability Pride Month
B. PRESENTATIONS
1. Get Out & Play Day - July 26, 2025
2. Presentation-Redwood Coast Energy Authority
C. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS
D. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS
F. CONSENT CALENDAR
DOCUMENTS:
2. Da'Yas Park Improvement Project (SpectraTurf)- Bid No. 2024-10
The Eureka City Council is considering improving Da’ Yas Park by installing a new multi-sport court, playground areas, ADA pathways, and other amenities. They received bids for the project and chose SpectraTurf for the playground surfacing. The project has been completed, and staff recommend accepting it and filing a “Notice of Completion.”
— LoCOBot
… or, as a science-fiction story!

The Eureka City Council had been working diligently on the Da’ Yas Park Improvement Project for years, and finally, the time had come to make a decision. The council chamber buzzed with excitement as Robin Praszker, the Project Manager, presented the recommendation to accept the SpectraTurf bid for the project.
The council members listened intently as Robin outlined the details of the project, including the new multi-sport court, play areas for all ages, ADA pathways, picnic areas, outdoor fitness equipment, and more. The project had been a long time coming, and the community was eager to see the improvements come to fruition.
As the discussion turned to the cost-saving measure of using PIP rubber fall material, the council debated the pros and cons of each vendor’s quote. In the end, SpectraTurf emerged as the clear choice, offering a high-quality product at a reasonable price.
With the council’s approval, SpectraTurf mobilized their crew and began work on the park. The rubber surfacing was installed quickly and efficiently, transforming the playground into a safe and inclusive space for children of all abilities.
But as the project neared its completion, strange things began to happen at Da’ Yas Park. Reports of unusual lights and sounds coming from the playground at night started to spread through the community. Some residents even claimed to have seen mysterious figures moving through the shadows.
Robin Praszker, concerned about the reports, decided to investigate the park himself one night. What he discovered was beyond anything he could have imagined. The SpectraTurf material had somehow become infused with a strange energy, giving it the ability to change color and shape at will.
As Robin delved deeper into the mystery, he uncovered a hidden power source buried beneath the park - a relic from an ancient alien civilization that had long ago inhabited the planet. The SpectraTurf material was actually a form of advanced technology, capable of harnessing and channeling energy in ways that humans could only dream of.
Realizing the potential of this discovery, Robin brought his findings to the Eureka City Council. Together, they decided to keep the true nature of the SpectraTurf a secret, using it to power the city’s infrastructure and pave the way for a new era of technological advancement.
And so, Da’ Yas Park became not only a place of recreation and play, but a symbol of ingenuity and progress for the city of Eureka. The SpectraTurf material, a reminder of the mysteries that lay just beneath the surface of their world, would forever change the course of their future.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
G. LEGISLATIVE ACTION CORRESPONDENCE
H. ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS
1. Gulch Greenway Overlay Zone and Associated Municipal Code Updates
DOCUMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Bill No. 1044-C.S. • Attachment 2 - Bill No. 1045-C.S. • Attachment 3 - Redline Version of Regulations • Attachment 4 - A Landowner's Guide to Wildlife Friendly Fences
I. REPORTS/ACTION ITEMS
1. City of Eureka 2025 Communications Plan
DOCUMENTS:
COE 2025 Communications Plan • Appendix A - 2020 Brand Guideline Book • Appendix B - Social Media Policy (1.79, Revised November 2024)
2. Construction Phase 1 GMP for Eureka Operations Complex
The Eureka City Council is being asked to authorize the construction of phase 1 of the Eureka Operations Complex. The project manager recommends approving a budget of $7,659,000 to Swinerton Builders for construction services. The project aims to improve public works operations and meet long-term city goals. The council has already approved previous phases of the project, and staff is seeking approval for the next stage. The construction involves site development, underground utilities, and hard scape construction. The project is part of the city’s efforts to prepare for natural disasters and emergency responses. The council is also being asked to approve additional funding for design services and pre-construction services for phase 2 of the project. Staff recommends approving the proposed action items.
— LoCOBot

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is with a joyful heart that I bring to you the news of the progress being made in our city. As many of you may be aware, the Eureka City Council is set to authorize the construction phase 1 Guaranteed Maximum Price for the Eureka Operations Complex. This project is a crucial step in fulfilling the Council’s goals and vision for our community.
The recommendation before the Council is to authorize $7,659,000.00 for Swinerton Builders to begin Phase 1 construction services, along with additional funding for pre-construction services and design services. This project will not only provide a new home for the City’s public works operations but also ensure the protection of property, critical facilities, and human life from potential hazards.
The background of this project highlights the careful planning and preparation that has gone into bringing it to fruition. From the initial study and property acquisition to the procurement of services and the completion of design documents, every step has been taken with the safety and well-being of our community in mind.
The construction phase will include site development, grading, underground utilities, and more, all aimed at creating a secure and efficient operations complex for the City. Swinerton Builders has conducted a thorough bidding process and has presented a Guaranteed Maximum Price proposal that has been carefully reviewed and negotiated to ensure the best possible outcome for the City.
In addition to authorizing the construction phase, the Council is also being asked to approve supplemental pre-construction services for Phase 2, as well as continued design services for Phase 1. These additional services will help to ensure that the project stays on schedule and within budget, while also addressing any potential challenges that may arise during construction.
As we consider this important decision before the Council, let us remember that our community’s well-being is at the forefront of this project. We are called to be good stewards of the resources and opportunities that have been given to us, and to work together for the common good of all.
I urge you to keep the Council, the City staff, and all involved in this project in your prayers as they make these important decisions. May God grant them wisdom, discernment, and guidance as they seek to fulfill the vision for our community.
Let us remain steadfast in our faith and committed to serving one another, knowing that through our actions and our prayers, we can make a positive impact on the world around us. May God bless our City and all who call it home. Amen.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
J. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
K. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
1. EPD Update
L. PUBLIC COMMENT CONTINUED
M. COUNCIL REPORTS / CITY-RELATED TRAVEL REPORTS