Eureka City Council chambers By Bayley Brown.

Late Tuesday night the Eureka City Council voted to Adopt A Resolution Declaring the Existence of a Shelter Crisis!

The 3-2 vote was preceded by much debate. Discussions included whether to declare a shelter crisis now or wait until next week’s January 26^th joint meeting with the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors when the city’s homeless consultant Focus Strategies will present an implementation plan that looks at long-term solutions to homelessness in the county. Councilmembers Natalie Arroyo, Kim Bergel, and Linda Atkins voted for the resolution while Melinda Ciarabellini and Marian Brady were against.

As stated in the recap from the January 5^th meeting, California State Shelter Crisis Code 8698 allows a governing body that has declared a shelter crisis to bypass some housing, health, and safety regulations that would prevent, hinder or delay relief efforts.

During discussion, concern was raised over a variety of items in the resolution.  It doesn’t identify any City facility as part of the declaration. Areas are excluded that are 100 feet from any Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHA) such as a Humboldt Bay and any land held in the Public Trust—which “protects sovereign lands, such as tide and submerged lands and the beds of navigable waterways for the benefit, use and enjoyment of the public.” Councilmembers also expressed the possibility that although the resolution is not currently defined as a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), it may be in the future and subject to guidelines.

Ciarabellini said that it would make more sense to designate a site first then to declare a shelter crisis.

Following public comments Atkins proposed several amendments to the resolution—including removing or altering some of the language related to the CEQA section (6 and 7). These amendments weren’t readily available. A public records act request has been made (they have 10 days to provide the document).

Concerns were raised by Ciarabellini about the revisions, stating that it significantly altered the resolution drafted by City Attorney Cyndy Day-Wilson. Brady agreed.

Bergel and Arroyo supported Atkins’ revisions.

The possibility was discussed again that Arroyo may have a conflict of interest because of her work with nonprofit Redwood Community Action Agency (and undue influence from the RCAA Board of Directors). Arroyo responded that her position is paid for by grands for work specifically outside of the Eureka City limits. She stressed that she is not a decision maker in RCAA and her supervisor is very conscious of avoiding any potential conflict.

Also at the meeting, Bergel presented a proclamation declaring the last week in January as Eureka Dungeness Crab Week in honor of the Eureka Crab Celebration held January 29 and 30. Atkins recognized Big Brothers Big Sisters as part of National Mentoring Month.

Councilmembers discussed restructuring public works positions, and the possible negative ramifications on traffic in the city as a result.

Sequoia Park Zoo Donations were accepted. The Mayors Board and Commission appointments were approved.

The following grant applications were approved: Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Housing Related Parks Program, and the Lost Coast Brewery (California Energy Commission Grant Funding Opportunity 15-317 – Advancing Water and Energy Efficient Strategies and Technologies in California).

There was an unanimous vote to ban commercial cultivation of medical cannabis.

Rob Holmlund, Eureka’s director of development services presented a report looking at possibilities of designating a homeless car parking area. The council voted to table further discussion until next month’s meeting.   

Amusing crab hats are worn while Councilmember Bergel presents the Dungeness Crab Week proclamation. Photos by Bayley Brown.

Watch the entire meeting below: