During tonight’s meeting, the Arcata City Council will discuss the potential for a citywide ordinance that would allow law enforcement to cite someone for hosting a party where underage people are drinking alcohol.

Arcata Police Chief Brian Ahearn will deliver the presentation on social host ordinances and how they have been implemented in other cities, including in Eureka, which adopted a social host ordinance in 2014.

Though each city’s version varies slightly, Ahearn told the Outpost in a phone interview this afternoon, the general idea is that the ordinance “holds the host accountable, not only for any criminal violations, but also for having alcohol present where people under 21 are at.”

The city council’s discussion follows the recent start of Humboldt State University’s fall semester, which brings with it the potential increase in house parties in Arcata. Although the purpose of this ordinance would be to discourage underage drinking, Ahearn thought it was important to highlight the potential dangers of holding parties in regards to the spread of COVID-19.                                         

“As area colleges and universities incrementally return to in-person classes more students will be returning to Humboldt County for in-class instruction at both Humboldt State University and College of the Redwoods,” Ahearn wrote in the staff report.  “As the number of students increases so too will the prevalence of house parties. There have been several examples throughout the country of how a return to in-person classes in the current semester has caused house parties to occur, some with hundreds of people in attendance and most not following COVID-19 prevention precautions such as wearing a facial covering and/or social distancing.”

But Ahearn told the Outpost that he has not yet seen a significant uptick in house parties since HSU resumed, and he believes that the students have been very responsible about following public health orders.

“My experience has been that the young folks have been complying with the order,” Ahearn said. “I’m really proud of how much people are taking it seriously.”

The council will receive Ahearn’s presentation and discuss the potential scope of a social host ordinance during tonight’s meeting at 6 p.m. The council will also discuss city beautification efforts to support economic recovery, receive a report on the city’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Funding and more.

You can view the full agenda here. Below are directions on how to participate in the meeting from the City of Arcata:

Members of the public can observe the meeting on television on Access Humboldt Channel 10, online by visiting www.cityofarcata.org and clicking on the See Live Meetings, Agendas, and Archives button on the home page, or on the City’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJYGp9zDPdWMGtA0BtfFX_A

Public Comment Participation:

Members of the public may access the Zoom meeting directly to provide Public Comment.

1.Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device: Please use this URL: https://zoom.us/j/943752983522

2.If you do not wish for your name to appear on the screen, then use the drop down menu and click on “rename” to rename yourself to be anonymous.

3. If you want to comment during the public comment portion of any item, click on raise your hand on the right-hand side of your screen. When it is time for public comment on the item on which you wish to speak, the Clerk will unmute you. You will have 3 minutes to comment, subject to the Mayor’s discretion. 

Or join by phone:

1.*67 1-669-900-68332

2. Enter Meeting ID: 943752983523

3. If you are accessing the meeting via telephone and want to comment during the public comment portion of any item, press star (*) 9on your phone. This will raise your hand. When it is time for public comment on the itemon which you wish to speak, the Clerk will unmute your phone. You will hear a prompt that will indicate your phone is unmuted. You will have 3 minutes to comment, subject to the Mayor’s discretion.

4. NOTE: Your phone number will appear on the screen unless you first dial star (*) 67 before dialing the numbers as shown above.