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The Eureka City Council will convene tonight to mull over a relatively light agenda. There are a couple of items of particular interest, including a continued discussion on the City-owned security cameras and a land re-designation for the Pierson properties near Winco. Here’s a quick rundown.

General Plan Amendment and Zoning Reclassification for Pierson Properties

The council will consider a General Plan amendment and a zoning reclassification for the Pierson properties during tonight’s meeting. The council approved a land swap between the City and the Pierson Company earlier this year in which Eureka agreed to trade three City-owned downtown parking lots for a piece of land near Winco to facilitate the development of affordable housing.

If approved, the amendment would change the General Plan Land Use Map designation for the properties to General Commercial from Medium Density Residential. The zone reclassification would change the zoning designation to Service Commercial from Residential Medium.

“According to the applicant, the intended use is a mixed-use development with multi-family residential units and a commercial space,” the staff report states. “The land use designation and zoning changes will allow for higher density multi-family housing than currently allowed, and will [also] allow for additional commercial uses, which are generally prohibited by the current [Residential Medium] zoning, such as offices.”

There is currently a cap of 22 dwelling units per acre on the property. The proposed land use designation would remove the cap and allow for higher-density development as well as a “broader mix of uses” on the vacant property.

“The proposed change supports the City’s desire to promote densification to accommodate anticipated growth within the City limits, instead of needing to consider potential annexation of new land,” the staff report continues. “…[The] close proximity to existing services and public infrastructure will support future development that can contribute to a pedestrian-friendly built environment, increase transportation choices, and expand opportunities for residents to walk, bike and take transit to destinations.”

City-Owned Security Camera Policy

The council will return to its discussion on City-owned security cameras. The council reviewed the policy proposal during its last meeting in June and asked City Attorney Autumn Luna to include more specific language surrounding the use of surveillance devices before taking a vote.

Under the policy proposal, security cameras will be used to identify, apprehend and prosecute offenders and gather evidence for administrative, civil and criminal investigations. The images and video captured by the devices “shall be used for City business purposes only, and never for personal or non-City uses.” Security cameras “shall never be used in areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy” or “to intimidate, harass, or discriminate against any individual or group.

The modified proposal clarifies the term “security camera.” It specifies that the City-owned cameras will be used to “record video footage and images on City-owned property where the public generally has unrestricted access such as streets, parking lots, sidewalks, and squares.”

During the council’s previous discussion, Councilmember Natalie Arroyo asked City counsel to add a requirement for signage where security cameras are in use. The modified proposal notes that all City-owned cameras “will be clearly identified by signs that state that security cameras are in use.”

The council also raised concern for the potential misuse of the surveillance footage by City staff. Luna also explained that personnel policies were already in place to address misuse, but agreed to add in additional language. 

“Unauthorized use is a violation of the City’s standards of employee conduct and will lead to discipline in accordance with the City’s personnel rules and regulations, up to and including termination,” the updated policy states.

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The council will also consider an update to its cannabis ordinance and review the fee schedule for 2022-23.

The Eureka City Council meets on Tuesday, July 5 at 6 p.m. at Eureka City Hall — 531 K Street. You can also watch the meeting online here.