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Last night’s Eureka City Council meeting covered quite a bit of ground, but there weren’t any big-ticket items for the council to really dig into. As such, LoCO has cooked up a little agenda sampler so you, dear reader, don’t have to go through the trouble of watching the meeting yourself. Enjoy!

EPD Staffing is “In a Really Good Place”

Two years after the Eureka Police Department declared a “severe” staffing shortage, Chief Brian Stephens said the department has rebounded and is now “in a really good place.” Two new officers are advancing from field training to solo patrols this month, three recruits are preparing to graduate from the police academy next month and, for the first time since 2008, EPD’s dispatch team is fully staffed.

Stephens | Screenshot

“It may last, it may not, we’ll see, but we’re a long way ahead of where we were several years ago,” Stephens said while presenting EPD’s quarterly report. “We’re back on the right track of getting people the help they need in our community.”

Calls for service trended down in the third quarter, which, for some reason, is in keeping with previous years’ trends, Stephens said. Officer-initiated activity, on the other hand, is way up this quarter at 101 percent.

“Our traffic stops are up 257 percent for this quarter and 228 percent for the year,” he continued. “Our bike and [pedestrian] stops are up 315 percent, and then our public transport is up 480 percent and 482 percent, respectively. This [is attributed] to the change in the mission within the department to become proactive in our policing efforts, taking an approach utilizing traffic enforcement to also root out crime and other issues within the city.”

Councilmember Leslie Castellano thanked Stephens for the presentation, noting that the staffing increase is “really a testament to your leadership.” 

The council did not take any action on the item and agreed to accept the report.

Tobacco Retailer License and Nitrous Oxide Ordinances

Last month, the city council approved a ban on nitrous oxide sales and introduced new rules for tobacco retailers. At last night’s meeting, the council unanimously voted to finalize the ordinances, which are set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

The nitrous oxide ban is part of a nationwide effort to limit the availability of the substance — commonly referred to as laughing gas or whippits when used as an inhalant — which has surged in popularity among teenagers and young adults in recent years. 

Earlier this year, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors became one of the first California counties to pass a retail ban on nitrous oxide in unincorporated areas of the county. The City of Eureka and other local municipalities have been working on their own ordinances since last year.

During its last meeting on Oct. 22, the council asked staff to make an exception for restaurants and coffee shops that use nitrous oxide as a charging agent to make fresh whipped cream. Staff agreed to add the following section:

This section does not apply to the sale or distribution of nitrous oxide by a wholesale distributor of food supplies directly to the location of a food preparation facility located in the City of Eureka, provided that that transaction is documented by a manifest stating the date, time, quantity, and type of nitrous oxide product delivered and certified by the food preparation facility individual in charge in charge on site that the product has been received by that facility solely for the purpose of food preparation.

The council approved the ordinance — linked here — in a 5-0 vote.

City Manager Miles Slattery also went over the amendments the council had requested for the Tobacco Retail Licensing Ordinance, which aims to reduce accessibility to tobacco products by placing new limits on tobacco retailers’ licenses. Under the ordinance, licenses are nontransferable. 

“A tobacco retailer’s license is nontransferable and is valid only for the person and location of license issued, and unless it is suspended or revoked for cause, for the period indicated,” the ordinance states. “If the business is sold, the new owner must apply for a license for that location before acting as a tobacco retailer.”

The ordinance also bans tobacco retailers from operating within 600 feet of a school or community center. Per the council’s request, staff added additional language to clarify the definition of a community center, which ranges from spas to music studios to rooftop recreation facilities.

“Basically, a community center is anything but a tobacco retailer,” Slattery joked. 

After a bit of discussion, the council approved the ordinance in a 5-0 vote. 

Before moving on to the next item, Councilmember Renee Contreras-DeLoach noted, “These two back-to-back things, I just think we’re doing something really good. We have an opportunity to make things a little bit safer for kids and their families … and I’m grateful.”

So long, Marina Center Project

The council also briefly discussed the official end of the “Marina Center” project, a controversial mixed-use development proposed by Rob and Cherie Arkley that, had it come to fruition, would have transformed the Balloon Track, the old railyard on Waterfront Drive, into a retail district anchored by a Home Depot. 

The Arkleys, through their commercial real estate firm Security National, bought the 43-acre property and rallied the community to get a measure on the November 2010 ballot to rezone the site for new development. Measure N passed with nearly 70 percent of the vote that year, but since the property lies in California’s Coastal Zone, it required approval from the California Coastal Commission. 

The City of Eureka submitted the proposal to the commission for consideration, but its staff deemed the request “incomplete,” noting that the proposed zoning changes were incompatible with the Coastal Act. The proposal hasn’t gone anywhere in the last 15 years.

Why is this coming up now, you ask? Development Services Director Cristin Kenyon described the agenda item, which was pulled from the consent calendar for further discussion, as an “administrative cleanup item that’s been needed for some time now.”

“It’s now been 15 years, and the measure has not been certified by the Coastal Commission,” she said. “Staff and the city and the property owner still support a vision of infill development at the site, but have recognized that Measure N isn’t the path to get there.”

Kenyon noted that the property owners are cleaning up the site, but couldn’t say what their plans are for the future.

The council approved the request to withdraw the Measure N local coastal program amendment in a 5-0 vote.

Eureka Emergency Operations Procedure

A little earlier in the meeting, the council received a presentation on the city’s 2025 Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), which takes a “whole community” approach to emergency response that integrates community partners, neighbors and other stakeholders in all phases of management.

“Through these collaborative efforts, the city will be better prepared to meet the needs of its residents and daytime populace alike, especially those with disabilities and others with access and functional needs,” the EOP states. “This plan also demonstrates how the city complies with and implements the requirements of the California Emergency Services Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in order to protect the lives, property and environment of the residents of Eureka.”

Bauer | Screenshot

In the event of an emergency, the city manager would serve as the director of emergency services. In the absence of a city manager, “designated staff may assume that role,” the EOP states. Councilmember Scott Bauer asked if staff would be willing to add a specific staff person to the role of “designated staff” so there’s a clear chain of command. 

“I mean, if a building falls on [the city manager], he’s not going to be able to designate anybody,” Bauer said with a chuckle. “If there’s a big earthquake, it could be a problem.”

“You’re not supposed to smile when you say that,” Slattery said.

“That’s the same thing I was thinking,” Contreras-DeLoach said. “Not because any of us are planning for a building to fall on our city manager!”

Staff underscored the importance of spreading the word to community members, given that the EOP takes a “whole community” approach. Public Works Analyst Kristin Galt said staff will work on a public information campaign and host a community meeting sometime in the coming months to let folks know about the new plan.

The council unanimously agreed to adopt the plan, which can be read in full here.

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Press release from Food for People:

Food for People, the food bank serving Humboldt County, will hold two emergency food distributions on Thursday, November 13 in response to the continued delay of SNAP (CalFresh) benefits and the government shutdown’s effect on furloughed federal workers. The distributions will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the northwest parking lot at the College of the Redwoods campus and at the Hoopa Valley Food Distribution parking lot.

The federal government shutdown and resulting delay in issuing November SNAP (CalFresh) benefits and the furlough of some federal workers is causing hardship and food insecurity for thousands of Humboldt County residents. Though the federal government has announced that it will issue partial November CalFresh benefits after being ordered by two court orders, this does NOT make CalFresh benefits immediately available, as there are many steps to moving the process forward, and households will likely only receive a portion of their usual amount. Benefits will remain delayed, and no one knows exactly when they will become available.

At College of the Redwoods, vehicles will be staged in rows in the northwest part of the main parking lot starting at 11 a.m., volunteers and Food for People staff will move people as quickly as possible to distribution points where food will be loaded into vehicles. The Hoopa Valley Food Distribution building will also be set up for drive-thru pick ups and will be hosted by Hoopa OES, TANF and The Resource Center. The drive-thru food distributions will offer households a mix of non-perishable food, perishable staples and fresh produce.

Food for People and their partners ask that people attending the drive-up food distributions not line up early to prevent traffic hazards, allow room for set up, and to make the lines move as fast as possible. Foods will be available to all while supplies last. The distributions will take place rain or shine.

College of the Redwoods’ main campus is located at 7351 Tompkins Hill Rd in Eureka. The campus can be reached off of Highway 101 by using the Tomkins Hill Road exit (Exit 698). The Hoopa Valley Food Distribution is located at 12479 CA-96 in Hoopa.

More information is at this link.

Press release from College of the Redwoods:

College of the Redwoods is proud to announce that its Fire Academy has officially been approved as an Accredited Regional Training Program (ARTP) by California State Fire Training (SFT) under the Office of the State Fire Marshal. This recognition signifies that CR meets the highest state standards for fire service education and training delivery.

A Major Milestone for the North Coast

Becoming an ARTP means College of the Redwoods is now authorized to deliver State Fire Training curriculum and certify completion of coursework that leads to Fire Fighter I and other professional fire service certifications recognized across California and positioning it to serve as a regional training hub, supporting fire agencies across Humboldt, Del Norte, and Mendocino counties. The accreditation follows an extensive multi-year review of curriculum alignment, instructor qualifications, facilities, equipment, safety protocols, and partnerships with local fire agencies.

“This accreditation is a tremendous achievement for our students, our instructors, and the entire North Coast fire service community,” said Sean Robertson, Fire Academy Director at College of the Redwoods. “It is the result of years of work to develop a fire program that delivers Fire Fighter I certification and will open new doors for our graduates to immediately attain fire service careers.”

Robertson’s remarks were echoed by regional partners who have worked closely with the academy since its inception. 

“We’re incredibly proud of our strong partnership with College of the Redwoods and the dedication they’ve shown in achieving accreditation for their Fire Academy,” said Sean Wilson, Battalion Chief – Humboldt-Unit Training. “This accomplishment not only raises the standard of firefighter training in our region but also strengthens our shared commitment to serving and protecting the local community. Together, we’re ensuring that the next generation of firefighters is equipped with the skills, knowledge, and professionalism our residents deserve.”

As one of the academy’s key partners, CAL FIRE underscored the importance of regional collaboration in building a strong and sustainable training network for Northern California.

“CAL FIRE is proud to officially recognize College of the Redwoods as an Accredited Regional Training Program,” said CAL FIRE Humboldt-Del Norte Unit Chief Kurt McCray. “This accreditation reflects the College’s commitment to excellence and its critical role in preparing the next generation of firefighters for service in Northern California. CAL FIRE looks forward to leveraging progress toward local firefighter training and career opportunities through our partnership with College of the Redwoods.”

The CR Fire Academy, based at the College’s Eureka campus, provides immersive, hands-on training in structural and wildland firefighting, rescue operations, fire behavior, incident command, and teamwork under live-fire and simulated emergency conditions. Each cohort works closely with experienced instructors from local fire agencies including Humboldt Bay Fire, Arcata Fire, and CAL FIRE, building both technical proficiency and leadership skills.

“Receiving accreditation for our Fire Technology Program from a peer-driven organization is a significant milestone for College of the Redwoods and reflects our commitment to offering high-quality and innovative programs that meet the needs of our students and the workforce,” said Dr. Keith Flamer, President of College of the Redwoods. “Being in a position to offer an accredited Fire Technology Program has been a dream for the College for a long time.”

College of the Redwoods extends its deepest gratitude to CAL FIRE Humboldt-Del Norte Unit for its exceptional partnership and generosity. CAL FIRE has provided instructors, training support, equipment, and countless other resources that have been instrumental in the academy’s growth and success.

CR would also like to thank their partners, Humboldt Bay Fire, Fortuna Fire, Arcata Fire, the Humboldt County Fire Chiefs Association, and the Humboldt County Fire Instructors Association. Their collaboration has elevated the program’s capacity to deliver safe, effective, and realistic fire service training experiences. Special thanks to Humboldt Bay Fire and Fortuna Fire for providing access to their training grounds, which allows CR’s cadets to gain invaluable hands-on experience in real-world environments.

Supporting Student Safety and Program Growth

As enrollment in the Fire Academy continues to grow, so does the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and training resources. College of the Redwoods invites community members, alumni, and local businesses to support the program through two dedicated funds administered by the CR Foundation.

Fire Technology Scholarship Fund — This scholarship fund helps CR students cover the costs of their personal protective equipment necessary for fighting fires.

Fire Technology Operational Fund — This operational fund helps the department cover the costs of training equipment, supplies, and materials.

Donations to either fund can also be made through the College of the Redwoods Foundation at www.redwoods.edu/foundation by designating a gift to the Fire Academy Program.

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Press release from the Office of Gov. Gavin Newsom:

As a significant storm moves through Northern California this week, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced proactive efforts to pre-deploy specialized emergency response crews to help protect communities in Del Norte and Humboldt counties including 32 personnel and nine fire engines beginning Tuesday evening until Thursday morning.

We’re taking early action to bring emergency resources and personnel to California communities ahead of the storm.

Local fire agencies identify when conditions in communities may require additional resources and submit requests to the state for support. The staging locations and response assignments are coordinated by local officials. The California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System remains available for local fire officials to request additional resources during an incident if necessary.

Prepare now

Governor Gavin Newsom urges all Californians to stay alert and take proactive steps to stay safe as heavy rain and flooding potentially impact the state this week. Protect yourself and your loved ones by following these official California safety recommendations:

• Sign up for emergency alerts and follow instructions from local officials.​
• Prepare an emergency go-bag with essential supplies, water, medication, and important documents. Find a full checklist here.​
• Stay off the roads whenever possible. If travel is unavoidable, check real-time conditions and drive at reduced speeds, avoiding standing water or debris on the roadway.​
• Never walk or drive through floodwaters—turn around, don’t drown. Even six inches of moving water can sweep a person off their feet, and as little as one foot can carry a vehicle away. ​
• Avoid parking under trees or power lines during high winds or heavy rain, as saturated soil can cause trees to uproot or fall unexpectedly.​
• If you see a downed power line, always assume it is energized—stay back at least 30 feet and call 9-1-1 or your utility provider.​
• Check on neighbors, especially older adults or those with disabilities or access and functional needs, to ensure they are safe.​
• Stay updated on storm impacts and emergency information at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services or prepare ahead through Listos California. /li>

For more information on fire safety and general preparedness, visit Ready.ca.gov.

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Despite President Donald Trump’s repeated attempts to thwart California’s burgeoning offshore wind industry, local leaders and renewable energy advocates remain steadfast in pushing for a floating wind project that benefits North Coast residents.

While the U.S. Department of Transportation’s recent decision to cancel nearly half a billion dollars in federal funding dealt a major setback to the heavy lift marine terminal planned for Humboldt Bay, some renewable energy advocates see the extended timeline as an opportunity to work with coastal communities to build a stronger, more inclusive offshore wind project.

“The silver lining that I see: Maybe what the President is doing is giving us the gift of time,” Dan Jacobson, senior advisor with nonprofit political organization Environment California, told the Outpost. “A lot of these clean energy projects — geothermal, battery storage, offshore wind — take a long time to develop … and if you don’t do them right, then they’ll never get off the ground.”

Jacobson spends most of his time lobbying for environmental policy at the state capitol, but every so often, he heads up to Humboldt to talk offshore wind with a coalition of elected and tribal officials, environmentalists, workforce organizers and other local stakeholders. This week, he’s meeting with local stakeholders to discuss next steps for offshore wind planning.

“I can appreciate the sort of static that we’re getting from the federal government, but let’s come back and … build the coalitions that need to get built,” Jacobson said. “The demand for energy is hockey-sticking up, and the people who seem the least interested in clean energy issues — like these data centers — they’re going, ‘We don’t care where we get the energy, we just want it.’ And even at the federal level, you see a lot of bipartisan support for these programs, and I think we’re going to see more of that.”

To set the solid foundation needed for a successful floating offshore wind project, local stakeholders and energy developers need to meet with the folks who will be most affected by port development, including Samoa Peninsula residents. 

Colleen Clifford, a representative of the Peninsula Community Collaborative, lives just down the road from the site where the gigantic floating wind turbines would be assembled. She’s been working with the Humboldt Bay Harbor District and other stakeholders to find “innovative” ways to reduce potential impacts wherever possible.

“We want to have a voice at the table when we determine community benefits or any funding opportunities that could help offset problems associated with the development,” Clifford said. “It’s really important to be a part of these coalitions. … I think a lot of the people who come out against [the project] are among the most misinformed. Our mission is to keep people abreast of what’s going on, and I think our biggest challenge is people’s capacity to pay attention because there have been a lot of changes and there’s a lot of misinformation out there.”

Another key component in creating a successful project is assembling a homegrown workforce that will support it. Cody Freitas, district representative for Operating Engineers Local #3, said the floating wind project presents a unique opportunity to bring back our underutilized port.

“There used to be jobs for people, and they could stay, they could raise a family and sustain themselves in this area. We need to bring some of that back,” Freitas said. “If we have industrialization on our bay, renewable energy is a great way to do it. Other projects have come into this area, and they’ve died for multiple reasons. And a lot of that is because there hasn’t been a really strong alliance between labor and environmental groups in the community.”

That alliance is key, Jacobson said.

“These coalitions have to be built and organized, and legislators — just like community members — have to be educated,” he continued. “What I want to do is make sure all of these folks — not only here, but on the Central Coast and down in Long Beach — know [when and where] they can provide public comments because the more community input we have on this, I think the better it’s going to be. It’s never going to be 100 percent perfect, but it’s going to be a lot worse than perfect if we don’t have the engagement.”

So that’s where things are at for now. There may be some offshore wind legislation coming up early next year, but, for now, local stakeholders are still meeting and looking for new funding opportunities to move the project forward. 

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Press release from the Yurok Tribe:

The Yurok Tribal Council voted to provide $300 food assistance cards to Yurok citizens experiencing disruptions in access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP and CalFresh benefits due to the federal government shutdown.

The prepaid cards are available to each Yurok household with one person enrolled in these supplemental nutrition programs, regardless of where they reside.

“Our goal is to help our most vulnerable citizens get through this challenging time,” said Joseph L. James, the Chairman of the Yurok Tribe. “We are working day and night to mitigate as much as possible the near and far-term negative impacts that the federal shutdown is having on our families.”

“The Tribal Council and staff are committed to doing everything we can to alleviate the burden that the federal shutdown is placing on economically insecure families. We know the heads of these households are working equally hard to provide the best quality of life for their loved ones,” added Yurok Vice Chair Rose Sylvia.

The food cards can be used at Safeway, Grocery Outlet and Walmart. Please note that the number of Walmart cards is limited, as they cannot be purchased in bulk. To acquire a card, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria.

• One applicant per household
• Must have one enrolled Yurok citizen in the household
• Applicants must provide proof of participation in SNAP or CalFresh
• Applicants must not receive benefits from Yurok Tribal TANF as they will automatically receive a $300 food gift card.
• Apply before November 20, 2025

Starting today, tribal citizens may apply for a food card. Please complete the Emergency Food Gift Card application online at this link. The Tribe will be processing applications as quickly as possible. Tribal staff will contact local applicants to arrange a time to pick up the card at one of the following locations: Klamath Tribal Office, Weitchpec Tribal Office, Willow Creek Tribal Office, Eureka TANF Office and the Aawok Marjorie Buckskin Building in Crescent City. The application is available at these offices too. Cards will be mailed to applicants who reside outside the service area.

If you have any questions, please call the Client Services Receptionist at 855-55-YUROK, ext. 3068.

This measure is intended as temporary support and does not replace or replicate federally funded programs or services. Last week, the Tribal Council issued an emergency declaration to mobilize tribal resources for those in need. Concurrently, the Tribe is seeking emergency grant funding to bolster its response efforts.

Also last week, two judges ordered the federal government to continue funding SNAP during the shutdown. The 42 million Americans enrolled in the program may receive a portion of their November benefits, although the exact amount and timing of the payment remains unclear.

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Following yesterday’s meeting of the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, at which Second District Supervisor Supervisor Michelle Bushnell was censured by her colleagues and removed from her position as chair, Bushnell posted the following statement to Facebook:

I want to start by saying I understand the board’s decision, and I take responsibility for the part I played in the incident that brought us here. I’ve already acknowledged that my behavior that day wasn’t appropriate, and I’ve taken steps to address it personally and professionally.

That said, I don’t agree with all of the findings or with how this process was handled. I’ve retained legal counsel because I believe there is a significant issue with due process — and that matters, not just for me, but for the integrity of this board’s procedures going forward.

I also think it’s unfortunate that some of my colleagues have chosen to go beyond the facts of the investigation and make additional, unsubstantiated claims in public.

My focus remains on serving the people of the 2nd District, who know my commitment to this community. I’m going to keep doing the work I was elected to do — with transparency, professionalism, and respect.