Isabella Vanderheiden / @ 12:50 p.m. / Agendizer

NEXT UP AT EUREKA CITY COUNCIL: Sanctuary City Declaration, Mid-Year Budget Review, and New Rules for Old Pipes

Eureka City Hall | Photo: Andrew Goff

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At next week’s meeting, the Eureka City Council will consider a resolution that would make Eureka a sanctuary city — a move that would align the city with the County of Humboldt, the City of Arcata, the State of California and hundreds of other communities across the country that have adopted local policies aimed at protecting undocumented people from deportation.

If approved, the resolution would limit cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and prohibit the city from using its resources to “investigate, interrogate, detain, detect, or arrest persons for civil immigration enforcement purposes.” It would also prevent the Eureka Police Department from sharing immigration-related information with federal officials “unless ordered by a judicial warrant or a judicial probable cause determination.” The proposed resolution includes exceptions for people who have been convicted of serious and violent crimes.

The resolution comes in response to President Donald Trump’s nationwide crackdown on immigration enforcement, which has triggered panic in local immigrant communities and spurred false reports of ICE sweeps in Eureka

At a Humboldt County Human Rights Commission meeting last month, Sheriff William Honsal and District Attorney Stacey Eads vowed to continue to uphold local and state sanctuary policies. Similarly, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors issued a statement addressing the “climate of concern in our community” and reaffirmed its “commitment to supporting all residents” and “mak[ing] every effort to safeguard justice and equity for everyone.”

Sanctuary policies may limit cooperation and communications with ICE, but they do not prevent immigration enforcement from occurring. At last month’s meeting, Honsal said federal immigration officials no longer tell local law enforcement when they’re coming to town, which can make it difficult to dispel rumors. Before the county’s sanctuary policy was adopted, Honsal said the sheriff’s office “had an open dialogue with ICE.”

The staff report attached to the city council’s agenda outlines recent actions taken against sanctuary cities, including U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Feb. 5 directive to defund communities that refuse to comply with federal immigration officials. A coalition of local agencies — including the City of Eureka and County of San Francisco — filed a complaint in federal court that seeks to prevent the Trump administration from penalizing sanctuary communities.

A copy of the resolution can be found here.

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What else is on the agenda, you ask? 

The city council will return to the contentious subject of sewer laterals and consider an update to the 2024-25 fee schedule that would increase the cost of lower lateral replacement for homeowners with deep or problematic plumbing. At its Feb. 18 meeting, the council voted unanimously to table its decision in response to concerns raised by more than a dozen local realtors and property owners who were “outraged” by the proposed fee hike. 

The proposal, if passed, would increase the “fee in lieu” for deep lower laterals to $12,600. Fees for “non-standard installation” would be determined by the city engineer. City Engineer Jesse Willor will be present at Tuesday’s meeting to take on questions from the city council and residents.

 The city council will also receive an update on the city’s finances and consider a few “relatively minor” adjustments to the adopted budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25, including a few departmental requests totaling $165,413 and “various position changes” that would cost $38,259. Sales tax revenues are down this year, projected to be about $500,000 lower than anticipated, the staff report states. Similarly, salary savings in the city’s General Fund are expected to be “significantly lower” than previous years. 

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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
March 4, 2025, 6 p.m.

A. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

B. PRESENTATIONS

C. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS

D. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

E. PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. 2024-25 Mid-Year Update to Fee Schedule

The Eureka City Council is reviewing and updating the fee schedule for services provided within the city. The finance department has recommended holding a public hearing and adopting a resolution to establish various fees and service charges. The changes to the fee schedule include new fees, changes to amounts, structures, and the removal of fees. This is in line with the Council’s goals of assessing revenue opportunities and being financially responsible. The detailed proposed changes can be found in the attachment titled, “City of Eureka Mid-Year Proposed Schedule of Fees and Service Charges Fiscal Year 2024-25”.

— LoCOBot

… or, as a Rodney Dangerfield joke!

I went to a City Council meeting the other day and they were discussing updating the fee schedule. I felt like I was in the wrong place…I thought I was at a comedy show, not a budget meeting! These fees are so high, even my accountant can’t find the humor in them.

— LoCOBot

DOCUMENTS:

Staff ReportResolution FY24-25 Fee Schedule Update City of Eureka Mid-Year Proposed Schedule of Fees and Service Charges Fiscal Year 2024- 25


F. CONSENT CALENDAR

1. Council Minutes

G. LEGISLATIVE ACTION CORRESPONDENCE

H. ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS

1. Resolution to Declare the City of Eureka as a Sanctuary City

The Eureka City Council is considering declaring the city a sanctuary city, meaning they will not assist with federal immigration enforcement. This is in response to recent executive orders and actions by the federal government to penalize sanctuary cities. By becoming a sanctuary city, Eureka would align with California values and prioritize human rights and community safety. This decision follows a long-standing legacy of cities in California standing up against federal immigration policies.

— LoCOBot

… or, as a Socratic dialogue!

Socrates: Good day my friend, it seems we are here today to discuss the resolution to declare the City of Eureka a Sanctuary City, as prepared by the Office of the City Attorney.

Plato: Yes, that is correct. The City Council has requested this matter be placed on our agenda for discussion and possible adoption.

Socrates: I see. And it appears that this resolution is in response to recent Executive Orders and memos issued by the federal government regarding immigration enforcement.

Plato: That is correct. The President’s Executive Orders and the Department of Justice’s memo have raised concerns about the enforcement of immigration laws and the potential impact on state and local jurisdictions.

Socrates: It seems that there is a lot of tension and legal battles between the federal government and local agencies over sanctuary city policies.

Plato: Indeed. The recent actions by the federal government, such as the federal spending freeze and withholding of grants from sanctuary jurisdictions, have sparked legal challenges from local agencies.

Socrates: It is interesting to note the history of sanctuary cities in California, dating back to the 1970s. The City of Eureka’s proposed resolution reaffirms their commitment to follow the California Values Act and direct the use of resources accordingly.

Plato: Yes, the California Values Act has been instrumental in protecting individuals from immigration enforcement and ensuring that law enforcement agencies do not use resources to cooperate with federal authorities.

Socrates: It seems that this resolution is not just about immigration enforcement, but also about community values and priorities. The City of Eureka aims to prioritize health, safety, economic development, human rights, and community pride.

Plato: That is correct. The resolution reflects the values and goals of the City Council and the community as a whole. It is a statement of solidarity with immigrant communities and a commitment to upholding the principles of justice and equality.

Socrates: It will be interesting to see how this resolution is received by the City Council and the community at large. It seems to be a complex issue with legal, political, and social implications.

Plato: Indeed, it will be a subject of much discussion and debate. But ultimately, it is about standing up for what is right and just, and ensuring that all members of our community feel safe and welcome.

Socrates: Well said, my friend. Let us proceed with the discussion and see where it takes us.

— LoCOBot

DOCUMENTS:

Staff ReportSanctuary City Resolution


2. FY2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Review

The Eureka City Council is reviewing the budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 and making some adjustments. They are creating new funds for certain divisions and appropriating funds from an opioid settlement to support these divisions. The council is also considering minor budget adjustments based on revenue projections and staff recommendations. The goal is to maintain a financially stable city with public engagement. Various departmental requests and position changes are being reviewed, with supporting attachments providing more details on the proposed budget adjustments.

— LoCOBot

… or, as a science-fiction story!

The year was 2525, and the city of Eureka had made astounding strides in technology and innovation. The Eureka City Council met regularly to discuss the city’s finances and make decisions that would benefit the citizens of Eureka. One particular meeting stood out as they gathered to review the mid-year budget for fiscal year 2524-25.

Lane Millar, the head of the Finance Department, presented the council with a detailed report outlining the financial status of the city. As the council sat around the table, holographic displays projected charts and graphs showing revenue projections and expenditure adjustments.

As they delved into the discussion, it became apparent that the city’s revenues had been revised downward, leading to the need for mid-year budget adjustments. The council debated various proposals, including creating new Funds for the CAPE & CARE Divisions and appropriating funds from an opioid settlement to support these programs.

The CAPE and CARE programs were crucial to the well-being of the citizens of Eureka, providing essential services and support to those in need. Moving these programs out of the General Fund would allow for better tracking and allocation of resources, ensuring their continued success.

The council also approved changes to various positions within the city, including increasing the police budget for training expenses. They discussed the importance of investing in the training and development of their law enforcement officers to ensure the safety and security of the city.

As the meeting concluded, the council adopted a resolution amending the FY2024-25 budget, incorporating the necessary adjustments and allocations. They reaffirmed their commitment to financial stability, effective governance, and public engagement, aligning with their strategic vision for the city.

The citizens of Eureka watched as their city council worked tirelessly to ensure their welfare and prosperity. With each decision made, Eureka moved closer to becoming a model city of the future, where technology and compassion intertwined to create a harmonious society.

The meeting adjourned, leaving the council members and staff feeling optimistic about the future of Eureka and the impact of their decisions on the lives of their citizens. As they stepped out into the bustling city streets, they knew that they were making a difference, one budget adjustment at a time.

— LoCOBot

DOCUMENTS:

Staff ReportResolution - FY24-25 Mid-Year Budget Amendments A. FY2024-25 Mid-Year Adjustments by Line-Item B. FY2024-25 Amended Budget Fund Summaries C. FY2024-25 Position Changes


I. REPORTS/ACTION ITEMS

J. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

K. CITY MANAGER REPORTS

1. Human Resources Benefit Update


L. PUBLIC COMMENT CONTINUED

M. COUNCIL REPORTS / CITY-RELATED TRAVEL REPORTS


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