Council accepts planning commission applicant, sets CIB meeting attendance and schedules water source protection outreach

Eureka — The Eureka City Council heard a planning commission applicant, set representatives to attend upcoming Community Infrastructure Board (CIB) meetings and agreed to schedule a public meeting to review the city’s water source protection plan.

Planning commission applicant: Mayor Tony Deaver introduced Mike Licario, who applied to rejoin the planning commission. Licario told the council he has maintenance experience with the school system and 25 years of Air Force maintenance service, and that he previously served on planning and zoning. The mayor said he had approved Licario’s application "if it’s alright with everyone else," and council members congratulated Licario; council members indicated no formal vote was necessary that night.

CIB attendance and project priorities: Staff updated the council on a CIB request to set a meeting attendance date; options were March 13 at 10 a.m., March 17 at 1 p.m., or March 18 at 10 a.m. Council members selected March 17 at 1 p.m. (virtual) for the city’s representative(s) to attend. Staff and council discussed projects to include on the CIB priority list: combined water system improvements and water source protection, road system improvements including drainage repairs and settlement fixes, and possible sidewalks or recreation items (pavilion). Staff advised the CIB portal will soon require more specific project descriptions and attached cost estimates.

Water source protection outreach: Council discussed holding a separate public meeting (steering committee/public hearing) to present the source protection plan and supporting materials; staff said the public meeting and notifications must occur before the final source protection plan can be submitted. The council agreed to schedule the outreach meeting in April and asked staff to coordinate notifications and presentation materials with their consultant.

Other business: The council tabled action on formalizing a recreation committee after discussion about whether volunteer applicants should be appointed to a committee with budget authority. Council members also discussed spring cleanup and a May timeframe for a rabies and vaccination clinic; staff will return with dates and logistical details.

Ending: Council directed staff to finalize CIB attendance, prepare project descriptions and cost estimates, schedule the source protection public meeting and return with options to formalize the recreation committee at a future meeting.