Eureka council directs appeal, adopts emergency plan and new public‑health and safety ordinances; fire‑hazard maps introduced

The Eureka City Council on Nov. 4 voted to direct staff to file an appeal in the federal lawsuit Ecological Rights Foundation v. City of Eureka and approved a series of public‑safety and land‑use actions.

In closed session the council voted 4–1 to direct the filing of an appeal in the ongoing federal lawsuit (motion by Councilmember Bauer, seconded by Councilmember Castellano; Councilmember Moulton dissented). City Attorney Black reported the vote in open session.

The council adopted the city’s 2025 Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), an update aligned with Senate Bill 160 that emphasizes a whole‑community approach and new annexes to be developed later. Public Works Director Allen and operations analyst Kristen Gault summarized the plan’s structure and the city’s proposed incident‑command center arrangements; council voted 5–0 to adopt the plan.

On ordinances, council voted to adopt a tobacco‑retailer licensing ordinance that adds a definition of “community center,” prohibits new tobacco retailers within 600 feet of a school or community center…