Office of the City Manager

Special Projects Division

2004 Final Report

January 18, 2005

The Special Projects Division is administered through the City Manager’s Office. The division provides project oversight and management analysis in areas of environmental programs including recycling/waste reduction and brown fields cleanup, and provides direct assistance to the City Manager with a variety of special projects and programs. We provide staff support to the City's Trails Committee and Arts and Culture Commission. The office administers the City's solid waste disposal contracts, and provides grant management assistance for a variety of City projects including housing and economic development activities.

The following is a brief description of the projects and programs administered by the Special Projects Division during the fourth quarter of 2004:

1. Multiple Assistance Center Project (MAC)

Construction of the Multiple Assistance Center (MAC), located at 139 Y Street in Eureka, started in February 2004, and is now nearing completion. The MAC is scheduled for completion in March 2005. Working closely with city staff and Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA), the architectural team at Matson and Vallerga Architects of Eureka did an incredible job creating an imaginative design which is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Danco Builders of Arcata has brought the design to life, and has done well to keep the project on schedule and within budget.

The MAC project involves the purchase and rehabilitation of a large building in Eureka for a homeless service and resource center. The City purchased the site in February 2002 using CDBG grant funds. The project went out to bid in October 2003, and a contract was awarded by the City Council to Danco Builders of Arcata in December 2003. The project involves a consortium of entities, including the City of Eureka, RCAA County of Humboldt, health care organizations and private non-profit agencies. The MAC project will provide on-site housing, job training and care of homeless persons and their families, and is intended to provide a more efficient and effective distribution of existing homeless services. The MAC will accommodate approximately 75 persons, and is expected to serve over 400 annually.

In June 2003, the City was awarded a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assist with cleanup of contaminated soils at the former foundry area of the Old Carson Mill Site (adjacent to Halvorsen Park). A Coastal Development Permit was approved in August 2004 for the cleanup work, and the City is currently working with EPA to secure additional studies and analysis required prior to going out to bid for the cleanup project. The project is expected to go out to bid in May and be completed in summer 2005. It will involve excavation of approximately 800 cubic yards of contaminated soil for disposal at a Class I hazardous waste facility.

The site's past industrial foundry operations caused varying levels of soil and groundwater contamination. The City's primary environmental concerns are to prevent potential human exposure to contaminated soil, and to prevent the migration of contaminants into Humboldt Bay. The objective in seeking EPA Brownfields funding is to eliminate these potential health hazards, and to implement long term monitoring programs. The project will work to protect human health and promote economic development, and it is a significant component in our continuing efforts to revitalize the Eureka waterfront.

3. Fisherman's Terminal/Boardwalk Extension Project

The Special Projects Division is administering a number of federal and state grants which will fund the construction of the Eureka Fisherman's Terminal Project at the foot of C Street in Old Town. The dock will in effect be an extension of the City's existing boardwalk (completed in 2002). The project is significant to the retention and expansion of Eureka's commercial fishing industry, which in turn is critical to the success of our regional economy. The project involves construction of public improvements along the Eureka waterfront including a new 420 foot long dock, and a 16,000 square foot fish buying and unloading area with four jib cranes including a public hoist. The project will have public access and viewing components, and will eventually include a public piazza at the foot of C Street. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2005, and be completed near the end of that calendar year.

4. Parcel 4/Palco Marsh

The City has been working closely with the State Coastal Conservancy to implement the conditions of a City Agreement with the Conservancy which allows development of Parcel 4 in Palco Marsh. Parcel 4 provides unique economic development opportunities because of its prime location on the Eureka waterfront, its coastal-dependant industrial zoning, and its proximity to Humboldt Bay's main shipping channel. The City continues to view Parcel 4 as a strategic component of our Waterfront Revitalization and Economic Development programs.

5. Eureka Trails Committee

The Eureka Trails Committee continued its work on formulating an Urban Trails Strategy and Vision for Eureka which will develop standards for enhancing and expanding the City's trail systems. In formulating the strategy, the Committee is working with the many existing trails policies contained in the City's General Plan (1997). In 2004, Mr. Mike Buettner was appointed to the Committee, and Mr. Zuretti Goosby was elected by the Committee as chairman. The Committee’s work primarily supports efforts to develop a continuous trail along the City's waterfront, and to integrate it within the regional trail network. The Committee is also working with private landowners on the Eureka Slough section of trail along the City's northern waterfront, and continuing work to restore/expand the existing Elk River Wildlife Trail. Regular meetings of the Trails Committee are open to the public, and are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 4:30 p.m. at Eureka City Hall, Room 207. The next three meetings are scheduled for February 8, March 8 and April 12, 2005.

6. Elk River Wildlife Trail Project

The City has contracted with the Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA) to assist with development of the Elk River Wildlife Trail project. When complete, the project will restore the City's existing trail system which runs from Pound Road to approximately Hilfiker Lane, and expand the trail up to Truesdale Avenue. The trail system will include a trail head at the end of Truesdale Avenue with bathrooms, parking and an elevated vista point. The trail will generally run along the bay shoreline and will include interpretive signage. The project is scheduled to be funded primarily through grants and donations. The trail will require development of engineering and construction specifications, and a complex permit process involving several local, State and Federal agencies. The City is currently seeking grant funds necessary to complete the permitting processes. Potential trail construction is planned for 2006.

7. Humboldt Bay Interpretive Signage

The City continues to partner with the County, the City of Arcata and Redwood Community Action Agency to implement a Humboldt Bay Interpretive Signage Program. The program is nearing completion, and should consist of roughly 17 thematic sign templates on artistic bases and kiosks. The signage program will use a variety of other interpretive tools. In Eureka, the signage is expected to be placed along the waterfront in several locations including the Elk River Wildlife Sanctuary and the Palco Marsh.

8. Eureka Art and Culture Commission

The Commission continues to work with the Ink People Center for the Arts to assist the Commission with implementation and administration of its project activities. Administration of all funds generated by the Ink People in coordination with any Art and Cultural Commission activity are provided by the Ink People through its established network of grants, donations and programmatic fundraising activities. Ms. Barbara Groom and Ms. Jennifer Kincaid were appointed to the Commission in 2004. In December 2004, Ms. Virginia Niekrasz-Laurent was elected by the Commission as chairwoman. The Commission is currently inventorying and inspecting the City’s existing art collection, and exploring mechanisms for more effective participation in the local process of review and recommendation for City art and culture projects. Regular meetings of the Art and Culture Commission are held on the third Tuesday of every month at 1:30 p.m. at Eureka City Hall, Room 207. The next three meetings are scheduled for February 15, March 15 and April 19, 2005.

9. Disaster Response Training

Together with all City Departments, the Special Programs office participates in a Disaster Response Training program. The office focuses primarily on public information roles. On-going training is an essential component of the City's ability to respond effectively to any local disaster or incident, and to ensure that roles and responsibilities during an incident are clearly understood and practiced. Additional Public Information Officer training is planned for 2005.

10. Stormwater Management

The Special Programs office is responsible for important tasks associated with the City's Stormwater Management Plan update process, including Public Education and Outreach, and Public Involvement and Participation. The immediate tasks involve coordinating with local agencies and schools to establish educational programs and to coordinate local education strategy, and to coordinate potential water quality monitoring through the local university and community college, and potentially high school and/or grade schools.

11. 2005 General Plan Update

The City Council has approved recommendations to the County for their 2005 General Plan update process, and further recommendations may be forthcoming as the City Council continues to discuss annexation ideas. Approved Council recommendations include policies on traffic circulation, alternate transportation, greenway open space, public safety, affordable housing, parkland, recycling programs and others. All Council recommendations are forwarded to County planners and decision makers to consider policies which help mitigate or lessen potential significant impacts to the City.

12. Regional Composting Facility

The City continues to explore mechanisms for establishing a regional composting facility in the Eureka area. This project is moving forward, and will involve primary coordination between the HWMA, the County of Humboldt and the City of Eureka. The HWMA has contracted with a local firm to perform a site feasibility and location study, and has examined several local sites. If successful, the inclusion of a regional compost facility will greatly increase our ability to divert solid waste from the waste stream, and assist the City in meeting the State's ambitious diversion goals.

13. Backyard Composting Bins

The City has purchased a large quantity of backyard compost bins which are still for sale to all Eureka citizens for $25.00. The bins may be purchased at the Eureka Recycling Center located at the Humboldt Waste Management Authority's (HWMA) transfer station on West Hawthorne Street in Eureka. The program is conducted in coordination with the County of Humboldt, local tribes and other jurisdictions in the County.

14. Recycling Task Force

The City participates on a regional committee of representatives from the County, the HWMA, and each incorporated city in the County. The Committee meets monthly, and works collectively to develop programs and ideas for promoting recycling, reuse and other measures designed to comply with the State's AB 939 requirements. Current projects include a telephone book recycling guide, mercury thermometer exchange program, zero waste management policies, update of the County Integrated Waste Management Plan, shopping guides for recycled products, sustainable behavior techniques, and other projects.

15. Neighborhood Recycling Facilities

The City currently maintains two neighborhood drop-off recycling facilities near the Armory on Russell Street near the Sequoia Park Zoo, and at the Municipal Auditorium at 12th and E Streets. These locations accept newspaper, plastics, aluminum and glass. There is no fee to drop off recyclables. The drop sites divert a significant amount of recyclable material from our waste stream, and assist the City in meeting our State and local recycling responsibilities.

16.City Schools Recycling Education Program

The City continued its partnership with the Eureka City School District to facilitate a recycling educational program within the district's elementary schools. The program allows trained educators and student mentors to visit schools in the district, and involves school assemblies, take-home literature, on-site recycling days, and service learning activities designed to promote recycling, reuse, and food waste reduction. The program also provides support and information to assist the schools in achieving their own on-going, sustainable recycling program.

The City has contracted with the Recycling Education Team at the Arcata-Eureka Recycling Center to assemble the staffing and provide training necessary to facilitate the school program. The City contributes approximately $3,000 annually to the program, and the County of Humboldt shares a portion of the costs for necessary materials. This collaborative program is consistent with the objectives in the City's adopted Source Reduction and Recycling Element (SRRE) which encourages cooperation with Eureka City Schools in the implementation of specific educational programs for all elementary grades.

17. Curbside Recycling Program

Through the City's Franchise Agreement contract with City Garbage Company of Eureka, a curbside recycling program is offered to all City residents and businesses for a nominal charge. The program currently takes glass, plastic, aluminum, tin, newspaper and cardboard. We have approximately 700 households participating in the program. All recycled materials are collected by the City Garbage Company and sorted and distributed at the new Hawthorne Street Recycling Center at the Transfer Station in Eureka. The City is actively seeking ways to increase participation, recycling tonnage and efficiency, and is currently exploring the potential/feasibility of implementing a more efficient two-stream or single stream collection/processing system.

18. Public Recycling Education Program

The City continues to administer an annual campaign of advertisements and events promoting our on-going recycling programs for waste oil, telephone books, laser/inkjet cartridges, cardboard, Christmas trees, green waste and food waste (home composting), bulky items (free coupons), and other related events. In addition, the City continues to be a member of the regional Recycling Task Force, partnering with most of the other governmental jurisdictions in the County to promote public awareness, and share the cost of advertising for existing recycling programs and special events.

19. Fully Automated Garbage Collection

In an effort to increase efficiency and reduce long-term costs for the City's garbage collection services, the City in 2004 implemented a fully automated collection system operated by the City Garbage Company of Eureka. As part of the implementation, standardized rolling trash bins were issued to each residential customer. The City Garbage Company has purchased an industrial Aarm@ attachment for their existing trucks, which then picks up each can from the curb when controlled by a single operator from inside the collection vehicle. The system enables a safer, more cost effective and efficient system of collection in the City.

20. Downtown/Henderson Center/Zoo Recycling Project

Providing additional opportunities for public recycling is a principal component in our efforts to increase the City's diversion percentage. The City recently implemented a new program which placed approximately 30 recycling bins at 25 locations in Old Town, Downtown, Henderson Center and the Sequoia Park and Zoo. The bins allow recycling of glass, plastic and aluminum containers. The new recycling bins are located near existing City garbage cans, and are collected about 3 times per week. The bins were purchased through a State grant provided by the CA Integrated Waste Management Board. The City previously had no sidewalk recycling bins in these areas. Many citizens and tourists (many of whom recycle in their own cities) have expressed support for the new recycling opportunities.

21. Illegal Disposal Pickup Service

The City has experienced increased levels of illegal disposal of trash and bulky items (large appliances, furniture, etc.) into our gulches, alleys, vacant lands and neighborhoods. The City recently adopted a new program through the City Garbage Company which provides 208 illegal disposal pickups per year, and will work to assist community based beautification efforts to maintain cleanliness in the City.