Eureka city staff is seeking some direction on the issue of homeless encampments within city limits. Community members are invited to come weigh in tomorrow, December 16, from 4:30 to 5:40 p.m., just before the Eureka City Council meets. City officials will present various perspectives on homeless encampments in Eureka and possible solutions. Then, during the council meeting — after the council’s newest members, Natalie Arroyo and Kim Bergel, have been sworn in — an action item will see council members voting on how staff should proceed on the issue.

Sadie Ekenberg has been calling community members all day, encouraging people to attend and make their voices heard. A local group, Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives, recently hosted a forum to educate the community on the "Opportunity Village" model of alternative housing.

An issue that Ekenberg sees as key and plans to bring up during the special session is changing the criteria for extreme weather shelters. Currently extreme weather shelters only open their doors to those in need when temperatures of 36 degrees or less are expected, or in the case of torrential rains.

"Thirty-six degrees is too cold," says Ekenberg, adding that she'd like "them to move the temperature reading to a higher level so more people can come in out of the elements."

The meeting will be held at 531 K St. in Eureka, upstairs at council chambers.

Editor's Note: This post has been updated from a previous version to correct some inaccurate information.