MINUTES
CALISTOGA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 - 6:00 PM
1307 Washington Street, Calistoga CA 94515
1. Call to Order/Roll Call/Pledge of Allegiance and Optional Patriotic Activity Mayor Williams called the regular session to order at 6:02 p.m.
Present: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega (via teleconference) and Councilmembers Eisenberg, Cooper and Gift.
Absent:
2. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSIONS - NONE
3. ORAL COMMUNICATION ON CONSENT ITEMS OR NON-AGENDA ITEMS
3.1. There was no public comment on items not on the agenda.
4. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Snideman welcomed new full-time Parks and Rec coordinator, Monica Rubio.
She also reported that the Holiday dinner was very successful and we that can expect night work over the Holiday.
5. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS/ AWARDS
5.1. Chief Celaya and Sammy from UVFC gave a Blue Zones Project's Tobacco Policy Committee presentation.
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6. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Eisenberg made a motion to adopt the consent calendar with the exception of items 6.6 and 6.8., seconded by Councilmember Cooper.
VIA ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega and Councilmembers Eisenberg, Cooper and Gift.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
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December 19, 2023
ABSENT: None
6.1. Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-87 - Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. (BVNA) for building official, building inspection, plan check and program administration services as needed.
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6.2. Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-88 - Accepting the FY 2022-23 Development Impact Fees Annual Report in Compliance with Assembly Bill 1600. 23-170
6.3. Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-89 - Accepting a Notice of Completion for the Heather Oaks Park Pathway Project.
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6.4. Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-90 - Authorizing the City Manager to execute a new Use Agreement with Calistoga Little League for utilization of Tedeschi Field and public property below the Public Works Corporation Yard. 23-158
6.5. Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-91 - in support of the Napa Valley Transportation Authority’s (NVTA) Vision Zero Plan.
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6.6. Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-92 - Confirming the Mayor's Appointments to the Active Transportation Committee, Green Committee, Housing Advisory Committee, Napa County Mosquito Abatement Board and the Planning Commission.
This item was pulled for discussion by the Council and all Councilmembers asked Mayor Williams to reconsider some appointments so the committees continue benefiting from incumbent historical knowledge. Mayor Williams stated his intention was to give citizens new to the committees and opportunity to participate and bring new views and experiences to the table, he agreed to reconsider re-appointing some incumbents.
There was public comment in support of the committee appointments: Lucretia Marcus.
There was public comment against the committee appointments: Doug Allen, Laurel Rios, Jim Barnes, Kelly Foster, Dave Ross, Walter Abernathy and Erik Lundquist.
Paul Knoblich withdrew his application.
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December 19, 2023
Mayor Williams' nominations for Green Committee of Sean Brige and Jeremy Grove were confirmed VIA ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega and Councilmembers Eisenberg, Cooper and Gift.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Williams revised his nominations for the Housing Advisory Committee to reappoint Incumber Laurel Gourd and appoint Gwen Becker, confirmed VIA ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega and Councilmembers Eisenberg and Cooper.
NOES: Councilmember Gift
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Williams revised his nominations for the Planning Commission to re-appoint incumbents Tim Wilkes and Doug Allen and appoint Molly Towey, confirmed VIA ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega and Councilmembers Eisenberg, Cooper and Gift.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
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6.7. Adoption of Ordinance No.762 and 763 - Amending Calistoga Municipal Code Chapter 13.18 Pertaining to Water and Wastewater Rate Updates. 23-174
6.8. Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-93 - Rejecting all bids for the Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations at Community Center and Pool Project, Project No. 23-5554.
This Item was pulled by the Council for discussion. Public Works Director Rayner
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explained that there were no successful bids for the project and answered the Council's questions.
There was public comment from Erik Lundquist in support of rejecting the bids.
Councilmember cooper made a motion to approve the rejection of the bids and take no further action on the project, seconded by Councilmember Gift.
VIA ROLL CALL
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega and Councilmembers Eisenberg, Cooper and Gift.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
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7. PUBLIC HEARING
7.1. Adoption of Ordinance No. 764 - Updating and adopting certain fees and charges for the City Fire Code operational permit fees and other fees relating to fire department services (uncodified).
Public Comment was made by Erik Lundquist with some suggestions for implementing this item.
VIA ROLL CALL
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega and Councilmembers Eisenberg, Cooper and Gift.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
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7.2. Introduction of Ordinance No. 765 and First Reading of an Ordinance of the City of Calistoga Amending Municipal Code Section 2.04.050 Regarding Councilmember Salaries - APPROVED
There was public comment form Erik Lundquist in support of the ordinance.
Council discussed with the Councilmembers in support of the item and Mayor Williams hesitant with the ordinance not addressing term limits.
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December 19, 2023
VIA ROLL CALL
AYES: Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega and Councilmembers Eisenberg, Cooper and Gift.
NOES: Mayor Williams
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
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8. GENERAL GOVERNMENT
8.1. Mobile Food Vending Discussion to Provide Staff Direction There was public comment by Bill Squire, Todd and Erik Lundquist with safety and liability concerns for traffic and private property encroachment by customers.
Council discussed the item and directed Staff to bring this item back to Council after streamlining the permit process to encourage re-applying, consider an increase and eliminate some unsafe roads from being an option, such as Wappo Ave. 23-157
9. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Eisenberg attended NVTA and Climate Action Committee meetings, he reports there is a lull in action items but this should pick up in January.
Councilmember Cooper spoke about the success of the Holiday Dinner.
Councilmember Gift thanked all the committee applicants and encourged citizens to keep applying, she attended the NVTA Tourism Council.
Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega wished everyone Happy Holidays!
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Williams adjourned the meeting, at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Prepared by: Approved By:
Yudiana Galvan, City
Clerk Donald Williams, Mayor
City Council Minutes
December 19, 2023
Prepared by: Approved by:
Marni Rittburg, CMC, City
Clerk Chris Canning, Mayor