MINUTES
CALISTOGA CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 - 6:00 PM
Calistoga Community Center | 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 6:01 p.m.
Present: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega and Councilmember Eisenberg, Cooper and Gift.
Absent:
2. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSIONS
Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega reported that there was a closed session today at 3pm regarding anticipated litigation, there was no reportable action. Mayor Williams and Councilmember Gift were recused to a property proximity conflict.
3. ORAL COMMUNICATION ON CONSENT ITEMS OR NON-AGENDA ITEMS There was public comment by Karan Schlegel, Dan Herndon, Cindy Yant and Rose LeClerc.
4. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Snideman Reported:
1. Welcomed New Police Chief Matthew McCaffrey
2. Welcomed Leanne Willams
3. March 29th - Community CampOut at the RV Park & Community Potluck 6:30pm
4. We will be hosting Calistoga Ag days 11am
5. RV park is open for reservations starting after the campout
6. PD Chief and CM Celaya will continue to attend and educate at the UVFC Know Your Rights Meeting
7. Celaya has reached out to Caltrans numerous times to move forward with the sidewalk transaction - Caltrans is unable to find the paperwork and SH has not sent us their paperwork for reference.
8. Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega aske CM Snideman to clarify that the prior approved Ag event was approved as a one time event as opposed to annually. CM Snideman confirmed.
5. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS/ AWARDS
5.1. Proclaiming March American Red Cross Month
This proclamation was accepted by Annie Schaefer of the America Red Cross.
5.2. City Manager's Office update for City Council.
This item was presented by CM Snideman, ACM Celaya and DCM Stepp.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Eisenberg to adopt the consent calendar as presented with the exception of item 6.7 and 6.9, seconded by Councilmember Cooper.
6.1. Adopting the Minutes of the February 3rd (Special Meeting), 18th (Special Meeting) and 25th (Regular Meeting) meeting minutes.
6.2. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-22 - for a Fee Credit and Reimbursement Agreement for Cinnabar Grove Located at 2008 Grant Street
City Council Minutes March 18, 2025
6.3. Adoption of Resolution 2025-23 - To Allow the City Manager to Approve An Amendment to The Agreement For First Responder Services With Napa County
6.4. APPROVED - Amending the New Business License Application Fee Schedule and the City of Calistoga Book of Fees to include street and sidewalk vending business types.
6.5. Approved - provide funding and resources for the Green Committee's proposed Earth Day events.
6.6. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-24 - Accepting a Notice of Completion for the Logvy Park Improvement Project
6.7. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-25 - Authorizing the City Manager to Award a Professional Services Agreement to Consor North America in an amount Not to Exceed $150,997, to Provide Environmental and Engineering Services for the Conn Creek Water Pipe Replacement Project.
This item was pulled by Mayor Williams who wished to thank Public Works Department for thwir work on this project.
Motion by Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega and seconded by Councilmember Gift - Consider Adopting the Resolution Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Gift, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
6.8. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-26 - Approving contracted police dispatch services for St.
Helena Police Department
Authorize the City Manager to execute a three-year contract for the Calistoga Police Department to provide the public safety dispatch services for the St. Helena Police Department. Consider Adopting the Resolution Motion Carried
6.9. Council will consider making a proclamation celebrating Women's History Month.
This item was pulled by Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, read and proclaimed by the Council.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
8. GENERAL GOVERNMENT
8.1. *** This item was moved to the next Regular City Council Meeting*** Resolution to Establish Advisory Committee Bylaws and Advisory Committees
8.2. Council direction regarding Measure D housing funds This item was presented by Planning and Building Director Greg Desmond and discussed by the Council who asked clarifying questions.
City Council Minutes March 18, 2025
8.3. Reviewing a Business Economic Diversification Grant application and consider awarding.
Motion by Mayor Williams and seconded by Councilmember Cooper Mayor Williams made a motion to award Business Economic Diversification Grant to Calistoga Mud Company in the amount of $1,000. Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Gift, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
8.4. City Council Civic Operating Agreements Annual Update Council discussed possibly revising the their Civic Operating Agreements.
There was public comment by Aaron Heth, Rose LeClerc, Dan Herndon and Cindy Yant.
Motion by Mayor Williams and seconded by Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega to adopt the proposed changes in the Civic Operating Agreements for 2025 with the exception of the public comment item.
Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Gift, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
9. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Gift expressed disappointment with the City not contracting with Celebrate NV for the upcoming Ag Events at the Fairgrounds. She has researched the reasons presented for discounting them and found they are not supported. Celebrate NV is not a fair; they have not, will not, and cannot seek fair funding based on her research. She stated there should have been an RFP at least. Gift also reported she would find it beneficial for the Fairgrounds Special Meeting to be streamed for future referencing.
Councilmember Eisenberg stated that perhaps it would be beneficial to have a conversation later on regarding using local resources as much as possible. He was also concerned about the Fairground Special Meeting not being streamed, but City Manager Snideman confirmed that they will be.
Vice Mayor-Lopez asked City Manager Snideman if the City can put on a water information program to educate people about how our water system works, maybe have tours and displays.
Also, we received many applications for the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee. She suggested the applicant spend a few minutes speaking to Council about their interest in the committee. (Council discussed)
City Council Minutes March 18, 2025
Mayor Williams supported the idea of a water education program. He expressed there was concern with citizens' ability to physically navigate the water plant, but if it is feasible, even a partial tour would be helpful.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Williams adjourned the meeting, at 8:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Prepared by: Approved by:
______________________ ______________________
Yudiana Galvan, City Clerk Donald Williams, Mayor