MINUTES
CALISTOGA CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, April 29, 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 6:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega and Councilmembers Cooper and Gift
Absent: Councilmember Eisenberg
2. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSIONS
There was a closed session on 4/15, no reportable action.
3. ORAL COMMUNICATION ON CONSENT ITEMS OR NON-AGENDA ITEMS There was public comment by Mike Straka.
4. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Snideman Reported:
1. Welcomed new hire Administrative Services Tech. Gina Young.
2. Gave a recap of the Jaripeo event.
3. Discussed new volunteer at Fairgrounds, and that Mayor is personally refinishing floors.
4. Reported that total gross income for RV park rentals has exceeded $60K.
5. Reported that local elected leaders were invited to Capital last week to discuss preservation of local funding.
6. Discussed upcoming Parks and Rec events.
5. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS/ AWARDS
5.1. The Council proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
5.2. Director of Rianda House Maury Robertson reported on the programs that the Community Enrichment Grant has helped fund.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
6.1. Adoption of Consent Calendar
Motion by Councilmember Cooper and seconded by Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega to adopt the consent calendar as presented. Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Gift, and Councilmember Cooper
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Eisenberg
6.2. Adopting the Minutes of Regular City Council Meetings 4/8/25 and 3/18/25, and Special City Council Meetings 3/11/25, 3/18/25, 3/21/25, 3/28/25, 4/1/25, 4/2/25, 4/15/25, and 4/17/25.
6.3. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-36 Adopting Senate Bill 1 (SB1) Project List for Fiscal Year 2025/26
City Council Minutes April 29, 2025
Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-37 Approving Measure U Project List
6.4. Regional Participation in County Used Oil Recycling Program
6.5. Adoption of Ordinance No. 776, Resolution No. 2025-39 - Adopting a Cost Recovery Fee Policy for the Planning and Building Department.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
7.1. 1st Reading of an Ordinance - Item was Continued - Adopting an ordinance updating and designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones and adding Chapter 12.050 "Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps" to Title 2 "Council, Administration and Personnel" of the Calistoga Municipal Code.
FPPC's 18705 Rule of Necessity was applied to this item per three property proximity conflicts (Gift, Eisenberg, Williams).
After a random draw, Councilmember Gift was able to participate; Mayor Williams and Councilmember Eisenberg remain recused.
This item was presented by Fire Chief Jed Matcham, there was public comment by Dan Herndon and Tim Reily.
Motion by Councilmember Gift and seconded by Councilmember Cooper to introduce and waive the reading of Ordinance designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Government Code Section 51179. Motion Carried
AYES: Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Gift, and
Councilmember Cooper
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Eisenberg
8. GENERAL GOVERNMENT
8.1. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-40 - Establishing Advisory Committee Bylaws and Review of City Council Liaison Role
This item was presented by Permit Tech Antoinette Freeman.
There was no public comment.
Motion by Mayor Williams and seconded by Councilmember Gift Motion Carried Motion Carried
8.2. Tabled for Discussion at Another Meeting - Confirming the Mayor's Appointments to the Fairgrounds Advisory Committe.
City Council Minutes April 29, 2025
Motion by Mayor Williams and seconded by Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega to adopt the resolution Motion Failed
AYES: Mayor Williams and Councilmember Cooper
NOES: Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega and Councilmember Gift
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Eisenberg
8.3. Adopted - City Council Priorities FY 25/26
This item was presented by city Manager Snideman.
There was public comment by Tim Reilly.
Motion by Councilmember Gift and seconded by Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega to consider adopting the Calistoga City Council FY 25/26 Priorities 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 discussed Missing Middle housing and how to encourage its development in Calistoga.
This item was presented by Planning and Building Director Desmond.
There was no public comment.
8.5. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-41 - Adopting the Dissolution of the Landscape Maintenance District, known as Palisades Landscape Maintenance District.
FPPC's 18705 Rule of Necessity was applied to this item per three property proximity conflicts (Gift, Eisenberg, Williams).
After a random draw, Mayor Williams was able to participate; Councilmember Gift and Councilmember Eisenberg remain recused.
This item was presented by Public Works Director Rayner.
There was public comment by Dan Herndon.
Motion by Mayor Williams and seconded by Councilmember Cooper to adopt the Resolution
City Council Minutes April 29, 2025
Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
8.6. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-42 - Approving the Dissolution of the Landscape Maintenance District, known as Silverado Place Maintenance District.
FPPC's 18705 Rule of Necessity was applied to this item per three property proximity conflicts (Gift, Eisenberg, Williams).
After a random draw, Councilmember Gift was able to participate; Mayor Williams and Councilmember Eisenberg remain recused.
This item was presented by Public Works Director Rayner.
There was public comment by an unknown member of the public.
Motion by Councilmember Cooper and seconded by Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega to adopt the Resolution Motion Carried
AYES: Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Gift,
Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
9. COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Williams attended two NVTA meetings, and also brought back the topic of the Fairgrounds Committee assignments.
Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega attended the Upper Valley Waste Management board meeting, and the City Leaders Summit.
Councilmember Gift thanked the city for May mental health proclamation; she serves on Mentis, which is a mental health service for Napa County.
Councilmember Cooper attended the League of California Cities Sacramento session. He reported that the FBI has closed the case against Clover Flats.
10. ADJOURNMENT
City Council Minutes April 29, 2025
Mayor Williams adjourned the meeting, at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Prepared by: Approved by:
______________________ ______________________
Yudiana Galvan, City Clerk Donald Williams, Mayor