MINUTES
CALISTOGA CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, May 20, 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 Councilmember Eisenberg, Cooper and Gift.
Absent:
2. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSIONS
There was a closed session on 5/6/25 regarding real property negotiations for 2449 Foothill Blvd.
There was no reportable action.
3. ORAL COMMUNICATION ON CONSENT ITEMS OR NON-AGENDA ITEMS There was public comment by Rose LeClerc.
4. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Snideman Reported:
1. Introducing new employee John Chase our new Building Official
2. Join us on Saturday May 24th, 11am-8pm for Ag Day at the Fair, free admission!
3. City Clerk Galvan received an award from the California City Clerk Association.
5. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS/ AWARDS
5.1. The City Council Proclaimed May 2025 as Historic Preservation Month, recognizing the importance of preservation efforts in our community. The Proclamation was received by Christine French of Napa County Landmarks.
5.2. Administrative Services Director Connie Cardenas presented a Finance Department Update to Council.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
6.1. Adoption of Consent Calendar
Motion by Councilmember Cooper and seconded by Councilmember Eisenberg To adopt consent calendar with the exception of item # 6.2. Motion Carried AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Cooper, Councilmember Eisenberg, and Councilmember Gift NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
6.2. Adoption of Resolution No. 2024-43 - Approving a consultant services agreement for a Nexus & Feasibility Study to update the affordable housing linkage & In-Lieu Fees.
This item was pulled for discussion by Councilmember Gift and presented by Planning and Building Director Greg Desmond.
City Council Minutes May 20, 2025
The Council asked clarifying questions and there was no public comment.
Motion by Councilmember Gift and seconded by Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega - Consider Adopting the Resolution Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Cooper, Councilmember Eisenberg, and Councilmember Gift NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
6.3. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-44 - For the purchase of equipment to outfit one officer for the establishment of Police Department bike program.
6.4. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-45 - Approving Master Agreement for Consultant Services – Task Order No. 2 with Larry Walker Associates for Services Related to the City’s Cross-Connection Control Program (CCC), Wastewater and Water Treatment Plant Operating Permits.
6.5. Approved - Funding and city endorsement of the Active Transportation Advisory Committee’s Washington Street Bike Parklet Signage Project Phase 1A.
6.6. Approved - Funding and a city endorsement of the Active Transportation Advisory Committee’s Hotel Bike Sticker Tourist Safety Enhancement Project.
6.7. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-46 - Authorizing a not-to-exceed project cost of $1,475,000 to repave Lake Street from Grant Street to Silverado Trail and Awarding to Argonaut Constructors.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
7.1. 1st Reading Approved - Continuing a Public Hearing - Consider 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.
This item was presented by Fire Chief Jed Matcham, there was no public comment.
Mayor Williams and Councilmember Eisenberg are recused due to a property proximity conflict.
Motion by Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega and seconded by Councilmember Gift Staff recommends that the City Council introduce and waive the reading of an 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 Cooper, and Councilmember Gift
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
City Council Minutes May 20, 2025
ABSENT: None
7.2. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-47 - Ordering the Dissolution of the Landscape Maintenance District, known as Silverado Place Maintenance District.
This item was presented by David Fradelizio, there was no public comment.
Mayor Williams and Councilmember Eisenberg are recused due to a property proximity conflict.
Motion by Councilmember Cooper and seconded by Councilmember Gift Conduct a Public Hearing and Consider Adoption of a Resolution Ordering Dissolution of the Silverado Place Maintenance District. Motion Carried
AYES: Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Gift
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
7.3. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-48 - Ordering the Dissolution of the Landscape Maintenance District, known as Palisades Landscape Maintenance District.
This item was presented by David Fradelizio, there was no public comment.
Councilmember Gift and Councilmember Gift are recused due to a property proximity conflict.
Motion by Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega and seconded by Councilmember Cooper Conduct a Public Hearing and Consider Adoption of a Resolution Ordering Dissolution of the Palisades Landscape Maintenance District. Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, and
Councilmember Cooper
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
7.4. Human Resources Manager Rena Lariz presented a Vacancy Presentation per AB 2561.
Council discussed and asked clarifying questions. There was no public comment.
8. GENERAL GOVERNMENT
8.1. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-49 - Confirming the Mayor's appointments to the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee.
City Council Minutes May 20, 2025
Council discussed this item and there was public comment by Wyatt Farris.
Applicants Hal Taylor and Bill Squire spoke to Council about their application.
Councilmember Gift made a motion to amend the Mayor's appointments, there was no second or supporting Council comments.
Motion by Mayor Williams and seconded by Councilmember Eisenberg to adopt the resolution confirming the Mayor's appointments to the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg
NOES: Councilmember Gift
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
8.2. Introduction of an Integrated Pest Management Program by the Green Committee This item was presented by Green Committee member Jeremy Grove and Antoinette Maillard, there was clarifying questions and discussion by Council.
There was public comment by Charlotte Williams, Aaron Heth, Dom Tallerico and Millie Pease.
Motion by Councilmember Eisenberg and seconded by Mayor Williams that the Green Committee continue to explore the elimination of harmful pesticides and the implementation of integrated pest management and use a variety of actions including working with stakeholders, developing a plan, looking at what other cities have done in terms of successes and failures and come back to Council with a phased implementation or a complete plan Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Cooper, Councilmember Eisenberg, and Councilmember Gift NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
8.3. Approved - Considering City Funding for Lincoln Avenue Apartments.
This item was presented by Planning and Building Director Greg Desmond.
Mayor Williams and Councilmember Gift are recused due to a property proximity conflict.
There was public comment by Jim Reddler of Lincoln Ave Apts and Charlotte Williams.
City Council Minutes May 20, 2025
Motion by Councilmember Cooper and seconded by Councilmember Eisenberg Consider approving a loan modification and a new, additional $1 million loan for Lincoln Avenue Apartments. Motion Carried
AYES: Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
8.4. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-50 - Adopting the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Guidelines establishing thresholds of significance for evaluating transportation impacts of development projects in accordance with provision 15064.3 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
This item was presented by Associate Planner Lauren Clark and Olivia Ervin of M-Group.
Council discussed this item, there was no public comment.
Motion by Councilmember Cooper and seconded by Councilmember Eisenberg to adopt the resolution Motion Carried
AYES: Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Cooper,
Councilmember Eisenberg, and Councilmember Gift
NOES: Mayor Williams
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
9. COUNCIL REPORTS
Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega attended a closed session Flood Control meeting. There was nothing to report.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Williams adjourned the meeting, at 8:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Prepared by: Approved by:
______________________ ______________________
Yudiana Galvan, City Clerk Donald Williams, Mayor