MINUTES
CALISTOGA CITY COUNCIL - SPECIAL MEETING
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - 6:00 PM
Calistoga Community Center | 1307 Washington Street Calistoga, CA 94515
1. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL
Mayor Williams called the regular session to order at 6:00 p.m. (due to technical difficulties, roll call was at 6:10 p.m.
Present: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega and Councilmembers Eisenberg, Cooper and Gift (via teleconference)
Absent:
Dennis Devilbliss performed This Land is My Land as a patriotic activity.
1.1. City Managers Snideman Reported:
1. Welcomed Fairgrounds Maintenance New Hire Charlie Sakai.
2. The Louise Vermiel Classic is happening over Labor Day Weekend and the Grandstand work has been completed; the engineer's report has been sent to our PW Director.
3. There has been a revenue of about $36,000 surrounding this weekend and a little more is expected from TOT.
4. The contractors that received the contract for the Butler Roof Project has backed out and the item will be back on the Council agenda soon.
5. There was a Mexican Rodeo over the weekend; there were 3 complaints to the PD.
2. GENERAL GOVERNMENT
2.1. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-71 Authorizing a concession License Agreement between the City of Calistoga and the Native Sons of the Golden West, Parlor 86 Mayor Williams recused himself as a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West.
This item was presented by the Fairgrounds Director, Sheli Wright and discussed by the Council; there was no public comment.
Motion by Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega and seconded by Councilmember Cooper to authorize the agreement Motion Carried
AYES: Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Eisenberg, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Gift
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
2.2. Discussion and Action on the Calistoga Fairgrounds Statistically Valid Community Survey Including Survey Process and the Geographic Boundary for Survey Distribution This item was presented by Fairgrounds Director Sheli Wright and discussed by Council.
There was public comment by Cindy Yant and Wyatt Farris.
Motion by Mayor Williams and seconded by Councilmember Cooper to approve the City Council - Special Meeting Minutes August 19, 2025
Fairgrounds Advisory Committee's recommendation to expand the geographic boundary for survey distribution to the school district boundary Motion Carried AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Eisenberg, and Councilmember Cooper
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Councilmember Gift
ABSENT: None
2.3. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-72 Approving the adjustment of the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee Meeting Time and the related costs.
This item was presented by Fairgrounds Director Sheli Wright and discussed by Council.
There was public comment by Cindy Yant, Pat Merchant, Karen Cakebread and Rob Serini.
Motion by Councilmember Cooper and seconded by Councilmember Eisenberg to adopt the resolution approving a change in the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee Meeting time. Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Eisenberg, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Gift NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
3. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Cooper attended the UpValley Waste Association meeting and they are moving forward with all the technical details of closing down the landfill. It is a very long, costly and scrutinized process so it will take some time, but inevitably it will be closed.
Councilmember Eisenberg commended ATAC and the Green Committee; he is impressed at what a great job they are doing adhering to Council direction and the work they are doing to implement Council's goals.
Vice Mayor Lopez-Ortega requested that public comment time be added to Special Meeting agendas so all members of the public can express their opinions. Council supported this request.
Councilmember Gift attended the Calistoga Fire Wise meeting on Aug. 7th, and it was very informative with great speakers from Cal Fire and Mike Thompson's Office. They have done great work despite the budget cuts.
Mayor Williams attended a Housing Advisory Committee Meeting where they discussed the Council's previously discussed Measure D allocations. He also attended the ATAC committee, and they are earnestly working on the crosswalk at the Lincoln and Brannan intersection, grant possibilities for the S. Oak Bridge Project and discussed bicyclist warning signs on Petrified Forest Rd.
4. ADJOURNMENT
City Council - Special Meeting Minutes August 19, 2025
Mayor Williams adjourned the meeting at 6:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Prepared by: Approved by:
______________________ ______________________
Yudiana Galvan, City Clerk Donald Williams, Mayor