MINUTES
CALISTOGA CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 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 Gift and Councilmembers Lopez-Ortega, Eisenberg and Cooper.
Absent:
2. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSIONS
There was a closed session on 6/16 regarding real property negotiations, no reportable action.
3. ORAL COMMUNICATION ON CONSENT ITEMS OR NON-AGENDA ITEMS Public comment was received from Teddy Antonopoulos, Kerri Abreu, Antoinette Maillard, Noreen Moses and Cindy Yant.
4. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Celaya reported:
1. The 4th of July Parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Lincoln, followed by a celebration at Pioneer Park.
2. The Circus is in town on July 17-19; more information to come.
3. Welcomed Public Works' new hire, Maintenance Technician Fernando Velasco.
4. An ATP Grant Application for $2.4 million has been submitted for the S. Oak Bridge Project.
5. Water main line work on Lincoln has been delayed until after the 4th of July.
6. The new laundromat has opened on Foothill Blvd.
7. Yesterday's prescribed fire controlled burn lasted about 90 minutes and treated 9 acres of hazardous fuels.
8. The pop-up family carnival was a success, as was the car show over the weekend.
5. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS/ AWARDS
5.1. Council proclaimed June as Parks Make Life Better!®. The Mayor presented Recreation Manager Erin Stroud with a proclamation.
5.2. Council received a presentation regarding a proposed project at 1800 Lincoln Avenue by Adam Hemberger.
Public comment was received from Stuart Schwartz, Charlotte Williams, Anita Stevens, Greg Stevens, Kassidy Harris, Leslie Easterday, Judy Whitney, Kerri Abreu, Eric Blasen, Donald Williams, David Ellefson, Mary McKenzie, Rebecca Cooper, Eunice Roberson, Cory Roberson, Boris Pavlovic, Jen Fruetel and Jeff Stone.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
6.1. Adoption of Consent Calendar
Motion by Councilmember Cooper and seconded by Councilmember Eisenberg to adopt the consent calendar with the exception of 6.6 and 6.8 Motion Carried AYES: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Lopez-Ortega, Vice Mayor City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes June 23, 2026
Gift, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
6.2. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-40 - Approving and Accepting the Grant of Utility Easement and Maintenance and Access Agreement with the Calistoga Joint Unified School District and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement to Create a 15-FootWide Utility Easement and Confirm Other Maintenance Obligations.
6.3. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-41 - Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a License Agreement with the Calistoga Chamber of Commerce for the Continued Operation of the Calistoga Farmers Market.
6.4. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-42 - Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a License Agreement with New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC for Cellular Communications Facilities at the Calistoga Fairgrounds.
6.5. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-43 - Authorizing the issuance of a Purchase Order (PO) to Rescue Engineers in the amount of $69,500 for the installation of granulated activated carbon (GAC) into the existing filters at the Kimball Water Treatment Plant (WTP).
6.6. Adoption of Ordinance No. 782 - Amending Sections 8.16.010, 8.16.020, and 8.16.030 and adding Section 8.16.090 to Chapter 8.16, “Garbage and Refuse” of Title 8 of the Calistoga Municipal Code relating to commercial waste collection and disposal.
This item was pulled for discussion by Mayor Williams, who confirmed with staff that a small business owner would be able to bring the waste home for disposal. Director Rayner clarified that a waiver could be made for a business that does not generate significant waste. Vice Mayor Gift concurred with that concern.
Public comment was received from Kerri Abreu.
Motion by Mayor Williams and seconded by Vice Mayor Gift to waive the second reading and approve the Ordinance amending Sections 8.16.010, 8.16.020, and 8.16.030 and adding Section 8.16.090 to Chapter 8.16, “Garbage and Refuse” of Title 8 of the Calistoga Municipal Code relating to commercial waste collection and disposal. Consider Approving the Ordinance Amendment Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Lopez-Ortega, Vice Mayor Gift, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
6.7. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-44 - Consider adopting a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with UpValley Family Centers for Administration of the City of Calistoga Water and Wastewater Utility Assistance Program.
6.8. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-45 - Approving the first amendment to Boys and Girls
City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes June 23, 2026
Club Consultant Services Agreement and Monhoff Center Lease Agreement This item was pulled for discussion by Mayor Williams who clarified the amounts allocated in the agreement. Council discussed the item and expressed their support for the teen center and concern for community members suffering food insecurity.
Public comment was received from Cindy Yant and Kerri Abreu.
Motion by Vice Mayor Gift and seconded by Councilmember Eisenberg approving First Amendments to Consultant Services and Building Lease Agreements. Motion Carried AYES: Councilmember Lopez-Ortega, Vice Mayor Gift,
Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg
NOES: Mayor Williams
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
7. PUBLIC HEARING
8. GENERAL GOVERNMENT
8.1. Council was asked to provide input, discuss options, and provide direction to staff on what grant to submit to Up Valley Waste Management.
Director Rayner presented this item. Council discussed and directed staff to seek grant funds for a sidewalk sweeper, mulch mower, and 3-way trash bins.
Public comment was received from Irina D'Amato.
8.2. Council was asked to consider and give direction regarding the development and release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the operation and long-term management of the Mt. St.
Helena Golf Course.
This item was presented by Fairgrounds Director Sheli Wright and FAC Chair Shane Pavitt.
Council discussed the item and asked clarifying questions.
Public comment was received from Ms. Podgi, Sally Houk, Charlotte Williams, Kerri Abreu and Cindy Yant.
Motion by Mayor Williams and seconded by Vice Mayor Gift to authorize staff to develop and release a Request for Proposal relating to the golf course. Motion Carried AYES: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Lopez-Ortega, Vice Mayor Gift, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes June 23, 2026
8.3. ***THIS ITEM WAS CONTINUED TO A FUTURE MEETING*** Consideration of Amending Calistoga Municipal Code Chapter 17.37 – Accessory Dwelling Units, to comply with state regulations and provide additional incentives for ADU development.
9. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Cooper attended the Up Valley Waste Management meeting and reports that rates will be going up. The Cloverflat Landfill closure is still underway, although a lot slower than expected.
Councilmember Eisenberg attended NVTA, where Calistoga's grant application for the S. Oak Bridge project was selected to be sent on. Also, BottleRock generated 8,000 free bus trips to and from BottleRock. Calistoga was rated 12th in all of CA for bicycle friendliness.
Councilmember Lopez-Ortega attended a meeting with the Commission on Aging at the community center, and a lot of great info and resources were shared with seniors.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Williams adjourned the meeting, at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Prepared by: Approved by:
______________________ ______________________
Yudiana Galvan, City Clerk Donald Williams, Mayor