MINUTES
CALISTOGA CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, August 4, 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 6:02 p.m.
Present: Mayor Williams, Vice-Mayor Gift, Councilmember Lopez-Ortega, Councilmember Cooper, Councilmember Eisenberg
Absent:
2. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSIONS
3. ORAL COMMUNICATION ON CONSENT ITEMS OR NON-AGENDA ITEMS Public Comment was received from Larry Kromann, Gary Krouse, Tom O'Neil, Cindy Yant, and Dom Tallerico.
4. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Celaya gave updates on National Night Out, Fairgrounds Rodeo rental, Donovan's Wellness temporary rental, Lincoln Ave construction, and new hire Annie Stemle.
5. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS/ AWARDS
5.1. Chamber of Commerce FY25-26 Report. This item was presented by Eric Reichart, President and CEO of the Calistoga Chamber of Commerce.
5.2. The Napa Valley Transportation Authority will present to the Council regarding the Countywide Active Transportation Plan. This item was presented by Patrick of NVTA.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
6.1. Adoption of Consent Calendar
Motion by Mayor Williams and seconded by Councilmember Cooper to adopt the consent calendar with the exception of items 6.9 and 6.4, which were pulled for discussion. Item 6.4 was moved to be discussed after item 8.3. Mayor Williams is recused from item 6.8. Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Gift, Councilmember LopezOrtega, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
6.2. Meeting minutes of 6/23/26 were approved.
6.3. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-50 - Authorizing the City Manager to execute Professional Services Agreements with M-Group (Consultant) for land use planning services.
6.4. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-51 - Accepting grant funding to help the Calistoga Police Department reduce and mitigate the impacts of impaired driving in our community.
City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes August 4, 2026
This item was pulled for discussion by Council (and heard after item 8.3); Police Chief McCaffrey answered clarifying questions regarding the addition of an electric motorcycle to the Police fleet. There was no public comment.
Motion by Councilmember Eisenberg and seconded by Councilmember Cooper to adopt the resolution as presented.
Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Lopez-Ortega,
Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Vice Mayor Gift
ABSENT: None
6.5. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-52 - Approving Master Agreement for Consultant Services for Task Order No. 3 with Larry Walker Associates (LWA).
6.6. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-53 - Authorizing the City Manager to execute a two-year intergovernmental services agreement for housing services from the Housing Authority of the City of Napa.
6.7. Council awarded two Business Economic Diversification Grants for $1500 each to Waves of Love and Calistoga Hikes.
6.8. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-54 - Approving the design contract for the South Oak Street Pedestrian Bridge Project.
6.9. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-55 - Approving an Automatic Aid Agreement between the Calistoga Fire Department and the Napa County Fire Department.
This item was pulled for discussion by Council; Fire Chief Matcham answered clarifying questions. There was no public comment.
Motion by Mayor Williams and seconded by Councilmember Eisenberg - Consider Adopting the Resolution Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Gift, Councilmember LopezOrtega, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
7. PUBLIC HEARING
7.1. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance of the City of Calistoga City Council Amending Municipal Code Chapter 19.01 (Trees) Regarding the Authority Responsible for Implementation and Enforcement of the Chapter.
City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes August 4, 2026
This item was presented by Planning Associate Lauren Clark and discussed by Council.
Public comment was received from Larry Kromann.
Motion by Vice Mayor Gift and seconded by Councilmember Lopez-Ortega Consider introducing and waiving further reading of the Ordinance Amendment of the City of Calistoga Municipal Code Chapter 19.01 (Trees) to Change the Authority Responsible for Implementation and Enforcement of the Chapter from the Director of Public Works to the Director of Planning and Building. Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Gift, Councilmember LopezOrtega, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
8. GENERAL GOVERNMENT
8.1. Consideration of a recommendation from the Calistoga Green Committee to direct staff to draft amendments to Chapters 18.16, 18.17, and 19.12 of the Calistoga Municipal Code.
This item was presented by Green Committee Chair Antoinette Mailliard.
Public comment was received from Cindy Yant.
Motion by Vice Mayor Gift and seconded by Councilmember Eisenberg directing staff to draft amendments to Chapters 18.16, 18.17, and 19.12 of the Calistoga Municipal Code using the draft ordinance language included as Attachment 1 as recommended by the Green Committee and bring it back to Council for review.
Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Gift, Councilmember LopezOrtega, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
8.2. Consideration of a recommendation from the Calistoga Green Committee to direct staff to evaluate exterior lighting standards intended to preserve the naturally dark sky and to protect the health and welfare of residents, visitors, wildlife, and the environment.
This item was presented by Green Committee Chair Antoinette Mailliard and discussed by Council.
Public comment was received from Stu Weintraub, Larry Kromann and Mary Frederani.
City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes August 4, 2026
Motion by Mayor Williams and seconded by Vice Mayor Gift directing staff to evaluate the adoption of “Dark Sky” exterior lighting standards and return to the City Council with a recommended draft ordinance and city policy language for consideration as recommended by Green Committee.
Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Gift, Councilmember LopezOrtega, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
8.3. Consideration of a recommendation from the Calistoga Green Committee to direct staff to evaluate the adoption of Low-Carbon Concrete (LCC) standards.
This item was presented by Green Committee member Bobbie Casey and discussed by Council, who received input from Public Works Director Rayner.
Public comment was received from Dom Tallerico.
Motion by Vice Mayor Gift and seconded by Councilmember Eisenberg directing staff to evaluate the adoption of Low-Carbon Concrete (LCC) standards and return to the City Council with a recommended draft ordinance and city policy language for consideration as recommended by the Green Committee. Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Gift, Councilmember LopezOrtega, Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
9. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Eisenberg reports that there was no Climate Action Committee meeting this meeting. He attended an NVTA meeting and reports that Garnette Creek Bridge replacement is now on the schedule and is to be completed in 2033. Also, avoid Carquinez Bridge 8/21-8/24 due to expected traffic delays caused by road work.
Councilmember Lopez-Ortega requested a Parks and Rec event presentation (previously moved to a future meeting) and a Fairgrounds Financial report be agendized. She also requested that the Hispanic Heritage Proclamation and Flag Display be added to the next agenda.
Vice Mayor Gift also requested a Fairgrounds Financial report to include a cost-benefit analysis.
She was saddened to hear about the closure of Hearts and Hands and thanked the board for everything they did to keep their doors open to continue serving our community. Vice Mayor Gift thanked City Manager Celaya, staff, the Board of Supervisors, and everyone who helped.
Mayor Williams attended the Fairgrounds Committee meeting where Director Wright reported on
City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes August 4, 2026
various event rentals. The Golf RFP was discussed; there is a general understanding that it may entail more than golf. Director Rayner reported on the water and sewer leaks in need of repair and future water meter installation.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Williams adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Prepared by: Approved by:
______________________ ______________________
Yudiana Galvan, City Clerk Donald Williams, Mayor