MINUTES
CALISTOGA CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, August 25, 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 and Councilmembers Lopez-Ortega, Eisenberg and Cooper
Absent: Vice Mayor Gift
2. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSIONS
Council met for a closed session special meeting on 8/13 regarding two items: the fairgrounds and anticipated litigation, no reportable action.
3. ORAL COMMUNICATION ON CONSENT ITEMS OR NON-AGENDA ITEMS For oral communication and public comment content, for any item on the agenda, view the video of the meeting available on the City’s YouTube channel at
https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofCalistoga.
3.1. Public Comment was received from Charlotte Williams, Larry Vuckovich, Kerri Abreu and Cindy Yant.
4. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Celaya reported:
1. The Louie Vermeil Sprint Car Races are this weekend 9/5-9/6 at the Fairgrounds.
2. The water main replacement project on Lincoln is underway and running on schedule.
3. The City was awarded a $140,000 grant by Up Valley Waste Grant for a street/sidewalk sweeper, an electric mulcher and a few trash receptacles.
4. Fire Engine 19 and 4 firefighters were deployed to a Humboldt County Wildfire for 10 days, everyone is back safe.
5. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS/ AWARDS
5.1. Recreation Manager Erin Stroud presented to Council on the 4th of July Events.
5.2. The Council proclaimed September 2026 National Suicide Prevention Month. Mayor Williams presented the proclamation to Jennifer Zepeda of Mentis Napa Center for Mental Health.
5.3. The Council proclaimed September National Hispanic Heritage Month and directed there be a Mexican Flag raising from Tuesday, September 1st, through Thursday, October 1st.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
6.1. Adoption of Consent Calendar
Motion by Councilmember Eisenberg and seconded by Councilmember Cooper to adopt the consent calendar with the exception of item 6.3 which was pulled for discussion Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Lopez-Ortega,
Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg
NOES: None
City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Gift
6.2. Council adopted the meeting minutes from 7/14/26 and 8/4/26.
6.3. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-56 - Authorizing the Calistoga Director of Public Works to execute the sale/transfer of approximately 450 acre-feet (AF) of Article 56(c) Carryover Water to Kern County Water Agency (KCWA), Westside Districts at a rate of $375 per AF, in coordination with the Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (NCFCWCD) and determine that this action is exempt from CEQA.
This item was pulled for discussion by Councilmember Lopez-Ortega. Deputy Public Works Director David Fradelizio presented this item and answered clarifying questions.
Public comment was received from Charlotte Williams and Dan Herndon.
Motion by Councilmember Lopez-Ortega and seconded by Mayor Williams to adopt the resolution Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Lopez-Ortega,
Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Gift
6.4. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-57 - Authorizing a Licensed Agreement with Belt Buckle and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Certain Future Revenue Agreements.
6.5. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-58 - Waiving Deferred Improvement Agreements Within the Grant Street CIP Project Limits from Garnett Creek Court to the City Limits.
6.6. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-59 - Approving a Resolution Adjusting the Public Works Director Salary Range.
6.7. Adoption of Ordinance No. 783 - Second 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.
6.8. Adoption of Resolution Nos. 2026-60, 2026-61, 2026-62, 2026-63 - Authorizing the City Manager to execute Professional Services Agreements for limited and highly specialized Plan Check and Inspection Services for the Planning/Building, Fire, and Public Works Departments.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
8. GENERAL GOVERNMENT
8.1. Council discussed how to allocate the remaining $10,000 in community support funding and providing staff direction.
This item was presented by Deputy City Manager Rachel Stepp and discussed by Council.
City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026
Council will give consideration to the Arts when community support funding becomes available.
Public Comment was made by Marcia Beauchamp, Charlotte Williams, Dan Herndon and Cindy Yant.
Motion by Councilmember Eisenberg and seconded by Councilmember Lopez-Ortega to allocate the community support funds to the Calistoga Food Bank Motion Carried AYES: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Lopez-Ortega,
Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Gift
8.2. Adoption Resolution No. 2026-64 - Council will consider accepting the transfer of 100% of Napa County’s fire protection property tax revenue in Tax Rate Area 001-000 and any future tax rate areas established within the City limits to the City of Calistoga pursuant to California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 99.02.
Motion by Councilmember Cooper and seconded by Mayor Williams to adopt a resolution approving and accepting the transfer of 100% of Napa County’s fire protection property tax revenue in Tax Rate Area 001-000 and any future tax rate areas established within the City limits to the City of Calistoga pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code section 99.02 Motion Carried
AYES: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Lopez-Ortega,
Councilmember Cooper, and Councilmember Eisenberg
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Gift
9. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Cooper reported that the Up Valley Waste Management company unanimously awarded the City a grant.
Councilmember Eisenberg attended ATAC and Green Committee Meetings; both are working hard directly off of their Council-approved Workplan.
Councilmember Lopez-Ortega requested staff look into Logvy Field rental fee waivers organized for youth and address a request for information regarding the City's federal funding applications.
She requested a presentation regarding Flock due to the recent publicity; there was Council support.
Mayor Williams and Councilmember Eisenberg attended a Board of Supervisors meeting to request the supervisors modify the Fairgrounds agreement lease limit from 25 to 50 years. The Board has not responded yet.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Williams adjourned the meeting at 7:26 p.m.
City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026
Prepared by: Approved by:
______________________ ______________________
Yudiana Galvan, City Clerk Donald Williams, Mayor