NAPA COUNTY | HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2026 UPDATE
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2026 UPDATE
NAPA COUNTY
12-65
HMP Integration
Resource Status
Current
Mitigation
Use
Future
Opportunity Notes / Additional Detail
Ability to Field Public Tech.
Assistance Requests Green Green Green Provides assistance related to wastewater and water conservation
Public Safety Newsletters or
Printed Outreach Green Green Green Newsletters and billing inserts Fire Safe Councils
Yellow Yellow Green Local Fire Safe Councils; future opportunity to coordinate on infrastructure protection
Resource Conservation Districts
Yellow Yellow Green Napa County RCD; future opportunity to collaborate
Other N/A N/A N/A
CAL OES SUBMITTAL - JUNE 2026
Item #6.5.
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2026 UPDATE
NAPA COUNTY
NAPA COUNTY | HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2026 UPDATE
12-66
12.6.2 Napa Sanitation District Mitigation Action Plan
NapaSan’s mitigation
actions were developed
through a collaborative
process informed by the
updated risk assessment,
local priorities, and
extensive stakeholder
engagement. As part of
this 2026 MJHMP update,
the district reviewed
mitigation actions from
its prior Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan to
determine which actions
to carry forward, which to
consolidate, and where
entirely new strategies
were required. This
careful evaluation
ensured that the updated
action plan builds upon
past commitments while also responding to current risks and future challenges.
The plan addresses NapaSan’s most significant hazards, including wildfire, earthquake, flood, drought, and climate change. Each mitigation action is designed to align with FEMA’s hazard mitigation guidance and the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. Where appropriate, overlapping or redundant actions were consolidated into broader, more comprehensive strategies that improve clarity, increase feasibility, and strengthen regional coordination.
The mitigation action prioritization method used by all participating jurisdictions is described in Volume 1, Section 4. Each action specific to NapaSan is documented in Table 12-8, which identifies the responsible department, implementation timeframe, potential funding sources, and resources required to complete the action. Each action is also assigned a unique alphanumeric identifier (see Figure 12-21) that links the strategy to its associated hazard and supports consistent monitoring and reporting.
NapaSan’s approach recognizes that some hazards are most effectively addressed through regional efforts.
Flood protection, drought resilience, and wildfire risk reduction often extend beyond the district’s boundaries and require collaboration with county, regional, and state partners. By aligning local actions with regional strategies, NapaSan helps to consolidate resources, maximize funding opportunities, and ensure Figure 12-21: Mitigation Action Number Key
CAL OES SUBMITTAL - JUNE 2026
Item #6.5.
NAPA COUNTY | HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2026 UPDATE
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2026 UPDATE
NAPA COUNTY
12-67
that mitigation projects achieve the greatest benefit for San Pablo Bay, the Napa Valley, and the wider Napa County community.
Collectively, these mitigation actions provide a roadmap for reducing hazard risk, protecting vulnerable populations, and strengthening the long-term resilience of NapaSan.
CAL OES SUBMITTAL - JUNE 2026
Item #6.5.
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2026 UPDATE
NAPA COUNTY
NAPA COUNTY | HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2026 UPDATE
12-68
Table 12-8: NapaSan Mitigation Action Plan
Mitigation No. Hazard
Type
SubHazardMitigation
Type
Year Primary
Agency
Title Description Responsible
Party
Estimated
Cost
Estimated
Benefit
Time
Frame
HMA
Activity
Type
Potential Grant
Source
Priority Related Problem Statements
ma-AH-NSD001All Hazard PPRO -
Property
Protection , SP
- Structural
Projects
2026 Napa
Sanitation
District
Power
Reliability &
Microgrid
Project
Install microgrid, battery storage, and generator
fuel-resilience improvements at critical pump
stations and the WWTP.
Engineering Medium High 3-5 Years Project HMGP / BRIC , General Fund
High ps-EQ-NSD-004, ps-SW-NSD002, ps-SW-NSD-001, ps-WFNSD-001, ps-WF-NSD-002, psFL-NSD-002, ps-FL-NSD-003, ps-CC-NSD-001
ma-CC-NSD001Climate
Change
Sea Level
Rise
PPRO -
Property
Protection ,
NRP - Natural
Resource
Protection , SP
- Structural
Projects
2026 Napa
Sanitation
District
SLR
Resilience
Program
Elevate and reinforce WWTP oxidation pond
levees, improve seepage controls, and reduce
SLR-driven overtopping risk. Improve access,
raise manholes, and add protective design
features in tidally influenced neighborhoods.
Replace vulnerable pipes, add backflow
protection, and upgrade corrosion-prone assets
in SLR-affected basins.
Engineering High High 5-10 Years Project HMGP / BRIC ,
General Fund
Medium ps-CC-NSD-001, ps-CC-NSD001, ps-CC-NSD-002, ps-CCNSD-003 ma-DR-NSD001Drought NRP - Natural
Resource
Protection , SP
- Structural
Projects
2026 Napa
Sanitation
District
Recycled
Water
Reliability &
Drought
Resilience
Program
Implement systemwide upgrades to expand
recycled water storage, improve collection and
treatment reliability during heatwaves, and
ensure consistent delivery during multi-year
droughts.
Engineering High High 3-5 Years Project HMGP / BRIC ,
General Fund
High ps-CC-NSD-002, ps-DR-NSD001, ps-DR-NSD-002, ps-DRNSD-003, ps-DR-NSD-005, psCC-NSD-001 ma-EQ-NSD001Earthquake PPRO -
Property
Protection , SP
- Structural
Projects
2026 Napa
Sanitation
District
Seismic
Hardening of
Treatment
Facilities &
Collection
System
Improve resilience of facility access routes and
retrofit critical treatment units, pump stations,
and high-consequence pipelines vulnerable to
shaking.
Engineering High High 5-10 Years Project HMGP / BRIC ,
General Fund
High ps-EQ-NSD-001, ps-EQ-NSD002, ps-EQ-NSD-003, ps-EQNSD-004 ma-FL-NSD001Flood NRP - Natural
Resource
Protection , SP
- Structural
Projects
2026 Napa
Sanitation
District
I&I Reduction
& Flood
Resilience
Program
As directed by the CSMP, implement targeted I&I
control projects in basins most affected by
flooding and atmospheric river events.
Floodproof electrical systems, elevate controls,
add barriers, and improve all-weather access to
West Napa, River Park, Stonecrest, and other
high-risk pump stations.
Engineering Medium High 3-5 Years Project HMGP / BRIC , General Fund
High ps-FL-NSD-001, ps-FL-NSD002, ps-FL-NSD-003, ps-FLNSD-004, ps-FL-NSD-005, psFL-NSD-006, ps-SW-NSD-001, ps-SW-NSD-001, ps-CC-NSD001
ma-WF-NSD001Wildfire PPRO -
Property
Protection ,
NRP - Natural
Resource
Protection
2026 Napa
Sanitation
District
Wildfire
Hardening &
Vegetation
Management
Protect exposed critical facilities and
infrastructure in fire-prone corridors through
structure hardening and vegetation
management.
Engineering Medium High 3-5 Years Project HMGP / BRIC , General Fund ,
CalFIRE
Medium ps-WF-NSD-003, ps-WF-NSD001, ps-CC-NSD-001
CAL OES SUBMITTAL - JUNE 2026
Item #6.5.
City of Calistoga
STAFF REPORT
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Rena Lariz, Human Resources Manager
Meeting: City Council - Regular Meeting - Oct 06 2026
Subject: Reclassification of the Recreation Coordinator position to Recreation Supervisor.
DESCRIPTION:
Council will consider authorizing the reclassification of the Recreation Coordinator position to Recreation Supervisor.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution approving the Recreation Supervisor classification and authorize the reclassification of the Recreation Coordinator position to Recreation Supervisor.
SUMMARY:
Staff is recommending the reclassification of the Recreation Coordinator position to Recreation Supervisor to better align the position with the current operational and organizational needs of the Recreation Department.
As Recreation operations have grown in scope and complexity, the Department has an increased need for dedicated day-to-day staff supervision and operational oversight. Under the current structure, the Recreation Manager is responsible for both higher-level departmental management and the direct supervision of frontline recreation staff.
The proposed Recreation Supervisor classification would establish an appropriate supervisory level between the Recreation Manager and frontline staff. The Supervisor would assume responsibility for routine staff oversight and daily operations, allowing the Recreation Manager to concentrate on higher-level departmental responsibilities, strategic priorities, and long-term planning.
The Recreation Supervisor will be designated as an Unrepresented Mid-Management classification, consistent with the supervisory and management-level responsibilities assigned to the position.
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Recreation Supervisor classification and authorize the reclassification of the existing Recreation Coordinator position to Recreation Supervisor.
ANALYSIS:
The primary purpose of the proposed reclassification is to establish an organizational structure that appropriately distributes management and supervisory responsibilities within the Recreation Department.
Item #6.6.
While the Recreation Coordinator classification is primarily focused on coordinating programs, schedules, activities, and assignments, the Department's current operational needs require a position with clearly defined supervisory authority. The Recreation Supervisor would be responsible for directing staff, establishing expectations, monitoring performance, providing coaching and training, coordinating staffing, addressing routine employee and operational matters, and ensuring adherence to City policies and departmental procedures.
The proposed structure would establish a clearer chain of command, with the Recreation Supervisor providing direct oversight of frontline recreation staff and daily operations while reporting to the Recreation Manager.
Currently, the Recreation Manager serves as the primary supervisory checkpoint for both higherlevel departmental responsibilities and routine employee matters. As the Department's operations have grown, the level of day-to-day staff supervision required has also increased. Establishing an intermediate supervisory level would allow the Recreation Supervisor to assume responsibility for routine staff oversight and operational matters, allowing the Recreation Manager to concentrate on higher-level responsibilities, including budgeting, strategic planning, program development, community needs, long-term departmental priorities, and overall department management.
This distinction between management and supervision is particularly important given the range of services provided by the Recreation Department. Department operations include aquatics, sports programs, facilities, special events, and other community activities involving regular interaction with the public, including children and families. These programs require consistent staff direction, training, scheduling, safety oversight, and operational coordination.
A designated Recreation Supervisor would provide a clear point of responsibility for these day-today functions and help ensure consistent implementation of departmental expectations across programs and activities. This is especially beneficial in an operation that utilizes regular, part-time, seasonal, volunteer and program-specific employees.
The proposed reclassification provides a more appropriate division of responsibility within the Department. The Recreation Manager would retain overall responsibility for departmental leadership while having the supervisory support necessary to dedicate greater attention to budget development and monitoring, long-term program planning, community engagement, policy development, departmental goals, coordination with other City departments, and the strategic development of Recreation programs and services.
Given the level of supervisory authority and responsibility assigned to the position, the Recreation Supervisor will be included in the City's Unrepresented Mid-Management group. This designation appropriately aligns the classification with its role in supervising employees, implementing management direction, and supporting the Recreation Manager in the administration of Department operations.
The proposed structure provides the Department with additional organizational capacity and appropriately assigns responsibilities at the management, supervisory, and frontline levels.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The estimated first-year cost of reclassifying the Recreation Coordinator position to Recreation Supervisor, assuming placement at Step 3, is approximately $35,500.
Item #6.6.
This estimate represents the fully loaded cost difference between the two classifications and includes applicable salary and benefit costs.
This is not an additional FTE but rather a subtraction of one Recreation Coordinator and an addition of one Recreation Supervisor
CEQA STATUS:
N/A
ATTACHMENT(S):
Resolution - Recreation Supervisor
Authorized Position List for FY 2026-27 Updated 9-15-2026 09-15 2026 Salary Schedule - Final
APPROVAL(S):
Connie Cardenas, Admin. Services Director Approved - Sep 03 2026 Mitch Celaya, City Manager Approved - Sep 07 2026
Yudiana Galvan, City of Calistoga | City Clerk Approved - Sep 08 2026 Item #6.6.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XXX
ADOPTED XXXXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CALISTOGA
APPROVING THE RECREATION SUPERVISOR CLASSIFICATION AND SALARY SCHEDULE, DESIGNATING THE CLASSIFICATION AS UNREPRESENTED MIDMANAGEMENT, AND AUTHORIZING THE RECLASSIFICATION OF THE
RECREATION COORDINATOR POSITION TO RECREATION SUPERVISOR WHEREAS, the City periodically reviews its organizational structure and classifications to ensure positions appropriately reflect the duties, responsibilities, and operational needs of the organization; and
WHEREAS, the Recreation Department has grown in scope and complexity, resulting in an increased need for dedicated day-to-day staff supervision and operational oversight; and
WHEREAS, the current organizational structure places responsibility for both higher-level departmental management and direct supervision of frontline recreation staff with the Recreation Manager; and
WHEREAS, establishing a Recreation Supervisor classification will provide an appropriate supervisory level between the Recreation Manager and frontline recreation staff and establish a clearer division between management and supervisory responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, the Recreation Supervisor will provide day-to-day staff oversight, operational coordination, employee direction, training, scheduling, and implementation of departmental policies and procedures, allowing the Recreation Manager to concentrate on higher-level departmental responsibilities, strategic priorities, and longterm planning; and WHEREAS, based upon the supervisory authority and responsibilities assigned to the classification, the Recreation Supervisor will be designated as part of the City's Unrepresented Mid-Management group.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Calistoga as follows:
1. The City Council hereby approves and establishes the classification of Recreation Supervisor.
2. The Recreation Supervisor classification shall be considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and shall be included in the City’s Unrepresented Mid-Management (UMM) employee group.
3. The salary schedule for the Recreation Supervisor classification is hereby established as follows:
Item #6.6.
Resolution No. 2025-XXX
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5
Hourly $43.8400 $46.0320 $48.3336 $50.7503 $53.2878
Monthly $7,598.93 $7,978.8
8 $8,377.8
2 $8,796.72 $9,236.5
5 4. The existing Recreation Coordinator position is hereby reclassified to Recreation Supervisor. This action does not increase the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions.
5. The City Council hereby authorizes the reclassification of the existing Recreation Coordinator position to Recreation Supervisor.
6. The City Manager is authorized to implement the reclassification and take such administrative actions as necessary to effectuate this Resolution, consistent with the City's personnel rules and policies. And, the City Manager is further authorized to make technical or administrative corrections as necessary to implement this Resolution.
7. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of September, 2026.
I,YUDIANA GALVAN, CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF CALISTOGA, HEREBY CERTIFY the foregoing resolution was introduced and passed at a regular meeting of the Calistoga City Council by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
____________________________ __________________________ Yudiana Galvan, City Clerk Donald Williams, Mayor
Item #6.6.
Total Full Time Funded Personnel by Position
City of Calistoga
Personnel and Staffing
Full Time Personnel by Position
Position
Adopted Proposed
FY 25-26 FY 26-27
75.00 79.00
Accountant
Accounting Assistant
Accounting Technician
Administrative Analyst
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Secretary
Administrative Services Technician
Aquatics/Recreation Manager
Assistant/Associate Planner
Assistant/Associate Engineer
Assistant City Manager
Building Official
Chief of Police
Chief Water Plant Operator
City Clerk
City Manager
Code Enforcement Officer
Community Services Officer
Deputy City Manager
Deputy Finance Director
Deputy Public Works Director
Director of Admnistrative Services
Director of Planning and Building
Director of Public Works
Dispatcher
Dispatcher Supervisor
Dispatcher Manager
Executive Secretary to the City Manager
Executive Assistant to the City Manager
Fairgrounds Revitalization Director
Fire Chief
Fire Captain
Fire Engineer
Fire Fighter
HR/Finance Specialist
Human Resources Manager
Maintenance Superintendent
Maintenance Technician I/II
Maintenance Technician III
Management Analyst I/ II
Permit Technician
Plant Operator I / II
Plant Superintendent
Police Lieutenant
Police Officer
Police Sergeant
Principal Engineer
Recreation Services Manager
Recreation Coordinator
Recreation Supervisor
Senior Account Clerk
Senior Accounting Assistant
Senior Civil Engineer
Senior Maintenance Technician
Senior Planner
Senior Planner/Assistant to the City Manager
Senior Plant Operator
Senior Police Officer
0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00
0.00 1.00
0.00 0.00
0.00 1.00
0.00 0.00
3.00 2.00
0.00 0.00
1.00 1.00
0.00 0.00
1.00 0.00
1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00
0.00 0.00
1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00
0.00 0.00
1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00
6.00 6.00
0.00 0.00
1.00 1.00
0.00 0.00
1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00
3.00 3.00
3.00 3.00
3.00 6.00
1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00
7.00 8.00
0.00 0.00
1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00
5.00 5.00
1.00 1.00
1.00 0.00
10.00 10.00
2.00 3.00
1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00
2.00 1.00
0.00 1.00
0.00 0.00
1.00 1.00
0.00 0.00
2.00 2.00
1.00 1.00
0.00 0.00
1.00 1.00
0.00 0.00
Item #6.6.
Classification Unit Monthly-1 Monthly-2 Monthly-3 Monthly-4 Monthly-5 Hourly-1 Hourly-2 Hourly-3 Hourly-4 Hourly-5 FLSA City Manager UCM $24,166.67 $139.4231 Exempt
Councilmember Elected $950.00 Exempt
Mayor Elected $1,500.00 Exempt
Classification Unit Monthly-1 Monthly-2 Monthly-3 Monthly-4 Monthly-5 Hourly-1 Hourly-2 Hourly-3 Hourly-4 Hourly-5 FLSA Administrative Services Director UEM $16,275.15 $19,782.20 $93.8951 $114.1281 Exempt Assistant City Manager UEM $17,526.67 $21,303.75 $101.1154 $122.9062 Exempt Deputy City Manager UEM $16,275.15 $19,782.20 $93.8951 $114.1281 Exempt Fairgrounds Revitalization Director UEM $16,275.15 $19,782.20 $93.8951 $114.1281 Exempt Fire Chief UEM $17,526.67 $21,303.75 $101.1154 $122.9062 Exempt Parks & Recreation Director UEM $16,275.15 $19,782.20 $93.8951 $114.1281 Exempt Planning & Building Director UEM $16,275.15 $19,782.20 $93.8951 $114.1281 Exempt Police Chief UEM $17,526.67 $21,303.75 $101.1154 $122.9062 Exempt Public Works Director/City Engineer UEM $17,526.67 $21,303.74 $101.1154 $122.9062 Exempt Classification Unit Monthly-1 Monthly-2 Monthly-3 Monthly-4 Monthly-5 Hourly-1 Hourly-2 Hourly-3 Hourly-4 Hourly-5 FLSA Associate Civil Engineer UMM $9,278.18 $9,742.16 $10,228.64 $10,740.81 $11,277.64 $53.5280 $56.2048 $59.0114 $61.9662 $65.0633 Exempt Building Official UMM $10,740.81 $11,277.63 $11,842.32 $12,433.78 $13,055.27 $61.9662 $65.0633 $68.3211 $71.7334 $75.3189 Exempt City Clerk UMM $9,986.47 $10,484.73 $11,009.75 $11,560.51 $12,136.99 $57.6142 $60.4888 $63.5178 $66.6952 $70.0211 Exempt Code Enforcement Officer UMM $6,924.09 $7,271.26 $7,635.58 $8,013.81 $8,416.70 $39.9467 $41.9496 $44.0514 $46.2335 $48.5579 Non-Exempt Deputy City Clerk UMM $8,014.89 $8,415.63 $8,836.73 $9,278.19 $9,742.17 $46.2398 $48.5517 $50.9811 $53.5280 $56.2048 Exempt Deputy Finance Director UMM $12,321.56 $12,937.64 $13,584.52 $14,263.74 $14,976.93 $71.0859 $74.6402 $78.3722 $82.2908 $86.4054 Exempt Deputy Public Works Director UMM $12,198.76 $12,808.70 $13,449.14 $14,121.59 $14,827.67 $70.3775 $73.8963 $77.5912 $81.4707 $85.5443 Exempt Executive Assistant to the City Manager UMM $6,131.18 $6,435.48 $6,759.08 $7,096.60 $7,451.27 $35.3722 $37.1278 $38.9947 $40.9419 $42.9881 Non-Exempt Human Resources/Finance Specialist UMM $7,865.40 $8,258.67 $8,671.60 $9,105.18 $9,560.44 $45.3773 $47.6462 $50.0285 $52.5299 $55.1564 Non-Exempt Human Resources Manager UMM $10,536.06 $11,062.86 $11,616.00 $12,196.80 $12,806.64 $60.7849 $63.8242 $67.0154 $70.3662 $73.8845 Exempt Maintenance Superintendent UMM $10,246.20 $10,758.51 $11,296.44 $11,861.26 $12,454.32 $59.1127 $62.0683 $65.1717 $68.4303 $71.8518 Exempt Management Analyst I UMM $7,824.15 $8,215.26 $8,626.72 $9,056.40 $9,509.65 $45.1393 $47.3958 $49.7695 $52.2484 $54.8633 Exempt Management Analyst II UMM $9,056.40 $9,509.65 $9,986.46 $10,484.72 $11,009.75 $52.2484 $54.8633 $57.6142 $60.4888 $63.5178 Exempt Police Lieutenant UMM $12,433.78 $13,055.26 $13,707.81 $14,393.58 $15,112.56 $71.7334 $75.3188 $79.0835 $83.0399 $87.1878 Exempt Principal Engineer UMM $11,341.39 $11,908.46 $12,503.89 $13,129.08 $13,785.53 $65.4311 $68.7027 $72.1378 $75.7447 $79.5319 Exempt Public Safety Communications Manager UMM $8,391.18 $8,843.28 $9,295.39 $9,747.50 $10,199.61 $48.4107 $51.0189 $53.6273 $56.2356 $58.8439 Exempt Recreation Manager UMM $10,228.20 $10,739.61 $11,276.59 $11,840.42 $12,432.44 $59.0088 $61.9593 $65.0572 $68.3101 $71.7256 Exempt Recreation Supervisor UMM $7,598.93 $7,978.88 $8,377.82 $8,796.72 $9,236.55 $43.8400 $46.0320 $48.3336 $50.7503 $53.2878 Exempt Senior Civil Engineer UMM $10,484.73 $11,008.96 $11,560.51 $12,136.99 $12,744.52 $60.4888 $63.5132 $66.6952 $70.0211 $73.5261 Exempt Senior Planner UMM $9,742.16 $10,228.64 $10,740.81 $11,277.64 $11,842.31 $56.2048 $59.0114 $61.9662 $65.0633 $68.3210 Exempt Senior Planner/Assistant to the City Manager UMM $10,740.81 $11,277.64 $11,842.31 $12,433.78 $13,055.26 $61.9662 $65.0633 $68.3210 $71.7333 $75.3188 Exempt Utilities Systems Superintendent UMM $11,132.98 $11,689.08 $12,274.13 $12,887.02 $13,532.09 $64.2287 $67.4370 $70.8123 $74.3482 $78.0698 Exempt Classification Unit Monthly-1 Monthly-2 Monthly-3 Monthly-4 Monthly-5 Hourly-1 Hourly-2 Hourly-3 Hourly-4 Hourly-5 FLSA Accountant CPEA $7,286.45 $7,650.78 $8,033.32 $8,434.98 $8,856.73 $42.0372 $44.1391 $46.3461 $48.6634 $51.0965 Non-Exempt Accounting Assistant CPEA $5,225.87 $5,487.31 $5,761.18 $6,049.68 $6,351.73 $30.1492 $31.6576 $33.2376 $34.9020 $36.6446 Non-Exempt Accounting Technician CPEA $6,109.57 $6,414.62 $6,735.57 $7,072.46 $7,426.43 $35.2475 $37.0074 $38.8590 $40.8027 $42.8448 Non-Exempt Administrative Assistant CPEA $5,624.81 $5,905.42 $6,200.71 $6,510.63 $6,836.32 $32.4508 $34.0697 $35.7733 $37.5613 $39.4403 Non-Exempt Administrative Services Technician CPEA $6,231.76 $6,542.91 $6,870.28 $7,213.91 $7,574.96 $35.9525 $37.7476 $39.6362 $41.6187 $43.7017 Non-Exempt Assistant Engineer CPEA $8,107.56 $8,512.16 $8,938.15 $9,385.59 $9,854.42 $46.7744 $49.1086 $51.5663 $54.1476 $56.8524 Non-Exempt Assistant Planner CPEA $8,029.80 $8,431.02 $8,852.53 $9,295.41 $9,760.88 $46.3258 $48.6405 $51.0723 $53.6274 $56.3128 Non-Exempt Associate Planner CPEA $8,852.53 $9,295.41 $9,760.88 $10,248.86 $10,760.51 $51.0723 $53.6274 $56.3128 $59.1280 $62.0799 Non-Exempt Building Inspector CPEA $7,178.92 $7,537.32 $7,913.73 $8,309.29 $8,725.17 $41.4169 $43.4845 $45.6561 $47.9382 $50.3375 Non-Exempt Chief Plant Operator CPEA $9,112.17 $9,568.50 $10,046.22 $10,548.87 $11,076.50 $52.5702 $55.2029 $57.9590 $60.8589 $63.9029 Non-Exempt Maintenance Technician I CPEA $5,382.85 $5,651.99 $5,934.59 $6,231.78 $6,542.91 $31.0549 $32.6076 $34.2380 $35.9526 $37.7476 Non-Exempt Maintenance Technician II CPEA $5,934.59 $6,231.76 $6,542.91 $6,870.28 $7,213.91 $34.2380 $35.9525 $37.7476 $39.6362 $41.6187 Non-Exempt Permit Technician CPEA $6,032.94 $6,335.05 $6,651.34 $6,984.13 $7,333.46 $34.8054 $36.5484 $38.3731 $40.2930 $42.3084 Non-Exempt Item #6.6.
Classification Unit Monthly-1 Monthly-2 Monthly-3 Monthly-4 Monthly-5 Hourly-1 Hourly-2 Hourly-3 Hourly-4 Hourly-5 FLSA Plant Operator I CPEA $6,658.38 $6,990.69 $7,340.11 $7,707.84 $8,092.68 $38.4137 $40.3309 $42.3468 $44.4683 $46.6886 Non-Exempt Plant Operator II CPEA $7,519.69 $7,880.24 $8,290.60 $8,704.79 $9,139.71 $43.3828 $45.4629 $47.8304 $50.2199 $52.7291 Non-Exempt Recreation Coordinator CPEA $5,434.82 $5,706.32 $5,991.15 $6,290.53 $6,605.63 $31.3547 $32.9211 $34.5643 $36.2915 $38.1094 Non-Exempt Senior Accounting Assistant CPEA $5,905.42 $6,200.70 $6,510.62 $6,836.32 $7,178.92 $34.0697 $35.7733 $37.5613 $39.4403 $41.4169 Non-Exempt Senior Maintenance Technician CPEA $6,817.73 $7,158.79 $7,517.56 $7,892.85 $8,287.01 $39.3330 $41.3007 $43.3705 $45.5356 $47.8097 Non-Exempt Senior Plant Operator CPEA $8,246.97 $8,656.08 $9,091.09 $9,545.51 $10,023.23 $47.5787 $49.9389 $52.4486 $55.0703 $57.8263 Non-Exempt Water Conservation Technician CPEA $5,225.86 $5,487.31 $5,761.18 $6,049.67 $6,351.73 $30.1492 $31.6575 $33.2376 $34.9020 $36.6446 Non-Exempt Classification Unit Monthly-1 Monthly-2 Monthly-3 Monthly-4 Monthly-5 Hourly-1 Hourly-2 Hourly-3 Hourly-4 Hourly-5 FLSA Fire Captain CPFA $9,348.83 $9,816.27 $10,307.08 $10,822.44 $11,363.56 $38.5254 $40.4517 $42.4742 $44.5980 $46.8278 Non-Exempt Fire Engineer CPFA $8,478.13 $8,902.04 $9,347.14 $9,814.50 $10,305.22 $34.9374 $36.6842 $38.5184 $40.4444 $42.4666 Non-Exempt Fire Fighter CPFA $7,689.89 $8,074.39 $8,478.11 $8,902.01 $9,347.12 $31.6891 $33.2736 $34.9373 $36.6841 $38.5183 Non-Exempt Classification Unit Monthly-1 Monthly-2 Monthly-3 Monthly-4 Monthly-5 Hourly-1 Hourly-2 Hourly-3 Hourly-4 Hourly-5 FLSA Police Officer CPOA $7,917.66 $8,313.55 $8,729.22 $9,165.69 $9,623.97 $45.6788 $47.9628 $50.3609 $52.8790 $55.5229 Non-Exempt Police Sergeant CPOA $9,393.62 $9,863.30 $10,356.46 $10,874.29 $11,418.00 $54.1939 $56.9036 $59.7488 $62.7363 $65.8731 Non-Exempt Public Safety Community Services Officer CPOA $5,473.07 $5,746.72 $6,034.06 $6,335.76 $6,652.55 $31.5754 $33.1542 $34.8119 $36.5525 $38.3801 Non-Exempt Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor CPOA $6,978.40 $7,327.32 $7,693.69 $8,078.38 $8,482.29 $40.2600 $42.2730 $44.3867 $46.6060 $48.9363 Non-Exempt Public Safety Dispatcher CPOA $6,192.13 $6,499.52 $6,825.54 $7,167.87 $7,524.17 $35.7238 $37.4972 $39.3781 $41.3531 $43.4087 Non-Exempt Classification Unit Monthly-1 Monthly-2 Monthly-3 Monthly-4 Monthly-5 Hourly-1 Hourly-2 Hourly-3 Hourly-4 Hourly-5 FLSA Administrative Aide UTE $17.0000 $17.8500 $18.7425 $19.6796 $20.6636 Non-Exempt Fire Captain UTE $38.5254 $40.4517 $42.4742 $44.5980 $46.8278 Non-Exempt Fire Engineer UTE $34.9374 $36.6842 $38.5184 $40.4444 $42.4666 Non-Exempt Fire Fighter UTE $31.6891 $33.2736 $34.9373 $36.6841 $38.5183 Non-Exempt Head Lifeguard UTE $19.8450 $20.8373 $21.8791 $22.9731 $24.1217 Non-Exempt Lifeguard I UTE $18.0000 $18.9000 $19.8450 $20.8373 $21.8791 Non-Exempt Non-Classified Employee-Professional/Technical UTE $17.0000 $0.0000 $0.0000 $0.0000 $150.0000 See Note 3 Office Assistant I UTE $17.0000 $17.8500 $18.7425 $19.6796 $20.6636 Non-Exempt Office Assistant II UTE $18.7425 $19.6796 $20.6636 $21.6968 $22.7816 Non-Exempt Operator-in-Training UTE step 5 is set at 20% below a Plant Operator I step 1 Non-Exempt Police Officer UTE $45.6788 $47.9628 $50.3609 $52.8790 $55.5229 Non-Exempt Police Officer Trainee UTE step 5 is set at 20% below a Police Officer step 1 Non-Exempt Police Technician UTE $17.0000 $17.8500 $18.7425 $19.6796 $20.6636 Non-Exempt Public Safety Dispatcher UTE $35.7238 $37.4972 $39.3781 $41.3531 $43.4087 Non-Exempt Recreation Leader UTE $17.0000 $17.8500 $18.7425 $19.6796 $20.6636 Non-Exempt Recreation Program Assistant UTE $20.6636 $21.6968 $22.7816 $23.9207 $25.1167 Non-Exempt Water Conservation Manager UTE $27.4200 $28.7910 $30.2306 $31.7421 $33.3292 Non-Exempt Water Conservation Specialist UTE $17.2600 $18.1230 $19.0292 $19.9806 $20.9796 Non-Exempt Legend Notes
CPEA - Calistoga Public Employees Association 1 - Hourly, except FLSA Non-Exempt fire safety, is the Yearly (Monthly x 12) divided by 2,080 hours, rounded to 4 decimal places CPFA - Calistoga Professional Firefighters Association 2 - Hourly FLSA Non-Exempt fire safety is the Yearly (Monthly x 12) divided by 2,912 hours (2,756 regular hours + 156 overtime hours) CPOA - Calistoga Police Officers Association 3 - Exempt or non-exempt status under the FLSA is to be reviewed based on the assigned duties and pay; pay is at any value from the minimum to the maximum.
Elected - Mayor & Councilmembers 4 - A Temporary Employee working in a classification which not listed in Group UTE receives the same wage/salary schedule as the represented classification UCM - City Manager 5 - UEM classifications have a minimum and maximum rate; an employee may be at any value from the minimum to the maximum.
UEM - Unrepresented Executive Management
UMM - Unrepresented Mid-Management
UTE - Unrepresented Temporary Employee
Salary schedule as of 09/15/2026
Item #6.6.
City of Calistoga
STAFF REPORT
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Andrew Amelung, Senior Planner
Meeting: City Council - Regular Meeting - Oct 06 2026
Subject: Consideration of a Resolution establishing an ADU Fee Assistance Program DESCRIPTION:
Consideration of a Resolution establishing an ADU Fee Assistance Program to implement ADU incentives called for in Housing Element Action Item A1.2-2.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider Adopting the Resolution
SUMMARY:
This report presents a proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Fee Assistance Program that will implement incentives called for in Housing Element Action Item A1.2-2 and previously discussed by the Housing Advisory Committee (May 18, 2026), the Planning Commission (September 9, 2026), and the City Council (June 10, 2025). The Planning Commission discussed the incentive program after taking action on recommended ordinance amendments to CMC Chapter 17.37 - Accessory Dwelling Units, but did not take action as the incentives are proposed to be established by City Council resolution. The Commission suggested that any deed-restricted incentive program include a mechanism for monitoring compliance and consequences for violation, both of which are presented for Council direction. The ADU ordinance amendments are currently under state review by the Department of Housing and Community Development prior to returning to the City Council for consideration and adoption.
ANALYSIS:
Background
The City’s 6th Cycle (2023–2031) Housing Element sets a goal of permitting three ADUs per year, and Action Item A1.2-2 calls for the City to develop and implement incentives to promote ADU development.
Connection and capacity fees of approximately $28,500, and total fees of up to approximately $43,500 when including impact fees, were identified by the Housing Advisory Committee (HAC), MGroup, and the California Housing Defense Fund (Cal HDF) as significant financial barriers to ADU construction, particularly for workforce and affordable housing.
The HAC first recommended waiving impact and connection fees for the first five ADUs permitted each calendar year at its 2025 meetings, and discussed a tiered, AMI-based deed-restriction approach at its May 18, 2026 meeting. Despite this, upon departmental and legal review, budgetary hurdles were identified that made codifying the waiver of fees impractical for the Department of Item #7.1.
Public Works. An alternative approach was identified that would use Measure D funding to cover the cost of those fees rather than waiving them, with annual review for funding availability and program effectiveness.
Proposed Program
In the ADU Fee Assistance Program, the City would fund utility connection fees in the form of a grant using Measure D funding for water and sewer connection and capacity charges where applicable for new construction, as well as the imposed impact fees for ADUs over 750 square feet, for the first three ADUs for which a complete building permit application is approved each calendar year, on a first-come, first-served basis. As a condition for fee assistance through the program, the property owner would record a 10-year deed restriction requiring the ADU to be rented and for rent to be affordable to households earning no more than 160 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) and prohibiting rental terms shorter than 30 days. The program would be funded by an annual transfer from Measure D funds, subject to annual budget appropriation, and reviewed by the Council annually. Measure D funds were established through the adoption of Resolution No. 2018-072, which are to be used solely for affordable and workforce housing expenditures.
City Council considerations include:
1. Limiting the program to cover connection fees only, as impact fees on ADUs below 750 square feet are not required. This will conserve Measure D funds and incentivize smaller ADU construction, which by nature is generally more affordable.
2. Increase the number of eligible ADUs from the Housing Elements goal of three to five or more.
3. Decreasing the deed restriction duration to five years to match Napa County's Affordable ADU Loan Forgiveness Program, or increasing the duration to 15 years as recommended by the consultants who helped draft the Housing Element, or longer to secure more long-term affordable housing in Calistoga.
4. Including a monitoring fee to be paid upfront or annually, either by the applicant or through Measure D funding.
5. Adjusting the 160 percent AMI rental rate.
6. Establishing a tiered incentive program to distinguish units set the 120 percent AMI rental rate in order to meet HCD RHNA requirements.
Affordability Compliance: Monitoring and Enforcement
The Planning Commission asked that the deed-restriction incentive in Section 2(D) include: 1) a mechanism to monitor ongoing compliance that is not unduly labor-intensive for staff; and 2) charges or penalties for violation.
Staff has identified two potential monitoring options for Council's consideration as follows:
Option 1: Self-Certification with Spot Audits. Property owners would submit a brief annual certification of rent charged and tenancy term; the City would audit a random sample of at least 20 percent of active certifications each year by requesting supporting documentation. This mirrors standard practice for small deed-restricted programs and requires no new contract or budget.
Option 2: Housing Authority of the City of Napa (HACN) Monitoring. The City’s existing FY 2026– 2028 Intergovernmental Agreement with HACN already funds annual monitoring of the City’s Item #7.1.
other affordable housing regulatory agreements using the same certification/audit methodology contemplated under Option 1. However, ADUs assisted under this program are not currently listed in the agreement’s Exhibit B monitoring schedule. Adding them would require an agreement amendment, and could either (a) fall within the agreement’s existing “up to 16 additional affordable housing units” allowance at no added baseline cost, if unused capacity remains, or (b) be billed as an additional service on a time-and-materials basis under Section 3(c) of the agreement, which may be disproportionate to the value of a single ADU’s fee assistance given the program’s scattered, single-parcel character. Staff recommends obtaining a per-unit cost estimate from HACN before Council commits to this option.
Enforcement options:
Violations include, as a baseline remedy, repayment of the full value of fees covered under the program, plus interest from the date of assistance at the legal rate applicable to money judgments under Code of Civil Procedure section 685.010 (currently 10 percent per annum, simple interest), with unpaid amounts becoming a lien on the property enforceable by the City.
Implementation and Staff Time
Staff time required to implement the incentive program, monitor deed restrictions, and provide enforcement for any violations should be considered when determining the best approach for the program. The table below provides an estimate of staff time required for implementation of one granted ADU incentive.
Fiscal Considerations
The Fee Assistance Program’s annual Measure D transfer ranges from a minimum of $85,500 for three connection fees per year, representing 8.3 percent of Measure D annual revenue, to upwards of $217,000 when covering five connection and impact fees per year, representing 21 percent of annual Measure D revenue. Budget constraints noted in the FY 2025–26 budget documents make this a fiscally sensitive decision independent of the monitoring and enforcement choices discussed above. If Council selects HACN monitoring (Option 2), any added compensation under an amended agreement would return to Council for separate approval before taking effect. Based on these fiscal constraints, the Council may wish to only cover the connection fees and not the impact fees for Item #7.1.
ADUs over 750 square feet. This option can conserve Measure D funding and will also encourage the construction of smaller, less impactful ADUs, which are also, by nature, more affordable options.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
As presented, adoption of the Resolution will require an annual transfer of up to approximately $85,500 to $217,000 from Measure D funds, subject to annual appropriation through the City’s budget process. If Council directs staff to pursue Housing Authority monitoring, an amendment to the City’s FY 2026–2028 Intergovernmental Agreement with HACN would be required, with associated cost negotiated and returned to Council for approval.
CEQA STATUS:
Adoption of the Resolution is not a “project” subject to CEQA under State CEQA Guidelines section 15378, as it establishes funding and administrative programs with no potential to result in a physical change to the environment subject to environmental review under CEQA. To the extent adoption is deemed a project, it is statutorily exempt under Public Resources Code section 21080.17 and State CEQA Guidelines section 15268 (ministerial approval of ADUs), and categorically exempt under State CEQA Guidelines sections 15301 and 15303. Individual ADUs approved under these programs remain ministerial projects statutorily exempt from CEQA.
ATTACHMENT(S):
ATTACHMENT 2 - RESO - ADU Fee Assistance Incentives Program APPROVAL(S):
Greg Desmond, Planning & Building Director Approved - Sep 24 2026 Hide Miyamoto, Administrative Services Director Approved - Sep 28 2026 Mitch Celaya, City Manager Approved - Sep 29 2026
Yudiana Galvan, City of Calistoga | City Clerk Approved - Sep 30 2026 Item #7.1.
4900-1879-2915 v1
CITY OF CALISTOGA
CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XX
(DRAFT)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CALISTOGA, CALIFORNIA
ESTABLISHING AN ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT FEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO
FUND CONNECTION AND IMPACT FEES FOR UP TO THE FIRST THREE ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNITS PERMITTED EACH CALENDAR YEAR
WHEREAS, California is experiencing a statewide housing crisis, and accessory dwelling units (“ADUs”) and junior accessory dwelling units (“JADUs”) are a valuable and cost-effective form of housing that helps meet the City’s housing needs; and
WHEREAS, the City of Calistoga’s (“City”) adopted 6th Cycle (2023–2031) Housing Element establishes a goal of three ADUs per year and, in Action Item A1.2-2, calls for the City to develop and implement incentives to promote the development of ADUs; and WHEREAS, connection and capacity fees of approximately $28,500, and total fees of up to approximately $43,500 including impact fees, represent a significant financial barrier to ADU construction, particularly for workforce and affordable housing, which the Housing Advisory Committee (“HAC”) identified as discouraging ADU construction; and WHEREAS, the HAC recommended that the City waive impact and connection fees for the first five ADUs permitted each calendar year, two above the Housing Element target of three ADUs per year, on a first-come, first-served basis; and
WHEREAS, under Government Code section 66311.5, an ADU containing 750 square feet or less of interior livable space and a JADU containing 500 square feet or less of interior livable space are already exempt from impact fees, such that this program principally addresses water and sewer connection and capacity charges and impact fees applicable to ADUs greater than 750 square feet of interior livable space; and
WHEREAS, the affordability condition described in this Resolution would a voluntary condition of participation in a discretionary financial assistance program, and is not a regulatory standard imposed on the approval of ADUs under Government Code section 66315; and WHEREAS, establishing this programs allows the City to administer, fund, and adjust the programs as appropriations and circumstances warrant; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish the program set forth herein to reduce barriers to, and to incentivize, the production of ADUs and JADUs in the City; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Calistoga as follows:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference as findings of the City Council.
SECTION 2. ADU FEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
Item #7.1.
4900-1879-2915 v1
A. Establishment. There is hereby established an ADU Fee Assistance Program (the “Fee Program”) to reduce the cost of constructing ADUs and JADUs within the City.
B. Eligible Fees. For each eligible unit, the City shall waive or pay, from the funding source identified in subsection (F): (1) City impact fees applicable to the ADU or JADU, to the extent such fees are not already exempt under Government Code section 66311.5; and (2) water and sewer connection and capacity charges imposed by the City for the ADU or JADU.
C. Annual Limit; Priority. The Fee Program shall apply to the first five (5) ADUs or JADUs for which a complete building permit application is accepted by the City in each calendar year, on a first-come, first-served basis determined by the date a complete application is approved. Unused capacity in any calendar year shall not carry over to a subsequent year.
D. Affordability Condition. As a condition of receiving assistance under the Fee Program, the property owner shall record, on a form approved by the City Attorney, a deed restriction running with the land for a term of fifteen (15) years requiring that the ADU or JADU be rented, that rent be at a rate affordable to households earning no more than 160% of Area Median Income, and prohibiting rental of the unit for a term shorter than 30 days.
E. Administration. The City Manager or designee is authorized to prepare and establish application procedures, forms, administrative guidelines, agreements and deed restrictions to determine eligibility, and to administer the Fee Program consistent with this Resolution.
F. Funding. Assistance under the Fee Program shall be funded by an annual transfer of up to approximately $217,000 from Measure D funds subject to annual appropriation by the City Council through the City’s budget.
G. Review and Modification. The Fee Program shall be reviewed by the City Council annually as part of the budget process, and the Council may modify, suspend, or terminate the Fee Program at any time.
H. Compliance Monitoring. To ensure compliance with the affordability condition in subsection (D), the City shall implement the following:
[CHOSEN OPTION TO BE INSERTED]
[Option 1 – Self-Certification with Spot Audits (Staff Recommended).] Each property owner participating in the Fee Program shall submit to the City, on an annual basis, a signed certification identifying the rent charged and the term of tenancy for the ADU or JADU.
The City shall annually audit a random sample of not less than twenty percent (20%) of active certifications by requesting supporting documentation (e.g., a lease or rent ledger) from the selected property owners. Failure to timely submit a certification or requested documentation shall constitute a violation subject to subsection (I). [Option 2 – Housing Authority Monitoring.] The City may contract with the Housing Authority of the City of Napa ("HACN"), or another qualified housing agency, to administer annual compliance monitoring of units assisted under the Fee Program, consistent with the monitoring services HACN currently provides for other City-regulated affordable housing units under the City’s Intergovernmental Agreement for Services with HACN (FY 2026– 2028). Implementation of this option is contingent on an amendment to that agreement adding the affected units to its scope of services and compensation under Exhibit B, and on annual appropriation of any associated cost.
Item #7.1.
4900-1879-2915 v1
I. Violation; Remedies. If the City determines that a property owner has violated the affordability condition in subsection (D) — including renting the unit above the applicable affordable rent, renting for a term shorter than 30 days, or failing to comply with the monitoring requirements of subsection (H) — the following remedies shall apply:
1. Repayment. The property owner shall repay to the City the full amount of impact fees waived and connection/capacity fees paid or waived under the Fee Program, together with interest accruing from the date such assistance was provided at the legal rate applicable to money judgments under Code of Civil Procedure section 685.010 (currently ten percent (10%) per annum, simple interest).
2. Lien. Any amount owed under this subsection that remains unpaid ninety (90) days after written demand shall constitute a lien on the property in favor of the City, which the City Attorney is authorized to record and enforce in the same manner as a judgment lien, including by civil action to foreclose the lien.
3. Other Remedies. The remedies in this subsection are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedy available to the City at law or in equity, including specific enforcement of the deed restriction recorded under subsection (D).
SECTION 3. IMPLEMENTATION.
The City Manager and the Planning and Building Director, and their designees, are each authorized to take all actions and prepare and execute all documents necessary or appropriate to implement this Resolution.
SECTION 4. CEQA.
The City Council finds that adoption of this Resolution is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under State CEQA Guidelines section 15378, because it establishes funding and administrative programs that do not have the potential to result in either a direct physical change or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
To the extent adoption is deemed a project, it is statutorily exempt under Public Resources Code section 21080.17 and State CEQA Guidelines section 15268 (ministerial approval of ADUs), and categorically exempt under State CEQA Guidelines sections 15301 and 15303. Individual ADUs approved under these programs are ministerial projects statutorily exempt from CEQA.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Calistoga at a regular meeting held this XX day of __________, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAINED:
________________________________
Donald Williams, Mayor
Item #7.1.
4900-1879-2915 v1
ATTEST:
________________________________
Yudiana Galvan, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________________
City Attorney
Item #7.1.
City of Calistoga
STAFF REPORT
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Matt McCaffrey, Police Chief
Meeting: City Council - Regular Meeting - Oct 06 2026
Subject: Introduction and Waiving the First Reading of an Ordinance of the City of Calistoga Adding Chapter 6.5 to the Municipal Code Regarding Potentially Dangerous Dogs.
DESCRIPTION:
The City Council will consider the introduction and waiving of the first reading of adding Chapter
6.05 to the Calistoga Municipal Code regarding Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dogs, which will establish an administrative process for the investigation and regulation of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs, including procedures for hearings, appeals, and enforcement actions.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider Approving the Ordinance Amendment
SUMMARY:
The City of Calistoga currently does not have a Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dogs Ordinance. This ordinance will add Chapter 6.05 to Title 6 of the Municipal Code to put in place a procedure for the handling of instances involving bites or attacks by dogs.
ANALYSIS:
This ordinance establishes procedures for the investigation, designation, confinement, and disposition of potentially dangerous and vicious dogs within the City. The ordinance also outlines the responsibilities and requirements applicable to dog owners following such a designation, providing a clear process for protecting public safety while ensuring due process.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
CEQA STATUS:
This Ordinance was assessed in accordance with the authority and criteria contained in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the State CEQA Guidelines (the Guidelines), and the environmental regulations of the City. The City Council hereby finds that this Ordinance is not a “project” pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), because the ordinance establishes administrative procedures consistent with state law, and is not a commitment to a specific project which may result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. In the alternative, even if this Ordinance was a “project”, it is exempt from CEQA requirements pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), because it can be seen with certainty that the provisions contained herein would not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment Item #7.2.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dogs Ord City of Calistoga_CAO revisions APPROVAL(S):
Hide Miyamoto, Administrative Services Director Approved - Sep 25 2026 Mitch Celaya, City Manager Approved - Sep 29 2026
Yudiana Galvan, City of Calistoga | City Clerk Approved - Sep 30 2026 Item #7.2.
4903-4320-3007 v11
ORDINANCE NO. ***
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CALISTOGA ADDING CHAPTER 6.05 TITLE 6 TO THE CALISTOGA MUNICIPAL CODE
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Calistoga desires to make and enforce laws for the general health, safety, and welfare of the public, including dogs; and WHEREAS, dogs that exhibit potentially dangerous, or vicious behavior may pose a significant threat to persons, domestic animals, and property and may constitute a public nuisance if not properly controlled; and
WHEREAS, incidents involving dog attacks and aggressive conduct can result in serious bodily injury, property damage, emotional trauma, and increased public safety concerns within the community; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that owners and keepers of dogs are responsible for maintaining and controlling their dogs in a manner that protects the public and prevents injury to persons, animals, and property; and
WHEREAS; the City Council further finds that there is a need for clear and consistent procedures to investígate reports of potentially dangerous and vicious dogs, determine appropriate corrective measures, and provide due process protections for dog owners and keepers; and
WHEREAS, California Food and Agricultural Code section 31683 authorizes cities to adopt or enforce their own program for the control of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish an administrative process for the investigation and regulation of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs, including procedures for hearings, appeals, and enforcement actions; and
WHEREAS, the proposed ordinance will promote responsible dog ownership, reduce risk of injuries and property damage, provide effective enforcement mechanisms, and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community; and WHEREAS, the proposed ordinance is intended to supplement, and not replace, remedies available under state and county law, as well as other provisions of the Calistoga Municipal Code relating to animal control and public nuisances; and WHEREAS, the City Council conducted a duly noticed public hearing on this ordinance on October 6, 2026 received public testimony and other evidence, and considered all information presented; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that adoption of this ordinance is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and Public Resources Code section 21065, because the ordinance constitutes an organizational or administrative activity of the City that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CALISTOGA CITY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: Recitals
Findings: The above recitals are incorporated herein as if set forth herein in full and each is relied upon independently by the City Council for its adoption of this Ordinance.
SECTION 2: Chapter 6.05 is hereby added to Title 6 of the Calistoga Municipal Code Item #7.2.
to read in its entirety as follows:
CHAPTER 6.05
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND VICIOUS DOGS
o 6.05.010 Purpose.
o 6.05.020 Definitions.
o 6.05.030 Investigation and Certification process.
o 6.05.040 Confinement of dog prior to Hearing.
o 6.05.050 Scheduling the Hearing.
o 6.05.060 Hearing- Procedures generally.
o 6.05.070 Hearing- Determinations.
6.05.080 Costs, fines, and liabilities.
o 6.05.090 Circumstances under which dogs may not be declared Potentially Dangerous or Vicious.
§ 6.05.010. Purpose.
A. This chapter is intended to provide a program for the control of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs. Dogs that involve a threat to property and the health and safety of those on streets, sidewalks and private property where the dogs are not properly maintained constitutes a serious hazard within the city. Specific injuries to persons and animals resulting from attacks by such dogs illustrates the need for regulation.
B. Every owner of a dogis held accountable for the exercise of such control over the dog as necessary to insure that the dog does not destroy the property of other persons or injure human beings or other animals who are not on the premises where the dog is maintained. Such accountability is imposed whether or not the damage or injury results from the negligence or other fault of the owner, and regardless of the degree of precaution or control exercised by the owner.
C. The provisions of this chapter provide an expedited, alternative administrative procedure by which dogs found to be potentially dangerous or vicious may be abated and their owners or keepers appropriately penalized and otherwise held responsible for injury or damage caused by their animals. This chapter is intended to supplement rather than supplant any other remedy available either under state law or city ordinance.
D. This chapter does not apply to licensed kennels, City designated animal shelters, or veterinarians. This chapter also does not apply to dogs utilized by the Sheriff, Police Department, or any law enforcement officer in the performance of police work.
§ 6.05.020. Definitions
A. "Certification"
shall mean the Investigating Officer's written finding, made after completing the investigation and before the hearing, regarding whether or not probable cause exists to believe that a dog is potentially dangerous or vicious.
B. “Determination”
shall mean the decision made by the Hearing Officer after the hearing, regarding the ultimate determination of whether a dog is Potentially Item #7.2.
4903-4320-3007 v11
Dangerous or Vicious, and may include any necessary orders for disposition or maintenance. The owner or keeper of the dog shall comply with the orders, unless the Determination to Superior Court.
C. “Dog”
shall mean a domesticated Animal that is a member of the canine family.
D. "Keeper"
shall mean any person who keeps regular care of and resides with a dog, whether or not he or she actually owns the dog.
E. “Hearing Officer”
shall mean the Calistoga Chief of Police or their designee who shall be selected in a manner that avoids the potential for pecuniary or other bias.
F. "Investigating Officer"
shall mean a Calistoga law enforcement officer or an Animal Control Officer as described in Chapter 6.04.
G. "Owner"
shall mean any person who owns, shares ownership, has an interest in, or has control, custody, or possession of a dog(whether or not documented or registered).
H. “Petition”
shall mean the written document, drafted by the Calistoga Police Department, requesting a hearing with the Hearing Officer to determine whether a dog is Potentially Dangerous or Vicious. The Petition should include the following:
a.) the identity of the dog and its owner or keeper;
b.) the Investigating Officer’s Certification that probable cause exists to believe the dog is Potentially Dangerous or Vicious; c.) a description of the facts supporting the Certification’s finding; and d.) the complaint, if any, received from a member of the public that served as the evidentiary basis for the Certification. This complaint should be sworn to and verified by the complainant pursuant to Food and Agricultural Code Section 31621.
I. "Potentially Dangerous Dog"
shall mean any of the following:
(i) any dog which, when unprovoked, on two separate occasions within the prior 36-month period, engages in any behavior that requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the person and the dog are off the property of the owner or keeper of the dog. (ii) any dog which, when unprovoked, bites a person causing a less than Severe Injury.
(iii) any dog which, when unprovoked, on two separate occasions within the prior 36-month period, has killed, seriously bitten, inflicted injury, or otherwise caused injury attacking a domestic animal off the property of the owner or keeper of the dog.
Item #7.2.
J. “Severe Injury”
shall mean any physical injury to a human being that results in muscle tears or disfiguring lacerations or requires multiple sutures or corrective or cosmetic surgery.
K. "Vicious Dog"
shall mean :
i. Any dog that, when unprovoked, in an aggressive manner, inflicts Severe Injury on or kills a human being.
ii. Any dog previously determined to be and currently listed as a Potentially Dangerous Dog that, after its owner or keeper has been notified of this determination, continues the behavior of a Potentially Dangerous Dog or is maintained in violation of state law.
§ 6.05.030. Investigation and Certification process.
A. Investigation. In the event of a report or incident involving a dog biting a human being or animal, the case shall be investigated by an Investigating Officer.
B. Certification process: Following the investigation, the Investigating Officer shall prepare a Certification stating whether there is probable cause to believe that a dog is Potentially Dangerous or Vicious. a. Any dog that has been determined by a California jurisdiction, within the preceding 12 months, to be "potentially dangerous," "dangerous," "vicious," or subject to a substantially similar designation following an administrative or judicial hearing, may be considered by the Investigating Officer as evidence during the Certification process. b. If Certification finds probable cause to believe that the dog is Potentially Dangerous or Vicious, then the Investigating Officer shall transmit the Certification to the Calistoga Police Department for inclusion with a Petition requesting a hearing pursuant to this chapter.
c. If the Certification does not find probable cause to believe that the dog is Potentially Dangerous or Vicious, no Petition shall be filed and the matter shall be closed. The Certification and any related investigative records may be retained by the Calistoga Police Department in accordance with the City’s records retention policies and applicable law.
§ 6.05.040. Confinement of Dog Prior to Hearing
A. Upon initiation of an Investigation pursuant to this chapter, the Investigating Officer is authorized to order the dog quarantined pending completion of both the Item #7.2.
4903-4320-3007 v11
investigation and hearing conducted pursuant to this chapter. The dog will be confined either on the premises of the owner or keeper. If they are unwilling or unable to quarantine the dog, the Investigating Officer is authorized to take custody of the dog and keep it confined or quarantined at a Department approved dog kennel or veterinary facility at the owner’s or keeper’s expense.
B. This Section supplements, and does not limit, the authority granted to the Animal Control Officer under Section 6.04.160(C) or any other provision of this Code or applicable law.
§ 6.05.050. Scheduling the Hearing.
A. The Calistoga Police Department shall, upon receipt of Certification that probable cause exists to believe that there is a Potentially Dangerous or Vicious Dog, draft the Petition for a hearing before the Hearing Officer.
B. The Police Department shall serve the owner or keeper of the dog with notice of the hearing and a copy of the Petition, either personally or by firstclass mail with return receipt requested. The hearing shall be held promptly within no less than five (5) working days nor more than ten (10) working days after service of notice upon the owner or keeper of the dog. § 6.05.060. Hearing—Procedures generally.
A. At the hearing before the Hearing Officer, both oral and documentary evidence shall be taken and considered bearing upon the question of whether or not the dog in question is potentially dangerous or vicious. No hearing shall be continued without proof to the Hearing Officer that the public is being adequately protected from any further attacks by the dog in question. The Hearing Officer may decide all issues for or against the owner or keeper of the dog even if they do not appear at the hearing.
B. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Hearing Officer shall make a Determination as to whether or not the dog is considered Potentially Dangerous or Vicious.
§ 6.05.070. Hearing—Determinations.
a) Determination of a Potentially Dangerous Dog: If the Hearing Officer’s Determination is that the dog is Potentially Dangerous, then it shall be properly licensed, registered, or vaccinated as ordered by the Hearing Officer.
(i) Registration: The owner must register their Potentially Dangerous Dog with the city and may be required to pay a fee in addition to the regular licensing fee pursuant to Section 6.04.060 of this Code. (ii) List of Potentially Dangerous Dogs: The city will add the Potentially Dangerous Dog to an internally maintained list. If there are no additional instances of Potentially Dangerous behavior described under §
6.05.020(J) within a 36-month period from the date of designation as a Item #7.2.
potentially dangerous dog, the dog shall be removed from the list of Potentially Dangerous Dogs.
b) Determination of a Vicious Dog: If the Hearing Officer’s Determination is that the dog is Vicious, then it shall be deemed a public nuisance. The Vicious Dog shall be humanely destroyed if the Determination finds that the release of the dog would create a significant threat to the public health, safety, and welfare. If the Determination is that the Vicious Dog shall not be destroyed, the Hearing Officer shall impose conditions upon the ownership of the dog that protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
(i) The Hearing Officer may prohibit the owner of a dog determined to be a Vicious Dog from owning, possessing, controlling, or having custody of any dog for a period of up to three years, if the Hearing Officer determines, based upon the evidence presented at the hearing, that ownership or possession of a dog by that person would create a significant threat to the public health, safety or welfare.
c) Determination that Dog is not Potentially Dangerous or Vicious: If the Hearing Officer determines that the dog is neither Potentially Dangerous nor Vicious, no restrictions or conditions shall be imposed on the owner or keeper pursuant to this chapter.
d) Service of Determination: The Determination should either be delivered by personal service or by regular first class mail. The Determination may establish a time schedule to ensure compliance with this Section, but in no case more than 30 days subsequent to the date of the Determination or 35 days if the service is by first-class mail. The failure of any owner and/or keeper to receive service required to be given under this chapter shall not invalidate the validity of any Determination, , or proceedings taken pursuant thereto.
e) Appeal: The owner or keeper of the dog, or the Investigating Officer, may appeal a Determination to the Superior Court within five days after receipt of the Determination pursuant to Food and Agricultural Code Section 31622(a). The holding of the Superior Court shall be final and conclusive upon all parties. After an appeal has been commenced, the Superior Court may stay the Determination provided that the dog's owner must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Court that the public is being adequately protected from the possibility of any further attacks by the dog in question. The Superior Court’s holding shall be the final and conclusive determination upon all parties.
§ 6.05.080. Costs, fines, and liability.
(a) If the Determination finds the dog Potentially Dangerous or Vicious, the city-incurred costs for impoundment and any abatement, penalties or fines, shall be paid by the owner and/or keeper. If the Determination includes the release of the dog to the owner or keeper, the dog shall not be released until such amounts have been paid in full.
(b) If the costs imposed by the Determination are not paid, an action may be brought in the name of the city to recover the costs in small claims or other appropriate court, Item #7.2.
4903-4320-3007 v11
in which case all the remedies provided by law may be pursued by the city. (c) Any violation of this chapter involving a Potentially Dangerous Dog shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500). Any violation of this chapter involving a Vicious Dog shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). (d) This chapter does not affect or change the existing civil liability or criminal laws regarding dogs.
§ 6.05.090. Circumstances under which dogs may not be declared Potentially Dangerous or Vicious.
(a) No dog may be declared Potentially Dangerous or Vicious if any injury or damage is sustained by a person who, at the time the injury or damage was sustained, was committing a willful trespass or other tort upon premises occupied by the owner or keeper of the dog, or was teasing, tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog, or was committing or attempting to commit a crime. No dog may be declared Potentially Dangerous or Vicious if the dog was protecting or defending a person within the immediate vicinity of the dog from an unjustified attack or assault. No dog may be declared Potentially Dangerous or Vicious if an injury or damage was sustained by a domestic animal which at the time the injury or damage was sustained was teasing, tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog.
(b) No dog may be declared Potentially Dangerous or Vicious if the injury or damage to a domestic animal was sustained while the dog was working as a hunting dog, herding dog, or predator control dog on the property of, or under the control of, its owner or keeper, and the damage or injury was to a species or type of domestic animal appropriate to the work of the dog.
SECTION 3: Compliance with CEQA
This Ordinance was assessed in accordance with the authority and criteria contained in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the State CEQA Guidelines (the Guidelines), and the environmental regulations of the City. The City Council hereby finds that this Ordinance is not a “project” pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), because the ordinance establishes administrative procedures consistent with state law, and is not a commitment to a specific project which may result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. In the alternative, even if this Ordinance was a “project”, it is exempt from CEQA requirements pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), because it can be seen with certainty that the provisions contained herein would not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 4: Severability
If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase in this Ordinance or any part thereof is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, or ineffective by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the remaining portions of this Ordinance or any part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared unconstitutional, or invalid, or ineffective.
SECTION 5: Effective Date
Item #7.2.
This Ordinance shall take effect 30 days from its passage, and shall be published in accordance with the law, in a newspaper of general circulation published and circulated in the City of Calistoga.
SECTION 6: Publication
The City Clerk is directed to cause this Ordinance to be published in the manner required by law. The City Clerk is authorized and directed to make typographical, grammatical and similar corrections in the final text of the Ordinance so long as such corrections do not constitute substantive changes in context.
THIS ORDINANCE was introduced with the first reading waived at the City of Calistoga City Council meeting on the 6th of October 2026, and was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Calistoga City Council on the 27th of October, 2026 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Donald Williams, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________ ____________________________ Yudiana Galvan, CMC, City Clerk Michelle Marchetta Kenyon, City Attorney Item #7.2.
City of Calistoga
STAFF REPORT
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Lauren Clark, Assistant Planner
Meeting: City Council - Regular Meeting - Oct 06 2026
Subject: Consideration of a Recommendation from the Calistoga Green Committee to direct staff to evaluate and propose the adoption of the Bee City Resolution.
DESCRIPTION:
Consideration of a Recommendation from the Calistoga Green Committee to direct staff to evaluate and propose the adoption of the Bee City Resolution.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Calistoga Green Committee recommends that the City Council direct staff to evaluate and propose the adoption of the Bee City Resolution to allow the City of Calistoga to become a Bee City affiliate.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this resolution is to become a Xerces Society Bee City affiliate, promoting the conservation of our native flower and invertebrate populations and creating a richer urban native ecosystem. Adopting the Bee City Resolution means Calistoga will commit to: creating and enhancing pollinator habitat, reducing the use of pesticides, and incorporating pollinator-conscious practices into city policies. Specifically, when the Calistoga City Council adopts the Bee City Resolution, we make a pledge to:
1. Establish a standing Bee City USA committee to advocate for pollinators (which can be the Green Committee, or a sub-Green Committee).
2. Create and enhance pollinator habitat on public and private land by increasing the abundance of native plants and providing nest sites.
3. Reduce the use of pesticides.
4. Incorporate pollinator-conscious practices into city policies and plans (such as creating an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan).
5. Host pollinator awareness events.
6. Publicly acknowledge Bee City USA affiliation with signs and an online presence.
7. Pay an initial application fee and annual renewal fee.
ANALYSIS:
85% of flowering plants require a pollinator.
Most of the food we eat requires pollination.
Nationwide, agriculture is a $30 billion industry. Here in Napa, agriculture was valued at $1.035 billion dollars.
Pollination that supports our food and economy comes from butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, wasps, ants, birds, bats, and bees!
Item #8.1.
Bees are the most important pollinators: they pollinate more than any other species, 3,600 species of bees live here in the US and of those, 1600 species call California home. o Honey bees are not endangered, but they do compete with native bees and spread disease and parasites to them.
70% of native bees nest underground, and 90% are solitary. o Conversely, one hive of honey bees requires 1-5 acres of flowers. Pollinator declines: globally, up to 40% of pollinator species may be at risk of extinction in the coming years. In North America, more than 25% of bumble bee species are in decline. Drivers of decline: habitat and biodiversity loss and degradation, pesticide use, diseases and pathogens, and climate change.
We can help these pollinators by planting native flowers, creating natural nesting sites (bare ground, dead leaves, stems, logs), reducing or eliminating pesticide use, and spreading the word!
Pollinator habitat can be anywhere: native flowers in urban office landscaping, wetlands and bioswales, wildlife and habitat corridors (especially riparian), planting native trees, encouraging private homes to plant with natives.
Local Bee City affiliates: San Francisco, Fort Bragg, Woodland, Orland, Redding, Sac State, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, Chico State and many more.
The link to the Bee City webpage can be found below:
https://beecityusa.org
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact associated with the evaluation and presentation of the proposed resolution as well as any fiscal impacts associated with the implementation of the resolution, has not been evaluated by city staff.
The Bee City application fee is $100. The application must be renewed annually, and the renewal fee is $100.
CEQA STATUS:
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) status of the Committee's recommendation has not yet been evaluated. Appropriate environmental review, if required, would be conducted prior to any discretionary action by the City Council.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment 1 - Draft Bee City Resolution
Attachment 2 - Bee City Presentation
APPROVAL(S):
Greg Desmond, Planning & Building Director Approved - Sep 28 2026 Hide Miyamoto, Administrative Services Director Approved - Sep 28 2026 Mitch Celaya, City Manager Approved - Sep 29 2026
Yudiana Galvan, City of Calistoga | City Clerk Approved - Sep 30 2026 Item #8.1.
Bee City USA (An Initiative of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation) Resolution Template
Please do not pass this resolution until your city/county has started a Bee City Application and Bee City USA has approved your draft resolution. Upload your draft resolution to your “Application” tab.
Questions? Email [email protected].
RESOLUTION NO. _____________
A RESOLUTION of Calistoga, California
designating Calistoga as a BEE CITY USA® affiliate.
WHEREAS, the mission of BEE CITY USA is to galvanize communities to sustain pollinators, responsible for the reproduction of almost 90% of the world's flowering plant species, by providing them with healthy habitat, rich in a variety of native plants and free to nearly free of pesticides; and WHEREAS, thanks to the more than 3,600 species of native bees in the United States, along with introduced honey bees, we have very diverse dietary choices rich in fruits, nuts, and vegetables; and WHEREAS, bees and other pollinators have experienced population declines due to a combination of habitat loss, poor nutrition, pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides), parasites, diseases, and climate change; and
WHEREAS, pollinator-friendly communities can benefit local and regional economies through healthier ecosystems, increased vegetable and fruit crop yields, and increased demand for pollinatorfriendly plant materials from local growers; and WHEREAS, ideal pollinator-friendly habitat (A) is comprised of mostly native wildflowers, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees blooming in succession throughout the growing season to provide diverse and abundant nectar and pollen, since many wild pollinators prefer or depend on the native plants with which they co-adapted; (B) is free to nearly free of pesticides, as many pesticides can harm pollinators and/or their habitat; (C) comprises undisturbed spaces (leaf and brush piles, unmown fields or field margins, fallen trees and other dead wood) for nesting and overwintering; and (D) provides connectivity between habitat areas to support pollinator movement and resilience; and WHEREAS, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a long-term approach to maintaining healthy landscapes and facilities that minimizes risks to people and the environment by: identifying and removing the causes of pest problems rather than only attacking the symptoms (the pests); employing pests' natural enemies along with cultural, mechanical, and physical controls when prevention is not enough; and using pesticides only when no other method is feasible or effective; and WHEREAS, supporting pollinators fosters broad-based community engagement in environmental awareness and sustainability; and
WHEREAS, Calistoga, CA should be certified a BEE CITY USA community because; and NOW, THEREFORE, in order to enhance understanding among local government staff and the public about the vital role that pollinators play and what each of us can do to sustain them, Calistoga chooses to support and encourage healthy pollinator habitat creation and enhancement, resolving as follows:
1. The Calistoga City Council is hereby designated as the BEE CITY USA sponsor.
2. The Chairperson of the Green Committee or other Green Committee appointee is designated as the BEE CITY USA Liaison.
3. Facilitation of Calistoga’s BEE CITY USA program is assigned to the Green Committee.
4. The Green Committee is authorized to and shall:
Item #8.1.
Bee City USA (An Initiative of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation) Resolution Template
a. Celebration: Host at least one educational event or pollinator habitat planting or restoration each year to showcase Calistoga’s commitment to raising awareness of pollinator conservation and expanding pollinator health and habitat. b. Publicity & Information: Install and maintain at least one authorized BEE CITY USA street sign in a prominent location, and create and maintain a webpage on the Calistoga website which includes, at minimum a copy of this resolution and links to the national BEE CITY USA website; contact information for your BEE CITY USA Liaison and Committee; reports of the pollinator-friendly activities the community has accomplished the previous year(s); and your recommended native plant species list and integrated pest management plan (explained below).
c. Habitat: Develop and implement a program to create or expand pollinator-friendly habitat on public and private land, which includes, but is not limited to, Identifying and inventorying Calistoga’s real property that can be enhanced with pollinator-friendly plantings; creating a recommended locally native plant list to include wildflowers, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees and a list of local suppliers for those species; and, tracking (by square footage and/or acreage) annual area of pollinator habitat created or enhanced.
d. Pollinator-Friendly Pest Management: Create and adopt an integrated pest management (IPM) plan designed to prevent pest problems, reduce pesticide use, and expand the use of non-chemical pest management methods. e. Policy & Plans: Establish, through the City of Calistoga, a policy in the General Plan of Calistoga’s] Comprehensive Plan to acknowledge and commit to the BEE CITY USA designation and review the General Plan and other relevant documents to consider improvements to pest management policies and practices as they relate to pollinator conservation, identify appropriate locations for pollinator-friendly plantings, and consider other appropriate measures.
f. Renewal: After completing the first calendar year as a BEE CITY USA affiliate, each February, apply for renewal of Calistoga’s BEE CITY USA designation following the format provided by BEE CITY USA, including a report of the previous year’s BEE CITY USA activities, and paying the renewal fee based on Calistoga’s population.
ADOPTED by the City Council of Calistoga, CA, this ___ day of ____________________, 20__.
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved
.
Mobilizing Communities
to Protect Pollinators
Laura Rost, National Coordinator
Bee City USA & Bee Campus USA
The Xerces Society
2025
Credit: Bee City USA – Medford, OR
Item #8.1.
© 2020 The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Xerces (Zerr-Sees) Society
for Invertebrate Conservation
• ~100 staff around the US: • Endangered Species • Pesticide Reduction & Mitigation
• Policy • Pollinator & Agricultural
Biodiversity
Photo: Xerces blue; Xerces Society / Larry Orsak
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Plant Reproduction
Photo: Mace Vaughan
85% of
flowering plants
require a pollinator
Fruits &
seeds
feeding birds &
mammals
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
We Can Thank Bees For…
Photo: Pixabay
1 in 3
mouthfuls of food
and drink we
consume
>$30 billion
value of crops in
North America
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Who Are Our Pollinating Neighbors?
Butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, wasps, ants, birds, bees, and more Photos: Bryan E. Reynolds (3); Matthew Shepherd; Xerces Society/Sarah Foltz Jordan; Xerces Society/Mace Vaughan
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved
.
But Bees Are #1!
Photo: USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab
• Bees pollinate
more than other
species
• 3,600 species of
bees in the US!
• Huge range of
shapes, sizes,
flight distances
• Some are
generalists,
others only use
certain flowers
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Honey Beekeeping ≠ Bee Conservation
• Honey bees are not
endangered
• They compete with
native bees and
spread disease and
parasites to them.
• One honey bee hive
needs 1-5 acres of
flowers. That’s a lot
of mouths to feed!
• Bonus: You don’t
need to buy, build,
or manage a beehive
to help native bees.
Photo: Thien Gretchen, Flickr
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Where do Native Bees Nest?
L to R: Heather Holm, Sara Morris, Emily May
70%
nest underground
90%
are solitary- nesting (no hive)
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Pollinator Declines
Photo: USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab
Globally:
Up to 40% of
pollinator species
may be at risk of
extinction in the
coming years.
North America:
More than a
quarter of bumble
bees species are
in decline
Source: Assessment report of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services on pollinators, pollination, and food production.
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Drivers of Pollinator Declines
Photos (L to R): Matthew Shepherd
Habitat &
biodiversity loss
and degradation
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Drivers of Pollinator Declines
Pesticide use
Photos (L to R): Matthew Shepherd (2)
Habitat &
biodiversity loss
and degradation
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Drivers of Pollinator Declines
Pesticide use Diseases and
pathogens
Photos (L to R): Matthew Shepherd (2), Emily May
Habitat &
biodiversity loss
and degradation
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Drivers of Pollinator Declines
Pesticide use Diseases and
pathogens
Climate change
Photos (L to R): Matthew Shepherd (2), Emily May, Pixabay Habitat &
biodiversity loss
and degradation
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
We Know How to Help Pollinators
Photos (L to R): Sara Morris, Sara Morris, Jennifer Hopwood, Rachel Dunham Native flowering
plants: blooms =
food all growing season long
Natural nesting sites:
bare ground,
dead leaves,
stems, logs
Reduce or
eliminate
pesticide use
Spread the word!
Post signs, talk to
friends, write
articles, tell electeds
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
What Does Pollinator Habitat Look Like?
Photo: Jeff Norcini
“I want Texas to look like Texas and Vermont to look like Vermont and every state to look like itself.’ – Lady Bird Johnson
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Habitat = Office Landscaping
Photo: Matthew Shepherd
• Use variety of flowers to
provide extended bloom
• Include native species &
caterpillar hosts
• Irrigation can extend
bloom period in dry
summers
• Helps meet
environment or climate
goals
Great opportunity
to bring flowers
into built areas
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Habitat = Wetlands & Bioswales
Photo: Matthew Shepherd
• Opportunity for
extended bloom: early
(e.g., willow) and late
(e.g., beggartick)
• Snags
• Opportunities in the
surrounding uplands
as well as the wetlands
themselves
• Connectivity
Creek corridors
and more
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Habitat = Rights-of-Way like Utility Lines
• Beautification
• Plants of low stature
• Forest / woodland
edges as valuable
nesting areas
Photo: Matthew Shepherd
Space,
connectivity, and
corridors
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Habitat = Trees
Photo: Preston Keres, USDA/FPAC
• 1 tree = 1 meadow’s
worth of flowers
• Lower pest pressures
• Less watering
• Include native
species & caterpillar
hosts
• Helps meet
environment or
climate goals
Street trees, yards
& more
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Add a Little Chaos to Your Garden!
• Add a water feature
or shade garden.
• Leave logs and leaf
litter
• Plant raised beds or
containers with native
plants
• Allow for some
unkempt areas of
your yard
Photo: Justin Wheeler
Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Graphic: Xerces Society / Sara Morris
Stepping Stones of Habitat Can Become Corridors
Item #8.1.
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Outreach & Education Ideas
Photos: Hillsboro Bee City Committee; Beaumont Bee City Committee Affiliates are amazingly creative: trivia nights, talks, music, tabling, art, parades, social media, videos, apps, photography classes, garden tours, & more.
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*Many* Ways to Reduce Pesticides • Hand-weed (it’s a classic for a reason)
• Organize a volunteer crew to
“adopt” medians/parks.
• Change mowing times (keep
flowers, but reduce weed seeds).
• Switch to native plants over time. • Use a steam-weeder or flameweeder. • Rent goats or sheep! Credit, top to bottom: Bee City USA - Westminster, CO; Bee City USA - Greenwood, SC Item #8.1.
© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Bee Cities:
• Bell Buckle, TN
• Bethania, NC
• Grapevine, TX
• Media Borough, PA
• Middletown, MD
• New Castle, NY
• Pine Lake, GA
• Scottsville, VA
• Seaside, CA
• Westminster, MD
• Williamstown, WV
Bee Campuses:
• SUNY Upstate Medical
University, NY
• Truckee Meadows Community
College, NV
• University of Texas at Austin, TX
Affiliates Who Dropped *All* Pesticide Use
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How to Buy Bee-Safe Plants
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Bee City USA & Bee Campus USA
• Est. 2012 by Phyllis Stiles • Adopted by Xerces in 2018 • Since 2019: • 2.4+ million people engaged • 22,000+ acres of habitat • 13,000+ events • Plays to each community’s unique strengths, interests, and
enthusiasm.
• We focus on progress not
perfection!
Photos: Bee City USA – Talent; Bee City USA - Beaumont
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Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA Affiliates
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© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA Affiliates
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© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
CA Affiliates Near You
Bee Campuses
• Cal Poly Humboldt
• CSU Chico
• CSU Sacramento
• College of San Mateo
• UC Berkeley
• UC Davis
• U. of San Francisco
Bee Cities
• Fort Bragg
• Orland
• Redding
• San Francisco
• Woodland
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Bee City Application
Form a Bee City committee with a city department
sponsor, & a staffer acting as liaison
Fill out the online Application
Pass a Bee City resolution through city council (with
our approval)
Pay an application fee paid of $100-$500 based on
population
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Bee City Commitments
Each year: At least one pollinator habitat project
and outreach event
Each year: Annual renewal report & fee ($100-$500),
after first full calendar year
In first few years: have a webpage with a recommended
list of native pollinator plants & native plant vendors In first few years: Create an IPM* plan for city and post a Bee City USA street sign
*Integrated Pest Management Plan
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Greater Benefits of Certification
• Help bees and other pollinators • Community building • Improve food production in community gardens and small farms
• Healthier city/campus • Support local businesses • Become part of national network sharing ideas and support
Photo: Bee City USA Athens, GA
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Direct Benefits of Certification • Mailed welcome package with books, a sign, and outreach materials
• Access to an online affiliate portal • Customizable logo and street sign artwork • Access to training opportunities • Promo kits for No Mow May, Earth Week, Leave the Leaves, and more
• Support from expert at Xerces (no matter
the population)
• Opportunities for free promotion • Occasional visits from Xerces staff and volunteers
Photo: University of Vermont, Mark Starrett
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© 2017 The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Free Online Resources
Regionally-specific pollinator resources:
xerces.org/pollinator-resource-center
Application Resources:
beecityusa.org/apply-to-bee-city-usa
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Free Brochures & Bookmarks
In Spanish and English. Free to print. For free hard copies email [email protected].
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© The Xerces Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Learn more at BeeCityUSA.org
[email protected]
Questions?
Photo: Jackie Morgan, Norcross Bee City Committee
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1 Yudiana Galvan
From: Lana Richardson
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 1:32 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Agenda Item 8.1
City Council members
City Manager
Public Works Director
I recently attended a presentation given by Calistoga Garden Club related to supporting native bee population and it was very enlightening.
I’m very glad to see the Green Committee proposal to have Calistoga become a ‘bee city’ and definitely support the recommendation.
Lana Richardson
Calistoga
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