Minutes — Colusa City Council, September 1, 2026

CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, September 01, 2026
Regular Meeting - 6:00 PM
CALIFO RETA City Hall - City Council Chambers
425 Webster Street, Colusa, CA 95932

MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Conrado called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.

ROLL CALL - Council Members Ponciano, Vaca, Markss, Codorniz, and Mayor Conrado were present.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA -There was council consensus on the approval of the agenda.

PUBLIC COMMENTS - Citizen Pete Moore spoke on the construction past the shopping center, the gas station going in, and open agendas. Citizen Cynthia White spoke about the elm trees on 10"" Street and the proposal from a certified arborist to provide a full report. Citizen Alison Yerxa also spoke about the elm trees, bringing back the Tree Commission and writing letters to Cal Trans about saving the trees. Heritage Preservation Commissioner Jim White spoke about preservation and urged everyone to get concerned about it. Citizen Don Bransford recommended the Mayor reach out to the local assemblyperson to call Caltrans.

CONSENT CALENDAR - All items listed on the Consent Calendar are considered by the Council to be routine in nature and will be enacted by one motion unless an audience member or Council member requests otherwise, in which case, the item will be removed for separate consideration.

1. Approve - Council draft minutes of August 18

2. Receive and File - Police Department July report

3. Receive and File - Treasurer's May report
ACTION: Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Markss, seconded by Council Member Ponciano, to approve the consent calendar. Motion passed unanimouslv.

COUNCIL MEMBER /CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND STAFF COMMENTS Council Members provided updates on meetings and events they attended.

City Manager Cain provided updates on meetings and projects.

City Attorney Wakefield - no report.

Assistant City Manager Vanetta - it was her first day.

Finance Director Aziz-Khan provided updates in the Finance Department.

City Treasurer Kelley stated she was still waiting for updates on the Arco loan.

Police Chief Fitch provided updates in the Police Department.

Fire Chief Conley provided updates in the Fire Department.

Planning Consultant Morley provided updates in the Planning Department.

City Clerk Kittle provided updates in the City Clerk's Department.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

4. Consideration of the Development Agreement and Colusa Municipal Code Text Amendment for a Cannabis Dispensary, approval of a Use Permit and finding the project exempt pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act - Cannabis at 2967 Davison Court (APN 017-150- 007) - Colusa Responsible and Compliant Retail LLC (Embarc).

EMBARC Representatives provided a presentation and answered questions.

Public Hearing opened at 7:05 pm
Citizen Pete Moore spoke in favor of the company and their other facilities.

Citizen Alison Yerxa inquired about the type of products.

City Treasurer Kelley asked various questions.

Public Hearing closed at 7:30 pm
ACTION: Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Markss, seconded by Mayor Conrado to adopt Resolution 26-42 approving a Cannabis Use Permit for Colusa Responsible and Compliant Retail LLC (EMBARC) and find the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to 15061.B.3 - Common Sense Exemption ("Project"). Motion passed 3-2 by the following vote:

AYES: Vaca, Markss and Conrado.

NOES: Ponciano, Codorniz
ACTION: Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Markss, seconded by Mayor Conrado to introduce and read by title only Ordinance 577 approving the Development Agreement, between the City of Colusa and Colusa Responsible and Compliant Retail LLC (EMBARC) (DA 26-01) as amended. Motion passed 3-2 by the following vote:

AYES: Vaca, Markss and Conrado.

NOES: Ponciano, Codorniz
ACTION: Motion by Mayor Conrado, seconded by Council Member Vaca, to introduce and read by title only Ordinance 578 amending Appendix A - Chapter 21.5, Cannabis Regulations Subsection 21.5.01(A), of the Colusa Municipal Code and finding the Ordinance exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. Motion passed 3-2 by the following vote:

AYES: Vaca, Markss and Conrado.

NOES: Ponciano, Codorniz.

5. Consideration of the Public Safety Facility - Police Station Project, which includes General Plan Amendment, Rezone, Site Plan Review for a new 11,707 square foot structure, and Use Permit to convert a static billboard to an electronic reader and adopt an Initial Study - Mitigated Negative Declaration (State Clearinghouse No. 2026061002) Planning Consultant Morley provided a presentation and answered questions.

Public Hearing opened at 7:42 pm
Citizen Cynthia White asked if there were any plans for the existing police building.

Public Hearing closed at 7:45 pm
ACTION: Motion by Council Member Vaca, seconded by Council Member Ponciano, to adopt Resolution 26-43 approving the Mitigated Negative Declaration and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program that were prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act for the Public Safety Facility - Police Station ("Project") (State Clearing House Number 2026061002) with the billboards. Motion passed 5-0 by the following vote: