416 N Franklin Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Phone: (707) 961-2823
Fax: (707) 961-2802
City of Fort Bragg
Meeting Minutes
City Council
THE FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL MEETS CONCURRENTLY
AS THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
NO. 1 AND THE FORT BRAGG REDEVELOPMENT
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
6:00 PM Town Hall, 363 N. Main Street
and Via Video Conference
Monday, October 28, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Norvell called the meeting to order at 6:07 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Mayor Bernie Norvell, Vice Mayor Jason Godeke, Councilmember Marcia Rafanan, Councilmember Lindy Peters and Councilmember Tess Albin-Smith
Present: 5 -
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
None.
AGENDA REVIEW
Mayor Norvell pulled Item 8B from the agenda and will return in a future agenda.
1. MAYOR’S RECOGNITIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1A. 24-967 Presentation of POST Executive Certificate to Chief Cervenka by California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Law Enforcement Consultant Lisa Holton. (Announcements)
Lisa Holton, representing the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards presented Chief Cervenka with his Executive Certificate by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON: (1) NON-AGENDA, (2) CONSENT CALENDAR & (3)
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
(1) Richard Miller.
(2) Marcy Snyder.
(3) None.
3. STAFF COMMENTS
City Manager Isaac Whippy expressed gratitude to the community, Visit Fort Bragg, and Administrative Analyst Cristal Munoz for the success of the Magic Market event. He announced that the City is planning an emergency planning tabletop exercise on November 5, which will City of Fort Bragg Page 1 Printed on 4/29/2025
City Council Meeting Minutes October 28, 2024
involve multiple agencies participating in a mass casualty scenario. Additionally, the CV Starr is hosting an aquathon to support free swim classes for second graders. Whippy also reminded the community that C&S Waste provides two bulky item pickups per year. City Clerk Sanchez noted that this year's mail-in ballot consists of three pages and includes Measures T and U. She emphasized that Measure U is on page three, urging voters not to overlook this important initiative. Chief Cervenka reported that on October 16, the Fentanyl Task Force held its second meeting. This task force includes elected officials, educators, business owners, community leaders, students, and individuals directly impacted by fentanyl. Presentations were made by Mendocino County Probation, New Life Clinic, Mendocino Coast Clinics, Medicated Assisted Treatment, and other organizations that play crucial roles in addressing the opioid crisis. The Task Force participants were divided into three committees, each with specific goals, and they will meet monthly. The city-wide campaign "Fort Bragg Fights Fentanyl" aims to raise awareness of this significant social issue.
4. MATTERS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Mayor Norvell expressed his gratitude to all the community members, city staff, and Chief Cervenaka for the kindness they showed to his mother and family over the past week.
Councilmember Rafanan shared her experience of doing a ride-along with Officer Beak.
Councilmember Peters reminded everyone that Halloween is this Thursday and announced that CV Starr will be hosting a Trunk or Treat event in the parking lot. He also attended a presentation from the Grassroots Institute and reassured the community that rumors about the hospital closing are untrue. Paul Garza, the Chair of the Mendocino Coast Hospital Board, was present at the presentation and affirmed that negotiations are ongoing to ensure Adventist Health remains in our community. Additionally, he attended an American Legion dinner honoring both the boys and girls state attendees. Councilmember Albin-Smith reported on her attendance at the California League of Cities conference in Long Beach, CA. She noted that there were impressive displays showcasing resources available to the city, including solar street lights. Other topics discussed included artificial intelligence, disaster preparedness, cybersecurity, e-bikes, climate resilience, and homelessness. She proposed applying for a Putnam Award for the city’s efforts regarding homelessness. Albin-Smith also mentioned a keynote speaker who addressed the issue of partisanship.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Vice Mayor Godeke, to approve the items on the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Rafanan, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Albin-Smith
5 -
5A. 24-984 Adopt Resolution of the Fort Bragg City Council Approving Agreements with Pacific Gas & Electric for Electric Relocation and Transformer Upgrade at CV Starr Community Center for the Solar Facilities Project (Collective Amount Not to Exceed $85,103.14); Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to Public Resource Code PRC § 21080.35
This Resolution was adopted on the Consent Calendar.
Enactment No: RES 4861-2024
City of Fort Bragg Page 2 Printed on 4/29/2025
City Council Meeting Minutes October 28, 2024
5B. 24-985 Adopt Resolution of the Fort Bragg City Council Approving Contract Change Orders with Redwood Roofers For The City Hall Roof Replacement Project, City Project No. PWP-00139 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute (New Amount Not To Exceed $122,307.00, Account 427-4878-0731). CC This Resolution was adopted on the Consent Calendar.
Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Rafanan, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Albin-Smith
5 -
Enactment No: RES 4862-2024
5C. 24-988 Resolution of the Fort Bragg City Council Accepting Federal Funding Account (FFA) Grant Program Funds in the Amount of $10.3 Million for the Municipal Broadband Project, and Approving Budget Amendment 2024/25-03 for $8,376,309 Fiscal Year 2024/25
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Vice Mayor Godeke, that the Resolution be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Rafanan, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Albin-Smith
5 -
Enactment No: RES 4863-2024
5D. 24-989 Resolution of the Fort Bragg City Council Approving Professional Services Agreement with Mitch Drake to Assist with Administering the City's Municipal Broadband Project (Amount Not to Exceed $30,000; Account 421-4875-0310) This Resolution was adopted on the Consent Calendar.
Enactment No: RES 4864-2024
6. DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS Mayor Norvell stated he spoke with Judy Martin from the Mendocino Coast Humane Society about agenda item 8A.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
8. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
8A. 24-994 Receive Report and Consider Adoption of Resolution Approving Request from the Mendocino Coast Humane Society and Authorizing City Manager to Release Payment (Amount Not to Exceed $20,000; Account No. 110-4390-0619)
City Manager Whippy presented on this item along with the Mendocino Coast Humane Society Executive Director Judy Martin.
City of Fort Bragg Page 3 Printed on 4/29/2025
City Council Meeting Minutes October 28, 2024
Public Comment: Jacob Patterson, Gabriel Quinn Maroney, and Shelley Green.
Discussion/Direction: There was some discussion. They provided direction to proceed with funding the freezer for the Mendocino Coast Humane Society.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Rafanan, that the Resolution be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Rafanan, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Albin-Smith
5 -
Enactment No: RES 4865-2024
8B. 24-990 Update from the Ad-hoc on Culture and Education Committee and Consideration of Approval of the Land Acknowledgement and City of Fort Bragg's Commitments
ITEM REMOVED FROM CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
8C. 24-993 Presentation from Pam Bell Events on a Fort Bragg Blues Festival in 2025 and Seek Council Direction
City Manager Whippy presented on this item with Pam Bell from Pam Bell Events.
Public Comment: Debra DeGraw, Jacob Patterson, Richard Miller, Jenny Shattuck, and Shelley Green.
Discussion/Direction: There were some questions and discussion. They provided direction to proceed with the Blues Festival in 2025.
9. CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Norvell adjourned the meeting at 7:20 PM
________________________________
BERNIE NORVELL, MAYOR
_______________________________
Diana Sanchez, City Clerk
IMAGED (___________)
City of Fort Bragg Page 4 Printed on 4/29/2025