416 N Franklin Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Phone: (707) 961-2823
Fax: (707) 961-2802
City of Fort Bragg
Meeting Minutes
City Council
6:00 PM Town Hall, 363 N. Main Street
and Via Video Conference
Monday, March 10, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Godeke called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Mayor Jason Godeke, Vice Mayor Marcia Rafanan, Councilmember Tess Albin-Smith, Councilmember Lindy Peters and Councilmember Scott Hockett
Present: 5 -
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
None.
AGENDA REVIEW
None.
1. MAYOR’S RECOGNITIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON: (1) NON-AGENDA, (2) CONSENT CALENDAR & (3)
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
(1) Gabriel Quinn Maroney.
(2) None.
(3) Kristy Wagner, Doug Hammerstrom, Jade Tippett, Shelley Green, Tim Perry, Gabriel Quinn Maroney, Peter McNamee, Jacob Patterson, Marcy Snider, Joe Harris, and John Gallo.
3. STAFF COMMENTS
None.
4. MATTERS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Albin-Smith shared upcoming Whale Festival activities including live music, beer tasting, Whale Run, Symphony of the Redwoods Concerts, chowder tasting, and craft fair.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
None.
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City Council Meeting Minutes March 10, 2025
6. DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS Councilmember Albin-Smith disclosed ex parte communication with Robert Pinoli.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
None.
8. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
8A. 25-75 Mill Site Master Development Agreement Phase 1 Report
Mill Site Phase 1 Development Strategy Report
Development Strategy Report Attachments
PUBLIC COMMENT Mill Site
PUBLIC COMMENT FW Please help Fort Bragg stop the Skunk Train
PUBLIC COMMENT 8A MILLSITE
Public Comment -- 3.10.25 Continued Mill Site Workshop
Attachments:
City Manager Isaac Whippy presents Vision of Phase 1 on Strategy Report, informs pause of lawsuit was intentional to invite public feedback and continue with collaborative communications and negotiations with Railroad and City. Phase 1 would occur in stages and also discussed Ad Hoc committee was formed with Councilmember Peters and Mayor Godeke. Walter Kieser from "EPS" of Oakland provided a presentation and history with negotiations with Georgia Pacific when Coastal Trail was built and his role back in 2003. City hired Consultant, Marie Jones shared history of developing Mill Site along with more details on the Development Strategy Report, development process, agencies involved and City's goal to continue negotiations and move toward a Master Development Agreement with Railroad. Chris Hart and Robert Pinoli on behalf of the Railroad shared history, vision, and perspective of development and agency oversight and regulations of Railroad.
Public Comment: Peter McNamee, Jenny Shattuck, Ron White, Terri Oakes, Doug Hammerstrom, Kendell Smith, Jade Tippett, Steve, Gabriel Quinn Maroney, Jacob Patterson, Chris paloma, George Reinhardt, Laura Bianchi Limbird, John Gallo, Marcy Snider, Jessiah Mellot, Paul Clark, Alex Helperin, and Jay McMartin-Rosenquist.
Discussion: Councilmembers inquired if the Master Development Agreement is binding and enforceable in court. Councilmembers ask clarifying questions regarding planning, development and process of developing Mill Site.
9. CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Godeke recessed the meeting at 9:41 PM; the meeting reconvened to Closed Session at 9:52 PM. Mayor Godeke asked for a motion to continue meeting past 10:00 PM. A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Hockett to continue meeting past 10:00 PM. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Godeke, Vice Mayor Rafanan, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Hockett
5 -
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City Council Meeting Minutes March 10, 2025
9A. 25-76 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - Existing Litigation Pursuant to Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of Gov. Code Section 54956.9 City of Fort Bragg v. Mendocino Railroad
9B. 25-77 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - Existing Litigation Pursuant to Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of Gov. Code Section 54956.9 SIERRA NORTHERN RAILWAY and MENDOCINO RAILWAY v. CITY OF FORT
BRAGG, United States District Court Case No. 4:24-cv-04810-JST Mayor Godeke reconvened the meeting to Open Session at 10:42 PM and reported that no reportable action was taken on the Closed Session items.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Godeke adjourned the meeting at 10:42 PM.
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