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, September 22, 2025
AMENDED
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Godeke called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
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
City Attorney Baron Bettenhausen reported unanimous vote by Council approved a settlement for payment of $400,000 from USA Sludge and $25,000 from Ryan Process, Inc.
AGENDA REVIEW
None.
1. MAYOR’S RECOGNITIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1A. 25-394 Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing October 5-11, 2025 as Banned Book Week
Councilmember Albin-Smith read and presented Banned Book Week Proclamation to Dan Hess and Valerie Stump of the Fort Bragg Library.
1B. 25-393 Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing September 21-27, 2025 as Stormwater Awareness Week
Mayor Godeke read and presented Stormwater Awareness Week Proclamation to Assistant Director, Engineering Division Chantell O'Neal.
1C. 25-395 Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing September 15 - October 15, 2025 as Hispanic Heritage Month
Councilmember Peters read and presented Hispanic Heritage Month to staff members Laura Godinez, Daniella Aguirre, and Adriana Moreno Ramos and the community.
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City Council Meeting Minutes September 22, 2025
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON: (1) NON-AGENDA, (2) CONSENT CALENDAR & (3)
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
(1) Evan Dick, Dennis Miller, Jenny Shattuck, Nick Ramsell, and David Gurney. (2) None.
(3) None.
3. STAFF COMMENTS
City Manager Isaac Whippy announced a future joint meeting in mid October with Planning Commission regarding the Mill Site and MOU at Cotton Auditorium. City Clerk Diana Paoli announced IT launched a new interim website, Library Advisory Committee has an open position and applications are available. Assistant Director, Engineering Division Chantell O'Neal gave updates regarding the Slurry roadwork and Stop Gap Patch Paving. Chief Neil Cervenka announced it was his last meeting and thanked the staff and community.
4. MATTERS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmembers thanked Chief Cervenka and the community for attending Mill Site tour with California Coastal Commission. Councilmembers reported attendance at CV Starr Workshop Sustainability 101, Coastal Cleanup, Noyo Harbor Festival, and status of work of Prop 47 Grant.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Peters requested that Item 5A be removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
Approval of the Consent Calendar
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Albin-Smith to approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item 5A. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Godeke, Vice Mayor Rafanan, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Hockett
5 -
5B. 25-412 Adopt a City Council Resolution of the City of Fort Bragg Approving the Employment Agreement with Eric Swift to Serve as Interim Chief of Police and Authorizing City Manager to Execute Agreement
This Resolution was adopted on the Consent Calendar.
Enactment No: RES 4972-2025
5C. 25-396 Approve Minutes of May 27, 2025
These Minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
5D. 25-403 Approve Minutes of Special Closed Session of June 9, 2025 These Minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
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City Council Meeting Minutes September 22, 2025
5E. 25-402 Approve Minutes of Special Closed Session of June 23, 2025 These Minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
5F. 25-401 Approve Minutes of September 8, 2025
These Minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
5A. 25-406 Adopt City Council Resolution of the City of Fort Bragg Establishing an Entertainment Zone for City-Approved Events
Councilmembers discussed Item 5A.
Public Comment: None.
A motion was made by Councilmember Albin-Smith, seconded by Vice Mayor Rafanan, that the Resolution be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Godeke, Vice Mayor Rafanan, Councilmember Albin-Smith and Councilmember Hockett
4 -
No: 1 - Councilmember Peters
Enactment No: RES 4973-2025
6. DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS None.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
7A. 25-400 Receive Report, Conduct Public Hearing, and Consider Approval of Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fort Bragg and the Municipal Improvement District Authorizing Request to Connect Out-of-District Property Located at 31250 Cedar Street to City Sewer
Mayor Godeke opened the public hearing at 7:03 PM.
Assistant Director, Engineering Division Chantell O'Neal gave staff report. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions.
Public Comment: Al Weaver, Paul Clark, and Doug Hammerstrom Mayor Godeke closed the public hearing at 7:07 PM.
Councilmembers discussed Item 7A.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Vice Mayor Rafanan, that the Resolution be adopted (RES 4974-2025/RES ID 498-2025). 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 September 22, 2025
Enactment No: RES 4974-2025/RES ID 498-2025
8. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
8A. 25-405 Police Chief Recruitment Process Overview & Feedback City Manager Isaac Whippy introduced Item 8A. Consultant Joe Gorton of Bob Hall shared presentation of Police Chief Recruitment Process, Overview, and Feedback. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions.
Public Comment: Jenny Shattuck.
Councilmembers shared criteria to consider for hiring Police Chief.
Mayor Godeke recessed meeting at 7:59 PM; Mayor Godeke reconvened meeting to Open Session at 8:07 PM.
8B. 25-408
Economic Development Strategy Overview (Phase:1) - Presentation by Kosmont
City Manager Isaac Whippy introduced Item 8B. Ken Hira President and Vice President Andrew Perez of Kosmont shared presentation of Economic Development Strategy Overview (Phase 1).
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions.
Public Comment: George Reinhardt, Paul Clark, Chris Hart, Doug Hammerstrom, Patricia, Marcie Snider, John Gallo, Jacob Patterson and Michelle Blackwell.
Councilmembers discussed strategies and areas to support and maintain Economic Development in Fort Bragg.
8C. 25-409 Receive Report and Adopt City Council Resolution of the City of Fort Bragg Authorizing Application to the State's Prohousing Designation Program and Committing to Advance Housing Solutions for our Community Consultant Marie Jones presented the staff report. Councilmembers ask clarifying questions.
Public Comment: Paul Clark
Councilmembers discussed housing solutions and Prohousing Designation Program.
A motion was made by Councilmember Albin-Smith, seconded by Vice Mayor Rafanan, that this Resolution was adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Godeke, Vice Mayor Rafanan, Councilmember Albin-Smith and Councilmember Hockett
4 -
No: 1 - Councilmember Peters
Enactment No: RES 4975-2025
8D. 25-404 Receive Report and Adopt City Council Resolution Approving Professional Services Agreements Amendment 1 with Schaaf & Wheeler to Provide 100% Design Plans and Specifications for seven (7) Trash Capture Devices, Project PWP-00119, Approving Budget Amendment 2025/26-6 and Authorizing City City of Fort Bragg Page 4 Printed on 10/15/2025
City Council Meeting Minutes September 22, 2025
Manager to Execute Contract (Amount Not to Exceed $205,727.00); CEQA Exemption 15301(c)
Assistant Director, Engineering Division Chantell O'Neal presented staff report. Consultant Robin Lee of Schaaf & Wheeler was available to answer questions. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions.
Public Comments: None.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Vice Mayor Rafanan, that this Resolution be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Godeke, Vice Mayor Rafanan, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Hockett
5 -
Enactment No: RES 4976-2025
9. CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Godeke adjourned the meeting at 9:46 PM.
________________________________
JASON GODEKE, MAYOR
_______________________________
Diana Paoli, City Clerk
IMAGED (___________)
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