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, November 10, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Godeke called the meeting to order at 6:09 p.m.
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
Mayor Godeke reported that no reportable action was taken on the Closed Session items.
AGENDA REVIEW
None.
1. MAYOR’S RECOGNITIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1A. 25-474 Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing November 1 - November 30, 2025 as Native American Heritage Month
Attachments: 29- Native American Heritage Month
Councilmember Peters read Proclamation Declaring November as Native American Heritage Month.
1B. 25-467 Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing November 11th as Veteran's Appreciation Day
Attachments: 28- Veteran's Day
Councilmember Albin-Smith read Proclamation Honoring Veteran's Appreciation Day and honoring City Staff Veterans.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON: (1) NON-AGENDA, (2) CONSENT CALENDAR & (3)
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
(1) David Gurney.
(2) None.
(3) N/A
City of Fort Bragg Page 1 Printed on 12/2/2025
City Council Meeting Minutes November 10, 2025
3. STAFF COMMENTS
City Manager Isaac Whippy shared Utility Bill Assistance Applications are available, Nine applications have been received for Police Chief position, Economic Development office has new hours and City outsourced third party Police Conduct Investigation. Interim Police Chief Eric Swift shared School Resource Officer and Fort Bragg Unified School District are planning community events/trainings. November 19 is the next Public Safety Meeting with Dispatch Report.
4. MATTERS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmembers shared Oneka buoy status, voter turnout, MTA and Sonoma Clean Power upcoming meetings, and Veteran's Day Ceremony. The Household Hazard Day at Caspar Station Event is in early December. It was also reported gratitude for all City Staff and community for successful EZ event. Mayor Godeke will be at the Farmer's market for one hour on November 19. Support letters from community and council is recommended to share concern that Ten Mile Court is only hearing criminal cases since recent retirement of Judge Brennan.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Approval of the Consent Calendar
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Vice Mayor Rafanan, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Godeke, Vice Mayor Rafanan, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Hockett
5 -
5A. 25-470 Receive and File Minutes from the Community Development Committee on October 6, 2025
Attachments: CDC MIN 2025.10.06
These Minutes were received and filed.
5B. 25-461 Approve Minutes of October 27, 2025 City Council Meeting Attachments: CCM 2025.10.27
These Minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
6. DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS None.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
7A. 25-462 Receive a Report, Hold a Public Hearing, and Provide Direction to Staff Regarding 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Applications City of Fort Bragg Page 2 Printed on 12/2/2025
City Council Meeting Minutes November 10, 2025
11102025 Staff Report CDBG Design Phase
Att 1 - 2025 CDBG NOFA
Att 2 - Matrix Code Categories
Att 3 - Accomplishment Matrix
Att 4 - NOPH
Attachments:
Mayor Godeke inroduced Item 7A. Grants Coordinator Lacy Sallas presented the staff report for this item. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions. Staff answered clarifying questions.
Mayor Godeke opened the public hearing at 7:03 PM.
Public Comment: Jenny Shattuck.
Mayor Godeke closed the public hearing at 7:05 PM.
Councilmember asked further clarifying questions and discussed potential projects for CDBG Application.
Direction: Fire Station Reconstruction (North Wing) (if match funding available) and Trash Capture Device Design Phase II Planning. Alternatively if no matching funds for Fire Station then next project may be City Wide Sidewalk Rehabilitation or lastly CV Starr Center Expansion. 7B. 25-446 Receive a Report, Hold a Public Hearing, and Introduce, by Title Only, and Waive Further Reading of Ordinance xxxx-2025 to Amend Chapter 15.06 of the Fort Bragg Municipal Code to Amend the Requirements of the Installation of Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems and Automatic Fire Alarming System in New Buildings and Remodels
11102025 Sprinkler Ordinance Staff Report
Att 1 - ORD Fire Sprinkler
Att 2 - NOPH Fire Sprinklers
Attachments:
Mayor Godeke introduced Item 7B. Consultant Marie Jones presented report.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions. Consultant answered questions.
Mayor Godeke opened public hearing at 7:34 PM
Public Comments: Jenny Shattuck, Paul Clark, and Jacob Patterson.
Mayor Godeke closed the public hearing at 7:39 PM
Councilmembers discussed requirements of fire sprinkler systems and need for fire alarming systems and discussed 5,000 square foot revision for Ordinance.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Rafanan, to introduce Ordinance as amended. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Godeke, Vice Mayor Rafanan, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Hockett
5 -
7C. 25-468 Receive a Report, Hold a Public Hearing, and Introduce, By Title Only, and Waive Further Reading of Ordinance xxxx-2025 Amending Title 6 Health and Sanitation to Add Chapter 6.30 "Vacant Buildings and Lots" to the Fort Bragg Municipal Code, Establishing a Vacant Commercial Building Program and Providing for the Registration, Maintenance, and Monitoring of Vacant or City of Fort Bragg Page 3 Printed on 12/2/2025
City Council Meeting Minutes November 10, 2025
Abandoned Commercial Buildings
11102025 Vacant Commercial Building Lot Staff Report
Att 1 - ORD Vacancy
Att 2 - RESO Fees
Att 3 - Vacant Property Fee Calculation
Att 4 - Survey Downtown Business
Att 5 - FAQs
Att 6 - Fort Bragg Zoning Map
Att 7 - NOPH Commercial Vacant Buildings
Presentation Vacant Building Lot
Public Comment
Attachments:
Mayor Godeke recessed the meeting at 7:56 PM. The meeting reconvened to open session at 8:05 PM.
Mayor Godeke introduced Item 7C. City Manager presented the staff report.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions. Pete Roque of 4Leaf, City Manager Isaac Whippy, and Assistant Planner Valerie Stump answered questions.
Mayor Godeke opened the public hearing at 8:31 PM
Public Comment: Jenny Shattuck, Megan Caron, Paul Clark, Michelle Blackwell, and Jacob Patterson.
Mayor Godeke closed the public hearing at 8:42 PM
Councilmembers discussed vacant commercial buildings and need for registration, maintenance and monitoring. The Resolution Adopting Regulatory Fees was discussed and will be scheduled for adoption at a future public hearing as recommended by City Attorney Baron Bettenhausen.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Hockett, to introduce Ordinance as amended. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Godeke, Vice Mayor Rafanan, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Hockett
5 -
8. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
9. CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Godeke adjourned the meeting at 8:55 PM.
________________________________
JASON GODEKE, MAYOR
_______________________________
City of Fort Bragg Page 4 Printed on 12/2/2025
City Council Meeting Minutes November 10, 2025
Diana Paoli, City Clerk
IMAGED (___________)
City of Fort Bragg Page 5 Printed on 12/2/2025