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, March 23, 2026
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
Mayor Godeke reported that no reportable action was taken on the Closed Session items.
AGENDA REVIEW
None.
1. MAYOR’S RECOGNITIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1A. 26-149 Presentation of Proclamation Celebrating Government Finance Professionals Week During the Last Week of March
Attachments: 13- Gov. Finance Professionals Week
Mayor Godeke read and presented the Proclamation Celebrating Government Finance Professionals Week accepted by Finance Technician I Jessica Syres and Finance Lead Laura Bianchi Limbird.
1B. 26-90 Presentation of Proclamation Honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Mendocino Land Trust
Attachments: 10- Mendo Land Trust 50th
Mayor Godeke read and presented Proclamation Honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Mendocino Land Trust accepted by MLT staff and board members. 1C. 26-150 Presentation from Mendocino Coast Humane Society Attachments: MCHS - Adoption Pet Care Presentation
Mayor Godeke introduced Director Judy Martin of Mendocino Humane Society who shared a City of Fort Bragg Page 1 Printed on 4/14/2026
City Council Meeting Minutes March 23, 2026
presentation.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON: (1) NON-AGENDA, (2) CONSENT CALENDAR & (3)
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
(1) Dennis Miller, Charlene McAllister, Chris Skyhawk, Laura Bianchi Limbird, Marcy Snyder, Ron Smith, Jenny Shattuck, Gabriel Quinn Maroney, Peter McNamee, Jay Rosenquist, and Paul Clark.
(2) None.
(3) N/A
3. STAFF COMMENTS
City Manager Isaac Whippy shared three surveys on City website requesting public input: Food Trucks, Budget Priorities, and Mill Site Economic Development Strategy. Police Chief Eric Swift shared work by Officer Franco regarding THC investigation with DA and Willits Police Department along with completion of two panel Sergeant interview. Next Meet the Police Chief and City Manager will be at Town Hall - April 29, 2026, at 5:30 PM.
4. MATTERS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmembers reported upcoming meetings to attend are Fort Bragg Fire Authority; Special Meeting of the Community Development Committee on April 15 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss Food Truck Survey; Park and Recreation Ad Hoc has been formed to discuss topics such as CV Starr, Highway 20, Headlands, and Bainbridge Park. Councilmembers would like on a future Agenda under Conduct of Business two topics: AB 2494 and SAVE America Act. Councilmembers encouraged the community to spend the time to complete surveys regarding Food Trucks, Budget, and Mill Site Economic Development Strategy. It was reported the Whale Festival Weekend was a success with many activities including Rotary Beer Tasting, Chowder Tasting, Downtown Wine Walk, Whale Watching, Craft Fair, Live Music, Food Trucks, Soroptimist Run/Walk, and Noyo Center for Marine Science Activities.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Albin-Smith, that the consent Calendar be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Godeke, Vice Mayor Rafanan, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Hockett
5 -
5A. 26-148 Adopt Resolution of the Fort Bragg City Council Accepting the Proposal from Lumos & Associates for 30% Design of LPP Candidate Surface Improvement Project and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement (Amount Not To Exceed $117,000); Categorical Exemption §15301 (c)
RESO Lumos 30% LPP Project Design
Att 1 - PSA for Lumos and Associates 30% Design
Att 2 - Exhibit A Lumos & Associates Scope of Work
Attachments:
This Resolution was adopted on the Consent Calendar.
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Enactment No: RES 5014-2026
5B. 26-141 Receive and File Minutes of the Visit Fort Bragg Committee Meeting of January 13, 2026
Attachments: VFB MINS 01.13.2026
These Committee Minutes were received and filed on the Consent Calendar. 5C. 26-127 Approval of Minutes of Special Meeting of March 9, 2026 Attachments: SCCM 03092026
These Minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
5D. 26-128 Approve Minutes of March 9, 2026
Attachments: CCM03092026
These Minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
6. DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS
7. PUBLIC HEARING
7A. 26-151 Receive Report, Conduct Public Hearing, and Consider Adoption of City Council Resolution Amending the Water and Sewer Rates for the City of Fort Bragg
03232026 Water and Sewer Rates
Att 1 - RESO Adopting Water and Sewer Rates
Att 2 - Prop 218 Notice
Att 3 - Presentation Water and Sewer Rate Study
Att 4 - NOPH
Written Protest
Public Comment
Attachments:
City Manager Isaac Whippy introduced Item 7A. Consultant Alison Lechowicz of LT Municipal Consultants shared presentation and reported 239 Written Protests were received.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions regarding fixed rates, customers ability to reduce water bill by conservation, and Council can approve lower rates now or in the future.
Mayor Godeke opened the public hearing at 7:12 PM.
Public Comment: Jacob Patterson, Dawn Ferreira, Scott Schneider and Jay Rosenquist.
Mayor Godeke closed the public hearing at 7:21 PM.
Councilmembers asked further clarifying questions to Consultant Alison Lechowicz.
A motion was made by Councilmember Albin-Smith, seconded by Councilmember Peters, that the Resolution be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
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Aye: 3 - Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Albin-Smith and Councilmember Peters No: 2 - Vice Mayor Rafanan and Councilmember Hockett
Enactment No: RES 5015-2026
7B. 25-563 Receive Report, Conduct Public Hearing, and Consider Adoption of Fort Bragg City Council Resolution Vacating a Portion of the Alley on the South Side of Oak Street Between Franklin and Main Streets and Approval of Quitclaim Deed
03232026 Vacation of Right of Way
Att 1 - RESO Vacate Right of Way
Att 2 - Exhibit A - Legal Description
Att 3 - Exhibit B - APN Map
Att 4 - Exhibit C - Quitclaim Deed
Att 5 - PC RESO 01-2026
Att 6 - RESO 5004-2026
Att 7 - RESO 5009-2026
Att 8 - HCD Exemption Approval Letter
Att 9 - NOPH
Attachments:
Mayor Godeke introduced Item 7B. Assistant Engineer Alfredo Huerta presented staff report.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions.
Mayor Godeke opened the public hearing at 7:43 PM.
Public Comment: Paul Clark
Mayor Godeke closed the public hearing at 7:44 PM.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Albin-Smith, that the 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 5016-2026
8. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
8A. 26-137 Receive General Plan Annual Progress Report 2025 and Housing Element Annual Progress Report to Housing and Community Development and Provide Comments Prior to Submittal to Housing and Community Development 03232026 Annual General Plan Report
Att 1 - HCD APR Report Spreadsheet
Attachments:
Mayor Godeke introduced Item 8A. Assistant Planner Sarah Peters and Permit Tech Maria Flynn presented HCD APR Report Spreadsheet. Councilmembers had an opportunity to provide comments.
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Public Comment: Jenny Shattuck.
Mayor Godeke recessed the meeting at 8:00 PM; the meeting was reconvened to open session at 8:07 PM.
8B. 26-152 Receive Presentation on the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Year Ended June 30, 2025 for the City of Fort Bragg and Consider Accepting the ACFR as Presented
03232026 ACFR Staff Report
Fort Bragg ACFR 2025
Communications Letter 2025
Single Audit Report 2025
Attachments:
Mayor Godeke and City Manager Isaac Whippy introduced Item 8B. Engagement Manager Brett Jones of JJACPA, Inc. and City Manager Isaac Whippy summarized and shared Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the year ended June 30, 2025. Councilembers asked clarifying questions.
Public Comment: None.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Albin-Smith, that the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) was accepted.
Aye: Mayor Godeke, Vice Mayor Rafanan, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Hockett
5 -
9. CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Godeke adjourned the meeting at 8:33 PM.
________________________________
JASON GODEKE, MAYOR
_______________________________
Diana Paoli, City Clerk
IMAGED (___________)
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