CITY OF HEALDSBURG
CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
March 7, 2022
VIA TELECONFERENCE
401 Grove Street, Healdsburg .
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor/Chairperson Jimenez called to order the concurrent meeting of the City Council and Redevelopment Successor Agency of the City of Healdsburg at 2:03 p.m. with the following Council Members present:
Present: Council Members/: Hagele, Kelley, Mitchell, Palacios and Mayor Jimenez Board Members
Absent: Council Members/: None
Board Members
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
On a motion by Councilmember Palacios, seconded by Councilmember Hagele, approved the March 7, 2022, City Council Special meeting agenda as submitted. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent -None)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Pat Abercrombie expressed his support for additional funding for fuels management and defensible space on Fitch Mountain.
Mark McMullen encouraged Council to add funding in the budget for long-range planning documents and processes.
Ray Holley commented on the deferred maintenance of city assets and facilities and encouraged Council to support funding for the maintenance of the gazebo on the Plaza.
Richard Burg acknowledged we are gathered on the unseated lands of three indigenous tribes, reminded Council of the letter he sent, encouraged Council to reverse course of the Reach Code and make a Council goal to address long-range planning.
Sasha Garcia and Kiren commented on art opportunities in Healdsburg and expressed support for a long-term art program for youth in Healdsburg.
Steve Kent encouraged Council to create a plan and address utility rates to assist with funding a recycled water program, add funding for fuels management and updating the General Plan.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2022
Leah Gold commented on the letter she sent to Council and requested Council ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers.
Glaydon de Freitas encouraged Council to prioritize housing in their Council goals.
Cecilia Pietropaoli commented on deferred assets in Healdsburg and expressed her support to see funding towards improving the dog parks at the Villa Chanticleer and Badger.
Jessica Martin thanked Council for approving the Arts and Culture Master Plan and encouraged Council to fund arts in Healdsburg.
Tyra Benoit commented on the climate crisis and encouraged Council to create a climate action goal for the upcoming year.
Walter Neiderberger echoed the comments of the previous speaker and encouraged Council to adopt a climate action plan and set aside funding to address climate.
Jeffrey Rapp commented on the recycled water program, encouraged Council to continue the recycled water program this year and address the deferred maintenance at the dog park.
Gail Okumura Sullivan requested continued funding for Healdsburg Jazz.
Ari Rosen expressed his support for prioritizing housing, becoming a Charter City, reshape the TOT tax, updating the Housing Action Plan and the General Plan.
Tom Brand expressed his support for cultural arts to be prioritized as a Council goal in the upcoming year.
Holly Fox commented on affordable childcare options in Healdsburg and encouraged Council to support the education of the youth of Healdsburg.
Cristal Lopez expressed her support to see Council increase bilingual material for all Brown Act bodies.
Jesus Guzman commented on housing in Healdsburg and expressed his support for additional funding towards housing.
Stephanie Turk encouraged Council to address climate change in the upcoming goal cycle.
Lacey Scott commented on TOT tax and what TOT pays for within the Community Services Department.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2022
Brian Geagan expressed his support for a climate action plan and continuing to improve bicycle infrastructure around the City.
Merrilyn Joyce commented on diversifying the economy, focusing on climate, making Healdsburg affordable and saving some of the land South of the bridge for manufacturing businesses.
NEW BUSINESS – CITY COUNCIL GOALS FOR FY 2022-23
Jan Perkins, Management Partners, provided information on how the evening would go, reviewed suggested ground rules, how Council could develop exceptional Council goals and noted the discussion process for the afternoon.
City Manager Kay provided information on important accomplishments over the last year, key challenge highlighted by Councilmembers, the financial outlook of the City and the hiring, retaining and onboarding of city staff.
City Manager Kay further reviewed current priorities of the Council that are still underway, priorities that need to be addressed in the upcoming budget and current priorities that are being recommended to defer in the upcoming year.
Council discussion ensued on the goals moving forward, the goals being addressed in the upcoming budget and the items being deferred.
Strategic Initiative 01: Policies and Programs to promote economic diversity and sustainable growth
Suggested Council Priorities
• Complete the Housing Element
• Begin discussions about the South Entry Plan
• Update the General Plan
• Begin discussions about a master plan for parking in the downtown with housing above Ms. Perkins reviewed all the priorities for the Strategic Initiative and noted staff’s recommendation is to move forward with completing the Housing Element and begin discussions about the South Entry Plan.
Council discussion ensued on the recommendation to defer the General Plan update, adding the Housing Action Plan to the priorities for the upcoming year and why the South Entry Plan has been on the goals list for so long.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2022
Strategic Initiative 02: Promote Environmental Stewardship Council Suggested Priorities
• Adopt a climate action plan in partnership with a community committee • Establish an environmental committee
• Update policy/resolution pertaining to providing carbon-free and renewable energy sources, and adopt emergency resolution that exceeds SB 100 timeline • Study and adopt a policy for interior fixtures and landscaping triggered upon sale of a home, apartment building or commercial/industrial building • Adopt an ordinance that reduces potable water usage in existing homes and businesses City Manager Kay recommended moving forward with a Climate Mobilization Strategy to address the Council suggested priorities for this Strategic Initiative.
Council discussion ensued on the cost to pursue a Climate Mobilization Strategy, the community engagement component of a Climate Mobilization Strategy, what would be included in the Strategy, whether a committee/commission should be created to assist the City in developing the Strategy and utilizing a Civic Spark Fellow to help.
Strategic Initiative 03: Expand Affordable Housing Opportunities Council Suggested Priorities
• Propose amendments to Growth Management Ordinance
• Focus on affordable housing
• Continue to purchase existing units and rehabbing them • Implement the Housing Action Plan
• Review fee adjustments to prioritize affordable by design units • Create a website application portal that regularly updates information on deed restricted affordable housing units being available and give priority to residents • Prioritize zoning and general plan amendments to build housing that is affordable • Review and discuss alternatives to Housing Land Trust for sale deed restrictions that exclude undocumented and mixed status families
Council discussion ensued on what the suggested priority “focus on affordable housing” means and clarifying the priority more. Council discussion further ensued on what priorities were being deferred and the current housing projects underway.
Strategic Initiative 04: Maintain and Improve Infrastructure and Facilities Council Suggested Priorities
• Continue to put resources into infrastructure improvements • Complete the Three North Street project
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2022
• Create a long-term funding plan for parks projects
• Identify Healdsburg Avenue improvement plan funding
• Improve water security for the community (purple pipes and other means) • Update Complete Street ordinance to include wider sidewalks, street trees and mobility Council discussion ensued on what items get included in the Capital Improvement Program and what projects are not included in the Capital Improvement Program.
Strategic Initiative 05: Provide Effective Governance
Council suggested priorities
• Provide for Spanish translation of Council agendas and meetings • Complete outreach and develop diversity, equity and inclusion recommendations • Focus on hiring, retention and succession planning
• Establish an ad hoc Council budget committee
Council discussion ensued on improving processes, establishing an ad-hoc budget committee and translating the City Council agendas and meetings.
Strategic Initiative 06: Maintain and Enhance Public Safety Council suggested priorities
• Adopt a humane treatment of animals’ clause in our contracts for services involving use of animals (e.g., goats)
Council discussion ensued on fire fuel reduction work in the community, the incidents occurring on Ward Street and adding a priority to the list of Council goals to address public infrastructure improvements on Ward Street, adding a humane treatment of animals’ clause in city contracts and the Automated License Plate Reader discussion returning to Council.
Strategic Initiative 07: Provide Resident Driven Community Services Council suggested priorities
• Discuss proposing changes to the allocations of the transient occupancy tax (TOT) given the levels of revenue expected
• Discuss funding for arts and culture
• Align income limits for Community Services Department’s activity assistance program to be same as the utility assistance (CARE program) to expand access to recreational and senior activities
Discussion ensued on when the conversation around changing allocations for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) would return to Council and why it was recommended for deferral.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2022
Council discussed their top six priorities for the year. City Manager Kay stated the goals would be returning to Council at an upcoming meeting for further discussion and action.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further City Council business to discuss, the special meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:09 p.m.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
_________________________________ __________________________________ Osvaldo Jimenez, Mayor Raina Allan, City Clerk