CITY OF HEALDSBURG
CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
October 23, 2023
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
401 Grove Street, Healdsburg .
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor/Chairperson Kelley called to order the concurrent meeting of the City Council and Redevelopment Successor Agency of the City of Healdsburg at 5:00 p.m. with the following Council Members present:
Present: Council Members/: Edwards, Hagele, Herrod, Mitchell and Mayor Kelley Board Members
Absent: Council Members/: None.
Board Members
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
On a motion by Councilmember Herrod, seconded by Councilmember Edwards, approved the October 23, 2023, City Council and Redevelopment Successor Agency Special Meeting Agenda as submitted. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None)
NEW BUSINESS-HEALDSBURG AVENUE BRIDGE ILLUMINATION IN SUPPORT
OF ISRAEL
Community Services Director Themig provided background information about the Healdsburg Avenue Bridge Luminating Policy, how the policy was developed and noted the policy allows for special illumination of events happening in the world.
Mayor Kelley read allowed the proposed dates of illumination.
Public Comment
Linda Cade expressed her concern with illuminating the bridge and inquired what other events or holidays would be included.
Merrilyn Joyce encouraged the Council be thoughtful and exercise caution when making this decision and read aloud a poem about peace.
Noe Aranjo expressed his concern and objection to lighting of bridge in support of Israel and commented on the traumatic events happening in Gaza.
City Council/RSA Special Meeting Minutes
October 23, 2023
Council Comments
Councilmember Herrod expressed concern about setting a precedent by lighting the bridge and that illuminating the bridge blue and white in support of Israel may be interpreted incorrectly without the ability to put a caption on the bridge.
Councilmember Edwards commented about the rise of hate around the world and suggested organizing a candlelight vigil or illuminating the bridge in a different color like white as a sign of peace.
Councilmember Mitchell was in favor of lighting the bridge in white and commented that it would show support to everyone including Ukraine and other areas of the world.
Vice Mayor Hagele expressed concern about taking a position on national and international issues, was supportive of illuminating the bridge white and noted if there was Council majority to light the bridge in blue and white he would support that as well.
Mayor Kelley commented on why she asked to agendize this item for discussion, expressed her empathy with the community and acknowledged how the events in Israel has affected everyone.
Mayor Kelley further commented on other local and national government entities who have illuminated their buildings blue and white and was supportive of illuminating the bridge white as a sign of peace.
Council discussion ensued on illuminating the bridge in blue and white in support of Israel or just white as a sign of peace. There was a Council majority to direct staff to illuminate the bridge in white from October 23, 2023 until November 3, 2023.
NEW BUSINESS-DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PRESENTATION City Manager Kay introduced the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Plan and provided a brief overview of what will be presented tonight.
Assistant City Manager Sturmfels introduced Community Services Director Mark Themig, Chief of Police Matt Jenkins, Human Resources Manager Renee Senander and Housing Director Stephen Sotomayor who would be presenting with him this evening. Manager Sturmfels provided background information on the development of the DEI Plan, the Community Encuentro events, areas of focus of the DEI Plan and reviewed the agenda for the evening.
Assistant City Manager Sturmfels further reviewed the successes of the City along the way, including the implementation of dollar days at the swim center, development of a hardship waiver and the community housing and resource fair.
City Council/RSA Special Meeting Minutes
October 23, 2023
Chief of Police Jenkins provided information on the Police Community Oriented Response and Equity Team (CORE), the focus of the CORE Team, the community involvement of the Police Department, including National Night Out, local school presentations, and the Healdsburg High School internship program.
Focus Area 1 - Youth
Assistant City Manager Sturmfels provided information on the first focus area in the DEI Plan, Youth. Manager Sturmfels reviewed the recommendations and actions included in the Plan centered on youth.
Human Resources Manager Senander provided information about the different partnerships and programs the City has to engage with the youth community including mock interviews and internship opportunities for students at the High School,.
Community Services Director Themig reviewed the new financial assistance program available to members of the community to participate in programs through the Community Center, provided information about the goal to provide educational events for local youth given by the City’s Active Adult and Senior Services team.
In response to Council’s inquiries Police Chief Jenkins provided information on what the hardship waiver applies to and provided an example of a social equity call for service. Assistant City Manager Sturmfels informed Council that staff can bring regular updates to Council on the DEI initiatives and explained that the Chamber of Commerce also participates in the Healdsburg United School District’s internship program. Housing Director Sotomayor commented that the Housing Fair could be a yearly event based on the large turnout and feedback received.
Community Services Director Themig provided information on the elimination of the financial cap on financial assistance for community services programs.
Focus Area 2 – Labor and Community
Assistant City Manager Sturmfels introduced Labor and Community as the second key focus area and reviewed the recommendations and actions included in the DEI plan. Manager Sturmfels provided information on conducting a seasonal fall and winter job fair, partnering with Healdsburg Unified School District (HUSD) to provide educational opportunities for teachers and shared training opportunities and creating opportunity for collaboration with City partners.
Manager Sturmfels further reviewed provided information about a welcome packet for new residents.
Community Services Director Themig provided information about a potential mural program to be included in the Arts and Culture Master Plan, reviewed the deferred maintenance program, provided an overview on various Community Services projects and discussed the Senior Advisory Commission goals and how they are in alignment with this DEI plan.
City Council/RSA Special Meeting Minutes
October 23, 2023
Council Comments
Councilmember Herrod shared his excitement for the season job fair and encouraged staff to incorporate more celebration and acknowledgement for what essential and seasonal workers do for the community and economy.
Councilmember Mitchell expressed support for leveraging HUSD and community partnerships and the quarterly community convening with underrepresented and diverse neighborhoods.
Mayor Kelley commented on the mural program and shared her excitement for creating the mural program. Mayor Kelley inquired about a job skills training program and safety skills training and encouraged convening of food access in the community with organizations like the Food Pantry, Redwood Empire Food Bank and expressed a desire to see the City strengthen the relationship with HUSD.
Councilmember Edwards encouraged staff to take a look at social economic inclusion and educating the community about different cultural celebrations.
Vice Mayor Hagele expressed a desire to see a utility billing mailer to residents with a QR code for residents can sign up for alerts from the City.
Focus Area 3 - Housing
Housing Director Sotomayor introduced Housing as the third key focus area and reviewed the recommendations and actions included in the DEI Plan. Director Sotomayor provided information on the housing resources fair and providing bilingual services to residents. Director Sotomayor further reviewed all the housing recommendations include in the DEI Plan.
In response to Council inquiries, Director Sotomayor commented on the work plan of the Housing Element Work Group and looking at different ways to provide housing in Healdsburg.
Director Sotomayor elaborated on the collaboration between the City and Corazon to handle issues faced by renters, highlighted the importance of encouraging dialogue, and the assistance Corazon offers in facilitating discussions and educating the renters about various programs available. Director Sotomayor further reviewed areas of housing the City could explore.
Vice Mayor Hagele encouraged staff to recognize the challenges faced by landlords in maintaining their properties due to current mandates.
Focus Area 4 – City Staff
Assistant City Manager Sturmfels introduced City Staff as the fourth key focus area and reviewed the recommendations and actions included in the DEI plan City Council/RSA Special Meeting Minutes
October 23, 2023
Human Resources Manager Senander provided information on the development of leadership training for executive staff, establishing quarterly events for staff and launching a monthly internal newsletter. Manager Senander noted the City has begun recruiting for job opportunities in partnership with Los Cien and Corazon Healdsburg, explained DEI and leadership training will be provided as part of succession planning to support internal growth and promotions.
City Manager Kay provided additional information about the additional staff positions included in the DEI Plan.
Council Comments
Councilmember Edwards expressed his excitement about the City doing more outreach about job opportunities.
In response to Council’s inquiries, Manager Senander provided information on affinity groups and the opportunities to join one, how life experience is assessed in an employment application.
Long Term Priorities
Assistant City Manager Sturmfels provided information on the long term priorities included in the DEI Plan including the creation of a Youth Advisory Council, a task force for bilingual school, the creation of an old town Healdsburg Arts and Cultural Center and a local investment strategy, employer provided farmworker housing, and sweat equity/mutual aid housing. Manager Sturmfels further discussed the next steps in regard to the strategic goal setting session early next year and budget development.
Public Comment
Paul-Louis Maillard, Chief Administrative Officer for Sonoma and Marin Boys and Girls Club, commented on the DEI Plan and expressed support for the youth mentoring programs, DEI workshop and youth advisory boards. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of enhancing park lighting to make them safer and more accessible for kids at night.
Mike Potmesil, member of the HUSD board, commented on youth internships, creating more opportunities for youth to participate in art, sports, theater, and recreation activities, suggested making the history of the town available on a QR code and enhancing and increasing the partnership between HUSD and the City.
Matthew Lopez commented on supporting the engineering aspects of empowering the youth and opined on bringing different careers to high school students.
Valerie White opined on the DEI Plan and the recommendation to create a Director of Equity and Community Outreach position in the City.
City Council/RSA Special Meeting Minutes
October 23, 2023
Kim Bender, Executive Director of the Healthcare Foundation, opined on a new idea called interest convergence, and the creation of the proposed multicultural center in Healdsburg as described in the DEI Plan.
Holly Hoods, Director of the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society, commented that the museum is working hard to bring more education about the history of Healdsburg to residents.
Marcy Flores, Interim Executive Director of Corazon Healdsburg, commented on the community feedback received through the Community Encuentros.
Council Comments
Councilmember Herrod commented on the creation of an Arts and Multicultural Community Centers, updating the aging Community Center thanked everyone for their work on the DEI Plan and expressed hid appreciation for the DEI process.
Councilmember Mitchell commented on the recommendations included in the DEI Plan, the proposed idea of creating new positions within the City and expressed her gratitude for all the good work the City is already doing.
Vice Mayor Hagele commented on the opportunity to make an impact to the local students in Healdsburg and partnering with HUSD and emphasized the importance of giving kids the tools to get inspired and be successful.
Councilmember Edwards expressed a desire to see the City coordinate all services we have with different organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, and the Healdsburg Museum.
Mayor Kelley concurred with Councilmember Herrod’s comments, and expressed her belief that the DEI should be treated like a living document with constant check ins, highlighted the success of different cultural events like Dia de Los Muertos, utilizing existing resources to expand cultural experiences and the potential to create a multicultural center in Healdsburg.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:40 p.m.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
_________________________________ __________________________________ Ariel Kelley, Mayor Raina Allan, City Clerk