CITY OF HEALDSBURG
CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
January 6, 2025
City Hall Council Chamber
401 Grove Street, Healdsburg
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CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor/Chairperson Mitchell called to order the concurrent meeting of the City Council and Redevelopment Successor Agency of the City of Healdsburg at 6:04 p.m. with the following Council Members present:
Present: Council Members/: Edwards, Hagele, Herrod, Kelley, and Mayor Mitchell Board Members
Absent: Council Members/: None.
Board Members
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
On a motion by Councilmember Kelley, seconded by Councilmember Edwards, approved the January 6, 2025, City Council and Redevelopment Successor Agency meeting agenda as submitted. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None)
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Mitchell reported a Closed Session was held prior to the meeting and no reportable action was taken.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS
None.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Kay provided an update on the completion of prescribed burns on Fitch Mountain completed at the end of 2024, announced the upcoming bucket brigade blood drive through the Fire Department, the first meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission and the upcoming community meeting on District Elections happening next week.
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
January 6, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR AND NON
AGENDA ITEMS
Ty Benoit read aloud a proclamation written by Climate Action Healdsburg congratulating Assistant City Manager Andrew Sturmfels on his new position with the County of Sonoma.
Dan Pizza opined on the topic of the Closed Session meeting.
Earl Guinn commented on the Brown Act and how it works.
CONSENT CALENDAR
On a motion by Councilmember Kelley, seconded by Councilmember Hagele, approved the Consent Calendar as follows:
A. RECEIVE THE MONTHLY INVESTMENT REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2024 By motion, received and approved the Monthly Treasurer’s Investment Report for November 2024. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent - None)
B. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT REPORT FOR WITHDRAWALS DURING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2024
By motion, approved the Disbursement Report for November 2024. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent - None)
C. TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAINTENANCE CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH DC ELECTRIC GROUP, INC.
Adopted Resolution No. 1-2025 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAINTENANCE CONTRACT WITH DC ELECTRIC GROUP, INC., INCREASING THE CURRENT YEAR NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT FROM $45,000 TO $90,000, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT AMENDMENT, AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 BUDGET.” (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None)
D. PURCHASE OF VARIOUS BULK CHEMICALS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE
DRINKING-WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES TO THE CITY OF
HEALDSBURG
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
January 6, 2025
Adopted Resolution No. 2-2025 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG CONDITIONALLY AWARDING THE PURCHASE OF
BULK CHEMICALS FROM UNIVAR SOLUTIONS USA LLC FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $272,944 OVER A THREE-YEAR TERM, REJECTING TWO NONRESPONSIVE BIDS, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT WITH UNIVAR AND UP TO TWO (2) ADDITIONAL ONE-YEAR
EXTENSIONS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY, FOR UP TO A TOTAL FIVE-YEAR NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $478,410.” (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None).
E. AMENDED AND RESTATED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH 421
FOSS STREET LLC (DUCHAMP HOTEL) FOR THE FOLEY FAMILY
COMMUNITY PAVILION PROJECT
Adopted Resolution No. 3-2025 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG APPROVING AN AMENDED AND RESTATED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH 421 FOSS STREET LLC (FORMERLY
MDL LLC) FOR THE FOLEY PAVILION PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE DOCUMENTS.” (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None).
The motion to approve the Consent Calendar as above carried on a unanimous voice vote. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent 0)
PUBLIC HEARING - TO START AT A TIME CERTAIN OF 6:15 P.M. - SECOND
PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE INPUT ON THE COMPOSITION OF DISTRICTS
FOR DISTRICT-BASED COUNCIL ELECTIONS
Mayor Mitchell introduced the item for discussion and read aloud a statement regarding the December 16, 2024 discussion on District Elections.
Liz Stitt, Consultant with Redistricting Partners, provided information on what districting is and what the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) is, reviewed what the safe harbor provisions of the CVRA are, noted the public-hearing schedule and the purpose of each public hearing in the districting process. Ms. Stitt further reviewed the required districting criteria, what communities of interests are, how to get involved in the districting process, and the use of the 2020 Census and Citizen Voting Age Population data. City Clerk Allan reviewed the Community Engagement/Outreach Plan for the district election process.
In response to Council’s inquiries, Ms. Stitt clarified the use of the 2020 Census data and the Citizen Voting Age Population data and reviewed what the format of the public meeting would look like.
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
January 6, 2025
Additionally, Ms. Stitt reviewed the “Districtr” tool the public will be able to utilize to draw maps during the district election process and provided a demonstration on how to use it.
In response to Council’s inquiries, Ms. Stitt reviewed how to draw more than five districts and less than five districts, what data is utilized in the Districtr tool, what common communities of interest may be, and how the public can submit thoughts on an at-large Mayor or more than five districts. Ms. Stitt further noted that all public testimony must be posted on the website.
Mayor Mitchell opened the public hearing.
Public Comment
Michiko Conklin expressed a desire to see the Council continue to have a rotating Mayor that is elected by the entire City of Healdsburg.
Dan Pizza commented on Mayor Mitchell’s remarks to begin the District Election item, encouraged the Council to utilize a blind ballot to determine the next Mayor, and commented on representation for the south end of town and the people living on the Syar property.
Valerie White commented on the senior community being a community of interest and inquired if the Latino community would be considered a community of interest.
Elisa Sneeden opined on district elections, local elections, enabling non-citizens to vote in local elections, providing equity to the voters, and addressing vacant homes.
Hank Skewis expressed his thoughts on communities of interest and building districts by population, and commented on keeping the rotating Mayor in District Elections.
Mark McMullen inquired how much it would increase the cost for the Districtr tool to change the setup to seven districts instead of five, and expressed a desire to see an elected Mayor.
Camille Jones expressed a desire to see an at-large Mayor and inquired who gets to make the decision about an at-large Mayor versus a rotating Mayor.
Jonathan Pearlman opined on having a diluted vote due to district elections and expressed a desire to see four districts with an at-large Mayor.
Merrilyn Joyce commented on Windsor’s at-large Mayor election, the role of the Mayor, and adjusting Districtr so more than five districts can be drawn.
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
January 6, 2025
Christian Kallen opined on the role of the Mayor, inquired if the Council would discuss the difference between a strong and weak Mayor, and commented on adjusting Districtr to more than five districts.
Council Comments
Councilmember Edwards commented on the cost of running a campaign in Healdsburg and the role of the Mayor.
Vice Mayor Herrod inquired about the term of the Mayor, why the Districtr tool is set to five districts, and how the maps will be presented. Vice Mayor Herrod was supportive of five districts with a rotating Mayor.
Councilmember Kelley expressed her thoughts on the role of the Mayor and campaigning in Healdsburg, and expressed a desire to see six districts and an at-large Mayor. Councilmember Kelley further opined she was looking forward to feedback from the public.
Councilmember Hagele commented on at large elections versus district elections and expressed a desire to see the Council focus on the equity piece in district elections.
Mayor Mitchell commented on transitioning to district elections, communities of interest, focusing on why the City is transitioning to district elections, and the role of the Mayor. Mayor Mitchell opined that she was willing to continue to listen to public feedback on the role of the Mayor going forward.
In response to Councilmember Kelley’s inquiry, City Manager Kay noted that staff has not researched whether the Council could switch to an at-large Mayor when redistricting happens in 2030. Ms. Stitt provided information on the data that could be provided through Districtr and heat maps.
Council discussion ensued on the number of votes needed to win in district elections, a rotating Mayor versus an at-large Mayor, and increasing the number of districts that can be drawn on the Districtr tool. There was Council majority to proceed with five districts on the Districtr tool.
City Clerk Allan summarized the upcoming meetings on district elections.
COUNCIL REPORTS ON MATTERS OF INTEREST OCCURRING SINCE PREVIOUS
REGULAR MEETING/EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT REPORTS
Councilmember Hagele reminded the Council about the upcoming Bucket Brigade Blood Drive and provided an update on NCPA.
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
January 6, 2025
Councilmember Edwards reported he attended the Russian River Watershed Meeting and announced the upcoming Steelhead festival.
Vice Mayor Herrod reported he participated in the caroling in the Plaza and attended the Hanukah celebration in the Plaza.
Councilmember Kelley reported she attended the Hanukah celebration in the Plaza and expressed a desire to see more City support for the Hanukah celebration.
Mayor Mitchell had nothing to report.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:46 p.m.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
_________________________________ __________________________________ Evelyn L. Mitchell, Mayor Raina Allan, City Clerk