CITY OF HEALDSBURG
CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
April 7, 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 6:00 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 Vice Mayor Herrod, seconded by Councilmember Edwards, approved the April 7, 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
None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS – PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING APRIL 11, 2025 AS PARKINSON’S AWARENESS DAY IN THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG Mayor Mitchell with Council concurrence issued a Proclamation recognizing April 11, 2025 as Parkinson’s Awareness Day in the City of Healdsburg.
Shelly Gilbert thanked the Council for the Proclamation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS – PROCLAMATION DECLARING APRIL 2025 AS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH
Mayor Mitchell with Council concurrence issued a Proclamation recognizing April 2025 as National Volunteer Month in the City of Healdsburg.
Linda Go Friends of the Senior Center, accepted the Proclamation, thanked the Council and commented on what Friends of the Senior Center does for the Healdsburg community.
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2025
ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS - ANNUAL MARIE SPARKS MEMORIAL
VOLUNTEER AWARD
Recreation Supervisor Anna Grant provided background information on the Marie Sparks Memorial Volunteer Award which was established by the City Council to recognize volunteerism in the community. Supervisor Grant introduced Richard Bugarske.
Richard Bugarske read aloud a statement about Dana Grande, the first 2024 recipient of the Marie Sparks Appreciation Award and noted the contributions she has made to Healdsburg and the Warm Springs 4-H.
Dana Grande thanked the Council for the recognition and commented on her reasons for volunteering with the Warm Springs 4-H.
Suzanne Esquivel introduced Lupe King, the second recipients of the 2024 Marie Sparks Appreciation Award and described her contributions given to the community.
Lupe King thanked the community for the kind words and spoke about all the things her Girl Scout Troop does in the Healdsburg Community.
Greta Mesics introduced Steve Pogue, the third recipient of the 2024 Marie Sparks Appreciation Award and described his contributions to the community.
Steve Pogue thanked the Council for the recognition and spoke about fighting food insecurity in Sonoma County.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS – ANNUAL FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATE Fire Chief Boaz provided an update on the Fire Department including current staffing levels, reserve firefighter program, incident statistics for 2024, response times, mutual aid and the fire services contracts. Chief Boaz further reviewed the contract area calls for service, fire history map, vegetation management strategy, fire prevention division, plan check review and inspections and community engagement.
Chief Boaz provided information on the Fire Substation 2, the funding the City will receive from Measure H and the Standards of Cover Community Risk Assessment and Strategic Plan study that will be completed.
Mayor Mitchell thanked Chief Boaz for the presentation.
PUBLIC HEARINGS – DISTRICT ELECTIONS – PUBLIC HEARING #5 City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2025
City Manager Kay introduced this item for discussion and introduced Paul Mitchell from Redistricting Partners who would be giving the presentation.
Paul Mitchell, Redistricting Partners reviewed the District Elections schedule, the required Districting criteria, noted the additional map received from the public between public hearing four and five and provided details on potential final map Draft A. Mr. Mitchell further reviewed and provided an overview of how sequencing would work once a final Map was selected.
In response to Councilmember Edwards inquiry, Mr. Mitchell noted the number of the map that was submitted since the last hearing and provided information on what would happen if the Council decided to select a different map.
Mayor Mitchell opened the public hearing.
Public Comment
Jonathan Pearlman commented on the educational process that Districting has been and commented on the street segments being split up in the proposed map.
Dan Pizza expressed his support for Draft Map A and potentially having a representative from the Southern District represent the area.
Council Comments
Mayor Mitchell commented on Draft Map A and expressed her hesitation with Draft Map A, noting the bulb out of March Avenue, breaking up Matheson Street and the distance of the District between Sunnyvale and Matheson Street and inquired if there were any Councilmembers who would consider Map D.
Councilmember Edwards commented on Draft Map A and expressed a desire to see less than three Districts touching the Downtown core and was supportive of moving forward Map D to the next Council meeting.
Councilmember Kelley inquired about the issue with Matheson Street being split in two.
Councilmember Hagele commented on Draft Map A, was supportive of using Matheson Street as the divider, opined on the Council representing everyone is the City regardless of District location and expressed support for Draft Map A.
Vice Mayor Herrod commented on Draft Map A and Draft Map D and expressed support to move forward Draft Map D to the next Council meeting.
Council discussion ensued on how many Districts touch the Downtown area.
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2025
Mayor Mitchell noted there were three Councilmembers who were willing to move forward Map D to the next Council meeting.
City Manager Kay summarized the process to move forward Draft Map D if the Council moved forward with providing that direction.
Councilmember Kelley commented on campaign finance, the Levine Act, the District along Grove Street the pros and cons to Draft Map A and Draft Map D.
Council discussion ensued on Draft Map A and Draft Map D Mr. Mitchell reviewed the total deviation and the Citizen Voting Age Population for Map D.
On a motion by Mayor Mitchell, seconded by Councilmember Edwards, directed Staff to publish Draft Map D and return to Council at a subsequent meeting with an Ordinance adopting Map D.
The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR AND NON
AGENDA ITEMS
Breen Ker commented on walking along the river with his dogs and continuing to have access to the river and encouraged the Council to preserve the river accesses current state and have it remained open to the public.
Keith Baker expressed support for a Magical Bridge playground at Laura Fish Somersal Park.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Kelley recused from Consent Item 6E as she owns a property within 500 feet of the proposed development and has a presumed financial interest.
On a motion by Vice Mayor Herrod, seconded by Councilmember Kelley, approved the Consent Calendar as follows:
A. RECEIVE THE MONTHLY INVESTMENT REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2025 By motion, received and approved the Monthly Treasurer’s Investment Report for February 2025. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent - None)
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2025
B. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT REPORT FOR WITHDRAWALS DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2025
By motion, approved the Disbursement Report for February 2025. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent - None)
C. REVISIONS TO THE HEALDSBURG MUNICIPAL CODE, TITLE 20, LAND USE
CODE, REGARDING FORMULA BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN, AND
PROHIBITING BIG BOX RETAIL AND OUTLET MALLS THROUGHOUT THE CITY
Adopted Ordinance No. 1245, titled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG AMENDING HEALDSBURG MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 20 (LAND USE CODE), CHAPTER 20.08 (BASE ZONING DISTRICTS), ARTICLE VI (COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS), SECTIONS 20.08.115, 20.08.120, 20.08.125, 20.08.130,
20.08.135, 20.08.145 (TABLE 10), 20.08.155 (TABLE 12), CHAPTER 20.28 (ADMINISTRATION), ARTICLE IX (DEFINITIONS), SECTION 20.28.310, ARTICLE V (CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS), SECTION 20.28.165 AND ADDING SECTION
20.20.115 TO CHAPTER 20.20 (STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC LAND USES), ARTICLE
II (COMMERCIAL-RELATED REGULATIONS) REGARDING FORMULA
BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN AND PROHIBITING BIG BOX RETAIL AND OUTLET MALLS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.” (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent - None) D. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH AP TRITON
Adopted Resolution No. 21-2025, titled “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH AP TRITON IN THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $97,975 TO
CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STANDARDS OF COVER ASSESSMENT,
COMMUNITY RISK ASSESSMENT, AND STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE CITY OF
HEALDSBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY AND AMENDING THE ADOPTED BUDGET.” (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent - None)
E. SAGGIO HILLS AFFORDABLE HOUSING FIRST FINAL MAP
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar to be voted on separately.
F. FIRE DEPARTMENT SB1205 INSPECTION REPORT
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2025
Adopted Resolution No. 22-2025, titled “A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF HEALDSBURG ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF A REPORT MADE BY
THE HEALDSBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE INSPECTION OF
CERTAIN OCCUPANCIES REQUIRED TO RECEIVE ANNUAL INSPECTIONS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13146.2 AND 13146.3 OF THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE.” (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent - None)
G. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
By motion approved the August 5, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes. (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 - None)
SAGGIO HILLS AFFORDABLE HOUSING FIRST FINAL MAP
On a motion by Councilmember Hagele, seconded by Councilmember Edwards, adopted Resolution No. 23-2025, titled “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
HEALDSBURG APPROVING THE FIRST FINAL MAP FOR THE SAGGIO HILLS AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT; ACCEPTING DEDICATION, SUBJECT TO
IMPROVEMENT, OF PUBLIC STREETS, PUBLIC UTILITY EASEMENTS, PUBLIC
WATER EASEMENTS, PUBLIC ACCESS EASEMENTS, EMERGENCY VEHICLE
ACCESS EASEMENTS AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE PHASE I PARCELS - PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENT.” The motion carried on a roll call vote, with Councilmember Kelley abstaining. (Ayes 4, Noes 0, Absent – None, Abstaining – Kelley)
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS – PARKLET PROGRAM UPDATE
Public Works Director Zimmer stated the action this evening was to provide direction on updating the Parklet Program. Director Zimmer provided information on the history of the Parklet Program, the current number of Parklets, fees associated with Parklets and noted the number of Parklets neighboring Sonoma County Cities have. Director Zimmer further reviewed the benefits and challenges of Parklets and the options available to Council this evening for Parklets.
Additionally, Director Zimmer provided the recommendations from Staff on updating the Parklet Program and reviewed additional discussion items for Council’s consideration.
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2025
In response to Council’s inquiries, Director Zimmer provided information on who is responsible for fixing a Parklet if the City needs to remove it to make a repair, how the City addresses cleaning up gutters, visibility for pedestrians, vacant Parklets and adding handicap parking spots.
Public Comments
Cathy Waterbury commented on the new Daylighting Law and the changes to Parklets and parking spaces that may need to happen due to the new Daylight Law.
Sam, Manager of Lioco tasting room, expressed his appreciation for being a part of the Parklet Program and thanked the Council for the program.
Jonathan Pearlman commented on Parklets and the wonderful things Parklets have done for Healdsburg and encouraged Council to find ways to continue the Parklet Program.
Brian Geagan opined on Parklets and what Parklets bring to Healdsburg and encouraged Council to preserve the Parklet Program.
Mark McMullen expressed support for the Parklets and encouraged Council to view Parklets in the larger view of pedestrian access.
Dustin Valette commented on the Parklet Program, expressed his support for continuing the Program, encouraged the maintenance of Parklets and provided insight on the design and development of his Parklet.
Carlos Molica expressed appreciation for being a part of the Parklet Program and commented on the administrative fees associated with the Parklet Program.
Valerie White commented on the PowerPoint presentation availability and the public property being utilized by private businesses and making the Parklet guidelines stricter.
Aaron Flores General Manager of Duke’s Spirited Cocktails thanked the City for the Parklet Program, commented on how the Parklets helped local businesses stay open and the fees associated with Parklets.
Skip Brand commented on how his business utilizes the Parklet and the benefits the Parklets bring to the Healdsburg community.
Deb Kravitz commented on the Parklet Program and expressed her support for continuing the Program and addressing the changes needed.
Jesus Main commented on the Parklet program.
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2025
Council Comments
Councilmember Kelley expressed support for continuing the Parklet Program as well as addressing Staff’s recommendations, expressed concern about businesses who have an outside space as part of their lease also having a Parklet and addressing vacant Parklets.
Councilmember Hagele was in favor of keeping the Parklet Program going, commented on the benefit Parklets bring to Healdsburg, the fee structure associated with Parklets, vacant Parklets, capping the number of Parklets at five percent and continuing with the Parklet Program.
Vice Mayor Herrod commented on Staff’s proposed recommendations for the Parklet Program, addressing vacant Parklets and the challenges of Parklets.
Councilmember Edwards commented on Parklets and placing a cap on the number of parking spaces utilized for Parklets.
Mayor Mitchell expressed support to continue the Parklet Program, commented on the fees associated with the Parklets and limiting the number of Parklets.
Public Works Director Zimmer addressed some of the feedback heard this evening.
NEW BUSINESS – L&M VILLAGE QUARTERLY UPDATE
Housing Director Sotomayor introduced Margaret Sluyk, CEO of Reach For Home who would be giving the presentation.
Ms. Sluyk provided an overview of what the L&M Village is, reviewed the quarterly three highlights of the L&M Village, the program outcomes during quarterly three, occupancy by race/ethnicity and supportive services offered.
Director Sotomayor provided information on the current funding status for the L&M Village.
Ms. Sluyk further reviewed the challenges and opportunities the L&M Village face and the 2024 Point-in-Time count.
In response to Councilmember Kelley’s inquiry, Ms. Sluyk reviewed the annual cost for the 23 supportive housing units that are not associated with the L&M.
Public Comment
Dan Pizza commented on the Syar Property and inquired when the remaining individuals would be removed from the property.
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2025
Council Comments
Councilmember Kelley commented on the rate of individuals being housed from the L&M.
Councilmember Hagele thanked Ms. Sluyk for all the work she has done in managing the L&M.
Councilmember Edwards commented on all the work Reach For Home does for the shelter-less population and the uncertainties facing Reach For Home currently.
Vice Mayor Herrod thanked Reach For Home for everything they do for Healdsburg.
Mayor Mitchell thanked Ms. Sluyk for all the work Reach For Home does.
NEW BUSINESS – APPOINTMENTS OF THE CITY SELECTION COMMITTEE AND MAYORS AND COUNCILMEMBERS’ ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS City Clerk Allan introduced the item for discussion.
There were no public comments on this item.
Following a discussion by Council, there was Council consensus to direct the Mayor to support Healdsburg Mayor Evelyn Mitchell and Santa Rosa Councilmember Jeff Okrepkie for the Measure H Oversight Committee, Cotati Councilmember Susan Harvey and Petaluma Councilmember Janice Cader Thompson for the North Bay Division, LOCC Executive Board and Cloverdale Councilmember Marjorie Morgenstern and Petaluma Councilmembers John Shibbs and Karen Nu for the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District Citizens Advisory Committee.
NEW BUSINESS – COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON POTENTIAL OUTREACH
MATERIAL RELATED TO IMMIGRATION POLICIES AND RESOURCES
City Manager Kay introduced this item for discussion and noted how this item landed on the agenda.
Vice Mayor Herrod provided information on why this item was requested and his desire to send a mailer to all Healdsburg households containing information on immigration policies and resources.
Council discussion ensued on what information and type of statements that should be included in the potential mailer.
City Manager Kay summarized the feedback heard this evening on the content of the mailer.
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2025
There were no public comments on this item.
On a motion by Councilmember Kelley, seconded by Councilmember Edwards, created a subcommittee of Mayor Mitchell and Vice Mayor Herrod to assist in the development of the mailer. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None)
COUNCIL REPORTS ON MATTERS OF INTEREST OCCURRING SINCE PREVIOUS
REGULAR MEETING/EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT REPORTS
Councilmember Edwards reported he attended the Military Equipment public meeting.
Vice Mayor Herrod reported he attended the mural unveiling at Healdsburg High School, the Kiwanis breakfast, met with Assembly Member Rogers, attended the ribbon cutting for Lavish and acknowledged the passing of Aaron Rosewater.
Councilmember Kelley reported she attended the SMART Board Meeting and the Healdsburg Little League opening day.
Councilmember Hagele reported he attended the Little League opening day, attended a tour of Congressman Huffman’s D.C. staff of the floating solar, met with Joe Naujokas about the housing trust and commented on only having one Marie Sparks Award winner going forward.
Mayor Mitchell commented on the Marie Sparks Award process and reported she attended the Lavish ribbon cutting, met with Assembly Member Rogers, participated in the Chamber update and the Arts and Culture Commission update.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:51 p.m.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
_________________________________ __________________________________ Chris Herrod, Vice Mayor Raina Allan, City Clerk