CITY OF HEALDSBURG
CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
May 19, 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 6:01 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 Hagele, seconded by Vice Mayor Herrod, approved the May 19, 2025, City Council and Redevelopment Successor Agency meeting agenda as submitted. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call 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 action was taken.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS – PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MAY 2025 AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING MONTH
Mayor Mitchell with Council concurrence issued a proclamation recognizing May 2025 as Affordable Housing Month in the City of Healdsburg.
Sonia Byck-Barwick, Engagement Manager for Generation Housing thanked the Council for the Proclamation and leadership in addressing the housing challenges in Healdsburg.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS – PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MAY 2025 AS JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Mayor Mitchell with Council concurrence issued a proclamation recognizing May 2025 as Jewish American Heritage Month in the City of Healdsburg.
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2025
Irene Hodes and Julie Rothberg, Jewish Healdsburg thanked the Council for the proclamation and commented on the local events happening in Healdsburg.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Kay provided information on the community meeting about March Avenue, the Abel De Luna Naming celebration, announced the upcoming FFA fair and twilight parade the first Tuesdays in the Plaza concert for 2025, the recycled water pipeline ribbon cutting and the Pride flag raising ceremony on June 2, 2025.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR AND NON
AGENDA ITEMS
Steve Moskovits commented on the design of Laua Fish Somersal Park and redirecting funding from lighting to further completion of the original concept plan.
CONSENT CALENDAR
On a motion by Councilmember Kelley, seconded by Councilmember Hagele, approved the Consent Calendar as follows:
A. ANNUAL UPDATE TO THE CITY'S UTILITY WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN Adopted Resolution No. 34-2025 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG APPROVING THE 2025 UTILITY WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN (WMP) AND VERIFYING THE WMP’S COMPLIANCE WITH STATE CODES.” (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None)
B. ACCEPTANCE OF THE NORTH VILLAGE FIRE SUBSTATION PROJECT Adopted Resolution No. 35-2025 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG ACCEPTING THE NORTH VILLAGE FIRE
SUBSTATION PROJECT AS COMPLETE AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO FILE A NOTICE OF COMPLETION WITH THE COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE.” (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None)
C. LIST OF PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED BY SENATE BILL 1 - "THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT"
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2025
Adopted Resolution No. 36-2025 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG ADOPTING A LIST OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 FUNDED BY SB1: THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017.” (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None)
D. BLOODROOT RAMBLE AGREEMENT AMENDMENT
Adopted Resolution No. 37-2025 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG AMENDING A THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH
REEVE WINES FOR THE BLOODROOT RAMBLE ON THE HEALDSBURG
COMMUNITY CENTER CAMPUS AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AMENDMENT.” (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None) E. GRANT STREET WATER IMPROVEMENTS BID AWARD
Adopted Resolution No. 38-2025 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG CONDITIONALLY AWARDING THE GRANT STREET
WATER IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT TO PRECISION EXCAVATING AND GRADING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $240,473.46, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE THE CONTRACT, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND APPROVE CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS UP TO 15% OF THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT AMOUNT, AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 ADOPTED BUDGET.” (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None)
F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
By motion, approved the September 16, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes and the October 7, 2024. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None)
G. AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES IN THE
LOCAL RESPONSIBILITY AREA
By motion, adopted Ordinance No. 1247, titled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG DESIGNATING THE FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES IN THE LOCAL RESPONSIBILITY AREA (LRA).” (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None)
H. REVIEW AND ADOPT THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG ADOPTED MAP FINAL REPORT PURSUANT TO ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 21130(F)
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2025
By motion, review and adopt the City of Healdsburg Adopted Final Report pursuant to Elections Code Section 21130(f).. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None) The motion to approve the Consent Calendar as above carried on a unanimous roll call vote. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent 0)
PUBLIC HEARING
None.
OLD BUSINESS – FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 THIRD QUARTER BUDGET REVIEW AS OF MARCH 31, 2025
Finance Director Edgar stated the action this evening was to receive a presentation on the third quarter budget review for fiscal year 2024-25. Director Edgar reviewed the General Fund revenues and expenditures and General Fund balance. Director Edgar further reviewed the Measure T fund balance, Community Services revenue and expenditures and the water fund balance.
Additionally, Director Edgar provided information on the wastewater fund balance and the electric fund balance.
In response to Council’s inquiries, Director Edgar provided information on the Recology fees and the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue. City Manager Kay provided information on current water use in Healdsburg and conservation efforts.
There were no public comments on this item.
On a motion by Councilmember Edwards, seconded by Councilmember Hagele, adopted Resolution No. 39-2025, titled “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 BUDGET.” The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None) OLD BUSINESS – LAURA FISH SOMERSAL PARK PHASE 1 SCHEMATIC DESIGN REVIEW
Councilmember Hagele recused from this item as he owns a home within 500 feet of the Park.
Councilmember Kelley recused from this item for a perceived conflict of interest as she owns property within 500 feet of the Park.
Project Manager Campbell introduced Lauren Ewald from Fletcher Studio and Brianna Morrison and Jim Fain from Carlile Macie who would be assisting with the presentation.
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2025
Manager Campbell provided information on the Final Master Plan for the Laura Fish Somersal Park (LFSP), summarized recent Council actions relating to LFSP, reviewed the available funding for Phase 1 of LFSP, where staff is at in park planning process and noted the total cost estimate to complete the portions of the park that have been designed. Manager Campbell further reviewed the additional schematic design considerations for LFSP, material options to be utilized in the Park, noted the proposed project design direction for LFSP and reviewed next steps for the project.
In response to Council’s inquiries, Manager Campbell provided information on the lighting options for the Park, commented on the parking lot for the trailhead and funding for the first phase of the project. Lauren Ewald, Fletcher Studio commented on style of lighting for the project, Briana Morrison, Carlile Macy provided information on the creek restoration.
Public Comment
John Thomas encouraged Council to consider adding a dog park to the LFSP design.
In response to Vice Mayor Herrod’s inquiry, Community Services Director Themig provided information on dog parks and the potential to research what a dog park would look like.
There was Council consensus to approve the schematic design for Laura Fish Somersal Park Phase 1 and directed staff to proceed with preparing a contract for design development, construction drawings and bidding support.
Councilmember Hagele and Councilmember Kelley returned to the meeting at this time.
NEW BUSINESS – SELECTION OF AN OFFICIAL CITY FLOWER/PLANT AND/OR TREE
Community Services Director Themig introduced the item for discussion provided background information on how the selection of an official City Flower/Plant and/or tree became a Council item. Director Themig reviewed the need for the flower, plant or tree to be native, noted other cities that have an official city flower, plant or tree and introduced members of the garden club who would present the recommendations.
Theresa Winstrom from the Healdsburg Garden Club provided information on the following flower, plant and/or tree options the Council could choose from: (1) Native Iris, (2) Yellow Mariposa Lily, (3) Scarlet Fritillary, (4) Blue-eyed Grass, (5) California Native Grape, and (6) Oak Tree.
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2025
In response to Council’s inquiries, Wendy Smit past president of the Milo Baker Chapter of the Native Plant Society provided information on the different oak tree options. Ms. Winstrom provided information on what flower would be the easiest flower to propagate.
Council thanked Ms. Winstrom and Ms. Smit for the presentation.
Public Comment
Merrilyn Joyce commented on the options for the official flower/plant and/or tree.
Following a brief discussion by Council, there was Council consensus to move forward with polling the Healdsburg community on which of the six options should become the official City flower/plant and/or tree.
NEW BUSINESS – SONOMA COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AND CLIMATE
AUTHORITY PROJECT PRIORITY LIST
Public Works Director Zimmer stated the action this evening was to support staff’s recommended project list or provide alternative direction. Director Zimmer provided background information on the need to submit a project list, the funding sources from Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authority (SCTCA), the scoring criteria utilized by SCTCA when reviewing project lists and noted the five recommended projects.
Director Zimmer further provided information on each of the five proposed projects including the Dry Creek Interchange, Healdsburg Avenue Connectivity, Grove Street North, Mill Street Complete Streets, pavement maintenance and noted other projects that were considered when determining which five projects would move forward.
In response to Council’s inquiries, Director Zimmer provided information on how the projects are selected. Planning and Building Director Duiven provided information on the planning grant the City recently received from MTC.
There were no public comments on this item.
Following brief comments by Council, there was Council consensus to support staff’s recommended project list.
COUNCIL REPORTS ON MATTERS OF INTEREST OCCURRING SINCE PREVIOUS
REGULAR MEETING/EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT REPORTS
Councilmember Kelley reported she is recovering from surgery.
City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2025
Councilmember Edwards reported he attended the Mother’s Day Tea event at the Senior Center, the Arts and Culture Commission open house and commented on the Abel De Luna Community Center renaming celebration.
Councilmember Hagele reported that he attended the Abel De Luna Community Center renaming event, participated in a call with a local volleyball coach, noted he would be attending the Northwest Public Power Association Conference in Santa Rosa and commented on the upcoming Twilight Parade and Fair.
Vice Mayor Herrod reported he attended the Mother’s Day Tea event at the Senior Center, the Arts and Culture Commission open house and the Abel De Luna Community Center renaming celebration.
Mayor Mitchell reported she attended the Mayors and Councilmembers Board of Directors meeting, participated in the Zero Waste meeting, gave a tour of City Hall and mock Council meeting to the third graders from Alexander Valley School, attended the groundbreaking for the Mill District clubhouse site, the Outlander ribbon cutting and the Abel De Luna Community Center renaming event.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:28 p.m.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
_________________________________ __________________________________ Evelyn L. Mitchell, Mayor Raina Allan, City Clerk