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Minutes

Healdsburg City Council
February 2, 2026

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Minutes
Meeting
February 2, 2026
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Healdsburg City Council
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7
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Text extracted from the city's file for reading and search. Open the original on pub-healdsburg.escribemeetings.com. That file is the official record.

CITY OF HEALDSBURG

CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
February 2, 2026

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
401 Grove Street, Healdsburg
.

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor/Chairperson Herrod 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, Kelley, Mitchell and Mayor Herrod Board Members

Absent: Council Members/: None
Board Members

APPROVAL OF AGENDA
On a motion by Councilmember Kelley, seconded by Vice Mayor Edwards, approved the February 2, 2026, 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 – UPDATE REGARDING PUBLIC RECORDS

ACT REQUESTS
City Attorney Zutler provided a short update on the public records act requests the City of Healdsburg has received over the last five years and reviewed the breakdown of the types of requests received in 2025.

CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Kay provided an update on the repair fair that took place at the Abel De Luna Community Center in January, announced the safe routes to school workshop at the High School Library, the Standards of Cover survey regarding the Fire Department and noted the Fire Department is currently covering a structure fire in Geyserville. Additionally, City Manager Kay announced a community meeting regarding the start of construction for the SMART Train is being planned for the last week of March.

City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2026

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PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR AND NON

AGENDA ITEMS
Adina Flores commented on the Cannabis process conducted in Healdsburg and perceived conflict of interests of Councilmembers.

James Kemp opined on the Foss Creek Pathway and inquired if the City Council would consider adding drainage to the Foss Creek Pathway in the upcoming budget cycle.

John Thomas commented on the new development happening at the North end of town and expressed a desire to see a dog park added to Laura Fish Somersal Park.

Linda Cade opined on the City of Healdsburg Cannabis process and the number of people who ride the bus in Healdsburg.

CONSENT CALENDAR
On a motion by Councilmember Mitchell, seconded by Councilmember Kelley, approved the Consent Calendar as follows:

A. RECEIVE THE MONTHLY INVESTMENT REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2025 Received and approved the Monthly Treasurer’s Investment Report for December 2025. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None)
B. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT REPORT FOR WITHDRAWALS DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2025
Approved the Disbursement Report for December 2025. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None) C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved the January 20, 2026 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)

PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.

City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2026

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OLD BUSINESS – HEALDSBURG STATION AREA SPECIFIC PLAN
Community Development Director Duiven provided background information on the SMART Train coming to Healdsburg, reviewed what a Transient-Oriented Communities (TOC) Policy is, how it will be applied to Healdsburg, the guiding goals included in the TOC Policy and the POC Planning Grant the City of Healdsburg received to conduct a planning process for a specific plan.

Director Duiven further reviewed the boundary of the planning area to be included in the upcoming planning process, why a specific plan is needed, the proposed community engagement strategy and the advisory committees proposed to be created to assist with the planning process.

Additionally, Director Duiven provided information on what the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and the Community Advisory Committee (COC) would be doing during the planning process.

In response to Council’s inquiries, Director Duiven provided information on how single family homes would be impacted, communicating with local property owners, what the role of the planning commission would have during the planning process, the area that would be covered during the planning process, how the two committees would work together and potential land use designations that may come up during the planning process.

Public Comment
Sonia Byck-Barwick commented on the Station Area Specific Plan and expressed support for the planning process to begin.

Kim Lockhart opined on not being contacted by Healdsburg staff, inquired how staff is conducting outreach and who was responsible for SMART’s Environmental Impact Report.

David Lawrence expressed support to move forward with the Station Area Specific Plan and commented on the process of planning.

Mark Horne opined on the tentative timeline to complete the planning process and expressed a desire to see the planning process completed before the SMART train begins operating in Healdsburg.

Mark McMullen inquired if staff could work with the consultants to make sure all the various plans the City has conducted of the last few years be included in this upcoming planning process.

Tyra Benoit encouraged Council to include all the prior planning processes and local non-profits in the Station Area Specific Plan process.

City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2026

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Matthew Lopez encouraged the Council to include the residents from Enso and the Latino Community in the Station Area Specific Plan process and echoed the comments of prior speakers.

Council Comments
Councilmember Kelley was supportive of seven to nine members for the COC, including a representative of the non-profit community, someone who works and lives with the affordable housing community, a representative of those who rent in the community, sunsetting the COC when the planning process ends, having the COC meet on an as needed basis and was open to discussing the process on how to appoint representatives to the COC.

Vice Mayor Edwards was supportive of seven to eleven members for the COC and inquired how the TAC and COC would work together and the composition of the group.

Councilmember Mitchell was supportive of eleven members for the COC, inquired about potential locations for the COC to meet and commented on the process to select members of the COC.

Councilmember Hagele inquired about the style of the COC meetings, looking at the upcoming generation for members of the COC, was in favor of setting a specific timeline for the COC and supportive of more than seven members, the COC sunsetting at the end of planning process and was open to discussion on the selection process.

Mayor Herrod was supportive of a COC larger than seven, sunsetting the COC at the completion of the planning process and was open to discussion on the composition and selection process.

Council discussion ensued on the number of members of the COC, how to select members for the COC and creating an application that encourages a wide range of people to apply. There was Council consensus for the COC to have fifteen members with flexibility for more or less members and appoint members in a public meeting by tallying votes for each applicant.

NEW BUSINESS – LOW CARBON FUEL STANDARD PROGRAM UPDATES Utility Conservation Analyst Sampson stated the action this evening was to provide direction to staff regarding the use of one-time additional Low Carbon Fuel-Standard funds and adopt a resolution defining low-income for purposes of usage of fund received through the State Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program. Analyst Sampson provided information on the City’s prime energy program funding sources, the equity requirements for the Low Carbon Fuel Standard program and reviewed updates to the City’s Transportation Electrification program.

City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2026

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Analyst Sampson further reviewed options available to the City on Transportation Electrification Program, options for an EV purchase rebate and noted the questions City Council could consider if the EV rebate program was going to move forward. Additionally, Analyst Sampson reviewed additional public EV Charging options for consideration.

In response to Council’s inquiries, Analyst Sampson provided information on rebates available for EV chargers, the requirements for Developers for EV chargers, defined what grid side infrastructure is, what types of chargers work for larger vehicles, what the starting point for defining low-income, what the Low Carbon Fuel Standards funds can be used for, the ability to stack rebates, how the rebate for purchasing an EV could work and utilizing the Low Carbon Fuel Standards funds to add more EV chargers in the City. Analyst Sampson further reviewed how CARE customers utilize EV chargers, installing EV chargers at the Abel De Luna Community Center and who pays the electric bill low-income apartment complexes.

Public Comment
Scott Pratt opined on the proposed programs and suggested offering a rebate for the vehicle and installing a charger for low-income residents.

Council Comments
Councilmember Hagele was supportive of a rebate for the purchase of a pre-owned electric vehicle, implementing a pilot program, creating a rebate for the installation of chargers, installing super chargers around town and opined on various locations to install EV chargers.

Councilmember Mitchell was in favor of using the funds to install EV chargers around town and creating a rebate for a pre-owned electric vehicle.

Councilmember Kelley was in favor of adding level three EV chargers around Healdsburg, offering a rebate for an electric vehicle and increasing the rebate for an E-Bike.

Vice Mayor Edwards was supportive of a pilot program to install EV charger equipment, allowing a second bike per CARE household receive an e-bike rebate and creating a rebate option for electric vehicles.

Mayor Herrod was in favor of increasing the rebate for CARE customers to purchase an e-bike, installing EV chargers at the Community Center, Giorgi Park and creating a rebate for purchasing an electric vehicle.

On a motion by Councilmember Kelley, seconded by Councilmember Hagele, adopted Resolution No. 11-2026, titled “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG ADOPTING A DEFINITION OF “LOW INCOME” FOR PURPOSES OF City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2026

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USAGE OF FUNDS RECEIVED THROUGH THE STATE LOW CARBON FUEL

STANDARD PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING UPDATES TO PROGRAMS FUNDED BY LOW CARBON FUEL STANDARDS CREDIT PROCEEDS and amending the resolution to allow two e-bike rebates per CARE household in the amount of $1,000 per rebate. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. (Ayes 5, Noes 0, Absent – None) Mayor Herrod called for a short break.

NEW BUSINESS – FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 AND 2027-28 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT

OVERVIEW
Finance Director Edgar stated the action this evening was to receive a presentation on the budget development plan and provide feedback to staff on the proposed budget goals and timeline.

Director Edgar provided information on the General Fund revenues and expenses by department, expenses by function, Measure T, Community Services Special revenue fund and Enterprise funds. Director Edgar further reviewed the proposed budget timeline to develop the fiscal year 2026-27 and 2027-28 budget, the FY 2026-2028 budget goals and the public engagement simulation.

In response to Council’s inquiries, Director Edgar provided information on when the budget tool would be available to the public, how the budgets for water and electric are doing since the rate adjustment, when the public workshops would be held, what projects go into the CIP, There were no public comments on this item.

NEW BUSINESS – APPOINTMENTS OF THE CITY SELECTION COMMITTEE AND MAYORS AND COUNCILMEMBERS’ ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS City Clerk Allan introduced the item for discussion.

Following a brief discussion by Council, on a motion by Councilmember Kelley, seconded by Councilmember Mitchell directed the Mayor to vote for David Hagele, Healdsburg, Tanya Potter, Windsor and Mark Stapp, Santa Rosa in that order for the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Aviation Commission and Samantha Rodriguez, Karen Nau and Stephen Zollman in that order for the Child Care Planning Council of Sonoma County.

There were no public comments on this item.

City Council/RSA Regular Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2026

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COUNCIL REPORTS ON MATTERS OF INTEREST OCCURRING SINCE PREVIOUS

REGULAR MEETING/EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT REPORTS
Councilmember Mitchell had nothing to report.

Vice Mayor Edwards reported he attended the Repair Fair and the Arts Education Forum at the 222 with Mayor Herrod.

Councilmember Hagele reported he attended the Northern California Power Agency meeting in Sacramento and DJ’d the FFA polenta feed.

Councilmember Kelley had nothing to report.

Mayor Herrod reported he attended the Arts Education meeting at the 222 with Vice Mayor Edwards and a meeting with Congressman Thompson and others to discuss what would happen if immigration enforcement came to Sonoma County.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:32 p.m.

APPROVED: ATTEST:
_________________________________ __________________________________ J. Chris Herrod, Mayor Raina Allan, City Clerk

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