CITY OF NAPA
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES - Draft
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
January 30, 2025 9:00 AM The Pelusi Building 2296 Streblow Dr.
Nap a, CA 94559
1. CALL TO ORDER: 9:01 AM
Mayor Sedgley provided welcome remarks.
1.A ROLL CALL:
Present: 5 – Councilmembers DeNatale, Narvaez, Painter, Vice Mayor Luros, Mayor Sedgley
2. AGENDA REVIEW AND SUPPLEMENTAL REPORTS:
The following supplemental documents were provided:
• Workshop Agenda
• City Council Workshop Workbook
• PowerPoint Presentation
(Copies of all supplemental documents are on file in the Clerks office)
3. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Joe Fischer – Provided comments complimenting the current state of the City, in particular downtown, and shared he had very positive interactions with Council and staff and was proud of all the work that had been done.
Carlotta Sainato, Program Manager, Napa County Bicycle Coalition – acknowledged the City for including traffic safety as a priority and thanked staff and Council for recent efforts. Urged Council to include active transportation uses in priorities and shared there was still room for improvement regarding allocating budget, increase public health, progress towards climate change, more equitable access, etc. She shared recent statistics.
Cara Vernor, Executive Director, Napa County Bicycle Coalition – Shared that while the Coalition was formed in 2008, bike advocacy began back in 2005 and shared improvements that were suggested back then and provided the list for reference. Would like Council to consider use of Measure G funds for a variety of projects and to invest in a street sweeper for protected bike lanes. She also invited folks to attend a viewing of the documentary “The Street Project,” at the Napa County Library on February 11
th at 6.p.m.
Mayor Scott Sedgley
Vice Mayor Mary Luros
Councilmember Chris DeNatale
Councilmember Bernie Narvaez
Councilmember Beth Painter
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Maureen Trippe – shared excitement about the work that had already been done in regard to traffic safety, and suggested a few additional projects. She’d also like to see more done to promote traffic safety and suggested additional communication. Suggested members of the public were looking for accountability; would like to have seen the workshop promoted more widely. She also congratulated Councilmember DeNatale on his appointment.
4. COUNCIL WORKSHOP:
4.A Discussion of the Major City Projects and Initiatives Underway, Principles for Future Use of Measure G Revenue, and Desired Focus Areas for the Upcoming Budget Cycle of FY 25/26 and FY 26/27
City Manager Potter provided remarks.
The facilitator, Jan Perkins from Raftelis, introduced herself and reviewed the agenda and workshop objectives. She also introduced Julie Gieseke, Visual Facilitator.
Jan proceeded with an icebreaker exercise with members of Council and the Executive team.
Discussion shifted to Measure G. City Manager Potter explained the purpose of the discussion, provided a recap of commitments, and reviewed the City’s financial position. Jan introduced proposed principles for allocating Measure G funds. She shared the intent would be that the City Manager and staff would use the principles, determined by Council, in preparing recommendations to the Council about future specific allocations. Discussion ensued.
Following the discussion, Council outlined the following key guiding principles:
1. Ensure financial stability
2. Engage the public & ensure transparency
3. Address community priorities
4. Leverage funding for maximum impact
Break 10:16 AM / Reconvened 10:34 AM
The meeting reconvened and Jan transitioned the discussion to Council Focus Areas (Priorities).
City Manager Potter shared the suggestion from staff to transition language from “priorities” to “Council focus areas,” to better reflet the essential role of the City’s core services in day-to-day operations. Council agreed.
Assistant City Manager Habkirk shared progress on existing focus areas. Discussion ensued.
Jan summarized comments she received from Councilmembers in her pre-workshop interviews and suggested potential new focus areas for consideration as well.
Discussion ensued regarding the focus areas.
City Manager Potter suggested adding an overarching principal – Financial Health and Stability.
Break 11:37 AM / Reconvened 11:49 PM
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The meeting reconvened and Jan addressed the proposed focus areas that were discussed prior to the break. Additional discussion ensued.
Following discussion, Council established the following focus areas for FY25/26 and FY26/27:
• Climate Action
• Roads & Traffic Safety
• Economic Resilience
• Parks & Community Spaces
• Community Engagement
• Housing
Break 12:00 PM / Reconvened 12:38 PM
Discussion resumed surrounding the new focus areas.
Members of Council joined staff at their tables and participated in an activity in which the group discussed who or what inspired them, and what kept them motivated.
Break 1:13 PM / Reconvened 1:20 PM
The meeting reconvened and Jan opened a discussion on Council Norms. She reviewed the discussion topics suggested by Council during her interviews. As a group they discussed adopted norms, provided feedback on what had been going well, and what could use additional discussion.
4. COMMENTS BY COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER:
To conclude the workshop City Manager Potter provided closing remarks and discussed next steps. Councilmembers and staff shared comments about what they found useful in spending the day together in the session.
5. ADJOURNMENT: 2:36 PM
Submitted by:
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Tiffany Carranza, City Clerk
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