Any additional workplan items will be brought to City Council for consideration.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
None
GOAL:
Goal 2: Improve Infrastructure & Further Environmental Sustainability Goal 3: Pursue Water Security & Sustainable Management of Water Resources Goal 8: Implement Capital Improvement Plans (CIP) Projects Miscellaneous/Other DOCUMENTS ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Resolution 2025-003 - Establishing a Water and Wastewater Advisory Committee
Agenda Item #13.4.
CITY OF ST. HELENA
RESOLUTION NO. 2025- 003
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST.
HELENA ESTABLISHING A WATER AND WASTEWATER
ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
RECITALS
A. In accordance with several City Council goals, the Council directed staff to bring a water and wastewater advisory committee recommendation to City Council for consideration.
B. The purposes set out for the committees align with the following established City Council Goals:
Goal 2: Improve Infrastructure & Further Environmental Sustainability Goal 3: Pursue Water Security & Prudent Management of Water Resources.
C. The City Council desires to establish the following Advisory committee:
1. WaterNVastewater Advisory Committee (WWAC).
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of St. Helena resolves as follows:
1. Establish a WaterNVastewater Advisory Committee, on a 24-month trial basis
2. Provide notice to applicants seeking to participate in the Water/Wastewater Advisory Committee; and 3. Applications will be accepted from January 15, 2025 through February 7, 2025; and 4. Candidate interviews and appointments are scheduled for February 11, 2025.
Agenda Item #13.4.
Approved at a Regular Meeting of the St. Helena City Council on January 12025 4,
,
by the following vote:
Mayor Dohring: YES
Council Member Barak: YES
Council Member Deasy: YES
Council Member Spadarotto: YES
Council Member Summers: YES
AP%D:
ATTEST:
g . y)a?-
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor Cindy Tzafopoulos, City Cl
er
k
Agenda Item #13.4.
Water/Wastewater Enterprise Committee
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The Committee will be an added resource to City Council and staff by providing technical assistance, evaluating long-term needs, developing plans, and sewing as an advisory body regarding selected Water and Wastewater Enterprises projects.
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The Committee will look ahead and build a culture where engaged citizens can collaborate with and be supportive of staff. It is a forum to make recommendations to City Council in support of community priorities. The Committee will be forward-thinking in nature, with a focus on current policy issues and long-term planning through policy development that provides sustainability for our community.
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The Committee will operate on a 24-month trial period starting in March 2025, meeting every two months (minimum of 10 meetings) with more frequent meetings initially. This trial is intended to: allow rapport to be built with the Committee members, City Council, and City staff; for the Committee to gain a better understanding of Enterprise needs; and make recommendations on howthis Committee can be utilized as a valuable and trusted resource for the City.
:
. . 5 II .
Structure: Brown Act-compliant with five voting members and one alternate. One member may be a ratepayer residing outside City limits.
Qualifications: Members must have experience in technical or business disciplines.
Term: Four-year staggered terms.
Continuation: City Council will evaluate the Committee’s effectiveness and may The Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council on matters pertaining to the Water and Wastewater Enterprises, present and future, as approved by the City Council and aligned with City Council Goals and Objectives, City staff’s workplan, and organizational capacity. These matters could include policy formation/updates related to: 1. Protecting and managing water resources.
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Agenda Item #13.4.
2. Developing and implementing programs related to water supply ,
creuse,
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a
ti
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n
,
demand, and wastewater management.
3. Attendance and reports on relevant countywide commissions com mitt
ees.
Initialfocus areas may include, but are not limited to:
0 Water supplies and distribution.
a Water demand and conservation.
- Wastewater treatment and collection.
0 Water conservation/consumption/reuse.
0 Water quality.
0 Customer education and input.
The first actionable item will be for the Committee to collaborate with develop atowork plan for City Council consideration.
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City Councilwill assess the Committee’s effectiveness at the trial’s e n
d
,
con
side
ring
:
1. Value to Council, Committee members’, the community, and
2. Alignment with organizational capacity and productivity.
3. Advancement of community goals and objectives.
Agenda Item #13.4.
WATER/WASTEWATER
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
PROPOSED WORKPLAN
City Council Meeting, April 8, 2025 Assistant City Manager, April Mitts Agenda Item #13.4.
Proposed Workplan
• Water quality
• Why St. Helena has fundamentally high
rates
• Stormwater incursion
• Capital project prioritization
Agenda Item #13.4.
City Council Feedback
Recommendation:
City Council accept proposed workplan
Agenda Item #13.4.
Agenda Report to the City Council
Agenda Section: NEW BUSINESS
Department: Public Works
DATE: April 8, 2025
FROM: Lesley Milton, Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT: Discussion and Direction on Citywide Weed Abatement Approaches and Service Levels
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council review current
weed abatement challenges and provide policy direction
regarding the desired level of service and preferred weed management strategies. Staff seeks guidance on whether
to maintain existing service levels, increase funding for contractual or seasonal support, or explore alternative methods such as cultural grazing (goats/sheep).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
In 2021 the City Council adopted an integrated pest
management policy.
In April 2024, City Council approved an agreement
for Fire Fuel Abatement Services for $150,000 per
year, for two years.
STATEMENT OF THE
PURPOSE:
To receive direction on Citywide Weed Abatement
approach alternatives and corresponding Level of Service.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Additional contracting or staffing (e.g. full-time, part-time, seasonal, etc.) will require funding not currently budgeted.
Any changes to service levels or new programming will
require a corresponding budget adjustment. Staff will
return with cost estimates upon Council direction.
BACKGROUND:
Due to an exceptionally wet winter and ongoing climate variability—shifting from heavy rains to unseasonably warm periods—the City is experiencing an unprecedented surge in weed growth throughout public spaces. This rapid vegetative cycle has significantly outpaced our current maintenance capacity, leading to community concerns about aesthetics, fire safety, and code compliance.
The City’s Municipal Code mandates that weeds be maintained below 4 inches in height by June 1, annually.
St. Helena's Municipal Code Section 8.08.010 reads:
"On or before June 1st every year, dead, decayed, uncultivated vegetation, which are hazardous, or may cause a danger to public safety, cut and/or removed to a Agenda Item #13.5.
maximum of 4" in height. This expectation applies to private properties and public properties."
As of this writing, City staff is responsible for annually managing approximately 126 acres of City owned parks and open space throughout the City limits before this deadline. Public Works staff have historically been maintaining all public spaces independently, but the level of work has exceeded the capacity of existing staff.
Additionally, staff have taken on additional responsibilities of the Vine trail and the Elm Tree tunnel.
WEED MANAGEMENT METHODS
Weed abatement can generally be categorized into four methods:
1. Manual – Hand-pulling weeds
o Labor intensive; not feasible with existing staffing levels
2. Mechanical – Use of mowers, tractors, weed trimmers
o Currently employed but limited by staff and equipment capacity, on hot days, sparks fire
3. Chemical – Herbicide application
o Severely restricted under the City’s recently adopted Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy, which limits use of traditional herbicides that are more effective
4. Cultural – Use of grazing animals (goats/sheep)
o Environmentally friendly, but cost and logistical planning are required; potential for contracting out
DISCUSSION:
The Parks Division is comprised of five full-time staff members tasked with maintaining:
9 City parks
All public restrooms
Public garbage & recycling cans throughout the downtown 125+ acres of open space, medians, and rights-of-way
In 2023 the City did a formal solicitation and contracted with a fire fuels reduction contractor; however, the contract only covers one annual cut of designated wildland properties (88 acres) and does not address other public parcels, medians, or rights-ofway.
COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS
Community feedback has increased noticeably, evidenced by increased online comments (e.g., NextDoor), submissions via the Grapevine Community Request system Agenda Item #13.5.
and direct resident outreach and anecdotal reports. There is clear public interest in more proactive and visible weed management efforts.
POLICY OPTIONS
Staff requests Council discussion and direction on the following potential approaches:
Option 1: Maintain Current Approach/Reduce service expectations Continue mechanical weed abatement using existing staff and equipment Allow for greater natural growth in certain areas to save costs Limit services to highest-priority areas due to staffing constraints Potential increase in fire risk and resident dissatisfaction Trade-off: Inconsistent appearance, ongoing community concern, potential code violations
Fiscal impact: $0
Option 2: Expand Contracted Services
Allocate additional funds to the existing contractor
Hire contractors for cultural (grazing) services to supplement staff Explore short-term service contracts for key parcels or corridors Trade-off: Increased budget need; potential scheduling delays due to contractor availability
Fiscal Impact: $150,000 per "cut" of open space parcels Option 3: Hire Temporary/Seasonal Staff
Contract for & Onboard short-term workers during peak weed season Trade-off: Hiring and training time; staff supervision and oversight required Fiscal Impact: $36,000 (3 workers, 40 hrs/week, 10 weeks) Option 4: Modify Policy to allow for Biological Method
Consider revising the City’s weed abatement policy to allow biological application in certain areas (non open space, where only manual applications are allowed) Trade-off: can only be used in specific areas, limited application ability, IMPs are adopted to limit risk to people, property or the environment.
Fiscal Impact: $0
Given the significant growth of weeds due to changing weather patterns, and the limited capacity of existing staff, the City faces a policy decision regarding the level of service for weed abatement and the appropriate allocation of resources. Staff seeks Council’s direction on the community’s expectations and prioritization of available strategies.
Should Council provide direction to pursue a new or expanded weed abatement strategy, staff will return at a future meeting with detailed options, cost estimates, and implementation timelines.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: This is not a CEQA project.
GOAL:
Agenda Item #13.5.
Goal 2: Improve Infrastructure & Further Environmental Sustainability Goal 7: Enhance Organizational Effectiveness
Agenda Item #13.5.
Weed Abatement Program: Challenges &
Options
CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 8, 2025
Agenda Item #13.5.
Purpose of
the
Presentation
Review current weed abatement
conditions and constraints
Highlight climate and environmental
impacts
Share community expectations and
concerns
Present weed management methods
and trade-offs
Request policy direction on service
levels and resources
Agenda Item #13.5.
Why It’s a
Challenge
Unusually high rainfall + alternating
heat + rain = Explosive weed growth
citywide
Compliance Requirement and Staffing
Municipal Code requires weeds no
taller than 4" by June 1
Agenda Item #13.5.
Current Resources
Parks Division:
5 full-time staff
9 parks
downtown garbage
Public restrooms
120 acres of open space
Fire Fuel Abatement
Contract:
1 annual cut of
open space acreage
(excludes many public
areas)
Agenda Item #13.5.
32 PRIORITY
SITES
INCLUDES MEDIANS,
TRAILS, FACILITY
LANDSCAPES, AND
VACANT PARCELS
Agenda Item #13.5.
Types of Weed
Management
Manual (hand
pulling): Not feasible
with current staffing
Mechanical (tractors,
mowers): Currently
used, regulated
Chemical: Limited by
IPM policy
Cultural
(goats/sheep):
Contracted option
Agenda Item #13.5.
Community
Expectations
Public concerns via NextDoor,
Grapevine, and direct feedback
Desire for improved aesthetics and
safety
Increasing pressure to maintain
higher standards
Agenda Item #13.5.
Policy
Options
for
Council
Discussion
Maintain Option 1: Maintain current staff/equipment
Option 2: Expand contracted services
(mechanical or grazing) Expand
Hire Option 3: Hire seasonal/temporary workers
Option 4: Status Quo: Accept service levels in
select areas Reduce
Agenda Item #13.5.
Questions &
Discussion
What level of service
does the Council
want to support?
Is there interest in
short-term contracts
or seasonal staffing?
Should we explore
cultural grazing or
accept naturalized
landscapes?
Agenda Item #13.5.
TradeOffs to
Consider
Cost vs. coverage
Sustainability vs. speed
Staffing capacity vs. community
expectations
Short-term appearance vs. longterm planning
Agenda Item #13.5.
From: Christopher J Warner
To: Public Comment; Erika Opp
Cc: Chief170; Paul Dohring
Subject: [External] City Council Meeting April 8, 2025 - Agenda Item 13.5 (Weed Abatement) - Public Comment Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 11:52:51 AM
I have reviewed the staff report for Agenda Item 13.5 requesting Council guidance on weed abatement of City owned property, including parks. The one piece missing from the staff report appears to be a risk assessment of the various options for annual weed and vegetation abatement to mitigate wildfire risk during fire season, including the risk from ember cast.
I recommend that the City Council decline to provide any recommendations on the weed abatement options unless and until the St. Helena Fire Department provides a geospatial risk assessment of the relative wildfire suppression and risk mitigation and public safety priorities associated with the City's annual weed abatement risk-mitigation obligations.
In particular, given the extreme risk of a catastrophic wildfire spreading into the main parts of the City due to ember cast, as well as the relative effectiveness of various weed and vegetation abatement options (including grazing vs. manual abatement; "once is not done" for vegetation and weed abatement to reduce wildfire risk), any minor budget reduction benefits due to adoption of any of the options proposed by the staff report may not offset the additional wildfire and public safety risk to St. Helena if the options are ineffectual or suboptimal.
The phrase "you have one job" certainly applies to weed and vegetation abatement to mitigate wildfire risk! No shortcuts, please!
Thx for your consideration of these comments.
Chris Warner
Co-leader, St. Helena Fire Safe Council
1434 Grayson Avenue
415-309-9572
Agenda Item #13.5.
Agenda Report to the City Council
Agenda Section: NEW BUSINESS
Department: Administration
DATE: April 8, 2025
FROM: Erika Opp, Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: Consideration and proposed approval of a resolution for the City Council appointment of applicants to fill the Library Board of Trustees vacancy and the Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee Alternate vacancy.
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
Approve a resolution appointing one applicant to the
Library Board of Trustees and one applicant as the
alternate on the Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
PURPOSE:
Appoint an applicant to the vacant Library Board of
Trustees position and the Active Transportation and
Sustainability Committee Alternate position.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this report.
BACKGROUND:
Library Board of Trustees Member Alexandra Haslip provided her resignation on March 7, 2025. The vacant Library Board of Trustees position has a term ending June 30, 2026.
The Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee has had an open position for an alternate member for a term ending June 30, 2026.
The City Clerk's Division conducted a recruitment and received three applications for consideration for the Library Board of Trustees and one applicant for the Alternate position on the Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee.
The City Council will conduct a special meeting on April 8, 2025 to interview applicants and make the appointment during the regular meeting.
DISCUSSION:
The City held a recruitment for the Library Board of Trustees vacancy (1 vacancy) and received three applications for consideration.
1. Courtenay Fletcher
2. John Flynn
3. Ann Whiting
Agenda Item #13.6.
The City held a recruitment for the alternate position on the Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee and received one application for consideration.
1. Emma Leggat
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: None.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution Appointing members to boards and committees
Agenda Item #13.6.
CITY OF ST. HELENA
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-
Appointing applicants to the Library Board of Trustees and to the alternate position on the Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee
RECITALS
A. There is one vacant position on the Library Board of Trustees due to a resignation and one open alternate position on the Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee
B. Applications have been received from community members; and C. Per City Council Rules of Procedure appointments shall be made by interview and the Mayor shall nominate applicants with the appointments subject to approval by the majority of Council; and
D. An applicant interview meeting is scheduled to be held on April 8, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of St. Helena resolves as follows:
Library Board of Trustees
1. ___________ is appointed to the St. Helena Library Board of Trustees to fill vacant position that expires on June 30, 2026.
Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee
2. __________is appointed to the Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee to fill the vacant alternate position that expires on June 30, 2026.
Approved at a Regular Meeting of the St. Helena City Council on April 8, 2025, by the following vote:
Mayor Dohring: ___
Vice Mayor Deasy: ___
Council Member Barak: ___
Council Member Spadarotto: ___
Council Member Summers: ___
APPROVED: ATTEST:
________________________ ________________________
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor Erika Opp, Acting City Clerk Agenda Item #13.6.