City of St. Helena
Special City Council Meeting
**NEW AMENDED TIME**
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 @ 5:30 PM
Vintage Hall - Cafeteria, First Floor, 465
Main Street, St. Helena
PLEASE NOTE: Any person who wishes to speak regarding an item on the agenda or make a comment under the "Oral Communication" portion of the agenda may do so, but please observe the time limit of four minutes.
Public comment for City Council meetings will be accepted via email to [email protected]. All public comments must be received three hours prior to the meeting. All other public comments received after the deadline will be attached to the item the next business day or soon thereafter. Public comments will not be read out loud but will be publicly available and attached to the on-line City Council agenda.
Simultaneous Spanish interpretation services during meetings can be scheduled upon request. To ensure interpreters are available, requests must be made at least 72 hours in advance by calling the Office of the City Clerk at (707) 968-2640 or emailing [email protected].
The schedule of upcoming meetings and published meeting agendas can be found on the City of St. Helena website at https://sthelena.civicweb.net/portal/.
Servicios de interpretación en español durante la reunión pueden ser solicitados por el público. Para asegurar que los intérpretes estén disponibles, los servicios tienen que ser solicitados al menos 72 horas antes de la reunión llamando a la oficina de la Secretaria de la Ciudad al (707) 968-2640 o por correo electrónico a [email protected].
El horario de las reuniones publicadas y próximas puede ser localizado en el sitio de web de la Ciudad en https://sthelena.civicweb.net/portal/ .
Page
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
Mayor: Paul Dohring, Vice Mayor: Michelle Deasy City Council Members:
Aaron Barak, Kate Spadarotto, Billy Summers
3. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
4. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Under California law, public comments at special meetings are limited to subjects on the agenda only. Therefore public comment will take place during consideration of the item. Each person’s comments shall be limited to 4 minutes.
5. NEW BUSINESS:
5.1. Library Board of Trustees applicants to be interviewed:
Vanessa Chase
3 - 16
Kristina Skinner
Becky St. Clair
Recommendation:
Conduct interviews
Library Board of Trustees Application - Vanessa Chase - 02 Feb 2026_Redacted
Library Board of Trustees Application - Kristina Skinner - 26 Jan 2026_Redacted
Library Board of Trustees Application - Becky St. Clair - 26 Jan 2026_Redacted
6. ADJOURNMENT
The next Regular City Council meeting is scheduled for February 10, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
This agenda was posted at City Hall, 1088 College Avenue, and at Vintage Hall, 465 Main Street, St. Helena, California on February 6, 2026.
Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
In Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please call the City Clerk’s Office (707) 967-2792. Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting as required by Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
Any supplemental writings or documents distributed to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this Agenda, after the posting of the Agenda, will be available for public review in the City Clerk’s Office located at 1088 College Avenue, St. Helena, California, during normal business hours and by appointment. In addition, such writings or documents will be made available on the City’s web site at https://sthelena.civicweb.net and will be available for public review at the respective meeting.
Agenda Item #5.1.
THIS DOCUMENT AND ALL ATTACHMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION Have you ever attended a meeting of the Commission to which you are applying? I have not.
What is your understanding of the role and responsibility of this Commission? My understanding is that the library staff will present the commission with policies that either need updating, revision or need changing in order to get community input. My role would be to provide the input of the community. Also, public works would be addressing the condition of the building, location of the library and it's future. I would also help with programming, support and promotion for the library.
What would be your goal(s) as a Commissioner?
My goal would be to strengthen the programs available to the youth of the community. I know many kids enjoy going to the library especially after school. I would love to see more things for the kids to do in order to foster a love of reading. I would also like to help provide more activities for adults to help them to make friends and use the resources available at the library.
Have you previously served, or do you currently serve, on a St. Helena Commission or Committee? If yes, which one(s) and for what period of time?
No I have not.
Is there anything else you would like us to consider when reviewing your application? I would like to thank you for this opportunity and look forward to serving on the library board.
I agree that all of the information contained in my responses to the questions on this application are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I further agree that, by checking the box below and submitting this application, online or otherwise, I am affixing my digital signature to this form as of the date submitted. I also agree that if appointed, I will serve on the Commission/Committee for which I have submitted this application.
☒ I AGREE
Vanessa Chase January 28, 2026
Agenda Item #5.1.
Vanessa Chase
St, Helena, CA 94574
OBJECTIVE
Seeking a substitute teaching position that allows me to utilize my curriculum planning skills and provides opportunities to work with culturally and linguistically diverse students in grades K-8.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
▪ Establishing and enforcing expectations for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students for whom they correspond to.
▪ Developing and executing daily and unit lesson plans. ▪ Administering assessments, tracking and analyzing class performance. ▪ Conducting group and one-on-one math, reading and writing activities. ▪ Fostering a classroom environment conducive to learning and promoting excellent student engagement. ▪ Developing excellent rapport with students ▪ Participating in faculty and parent conferences.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2025-2026 St. Helena Unified School District St. Helena, CA Substitute Teacher TK-12th grade
2012-2017 Almond Acres Charter Academy San Miguel, CA
Third Grade Teacher
2011-2012 Galt Joint Union School District Galt, CA
Substitute Teacher Preschool-8th grade
2011- 2012 San Juan Unified School District Sacramento, CA Substitute Teacher Preschool-8th grade
2011-2011 Cameron Ranch Elementary School Carmichael,
CA
Student Teacher 2nd grade
2010-2011 Clayton B Wire Elementary School Sacramento, CA Student Teacher 4th grade
2009- 2009 Cameron Ranch Elementary School Carmichael, CA Teacher’s Assistant 2nd/3rd grade combo
EDUCATION
California State University Sacramento Sacramento, CA
• Bachelor of Science- Exercise Science/Kinesiology
• SB 2042 Multiple Subject Credential Program – Bilingual Multicultural Education Department • Single Subject Teaching Credential-Science
• Supplementary Authorizations in Science and Physical Education American River Junior College Sacramento, CA
• A.A. Liberal Studies
Trainings:
• Enhanced English Language Acquisition (45 hours)
• Daily 5/ CAFÉ Conferences (2 years)
Agenda Item #5.1.
• CREEC training
• NWEA training
• Thinking Maps training
• NGSS Webinars
• Discovery ED training
• GLAD training
• SPBL training
• TEFL certification
Agenda Item #5.1.
Agenda Item #5.1.
THIS DOCUMENT AND ALL ATTACHMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION Have you ever attended a meeting of the Commission to which you are applying? No
What is your understanding of the role and responsibility of this Commission? The commission provides strategic planning, governance, and advocates for the community to make sure the needs are being met. They also have subcommittees that tackle a specific duty that commissioners are interested in such as social media and youth engagement.
What would be your goal(s) as a Commissioner?
I want to give a voice to more of the underrepresented communities in St. Helena and to expand on opportunities given to our youth at the library, making the space welcoming and full of fun services the youth can take advantage of.
Is there anything else you would like us to consider when reviewing your application? In my current position as youth advocate at LGBTQ+ Connection, we also partner with the library in providing a monthly movie night for both St. Helena High and Calistoga Jr./Sr. High School's GSAs (gender and sexuality alliance club) where they can get to know each other, eat snacks, and have a safe space to be themselves.
I agree that all of the information contained in my responses to the questions on this application are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I further agree that, by checking the box below and submitting this application, online or otherwise, I am affixing my digital signature to this form as of the date submitted. I also agree that if appointed, I will serve on the Commission/Committee for which I have submitted this application.
☒ I AGREE
Kristina Skinner January 26, 2026
Agenda Item #5.1.
Kristina Skinner
St. Helena, CA 94574
Education:
University of Portland, Portland, OR May 2023
B.A. Psychology, Minor in Gender, Women, and Sexualities Studies, GPA: 3.71 Social Justice UP Study Abroad Program in London, England June-August 2022 Awards:
Volunteer of the Year Award, City of American Canyon, Spring 2025 Work Experience:
Circulation Assistant, Clark Library, Portland, OR Winter 2022- Spring 2023 ● Shelve and organize books
● Provide a positive and welcoming environment by checking in/out books ● Attend to patron questions and help locate books for them to check out Customer Service Rep, Caymus Vineyards, Rutherford, CA Fall 2023- Summer 2024 ● Answer customer questions both online and over the phone ● Book reservations for customers through Tok software
● Fulfill online orders of merchandise over the phone for customers using Commerce 7 Youth Advocate, LBGTQ Connection, Napa, CA Fall 2024- Present ● Assist the Youth Programs Coordinator in engaging youth and outreach efforts for socials, health services, and support groups.
● Schedule one on one meetings with youth participants and co-lead youth leadership teams at wellness center sites.
● Collaborate on community projects focusing on LGBTQ+ awareness and activism driven by youth input.
Internship Experience:
Social Media Intern, Community Leaders Coalition, Napa, CA Winter 2024-Spring 2024 ● Create content for social media posts and post to CLC’s various platforms ● Conduct outreach with CLC contacts for voter education, ‘Get out the Vote,’ voter registration, etc.
● Build a Youth Voter Outreach Program in high schools, colleges and youth engagement programs across Napa County
DEI Intern, Vitidore Inc., Davis, CA Fall 2022
● Work remotely for a startup to advance Diversity Equity and Inclusion efforts in the company ● Create work climate survey to measure employee satisfaction in the company ● Lead a company wide DEI meeting within the internship time frame on resources that provided an inclusive work environment
● Provide periodic training on DEI topics with resources such as podcasts and reading clubs HR Intern, City of St. Helena, St. Helena, CA Winter 2024-Spring 2024 ● Create a work climate survey for all City employees to measure employee satisfaction ● Design the HR page on the City website page
● Build content/pages for the City’s new Intranet page
Agenda Item #5.1.
Kristina Skinner
St. Helena, CA 94574
Solicia Aguilar
Director
LGTBQ Connection
Michele Grupe
Director
Community Leaders Coalition
Elvia Najera Santiago
Field Operations Specialist
Vitidore Inc.
Agenda Item #5.1.
THIS DOCUMENT AND ALL ATTACHMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION City of St. Helena
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE APPLICATION
Received Date: January 23, 2026
Application Type: Library Board of Trustees
CA-26-001
NAME: Becky St. Clair
ADDRESS: , Angwin, CA, 94508
PHONE: 269-605-3438
EMAIL ADDRESS:
LENGTH OF RESIDENCY: Angwin
EMPLOYER: Director, Paulin Center for the Arts; Freelance Writer and Editor EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Employed
REASON FOR APPLYING: I absolutely love the SHPL. They were my saving grace when I was going through depression and needed to get out of the house, when I needed reading material for my entire family during Covid, and when I needed somewhere cooler to take my kids in the summer. We've played taiko drums, built gingerbread houses, watched puppet shows, watched concerts and movies, enjoyed history presentations, and put together LEGOs at the library.
I worked for the SHPL in 2018-2019 and was so excited to be part of bringing library services and events to the community. I got to meet people from all walks of life from our community, and saw the positive impact the library had on their lives. I had many, many ideas, and was passionate about learning more about how the SHPL operates. I currently volunteer a small number of hours for the SHPL, and am honored to be able to support them in whatever way I can.
In addition, I am an avid reader and my husband is a librarian. I grew up visiting the library at least once a week, and have had a library card for as long as I can remember, wherever I've lived. Libraries are part of the fabric of my being, and the SHPL is special to me. I want to see it flourish, and I want to help even more people recognize the library's value, as well. If my service on the board will be part of accomplishing those things, I'm all in.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Gem State Academy (Idaho)
Walla Walla University (Washington State) - BA in English; minor in music University College London - semester study abroad - culture, theater, history, government
Andrews University (Michigan) - MA in Communications (one class away from finishing)
Pacific Union College (California) - MA in Strategic Communications (in progress) OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Employed by SHPL 2018-2019
Served on a school board for six years
Significant engagement with libraries and their systems Agenda Item #5.1.
Agenda Item #5.1.
THIS DOCUMENT AND ALL ATTACHMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION I agree that all of the information contained in my responses to the questions on this application are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I further agree that, by checking the box below and submitting this application, online or otherwise, I am affixing my digital signature to this form as of the date submitted. I also agree that if appointed, I will serve on the Commission/Committee for which I have submitted this application.
☒ I AGREE
Becky St. Clair January 26, 2023
Agenda Item #5.1.
Agenda Item #5.1.
Agenda Item #5.1.
Agenda Item #5.1.