MINUTES
City of St. Helena
Regular City Council Meeting
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 @ 6:00 PN
Vintage Hall Board Room - Second Flool
465 Main Street, St. Helena
A complete video recording of this meeting, except for closed session, can be found at https://sthelena.civicweb.net/Portal/ or by calling the City Clerk at (707) 968-2742. The City Council video is the official record of the Council meeting.
Present: Mayor Paul Dohring, Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy, Council Member Aaron Barak, and Council Member Kate Spadarotto
Absent: Council Member Billy Summers
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Dohring called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Dohring led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
City Clerk, Andrew Bradley noted that staff requested Item 10.1 be pulled for discussion, as it had been amended earlier in the afternoon.
Council Member Aaron Barak moved to adopt the amended agenda. The motion was seconded by Council Member Kate Spadarotto and on voice vote carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Paul Dohring, Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy, Council Member Aaron Barak, and Council Member Kate Spadarotto
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Billy Summers
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
5. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
5.1 Consideration and proposed approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of February 24, 2026.
Council Member Kate Spadarotto moved to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of February 24, 2026. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy and on voice vote carried by the following vote:
Regular City Council
March 10, 2026
AYES: Mayor Paul Dohring, Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy, Council Member Aaron Barak, and Council Member Kate Spadarotto
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Billy Summers
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
PUBLIC FORUM:
Elaine de Man addressed the City Council.
7. REPORTS BY STAFF AND CITY COUNCIL, FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS, and AB 1234 REPORTS:
7.1 City Manager Anil Comelo announced that all Tesla chargers at the Oak Avenue parking lot are now operational.
Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Joe Leach provided updates on the Oak Avenue project, and downtown sidewalks.
City Clerk Andrew Bradley announced the Viva Mariachi! event at Lyman Park on March 20 and reminded the public that applications for the Community Academy are now open.
PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC RECOGNITIONS
8.1 National Nutrition Month Proclamation
Mayor Dohring presented the proclamation to Sarah Dellett, BS, MA, RD, Clinical Dietitian from Adventist Health.
8.2 American Red Cross Month Proclamation
Mayor Dohring presented the proclamation to Molly Morales, a Red Cross volunteer.
9. STAFF BRIEFING
10. CONSENT ITEMS
Members of the Council or the public may ask that any items be considered individually for purposes of considering alternative action, for extended discussion, or for public comment. Unless that is done, one motion may be used to adopt all recommended actions. (Roll Call Vote)
10.1 This item was pulled for discussion by Staff.
AMENDED CONTRACT
Consideration and proposed approval authorizing the City Manager to execute Public Art contracts with 1. Private property owners at several identified locations for the installation and display of various art pieces around the city of Regular City Council
March 10, 2026
St. Helena 2. Execute artist contract with Gordon Huether for the loan of 13 art pieces installed throughout St. Helena.
10.2 Proposed Approval of a Resolution Declaring Intention to Reimburse Expenditures Relating to Infrastructure Projects from the Proceeds of Tax- Exempt Obligations.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA project
Prepared By: Mandy Kellogg, Administrative Services Director Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the attached resolution.
10.3 Consideration and Approval of a Resolution (1) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Amendment No. 1 to the FY26 Professional Services Agreement with Operational Technical Services (OTS) for a total amount not-to-exceed of $10,560 to complete billing of the temporary Wastewater Treatment Operator with SWRCB Wastewater Treatment Grade 4 Certification or higher; (2) Authorizing Appropriation of Wastewater Enterprise Fund Balance.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA project
Prepared By: Stephanie Killingsworth, Public Works Financial Analyst Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the attached Resolution.
10.4 Approve resolution declaring equipment surplus and authorizing the disposal as requested by the Fire Department. The City anticipates that it may be able to receive and return to the general fund and the vehicle replacement fund $25,000 using the negotiated price disposal method.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA project
Prepared By: Alec Vidler, Administrative Assistant/Fire Inspector Recommendation:
Declare surplus and authorize the sale of the above item as requested.
Adoption of an Updated Publicly Available Pay Schedule in Compliance with California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Section 570.5, Reflecting a 2% Compensation Adjustment for the Chief of Police under the Unrepresented Compensation Program Effective July 1, 2025.
CEQA Determination: Exempt
Prepared By: Anil Comelo, City Manager
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the attached resolution.
10.6 Consideration and proposed approval of a resolution authorizing the St. Helena High School annual Homecoming Parade on Main Street, and authorizing City staff to provide traffic control before, during, and after the parade, and prohibit parking on Main Street before and during the parade.
Regular City Council
March 10, 2026
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA project
Prepared By: Rebecca White, Administrative Assistant
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the attached resolution.
Council Member Kate Spadarotto moved to approve the balance of the consent calendar excluding item 10.1. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy and on roll call carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Paul Dohring, Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy, Council Member Aaron Barak, and Council Member Kate Spadarotto
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Billy Summers
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
10.1 CONTRACT AMENDED
Consideration and proposed approval authorizing the City Manager to execute Public Art contracts with 1. Private property owners at several identified locations for the installation and display of various art pieces around the city of St. Helena
2. Execute artist contract with Gordon Huether for the loan of 13 art pieces installed throughout St. Helena.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA project
Prepared By: Ashley Sylvester, Director of Community Services Recommendation:
Approve authorization to the City Manager to execute Public Art contracts with
1. Private property owners at the following locations for the installation and display of various art pieces around the City of St. Helena 2. Execute artist contract with Gordon Huether for the loan of 13 art pieces installed throughout St. Helena.
Director of Community Services, Ashley Sylvester and City Manager, Anil Comelo presented the item.
Mayor Dohring opened public comment; Elaine de Man addressed the Council.
The item was turned over to the Council for deliberation, during which questions and comments were made. Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy moved to refer the item back to the Parks and Recreation Committee for further vetting; the motion failed for lack of a second. The Council continued its discussion.
Mayor Paul Dohring moved approve the loan agreement subject to the review and approval of the Public Art Project by the Parks and Recreation Committee Regular City Council
March 10, 2026
The motion was seconded by Council Member Aaron Barak and on roll call carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Paul Dohring, Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy, Council Member Aaron Barak, and Council Member Kate Spadarotto
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Billy Summers
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
12. OLD BUSINESS
13. NEW BUSINESS
13.1 Proposed approval of a Resolution related to Presubmittal Review to allow a Sphere of Influence Amendment application to be filed by the application property owners with Napa County LAFCO
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA project
Prepared By: Anil Comelo, City Manager
Recommendation:
Staff recommends City Council adopt a Resolution in support of a Sphere of Influence (SOI) amendment application to be submitted by application property owners for Napa County LAFCO review regarding APNs: 022-180-020; 022-180- 021; portion of 022-180-017; 022-180-053; 022-260-013; and 022-180-015, with street addresses of 2805 Spring Mountain Road, 2820 Spring Mountain Road, 3101 Spring Mountain Road, and 2849 Spring Mountain Road.
City Manager Comelo introduced the item and invited the applicants to make any comments.
Kay Philippakis of Farella, Braun and Martel, representing the property owners, addressed the Council.
Mayor Dohring opened public comment; no public comment was received.
The deliberation was turned over to the Council where questions and comments were made.
Council Member Kate Spadarotto moved to approve staff's recommendation.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Aaron Barak and on roll call carried by the following vote:
Regular City Council
March 10, 2026
AYES: Mayor Paul Dohring, Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy, Council Member Aaron Barak, and Council Member Kate Spadarotto
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Billy Summers
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
13.2 Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Mid-Year Finance Report and Consideration of a Resolution Approving Mid-Year Budget Adjustments for FY 2025-26.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA project
Prepared By: Mandy Kellogg, Administrative Services Director Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the attached resolution.
Administrative Services Director, Mandy Kellogg presented on the item.
Mayor Dohring opened public comment; no public comment was received The discussion was turned over to the council where questions and comments were made.
Council Member Aaron Barak moved to approve staff's recommendation. The motion was seconded by Council Member Kate Spadarotto and on roll call carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Paul Dohring, Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy, Council Member Aaron Barak, and Council Member Kate Spadarotto
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Billy Summers
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
14. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS:
No reports were made.
14.1. A. Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) - Executive Board B. Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) - General Assembly C. Napa Valley Tourism Corporation (Umbrella for Napa County) D. League of California Cities - North Bay Division
E. Napa County City Selection Committee
Regular City Council
March 10, 2026
F. Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District G. Napa County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) H. Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA)
I. Napa County Watershed Information Center & Conservancy (WICC) J. Upper Valley Waste Management Agency
K. Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Plan Advisory Committee L. Napa County Regional Climate Action Committee
M. Council Ad Hoc and Standing Committee Reports
15. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Dohring adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m. following a brief moment of silence in honor of his mother, Roberta Dohring, who passed away on Monday, March 9th.
CHALLENGING DECISIONS OF CITY ENTITIES
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
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