MINUTES
City of St. Helena
Special City Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 @ 4:30 PM
Vintage Hall Board Room - Second Floor
465 Main Street, St. Helena CA
A complete video recording of this meeting, except for closed session, can be found at cityofsthelena.gov 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, City Council Member Aaron Barak, City Council Member Kate Spadarotto, City Council Member Billy Summers
Absent: Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Dohring called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Dohring led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
City Council Member Aaron Barak moved to adopt the agenda. The motion was seconded by City Council Member Kate Spadarotto and on voice vote carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Paul Dohring, City Council Member Billy Summers NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
6. PUBLIC FORUM
Members of the public are entitled to speak on matters of municipal concern not on the agenda during Public Forum. Each person's comments shall be limited to 4 minutes. Each person is entitled to speak on any non-agendized item only once at any meeting. Brief questions by Council Members for clarifications may be posed and answered, and Council Members may make requests that items be placed on future agendas, but in accordance with state law, no substantive discussion or action may take place unless and until the matter properly appears on the agenda.
6.1. Public Comment
Mayor Dohring opened up the public comment. Public Comment was made by Elaine de Man.
7. REPORTS BY STAFF AND CITY COUNCIL, FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS, AND AB 1234 REPORTS
Reports by staff and/or Council Members on items of general interest. Brief questions for clarification may be posed and answered, and Council Members may request that items be placed on a future agenda. Except under certain circumstances, the Brown Act prohibits any other discussion or action by the City Council.
None.
8. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC RECOGNITIONS
None.
9. STAFF BRIEFING AND PRESENTATIONS
None.
10. CONSENT ITEMS
Members of the Council or the public (present at the meeting) 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) None.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
12. OLD BUSINESS
12.1. Discussion Regarding Utility Conflict with Planned Street Trees CEQA Determination:
Prepared By: Eric Janzen, Asst. PW Director
Recommendation: Approve proposed re-location of new street trees.
Acting City Manager Joe Leach introduced the item, and Assistant Public Works Director Eric Janzen delivered the staff presentation.
Mayor Dohring invited brief questions from Council Members before opening the item for public comment. Public comments were received by Kelly Wheaton, Tamara Sorensen, Michelle Liu Covell, Oliver Caldwell and Celeste Neeley.
Following public comment, the discussion was returned to the Council.
Council Members posed additional questions to staff and provided direction to proceed with the completion of the sidewalk improvements to ensure safety.
Council specified that no trees should be planted above the gas lines at this time. Instead, staff should move in the direction to plant the largest tree in temporary planters.
13. NEW BUSINESS
None.
14. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
None.
15. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Dohring adjourned the meeting at 5:37 p.m.
ATTEST:
Paulanion shone
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
1889
STATE OR CALIFORIVN