MINUTES
City of St. Helena
Regular City Council Meeting
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 @ 6:00 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 https://sthelenaca.portal.civicclerk.com/ 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, City Council Member Aaron Barak, City Council Member Kate Spadarotto
Absent: None
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Dohring called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Mayor: Paul Dohring, Vice Mayor: Michelle Deasy, City Council Members: Aaron Barak, Kate Spadarotto
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Dohring invited Fire Chief John Sorensen to lead 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, Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy, City Council Member Aaron Barak, City Council Member Kate Spadarotto
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
City Council Member Aaron Barak moved to adopt the Regular City Council Minutes of April 28, 2026, and the Special City Council Minutes of May 5, 2026.
The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy and on voice vote carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Paul Dohring, Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy, City Council Member Aaron Barak, City Council Member Kate Spadarotto
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
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.
No public comments were received.
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 Estimated start time: 6:15 p.m.
City Attorney Ethan Walsh reported on the Closed Session meeting of May 12, 2026. He stated that there was no reportable action regarding the Conference with City Labor Negotiators, the Conference with Legal Counsel concerning anticipated litigation, or the Conference with Real Property Negotiators related to the leasehold interest at 1088 College Avenue.
Regarding Item 5.2 on the Closed Session agenda, the Conference with Legal Counsel concerning existing litigation involving the Saint Helena Neighborhood Association, the Council voted unanimously to direct the City Attorney's office to defend the City.
Interim City Manager Jim McCann announced that applications for the vacant City Council position are due by Monday, May 18, 2026. He also announced that applications for Boards and Commissions are now open and will close on June 19, 2026.
8. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC RECOGNITIONS
9. STAFF BRIEFING AND PRESENTATIONS
9.1. Discussion Regarding A-Frame Signs - Policy Background, Current Regulations, and Council Options.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378).
Prepared By: Jackie Oneal, Senior Planner
Recommendation: Receive the report, hear public comment, and provide direction to staff.
For Council discussion, a range of potential policy approaches is outlined below, including, but not limited to:
• Maintain the current regulations without modification • Modify existing standards to address location, number, or timing of A- frame signs
• Limit A-frame signs to specific circumstances, such as new businesses or certain hours of operation
• Prohibit A-frame signs, consistent with the prior zoning code, with consideration of transition or phase-out options
Any direction to modify the current regulations would require a zoning code amendment and review by the Planning Commission prior to City Council adoption. Implementation timing and transition provisions may also be considered as part of any future action. Council direction will inform whether staff returns with a proposed zoning code amendment for Planning Commission review.
Interim City Manager Jim McCann introduced the item, and Senior Planner Jackie Oneal presented the report.
Mayor Dohring opened public comment; no public comment was received.
The Council directed staff to collaborate with the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce to further refine the City's standards. Council Members also expressed support for adding additional directional and wayfinding signage in the future.
9.2. Proclaiming May 17-23, 2026 National Public Works Week Mayor Dohring presented proclamation to Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works, Joe Leach.
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) Estimated start time: 6:30 p.m.
10.1. Consideration of Authorizing Additional Staffing Support and Budget Allocation to Assist the Office of the City Clerk in Managing Increasing Requests Under the California Public Records Act, Including Funding for Information Technology Support in the Amount of $22,500 Utilizing General Fund Reserves.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk) Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution to:
1. Authorize additional staffing support with Regional Government Services within the Office of the City Clerk to assist with the processing and management of Public Records Act requests.
2. Approve supplemental budget allocation to cover increased costs associated with Information Technology support related to Public Records Act responses with APEX.
3. Direct staff to include ongoing funding considerations for PRA response management in future budget discussions if the upward trend in requests continues.
10.2. Resolution authorizing a ceremonial flag recognizing LGBTQ+ Pride Month during the month of June 2026.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk) Recommendation: Approve a resolution authorizing the Progress Pride flag to be flown on the City's ceremonial flag pole during the month of June 2026.
City Council Member Aaron Barak moved to approve the consent calendar.
I he 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, City Council Member Aaron Barak, City Council Member Kate Spadarotto
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
12. OLD BUSINESS
None.
13. NEW BUSINESS
Estimated start time: 6:45 p.m.
13.1. Referendum Petition Challenging a City Council Ordinance protesting a portion of Ordinance No. 2026-03
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk), Ethan Walsh, City Attorney, BBK
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Receive, file, and accept the certificate of sufficiency of referendum petition signatures as valid in all respects.
A. Repeal the challenged portion of the ordinance in its entirety; or B. Submit the challenged portion of the ordinance to St. Helena voters at the next regular municipal election that is not less than 88 days after the date of calling the election, which is November Interim City Manager Jim McCann introduced the item. City Attorney Ethan Walsh reported on the item.
Mayor Dohring opened the public comment; public comment was made by David Prueter, Chris Warner and Michelle Liu Covell
The discussion was turned over to the Council where questions and comments were made.
City Council Member Aaron Barak moved to adopt an ordinance repealing the challenged portion of the ordinance in its entirety. 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, City Council Member Aaron Barak, City Council Member Kate Spadarotto
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
13.2. Consideration of Process for Appointment to Fill City Council Vacancy CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk) Recommendation: Fill the vacancy via an appointment (as opposed to an election) created by Council Member Summers after being absent for more than 60 days consecutively from the last regular meeting he attended. Utilize the proposed process and timeline Council for the appointment of a new City Council Member.
Interim City Manager Jim McCann reported on the item.
Mayor Dohring opened the public comment. No public comment was made.
City Council Member Aaron Barak moved to approve the proposed process and timeline for the appointment of a new City Council member. The motion was seconded by City Council Member Kate Spadarotto and on roll call carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Paul Dohring, Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy, City Council Member Aaron Barak, City Council Member Kate Spadarotto
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
14. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
15. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Dohring adjourned the meeting at 7:06 p.m.
The next Regular City Council meeting is scheduled for May 26, 2026, at 6 p.m.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
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Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
March 24, 7878
Inc
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