MINUTES
City of St. Helena
Special City Council Meeting
Tuesday, May 19, 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:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Dohring called the meeting to order at 6:00 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 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 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
5. PUBLIC FORUM
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.
6. NEW BUSINESS
6.1. Blackberg Group — Efficiency and Business Transformation Study Final Report
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: James McCann, Interim City Manager, Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk)
Recommendation: Receive and file the Efficiency and Business Transformation Study; receive the Consultant's presentation; and provide direction to staff on next steps, including continued evaluation of the study's findings and development of a proposed implementation plan to be brought back to City Council at a future meeting.
Interim City Manager, Jim McCann introduced the item and Blackberg consultant, Keith Fawcett, delivered a presentation on the report.
Mayor Dohring invited the Council Members to ask brief, clarifying questions before opening the public comment period. Public comments were received by: Garry Rose, Chris Warner, Kelly Wheaton, Tracy McBride, Donna Oldford, Tom Belt, Michael Marston, Sandra McCorkle, Michelle Liu Covell and Tamara Sorensen.
Following public comment, the matter was brought back to the Council for further discussion. Mayor Doring thanked the community for its participation and engagement in the process. Council members expressed agreement that the report presented opportunities for the City and acknowledged that implementation will require time and planning. Staff, with the assistance from consultants if needed, will develop an implementation plan for Council consideration and approval in coming weeks.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The next Regular City Council meeting is scheduled for May 26, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Mayor Dohring adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Paul amies ating
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
STATE