MINUTES
City of St. Helena
Regular City Council Meeting
Tuesday, May 26, 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
Absent: City Council Member Kate Spadarotto
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 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
5.1. Regular City Council Minutes of May 12, 2026
City Council Member Aaron Barak moved to approve the Regular City Council Minutes of May 12, 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
NOES: None
ABSENT: City Council Member Kate Spadarotto
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.
Estimated start time: 6:10 p.m.
6.1. Public Comment
No public comment was received.
7. REPORTS BY STAFF AND CITY COUNCIL, FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS, AND AB 1234 REPORTS
Reports by statt 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.
Estimated start time: 6:20 p.m.
Vice Mayor Deasy reported on the annual pickleball tournament held at Crane Park.
Mayor Dohring thanked the American Legion for its contributions for the Memorial Day event and recognized their contributions to the community
8. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC RECOGNITIONS
Estimated start time: 6:25 p.m.
8.1. Proclamation Honoring Anthony Micheli for His Exceptional Community Service and Civic Generosity
Mayor Dohring presented Anthony Micheli with proclamation. Mr. Micheli made brief comments.
9. STAFF BRIEFING AND PRESENTATIONS
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. This item was pulled for further discussion by Vice Mayor Deasy.
Consideration of Request by Property Owner to Pay Water Neutrality Policy In Lieu Fee.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Eric Janzen, Asst. PW Director, Joseph Leach, Director of Public Works
Recommendation: Adoption of Resolution authorizing the owner of 1790 Dean York Lane to pay the Water Neutrality In Lieu Fee in order to achieve Policy compliance.
Mayor Dohring opened the public comment. Public Comment was received by Tom Belt, Michelle Liu Covell and the applicant, Jack Herr Discussion was turned over to the Council where further comments were made regarding the City's Water Neutrality policy.
City Council Member Aaron Barak moved to adopt a resolution authorizing the owner of 1790 Dean York Lane to pay the Water Neutrality In Lieu Fee in order to achieve Policy compliance. 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
NOES: None
ABSENT: City Council Member Kate Spadarotto
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
10.2. Review of the 2025 Annual Housing Element Progress Report (APR) CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Jackie Oneal, Senior Planner
Recommendation: Staff recommends the City Council receive a presentation on the 2025 Annual Housing Element Progress Report (APR) and provide comments, as desired.
City Council Member Aaron Barak moved to adopt staff's recommendation.
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
NOES: None
ABSENT: City Council Member Kate Spadarotto
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
12. OLD BUSINESS
None.
13. NEW BUSINESS
Estimated start time: 6:40 p.m.
13.1. Consideration and proposed approval of a resolution for the City Council appointment of an applicant to fill the vacancy created by Council Member Billy Summers and direct the City Clerk to administer the Oath of Office to the New Council Member.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk) Recommendation: Any Council Member can nominate an applicant for approval by the majority of Council. Direct the City Clerk to administer the oath of office and the newly appointed Council Member will be seated at the dais.
Interim City Manager Jim McCann reported on the item.
Mayor Dohring thanked all the applicants and opened the public comment period. Public comment was received by Michelle Liu Covell.
Following public comment, the matter was brought back to the Council for deliberation. Council Members expressed their appreciation to all applicants for their interest and willingness to serve the community.
Mayor Paul Dohring moved to appoint Scott Diaz to the vacant City Council seat. 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
NOES: None
ABSENT: City Council Member Kate Spadarotto
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
14. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
15. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Dohring adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
The next Regular City Council meeting is scheduled for June 9, 2026.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Taut amice Dothing Ando
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
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