City of St. Helena
City Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 @ 6:00 PM
Vintage Hall Board Room - Second Floor
465 Main Street, St. Helena CA
PLEASE NOTE: Any person who wishes to speak regarding an item on the agenda or make a comment under the "Public Forum" portion of the agenda may do so, but please observe the time limit of four minutes.
The City Council meeting will be live-streamed on Comcast Channel 28 and on the City’s website.
Public comment for City Council meetings will be accepted via email via to [email protected]. All public comments must be received three hours prior to the meeting. All other public comments received after the deadline will be attached to the item the next business day or soon thereafter. Public comments will not be read out loud but will be publicly available and attached to the online City Council agenda.
To ensure interpreters are available, requests must be made at least 72 hours in advance by calling the Office of the City Clerk at (707) 968-2640 or emailing [email protected].
The schedule of upcoming meetings and published meeting agendas can be found on the City of St. Helena website at cityofsthelena.gov.
Servicios de interpretación en español durante la reunión pueden ser solicitados por el público.
Para asegurar que los intérpretes estén disponibles, los servicios tienen que ser solicitados al menos 72 horas antes de la reunión llamando a la oficina de la Secretaria de la Ciudad al (707) 968-2640 o por correo electrónico a [email protected].
El horario de las reuniones publicadas y próximas puede ser localizado en el sitio de web de la Ciudad en cityofsthelena.gov
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
Mayor: Paul Dohring, Vice Mayor: Michelle Deasy, City Council Members: Aaron Barak, Kate Spadarotto
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
5.1. Regular City Council Minutes of June 9, 2026
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: 6:05 p.m.
6.1. Public Comment
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.
8. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC RECOGNITIONS
8.1. Parks and Recreation Month Proclamation
9. STAFF BRIEFING AND PRESENTATIONS
9.1. Fire Safety and Evacuation Presentation
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: 6:35 p.m.
10.1. Adoption of a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a construction contract with JD General Engineering in the amount of $168,992 for the R25-79 Hudson Pavement Restoration Project, authorizing the Director of Public Works to approve construction change orders not to exceed 15% of the total contract amount, and determines the R25-79 Hudson Pavement Rehabilitation Project is exempt from CEQA under Class 1 Existing Facilities.
CEQA Determination: Categorical Exemption
Prepared By: Mario Traverso, Project Manager
Recommendation: Approve the Resolution
10.2. Consideration of Second Amendment to Agreement for City Attorney Legal Services.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Mandy Kellogg, Director of Administrative Services Recommendation: That the City Council approve the attached Resolution Approving the Second Amendment to Agreement for City Attorney Legal Services between City of St. Helena and Best Best & Krieger LLP.
10.3. Consideration and Proposed Adoption of a Resolution Adopting a List of Projects for Fiscal Year 2026-27 funded by SB1: The Road and Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Mario Traverso, Project Manager
Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the attached resolution.
10.4. Consideration and Recommended adoption of a Resolution authorizing a twoyear agreement with the Housing Authority of the City of Napa for contract housing services in a baseline amount not-to-exceed $131,450 for the twoyear period starting on July 1, 2026, and authorizing up to $20,000 for additional housing-related services for Fiscal Year 2027-28.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Natalie Bresee, Assistant Planner
Recommendation: Adopt the Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a two-year agreement with the Housing Authority of the City of Napa for contract housing services for Fiscal Years 2026-27 and 2027-28, in a baseline amount not to exceed $131,450, and authorizing the City Manager to approve up to $20,000 in additional housing-related services during FY2027- 28, as needed.
10.5. May 2026 Review and Forecasting of City Water Supply Availability CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Ian Dale, Environmental Serv Tech
Recommendation: Receive and File.
10.6. Approval of a Resolution of the City Council of the City of St. Helena, State of California, Calling and Giving Notice of a General Municipal Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026; Requesting the Consolidation by the Napa County Supervisors for the Statewide General Election and that Napa County Provide Election Services with full Reimbursement by the City of St.
Helena.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk) Recommendation: Approve the resolutions:
• Resolution calling for election of Mayor and two (2) City Council Members
• Resolution for consolidated election for Mayor and two (2) City Council members
10.7. Consideration of a Resolution to Reappoint a current Planning Commissioner whose term currently expires on June 30, 2026.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk) Recommendation: Reappoint current Planning Commission Chair, Chris Warner, to the Planning Commission for a new four-year term, expiring June 30, 2030.
10.8. Consideration of a Resolution to Reappoint current Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee Members/Alternates whose terms currently expires on June 30, 2026.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk) Recommendation: Appoint current member, Shannon Nolan, and alternates, Antony Rabin and Emma Leggat, to the Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee (ATSC) as members for new two-year terms, expiring June 30, 2028.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Estimated start time: 6:45 p.m.
11.1. Public Hearing on Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Efforts in compliance with Assembly Bill 2561, Government Code Section 3502.3.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Martin Beltran, Finance Manager
Recommendation: Receive and file.
12. OLD BUSINESS
Estimated start time:
13. NEW BUSINESS
Estimated start time: 7:00 p.m.
13.1. Consideration of a Resolution to appoint an applicant to the Library Board of Trustees.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk) Recommendation: Consideration of a Resolution to appoint an applicant to fill a vacancy on the Library Board of Trustees, which has terms expiring on June 30, 2026.
13.2. Consideration of a Resolution to Appoint a new and Reappoint a current Parks and Recreation Commission Member for terms ending June 2028.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk) Recommendation: Consideration of a Resolution to appoint a new member and reappoint a current member with applicants to fill vacancies on the Parks and Recreation Commission, that has terms expiring on June 30, 2026.
13.3. Reappointment of Three Finance Committee Members and Discuss Vacancy CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk) Recommendation:
1. Adopt resolution to reappoint three Finance Committee members:
George Schisler, Richard Garber, and Gregg Dawley.
2. Provide feedback on options for filling vacancy.
13.4. Qualification of Initiative Measure Proposing to Amend the City’s Municipal Code to Codify by Ordinance the “St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan:
Walking Routes, Trails and Publicly Accessible Open Space Report” CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) There may be CEQA needs if/when projects within the plan are begun.
Prepared By: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk) Recommendation: That the City Council:
• Receive, file, and accept the certificate of sufficiency of petition signatures as valid in all respects.
Select one of the following three options:
• Adopt the following resolution:
Resolution No. 2026-____: Resolution of the City Council of the City of St.
Helena, California submitting to the qualified voters of the City of St. Helena on the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election ballot an initiative measure amending the City’s Municipal Code to codify by ordinance the “St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails and Publicly Accessible Open Space Report”; requesting the County of Napa to consolidate said election with the Statewide General Election of even date; and setting rules and deadlines for arguments and rebuttals for and against the measure; or
• Adopt the initiative measure as an ordinance, without alteration:
Adopt Ordinance No. 2026-______: an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of St. Helena, California, adding Chapter 17.32 to Title 17 of the St. Helena Municipal Code to codify by ordinance the “St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails and Publicly Accessible Open Space Report” (the “Walking Plan”), pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9215(a); or
• Order the preparation of an impact report pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9212 to be brought back to the council no more than 30 days later, to analyze the initiative’s impact on City finances, regulations and ability to provide public services.
14. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
15. ADJOURNMENT
The next Regular City Council meeting is scheduled for July 28, 2026, at 6 p.m.
This agenda was posted at City Hall, 1088 College Avenue, and at Vintage Hall, 465 Main Street, St. Helena, California on June 17, 2026.
Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
In Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please call the City Clerk’s Office (707) 967-2792. Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting as required by Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
CHALLENGING DECISIONS OF CITY ENTITIES
The time limit within which to commence any lawsuit or legal challenge to any quasi-adjudicative decision made by the City of St. Helena is governed by Section 1094.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure, unless a shorter limitation period is specified by any other provision, including without limitation Government Code section 65009 applicable to many land use and zoning decisions, Government Code section 66499.37 applicable to the Subdivision Map Act, and Public Resources Code section 21167 applicable to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Under Section 1094.6, any lawsuit or legal challenge to any quasi-adjudicative decision made by the City must be filed no later than the 90th day following the date on which such decision becomes final. Any lawsuit or legal challenge, which is not filed within that 90-day period, will be barred. Government Code section 65009 and 66499.37, and Public Resources Code section 21167, impose shorter limitations periods and requirements, including timely service in addition to filing.
If a person wishes to challenge the above actions in court, they may be limited to raising only those issues they or someone else raised at the meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of St. Helena, at or prior to the meeting. In addition, judicial challenge may be limited or barred where the interested party has not sought and exhausted all available administrative remedies.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL RECEIVED AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA Any supplemental writings or documents distributed to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this Agenda, after the posting of the Agenda, will be available for public review in the City Clerk’s Office located at 1088 College Avenue, St. Helena, California, during normal business hours and by appointment. In addition, such writings or documents will be made available on the City’s website at cityofsthelena.gov and will be available for public review at the respective meeting.
MINUTES
City of St. Helena
Regular City Council Meeting
Tuesday, June 9, 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 Kate Spadarotto, City Council Member Scott Diaz
Absent: City Council Member Aaron Barak
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Dohring called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Mayor: Paul Dohring, Vice Mayor: Michelle Deasy, City Council Members: Aaron Barak, Kate Spadarotto, Scott Diaz
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Dohring led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
City Council Member Kate Spadarotto moved to approve the agenda. 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 Kate Spadarotto, City Council Member Scott Diaz
NOES: None
ABSENT: City Council Member Aaron Barak
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
City Council Member Kate Spadarotto moved to approve the Special City Council Minutes of May 19, 2026, the Special City Council Minutes of May 26, 2026 and the Regular City Council Minutes of May 26, 2026. 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 Kate Spadarotto, City Council Member Scott Diaz
NOES: None
ABSENT: City Council Member Aaron Barak
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
5.1. Special City Council Minutes of May 19, 2026
5.2. Special City Council Minutes of May 26, 2026
5.3. Regular City Council Minutes of May 26, 2026
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
No public comment was 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 Council.
Acting City Manager Joe Leach and City Clerk Andrew Bradley provided updates on the following items:
• Red Flag in effect from the evening of June 10 through June 11. • Bell Canyon environmental documents will be ready for review in the near future.
• Zero Discharge Flushing Project.
• Recruitment of applicants for vacancies on City boards, commissions and committees.
• Upcoming Short-Term Rental virtual meeting and study session. • Affordable Accessory Dwelling Unity (ADU) program information session. • Summer Concerts at Lyman Park
• Noche Comunitaria de Futbol - Community Soccer Night
• Independence Day Celebrations scheduled for July 3 and 4 Mayor Dohring and Acting City Manager Leach encouraged community members seeking relief from hot weather to take advantage of the St. Helena Public Library and its air-conditioned facilities.
Vice Mayor Deasy shared remarks regarding a recent fifth grade end-of-year school trip she attended and extended her appreciation to the St. Helena Unified School District for a successful program.
Council Member Spadarotto expressed appreciation to City staff for providing a tour of City facilities and suggested that similar tours could be offered to the broader community, either in person or through video presentations.
City Attorney Ethan Walsh provided an update regarding the closed session held on May 26, 2026, and reported that there were no reportable actions.
Mayor Dohring thanked community members and local businesses for their patience and cooperation during ongoing construction projects throughout the City.
8. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC RECOGNITIONS
8.1. Proclamation - LGBTQ+ Pride Month 2026
Mayor Dohring presented the proclamation to Jacob Zuniga, outgoing President and Ruby Davies, incoming President for the Gender and Sexuality Alliance group at St. Helena High School.
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: 6:15 p.m.
10.1. April 2026 Review and Forecasting of City Water Supply Availability CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Ian Dale, Environmental Serv Tech
Recommendation: Receive and file.
10.2. Consideration of a Resolution of the City Council of the City of St. Helena Appointing the Program Manager as the City’s Representative to the Napa Valley Tourism Corporation (NVTC)
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: James McCann, Interim City Manager
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution formally appointing the Program Manager as the City of St. Helena’s designated representative to the Napa Valley Tourism Corporation (NVTC).
10.3. Approval of a Resolution Establishing Appropriation Limits for Fiscal Year 2026-27 and the Selection of Current Year Adjustment Factors.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Mandy Kellogg, Director of Administrative Services Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the attached resolution.
10.4. Consideration and Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing: 1) Amendment No. 2 to St. Helena Contract FY2025-032 with Water Quality & Treatment Solutions, Inc (WQTS) for On-Call Water Quality Technical Support, Increasing the Contract Amount by $100,000 for a Total Contract Amount Not-To-Exceed $174,475; and 2) Extension of the Contract Term Through June 30, 2027.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Rebecca White, Administrative Assistant
Recommendation: Approval of the attached resolution.
10.5. Consideration and proposed adoption of a Resolution approving the project plans for Capital Improvement Project CIP No. W-109, the Bell Canyon Intake Tower and Valve House Project.
CEQA Determination: CEQA to Be Completed Prior to Project Approval Prepared By: Bruce Zaeni, Project Manager
Recommendation: Approve the Resolution
10.6. By minute action, authorize issuance of a Request For Proposals for Construction Management Services related to the Bell Canyon Intake Tower and Valve House Rehabilitation Project.
CEQA Determination: CEQA to Be Completed Prior to Project Approval Prepared By: Bruce Zaeni, Project Manager
Recommendation: Approval
10.7. Consideration of a Resolution to Approve Proposed Loan Term Sheet for 40- unit Affordable Housing Development at 0 Fountain Street.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Mandy Kellogg, Director of Administrative Services Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the attached resolution.
10.8. Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Purchase and Implementation of the Crossroads E-Ticket and Collision Reporting Systems Utilizing California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Grant Funding.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Justin Tharp, Interim Chief of Police / Lieutenant Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the attached resolution.
City Council Member Scott Diaz moved to approve the consent calendar. 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 Kate Spadarotto, City Council Member Scott Diaz
NOES: None
ABSENT: City Council Member Aaron Barak
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
12. OLD BUSINESS
None.
13. NEW BUSINESS
13.1. Consider and adoption of a Resolution authorizing execution of Amendment No. 1 to StH Contract FY2026-004 with the St Helena Chamber of Commerce.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: Mandy Kellogg, Director of Administrative Services, Joseph Leach, Director of Public Works, James McCann, Interim City Manager Recommendation: Adoption of the Resolution.
Acting City Manager Leach introduced the item and Amy Carabba-Salazar from the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce presented on the item.
Mayor Dohring opened public comment on the item. No public comments were received.
The item was returned to the City Council for discussion and deliberation.
Council Members asked questions and provided comments regarding the presentation and proposed action.
City Council Member Kate Spadarotto moved to approve the resolution. 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 Kate Spadarotto, City Council Member Scott Diaz
NOES: None
ABSENT: City Council Member Aaron Barak
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
14. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Vice Mayor Deasy noted that the last day for submissions for grants for the Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA) is June 19.
15. ADJOURNMENT
The next Regular City Council meeting is scheduled for June 23, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Mayor Dohring adjourned the meeting at 6:48 p.m.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
____________________________
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor
____________________________
Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
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Proclamation
City of St. Helena
Designation of July as Park and Recreation Month
WHEREAS, Parks and Recreation is an integral part of communities throughout this country, including the City of St. Helena; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation promotes health and wellness, improving the physical and mental health of people who utilize parks and participate in community recreational activities; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation provides public spaces for leisure, enrichment, and gathering opportunities designed to encourage active lifestyles for people of all ages; and WHEREAS, park and recreation programming and education activities such as out-ofschool enrichment, sports, arts & culture, and environmental education are critical to childhood development; and
WHEREAS, our parks and natural recreation areas ensure the ecological beauty of our community and provide a place for children and adults to connect with nature and recreate outdoors; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation is fundamental to the environmental well-being of our community; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. House of Representatives has designated July as Parks and Recreation Month; and
WHEREAS, the City of St. Helena recognizes and celebrates the benefits derived from Parks and Recreation resources.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor of the City of St. Helena, and the St. Helena City Council, do hereby proclaim that July is recognized as Park and Recreation Month in the City of St. Helena.
Dated: June 23, 2026
______________________________
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor
City of St. Helena
Fire Prevention and
Public Awareness
John Sorensen – Fire Chief
Weed Abatement
Public Awareness:
• Reminders posted on Social Media (Facebook & Instagram) • Ad placed in St. Helena Star
• Public education booth at Farmer’s Market
• Non-compliance enforced per Section 1.12 of the Municipal Code Posted to Social Media, St. Helena Star (Online & Printed)
Weed Abatement Enforcement
1. Door Hanger (Starting June 1st)
• First notice left on the door of a property in violation • If property has no structure, contact is made with owner via phone or email
2. Staked Notice – (10 days after door hanger and still in violation)
• A plastic notice of violation is staked into the ground at the front of the property facing the street. Indicates date of notice and deadline for compliance.
Weed Abatement Enforcement
Continued
3. Certified Letter Sent
• A letter is mailed simultaneously with the staked notice informing the property owner that if they do not comply, they will be required to appear before City Council and defend the violation.
4. Public Hearing
• City Council will determine next steps (perform the work and lien the property, etc.)
Defensible Space in City Limits
How to Create Defensible Space:
Remove all dead, dying or decayed vegetation from your property and maintain grass to a maximum height of 4 inches. Municipal Code 8.08.010
Recommendations:
• Keep your roof, eaves and gutters clear of debris.
• Remove plants along side your home, particularly under eaves and overhangs. • Maintain 10 feet of clearance between tree branches and your roof.
Defensible Space WUI
Wildland Urban Interface
City ordinance requires 150 ft.
of defensible space in WUI
areas
Fire Hazard
Severity Zone
Map
LEGEND:
VERY HIGH
HIGH
MODERATE
Free Site Evaluations
Call 707-967-2880 to schedule a free site visit
• Get a current site safety evaluation
• Receive recommendations to improve your
fire preparedness
• Speak directly with Fire Department Personnel
to answer any questions
Defensible Space Certificate
Beacon Boxes
Fire
St. Helena Police
Department
Genasys
(formerly ZoneHaven)
• Know your zone ahead of time
• Evacuation updates post on
Genasys during an incident
• Sign up for alerts at
protect.genasys.com
Everbridge
(formerly Nixle)
• Sign up for alerts for St. Helena
• Sign up for alerts for Napa County
• Everbridge is updates
continuously during major
incidents
• Used for all hazards and
emergencies
Everbridge
(formerly Nixle)
• Sign up at https://local.nixle.com/register/
Evacuation Tags
• Woodbridge (informational 2026)
• Vineyard Valley (full evacuation drill for 2026)
• 2026 City Leadership planning a town hall/community meeting with more evacuation preparedness information
• 2027 Evac Drills planned with Fire Dept. city wide
Evacuation Drills
Prepare Your Go-Bag
• Fire Department makes recommendations for evacuation. • Police Department carries it out.
• You don’t need to wait for the Police Department to tell you to go • If you feel unsafe, you can self-evacuate any time.
Evacuation Plan
Agendas Report to the City Council
Agenda Section: CONSENT ITEMS
Department: Public Works Department
DATE: June 23, 2026
FROM: Mario Traverso, Project Manager
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a construction contract with JD General Engineering in the amount of $168,992 for the R25-79 Hudson Pavement Restoration
Project, authorizing the Director of Public Works to approve construction change orders not to exceed 15% of the total contract amount, and determines the R25-79 Hudson Pavement
Rehabilitation Project is exempt from CEQA under Class 1 Existing Facilities.
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
Approve the Resolution
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
Resolution 2025-097, awarding the S18-70, S24-02 and the CDBG Downtown Sewer Lateral Replacement Project
construction contract to JD General Engineering was adopted by City Council on August 26, 2025.
STATEMENT OF THE
PURPOSE:
To award the R25-79 Pavement Restoration Project Hudson Avenue to J.D. General Engineering in accordance with the City's approved Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The financial impact of this award and construction contract is $168,992 in addition to possible change orders in the amount of $25,349 for a total project budget of $194,341.
CEQA DETERMINATION: Categorical Exemption
BACKGROUND:
The S18-70, S24-02 and the CDBG Downtown Sewer Lateral Replacement Project is currently under construction. The contractor, JD General Engineering, is completing the installation of new sewer main pipeline and laterals in Hudson Avenue from Spring Street to Madrona Avenue. Once complete, the contractor will transition to Allyn Avenue, Allison Avenue and Main Street to complete the sewer upgrades as described in the project plans.
DISCUSSION:
Generally, after new utilities are installed in a street, the contractor is responsible to repave a 4-foot wide section of the roadway along the utility installation. This repaving is included with the unit pricing for the sewer pipe installation and is included in the current scope of work for Hudson Avenue. As the construction activities on Hudson Avenue have progressed, the overall condition of the roadway has continued to deteriorate due to the poor existing condition of the structural section of pavement.
The existing Hudson Avenue pavement overlay is approximately 2 inches of heavily "alligatored" pavement covered with a thin slurry seal. Upon completion of the utility work, staff is recommending repaving the entire road. Repaving the entire road will require an additional 600 tons of asphalt. Staff is requesting to execute a separate construction contract with JD General Engineering to account for the additional asphalt.
Staff is requesting to deliver the project with the remaining budget from the FY25/26 R25-79 Pavement Restoration Project, and to be funded with the remaining Measure U Maintenance of Effort (MOE) contribution, which will occur with a budget transfer when the MOE contribution is normally reconciled. MOE is the City's annual General Fund sourced contribution towards pavement rehabilitation and maintenance in accordance with the Measure U policy and agreement. Historically, the MOE contribution has been applied towards the annual Pavement Restoration Project. As of last year, the City began tracking Operations staff time and materials expended on eligible maintenance activities in order to apply the MOE obligation toward these items otherwise funded by the General Fund. Currently, the City has expended approximately $95,000 of the required $295,000 MOE obligation (Capital Improvement Plan Project No. R26-03) for Operations staff time and materials. It is not expected that the entire MOE balance will be expended on staff time and materials, which can accommodate the requested expenditure without significant impacts to General Fund expenditures or existing budgets. JD General Engineering has provided a proposal for the additional material quality which totals $168,992 and is included in the attached contract. Staff has reviewed the proposal and finds it satisfactory and determines that awarding the contract to JD General Engineering is in the best interest of the City as this award is only for an additional material quantity to the work items already contracted with JD General Engineering.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
None
GOAL:
Goal 2: Improve Infrastructure & Further Environmental Sustainability Goal 5: Enhance Quality of Life
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution - Hudson Pavement Project Award
2. BID SCHEDULE R25-79 - HUDSON PAVEMENT RESTORATION PROJECT
CITY OF ST. HELENA
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-__
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING 1) THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
A CONTSTRUCTION CONTRACT WITH JD GENERAL
ENGINEERING IN THE AMOUNT OF $168,992 FOR THE R25-79
HUDSON PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT; 2)
AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO APPROVE
CONSTRUCTION CHANGE ORDERS NOT-TO-EXCEED 15% OF
THE TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT FOR A TOTAL PROJECT
BUDGET OF $194,341; 3) DETERMINES THE R25-79 HUDSON
PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM CEQA
UNDER CLASS 1 EXISTING FACILITIES; AND AUTHORIZE A
TRANSFER FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF
$194,341 TO THE STREETS CAPITAL FUND.
RECITALS
A. City Council approved Resolution 2025-097 on August 26, 2025, awarding the S18-70, S24-02, and the CDBG Downtown Sewer Lateral Replacement Projects construction contract to JD General Engineering; and
B. JD General Engineering is currently completing new sewer main pipeline and lateral installations in Hudson Avenue, between Spring Street and Madrona Avenue as part of the construction contract for the above projects; and C. Trench patching is included in the construction contract however the condition of the Hudson Avenue roadway has deteriorated throughout the work of the project due to the poor existing condition of the pavement; and
D. Staff recommend repaving Hudson Avenue in its entirety once the sewer main and lateral project is complete, to restore the integrity of the roadway, which will require an additional 600 tons of asphalt; and
E. Staff is requesting a separate construction contract with JD General Engineering to account for the additional asphalt, using the remaining budget from the FY 25/26 R25- 79 Pavement Restoration Project and the remaining Measure U Maintenance of Effort Contribution; and
F. Staff has determined the R25-79 Hudon Pavement Rehabilitation Project is categorically exempt from CEQA under Class 1 Existing Facilities exemption.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of St. Helena resolves as follows:
1. Authorizes the City Manager to execute a construction contract with JD General Engineering in the amount of $168,992 for the R25-79 Hudson Rehabilitation Project.
2. Authorizes the Director of Public Works to execute construction change orders not-to-exceed 15% of the total contract amount for a total project budget of $194,341.
3. Determines the R15-79 Hudson Pavement Rehabilitation Project is exempt from CEQA under Class 1 Existing Facilities.
4. Authorizes a transfer in the amount of $194,341 of General Fund monies that were budgeted in General Fund to the Streets Capital Fund to meet the MOE requirement.
5. Funding is as follows:
Description Fund GL Account Amount
Remaining budget from
the FY 25/26 R25-70
Pavement Restoration
Project
Measure T/U
741 –Streets
Capital
741-50-14-31-60 $194,341
Budget transfer from
Measure U MOE
Measure T/U
741 –Streets
Capital
741-50-14-31-60 $194,341
Budget Increase to
Transfer Excess
Operating General Fund
MOE Budget to CIP Fund
General Fund 101-40-00-29-99 $194,341
Budget Increase to
Transfer Excess
Operating General Fund
MOE Budget to CIP Fund
Streets Capital 741-39-98-00-00 $194,341
Approved at a Regular Meeting of the St. Helena City Council on June 23, 2026, by the following vote:
Mayor Dohring:
Vice Mayor Deasy:
Council Member Barak:
Council Member Spadarotto:
Council Member Diaz:
APPROVED: ATTEST:
________________________ ________________________
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
Agendas Report to the City Council
Agenda Section: CONSENT ITEMS
Department: Administrative Services Department
DATE: June 23, 2026
FROM: Mandy Kellogg, Director of Administrative Services SUBJECT: Consideration of Second Amendment to Agreement for City Attorney Legal Services.
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
That the City Council approve the attached Resolution Approving the Second Amendment to Agreement for City Attorney Legal Services between City of St. Helena and Best Best & Krieger LLP.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
October 22, 2019 - Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Award of Legal Services Contract to Best Best & Krieger LLP and Appointing Kara Ueda as City Attorney.
September 22, 2020 - Approval of Resolution Authorizing the First Amendment for City Legal Services STH Contract: FY 2020-046 with Best Best & Krieger LLP Appointing Ethan Walsh as City Attorney.
STATEMENT OF THE
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this report is to authorize a Second Amendment for City Legal Services STH Contract: FY 2020-046 with Best Best & Krieger providing a separate, blended hourly rate of $230 charged for legal services provided in connection with the processing of requests for public records from the City.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Financial Impact will be dependent on the volume of public records requests that the City receives, and the amount of legal assistance required for more complex requests. Based on the prior year's activity, it is anticipated that the maximum impact will be $46,000, which will be included on the FY 2026-27 Mid-Cycle Budget Update.
CEQA DETERMINATION: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) BACKGROUND:
On October 22, 2019, the City entered into an Agreement for City Attorney Legal Services (“Legal Services Agreement”) with Best Best & Krieger LLP (“BBK”) to serve as City Attorney for the City. At the time, Kara Ueda, then a partner at BBK, was designated as City Attorney. In September 2020, Ms. Ueda was appointed to serve as a Sacramento Superior Court Judge, and as a consequence left BBK. On September 22, 2020, the City and BBK amended the
Legal Services Agreement on September 22, 2020 to designate Ethan Walsh as City Attorney (the “First Amendment”). Mr. Walsh has served as the designated City Attorney since that time.
Under the terms of the Legal Services Agreement “Basic Legal Services” are provided in exchange for a fixed monthly retainer, which is increased annually by CPI. “Basic Legal Services” include all legal services except certain legal services listed as “Special Legal Services”, “Third Party Reimbursable Legal Services” or “Public Finance Legal Services” and more specifically described in the Legal Services Agreement. Special Legal Services include matters such as litigation, labor relations and other non-routine employment matters, nonroutine land use, development and CEQA matters, water law matters, and others. The monthly retainer amount is currently $21,147 and will increase by a CPI adjustment to $21,612 on July 1, 2026.
The retainer is set based on the assumption that the time spent on routine or “basic” legal services, such as attending meetings, providing day-to-day advice to staff and Council members, etc., will be fairly predictable and consistent, and the amount charged for those services can be set as a fixed amount, providing certainty for both the City and BBK.
However, over the past few years, BBK has spent significantly more time on basic legal services than it assumed would be spent based on the amount of the monthly retainer, and as a consequence has requested an adjustment to the Legal Services Agreement. One of the notable areas that has increased significantly is legal services provided in connection with public records requests. The number and complexity of public records requests received by the City over the past year has increased, necessitating more legal review and advice in order for City staff to respond appropriately. These services are no longer as routine or predictable as they had been historically, and as a result, BBK has requested an amendment to the Legal Service Agreement to remove legal services in connection with public records requests and related records requests from the services provided under the retainer, and instead charge those costs as a separate service based on a single blended billing rate.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed Second Amendment to the Legal Services Agreement would provide a separate, blended hourly rate of $230 charged for legal services provided in connection with the processing of requests for public records from the City, meaning that the same rate is charged by all attorneys, paralegals, and other staff working on these responses. These services would no longer be included in the basic legal services that are charged to the monthly retainer. All other terms of the Legal Services Agreement would remain the same.
The fiscal impact will be dependent on the volume of public records requests that the City receives, and the amount of legal assistance required for more complex requests. In 2024, BBK spent approximately 80 hours on public records requests (which would result in a $18,400 annual amount paid at the proposed blended rate), but in 2025, BBK spent approximately 200 hours on public records requests (which would result in a $46,000 annual amount paid at the proposed blended rate). The City Clerk’s office is proactively working on steps to limit the amount of legal assistance needed (by participating in trainings and seeking additional
administrative support through Regional Government Services to assist with public records requests), however, the ultimate cost will be dependent on the number of requests received.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
None.
GOAL:
Goal 4: Provide Effective Community Information & Opportunities for Engagement ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Approving Second Amendment to Legal Services Agreement v1
2. Second Amendment to BB&K Legal Services Agreement-c1
3. STH Contract FY 2020-046 BB&K Legal Services Agreement
1 83578.00009\44897379.1
RESOLUTION NO. ___
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST.
HELENA APPROVING A SECOND AMENDMENT TO
AGREEMENT FOR CITY ATTORNEY LEGAL SERVICES WITH
BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
WHEREAS, on October 22, 2019, the City Council of the City of St. Helena (“City Council”) approved an Agreement for City Attorney Legal Services between the City and Best Best & Krieger LLP (“BBK”), which Agreement was amended by mutual agreement of the parties on September 22, 2020 to designate Ethan Walsh as City Attorney; and WHEREAS, BBK has proposed a second amendment to the Agreement for City Attorney Legal Services to provide that services provided in connection with the processing and review of requests under the Public Records Act will be charged at a blended hourly rate, and not included as part of the basic legal services provided under the monthly retainer provided for under the Agreement; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to approve the Second Amendment to the Agreement for City Attorney Legal Services in the form attached to this Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of St.
Helena, California as follows:
Section 1. The Second Amendment to Agreement for City Attorney Legal Services is hereby approved in the form attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A.
Section 2. The Interim City Manager is authorized to execute said agreement on behalf of the City of St. Helena.
The foregoing Resolution was adopted at a regular public meeting of the City Council of the City of St. Helena, California held on the 23rd day of June 2026, by the following vote:
Mayor Dohring: __________
Vice Mayor Deasy: __________
Councilmember Barak: __________
Councilmember Diaz: __________
Councilmember Spadarotto: __________
2 83578.00009\44897379.1
APPROVED: ATTEST:
________________________ ________________________
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
3 83578.00009\44897379.1
EXHIBIT A
Second Amendment to Agreement for City Attorney Legal Services [Attached behind this cover page]
83578.00000\45046725.1
SECOND AMENDMENT TO
AGREEMENT FOR CITY ATTORNEY LEGAL SERVICES
This Second Amendment to Agreement for City Attorney Legal Services (“Second Amendment”) is made this 23rd day of June, 2026, by and between the City of St. Helena, a California municipal corporation (“City”) and Best Best & Krieger LLP, a limited liability partnership engaged in the practice of law (“BB&K”).
The City and BB&K hereby agree to amend the Agreement for City Attorney Legal Services dated October 22, 2019, as previously amended by that certain First Amendment to Agreement for City Attorney Legal Services dated September 22, 2020 (collectively, the “Agreement”) as follows:
Section 1. Exhibit A of the Agreement is hereby amended to add Section 1.5 between the current Sections 1 and 2 of Exhibit A. Section 1.5 shall read as follows:
1.5 Public Records Act request processing and review will be billed separately at the following blended hourly rate:
Attorneys, Paralegals, Law Clerks, Analysts: $230
Section 2. Except as expressly amended in Section 1 above, all other terms and provisions of the Agreement shall continue on in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the City and BB&K have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
CITY OF ST. HELENA BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
By: By:
James McCann, Interim City Manager Ethan Walsh, Partner Attest:
By:
Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
STH CONTRACT: FY 2020-046
AGREEMENT FOR CITY ATTORNEY LEGAL SERVICES
BETWEEN
CITY OF ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA
AND
BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
1. Parties and Date.
This Agreement is made and entered into as of the 22nd day of October, 2019, by and between the City of St. Helena, a municipal corporation of the State of California (“Client”) and Best Best & Krieger LLP, a limited liability partnership engaged in the practice oflaw (“BB&K”).
2. Recitals.
2.1 Client wishes to engage the services of BB&K as its City Attorney to perform all necessary legal services for the Client on the terms set forth below.
3. Terms.
3.1 Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on October 23, 2019, and shall continue in full force and effect until terminated in accordance with Section 3.12.
3.2 Scope of Services. BB&K shall serve as City Attorney and shall perform legal services (“Services”) as may be required from time to time by the Client as set forth by this Agreement and in accordance with Client’s Policy on the Management of Legal Services, unless otherwise agreed to by the Client and BB&K. As part of the Services to be performed hereunder, BB&K shall be responsible for the following:
3.2.1 Preparation for, and attendance at, regular meetings of the Client;
3.2.2 Provision of legal counsel at such other meetings as directed by the Client;
3.2.3 Preparation or review of all Client ordinances and resolutions, together with such staff reports, orders, agreements, forms, notices, declarations, certificates, deeds, leases and other documents as requested by the Client;
3.2.4 Rendering to the officers and employees of the Client legal advice and opinions on all legal matters affecting the Client, including new legislation and court decisions, as directed by the Client;
3.2.5 Researching and interpreting laws, court decisions and other legal authorities in order to prepare legal opinions and to advise the Client on legal matters pertaining to Client operations, as directed by the Client;
3.2.6 Performing legal work pertaining to property acquisition, property disposal, public improvements, public rights-of-way and easements, as directed by the Client;
3.2.7 Responding to inquiries and review for legal sufficiency ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and administrative and personnel matters, as directed by the Client;
3.2.8 Representing and assisting on litigation matters, as directed by the Client.
Such services shall include, but shall not be limited to, the preparation for and making of appearances, including preparing pleadings and petitions, making oral presentations, and preparing answers, briefs or other documents on behalf of the Client, and any officer or employee of the Client, in all federal and state courts of this State, and before any governmental board or commission, including reviewing, defending or assisting any insurer of the Client or its agents or attorneys with respect to any lawsuit filed against the Client or any officer or employee thereof, for money or damages.
3.3 Designated City Attorney. Kara K. Ueda shall be designated as City Attorney and shall be responsible for the performance of all Services under this Agreement, including the supervision of Services performed by other members of BB&K. No change in this assignment shall be made without the consent of the Client.
3.4 Time of Performance. The Services of BB&K shall be performed expeditiously in the time frames and as directed by the Client.
3.5 Assistance. The Client agrees to provide all information and documents necessary for the attorneys at BB&K to perform their obligations under this Agreement.
3.6 Independent Contractor. BB&K shall perform all legal services required under this Agreement as an independent contractor ofthe Client and shall remain, at all times as to the Client, a wholly independent contractor with only such obligations as are required under this Agreement.
Neither the Client, nor any of its employees, shall have any control over the manner, mode or means by which BB&K, its agents or employees, render the legal services required under this Agreement, except as otherwise set forth. The Client shall have no voice in the selection, discharge, supervision or control of BB&K’s employees, representatives, or agents, or in fixing their number, compensation, or hours of service, except as provided in Client’s Policy on the Management of Legal Services.
BB&K shall have no authority to bind the City in any manner or to incur an obligation, debt or liability of any kind on behalf of or against the City, whether by contract or otherwise, unless such authority is expressly conferred with the City.
Neither BB&K, nor any of its officers, employees or agents, shall obtain any rights to retirement, healthcare or any other benefits which may otherwise accrue to City employees. BB&K expressly waives any claim it may have to any such rights.
3.7 Fees and Costs. BB&K shall render and bill for legal services in the following categories and at rates set forth in Exhibit “A” and in accordance with the BB&K Billing Policies set forth in Exhibit “D”, both of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
In addition, the Client shall reimburse BB&K for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by 2
it in the performance of the Services under this Agreement. No separate charge is made for secretarial or word processing services; those costs are included within our rates. Miscellaneous expenses are covered by a standard administrative charge, currently set at four percent (4%), which covers the cost of normal photocopying, long distance telephone calls, regular mail postage, telecopy charges, and other expenses for which individual itemization is impractical. Costs specific to City matters, such as investigation and filing fees, process server fees, required costs of travel (including mileage reimbursement at the expense rate allowed by the Internal Revenue Service), out-of-town lodging and meals, toll road expenses, courier and express mail services, deposition and court reporter fees, computerized legal research, and major photocopying (such as for voluminous colored copies) will be itemized and will appear as separate items on the bill.
3.8 Billing. BB&K shall submit monthly to the Client a detailed statement of account for Services. The Client shall review BB&K’s monthly statements and pay BB&K for Services rendered and costs incurred, as provided for in this Agreement, on a monthly basis.
3.9 Annual Reviews. The Client and BB&K agree that a review of performance and the compensation amounts referenced in this Agreement should occur at least annually using the Client’s Attorney Performance Evaluation Form.
3.10 Insurance.
3.10.1 Minimum Scope of Insurance. Coverage shall be at least as materially broad as:
3.10.1.1 Insurance Services Office Commercial General Liability Coverage (occurrence form CG 0001).
3.10.1.2 Insurance Services Office from number CA 0001 (Ed. 1/87) covering Automobile Liability, code 1 (any auto) or if Consultant owns no vehicles, codes 8 and 9 (hired and non-owned vehicles).
3.10.1.3 Workers’ Compensation insurance as required by the State of California and Employer’s Liability Insurance.
3.10.2 Minimum Limits of Insurance. BB&K shall maintain limits no less than:
3.10.2.1 General Liability: $2,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage including operations, products and completed operations, as applicable. IfCommercial General Liability Insurance or other form with a General Liability Insurance or other form with a general aggregate limit is used, either the general aggregate limit shall apply separately or the general aggregate limit shall be twice the required occurrence limit.
3.10.2.2 Automobile: $2,000,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage.
3.10.2.3 Employer’s Liability: $2,000,000 per accident for bodily 3
injury or disease.
3.10.3 Excess Limits. IfBB&K maintains higher limits than the minimums shown above, City requires and shall be entitled to coverage for the higher limits maintained by BB&K.. Any available insurance proceeds in excess of the specified minimum limits of insurance and coverage shall be available to the City.
3.10.4 Primary Coverage. For any General Liability claims related to this Agreement BB&K’s insurance coverage shall be primary insurance as respect to City, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers. Any General Liability insurance or self-insurance maintained by the City, its officers, officials, employees, or volunteers shall be excess of BB&K’s insurance and shall not contribute with it.
3.10.5 Deductibles and Self-Insured Retentions. Any deductibles or self-insured, retentions of $25,000 or greater must be declared to and approved by the City. BB&K’s professional liability deductible is $250,000 per claim / $500,000 aggregate.
3.10.6 Other Insurance Provisions. The commercial general liability and automobile liability policies are to contain, or be endorsed to contain, the following provisions:
3.10.6.1 The City, its agents, officers, officials, employees, and volunteers are to be covered as additional insured as respects: liability arising out of work or operations performed by BB&K or BB&K’s subconsultants; or automobile owned, leased, hired or borrowed by BB&K.
3.10.6.2 For any claims related to BB&K’s conduct while performing the work of this Agreement, BB&K’s General Liability insurance coverage shall be a primary insurance as respects to the City, its agents, officers, officials, employees and volunteers. Any insurance or self-insurance maintained by the City, its agents, officers, officials, employees or volunteers shall be excess of BB&K’s insurance and shall not contribute with it.
3.10.6.3 Each insurance policy required by this clause shall provide thirty (30) days prior written notice to the City prior to cancellation.
3.10.6.4 Coverage shall not extend to any indemnity coverage for the active negligence of the additional insured in any case where an agreement to indemnify the additional insured would be invalid under Subsection (b) of Section 2782 of the Civil Code.
3.10.7 Waiver of Subrogation. BB&K’s commercial general liability, automobile liability, workers’ compensation, and employer’s liability policies shall be endorsed with a waiver of subrogation. The insurance company, in its endorsement, agrees to waive all rights of subrogation against the City, its agents, officers, officials, employees and volunteers for losses paid under the terms of this policy which arises from the work performed by the named insured for the City.
3.10.8 The Acceptability of Insurers.Insurance is to be placed with insurers with a current A.M. Best’s rating of no less than A: VII, unless otherwise acceptable to the City. 4
3.10.9 Errors and Omissions.BB&K carries errors and omissions insurance with Lloyd’s of London. After a standard deductible, this insurance provides coverage beyond what is required by the State of California. A separate schedule containing BB&K’s insurance policies will be available for inspection upon Client’s request.
3.10.10 Verification of Coverage. BB&K shall furnish the City with original certificates and amendatory endorsements effecting coverage required by this clause. The endorsements should be on forms that conform to City requirements. All certificates and endorsements are to be received and approved by the City before work commences.
3.11 Attorney-Client Privilege. Confidential communication between the Client and BB&K shall be covered by the attorney-client privilege. As used in this article, “confidential communication” means information transmitted between the Client and BB&K in the course of the relationship covered by this Agreement and in confidence by a means that, so far as the Client is aware, discloses the information to no third persons other than those who are present to further the interests of the Client in the consultation or those to whom disclosure is reasonably necessary for the transmission of the information or the accomplishment of the purpose for which BB&K is consulted, and includes any legal opinion formed and advice given by BB&K in the course of this relationship.
3.12 Termination of Agreement and Legal Services. This Agreement and the Services rendered under it may be terminated at any time upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice from either party, with or without cause. In the event of such termination, BB&K shall be paid for all Services authorized by the Client and performed up through and including the effective date of termination. BB&K shall also be reimbursed for all costs associated with transitioning any files or other data or documents to a new law firm or returning them to the Client.
3.13 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire Agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings or agreements.
3.14 Governing I.aw. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California. Venue shall be in Napa County.
3.15 Amendment; Modification. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing and signed by both parties.
3.16 Waiver. No waiver of any default shall constitute a waiver of any other default or breach, whether of the same or other covenant or condition. No waiver, benefit, privilege, or service voluntarily given or performed by a party shall give the other party any contractual rights by custom, estoppel, or otherwise.
3.17 Invalidity; Severability. If any portion of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
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3.18 Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original.
3.19 Delivery ofNotices. All notices permitted or required under this Agreement notices shall be deemed made when personally delivered or when mailed, forty-eight (48) hours after deposit in the U.S. Mail, first class postage prepaid and addressed to the party at its applicable address. Actual notice shall be deemed adequate notice on the date actual notice occurred, regardless of the method of service. All notices permitted or required under this Agreement shall be given to the respective parties at the following address, or at such other address as the respective parties may provide in writing for this purpose:
Client: City of St. Helena
1480 Main Street
St. Helena, CA 94575
Attention: Mark T. Prestwich, City Manager
BB&K: Best Best & Krieger LLP
500 Capitol Mall, Suite 1700
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attention: KaraUeda
3.20 Indemnification.
(A) BB&K agrees to indemnify City, its officers, employees and agents against, and will hold and save each of them harmless from, any and all actions, suits, claims, damages to persons or property, losses, costs, penalties, obligations, errors, omissions or liabilities (herein “claims or liabilities”) that may be asserted or claimed by any person, firm or entity arising from the negligent acts or omissions of BB&K hereunder, or arising from BB&K’s negligent performance of any term, provision, covenant or condition of this Agreement, except to the extent such claims or liabilities arise from the negligence or willful misconduct ofCity, its officers, agents or employees.
(B) City acknowledges BB&K is being appointed as City Attorney pursuant to the authority of Government Code Section 36505, and has the authority of that office. Accordingly, the City is responsible pursuant to Government Code Section 825 for providing a defense for the City Attorney for actions within the scope ofits engagement hereunder. Therefore, City agrees to undertake its statutory duty and indemnify BB&K, its officers, employees and agents against and will hold and save each ofthem harmless from, any and all claims or liabilities that may be asserted or claims by any person, firm or entity arising out of or in connection with the work, operations or activities of BB&K within the course and scope of its performance hereunder, but nothing herein shall require City to indemnify BB&K for liability arising from its own negligence or alleged negligence. In connection herewith:
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(i) City will promptly provide a defense and pay anyjudgment rendered against the City, its officers, agency or employees for any such claims or liabilities arising out of or in connection with such work, operations or activities of City hereunder; and (ii) In the event BB&K, its officers, agents or employees is made a party to any action or proceeding filed or prosecuted against City for such damages or other claims solely arising out of or in connection with the work operation or activities of City hereunder, City agrees to pay to BB&K, its officers, agents or employees any and all costs and expenses incurred by attorney, its officers, agents or employees in such action or proceeding, including, but not limited to, legal costs and attorneys’ fees.
3.21 Conflicts of Interest and Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Policies
3.21.1 BB&K covenants that neither it, nor any officer or principal of its firm, has or shall acquire any interest, directly or indirectly, which would conflict in any manner with the interests of City or which would in any way hinder BB&K’s performance of Services under this Agreement. BB&K further covenants that in the performance of this Agreement, no person having any such interest shall be employed by it as an officer, employee, agent, or subcontractor without the express written consent of the City Manager. BB&K agrees to at all times avoid conflicts with the interests of City in the performance of this Agreement.
3.21.2 City understands and acknowledges that BB&K is, as of the date of execution of this Agreement, independently involved in the performance of non-related Services for other governmental agencies and private parties. BB&K is not aware of any stated position of City relative to such projects. Any future position of City on such projects shall not be considered a conflict of interest for purposes of this section.
3.21.3 BB&K understands and acknowledges City maintains an anti-fraud and anti-corruption policy to protect the City, its operations, and its employees from and against financial risks, operational breaches, and unethical, fraudulent and corrupt activities. BB&K represents and warrants that BB&K, its subcontractor(s) / subconsultant(s) and their respective employees providing Services pursuant to the Agreement are (1) in good standing; (2) have not been previously investigated, convicted, or debarred for fraudulent or corrupt activities; (3) will not participate in fraudulent or corrupt activities, and (4) will take steps to ensure that its employees and subcontractor(s) / subconsultant(s) employees do not participate in any fraudulent or corrupt activities. BB&K acknowledges and agrees further that it has a duty to and will report to City any information or incident(s) about possible fraudulent or corrupt activities BB&K may discover, and will cooperate in any fraud or corruption investigation conducted, with respect to BB&K’s service provided pursuant to this Agreement.
3.22 Compliance with Civil Rights. During the performance of this contract, BB&K agrees as follows:
3.22.1 Equal Employment Opportunity. In connection with the execution of this Agreement, BB&K shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression as protected categories specifically and expressively in that category, physical 7
handicap, medical condition, marital status, sex, or national origin. Such actions shall include, but not be limited to, the following: employment, promotion, upgrading, demotion, or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rate of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training including apprenticeship.
3.22.2 Nondiscrimination Civil Rights Act of 1964. BB&K will comply with all federal regulations relative to nondiscrimination to federally-assisted programs.
3.22.3 Solicitations for Subcontractors including Procurement of Materials and Equipment. In all solicitations, either by competitive bidding or negotiations, made by BB&K for work to be performed under a subcontract, including procurement of materials or leases of equipment, each potential subcontractor, supplier, or lessor shall be notified by BB&K ofBB&K’s obligations under this Agreement and the regulations relative to nondiscrimination.
3.23 Standard of Performance.
3.23.1 BB&K represents and warrants that it has the qualifications, experience and facilities necessary to properly perform the Services required under this Agreement in a thorough, competent and professional manner. BB&K shall at all times faithfully, competently and to the best of its ability, experience and talent, perform all Services described herein. In meeting its obligations under this Agreement, BB&K shall employ, at a minimum, generally accepted standards and practices utilized by persons in the same or similar geographical area engaged in providing Services similar to those required of BB&K under this Agreement.
3.23.2 In order to induce City to enter into this Agreement, BB&K represents that it is duly organized, existing and in good standing under applicable state law; BB&K is licensed to perform all aspects of the Services; BB&K will employ only persons and Subconsultants with all required licenses and certifications; that BB&K is duly qualified to conduct business in the State; that BB&K has duly authorized the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Services to be performed herein; and that the Agreement does not violate or create a default under any instrument, agreement, order or decree binding on BB&K.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Client and BB&K have executed this Agreement for City Attorney Legal Services as of the date first written above. (signatures contained on following page)
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CITY
By:
Attest:
BEST
By:
SIGNATURE PAGE TO
AGREEMENT FOR CITY ATTORNEY LEGAL SERVICES
BETWEEN
CITY OF ST. HELENA
AND
BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
Date: IqIMB
Mark T. Prestwich
City Manager
Cindy Tzafopoulos
City Clerk
BEST & KRIEGER LLP
Date: ocm'w'fr11
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EXHIBIT “A”
TO
AGREEMENT FOR CITY ATTORNEY LEGAL SERVICES
BETWEEN
CITY OF ST. HELENA
AND
BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
1. Basic Legal Services - Description and Rate. Basic Legal Services shall include all services provided to Client that are not otherwise specifically identified below as either Special Legal Services, Third Party Reimbursable Legal Services, or Public Finance Legal Services (“Basic Legal Services”). The Client shall pay for Basic Legal Services at the flat rate monthly retainer amount of EIGHTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($18,000.00)
2. Special Legal Services - Description. Special Legal Services shall include the following types of services:
A. Litigation and formal administrative or other adjudicatory hearing matters B. Labor relations and non-routine employment matters
C. Non-routine real estate matters (e.g. CC&R’s, deed or title work) D. Complex land acquisition and disposal matters (including precondemnation) E. Non-routine public construction disputes
F. Non-routine contract negotiation matters (including non-BB&K model agreements and franchise agreements)
G. Non-routine and complex land use, development, and environmental (CEQA) matters
H. Water law matters (e.g. water rights & quality)
I. Complex public utility matters (e.g. electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, rail or transit that involve state or federal regulatory issues)
J. Non-routine code enforcement matters
K. Intergovernmental Relations and Advocacy efforts (e.g. legislative and regulatory representation) at the federal and state level L. Other matters mutually agreed upon between BB&K and the City Manager
3. Special Legal Services - Rates. The Client shall pay for Special Legal Services at the following rates:
Kara Ueda $285
Ethan Walsh $290
Andrew Skanchy $290
Stacey Sheston $315
Gene Tanaka $365
Christine Wood $250
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Kevin Wang
Paralegals
$260
$160-195
Other specialists may be called upon from time to time to work on matters as particular needs arise. Special Counsel work would be billed at individual rates depending upon the area of expertise. Hourly rates for those attorneys fall within the following ranges: Partners and Of Counsel range from $250 to $440 per hour, Associates range from $220 to $270 per hour.
4. Agreement Regarding Rate Categories. If BB&K believes that a matter falls within the Special Legal Services, Third Party Reimbursable Legal Services, or Public Finance Legal Services rate categories, BB&K shall seek approval from the City Manager or his/her designee.
The City Manager’s or her designee's approval of such a request from BB&K shall not be unreasonably withheld.
5. Other Billing Personnel. If, as, and when BB&K employs additional or different billing personnel, this Agreement may be supplemented by written administrative memoranda, providing for the categories and billing rates for such personnel, which memoranda may be approved by the City Manager.
6. Annual Adjustments; Other Mutual Adjustments. The rates or amounts provided for in this Appendix A shall be automatically increased as follows: Blended rates and retainer amounts will be adjusted annually using the cost of living index. At the start of the Client’s fiscal year and every year thereafter during the term of this Agreement, rates and amounts shall be increased for the change in the cost of living for the twelve (12) month period published for the most recent calendar year end, as shown by the U.S. Department of Labor in its All Urban Consumers Index set forth in the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA area, provided, however, that such adjustment shall never be lower than zero percent (0%) nor more than five percent (5%). Individual rates which are specific to individual attorneys and/or legal personnel are reviewed annually and may be increased from time to time with advanced written notice to the client. In addition to the automatic rate increases, either BB&K or the Client may initiate consideration of a rate increase at any time.
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EXHIBIT “B”
TO
AGREEMENT FOR CITY ATTORNEY LEGAL SERVICES
BETWEEN
CITY OF ST. HELENA
AND
BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
THIRD PARTY REIMBURSABLE BILLING POLICIES
1. Third Party Reimbursable Legal Services - Description. Third Party Reimbursable Legal Services shall include legal services provided to the City for which the City receives reimbursement from a developer or other third party. These reimbursable legal services include, but are not limited to, review of CC&Rs; establishment of financing districts (i.e., Community Facilities Districts; Assessment Districts; Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Districts); the processing of land use/environmental projects for which the City is entitled to reimbursement, as well as defending any challenges to project entitlements or any dispute or litigation related to such reimbursable legal services.
2. Third Party Reimbursable Legal Services - Rates. The Client shall pay for Third Party Reimbursable Legal Services at BB&K's then current published standard private client rates. Upon execution of this Agreement, BB&K shall provide a copy of its published rate schedule to the Client. BB&K shall also provide annual written updates to the Client when changes are made to the published rate schedule.
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EXHIBIT “C”
TO
AGREEMENT FOR CITY ATTORNEY LEGAL SERVICES
BETWEEN
CITY OF ST. HELENA
AND
BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
PUBLIC FINANCE & BOND BILLING POLICIES
Public Finance & Bond Rates. BB&K will provide bond counsel, special counsel or disclosure counsel services at the request of the Client. Such bond counsel and special counsel services include the preparation of all legislative approvals and legal documentation relating to the appropriate sale and delivery of the bonds, notes or other obligations. BB&K will also prepare such closing certificates and legal opinions necessary for the delivery of the bonds. As disclosure counsel, we will prepare the disclosure documents for the Client and conduct the necessary due diligence related to the transaction. Our fees will be determined based upon the type of financing and the expected involvement of the attorneys involved. We will provide the Client with a detailed description of our services and our fees and reimbursable costs upon the Client's request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in those cases where the fees are reimbursable by a third party, at BB&K's option it may proceed on an hourly basis and utilize the Third Party Reimbursable Legal Services category provided for in this Amendment, including with respect to services rendered for the formation of, or annexation to, a CFD (of either the City or other local public agency), as well as the negotiation and preparation of funding agreements and joint financing agreements. Legal services related to the Client's compliance with its continuing disclosure covenants and provide such necessary advice on the Client's compliance shall be billed as Special Legal Services, above.
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EXHIBIT “D”
TO
AGREEMENT FOR CITY ATTORNEY LEGAL SERVICES
BETWEEN
CITY OF ST. HELENA
AND
BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
BB&K BILLING POLICIES
Our century of experience has shown that the attorney-client relationship works best when there is mutual understanding about fees, expenses, billing and payment terms. Therefore, this statement is intended to explain our billing policies and procedures. Clients are encouraged to discuss with us any questions they have about these policies and procedures. Clients may direct specific questions about a bill to the attorney with whom the client works or to Michelle Stafford of our Accounting Department. Any specific billing arrangements different from those set forth below will be confirmed in a separate written agreement between the client and the firm.
Fees for Professional Services
Unless a flat fee is set forth in our engagement agreement with a client, our fees for the legal work we will undertake will be based in substantial part on time spent by personnel in our office on that client's behalf. In special circumstances which will be discussed with the client and agreed upon in writing, fees will be based upon the novelty or difficulty of the matter, or the time or other special limitations imposed by the client.
Hourly rates are set to reflect the skill and experience of the attorney or other legal personnel rendering services on the client's behalf. All legal services are billed in one-tenth of an hour (0.10/hour) or six-minute increments. Our attorneys are currently billed at rates from $220 to $440 per hour, and our administrative assistants, research assistants, municipal analysts, litigation analysts, paralegals, para professionals and law clerks are billed at rates from $150 to $290 per hour. Additional consultants and/or specialists are available as needed and their rates will be charged at the rate then in effect for such personnel. These hourly rates are reviewed annually to accommodate rising firm costs and to reflect changes in attorney status as lawyers attain new levels of legal experience. Any increases resulting from such reviews will be instituted automatically and will apply to each affected client, after advance notice.
Fees For Other Services, Costs and Expenses
We attempt to serve all our clients with the most effective support systems available. No separate charge is made for secretarial or word processing services; those costs are included within our rates. Miscellaneous expenses are covered by a standard administrative charge, currently set at four percent (4%), which covers the cost of normal photocopying, long distance telephone calls, regular mail postage, telecopy charges, and other expenses for which individual itemization is impractical. Costs specific to City matters, such as investigation and filing fees, process server
fees, required costs of travel, toll road expenses, out-of-town lodging and meals, courier and express mail services, deposition and court reporter fees, computerized legal research, and major photocopying (such as for voluminous colored copies) will be itemized and will appear as separate items on the bill.
We may need to advance costs and incur expenses on your behalf on an ongoing basis.
These items are separate and apart from attorneys' fees and, as they are out-of-pocket charges, we need to have sufficient funds on hand from you to pay them when due. We will advise the client from time to time when we expect items of significant cost to be incurred, and it is required that the client send us advances to cover those costs before they are due.
Advance Deposit Toward Fees And Costs
Because new client matters involve both a substantial undertaking by our firm and the establishment of client credit with our accounting office, we require an advance payment from clients. The amount of this advance deposit is determined on a case-by-case basis discussed first with the client, and is specified in our engagement agreement.
Upon receipt, the advance deposit will be deposited into the firm's client trust account. Our monthly billings will reflect such applications of the advance deposit to costs and not to attorney’s fees. At the end of engagement, we will apply any remaining balance first to costs and then to fees. We also reserve the right to require increases or renewals of these advanced deposits.
By signing the initial engagement agreement, each client is agreeing that trust account balances may be withdrawn and applied to costs as they are incurred and to our billings, after presentation to the client. If we succeed in resolving your matter before the amounts deposited are used, any balance will be promptly refunded.
Monthly Invoices and Payment
Best Best & Krieger LLP provides our clients with monthly invoices for legal services performed and expenses incurred. Invoices are due and payable upon receipt.
Each monthly invoice reflects both professional and other fees for services rendered through the end of the prior month, as well as expenses incurred on the client's behalf that have been processed by the end of the prior month. Processing of some expenses is delayed until the next month and billed thereafter.
Our fees are not contingent upon any aspect of the matter and are due upon receipt. All billings are due and payable within ten days of presentation unless the full amount is covered by the balance of an advance held in our trust account. If a bill is not paid within 30 days, a late charge of one percent per month on the unpaid invoice shall be added to the balance owed, commencing with the next statement and continuing until paid.
It is our policy to treat every question about a bill promptly and fairly. It is also our policy that if a client does not pay an invoice within 60 days of mailing, we assume the client is, for 15
whatever reason, refusing to pay. We will then advise the client by letter that the client may pay the invoice within 14 days or the firm will take appropriate steps to withdraw as attorney ofrecord.
If the delay is caused by a problem in the invoice, we must rely upon the client to raise that with us during the 14-day period. This same policy applies to fee arrangements which require the client to replenish fee deposits or make deposits for anticipated costs.
From time to time clients have questions about the format ofthe bill or description of work performed. If you have any such questions, please ask them when you receive the bill so we may address them on a current basis.
Changes in Fee Arrangements and Budgets
It may be necessary under certain circumstances for a client to increase the size ofrequired advances for fees after the commencement of our engagement and depending upon the scope of the work. For example, prior to a protracted trial or hearing, the firm may require a further advance payment to the firm's trust account sufficient to cover expected fees. Any such changes in fee arrangements will be discussed with the client and mutually agreed in writing.
Because of the uncertainties involved, any estimates of anticipated fees that we provide at the request of a client for budgeting purposes, or otherwise, can only be an approximation of potential fees.
BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
Agendas Report to the City Council
Agenda Section: CONSENT ITEMS
Department: Public Works Department
DATE: June 23, 2026
FROM: Mario Traverso, Project Manager
SUBJECT: Consideration and Proposed Adoption of a Resolution Adopting a List of Projects for Fiscal Year 2026-27 funded by SB1: The Road and Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
Staff recommends approval of the attached resolution.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
PURPOSE:
The purpose is to approve the Fiscal Year 2026-27 project list funded by SB1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: It is anticipated that the City will receive $151,823 in Fiscal Year 2026-27, which will be allocated to the projects identified in the report.
CEQA DETERMINATION: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) BACKGROUND:
On April 28, 2017, the Governor signed Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. SB 1 increases per gallon fuel excise taxes; increases diesel fuel sales taxes and vehicle registration fees; and provides for inflationary adjustments to tax rates in future years.
A percentage of Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) account funding is apportioned by formula to eligible cities and counties pursuant to Streets and Highways Code Section 2032(h) for basic road maintenance, rehabilitation, and critical safety projects on the local streets and roads system.
Prior to receiving an apportionment of RMRA funds for FY 2026-27, the City is required to submit to the California Transportation Commission a list of projects to be eligible to receive RMRA funds in FY 2026-27 no later than July 1, 2026. The list of projects proposed to be funded with these funds shall include:
• A description of the project;
• The location of each proposed project;
• A proposed schedule for each project's completion; and
• The estimated useful life of the improvement.
DISCUSSION:
The City must adopt by resolution a list of projects to be made eligible to receive fiscal year funding from RMRA no later than July 1st. This is the seventh year in which the City is receiving SB 1 funding and will enable the City to continue essential road maintenance and rehabilitation projects, safety improvements, repairing and replacing aging bridges, and increasing access and mobility options for the traveling public that would not have otherwise been possible without SB 1. The City is recommending continuing the Downtown Sidewalk and Pedestrian Project, the Napa Valley Vine Trail: Gap Closure Yountville to St. Helena Project, R26-79 Pavement Restoration Project, and R24-02 Oak Avenue Rehabilitation Project on the FY 2026-27 project list.
The recommended action to adopt the project list will ensure the City continues to receive SB 1 revenues. The SB 1 funds carryover from year to year and any unused funds can be spent on other City-funded projects in accordance with local needs and priorities so long as the projects are consistent with SB 1 and adopted by City Council.
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the SB 1 Street Project List for FY 2026-27 in order to meet the July 1, 2026 deadline.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
None.
GOAL:
Goal 2: Improve Infrastructure & Further Environmental Sustainability ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution - SB 1 Project List v1
2. Exhibit A - SB1 Project List
CITY OF ST. HELENA
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
ADOPTING A LIST OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR
2026/27 FUNDED BY SB1: THE ROAD REPAIR AND
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017.
RECITALS
A. Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017) was passed by the Legislature and Signed into law by the Governor in April 2017 to address the significant multi-modal transportation funding shortfalls statewide; and
B. SB 1 includes accountability and transparency provisions that will ensure the residents of our City are aware of the projects proposed for funding in our community and which projects have been completed each fiscal year; and C. The City must adopt by resolution a list of projects proposed to receive fiscal year funding from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA), created by SB 1, which must include a description and the location of each proposed project, a proposed schedule for the project’s completion, and the estimated useful life of the improvement; and
D. The City, will receive an estimated $151,823 in RMRA funding in Fiscal Year 2026- 27 from SB 1; and
E. This is the eighth year in which the City is receiving SB 1 funding and will enable the City to continue essential road maintenance and rehabilitation projects, safety improvements, repairing and replacing aging bridges, and increasing access and mobility options for the traveling public that would not have otherwise been possible without SB 1; and
F. The City has undergone a robust public process to ensure public input into our community’s transportation priorities/the project list; and G. The funding from SB 1 will help the City maintain and rehabilitate streets, roads, bridges, add active transportation infrastructure throughout the City this year and similar projects into the future; and
H. The 2018 California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment found that the City’s streets and roads are in an at-risk condition and this revenue will help
the City increase the overall quality of our road system and over the next decade will bring our streets and roads into good to excellent condition; and I. The SB 1 project list and overall investment in our local streets and roads infrastructure with a focus on basic maintenance and safety, investing in complete streets infrastructure, and using cutting-edge technology, materials, and practices, will have significant positive co-benefits statewide; and J. The project is exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to Section 15301, Class 1, which exempts the operation, leasing, or minor alteration of existing facilities.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of St. Helena resolves as follows:
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct; and
2. The following list of proposed projects in Exhibit “A” will be funded in-part or solely with fiscal year 2026/27 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account revenues.
Approved at a Regular Meeting of the St. Helena City Council on June 23, 2026, by the following vote:
Mayor Dohring: __________
Vice Mayor Deasy: __________
Council Member Barak: __________
Council Member Spadarotto: __________
Council Member Diaz: __________
APPROVED: ATTEST:
________________________ ________________________
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
Project Details
Start Complete Min Max
Downtown Sidewalk and Pedestrian
Project - Phase I / Phase II
This project will include: Project includes design and construction of the downtown sidewalk and pedestrian improvement project. Improvements include replacing sidewalks, curb ramps, bulb outs, landscape and utilites. | Project has been delayed due to the pandemic, staffing vacancies, and funding requirements Main Street (Highway 29) from Mitchell Drive to Pine Street Construction Carried Over
23/24
25-Aug 26-Mar 15 30 4 3
Napa Valley Vine Trail: Yountville to St. Helena
This project will include: Cost Estimating, Preliminary Design | Project will include design and construction of the Napa Valley Vine Trail. Improvements include the installation of pedestrian and bicycle facilities through the City of St. Helenacorridor.
Main Street, Oak Avenue,
and Railroad Avenue in City of St. Helena.
PreConstruction Carried Over 23/25 26-Jan 27-Jan 15 30 4 3 R26-79 Pavement Restoration Project
This project will include: Pavement restoration, ADA curb ramps, striping, complete streets.
Various Locations Construction New Jul-25 Dec-25 15 30 4 3 R24-02 Oak Avenue Rehabiliation
This project will include: Pavement restoration, ADA curb ramps, striping, complete streets.
Oak Avenue from Madron Avenue to Mitchell Drive
Construction Carried Over
25/26
Oct-26 Jan-27 15 30 4 3
Est. Schedule Useful Life
Title Description Location Component Priority Status Assem Senate
Agendas Report to the City Council
Agenda Section: CONSENT ITEMS
Department: Community Development Department - Planning Division DATE: June 23, 2026
FROM: Natalie Bresee, Assistant Planner
SUBJECT: Consideration and Recommended adoption of a Resolution authorizing a two-year agreement with the Housing Authority of the City of Napa for contract housing services in a baseline amount not-to-exceed $131,450 for the two-year period starting on July 1, 2026, and authorizing up to $20,000 for additional housingrelated services for Fiscal Year 2027-28.
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
Adopt the Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a two-year agreement with the Housing Authority of the City of Napa for contract housing services for Fiscal Years 2026-27 and 2027- 28, in a baseline amount not to exceed $131,450, and authorizing the City Manager to approve up to $20,000 in additional housingrelated services during FY2027-28, as needed.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
July 23, 2024 - Approval of STH Contract: FY2025-001 for services rendered in FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26.
STATEMENT OF THE
PURPOSE:
The purpose is to approve a two-year agreement starting July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, with the Housing Authority of the City of Napa to provide housing services to the City of St. Helena.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The baseline Financial Impact is $131,450 for the two-year period beginning July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. Funding for FY 2026-27 in the amount of $64,650 is included in the adopted FY 2026-27 Operating Budget utilizing General Fund. Funding for FY 2027-28 in the amount of $66,800 will be included in the FY 2027- 28 Operating Budget utilizing General Fund, subject to Council appropriation. The Resolution also authorizes the City Manager to approve up to $20,000 in additional housing-related services during FY 2027-28, if needed, to be funded through the Measure E Affordable Housing Fund.
CEQA DETERMINATION: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) BACKGROUND:
In 2008, the Napa Valley Housing Authority Joint Powers Agreement was dissolved and the
City of St. Helena entered into a separate agreement with the Housing Authority of the City of Napa (HACN). Since that time, the HACN has provided services related to affordable housing occupancy certifications, annual owner verification and eligibility, administration of the lottery process for new affordable housing units, technical assistance to the City related to development agreements, countywide homelessness representation, and other specific requests for technical assistance. HACN and the City have continued this contractual relationship and have a strong and productive working relationship.
The existing two-year agreement STH Contract: FY2025-001 spanned FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 for a total amount not-to-exceed $122,450.
DISCUSSION:
Baseline Rate
The Housing Authority of the City of Napa provides valuable affordable housing services to the City of St. Helena that existing staff does not have the expertise to provide. HACN has prepared a new two-year agreement to continue to provide housing-related services to the City of St. Helena. These services currently include management of Section 8 housing and continuum of care services, regulatory agreement monitoring, review of development projects and proposed affordable housing regulatory agreements, and additional services that are mutually agreed upon. The proposed baseline cost for FY 2026-27 is $64,650 and for FY 2027-28 is $66,800, for a baseline two-year amount not-to-exceed of $131,450.
Additional Services
The current Scope of Services and Monitoring Detail are based on identified affordable housing projects and unit counts known at the time the agreement was prepared. However, additional deed-restricted affordable housing units may be completed, leased, or otherwise become subject to monitoring before the agreement expires on June 30, 2028. Section 3(c) of the proposed agreement allows the City to request additional housing-related services beyond the scope of work identified in Exhibit A and the specific projects and unit counts identified in Exhibit B. These services may include lease-up certification, review of compliance reports, tenant eligibility documentation, and related monitoring for new or additional deed-restricted units.
Additional services would be billed on a time-and-materials basis using the Housing Authority's fully burdened hourly rates. The proposed Resolution authorizes the City Manager to approve up to $20,000 in additional services during FY 2027-28, providing limited flexibility to address new affordable housing monitoring obligations during the two-year term without requiring a separate Council action for each additional unit or project.
Any additional services would be funded through Measure E revenues, which are restricted to affordable and workforce housing programs and services. Measure E revenues are maintained in a separate account and may only be used for activities that increase, preserve, or improve housing opportunities for eligible households within the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
This action is not a project subject to CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378
because it involves approval of an agreement for administrative housing services and does not have the potential to result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
GOAL:
Goal 5: Enhance Quality of Life
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2026 - Housing Authority Agreement Resolution
2. DRAFT - St Helena - Housing Services Contract
CITY OF ST. HELENA
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XXX
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TWO-YEAR AGREEMENT FOR FY
2026-27 AND FY 2027-28 WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE
CITY OF NAPA TO CONTINUE THEIR SERVICES AS THE CONTRACT HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THE CITY OF ST. HELENA IN A BASELINE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $131,450, AND AUTHORIZING UP TO
$20,000 FOR ADDITIONAL HOUSING-RELATED SERVICES DURING
FY 2027-28.
A. The City of St. Helena desires to obtain housing services from the Housing Authority of the City of Napa (HACN) during Fiscal Year 2026-27 and Fiscal Year 2027-28; and B. The City and HACN desire to enter into a two-year agreement for HACN to provide housing related services effective July 1, 2026 in an amount not-to-exceed $131,450 subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST. HELENA AS FOLLOWS:
1. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a two-year agreement with the Housing Authority of the City of Napa to continue their services as the contract housing authority for the City of St. Helena in in the amount of $64,650 for FY 2026-27 and $66,800 for FY 2027-28, for a total baseline amount not to exceed $131,450; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to approve additional housing-related services provided by the Housing Authority of the City of Napa, as may be requested by the City pursuant to Section 3(c) of the Agreement, in an amount not to exceed $20,000 during FY 2027-28; and
3. Funding is provided as follows:
Funding Details Fund GL Account Amount
FY 2026-27: Previously
authorized in FY 2026-27
Operating Budget
General Fund 101-40-00-24-05 $64,650
FY 2027-28: New appropriation
to be included in FY 2027-28
Operating Budget
General Fund 101-40-00-24-05 $66,800
FY 2027-28: Contingency
authorization for additional
housing-related services, if
Measure E
Affordable
Housing Fund
751-45-00-21-45 Up to
$20,000
needed and approved by the
City Manager pursuant to
Section 3(c) of the Agreement
Approved at a Regular Meeting of the St. Helena City Council on June 23, 2026 by the following vote:
Mayor Dohring:
Vice Mayor Deasy:
Council Member Barak:
Council Member Diaz:
Council Member Spadarotto:
APPROVED: ATTEST:
______________________ ________________________
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES BY AND BETWEEN THE
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF NAPA AND
THE CITY OF ST. HELENA
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF NAPA AGREEMENT NO. _____ CITY OF ST. HELENA AGREEMENT NO. _____
THIS AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of July 1, 2026 (“Effective Date”), by and between the HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF NAPA, a public body, corporate and politic (the "Authority"), and the CITY OF ST. HELENA, a municipal corporation (the “City”) under the joint exercise of powers provisions of the Government Code of the State of California, California Government Code Section 6500-6536. City and Authority are public entities organized and operating under the laws of the State of California and each is a public entity as defined in California Government Code Section 6500. The Authority and City are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the City desires to obtain housing services from the Authority during the Fiscal Year 2026 – 2027 and Fiscal Year 2027 – 2028, and the Authority is willing to provide such services to the City subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
TERMS
NOW, THEREFORE, City and Authority agree as follows:
1. Term of the Agreement. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall expire on June 30, 2028 (the “Term”) unless earlier terminated in accordance with Paragraphs 7 or 8 of this Agreement.
2. Scope of Services. Authority shall perform the services described in the Scope of Services in Exhibit “A”, attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein (the “Services”).
3. Compensation.
(a) Baseline Rates. In consideration of Authority’s performance of the Services, the City shall pay to Authority the baseline rate (“Baseline Rate”) of Sixty-Four Thousand Six Hundred Fifty Dollars ($64,650.00) for fiscal year 2026–2027 and Sixty-Six Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($66,800.00) for fiscal year 2027–2028.
(b) Maximum Annual Compensation. The total compensation for the Services provided by Authority to the City under this Agreement shall not exceed $64,650.00 for fiscal year 2026- 2027 or $66,800.00 for fiscal year 2027-2028 as detailed in the following table:
COMPENSATION BREAKDOWN
Service Provided FY2026-27 Cost FY2027-28 Cost Total Cost HACN Baseline Housing Services (Baseline
Rate) $64,650 $66,800 $131,450
City of St. Helena
Services Agreement FY 2026-2028
(c) Rate for Additional Services. If the City authorizes Authority to perform services that are not included in the Scope of Services set forth in Exhibit “A” (“Additional Services”), Authority will be compensated for the Additional Services on a time and materials basis. The rate for Authority’s time for the Additional Services shall be the then-current fully burdened overhead rate (the “Fully Burdened Overhead Rate”) for the employee performing the Additional Services. The Fully Burdened Overhead Rate is an hourly billable rate that captures all Authority costs (direct and indirect) associated with an employee, over and above gross compensation or payroll costs. Typical costs associated with the Fully Burdened Overhead Rate include payroll taxes, worker's compensation, health insurance, paid time off, pension contributions, other benefits, and indirect costs including departmental and citywide administrative overhead allocations. The applicable Fully Burdened Overhead Rate will depend on the Authority employee performing the Additional Services as each employee has a different Fully Burdened Overhead Rate that is calculated based on that particular employee’s salary and benefits. (d) Invoices for Additional Services. Authority will submit a monthly itemized invoice to the City for any Additional Services provided by the Authority during the preceding month. The City will pay the Authority within 30 days after approval of each invoice.
4. Method of Payment. The Authority shall provide to City an invoice for payment for the Services on the following dates and in the following amounts:
(a) On July 1, 2026, an invoice equal to 50% of the Baseline Rate for fiscal year 2026-2027 in the amount of $32,325.00; and
(b) On January 1, 2027, a second invoice for the remaining 50% of the Baseline Rate for fiscal year 2026-2027 in the amount of $32,325.00.
(c) On July 1, 2027, a third invoice for 50% of the Baseline Rate for fiscal year 2027-2028 in the amount of $33,400.00; and
(d) On January 1, 2028, a fourth invoice for the remaining 50% of the Baseline Rate for fiscal year 2027-2028 in the amount of $33,400.00
City shall pay the Authority within thirty (30) days following receipt of an invoice.
5. Independent Contractor. The Authority shall perform the Services under this Agreement as an independent contractor. The Authority and the officers, agents and employees of Authority are not, and shall not be deemed, City employees for any purpose, including workers' compensation. The Authority shall determine the method and manner by which the Services shall be performed. The Authority and its officers, employees and agents shall not be entitled to any of the benefits accorded to a City employee.
City shall not deduct or withhold any amounts whatsoever from the compensation paid to the Authority, including, but not limited to amounts required to be withheld for state and federal taxes. The Authority shall be solely responsible for all such payments.
6. Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, City shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Authority and its elected and appointed officials, officers, agents and employees from and against any and all liability or claims (including actions, demands, damages, injuries, settlements, losses, or costs [including legal costs and attorney's fees]) (collectively, “Liability”) of any nature, arising out of,
City of St. Helena
Services Agreement FY 2026-2028
pertaining to, or relating to City’s acts or omissions under this Agreement. Consistent with Civil Code Section 2782, City will not be obligated to indemnify Authority for the proportionate share of the Liability caused by the Authority’s active negligence, sole negligence, or willful misconduct. City’s indemnification obligations under this Agreement are not limited by any limitations of any insurance held by City, including, but not limited to, workers’ compensation insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Authority shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless City and its elected and appointed officials, officers, agents and employees from and against any Liability of any nature, arising out of, pertaining to, or relating to the Authority’s acts or omissions under this Agreement. Consistent with Civil Code Section 2782, Authority will not be obligated to indemnify City for the proportionate share of the Liability caused by the City’s active negligence, sole negligence, or willful misconduct. Authority’s indemnification obligations under this Agreement are not limited by any limitations of any insurance held by Authority, including, but not limited to, workers’ compensation insurance.
7. Termination for Cause. If either party shall fail to fulfill in a timely and proper manner that party's obligations under this Agreement or otherwise breach this Agreement, the non-defaulting party may, in addition to any other remedies it may have, terminate this Agreement by giving fifteen (15) days written notice to the defaulting party in the manner set forth in Paragraph 11 (Notices).
8. Termination for the Convenience of a Party. This Agreement may be terminated by either party for any reason and at any time by giving no less than thirty (30) days prior written notice of such termination to the other party and specifying the effective date thereof.
9. Payment for Work upon Expiration or Termination. In the event of termination for cause under Paragraph 7 or termination for the convenience of a party under Paragraph 8, Authority shall be entitled to receive compensation for any satisfactory Services and/or Additional Services provided by the Authority prior to the effective date of the notice subject to the maximum amount set forth in Paragraph 3(b). In the event the termination results in the Authority receiving payment in an amount that exceeds the amount due to Authority for the Services provided under this Agreement, City shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for any overpayment from Authority.
10. No Waiver. The waiver by either party of any breach or violation of any requirement of this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any such breach in the future, or of the breach of any other requirement of this Agreement.
11. Notices. All notices required or authorized by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered in person or by deposit in the United States mail, by first class mail, postage prepaid. Any mailed notice, demand, request, consent, approval or communication that either party desires to give the other party shall be addressed to the other party at the address set forth below. Either party may change its address by notifying the other party of the change of address. Any notice sent by mail in the manner prescribed by this paragraph shall be deemed to have been received on the date noted on the return receipt or five days following the date of deposit, whichever is earlier.
AUTHORITY CITY OF ST. HELENA
Housing Manager Jim McCann, Interim City Manager
Housing Authority of the City of Napa City of St. Helena P.O. Box 660 1572 Railroad Avenue
Napa, CA 94559 St. Helena, CA 94574
City of St. Helena
Services Agreement FY 2026-2028
12. Confidentiality. Confidential information is defined as all information disclosed to the Authority which relates to City past, present, and future activities, as well as activities under this Agreement.
Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 15, as directed by the City Manager or designee thereof, or when required by the California Public Records Act, a subpoena or by court order, the Authority shall hold all such information as the Authority may receive, if any, in trust and confidence.
13. Amendment/Modification. Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement may be modified or amended only in a writing signed by the Parties.
14. Compliance with Laws. In the performance of this Agreement, the Authority shall observe and comply with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, ordinances, and codes.
15. Access to Records/Retention. City shall have access to any books, documents, papers and records of the Authority prepared or obtained by the Authority when providing the Services under this Agreement. Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement the Authority shall return all such records to City unless otherwise directed by City to retain or dispose of such records, except that with the written permission of City, the Authority may keep a copy of such records as long as such copy is maintained in confidence and is returned to City or its successor agency to be destroyed upon notification to Authority that City has authorized destruction of the original records.
16. Attorney's Fees. In the event that either party commences legal action of any kind or character to either enforce the provisions of this Agreement or to obtain damages for breach thereof, the prevailing party in such litigation shall be entitled to all costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred in connection with such action.
17. Interpretation. The headings used herein are for reference. The terms of the Agreement are set out in the text under the headings. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California.
18. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement, or any portion thereof, is found by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid for any reason, such provision shall be severable and shall not in any way impair the enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
19. Entirety of Contract. This Agreement, together with “Exhibits A and B” attached hereto and incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties relating to the subject of this Agreement and supersedes all previous agreements, promises, representations, understandings and negotiations, whether written or oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each one of which is deemed an original, but all of which together constitute a single instrument.
21. Privileges and Immunities. In accordance with California Government Code section 6513, all of the privileges and immunities from liability, all exemptions from laws, ordinances and rules, and all pension, relief, disability, workmen’s compensation, and other benefits which apply to the activity of the trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Parties when performing their functions within the territorial limits of their respective public agencies, shall apply to them to the same degree and extent while engaged in the performance of any of their functions and duties associated with performance of this Agreement.
City of St. Helena
Services Agreement FY 2026-2028
22. Signatures; Electronic Signatures. The individuals executing this Agreement represent and warrant that they have the right, power, legal capacity, and authority to enter into and to execute this Agreement on behalf of the respective legal entities of the Authority and the City. The parties agree that this Agreement may be executed and transmitted electronically and that electronic signatures shall have the same force and effect as original signatures in accordance with the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.; the California Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, Civil Code Section 1633.1 et seq. and California Government Code Section 16.5. [Signature page follows.]
City of St. Helena
Services Agreement FY 2026-2028
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement was executed by the Parties as of the date first above written.
CITY:
CITY OF ST. HELENA, a municipal corporation
By: ________________________________________
JIM MCCANN, Interim City Manager
ATTEST:
By: ________________________________________
ANDREW BRADLEY, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By: ________________________________________
ETHAN WALSH, City Attorney
AUTHORITY:
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF NAPA, a public body, corporate and politic By: ________________________________________
STEVE POTTER, Executive Director
COUNTERSIGNED:
By: ___________________________________
ERIKA LEAHY, Deputy City Auditor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By: _____________________________________
CHRISTOPHER DIAZ, Interim Authority General Counsel
City of St. Helena
Services Agreement FY 2026-2028
EXHIBIT “A”
Scope of Services
WORK PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
A. COUNTYWIDE ACTIVITIES
1. Section 8 Housing Services Administer HUD-funded very low income rental housing assistance program in the
City of Napa (88%) and countywide (12%).
2. Continuum of Care Participate in Countywide Continuum of Care for delivery of homeless services &
projects.
B. STANDARD HOUSING SERVICES
1. Regulatory Agreement Monitoring Provide annual monitoring of affordable units listed in Exhibit B for compliance
with City regulatory agreements.
2. Review development projects Provide technical assistance reviewing proposed housing developments to
maximize affordability and number of
affordable housing units.
3. Loan Servicing Provide loan servicing and owneroccupancy monitoring for HOME rehab loans.
4. Affordable Housing Regulatory Agreements Review affordable housing agreements & make recommendations on improvements
to the agreement.
5. Annual Meeting with Staff and Council Report on housing activities provided under this Agreement each year.
C. ADDITIONAL HOUSING SERVICES
1. Additional Services Additional Services are not covered by this Scope of Work. Authority shall be
compensated for any Additional Services
mutually agreed to by the parties in
accordance with paragraph 3(c).
City of St. Helena
Services Agreement FY 2026-2028
EXHIBIT “B”
MONITORING DETAIL
Project Type
Affordable
Units Task Description
Single Family-Ownership
Marietta Townhomes BMR 10 Annually
Mail out owner occupancy certification,
verify insurance & taxes paid. Follow-up
when necessary. Update owner
database
Wallis BMR 20 Annually
Mail out owner occupancy certification,
verify insurance & taxes paid. Follow-up
when necessary. Update owner
database
Magnolia Oaks BMR 2 Annually
Mail out owner occupancy certification,
verify insurance & taxes paid. Follow-up
when necessary. Update owner
database
Sherwin Project BMR 1 Annually
Mail out owner occupancy certification,
verify insurance & taxes paid. Follow-up
when necessary. Update owner
database
HOME and CDBG Loans Rehab 20* Annually
Loan servicing & owner occupancy
certification, verify insurance and taxes
or HCD registration paid. Follow-up
when necessary. Update Rehab
database.
RENTAL HOUSING
723 Hunt Avenue Apt. 4 Annually
Review Property Owners annual report
and tenant certification forms for
compliance with Regulatory Agreement.
Update database.
957 Hunt Street Studio 2 Annually
Review Property Owners annual report
and tenant certification forms for
compliance with Regulatory Agreement.
Update database.
1421 Railroad Avenue Apt. 1 Annually
Review Property Owners annual report
and tenant certification forms for
compliance with Regulatory Agreement.
Update database.
City of St. Helena
Services Agreement FY 2026-2028
Magnolia Oaks Apt. 10 Annually
Review Property Owners annual report
and tenant certification forms for
compliance with Regulatory Agreement.
Update database.
Magnolia Oaks
2nd
units 6 Annually
Mail out project compliance report and
review tenant information for
compliance with Regulatory Agreement.
Update project database.
Turley Flats Apt. 8 Annually
Mail out project compliance report and
review tenant information for
compliance with Regulatory Agreement.
Update project database.
Grayson Apt. 2 Annually
Mail out project compliance report and
review tenant information for
compliance with Regulatory Agreement.
Update project database.
Stonebridge Apts. Apt. 80 Annually
Mail out project compliance report and
review tenant information for
compliance with Regulatory Agreement.
Update project database.
Gamble Grove Apt. 10 Annually
Mail out project compliance report and
review tenant information for
compliance with Regulatory Agreement.
Update project database.
Additional affordable housing
units TBD up to 16** Annually
Lease up certification. Mail out project
compliance report and review tenant
information for compliance with
Regulatory Agreement. Update project
database.
*Number of loans may increase or decrease over the term of the contract
**Affordable units beyond number identified above shall be billed on a time and material basis in accordance with paragraph 3(c)
BMR: Below Market Rate
Agendas Report to the City Council
Agenda Section: CONSENT ITEMS
Department: Public Works Department
DATE: June 23, 2026
FROM: Ian Dale, Environmental Serv Tech
SUBJECT: May 2026 Review and Forecasting of City Water Supply Availability
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
Receive and File.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
Monthly receive and file reports to City Council.
STATEMENT OF THE
PURPOSE:
To provide monthly updates of the amount of water produced at the Louis Stralla Water Treatment Plant and the Stonebridge Water Wells, and potable water delivered from the City of Napa.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
CEQA DETERMINATION: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) BACKGROUND:
The City of St. Helena publishes a monthly water report on the City website (https://www.cityofsthelena.gov/330/W). The report includes the amount of water produced at the Louis Stralla Water Treatment Plant and the Stonebridge Potable Water Wells, as well as potable water delivered from the City of Napa. In addition to presenting data on the amount of water delivered monthly, the report includes year-to-date information and prior year data.
Water elevation and capacity at the Bell Canyon Reservoir is included, as well as information on rainfall and monthly weather temperatures.
DISCUSSION:
City staff has developed a forecasting tool to facilitate its ability to optimize water use and track water availability. Included as an attachment is the Monthly Water Report for May 2026. The water produced for May 2026 is up by 22% when compared to May 2025, and is down by 13% compared to the average of May 2018-2020. The chart below summarizes the water produced per source:
Source Average May May
(2018-2020) 2025 2026
(Acre-Feet) (Acre-Feet) (Acre-Feet)
Bell Canyon 49 22.16 24.62
Stonebridge 31 22.97 40.53
Wells
Napa Water 61 54.1 56.19
Total : 141 99.23 121.34
• Percent change from May 2025: 22%
• Percent change from average of May 2018-2020: -13%
Bell Canyon Reservoir
The City is not in water emergency condition based upon Phase 1 Water Emergency measures being terminated by City Council through adoption of Resolution No. 2023-94 on July 25, 2023. Bell Canyon Reservoir has adequate water to support the City's needs through this calendar year. The storage in the Bell Canyon graph (Attachment 2) has been revised to include historic reservoir supply levels since July 2021. It also shows the water availability forecast through June 2027 based on the highest water usage during a non-drought year (FY 19/20) and 10 inches of rainfall (lowest recorded).
As of June 1, 2026, Bell Canyon Reservoir's elevation was at 420.67 feet, representing approximately 2,282.87 acre-feet (AF) and 95.77% capacity. Bell Canyon spillway level is 422 feet, representing 2,383.69 AF in water supply volume. Below is a chart comparing Bell Canyon Elevation levels, water supply availability in acre feet, and percent capacity of the reservoir on June 1 in 2024, 2025, and 2026:
Year 2024 2025 2026
Bell Canyon Elevation Level (ft) 421.44 420.87 420.67
Acre-Feet 2,341.24 2,298.03 2,282.87
Percent Capacity 98.2 96.4 95.77
As a follow-up to the May 24, 2022, City Council meeting, staff developed a graph (Attachment 3) highlighting the relationship between the reservoir elevation level and water supply availability in acre-feet. The graph shows the current status of the reservoir. Furthermore, the graph also displays the points where City Council decided to declare Phase I and Phase II Water Emergencies in 2020.
Continued Water Conservation
California experienced two consecutive dry years: 2020 and 2021. Due to the combination of warmer-than-average temperatures and minimal precipitation in the state, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) declared 2021 as the fourth-driest year on record statewide. The record-breaking dry period in January and February 2022, and the absence of significant rains in March 2022, required DWR to reduce anticipated deliveries from the State Water Project (SWP). However, the reduction at the time did not affect St. Helena as the City has multiple robust water sources not affected by the executive order. Water availability from the Bell
Canyon reservoir is based on the City's State Water Rights permit and not the SWP. The City has not received any curtailment order from DWR nor does the City anticipate receiving one.
It should be noted that on July 25, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023- 94 to formally end the Phase I Water Emergency. The projected demand on the system versus the anticipated rainfall over the next year reflects an available supply in Bell Canyon of approximately 1,895 AF, significantly above the 1,481 AF standard for declaration of a Phase I Water Emergency. Staff will monitor statewide and local drought conditions, weather conditions, and provide updates on a monthly basis. The corresponding staff report provided a variety of data to reflect the disposition of the water supply at that time in relation to the Council-adopted Safe Yield Policy.
City of Napa Water Supply
Normal operations continue at Rutherford Pump Station and the City is taking delivery of the allotment purchased from the City of Napa. During the month of May 2026, Rutherford Pump Station produced an average of 0.59 MG/day of water, for a total of 56.19 acre-feet for the month.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
NA
GOAL:
Goal 3: Pursue Water Security & Sustainable Management of Water Resources ATTACHMENTS:
1. Attachment 2 - Bell Canyon Water Storage Forecast
2. Attachment 3 - Bell Canyon Reservoir Storage Phase I II
3. Attachment 4 - Bell Canyon Historical Elevation Levels
4. Attachment 5 - Bell Canyon Reservoir Historical Storage Elevations
5. MWR May 1-31 2026
CITY OF ST. HELENA
MONTHLY WATER REPORT
CC: CC __X__ PC__X__ FILE _____
RECEIVED: _____ BY: __
LOUIS STRALLA
WATER PLANT
TK #1 & #2
ADJUST
24.62 8.02 -0.14
20.4% -0.4%
39.52 MG MG
n/a MG MG
n/a MG MG
1.27 MG MG
30.2 MG 37.9 MG
% %
320.98 AF 32.9% 275.12 AF 26.4%
104.55 MG 89.62 MG
439.18 AF 45.1% 475.56 AF 45.6%
143.06 MG 154.91 MG
214.01 AF 22.0% 292.68 AF 28.1%
69.71 MG 95.34 MG
TOTAL WATER PRODUCED 974.17 AF 100.0% 1043.36 AF 100.0%
DELIVERY (ALL)
849.92 AF 907.87 AF
0.13 0.02
420.67 FT. FT.
-0.49 FT. FT.
2282.87 AF AF
95.7 % %
3.60 IN IN
54.14 IN IN
DISCLAIMER: The data presented in this report is approximate and for informational purposes only.
Updates will be provided if any errors are identified.
-0.44
May 1-31, 2026
STONEBRIDGE
POTABLE
WELLS
SBW
IRRIGATION
WATER
NAPA WATER
THIS YEAR LAST YEAR
AMOUNT PRODUCED in AF 40.53 0.46 56.19
AMOUNT PRODUCED in MG 13.20 0.15 18.30
PERCENT 33.5% 46.5%
WATER PRODUCED DELIVERY (AGGREGATE)
TOTAL PRODUCED THIS PERIOD 32.32
MAXIMUM DAILY PRODUCED n/a
MINIMUM DAILY PRODUCED n/a
AVERAGE DAILY PRODUCED 1.04
WATER YEAR TOTALS
WATER BILLED
TOTAL BILLED THIS PERIOD
THIS YEAR LAST YEAR
THIS FISCAL YEAR LAST FISCAL YEAR
LOUIS STRALLA WATER PLANT
NAPA WATER
STONEBRIDGE POTABLE WELLS
SBW IRRIGATION WATER
THIS MONTH THIS MONTH, LAST YR.
TOTAL WATER BILLED
ELEVATION BELL CANYON RESERVOIR 420.87
STONEBRIDGE APARTMENTS MG/May. 1 -31 n/a MG/May. 1-31
WATER ELEVATION, CAPACITY & RAINFALL
THIS FISCAL YEAR LAST FISCAL YEAR
NAPA VALLEY COLLEGE MG/May. 1 -31 0.10 MG/May. 1-31
TEMPERATURES
MONTHLY RISE OR DROP -1.01
CAPACITY AT END OF PERIOD 2298.03
PERCENT OF FULL CAPACITY 96.4
RAINFALL IN THIS PERIOD 0.00
TOTAL RAINFALL SEASON TO DATE 48.18
THIS MONTH, THIS YEAR THIS MONTH, LAST YR.
DEGREES IN FAHRENHEIT 49.3-89 47.8-97.8
AVERAGE 69.15 72.8
REMARKS
City of Napa Water Delivery: RPS producing an average of 0.59 MG/day during May 2026.
Agendas Report to the City Council
Agenda Section: CONSENT ITEMS
Department: City Clerk
DATE: June 23, 2026
FROM: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk)
SUBJECT: Approval of a Resolution of the City Council of the City of St.
Helena, State of California, Calling and Giving Notice of a General Municipal Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026; Requesting the Consolidation by the Napa County Supervisors for the Statewide General Election and that Napa County Provide Election Services with full Reimbursement by the City of St.
Helena.
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
Approve the resolutions:
• Resolution calling for election of Mayor and two (2) City Council Members
• Resolution for consolidated election for Mayor and two (2) City Council members
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
N/A
STATEMENT OF THE
PURPOSE:
Call for the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The costs to consolidate the General Municipal Election with the General Election will be reimbursed to Napa County Elections Division after the final election results are confirmed and certified.
Total estimated costs for the election have been budgeted for up to $60,000 in the City Clerk's FY 2026-27 adopted budget (estimated breakdown $15,000 per measure (if applicable) and $15,000 for the general election).
CEQA DETERMINATION: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) BACKGROUND:
The City of St. Helena has the election of two (2) City Council Members and the Mayor every two years. Each election cycle the City consolidates its municipal election with Napa County.
DISCUSSION:
The City’s General Municipal elections are held in November of even-numbered years, concurrent with the statewide elections. A Mayor and two members of the City Council will be elected in the November 3, 2026 election:
For Mayor: Full term of two years
For (2) Members of the City Council: Full term of four years As provided in the California Elections Code, the attached resolutions are presented for adoption in preparation of the election. The resolutions are presented to call the election and to request the Napa County Board of Supervisors to consolidate the election with the Statewide General Election. Once adopted, a certified copy of the resolution will be forwarded to the County Board of Supervisors and the Napa County Registrar of Voters’ Office.
The appropriate election notice will be published (Attachment 1) and the nomination period for Mayor and City Council candidates begins on Monday, July 13, 2026 and will run through Friday, August 7, 2026 by 4 p.m. In the event that one of the incumbents has not filed by August 7, 2026, the nomination period will be extended to August 12, 2026 by 4 p.m.
The costs to consolidate the General Municipal Election with the General Election will be reimbursed to Napa County Elections Division after the final election results are confirmed and certified. Total estimated costs for the election have been budgeted for up to $60,000 in the City Clerk's FY 2026-27 adopted budget. The estimated breakdown $15,000 per measure (if applicable) and $15,000 for the general election.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
GOAL:
Miscellaneous/Other
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution - 2026 St. Helena Notice of Election (City Council)
2. Resolution - 2026 St. Helena Consolidated Election (City Council)
3. NOTICE OF ELECTION 2026 (City Council)
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA,
CALLING FOR THE HOLDING OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026, FOR THE ELECTION OF CERTAIN OFFICERS AND BALLOT
MEASURES, IF ANY, AS REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RELATING TO GENERAL LAW CITIES.
WHEREAS, under the provisions of the laws relating to general law cities in the State of California, a General Municipal Election shall be held on November 3, 2026, for the election of Municipal Officers; and NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That pursuant to the requirements of the laws of the State of California relating to General Law Cities, there is called and ordered to be held in the City of St. Helena, California, on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, a General Municipal Election for the purpose of electing a Mayor for the full term of two (2) years and two (2) Members of the City Council for the full term of four years.
SECTION 2. That the ballots to be used at the election shall be in form and content as required by law.
SECTION 3. That the City Clerk is authorized, instructed and directed to coordinate with the County of Napa Registrar of Voters to procure and furnish any and all official ballots, notices, printed matter and all supplies, equipment and paraphernalia that may be necessary in order to properly and lawfully conduct the election.
SECTION 4. That the polls (vote centers) for the election shall be open at seven (7) o’clock a.m. of the day of the election and shall remain open continuously from that time until eight (8) o’clock p.m. of the same day when the polls(vote centers)shall be closed, pursuant to Election Code § 10242, except as provided in §§ 14212, 14401 of the Elections Code of the State of California.
SECTION 5. That in all particulars not recited in this resolution, the election shall be held and conducted as provided by law for holding municipal elections.
SECTION 6. That notice of the time and place of holding the election is given and the City Clerk is authorized, instructed and directed to give further or additional notice of the election, in time, form and manner as required by law.
SECTION 7. That in the event of a tie vote (if any two or more persons receive an equal and the highest number of votes for an office) as certified by the County of Napa Registrar of Voters, the City Council, in accordance with Election Code § 15651(a), shall set a date and time and place and summon the candidates who have received the tie votes to appear and will determine the tie by lot.
SECTION 8. That the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution and enter it into the book of original Resolutions.
SECTION 9. The City Council authorizes the City Clerk to administer said election and all reasonable and actual election expenses shall be paid by the City upon presentation of a properly submitted bill.
Approved at a Regular Meeting of the St. Helena City Council on June 23, 2026, by the following vote:
Mayor Paul Dohring: ____
Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy: ____
Council Member Aaron Barak: ____
Council Member Kate Spadarotto: ____
Council Member Scott Diaz: ____
APPROVED: ATTEST:
______________________ ______________________
Paul Jaminson Dohring, Mayor Andrew Bradley, City Clerk/Elections Official
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST. HELENA,
CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY
OF NAPA TO CONSOLIDATE A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of St. Helena called a General Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2026, for the purpose of the election of a Mayor and two (2) Members of the City Council; and;
WHEREAS, it is desirable that the General municipal election be consolidated with the Statewide General election to be held on the same date and that within the city the precincts, polling places (vote centers) and election officers of the two elections be the same, and that the county election department of the County of Napa canvass the returns of the General Municipal Election and that the election be held in all respects as if there were only one election; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST. HELENA DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That pursuant to the requirements of § 10403 of the Elections Code, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Napa is hereby requested to consent and agree to the consolidation of a General Municipal Election with the Statewide General election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the purpose of the election of a Mayor for a full term of two (2) years and two (2) Members of the City Council to a full term of four (4) years.
SECTION 2. That the county election department is authorized to canvass the returns of the General Municipal Election. The election shall be held in all respects as if there were only one election, and only one form of ballot shall be used. The election will be held and conducted in accordance with the provisions of law regulating the statewide election.
SECTION 3. That the Board of Supervisors is requested to issue instructions to the county election department to take any and all steps necessary for the holding of the consolidated election.
SECTION 4. That the City of St. Helena recognizes that additional costs will be incurred by the County by reason of this consolidation and agrees to reimburse the County for any costs.
SECTION 5. That the City Clerk is hereby directed to file a certified copy of this resolution with the Board of Supervisors and the county election department of the County of Napa.
SECTION 6. That the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
Approved at a Regular Meeting of the St. Helena City Council on June 23, 2026, by the following vote:
Mayor Paul Dohring: ____
Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy: ____
Council Member Aaron Barak: ____
Council Member Kate Spadarotto: ____
Council Member Scott Diaz: ____
APPROVED: ATTEST:
______________________ ______________________
Paul Jaminson Dohring, Mayor Andrew Bradley, City Clerk/Elections Official
NOTICE OF ELECTION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a General Municipal Election will be held in the City of St.
Helena on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the following Officers and Measure(s):
For Mayor Full term of two years
For two (2) Members
of the City Council Full term of four years
The nomination period for these offices begins on July 13, 2026 and closes on August 7, 2026 at 4 p.m.
If nomination papers for an incumbent officer of the city are not filed by August 7, 2026 (the 88th day before the election) the voters shall have until the 83rd day before the election, August 12, 2026 at 4 p.m., to nominate candidates other than the person(s) who are the incumbents on the 88th day before the election, for that incumbent’s elective office. This extension is not applicable where there is no incumbent eligible to be elected.
If no one or only one person is nominated for an elective office, appointment to the elective office may be made as prescribed by § 10229, Elections Code of the State of California.
The polls (vote centers) will be open between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8 p.m. ________________________________________
Andrew Bradley, City of St. Helena City Clerk/Elections Official Dated:
Agendas Report to the City Council
Agenda Section: CONSENT ITEMS
Department: City Clerk
DATE: June 23, 2026
FROM: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk)
SUBJECT: Consideration of a Resolution to Reappoint a current Planning Commissioner whose term currently expires on June 30, 2026.
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
Reappoint current Planning Commission Chair, Chris Warner, to the Planning Commission for a new four-year term, expiring June 30, 2030.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
Christopher Warner was originally appointed to the Planning Commission on July 1, 2022.
STATEMENT OF THE
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this action is to reappoint an applicant to the Planning Commission.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
CEQA DETERMINATION: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) BACKGROUND:
Planning Commissioner Christopher Warner was appointed to the Planning Commission on July 1, 2022 and became Chair of the Planning Commission in 2025. Prior to joining the Planning Commission he served on the City's Parks and Recreation Commission and currently also sits on the City's Finance and Measure H Committees.
DISCUSSION:
The City has advertised a recruitment seeking applicants from the community to fill the vacancy through announcements at City Council Meetings, social media, and in the City's email newsletter. The term of office will expire June 30, 2026.
The following lists the names of the applicants:
Planning Commission
• Christopher Warner
Should Council decide not to reappoint the current applicant, staff would re-advertise for the
position to fill the vacancy.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
GOAL:
Miscellaneous/Other
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution - Planning Commission Appointment
2. Chris Warner - Planning Commission Application_Redacted
3. Resume of Christopher J. Warner_Redacted
CITY OF ST. HELENA
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
APPOINTING AN APPLICANT TO A VACANT
PLANNING COMMISSION POSITION
RECITALS
A. Planning Commission Member Christopher Warner has a term expiring on June 30, 2026; and
B. The City Clerk conducted a recruitment to fill the position with a term expiring June 30, 2026, and received one application; and
C. The City Council will have the opportunity to reappoint the applicant at the June 23, 2026 regular meeting.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of St. Helena resolves as follows:
1. The City Council appoints Christpher Warner to the vacant Planning Commission term of office expiring June 30, 2030.
Approved at a Regular Meeting of the St. Helena City Council on June 23, 2026, by the following vote:
Mayor Dohring: __________
Vice Mayor Deasy: __________
Council Member Barak: __________
Council Member Spadarotto: __________
Council Member Diaz: __________
APPROVED: ATTEST:
________________________ ________________________
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
Board/Committee Application
05/20/2026 3:14 PM (PDT)
Board/Committee Application
First Name Christopher J
Last Name Warner
Primary Phone Number
Alternate Phone Number
Email @gmail.com
Street Address
City St. Helena
State CA
Zip Code 94574
Length of residency in the City of
St. Helena
9 years
Please choose the
Commission/Committee you are
applying for:
Planning Commission
Employment Status Retired
Please description previous
employment before retirement:
See attached resume
Reason for Applying Based on my previous 4 years collegial and collaborative service on the Planning Commission and in other volunteer capacities for the City, continue support of City's goals and priorities for the Planning Commission as advisor to the City Council and pursuant the guidance and policies of the City Council and legal requirements of the City's Municipal Code, General Plan and related plans and governing policies
Educational Background See attached resume
Other relevant experience: See attached resume
List any involvement with civic or
charitable organizations:
See attached resume. Currently chair of Planning Commission; Acting Chair of Finance Committee; Board Member, Napa Firewise Communities Foundation; Coleader, St. Helena Fire Safe Council, Director, Board of Directors, COAD Have you ever attended a meeting of the Commission to which you are applying? Yes
What is your understanding of the In collaboration with fellow Commissioners and on behalf of the Commission, Submission ID: fe0c7487-310d-4699-858d-3f76c2f52b0f Page 1/3
role and responsibility of this
Commission?
review and approve, disapprove or recommend modifications to City staff reports and recommendations on development and zoning permits, applications, plans and other matters within the advisory jurisdiction of the Planning Commission in compliance with the directions and policies of the City Council, the St. Helena Municipal Code (particularly the zoning code), and other City policies, requirements and ethical standards.
What would be your goal(s) as a
Commissioner?
Based on my 4 years of collaborative experience on the Planning Commission as commissioner, vice chair and chair, continue to support the City staff and City Council in reviewing and advising on applications, permits and other development matters within the advisory and legal jurisdiction of the Commission and in compliance with all applicable City laws, regulations, standards and policies.
Have you previously served, or do you currently serve, on a St.
Helena Commission or Committee? Yes
Which one(s) and for what period
of time?
Planning Commission, Commissioner, Vice Chair and Chair, 2022- present Finance Committee, member and Acting Chair, 2025 to present Parks and Recreation Commission, 2021- 2022
Is there anything else you would
like us to consider when reviewing
your application?
Please consider my record of volunteer dedication, leadership and involvement in the entire St. Helena community that I and my spouse Cathie love and support.
References
i. Name
Paul Dohring, Mayor
Address
City of St. Helena
Email
[email protected]
ii. Name
Aaron Barak, Council Member
Address
City of St. Helena
Email
[email protected]
iii. Name
Sue Furdek, Vice Chair, Planning Commission
Address
City of St. Helena
Email
[email protected]
Submission ID: fe0c7487-310d-4699-858d-3f76c2f52b0f Page 2/3
Personal
Christopher J. Warner
, April, 2017- Present
Married to Cathie Bennett Warner 1986- Present, two sons Community and Volunteer Experience
Commissioner, Vice Chair and Chair, St. Helena Planning Commission July, 2022- Present
Member and Vice Chair, St. Helena Finance Committee
Jan. 2025- Present
Commissioner, St. Helena Parks and Recreation Commission August, 2021- July, 2022
Director, Board of Directors
Napa Communities Firewise Foundation
Oct. 2021- Present
Co-leader, St. Helena Fire Safe Council
July, 2021- Present
Director, Board of Directors
Napa Valley Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) Oct. 2022- Present
Commissioner, Bay Conservation and Development Commission Jan. 1997- Feb. 2001
Director, Board of Directors
Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District
Jun. 2016- Jun. 2017
Director and Chair
Headlands Institute
(environmental education)
Mar. 2003- 2008
Work Experience
Chief Counsel (retired)
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Oct. 1988 – Oct. 2021
Deputy General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, Acting General Counsel Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Feb. 1985- Aug. 1988
Deputy Assistant Secretary- House Liaison
U.S. Department of Energy
Mar. 1983- Feb. 1985
Associate Minority Counsel, Committee on Energy and Commerce U.S. House of Representatives
Mar. 1981- Mar. 1983
Director, Delaware State Energy Office
State of Delaware
Mar. 1980- Mar. 1981
Legislative Assistant and Counsel
Sen. William V. Roth, Jr.
United States Senate
April 1978- Mar. 1980
Associate Counsel
Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP
June, 1977- Mar. 1978
Education
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
JD, Law
1974- 1977
University of Denver, Sturm College of Law
Energy and Natural Resources Law
1976- 1977
Denison University
BA Cum Laude
1970- 1974
Wroxton University
Near Banbury, England
1972- 1973
Agendas Report to the City Council
Agenda Section: CONSENT ITEMS
Department: City Clerk
DATE: June 23, 2026
FROM: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk)
SUBJECT: Consideration of a Resolution to Reappoint current Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee Members/Alternates whose terms currently expires on June 30, 2026.
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
Appoint current member, Shannon Nolan, and alternates, Antony Rabin and Emma Leggat, to the Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee (ATSC) as members for new two-year terms, expiring June 30, 2028.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
Shannon Nolan was originally appointed to the Active
Transportation and Sustainability Committee in November 2024.
Anthony Rabin was originally appointed to the Active
Transportation and Sustainability Committee as an alternate in January 2025.
Emma Leggat was originally appointed to the Active
Transportation and Sustainability Committee as an alternate in April 2025.
STATEMENT OF THE
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this action is to fill vacancies on the Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
CEQA DETERMINATION: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) BACKGROUND:
Shannon Nolan was originally appointed to the Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee in November 2024.
Anthony Rabin was originally appointed to the Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee as an alternate in January 2025.
Emma Leggat was originally appointed to the Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee as an alternate in April 2025.
DISCUSSION:
The Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee has one position that was left vacant
after the resignation of a committee member that expires on June 30, 2027. It also has a total of three member terms expiring on June 30, 2026. At least two of those members have indicated that they do not plan to continue their service. In addition there are two alternate terms expiring on June 30, 2026 (one of those positions is Anthony Rabin, the other is held by Emma Leggat).
The City has advertised a recruitment seeking applicants from the community to fill the vacancy through announcements at City Council Meetings, social media, and in the City's email newsletter. The term of office will expire June 30, 2026.
The following lists the names of the applicants:
Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee
• Shannon Nolan
• Anthony Rabin
• Emma Leggat
Staff will continue to advertise for the position to fill vacancies on the Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
None.
GOAL:
Miscellaneous/Other
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution - Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee Appointment
2. Anthony Rabin - Application_Redacted
3. Anthony Rabin - Resume 2026_Redacted
4. Emma Leggat - Application_Redacted
5. Emma Leggat - Resume_Redacted
6. Shannon Nolan - Application_Redacted
7. Shannon Nolan - Resume_Redacted
CITY OF ST. HELENA
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
APPOINTING AN APPLICANT TO A VACANT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE (ATSC) POSITION
RECITALS
A. The Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee (ATSC) has three member terms and two alternate terms expiring on June 30, 2026; and B. The City Clerk conducted a recruitment to fill the positions with a term expiring June 30, 2026, and received three applications; and
C. The City Council will have the opportunity to reappoint the applicant(s) at the June 23, 2026 regular meeting.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of St. Helena resolves as follows:
1. The City Council appoints Shannon Nolan, Anthony Rabin, and Emma Leggat to the vacant Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee (ATSC) positions with terms of office expiring June 30, 2028.
Approved at a Regular Meeting of the St. Helena City Council on June 23, 2026, by the following vote:
Mayor Dohring: __________
Vice Mayor Deasy: __________
Council Member Barak: __________
Council Member Spadarotto: __________
Council Member Diaz: __________
APPROVED: ATTEST:
________________________ ________________________
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
Board/Committee Application
06/03/2026 9:59 PM (PDT)
Board/Committee Application
First Name Anthony
Last Name Rabin
Primary Phone Number
Email
Street Address
City Saint Helena
State CA
Zip Code 94574
Length of residency in the City of
St. Helena
31 years
Please choose the
Commission/Committee you are
applying for:
Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee (ATSC) Employment Status Retired
Please description previous
employment before retirement:
I was employed at Napa State Hospital from 1995-2021, working as a psychologist, supervising psychologist, and the chief of the Psychology Department. I then worked at the Department of State Hospitals from 2021-2024 as a Chief Psychologist before retiring.
Reason for Applying I have been a member of the Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee (ATSC) since January, 2025. I would like to continue in this committee, and become a voting member (I currently serve as an alternate).
Educational Background I have a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. I have a Bachelors of Science from UCLA, where I majored in Psychology.
Have you ever attended a meeting of the Commission to which you are applying? Yes
What is your understanding of the
role and responsibility of this
Commission?
While serving on this committee, I have been involved in a number of projects, including reviewing city street plans, exploring potential strategies for eliminating dangerous chemicals from water supply, and strategies for making the city more walkable. I have been involved in discussions and debate on a number of topics regarding transportation within the city and making the city more environmentally sustainable.
Submission ID: 0105c9ce-a4be-4497-913e-7525e0a12244 Page 1/3
What would be your goal(s) as a
Commissioner?
I would like to continue my work on this committee, including efforts to enhance the "walkability" of the city, bike access, and help the city promote efforts to cope with challenges related to climate change.
Have you previously served, or do you currently serve, on a St.
Helena Commission or Committee? Yes
Which one(s) and for what period
of time?
I have served on the ATSC since January, 2025.
Is there anything else you would
like us to consider when reviewing
your application?
Thank you for consideration of my application. I have very much enjoyed serving on the ATSC, and would like the opportunity to continue working in this beneficial committee.
References
i. Name
Jeff Farmer
Phone Number
Email
ii. Name
Lisa Pelosi
Address
Phone Number
Email
iii. Name
Steven Beck
Address
Phone Number
Email
Submission ID: 0105c9ce-a4be-4497-913e-7525e0a12244 Page 2/3
Anthony Rabin
GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE
City of Saint Helena Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee — 1/2025-Present
Serve as Alternate Member
PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE
California Department of State Hospitals, Napa, California— 1997-2024 Served as a unit psychologist, supervising psychologist, and Chief Psychologist at Napa State Hospital and at the Department of State Hospitals-Sacramento
EDUCATION
California School of Professional Psychology — Doctor of Philosophy, Clinical Psychology 1996
University of California, Los Angeles — Bachelor of Science (major: Psychology) 1990
CONTACT INFORMATION
Phone:
Email:
Board/Committee Application
06/15/2026 6:32 PM (PDT)
Board/Committee Application
First Name Emma
Last Name Leggat
Primary Phone Number
Email
Street Address
City Saint Helena
State CA
Zip Code 94574
Length of residency in the City of
St. Helena
2.5 years
Please choose the
Commission/Committee you are
applying for:
Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee (ATSC) Employment Status Employed
Employer (include title) Sonos, Sr Director of Communications Reason for Applying I have served on the committee for the past year and would like to continue my service
Educational Background Masters in Business Administration, University of San Diego, 2009 Bachelor of Arts, Lehigh University, 2002
Other relevant experience: 25 years in communications and extensive experience in sustainability. Local parent.
Have you ever attended a meeting of the Commission to which you are applying? Yes
What is your understanding of the
role and responsibility of this
Commission?
I understand deeply as I have been serving for the past year.
What would be your goal(s) as a
Commissioner?
Contribute toward making St Helena more pedestrian and alternative transportation friendly, in particular representing the perspectives of children and working families
Have you previously served, or do you currently serve, on a St.
Helena Commission or Committee? Yes
Submission ID: 2b7a3fb6-cf57-4935-a4df-d41a7c590420 Receipt ID: T8KHG-06/26 Page 1/2
EMMA LEGGAT
EDUCATION
MBA
University of San Diego
Business and Society /
Social Impact Concentration
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Lehigh University
Journalism &
Communication
CONTACT
linkedin.com/emmaleggat
SUMMARY
Builder of internal communications programs and stakeholder experiences across high-growth technology companies navigating transformation. At Sonos, Airbnb, and eBay, I've built functions from scratch, run all-hands programs end-to-end, and served as the communications anchor for boards, investors, and senior external stakeholders, consistently connecting employees and outside audiences to what a company is building and why it matters.
EXPERIENCE
SONOS, SANTA BARBARA, CA
Chief of Staff to the CEO (Feb 2023 - present)
Sr Director of Executive Communications (Oct 2023 - present) Director of Internal Communications (March 2021- Oct 2023) ● Built Sonos' internal communications function from the ground up, leading it through the five most consequential years in the company's 20-year history.
● Following an unprecedented company crisis, played an instrumental role in improving all employee metrics within one year:
○ Retention +20%
○ Clarity around company direction +32
○ Employee engagement +10%
● Through clear and trustworthy communications, successfully guided employees through periods of significant organizational change:
pandemic, layoffs, CEO transition, restructures, shift to distributed model and return to offices.
● Launched in-house content and events production studio, producing hundreds of live virtual and in-person events and dozens of short films for internal and external audiences – from employee storytelling to partner and investor engagements.
● As Chief of Staff to the CEO, serve as the communications and logistics anchor for board meetings, investor interactions, and visits from senior external leaders — ensuring every high-stakes interaction is polished, well-prepared, and on-message.
● Driving AI adoption and experimentation across the company and new ways of working across the business.
● Known unofficially as Sonos’ top culture carrier, continually develop novel ways to energize and connect employees around Sonos’ purpose to elevate life through sound, and new modes of delivering information and inspiration.
EMMA LEGGAT
AIRBNB, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Director of Communications, HotelTonight, an Airbnb company (2019) Director of Communications, HotelTonight (2016 – 2018)
● Led startup HotelTonight’s internal and external communications through pivotal company transitions: scaling up, driving to profitability, and a successful acquisition by Airbnb in 2019.
● Drove clear and accessible integration communications around complex organizational and compensation changes, with 0% attrition.
EBAY (STUBHUB), SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Director of Communications, StubHub (2016)
Head of Internal Communications & Social Good, StubHub (2012 – 2016) ● Led the internal communications function for StubHub, eBay’s primary growth driver at the time, producing in-person company all hands, volunteer events and other programming for 1,600 employees. ● Established StubHub as a top employer for innovators at the intersection of sports and entertainment, driving shared purpose and direction across multiple offices and geographies.
● Led creation of StubHub’s $4M social impact strategy centered around skilled volunteerism.
● As company spokesperson on social impact, represented StubHub in high-profile forums including SXSW.
HITACHI FOUNDATION, WASHINGTON, DC
Business in Society Fellow (2010 - 2011)
● Led communications for corporate philanthropy of Hitachi, Ltd. across its 40+ global group companies, and supported community involvement programming engaging thousands of employees. ● Selected for a nationally competitive fellowship focused on the role of business in addressing societal challenges – a lens that has shaped every communications role since.
THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA, NAPA, CA
Director of Brand Marketing (2019 - 2020)
● Led brand marketing and visitor experience for CIA's consumer-facing startup venture at its flagship Napa Valley campus.
RUDER FINN / AGENCY YEARS, NEW YORK, NY (2002–2007)
● Rose from account executive to account supervisor at top global communications agencies: Hill & Knowlton, Ruder Finn, MMGY, and Cooney/Waters Group.
● Spearheaded creation of employee communications practice at Ruder Finn — an early example of building a function where none existed. ● Led national employee communications program for the US Army.
Board/Committee Application
06/17/2026 9:13 PM (PDT)
Board/Committee Application
First Name Shannon
Last Name Nolan
Primary Phone Number
Email
Street Address
City Saint Helena
State CA
Zip Code 94574
Length of residency in the City of
St. Helena
5 years, also age 0 to 18
Please choose the
Commission/Committee you are
applying for:
Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee (ATSC) Employment Status Employed
Employer (include title) Dirt Capital Partners, Investment Associate Reason for Applying I would like to continue my term at least for the full two years.
Educational Background Saint Helena High School, University of Washington, Middlebury. BA, International Studies 2014, MBA 2017.
Other relevant experience: Dirt Capital Partners Investment Associate Founder, Open Regen Ag
Management Consultant, Propeller
Bank of the West, Strategy and Ops
List any involvement with civic or
charitable organizations:
Please view my linkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrnolan/ What is your understanding of the
role and responsibility of this
Commission?
To act as a focus group and provide feedback, decisions on various designs, to initiate action
What would be your goal(s) as a
Commissioner?
To continue assessing pathways to PFAS contamination prevention Have you previously served, or do you currently serve, on a St.
Helena Commission or Committee? Yes
Submission ID: d76ffd79-def4-4db6-956c-0a8a21c9d4ab Receipt ID: R2GG7-06/26 Page 1/2
• Co-led (with a Corporate Strategy manager) the business evaluation of AI vendors (Google, IBM, Microsoft, XBrain) for call center automation; built the scorecard framework and ran demo days for senior leadership • Partnered directly with engineering, architecture, and IT security to assess feasibility — surfacing legacy infrastructure and data security constraints that shaped a realistic view of enterprise AI readiness • Evaluated 3 M&A opportunities (investment thesis, due diligence) and drove the business case and roadmap for 2 new products
Propeller (San Francisco, CA) — Management Consultant Oct 2021 – Jun 2022 Helped leaders manage transformation through cross-functional teams — delivered an analytics strategy and plan for a marketing technology transformation at a large multinational CPG company, and built an M&A integrations playbook for a telecommunications technology company
California FarmLink, Andean Alliance for Sustainable Development, & META-Lab — Researcher 2015 – 2017 • Used data science and research methods to advise clients; researched the impacts of climate change on subsistence farming in the Sacred Valley, Peru
EDUCATION
Middlebury Institute of International Studies (Monterey, CA) — MBA, GPA 3.9 2017 First place, Corporate Knights Business for a Better World Case Competition, presented at the World Economic Forum University of Washington (Seattle, WA) — B.A., International Studies, GPA 3.64 2014 Fellow, Gorton Center Global Leaders Program
Agendas Report to the City Council
Agenda Section: PUBLIC HEARINGS
Department: Administrative Services Department
DATE: June 23, 2026
FROM: Martin Beltran, Finance Manager
SUBJECT: Public Hearing on Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Efforts in compliance with Assembly Bill 2561, Government Code Section 3502.3.
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
Receive and file.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
PURPOSE:
The purpose is to provide a status report regarding the City's vacancies, recruitments, and retention efforts for FY 2025/26.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
CEQA DETERMINATION: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) BACKGROUND:
On January 1, 2025, Assembly Bill 2561 (AB 2561) was enacted into law to address the growing concern of persistent job vacancies in local government, which have had a detrimental impact on the delivery of essential public services and have significantly increased the workload for existing employees. In response to these challenges, AB 2561 introduces new requirements aimed at increasing transparency and promoting more effective workforce planning at the local level.
Specifically, the bill mandates that public agencies, including cities, counties, and special districts, conduct a public hearing at least once per fiscal year to report on the status of job vacancies, as well as recruitment and retention efforts. This hearing must take place before the adoption of the agency’s annual budget and is intended to inform decision-makers and the public about current staffing challenges and progress made in addressing them.
During the public hearing, agencies are required to present data on the number and types of vacant positions, duration of vacancies, and any recruitment and retention strategies being implemented. The agency must also identify any policies, procedures, or operational practices that may be contributing to hiring delays or barriers and propose potential changes to address those obstacles.
In compliance with AB 2561, the City is conducting this public hearing to provide an overview of its staffing challenges and efforts. The presentation is informational and will include an opportunity for the City's recognized employee organizations to share their perspective on vacancies, recruitment, and retention.
DISCUSSION:
Vacancies can arise throughout the year for a variety of reasons, including internal promotions or transfers, retirements, resignations, terminations, or the creation of newly approved positions. When a vacancy occurs, the City's Human Resources Division collaborates closely with the affected department to initiate the recruitment process promptly. This coordinated effort helps minimize operational disruptions, maintain high-quality and efficient service delivery to the community, and limits the reliance on overtime.
In compliance with the new legal obligations under AB2561, the City is reporting on the status of vacancies per bargaining unit ("POA" is Police Officers Association, "SHEA" is St Helena Employees Association, and "SHPFA" is St Helena Professional Firefighters Association) as follows:
Bargaining Unit Total Number of
Vacancies for July
2025
Total Number of
Vacancies for
December 2025
Total Number of
Vacancies as of
June 12, 2026
POA 2 1 0
SHEA 2 2 5
SHPFA 0 0 0
Unrepresented 0 2 3
Total Vacancy Rate 5.4% 6.8% 10.8%
If vacancies within a single bargaining unit meet or exceed 20% of authorized full-time positions in that bargaining unit, upon request of the recognized employee organization for that bargaining unit, the City must provide additional information during the public hearing, including the following:
1. The total number of vacancies within the bargaining unit; and
2. The number of applicants; and
3. The average number of days to fill positions; and
4. Opportunities to improve compensation and working conditions for employees in the bargaining unit.
During the past fiscal year, no bargaining unit met or exceeded a 20% vacancy of the total authorized full-time positions. Therefore, the above section is not applicable. The table below shows a summary of the City's bargaining units with recognized employee organizations, which are all under the 20% vacancy rate.
Bargaining Unit July 2025 Vacancy
Rate
December 2025
Vacancy Rate
June 12, 2026
Vacancy Rate
POA 16.7% 8.3% 0.0%
SHEA 5.1% 5.1% 12.8%
SHPFA 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Unrepresented 0.0% 11.8% 18.8%
In addition to reporting the City's vacancy rate, AB 2561 allows the recognized employee organization for each bargaining unit at the City to make presentations during the public hearing concerning vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts. There are currently three (3) represented bargaining units at the City including: St. Helena Police Officers' Association (POA), St. Helena Professional Firefighters Association (SHPFA), and St. Helena Employees Association (SHEA). The Administrative Services Department notified the three (3) bargaining units of the opportunity to present. (Gov. Code § 3502.3(b).) The City is committed to positive employee engagement and has several programs in place to foster positive employee experiences, such as a comprehensive onboarding program, employee engagement and recognition programs, alternative work schedules, potential telework options, and training and professional development opportunities.
During Fiscal Year 2025-26, the City conducted eleven (11) competitive recruitments to fill various full-time vacancies across multiple departments. These vacancies were the result of both pre-existing openings and new separations that occurred during the fiscal year. On average, the positions were filled within 105 days from the initial job posting, reflecting the City's continued commitment to streamlining hiring practices, minimizing service disruptions, and attracting qualified talent in a competitive labor market.
AB 2561 also requires public agencies to review and identify potential barriers within their policies, procedures, and recruitment practices that may lead to hiring obstacles. In alignment with this directive, City staff continues to assess and enhance its recruitment strategies to expand outreach and improve candidate accessibility. This includes leveraging a broader range of advertising platforms commonly used across both the public and private sectors to attract a more diverse and qualified applicant pool.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
None.
GOAL:
Goal 6: Improve Employee Recruitment, Retention, & Morale
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Presentation - AB 2561 Vacancies, Recruitment, Retention
Vacancies,
Recruitments &
Retention Efforts
AB 2561 Reporting
JUNE 23, 2026
Agenda
1.AB 2561 Summary
2.Workforce Data
3.Vacancy Data
4.Recruitment Efforts
AB 2561 Overview
Effective January 1, 2025, Assembly Bill 2561 requires public agencies assess and address vacancy rates by:
Track job vacancies
Present status of vacancies, recruitment, and retention annually, prior to budget adoption
Identify policies, procedures, and recruitment activities that present obstacles in hiring
Additional requirements may apply if vacancy rate exceeds 20%
Workforce
Data
Total Budget Full-time Positions
•July 1, 2025: 74 positions
•Current: 74 positions
Services Provided:
•Administration
•Community Development
•Fire
•Library
•Parks & Recreation
•Police
•Public Works
FY 2025-26 Citywide Vacancy Rate
(full-time positions)
FY 2025-26 July 2025 December
2025 June 2026
Number of Vacancies 4 5 8
Number of Budgeted
Positions 74 74 74
Vacancy Rate 5.4% 6.8% 10.8%
Bargaining
Units
POA – Police Officers Association
SHEA – St. Helena Employees
Association
SHPFA – St. Helena Professional Fire
Unrepresented Management
FY 2025-26 Vacancy Rate by Bargaining Group
(full-time positions)
Bargaining Group July 2025 December
2025 June 2026
POA 16.7% 8.3% 0.0%
SHEA 5.1% 5.1% 12.8%
SHPFA 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Unrepresented 0.0% 11.8% 18.8%
Recruitment Efforts
RECRUITMENT RETENTION
FY 2025-26 Recruitment Metrics
Metric Total
Recruitments Completed 11
Position Filled 8
Total Current Vacancies 8
Current Active Recruitments 3
Hiring Obstacles
Potential Obstacles:
Competitive Job Market for Specialized Positions
Police Officers
Chief Plant Operator
Affordable Housing vs. Longer Commutes
Hiring Solutions &
Retention Approaches
Hiring Incentives
Employee Housing
Targeted Recruitment Strategies
Streamline Background Process
Career Development Opportunities
Employee Recognition Programs
Positive Work Culture
Questions
Agendas Report to the City Council
Agenda Section: NEW BUSINESS
Department: City Clerk
DATE: June 23, 2026
FROM: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk)
SUBJECT: Consideration of a Resolution to appoint an applicant to the Library Board of Trustees.
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
Consideration of a Resolution to appoint an applicant to fill a vacancy on the Library Board of Trustees, which has terms expiring on June 30, 2026.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
N/A
STATEMENT OF THE
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this action is to appoint an applicant to fill an open position on the Library Board of Trustees.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
CEQA DETERMINATION: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) BACKGROUND:
N/A
DISCUSSION:
The Library Board of Trustees currently has a board made up of seven (7) community members. Staff is in the process of working on a a Municipal Code Update that could reduce it to a five (5) member board, but a timeline for bringing that to the City Council has not been finalized. Currently the Library Board of Trustees has four (4) positions set to expire on June 30, 2026, at least two of those members have indicated that they will not be reapplying.
The following lists the names of the applicants:
Library Board of Trustees:
• Scott Symon
Staff will continue to advertise to fill vacancies on the Library Board of Trustees.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
GOAL:
Miscellaneous/Other
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution - Library Board of Trustees Appointment
2. Scott Symon Profile-Resume_Redacted
3. Scott Symon - Library Board_Redacted
CITY OF ST. HELENA
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
APPOINTING AN APPLICANT TO A VACANT
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES POSITION
RECITALS
A. The Library Board of Trustees has four member terms expiring on June 30, 2026; and
B. The City Clerk conducted a recruitment to fill the positions with a term expiring June 30, 2026, and received one application; and
C. The City Council will have the opportunity interview applicants for the open position(s) prior to or during the regular meeting on June 23, 2026 and then will have the opportunity to appoint the applicant(s) at the June 23, 2026 regular meeting.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of St. Helena resolves as follows:
1. The City Council appoints ___________ to the vacant Library Board of Trustees term of office expiring June 30, 2028.
Approved at a Regular Meeting of the St. Helena City Council on June 23, 2026, by the following vote:
Mayor Dohring: __________
Vice Mayor Deasy: __________
Council Member Barak: __________
Council Member Spadarotto: __________
Council Member Diaz: __________
APPROVED: ATTEST:
________________________ ________________________
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
Board/Committee Application
06/09/2026 3:37 PM (PDT)
Board/Committee Application
First Name Scott
Last Name Symon
Primary Phone Number
Email
Street Address
City Saint Helena
State CA
Zip Code 94574
Length of residency in the City of
St. Helena
Saint Helena
Please choose the
Commission/Committee you are
applying for:
Library Board of Trustees
Employment Status Employed
Employer (include title) Compass - Real Estate Broker
Reason for Applying I enjoy being involved in the success of our community, and I believe the St.
Helena library is one of our greatest assets. I want to ensure it remains so for many more years.
Educational Background Boston College, Bachelor of Science - Finance, 1997 List any involvement with civic or
charitable organizations:
Treasurer and Board Member - Redwood Trails Alliance
Member - Rotary Club of St. Helena
High School Head Coach - St. Helena Thunderbirds Mountain Bike Team Working Advocacy Group Member - Napa County Bicycle Coalition Have you ever attended a meeting of the Commission to which you are applying? No
What is your understanding of the
role and responsibility of this
Commission?
I believe there are three main responsibilities of the commission. 1) Provide guidance on the library's operations and policy 2) Act as an advisor to set the library's strategic mission 3) act as a conduit between the library and city council.
What would be your goal(s) as a
Commissioner?
To ensure the library maintains its status as an essential community resource.
Have you previously served, or do you currently serve, on a St. No Submission ID: c8e879dd-83c4-43cd-b77c-211b6c1e3cd5 Page 1/3
I understand the agreement
statement provided to me.
I agree.
Signature
Date 06/09/2026
Submission ID: c8e879dd-83c4-43cd-b77c-211b6c1e3cd5 Page 3/3
Agendas Report to the City Council
Agenda Section: NEW BUSINESS
Department: City Clerk
DATE: June 23, 2026
FROM: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk)
SUBJECT: Consideration of a Resolution to Appoint a new and Reappoint a current Parks and Recreation Commission Member for terms ending June 2028.
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
Consideration of a Resolution to appoint a new member and reappoint a current member with applicants to fill vacancies on the Parks and Recreation Commission, that has terms expiring on June 30, 2026.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
John Thompson was originally appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term beginning July 1, 2024.
STATEMENT OF THE
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this action is fill open positions on the Parks and Recreation Commission.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
CEQA DETERMINATION: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) BACKGROUND:
N/A
DISCUSSION:
The Parks and Recreation Commission has three (3) positions set to expire on June 30, 2026, at least one of those members has indicated that they will not be reapplying.
The following lists the names of the applicants:
Parks and Recreation Commission
• John Thompson (reappointment)
• Elaine de Man (new applicant)
Staff will continue to advertise to fill vacancies on the Parks and Recreation Commission.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
GOAL:
Miscellaneous/Other
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution - Parks and Recreation Commission Appointment v1
2. John Thompson - Parks and Recration Commission_Redacted
3. John K Thompson resume_Redacted
4. Elaine de Man - Application_Redacted
5. Elaine de Man - Resume_Redacted
6. Public Comment - Elaine de Man 2
CITY OF ST. HELENA
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
APPOINTING APPLICANTS TO FILL VACANT PARKS
AND RECREATION COMMISSION POSITIONS
RECITALS
A. The Parks and Recreation Commission has three member terms expiring on June 30, 2026; and
B. The City Clerk conducted a recruitment to fill the positions with a term expiring June 30, 2026, and received one application; and
C. The City Council will have the opportunity to reappoint the applicant at the June 23, 2026 regular meeting.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of St. Helena resolves as follows:
1. The City Council appoints John Thompson and Elaine de Man to the vacant Parks and Recreation Commission positions with terms of office expiring June 30, 2028.
Approved at a Regular Meeting of the St. Helena City Council on June 23, 2026, by the following vote:
Mayor Dohring: __________
Vice Mayor Deasy: __________
Council Member Barak: __________
Council Member Spadarotto: __________
Council Member Diaz: __________
APPROVED: ATTEST:
________________________ ________________________
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
Board/Committee Application
06/03/2026 12:07 PM (PDT)
Board/Committee Application
First Name John
Last Name Thompson
Primary Phone Number
Email
Street Address
City St Helena
State CA
Zip Code 94574
Length of residency in the City of
St. Helena
3.5 years
Please choose the
Commission/Committee you are
applying for:
Parks and Recreation Commission
Employment Status Employed
Employer (include title) Owner - Hartford House
Reason for Applying My current term on the Parks and Recreation Commission is coming to an end, and I’m seeking re‑appointment because I strongly feel there is more valuable work ahead. Over the past two years, I’ve gained a clear understanding of the Commission’s responsibilities, the community’s priorities, and the practical realities of moving projects forward. I’m no longer coming in fresh — I now have the experience, context, and confidence to contribute at a deeper and more effective level.
Serving on this Commission has reinforced how essential our parks, programs, and open spaces are to St. Helena’s quality of life. From supporting community events to evaluating long‑term planning efforts, I’ve seen firsthand how thoughtful decisions can strengthen our city.
I’m committed to continuing that work. I bring preparation, collaboration, and a steady, constructive voice to every discussion, and I believe I can add even more value in a second term. It would be an honor to continue serving and to help ensure St. Helena remains a place where green spaces thrive, families play, and community connections grow.
Educational Background Bachelor of Electronic Engineering Chartered Engineer
Submission ID: 7e7c22df-2879-4f29-a99e-2260e2bfb1e2 Page 1/4
Other relevant experience: As the owner of Hartford House on Main Street, I interact daily with residents and visitors who often share candid feedback about St. Helena — including our parks, facilities, and recreation programs. This gives me a constant, real‑world pulse on community sentiment and emerging needs.
Professionally, I bring senior executive experience in strategy, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement, with a background in advising leadership teams and helping groups work toward shared goals.
I also have a lifelong connection to the outdoors — from fishing and trail use to cycling and community recreation — which gives me a practical understanding of how people engage with the spaces and programs we oversee.
List any involvement with civic or
charitable organizations:
Current commissioner
Member of Odd Fellows supporting community projects
Have you ever attended a meeting of the Commission to which you are applying? Yes
What is your understanding of the
role and responsibility of this
Commission?
Advisory Role: Provide informed, balanced recommendations to the City Council on matters related to parks, recreational facilities, and open spaces, grounded in community needs and long‑term planning considerations.
Community Connection: Engage with residents, listen to feedback, and help surface community priorities — while actively promoting awareness and use of St.
Helena’s parks, open spaces, and recreation programs.
Policy & Planning: Contribute to shaping policies, initiatives, and strategic direction that enhance recreational opportunities and support the city’s broader vision for accessible, high‑quality public spaces.
Commission Participation: Prepare for and participate in regular meetings with a focus on improving recreational experiences, supporting staff, and encouraging public use and enjoyment of park facilities.
What would be your goal(s) as a
Commissioner?
One of my primary goals is to make it easier for the community to engage with the Commission. I want residents to feel that their input is welcomed, valued, and acted upon. This means improving how information about parks, programs, and upcoming decisions is clear, accessible, and timely. Strengthening this connection will help build trust and ensure our work reflects the needs and priorities of the people who use these spaces every day.
My second and most important goal is to help drive momentum behind the newly approved Blueprint for St. Helena’s parks and recreation services. This plan represents a major step forward, and I am committed to ensuring it doesn’t sit on a shelf. In the near term, I want to champion the “low‑hanging fruit” — the improvements we can deliver quickly that will have an immediate, positive impact on the community. At the same time, I intend to push for the city to define new projects, build the internal capacity needed to deliver them, and secure the funding required to move from planning to action. This Blueprint is a significant opportunity, and I want to help ensure we turn its vision into tangible results for St.
Helena.
Have you previously served, or do you currently serve, on a St.
Helena Commission or Committee? Yes
Which one(s) and for what period
of time?
Parks and recreation - current commissioner
Is there anything else you would
like us to consider when reviewing
One of my core strengths is collaboration. I work hard to build positive, productive relationships — whether with Council, fellow commissioners, city staff, or Submission ID: 7e7c22df-2879-4f29-a99e-2260e2bfb1e2 Page 2/4
Date 06/03/2026
Submission ID: 7e7c22df-2879-4f29-a99e-2260e2bfb1e2 Page 4/4
JOHN KENNETH THOMPSON, BENG(HONS), CENG, FIET
St. Helena, CA, USA https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-k-thompson
GLOBAL CIO, BOARD ADVISOR, AND TRANSFORMATION LEADER
A forward-thinking executive with over two decades of experience, who has led world-class operational, transformation, and technology strategies. A track record of building high-impact leadership teams, driving ROI-focused initiatives, and collaborating closely with business partners. Specializing in advising board and executive management on digital transformations that enhance the bottom line by optimizing organization, processes, systems, and data.
C A R E E R HI G H L I G H T S
EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE - 20+ years of experience in C-Suite and VP/Director roles for global companies, living in many geographies.
Served as a critical member of senior leadership teams, developing strategy, driving global programs, and managing large teams and functional/program budgets.
GROWTH LEADERSHIP - Consistently identified opportunities to optimize people, process, and systems across all areas of the business to drive revenue or reduce operating cost.
INNOVATION - Identified opportunities and built up the teams and resources necessary to capitalize on these. Leveraged technologies to transform operations across multiple industry segments in a cost-effective manner.
COLLABORATION & PARTNERSHIPS - Worked closely with business stakeholders and external partners to embed trust, creativity and create strong, long-term partnerships.
CULTURE & VALUES - Passionate believer in coaching teams and individuals to achieve their full potential through collaboration, respect, and ownership of results.
A R E A S OF E X P E R T I S E
● Board and Executive Team Advisor
● Leadership/Team Building/Mentoring
● Strategic Planning/Execution/Analytics
● Business Focused/Customer Advocacy
● Business Transformation
● Cost Management
● Change Management
● Vendor Partnerships
● Data and Automation
● Project Management/IT Management
● Applications/Cloud/IOT
● Establishing Offshore/Outsourcing
P R O F E S S I O N A L OV E R V I E W
E V P GL O B A L C I O | REITER AFFILIATED COMPANIES – AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY 2019- 2024 Board attendee and Executive Management team member reporting to CEO. ● Executive leader for whole of business operating review, establishing new operating model and transformation strategy, achieving a 25% increase in revenues and geographic expansion into China and Peru. ● Transformed Finance, HR, Supply Chain and Production processes through the design and successful implementation of global ERP, HCM and Field Data Collection systems, leading to a 10% saving in G&A costs and improved harvest efficiencies. ● Developed and managed an in-house software application for real-time field data capture of 35,000 harvesters which empowered the businesses to make informed decisions, optimize processes, and create harvest opportunities.
S V P GL O B A L IT & R E G I O N A L C I O | TREASURY WINE ESTATES – AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY 2016- 2019 Led all technology functions for US business and Global user operations, reporting to both President US and Global CIO. ● Transformed/outsourced Procure-to-Pay, Order-to-Cash, and Record-to-Report process towers for $85M savings. ● Migrated all on-prem applications to the cloud, achieving 3.5% saving of IT Opex.
C H I E F I N F O R M A T I O N OF F I C E R | CLEANAWAY – ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INDUSTRY 2014- 2016 Led all technology functions reporting to COO.
● Established offshore service partnership reducing cost by 15% and knowledge risk of internal staff. ● Implemented cloud-based contact center for new business capability with increased sales revenue of 5%.
DI R E C T O R , I C T OP E R A T I O N S | AUSNET SERVICES – ELECTRICITY AND GAS UTILITY 2010- 2014 Led all IT Engineering and Operational functions reporting to CIO. ● Owned the integration and operation of a $33M ICT business, with 135 personnel and $10M of service contracts. ● Led roll-out and optimized first phase of Advanced Metering Initiative with 13 wi-max towers, 389K meters providing 48 interval reads.
HE A D O F C U S T O M E R & NE T W O R K OP E R A T I O N S | NEXTGEN NETWORKS – TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY 2007- 2010 Led all Network and Customer Delivery Functions reporting to CEO. ● Reduced Service Delivery WIP by almost half along with 16% increase in workload. ● Increased Service Delivery performance 10% for all services and reduced average delivery lead time 1 week to increase revenue $1M.
Earlier career includes roles of Technical Support Centre Leader (Australia), Head of Operations (India), Program Manager (London) and Sr Manager (Europe). At COLT Technology as HE A D O F OP E R A T I O N S (I N D I A ) I established an offshore facility providing back-office support to all European Operations, growing from start-up to >230FTE & 8 Sr Leaders.
E D U C A T I O N , AC C R E D I T A T I O N S , T E C H N I C A L E X P E R I E N C E A N D L E A D E R S H I P BEng (Hons), Electronic Engineering, UNIVERSITY OF WALES, BANGOR | CHARTERED ENGINEER & FELLOW OF INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY.
Board/Committee Application
06/16/2026 2:52 PM (PDT)
Board/Committee Application
First Name Elaine
Last Name de Man
Primary Phone Number
Email
Street Address
City St. Helena
State CA
Zip Code 94574
Length of residency in the City of
St. Helena
28 years
Please choose the
Commission/Committee you are
applying for:
Parks and Recreation Commission
Employment Status Other
Please define Other: I am technically "retired" but am still the sole proprietor for two small businesses:
Ukulele Adventures & Card Shark Press
Reason for Applying Having raised both of my children in St. Helena, I have firsthand experience with the important role parks, recreation programs, and public spaces play in the quality of life for local families and the community as a whole.
After attending a number of Parks and Recreation Commission meetings, I have been impressed by how thoughtfully and effectively they are conducted and by the scope of the Commission’s work. As a result, I have become increasingly interested in contributing to its efforts.
My interests align closely with many of the Commission’s responsibilities, particularly park development, environmental stewardship, public education, and community engagement. I am especially interested in contributing to projects such as the Lower Reservoir development, collaboration with the St. Helena Community Forest and Walk St. Helena, and efforts to support the health and resilience of our local landscapes through invasive species management.
Educational Background Miramonte High School 1966 - 1970 UC Davis, BS Zoology - marine biology 1970 - 1974
San Francisco State University MA - Biology - animal behavior and physiology 1975 - 1979
Other relevant experience: * Two UC California Naturalist certifications and one UC Climate Steward certification.
Submission ID: 69ac69dd-31bc-4f9b-95cc-7d67a246c3a5 Receipt ID: 7NM83-06/26 Page 1/4
* Capstone project focused on identification and eradication of invasive species, particularly French broom, combined with a public education component designed to increase community awareness and stewardship.
* Civic engagement project focused on helping residents understand environmental review processes and how to effectively review draft environmental reports and provide public comment at both the City and County level. * Creation of a practical guide to establishing a food forest in a residential setting, promoting biodiversity, sustainable land use, and climate resilience. * Ongoing work with local oak specialists to learn best practices for propagating, transplanting, and establishing valley oak and coast live oak saplings to improve long-term survival and restoration success.
* Frequent review of biological analyses and mitigation measures contained in environmental documents submitted to local agencies.
List any involvement with civic or
charitable organizations:
* Volunteer with the Land Trust of Napa County for more than eight years, primarily as a hike leader.
* Board member of Sustainable St. Helena for the past four years. This organization supports the St. Helena Community Forest and other environmental initiatives.
* Founder and manager of the Wine Country Ukulele Festival in St. Helena for eight years, coordinating volunteers, performers, and community participation in a community cultural event.
* 4-H leader and camp counselor from 2005–2008, building on earlier involvement in 4-H youth leadership and camp programs.
* Active supporter and promoter of World Bicycle Relief, an international nonprofit focused on improving access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunity through mobility.
Have you ever attended a meeting of the Commission to which you are applying? Yes
What is your understanding of the
role and responsibility of this
Commission?
I understand that the Parks and Recreation Commission serves as an advisory body to the City Council and staff on parks, facilities, and recreation programs.
The Commission helps guide decisions on park development, improvements, and long-term planning to meet the community’s needs.
I see the Commission as a link between the community and the City, bringing forward public input while ensuring parks and programs are accessible, inclusive, and well-maintained. Responsibilities also include reviewing budgets, providing input on capital improvements, and helping coordinate efforts with other organizations.
Overall, the role is to offer balanced, forward-looking recommendations that enhance quality of life and responsibly steward public spaces.
What would be your goal(s) as a
Commissioner?
My goal as a Commissioner would be to help ensure our parks and public spaces reflect both the natural character and high standards of our community. I would support thoughtful, forward-looking park development while promoting stewardship, education, and accessibility. I’m especially interested in fostering collaboration with local organizations such as Walk St. Helena and the St. Helena Beautification Committee, engaging volunteers—including groups like the Boy Scouts—and exploring legacy funding and public-private partnerships to help advance more ambitious initiatives.
With growing community interest in public art, I would also like to explore ways to Submission ID: 69ac69dd-31bc-4f9b-95cc-7d67a246c3a5 Receipt ID: 7NM83-06/26 Page 2/4
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Agendas Report to the City Council
Agenda Section: NEW BUSINESS
Department: City Clerk
DATE: June 23, 2026
FROM: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk)
SUBJECT: Reappointment of Three Finance Committee Members and Discuss Vacancy
RECOMMENDED
ACTION: 1. Adopt resolution to reappoint three Finance Committee members: George Schisler, Richard Garber, and Gregg
Dawley.
2. Provide feedback on options for filling vacancy.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION: • 8/24/2024 - City Council indicated interest in establishing a Finance Committee
• 10/2/2024 - Staff presented to City Council a draft Finance Committee recommendation and Council provided direction to bring a refined recommendation back on 11/12/2024
• 11/12/2024 - City Council approved a resolution authorizing the establishment of a Finance Committee
• 1/14/2025 - City Council directed staff to bring back a resolution updating the composition of the Finance
Committee
• 1/28/2025 - City Council updated the composition of the Finance Committee (to 7 members, plus one non-voting
City Council liaison) and appointed four committee
members to a two-year term and three committee members
to a one-year term.
STATEMENT OF THE
PURPOSE:
Reappoint three Finance Committee members and discuss
vacancy caused by resignation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact.
CEQA DETERMINATION: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) BACKGROUND:
The Finance Committee had their first meeting on January 30, 2025 and has typically met one or more times a month since then. They established a variety of subcommittees to look at specific topics. The committee is working to bring a report on City finances to the City Council in the future.
DISCUSSION:
The Finance Committee was first created by the City Council on January 28, 2025, and the committee had their first meeting on January 30, 2025. The original committee members were appointed to one-year and two-year terms. The members appointed to a one-year/18-month term were: George Schisler, Richard Garber, and Gregg Dawley. The members appointed to a two-year term were Christopher Warner, Garry Rose, Arlene Corsetti, and Mark Smithers.
In December 2025 Finance Committee Chair Arlene Corsetti resigned and the committee made Christopher Warner acting chair while waiting to receive direction from the City Council on filling the vacancy.
If the City Council reappoints the the three committee members (George Schisler, Richard Garber, and Gregg Dawley) with expiring one-year/18-month terms for new two-year terms, their terms would expire on June 30, 2028.
In filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Arlene Corsetti the City Council can appoint a member of the committee by requesting new applicants apply for the position through the City Clerk (application available online), leave the position vacant, change the City Council Member liaison to a voting member, or choose to leave the position vacant for either period of time (for example waiting until after the current Finance Committee submits their report to the City Council). For options that do aim to fill the vacancy: after an application period, qualifying applicants would be invited to interview before the City Council in a Special City Council Meeting and then deliberation and appointment would take place during a Regular City Council Meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
GOAL:
Goal 1: Strengthen Financial Sustainability
Goal 4: Provide Effective Community Information & Opportunities for Engagement ATTACHMENTS:
1. Finance Committee Resolution - Reappoint Committee Members - June 2026
CITY OF ST. HELENA
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST. HELENA REAPPOINTING THREE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
RECITALS
A. The City of St. Helena is committed to promoting transparent governance and maintaining sound financial practices; and
B. On January 28, 2025, City Council first appointed seven members of the committee to 1-year and 2-year terms.
C. The three members with expiring terms have expressed interest in staying on the committee to continue the work the Finance Committee has been doing since its inception and complete their report to the City Council.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of St. Helena resolves as follows:
1. Reappoint the following to the Finance Committee Members:
• George Schisler – 2-year term expiring June 30, 2028
• Richard Garber – 2-year term expiring June 30, 2028
• Gregg Dawley – 2-year term expiring June 30, 2028
Approved at a Regular Meeting of the St. Helena City Council on June 23, 2026, by the following vote:
Mayor Dohring:
Vice Mayor Deasy:
Council Member Barak:
Council Member Spadarotto:
Council Member Diaz:
APPROVED: ATTEST:
__________________________ __________________________
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
Agendas Report to the City Council
Agenda Section: NEW BUSINESS
Department: City Clerk
DATE: June 23, 2026
FROM: Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk)
SUBJECT: Qualification of Initiative Measure Proposing to Amend the City’s Municipal Code to Codify by Ordinance the “St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails and Publicly Accessible Open Space Report”
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
That the City Council:
• Receive, file, and accept the certificate of sufficiency of petition signatures as valid in all respects.
Select one of the following three options:
• Adopt the following resolution:
Resolution No. 2026-____: Resolution of the City Council of the City of St. Helena, California submitting to the qualified voters of the City of St. Helena on the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election ballot an initiative measure amending the City’s Municipal Code to codify by ordinance the “St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails and
Publicly Accessible Open Space Report”; requesting the
County of Napa to consolidate said election with the Statewide General Election of even date; and setting rules and deadlines for arguments and rebuttals for and against the measure; or • Adopt the initiative measure as an ordinance, without alteration:
Adopt Ordinance No. 2026-______: an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of St. Helena, California, adding Chapter
17.32 to Title 17 of the St. Helena Municipal Code to codify by ordinance the “St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan:
Walking Routes, Trails and Publicly Accessible Open Space Report” (the “Walking Plan”), pursuant to California Elections
Code Section 9215(a); or
• Order the preparation of an impact report pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9212 to be brought back to the council no more than 30 days later, to analyze the initiative’s impact on City finances, regulations and ability to provide public services.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
N/A
STATEMENT OF THE
PURPOSE:
Either: (1) adopt an ordinance approving the measure, without alteration, (2) adopt a resolution submitting the measure to the voters, or (3) prepare an impact report pursuant to Elections Code Section 9212 and return to Council for action within 30 days.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact to the budget at this time. However, the estimated cost of holding a November election for this measure is $15,000. The Napa County Registrar of Voters will invoice the City of St. Helena for election services after the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election.
The implementation of the St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan Initiative would have additional costs to the City that have not been fully calculated as part of the initiative and the initiative does not include a funding plan for implementation.
CEQA DETERMINATION: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) There may be CEQA needs if/when projects within the plan are begun.
BACKGROUND:
On January 27, 2026, the City Clerk’s Office received a Notice of Intent to circulate an initiative petition from a group of St. Helena residents (the “proponents”) seeking to qualify an initiative measure proposing to amend the City’s Municipal Code to codify by ordinance the “St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails and Publicly Accessible Open Space Report.” In accordance with California Elections Code Section 9203, the City Attorney prepared a Ballot Title and Summary for the proposed measure and on February 11, 2026, the City Clerk submitted the Ballot Title and Summary to the initiative proponents. The proponents then had 180 days to gather petition signatures to qualify the measure. Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9215, the initiative petition must be signed by not less than 10% of the registered voters of the City to qualify the measure for the ballot. Per the Napa County Registrar of Voters official report of registration to the California Secretary of State at the time the notice of intention was published, the number of registered voters in St. Helena was 3,510 (as of Secretary of State Report from December 30, 2025). The proponents published the "Notice of Intent to Circulate Petition" in the St. Helena Star on February 19, 2026 and
submitted the "Affidavit of Publication" to the City of St. Helena on February 24, 2026.
DISCUSSION:
On May 22, 2026, the initiative proponents filed the signed petition with the City Clerk’s Office.
Pursuant to the California Elections Code, the petitions were examined by the City Clerk’s Office and the signature verification was conducted by the Napa County Registrar of Voters.
Under State law, 351 verified valid voter signatures are required to qualify the measure for the ballot. On May 28, 2026, the City received notification from the Napa County Registrar of Voters that the signature verification process was complete and that the petition contained 476 verified valid signatures. In an email dated May 28, 2026, the City Clerk’s Office notified the proponents that the petition had sufficient signatures to qualify the measure on the ballot.
The Certificate of Sufficiency of Initiative Petition is attached to this report and it is recommended that the City Council receive, file, and accept the certificate as valid in all respects.
Since the Measure has obtained the required number of signatures, tonight, the City Council’s options under the California Elections Code are as follows:
1. Submit the Measure to the voters at the City’s next General Municipal Election scheduled for November 3, 2026; or
2. Adopt the Measure as an ordinance, without alteration.
3. Order an impartial report to be prepared pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9212, outlining the impacts of the initiative on the City’s finances, the City’s General Plan and land use regulations, the City’s ability to provide public services, and any other aspects of City government. This impact report must be brought back to the City Council no more than 30 days later, at which point, the City Council must choose either option 1 or option 2.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
GOAL:
Miscellaneous/Other
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution - Calling General Municipal Election for Trails and Open Space Plan Initiative Measure - November 3, 2026-c2
2. Ordinance - City Council Ordinance Adopting Trails and Open Space Plan Initiative Measure - Without Election - 2026-c2
3. Initiative Measure Title and Summary prepared by City Attorney
4. Certificate of Sufficiency from Napa County – Petition Signature Verification
5. Attachment A - Walk St. Helena Initiative Text and Ordinance
6. Attachment A (Appendix) - Walk St. Helena Initiative
7. Notice of Intent to Circulate - 1-27-26
8. Affidavit of Publication - 2-24-2026
9. Presentation - Walk St. Helena
10. Public Comment - Bobbi Monnette
11. Public Comment - Maury Robertson
12. Public Comment - Kelly Wheaton 2
13. Public Comment - Mario Trinchero
14. Public Comment - Elaine de Man
15. Public Comment - Glenn Smith
16. Public Comment - Jeff & Kim Farmer
17. Public Comment - Stephanie Smithers
18. Public Comment - Linda Rose
19. Public Comment - Garry Rose
20. Public Comment - Katie Leinen
21. Public Comment - Chris Millich
22. Public Comment - Patti Antonaccio
23. Public Comment - Tracy McBride
24. Public Comment - James Decker
25. Public Comment - Stacey Bressler
26. Public Comment - Henry Gundling
27. Public Comment - Molly Scott - Lewis Cellars
28. Public Comment - Terry and Juli Pringle
29. Public Comment - Nancy Dervin
30. Public Comment - Kristin Martin
31. Public Comment - Michael Haley
32. Public Comment - Chelsea Hoff
33. Public Comment - Tracy and Jim Sweeney
34. Public Comment - Jordan Coonrad
35. Public Comment - Mike Hackett
36. Public Comment - Rich and Arlene Corsetti
37. Public Comment - Leslie Stanton
38. Public Comment - Lisa Pelosi
39. Public Comment - Carl Dene
40. Public Comment - Pam Smithers
41. Public Comment - Elaine de Man 3
42. Public Comment - Madelyn Chandler - Sustainable St. Helena
43. Public Comment - Mark Perry Butler
44. Public Comment - Jennifer Haley
45. Public Comment - Ric Henry
46. Public Comment - Tom Scripps
47. Public Comment - Joe McGrath
48. Public Comment - Michael Dene
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-___
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST. HELENA,
CALIFORNIA SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF ST. HELENA ON THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION BALLOT AN INITIATIVE MEASURE AMENDING THE CITY’S MUNICIPAL CODE TO CODIFY BY ORDINANCE THE “ST. HELENA
TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE PLAN: WALKING ROUTES, TRAILS AND
PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE OPEN SPACE REPORT”; REQUESTING THE
COUNTY OF NAPA TO CONSOLIDATE SAID ELECTION WITH THE
STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION OF EVEN DATE; AND SETTING
RULES AND DEADLINES FOR ARGUMENTS AND REBUTTALS FOR
AND AGAINST THE MEASURE.
WHEREAS, pursuant to authority provided by the California Elections Code, a petition has been filed with the City Council of the City of St. Helena, seeking to enact an initiative measure which would add an ordinance to the St. Helena Municipal Code to codify the “St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails, and Publicly Accessible Open Space Report” (the “Walking Plan” or “Measure”); and WHEREAS, the Walking Plan was prepared by an ad-hoc subcommittee of the City Parks and Recreation Commission and local volunteers, with contributions from City staff, was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission on November 14, 2022 and has been subsequently updated in 2025 by Walk St. Helena, a local non-profit corporation; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Elections Code section 9215, an initiative petition must be in filed with the City in valid form and signed by not less than ten percent (10%) of the registered voters of the City in order to qualify the Measure for the ballot; and
WHEREAS, according to Napa County voter records, the minimum signature requirement in order to qualify the Measure for the ballot is 351 registered City voters; and
WHEREAS, the City Clerk, through the Napa County Registrar of Voters, has certified that the form of the petition complies with California law and, based upon an examination of voter registration records, has ascertained that the petition is signed by the requisite number of voters to qualify the Measure for the ballot under the Elections Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has not voted in favor of adoption of the Measure without alteration; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is therefore authorized and required by California Elections Code Sections 1405 and 9215 to submit the proposed Measure to the voters at its “next regularly scheduled election occurring not less than 88 days after the date of the order of election”; and
City of St. Helena
Resolution No. 2026-___
WHEREAS, the next “regularly scheduled election” is the City’s General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the specific terms of the Walking Plan/Measure are attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and by this reference made an operative part hereof, and in accordance with all applicable laws; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable that the General Municipal Election be consolidated with the Statewide General Election to be held on the same date, that within the City the precincts, polling places, voting centers and election officers of the two elections be the same, that the Napa County election department canvass the returns of the General Municipal Election, and that the election be held in all respects as if there were only one election; and
WHEREAS, it is also desirable to establish deadlines and rules for the submission of written arguments and rebuttals for and against the Measure in accordance with applicable California Elections Code procedures.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST. HELENA,
CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Recitals. The City Council hereby finds and determines that the foregoing recitals are true and correct, and are incorporated herein and by this reference are made an operative part hereof.
SECTION 2. Submission of Ballot Measure. The City Council of the City, pursuant to its right and authority as contained in California Elections Code Sections 1405 and 9215, hereby orders the Measure attached hereto as Exhibit “A” to be submitted to the qualified voters of the City at a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The proposed Measure shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “A” to this Resolution and is incorporated by this reference as if fully set forth herein.
SECTION 3. Ballot Question. The City Council, pursuant to its right and authority, does hereby order that the ballot question for the Measure shall be presented and printed upon the ballot submitted to the qualified voters in the manner and form set forth in this Section 3. On the ballot to be submitted to the qualified voters at the General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in addition to any other matters required by law, there shall be printed substantially the following ballot question:
"Shall the measure to add an ordinance to the St.
Helena Municipal Code to codify the “St. Helena Trails
YES
City of St. Helena
Resolution No. 2026-___
and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails, and
Publicly Accessible Open Space Report” be adopted?"
NO
SECTION 4. Election Procedures.
A. The ballots to be used at the election shall be in the form and content as required by law.
B. Pursuant to the requirements of Section 10403 of the Elections Code, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Napa is hereby requested to consent and agree to the consolidation of a General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the purpose of submitting to the voters the questions relating to the City’s Measure.
C. The election services which the City of St. Helena requests the Registrar of Voters, or such other official as may be appropriate, to perform and which such officer is hereby authorized and directed to perform, if said Board of Supervisors consents, include: the preparation, printing and mailing of sample ballots; the establishment or appointment of precincts, polling places, voting centers and election officers; the preparation, printing, mailing and furnishing of vote-by-mail ballots; making such publications as are required by law in connection therewith; the furnishing of ballots, voting booths, and other necessary supplies or materials for polling places or voting centers; the canvassing of the returns of the election and the furnishing of the results of such canvassing to the City Clerk of the City of St. Helena; and the performance of such other election services as may be requested by the City Clerk.
D. The City Clerk is authorized, instructed and directed to procure and furnish, or cause to be procured and furnished through the County of Napa, any and all official ballots, notices, printed matter and all supplies, equipment and paraphernalia that may be necessary in order to properly and lawfully conduct the election.
E. The polls, voting centers and/or vote-by-mail drop-off boxes shall be open and the procedures for submitting votes-by-mail or votes at polls and vote centers shall be in accordance with those times and procedures established by the County of Napa, except as otherwise provided in the Elections Code of the State of California.
F. In all particulars not recited in this Resolution, the election shall be held and conducted as provided by law for holding municipal elections in the City.
G. Notice of the time and place of holding the election is given and the City Clerk is authorized, instructed and directed to give further or additional notice of the election, in time, form, and manner as required by law.
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H. All ballots shall be tallied at a central counting place and not at the precincts.
Said central counting place shall be at a County center as designated by the Registrar of Voters.
I. The Napa County Registrar of Voters is hereby authorized to canvass the returns of said election.
J. The City Clerk of the City of St. Helena shall receive the canvass from the County as it pertains to the election on the Measure, and shall certify the results to the City Council, as required by law.
SECTION 5. Arguments and Impartial Analysis.
A. The City Council authorizes (i) the City Council or any member(s) of the City Council, (ii) the proponents of the above Measure, (iii) any individual voter eligible to vote on the above Measure, (iv) a bona fide association of such citizens or (v) any combination of voters and associations, to file a written argument in favor of or against the Measure, in accordance with Article 4, Chapter 3, Division 9 of the Elections Code of the State of California, which arguments may be changed until and including the deadline set by the Napa County Registrar of Voters, after which no arguments for or against the Measure may be submitted to the City Clerk. Arguments in favor of or against the Measure shall each not exceed 300 words in length. Each argument shall be filed with the City Clerk, signed, and include the printed name(s) and signature(s) of the author(s) submitting it, or if submitted on behalf of an organization, the name of the organization, and the printed name and signature of at least one of its principal officers who is the author of the argument.
B. The City Clerk shall comply with all provisions of law establishing priority of arguments for printing and distribution to the voters, and shall take all necessary actions to cause the selected arguments to be printed and distributed to the voters.
C. Pursuant to Section 9280 of the Elections Code, the City Council directs the City Clerk to transmit a copy of the Measure to the City Attorney. The City Attorney shall prepare an impartial analysis of the Measure, not to exceed 500 words in length, showing the effect of the Measure on the existing law and the operation of the Measure. The City Attorney shall transmit such impartial analysis to the City Clerk, who shall cause the analysis to be published in the voter information guide along with the Measure as provided by law. The Impartial Analysis shall be filed by the deadline set for filing of primary arguments as set forth in Subsection 5(A) above. The impartial analysis shall include a statement indicating whether the Measure was placed on the ballot by a petition signed by the requisite number of voters or by the City Council.
In the event the entire text of the Measure is not printed on the ballot, nor in the
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voter information portion of the sample ballot, there shall be printed immediately below the impartial analysis, in no less than 10-font bold type, the following:
“The above statement is an impartial analysis of Ordinance or Measure ____. If you desire a copy of the Ordinance or Measure, please call the election official’s office at (707) 968-2742 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.”
D. The provisions of this Section 5 shall apply only to the election to be held on November 3, 2026, and shall then be repealed.
SECTION 6. Rebuttals.
A. Pursuant to Section 9285 of the Elections Code of the State of California, when the Clerk has selected the arguments for and against the various City initiated measures which will be printed and distributed to the voters, the Clerk shall send copies of the argument in favor of the measures to the authors of the argument against, and copies of the argument against to the authors of the argument in favor. The authors or persons designated by them may prepare and submit rebuttal arguments not exceeding 250 words. The rebuttal arguments shall be filed with the City Clerk not later than 10 days after the deadline for primary arguments set forth in Section 5 above. Rebuttal arguments shall be printed in the same manner as the direct arguments. Each rebuttal argument shall immediately follow the direct argument which it seeks to rebut.
B. The provisions of this Section 6 shall apply only to the election to be held on November 3, 2026, and shall then be repealed.
SECTION 7. Placement on the Ballot. The full text of the Measure shall be printed in the voter information guide, and a statement shall be printed in the ballot pursuant to Section 9223 of the Elections Code advising voters that they may obtain a copy of the Measure at no cost, upon request made to the City Clerk.
SECTION 8. Delivery of Resolution to County. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions. The City Council directs the City Clerk to deliver copies of this Resolution, including the Measure attached hereto as Exhibit “A”, to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of Napa County and to the Registrar of Voters of Napa County.
SECTION 9. Public Examination. Pursuant to California Elections Code section 9295, the Measure will be available for public examination for no fewer than ten (10) calendar days prior to being submitted for printing in the voter information guide. The Clerk shall post notice in the Clerk’s office of the specific dates that the examination period will run.
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SECTION 10. CEQA. The City Council hereby finds and determines that placement of the Measure on the ballot is not a discretionary action of the City Council within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and the State CEQA Guidelines and is, therefore, not subject to CEQA review. See, Tuolumne Jobs and Small Business Alliance v. Superior Court, (2014) 59 Cal. 4th 1029.
SECTION 11. Severability. If any provision of this Resolution or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the Resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Resolution are severable. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this Resolution irrespective of the invalidity of any particular portion thereof.
SECTION 12. Effective Date of Resolution. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 23rd day of June, 2026.
________________________________
PAUL DOHRING, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
I, Andrew Bradley, City Clerk of the City of St. Helena, California, do hereby certify that the whole number of the members of the City Council is five (5); that the above and foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly passed and adopted by at least three affirmative votes of all members at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of St. Helena on the 23rd day of June, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members:
NOES: Council Member:
ABSENT: Council Member:
ABSTAIN: Council Member:
________________________________
Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
City of St. Helena
Resolution No. 2026-___
EXHIBIT “A”
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-____
AN ORDINANCE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ST. HELENA,
CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 17.32 TO TITLE 17 OF THE ST.
HELENA MUNICIPAL CODE TO CODIFY BY ORDINANCE THE “ST.
HELENA TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE PLAN: WALKING ROUTES,
TRAILS AND PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE OPEN SPACE REPORT” (THE
“WALKING PLAN”).
THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS, PURPOSE, AND INTENT
Findings
We, the people of the City of St. Helena, find and declare as follows:
1. The St. Helena General Plan Update 2040 (the “General Plan”), adopted in 2019, calls for the City to promote walking in our town, to create a pedestrian-friendly environment, and to develop pedestrian trails, amenities, and policies.
2. The General Plan details walking and pedestrian objectives across multiple elements, including the Circulation, Community Design, Open Space and Conservation, Climate Change, and Parks and Recreation elements, as does the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update (the “Housing Element”), certified in 2023.
3. The St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails, and Publicly Accessible Open Space Report to City Council November 2022 (updated October 2025) (the “Walking Plan”), is a comprehensive, coordinated, and clearly articulated framework for the City to deliver on walking and pedestrian elements of the General Plan and Housing Element.
4. In particular, the Walking Plan supports the General Plan and Housing Element objectives to promote walking as a safe and convenient mode of transportation, expand pedestrian connectivity, enhance the public realm and community character, provide low-impact access to natural and scenic resources, and reduce reliance on automobile travel.
5. The Walking Plan was prepared by an ad hoc subcommittee of the City of St. Helena Parks & Recreation Commission working with interested community members and City staff, and was approved by the Commission on November 14th, 2022, and forwarded to the Planning Commission and City Council for adoption.
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6. The Walking Plan has not yet been adopted and therefore currently does not serve as a formal implementation tool of the General Plan and Housing Element.
7. Adoption of the Walking Plan by ordinance is necessary to deliver the goals, policies, and implementing actions of the walking and pedestrian elements of the General Plan and Housing Element, and provides a roadmap for activities and efforts over approximately the next four years.
8. In October 2025, the Walking Plan’s route information, timelines, and cost estimates were updated by Walk St. Helena, a 501(c)(3), formed to sponsor walks and to work to open and maintain walking trails and routes in Upper Napa Valley.
Purpose
The purpose of this ordinance is to adopt the Walking Plan, its framework and timelines, consistent with the General Plan and Housing Element, and direct the City to pursue its implementation in a public/private partnership with community-based organizations, including but not limited to Walk St. Helena.
Intent
The intent of this ordinance is to:
(a) Provide residents and visitors with opportunities to walk throughout the city, promote participation in active, healthy activities, encourage safe and convenient alternative modes of transportation, and deliver pedestrian amenities. (b) The Walking Plan was created to deliver on the General Plan and Housing Element and protect existing walking paths, expand walking opportunities throughout the city, and create ways to enhance pedestrian connectivity in the future. The Plan also identified the anticipated process, budget, timeline, and resources needed for implementation over an anticipated four-year period. A detailed, 133-page document, it includes the following sections:
1. Published walking loops and trails
2. Existing opportunities for walking paths and trails
3. Voluntary open space access or easements
4. Development agreements
5. Implementation Framework
6. Appendices
(c) Adoption of the Walking Plan would establish guidelines to allow the implementation of activities described in the Plan, including mapped and signed walking paths centered on downtown; improvements and maintenance of current paths and opening up already existing trails and walking loops on city-owned property;
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Resolution No. 2026-___
opportunities for voluntary open space and access easements with the city; and establishment of a city process for development agreements to provide pedestrian access in new residential, commercial and industrial developments. As an appendix, the plan provides St. Helena-specific context as well as information and examples of walking plans and implementing activities by other towns, cities, and nonprofits. (d) The Walking Plan delivers a number of widely popular community benefits, both for residents and visitors, and should be implemented by the City without unnecessary obstacles or delay.
SECTION 2. AMENDMENT TO MUNICIPAL CODE. Subject to the approval of a majority of the voters of the City of St. Helena at the General Municipal Election so designated by the City Council in a separate resolution placing the proposal on the ballot for such election, Chapter 17.32 is hereby added to Title 17 of the St. Helena Municipal Code to read as follows:
“TITLE 17- ZONING CODE
Division IV. – CITYWIDE STANDARDS
CHAPTER 17.32 – Adopting and Implementing the “St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails and Publicly Accessible Open Space, November 2022 Report to City Council (Updated October 2025) (the “Walking Plan”)
(1) We, the people of the City of St. Helena, hereby adopt the St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails, and Publicly Accessible Open Space, November 2022 Report to City Council (updated October 2025) (the “Walking Plan”) as a walking plan for the City of St. Helena. (2) The Walking Plan is specifically described in Attachment A of this Initiative, the full and complete text of which is physically attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as though set forth in full in this paragraph. [The Walking Plan is hereby specifically incorporated by reference, the full and complete text of which is available for inspection and copying at the St. Helena City Clerk’s Office.]
(3) We, the people of St. Helena, find that adoption and implementation of the Walking Plan is consistent with the General Plan and its goals, policies, and implementing actions of the Circulation, Community Design, Open Space and Conservation, Climate Change, and Parks and Recreation elements and with the Housing Element.
(4) We, the people of St. Helena, desire that the City Council immediately use its best efforts to implement this Ordinance and the Walking Plan by directing city staff to work in public/private partnerships with community-based organizations,
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Resolution No. 2026-___
including but not limited to Walk St. Helena, identifying any available public and private funding sources, and taking all steps possible to implement the plan and its timeline in cooperation with volunteers and residents within the community.” SECTION 3. IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS MEASURE
A. Severability. If any word or words of this Initiative (including, without limitation, any part of the Walking Plan, or its Attachments, Appendices or Exhibits, or their application to any situation), are held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction then that word or words are severed, and the remaining part of this Initiative, or the application of any part of this Initiative, or the application of this Initiative to other situations, shall continue in full force and effect. We, the people of the City of St. Helena, declare that we would have adopted this initiative, and each valid word of it, irrespective of the fact any other word, or application in any situation, be held invalid.
B. Cure and Approval. If any part of this Initiative (including, without limitation, any part of the Walking Plan, or its Attachments, Appendices or Exhibits or their application to any situation), is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, we, the people of the City of St. Helena, indicate our strong desire that the City Council use its best efforts to sustain and reenact that part, and that the City Council shall implement this Initiative by taking all steps possible to cure any inadequacies or deficiencies identified by the court in a manner consistent with the intent of this Initiative, and then adopting or reenacting such part as necessary or desirable to implement such purpose and intent.
Attachment A to Initiative
Full Text of the St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails, and Publicly Accessible Open Space Report to City Council November 2022 (updated October 2025)
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
Pursuant to California Elections Code section 9217, this Ordinance shall be deemed adopted and take effect only if approved by a majority of the eligible voters of the City of St. Helena voting at the General Municipal Election of November 3, 2026. It shall be deemed adopted when the City Council has certified the results of that election by resolution and shall take effect ten (10) days thereafter.
SECTION 5. ATTESTATION OF ORDINANCE.
The Mayor is hereby authorized to attest to the adoption of this Ordinance by the People voting thereon on November 3, 2026, by signing where indicated below.
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Resolution No. 2026-___
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the People of the City of St. Helena this 3 rd day of November, 2026.
________________________________
PAUL DOHRING, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-____
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST.
HELENA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 17.32 TO TITLE 17 OF THE ST. HELENA MUNICIPAL CODE TO CODIFY BY ORDINANCE THE “ST.
HELENA TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE PLAN: WALKING ROUTES,
TRAILS AND PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE OPEN SPACE REPORT” (THE
“WALKING PLAN”), PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS CODE
SECTION 9215(a).
WHEREAS, pursuant to authority provided by the California Elections Code, a petition has been filed with the City Council of the City of St. Helena, seeking to enact an initiative measure which would add an ordinance to the St. Helena Municipal Code to codify the “St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails, and Publicly Accessible Open Space Report” (the “Walking Plan” or “Measure”); and WHEREAS, the Walking Plan was prepared by an ad-hoc subcommittee of the City Parks and Recreation Commission and local volunteers, with contributions from City staff, was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission on November 14, 2022 and has been subsequently updated in 2025 by Walk St. Helena, a local non-profit corporation; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Elections Code section 9215, an initiative petition must be in filed with the City in valid form and signed by not less than ten percent (10%) of the registered voters of the City in order to qualify the Measure for the ballot; and
WHEREAS, according to Napa County voter records, the minimum signature requirement in order to qualify the Measure for the ballot is 351 registered City voters; and
WHEREAS, the City Clerk, through the Napa County Registrar of Voters, has certified that the form of the petition complies with California law and, based upon an examination of voter registration records, has ascertained that the petition is signed by the requisite number of voters to qualify the Measure for the ballot under the Elections Code; and
WHEREAS, this Measure’s proponents have completed all other necessary prerequisite steps qualify and place it on the ballot; and WHEREAS, since this Measure has qualified for placement on the ballot, pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9215, the City Council is legally required to either (i) adopt this Measure as an ordinance without alteration, or (ii) submit it to the voters at its next regularly scheduled election occurring not less than 88 days after the date of the order of election or at a special election pursuant to Elections Code Section 1405; and
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WHEREAS, in lieu of placing the Measure on the ballot, the City Council has voted to adopt it as an ordinance without alteration.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Recitals. The City Council hereby finds and determines that the foregoing recitals are true and correct, and are incorporated herein and by this reference are made an operative part hereof.
SECTION 2. Adoption of Measure/Ordinance Without Alteration. Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9215(a), the City Council hereby adopts this initiative measure as an ordinance without alteration, to read as follows:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS, PURPOSE, AND INTENT
Findings
We, the people of the City of St. Helena, find and declare as follows:
1. The St. Helena General Plan Update 2040 (the “General Plan”), adopted in 2019, calls for the City to promote walking in our town, to create a pedestrian-friendly environment, and to develop pedestrian trails, amenities, and policies.
2. The General Plan details walking and pedestrian objectives across multiple elements, including the Circulation, Community Design, Open Space and Conservation, Climate Change, and Parks and Recreation elements, as does the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update (the “Housing Element”), certified in 2023.
3. The St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails, and Publicly Accessible Open Space Report to City Council November 2022 (updated October 2025) (the “Walking Plan”), is a comprehensive, coordinated, and clearly articulated framework for the City to deliver on walking and pedestrian elements of the General Plan and Housing Element.
4. In particular, the Walking Plan supports the General Plan and Housing Element objectives to promote walking as a safe and convenient mode of transportation, expand pedestrian connectivity, enhance the public realm and community character, provide low-impact access to natural and scenic resources, and reduce reliance on automobile travel.
5. The Walking Plan was prepared by an ad hoc subcommittee of the City of St. Helena Parks & Recreation Commission working with interested community members and City staff, and was approved by the Commission on November 14th, 2022, and forwarded to the Planning Commission and City Council for adoption.
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Ordinance No. 2026-___
6. The Walking Plan has not yet been adopted and therefore currently does not serve as a formal implementation tool of the General Plan and Housing Element.
7. Adoption of the Walking Plan by ordinance is necessary to deliver the goals, policies, and implementing actions of the walking and pedestrian elements of the General Plan and Housing Element, and provides a roadmap for activities and efforts over approximately the next four years.
8. In October 2025, the Walking Plan’s route information, timelines, and cost estimates were updated by Walk St. Helena, a 501(c)(3), formed to sponsor walks and to work to open and maintain walking trails and routes in Upper Napa Valley.
Purpose
The purpose of this ordinance is to adopt the Walking Plan, its framework and timelines, consistent with the General Plan and Housing Element, and direct the City to pursue its implementation in a public/private partnership with community-based organizations, including but not limited to Walk St. Helena.
Intent
The intent of this ordinance is to:
(a) Provide residents and visitors with opportunities to walk throughout the city, promote participation in active, healthy activities, encourage safe and convenient alternative modes of transportation, and deliver pedestrian amenities. (b) The Walking Plan was created to deliver on the General Plan and Housing Element and protect existing walking paths, expand walking opportunities throughout the city, and create ways to enhance pedestrian connectivity in the future. The Plan also identified the anticipated process, budget, timeline, and resources needed for implementation over an anticipated four-year period. A detailed, 133-page document, it includes the following sections:
1. Published walking loops and trails
2. Existing opportunities for walking paths and trails
3. Voluntary open space access or easements
4. Development agreements
5. Implementation Framework
6. Appendices
(c) Adoption of the Walking Plan would establish guidelines to allow the implementation of activities described in the Plan, including mapped and signed walking paths centered on downtown; improvements and maintenance of current paths and opening up already existing trails and walking loops on city-owned property;
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Ordinance No. 2026-___
opportunities for voluntary open space and access easements with the city; and establishment of a city process for development agreements to provide pedestrian access in new residential, commercial and industrial developments. As an appendix, the plan provides St. Helena-specific context as well as information and examples of walking plans and implementing activities by other towns, cities, and nonprofits. (d) The Walking Plan delivers a number of widely popular community benefits, both for residents and visitors, and should be implemented by the City without unnecessary obstacles or delay.
SECTION 2. AMENDMENT TO MUNICIPAL CODE. Chapter 17.32 is hereby added to Title 17 of the St. Helena Municipal Code to read as follows:
“TITLE 17- ZONING CODE
Division IV. – CITYWIDE STANDARDS
CHAPTER 17.32 – Adopting and Implementing the “St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails and Publicly Accessible Open Space, November 2022 Report to City Council (Updated October 2025) (the “Walking Plan”)
(1) We, the people of the City of St. Helena, hereby adopt the St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails, and Publicly Accessible Open Space, November 2022 Report to City Council (updated October 2025) (the “Walking Plan”) as a walking plan for the City of St. Helena.
(2) The Walking Plan is specifically described in Attachment A of this Initiative, the full and complete text of which is physically attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as though set forth in full in this paragraph. (3) We, the people of St. Helena, find that adoption and implementation of the Walking Plan is consistent with the General Plan and its goals, policies, and implementing actions of the Circulation, Community Design, Open Space and Conservation, Climate Change, and Parks and Recreation elements and with the Housing Element.
(4) We, the people of St. Helena, desire that the City Council immediately use its best efforts to implement this Ordinance and the Walking Plan by directing city staff to work in public/private partnerships with community-based organizations, including but not limited to Walk St. Helena, identifying any available public and private funding sources, and taking all steps possible to implement the plan and its timeline in cooperation with volunteers and residents within the community.” SECTION 3. IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS MEASURE
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Ordinance No. 2026-___
A. Severability. If any word or words of this Initiative (including, without limitation, any part of the Walking Plan, or its Attachments, Appendices or Exhibits, or their application to any situation), are held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction then that word or words are severed, and the remaining part of this Initiative, or the application of any part of this Initiative, or the application of this Initiative to other situations, shall continue in full force and effect. We, the people of the City of St. Helena, declare that we would have adopted this initiative, and each valid word of it, irrespective of the fact any other word, or application in any situation, be held invalid.
B. Cure and Approval. If any part of this Initiative (including, without limitation, any part of the Walking Plan, or its Attachments, Appendices or Exhibits or their application to any situation), is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, we, the people of the City of St. Helena, indicate our strong desire that the City Council use its best efforts to sustain and reenact that part, and that the City Council shall implement this Initiative by taking all steps possible to cure any inadequacies or deficiencies identified by the court in a manner consistent with the intent of this Initiative, and then adopting or reenacting such part as necessary or desirable to implement such purpose and intent.
Attachment A to Initiative
Full Text of the St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails, and Publicly Accessible Open Space Report to City Council November 2022 (updated October 2025)
SECTION 4. Effective Date. Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9215(a), the City Council hereby adopts this initiative Ordinance and it shall go into effect thirty (30) days after adoption.
SECTION 5. CEQA. The City Council hereby finds and determines that adoption of this Measure is not a discretionary action of the City Council within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and the State CEQA Guidelines and is, therefore, not subject to CEQA review. See, Tuolumne Jobs and Small Business Alliance v. Superior Court, (2014) 59 Cal. 4th 1029.
SECTION 6. Future Amendment. Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9217, this Ordinance may not be repealed or amended except by a vote of the People of the City of St. Helena.
SECTION 7. Publication. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and cause publication to occur in a newspaper of general circulation which is published and circulated in the City in a manner permitted under State law.
City of St. Helena
Ordinance No. 2026-___
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 23rd day of June, 2026.
________________________________
PAUL DOHRING, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Andrew Bradley ,City Clerk
I, Andrew Bradley, City Clerk of the City of St. Helena, California, do hereby certify that the whole number of the members of the City Council is five (5); that the above and foregoing Ordinance was duly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of St. Helena on the 23rd day of June, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members:
NOES: Council Member:
ABSENT: Council Member:
ABSTAIN: Council Member:
________________________________
Andrew Bradley, City Clerk
83578.00000\44664526.2
INITIATIVE MEASURE TO BE SUBMITTED DIRECTLY TO ST. HELENA VOTERS The City Attorney has prepared the following title and summary of the chief purpose and points of the proposed measure, pursuant to California Elections Code section 9203. The title and summary must be printed across the top of each page of the petition whereon signatures are to appear as required by California Elections Code section 9203.
Ballot Title: Initiative Measure to Approve the St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan Ballot Summary:
The proposed measure is to adopt the St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails, and Publicly Accessible Open Space Report (the “Plan”) by ordinance. The Plan was prepared by an ad-hoc subcommittee of the City Parks and Recreation Commission and local volunteers, with contributions from City staff. The Plan was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission on November 14, 2022 and has been subsequently updated by Walk St. Helena, a local non-profit corporation.
The Plan is comprised of a report with stated goals of protecting existing walking paths, expanding walking opportunities today, and providing a legacy of walking into the future in the City of St.
Helena. The Plan includes a sequence of steps, budget, timeline, and suggested staff and community resources to further these goals. The Plan includes five sections: (1) a section describing and discussing published walking loops and trails, (2) a section discussing existing opportunities for walking paths and trails, (3) a section on seeking voluntary open space easements or access in furtherance of the goals of the Plan, (4) a section on utilizing development agreements to seek dedications of walking paths and trails from developers in the City, and (5) a section providing an implementation framework for the Plan.
If approved the proposed measure would adopt the Plan as a walking plan for the City of St. Helena by ordinance.
/s/ Ethan Walsh, St. Helena City Attorney
INITIATIVE MEASURE TO BE SUBMITTED DIRECTLY TO ST. HELENA VOTERS The City Attorney has prepared the following title and summary of the chief purpose and points of the proposed measure, pursuant to California Elections Code section 9203.
Ballot Title:
Initiative Measure to Approve the St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan Ballot Summary:
The proposed measure is to adopt the St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails, and Publicly Accessible Open Space Report (the “Plan”) by ordinance. The Plan was prepared by an ad-hoc subcommittee of the City Parks and Recreation Commission and local volunteers, with contributions from City staff. The Plan was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission on November 14, 2022 and has been subsequently updated by Walk St. Helena, a local non-profit corporation.
The Plan is comprised of a report with stated goals of protecting existing walking paths, expanding walking opportunities today, and providing a legacy of walking into the future in the City of St. Helena. The Plan includes a sequence of steps, budget, timeline, and suggested staff and community resources to further these goals. The Plan includes five sections: (1) a section describing and discussing published walking loops and trails, (2) a section discussing existing opportunities for walking paths and trails, (3) a section on seeking voluntary open space easements or access in furtherance of the goals of the Plan, (4) a section on utilizing development agreements to seek dedications of walking paths and trails from developers in the City, and (5) a section providing an implementation framework for the Plan.
If approved the proposed measure would adopt the Plan as a walking plan for the City of St. Helena by ordinance.
The published notice of intent to circulate provides as follows:
NOTICE OF INTENT TO CIRCULATE PETITION
Notice is hereby given by the persons whose names appear hereon of their intention to circulate a petition within the City of St. Helena for the purpose of enacting an ordinance to adopt and implement the St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails, and Publicly Accessible Open Space Report to City Council November 2022 (updated October 2025) (the “Walking Plan”) by initiative measure, consistent with the St. Helena General Plan Update 2040 (the “General Plan”).
A statement of the reasons for the proposed action as contemplated in the petition is as follows: The proposed ordinance would implement existing pedestrian and walking goals, policies, and actions contained in the General Plan’s Circulation, Community Design, Open Space and Conservation, Climate Change, and Parks and Recreation elements and in the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update. It would protect existing walking paths, expand walking opportunities today, and create ways to enhance this legacy in the future. The Walking Plan provides a vital framework: a sequence of steps, budget, timeline, and suggested resources for implementation over an anticipated four-year period.
The Walking Plan was prepared by an ad hoc subcommittee of the City of St. Helena Parks & Recreation Commission starting in 2019 with interested community members together with the City Manager, Parks & Recreation Director, Planning and Building Director, and Public Works Director. It provided its final recommendations in 2022 to help the city be a center for walking and passive recreation, creating a yearround amenity for those who live, work, and visit. In October 2025, the Walking Plan’s route information, timelines, and budget information was updated by Walk St. Helena, a 501(c)(3), founded to sponsor walks and to work to open and maintain walking trails and routes in Upper Napa Valley.
Activities and opportunities identified in the Walking Plan include:
A proposed set of published walking loops and trails
A number of existing walking paths and trail opportunities A plan for voluntary open space easements or access
A model for development agreements
On November 14th, 2022, the Parks & Recreation Commission voted 5-0 to approve the Walking Plan and forward it to the Planning Commission and City Council for adoption and implementation. It has not yet been enacted by ordinance. The proponents of this initiative now seek a vote of the people of St. Helena to adopt by ordinance the updated Walking Plan and direct the city to use its best efforts without delay to implement it using the framework and timeline provided, and working throughout the process in a public/private partnership with community-based organizations, including but not limited to Walk St. Helena.
Signed by: Linda George Brown Sandra Archibald David Knudsen The text of the proposed initiative is as follows:
INITIATIVE MEASURE TO BE SUBMITTED DIRECTLY TO THE VOTERS OF THE CITY OF ST.
HELENA
SECTION I: FINDINGS, PURPOSE, AND INTENT
Findings
We, the people of the City of St. Helena, find and declare as follows:
1. The St. Helena General Plan Update 2040 (the “General Plan”), adopted in 2019, calls for the City to promote walking in our town, to create a pedestrian-friendly environment, and to develop pedestrian trails, amenities, and policies.
2. The General Plan details walking and pedestrian objectives across multiple elements, including the Circulation, Community Design, Open Space and Conservation, Climate Change, and Parks and Recreation elements, as does the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update (the “Housing Element”), certified in 2023.
3. The St. Helena Trails and Open Space Plan: Walking Routes, Trails, and Publicly Accessible Open Space Report to City Council November 2022 (updated October 2025) (the “Walking Plan”), is a comprehensive, coordinated, and clearly articulated framework for the City to deliver on walking and pedestrian elements of the General Plan and Housing Element.
4. In particular, the Walking Plan supports the General Plan and Housing Element objectives to promote walking as a safe and convenient mode of transportation, expand pedestrian connectivity, enhance the public realm and community character, provide low-impact access to natural and scenic resources, and reduce reliance on automobile travel.
5. The Walking Plan was prepared by an ad hoc subcommittee of the City of St. Helena Parks & Recreation Commission working with interested community members and City staff, and was approved by the Commission on November 14th, 2022, and forwarded to the Planning Commission and City Council for adoption.
6. The Walking Plan has not yet been adopted and therefore currently does not serve as a formal implementation tool of the General Plan and Housing Element.