MINUTES
City of St. Helena
Special City Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 @ 6:00 PM
Vintage Hall Board Room - Second Floor
465 Main Street, St. Helena CA
A complete video recording of this meeting, except for closed session, can be found at https://sthelenaca.portal.civicclerk.com/ or by calling the City Clerk at (707) 968-2742.
The City Council video is the official record of the Council meeting.
Present: Mayor Paul Dohring, Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy, City Council Member Aaron Barak, City Council Member Scott Diaz
Absent: City Council Member Kate Spadarotto
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Dohring called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Mayor: Paul Dohring; Vice Mayor: Michelle Deasy; City Council Members: Aaron Barak, Kate Spadarotto, Scott Diaz
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Dohring led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
City Council Member Aaron Barak moved to adopt the agenda. The motion was seconded by City Council Member Scott Diaz and on voice vote carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Paul Dohring, City Council Member Aaron Barak, City Council Member Scott Diaz
NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy, City Council Member Kate Spadarotto ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
Mayor Dohring called for a 5 minute recess at 6:03 p.m. Vice Mayor Deasy arrived to meeting at 6:07 p.m. Mayor Dohring resumed the meeting.
5. PUBLIC FORUM
Under California law, public comments at special meetings are limited to subjects on the agenda only. Therefore public comment will take place during consideration of the item. Each person's comments shall be limited to 4 minutes.
6. NEW BUSINESS
6.1. Approval of a Resolution of the City Council of the City of St. Helena, State of California, Calling and Giving Notice of a Municipal General Election and consider Ballot Measure for Measure "S" (a ½ cent sales tax) to be Held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
CEQA Determination: Not a CEQA Project (CEQA Guidelines §15378) Prepared By: James McCann, Interim City Manager, Mandy Kellogg, Director of Administrative Services, Andrew Bradley, Program Manager (City Clerk) Recommendation: Approve the resolution to place Measure "S" on the November 3, 2026 Ballot.
Interim City Manager Jim McCann introduced the item. Administrative Services Director Mandy Kellogg presented the financial information related to the item. Lucia del Puppo, representing FM3, presented the results of the community survey.
Mayor Dohring invited brief clarifying questions from the Council before opening the public comment period.
Public Comment was received by Chris Warner, Garry Rose, Tamara Sorensen, Deanna Griffin, Michelle Liu Covell and Gregg Dawley. Mayor Dohring then closed the public comment period.
The matter was returned to the Council for deliberation. Council Members asked additional questions and provided comments.
City Council Member Aaron Barak moved to approve the resolution to place Measure "S" on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The motion was seconded by City Council Member Scott Diaz and on roll call carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Paul Dohring, Vice Mayor Michelle Deasy, City Council Member Aaron Barak, City Council Member Scott Diaz
NOES: None
ABSENT: City Council Member Kate Spadarotto
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Dohring adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
The next Regular City Council meeting is scheduled for July 28, 2026.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Paul on OF ST. HER
Paul Jamison Dohring, Mayor AN
w Bradley, City Clerk
STATE