111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
(707) 459-4601 TEL
WILLITS (707) 459-1562 FAX
WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY JULY 23, 2025
Mayor Allman called a regular meeting of the City Council to order at 6:30 p.m., in Council Chambers. The meeting was preceded by the pledge to the flag.
Roll Call: Councilmembers Gerardo Gonzalez, Larry Stranske, Bruce Burton, Vice Mayor Matthew Alaniz and Mayor Tom Allman were present.
Also present were staff members: Rodney Wilburn, Interim City Manager; Jim Lance, City Attorney; Dusty Duley, Community Development Director; Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director; Manuel Orozco, Finance Director; Brian Fay, Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
2. Public Communications
• John Kvasnicka spoke on behalf of the Willits Chamber of Commerce. Mr.
Kvasnicka requested the ratification of a regulation developed by the previous City Council regarding Mobile Vending. Mr. Kvasnicka explained that it is critical that the Mobile Vending regulation be recorded as law to eliminate the ongoing confusion within the business community about what is legally enforceable and what is not.
Debra Huddle requested to have Nicole Caldwell read a written statement for her to the Council. Statement is attached to the minutes.
• Cathrine Masiello read a statement to council responding to the Grand Jury Investigation. Ms. Masiello worked for the City of Willits starting in 2008 to 2019.
She would in the Finance Department, her duties included payroll, auditing and budgeting. She proceeds to describe a toxic environment while working for the City of Willits from the first day that she started.
Dale Deer, resident of W. Valley Street, expressed concern over the No Parking zone on the street for the 4th of July Parade. Residents are expected to move their vehicles by 6:00 am in the morning or their vehicles would be towed. At 6:00 am tow trucks show up to tow any vehicles on the street. By 11:00 am others parked on the street, no one is towed, leaving no place for the residents to park. He feels that residents should be able to park on W. Valley because the parade does not go in that direction. Mayor Allman requested that Mr. Deer contact the Council and City a month before the parade next year to have a meeting to discuss what can be done.
• Karen Cavanaugh expressed concern over the lack of drain near the new PG&E sidewalk on E. Hill and Baechtel Roads. Ms. Cavanaugh performed a drain test, and all the water went into her yard. She asked that a drain be put in to keep her yard from flooding in the winter.
• Nicole Caldwell expressed concern over Social Media Posts that named her personally and one other staff member by the previous Mayor. Ms. Caldwell responded that she had nothing to do with the Grand Jury report that came out in July. Ms. Caldwell continued to express concern over previous Council Members stating that there are no issues at the City of Willits. Ms. Caldwell then stated if you want to know the truth, come and ask questions please. Everyone at the City of Willits have their own stories and they are not like Ms. Rodriguez keeps saying, that there were no issues.
• Jill Persico representing the Loose Caboose, expressed her support of having the Mobile Vendor issue resolved. Ms. Persico stated how important it is to have more clarification on the Mobile Vending subject.
• Karen Stevenson, previous City of Willits HR Manager, stated that she does not feel that the Grand Jury Report went far enough. Ms. Stevenson announced that she participated in the Grand Jury interviews. She did not know who else was interviewed because that is secretive but that based on a brief dialog with Ms.
Rodriguez on social media, Ms. Rodriguez seemed to know who was interviewed.
Ms. Stevenson explained that the city has a toxic environment, but adds that it was toxic on both sides, leadership as well as top management. Ms. Stevenson would like everyone to read the report and not think it was all a misunderstanding, because it clearly was not.
• Stephanie Stainbrook expressed concern over the transparency of the City. Ms.
Stainbrook inquired why certain staff members are not being held accountable.
She expressed concern over all the projects that have been pushed through. Ms.
Stainbrook inquired what happens to the services to the community if the City runs out of money.
3. Public Matters
None.
4. Enactment of Ordinances
None presented
Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. June 25, 2025 - Special Meeting
Moved by Alaniz/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar item (ai).
ii. June 25, 2025 - Regular Meeting
Councilmember Burton noted that he was at the last City Council meeting but was not listed in attendance. City Clerk Pedersen mentioned that she will fix this oversight.
Willits City Council Minutes of July 23, 2025 Page 2 of 8 Moved by Alaniz/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar item (aii).
b. Adoption of County of Mendocino Services Agreement for Animal Control Services within the City of Willits in an amount not to Exceed $24,732.00. • Councilmember Burton does not feel that the City should enter into an Agreement with the County of Mendocino for Animal Control Services until the City has an approved budget.
• Chief Fay explained the need for the services and explained the Willits Police Department did not have the staff or the facilities to take on Animal Control Services for the City. Animal Control provides a level of service that the Willits Police Department does not have, nor do they have the facilities for the service.
• Mayor Allman inquired if the City would need to provide Animal Control Services if they do not enter into an agreement for a service that was previously provided.
• Jim Lance, City Attorney responded yes, the City would need to Provide services.
• Councilmember Gonzalez added that Animal Control also deals with animals that may have rabies, and the shelter provides the housing for animals that Animal Control picks up
• Vice Mayor Alaniz confirmed that Animal Control is a budgeted item in the previous year's budget. Mr. Alaniz inquired if it will be included in the current year's budget. Chief Fay responded that it would.
Public Comment:
• Stephanie Stainbrook inquired as to the type of services the City of Willits would receive from Animal Control. It is hard to reach Animal Control and when they are reached, they do not show up. Will Animal Control require the City of Willits to build a shelter to help with the overflow when the shelter in Ukiah is full. • Robin Leler thanked the City Council for starting up the Finance Committee Meetings again and she said that this would be what Measure K Funds are for. • Tamara Alaniz spoke in support of approving the agreement with Animal Control. • Cathrine Masiello, although she agrees with Councilmember Burton but feels that budget Control services should continue, it is in the Wilis Police Departments Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Alaniz and carried 4/1 with Burton dissenting to approve Consent Calendar item (b).
c. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Continuation of Municipal Operations of Another Thirty (30) Days Based upon the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget. • Vice Mayor Alaniz stated that Finance Director Orozco has provided the information that allows the Council to see the Cash Flow part of the budget and as well as the audits being slowly caught up is putting the current Council is the position to make sounder decisions. When the Council and Staff meets for the Budget Workshop on August, he feels that they should be able to reach Willits City Council Minutes of July 23, 2025 Page 3 of 8 a budget that will be successful for the City. Mr. Alaniz added that he trusts the process and that working with the Staff of the process. • Councilmember Burton said that he is not comfortable making a decision because he received the documents that were presented to the Finance Committee at 5:00 today.
- Councilmember Gonzalez agreed with Councilmember Burton that he was not comfortable with this as well but knows it is a legal requirement. Mr. Gonzlez explained that he would like to have a date picked to have the Budget Workshop to avoid another extension in August.
• Rod Wilburn, Interim City Manager, stated that the City could push the expenses related to the Clean California Grant to next year so they would not be a burden on the General Fund until it recovers. Also, this assumes that the Rail with Trail project is billed against the Measure K Funds. The Cash Flow chart that was distributed represents barebones expenses in the General Fund, there are no projects, it is primarily payroll against the revenue. Mr.
Wilburn feels that there needs to be more clarification as to how it impacts the general services provided by the City and that the city management is working on this and may need to bring it back to a special meeting to go over the potential issues.
• Mayor Allman asked if the City was complying with the law by Authorizing the Continuation of Municipal Operations of another thirty days based upon the Fiscal Year 24-25 budget. City Attorney Lance responded yes.
Public Comment:
• Stephanie Stainbrook asked if the Measure K Funds that were supposed to be used for the Police Department would now be used for the Rail with Trail. Mayor Allman explained that the money would be used from Measure K and then reimbursed with the grant funds came in from the State
• Helen Sims asked what is the one time increase under the public safety expenses in August in the amount of about $80,000.00. Finance Director Orozco responded that due to the payroll being biweekly there are three payrolls in August. This happens twice a year. There are twenty-six payrolls over a 12-month period.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Alaniz and carried 4/1 with Burton dissenting to approve Consent Calendar item (c).
d. Adopt a Resolution to Increase Appropriations for a Transfer of Measure K Funds to the General Fund, in the Amount of Two Million Dollars ($ 2,000,000), to Cover the Shortfall of General Fund Expenses.
• Mayor Allman informed the audience that the Measure K Committee met in June and has three oversight committee members. There was good discussion at the meeting, and the purpose of the Measure K Fund is to keep government running.
• Councilmember Gonzalez stated that he attended the Finance Committee meeting in July as an observer, he agreed with the Mayor, that Measure K is being used to fill the gap.
• Councilmember Burton expressed concern over the requests for transfers that have been made over the past two months and again there is a transfer Willits City Council Minutes of July 23, 2025 Page 4 of 8 request for this month. He questioned if another transfer would be requested next month. Finance Director Orozco responded no.
Public Comment:
• Stephanie Stainbrook asked if the hiring freeze would be discontinued. Mayor Allman responded that the hiring freeze is only for non-critical positions, and that if we have a potential Police Officer that is in the background portion of hiring and passes the City would hire the Officer.
Madge Strong stated that the previous City Council did not receive adequate information about the extent of the financial problems facing the City, they were assured that things were looking fine, a budget was adopted on that basis. Ms. Strong feels it is appropriate to use Measure K Funds to fill the gap to make the City able to and she supports the $2,000,000 transfer based on the current circumstances.
Karen Stevenson spoke in support of the hiring freeze not affecting the Police Department.
• Cathrine Masiello expressed her shock over the state of the City's finances. Ms.
Masiello is against the transfer of the $2,000,000.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar item (d).
e. Adopt a Resolution for SHN Engineering Proposal for Construction Materials Testing and Geotechnical Engineering Services for the Rail with Trail Project 2021-03 for the Amount of $120,275.00.
Public Comment:
• Stephanie Stainbrook requested to have it put in writing that this amount would be reimbursed through the Grant.
Moved by Alaniz/Seconded by Stranske and carried 4/1 with Gonzalez abstaining to approve Consent Calendar item (e).
Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest.
None presented.
a. Accounts Payable Activity Report: June 2025.
b. Building Permit Activity Report: June 2025.
c. Business License Activity Report: June 2025. Pulled by City Clerk
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Rod Wilburn, Interim City Manager, reported that the City is going to have a Minisplit added to the Council Chambers because the City is unable to get the AC repaired for the Chambers.
Public Comment: None presented.
Willits City Council Minutes of July 23, 2025 Page 5 of 8 Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Discussion of Potential Improvements to State Highway 20 Through Willits as Part of the Caltrans 2028 Shopp Project and Direction to Staff on Community Outreach
Dusty Duley, Community Development Director presented a PowerPoint of the Caltrans 2028 Shopp Project.
• Mayor Allman requested that no Consultants be used for the project. Mr. Duley stated that they are not proposing Consultant time, and the project will use Caltrans fund for the project.
Public Comment:
Stephanie Stainbrook expressed concern over there only being two entrances in the area of the newly proposed housing near the Morman church. Putting a round-about in the area may cause an issue with people slowing down to turn into the housing area.
• John Kvasnicka, Chamber of Commerce, stated that the community would like to see traffic calming measure in the area and more crosswalks. • Mr. Duley confirmed what he is hearing is that they keep all the plans as they are laid out in the plan and have community meetings then come back and report to council and report before making any further commitment to Caltrans a year from now. Mayor Allman agreed he is on the right track.
Mayor Allman asked that item 9b be presented before item 9a. b. Discussion and Possible Action on Variance Request #v-25-01 to Reduce the Rear Yard Setbacks at 124 State Street.
Swetha Venuturupalli presented a PowerPoint presentation on the Variance Request.
Public Comment:
• Bear Kamoroff spoke in support of the Variance.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Allman and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2025-36 of the Willits Planning Commission of the City of Willits approving Variance #V-25-01 for Henry W. Rued to allow a detached garage to encroach into the required read yard setback at 124 state street.
10. DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORTS - (presented at the second meeting of each month)
a. Airport.
• Walter Kolon reported that staff is doing fire protection work at the airport currently. Staff recently held a tenant meeting and informed them that the City will be bringing forth a new ordinance that City Attorney Lance and the FAA have been working on in regard to trespassing.
b. Community Development. - Nothing to add.
Willits City Council Minutes of July 23, 2025 Page 6 of 8 c. Finance. - Nothing to add.
d. Police Dept.
• Mayor Allman requested that Chief Fay help address the issue of vehicles being towed on W. Commercial during the Fourth of July. Chief Fay responded that he will be working on this.
e. Services & Facilities - Nothing to add.
f. Utilities. - Nothing to add.
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Gonzalez
• Councilmember Gonzalez requested that a Variance request be brought forward for the Oddfellows Building for parking. Dusty Duley responded that this is in the works and hopes to bring it forward within the next two Council meeting • Willits Chamber of Commerce - The Chamber would like to pursue the concept of an entertainment district, to hold weekly events in the Van Lane Parking lot on Main Street during the summer.
Councilmember Allman
Food Truck Ad Hoc Committee - Meeting on August 12, 2025. 3:30 pm • Budget Workshop - August 20, 2025. 10 am to 4pm.
• Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) - Councilmember Alaniz offered to take over the MCOG meetings.
Vice Mayor Alaniz
• Measure K Committee - The Measure K Committee that was held was thorough. • Water/Wastewater Committee -Little lake mobile home park water connection update. State contacted the City a year ago to provide a possible water hook up to the Little Lake Mobile Home Park, they have a failed well and no adequate water. The State of California offered to pay for the project, the City would maintain the line to the Mobile home park. If the City chooses to not go into the agreement with the State, they could force the city to provide the water and not provide any funding. There is additional funding the State would provide for upgrades to the system.
Public Comment: None presented
No action taken.
12. Good & Welfare
Vice Mayor Alaniz - Had the opportunity to visit the Water and Wastewater facilities and thanked Mr. Kolon for educating him on all that is needed at those facilities. Mendocino Office of Emergency Services is looking to write a grant to help with areas in vital need of water and wastewater structures.
Willits fest is on Saturday at the Rec Grove.
• Councilmember Burton - Bruce Burton would like the City Attorney to research the differences around the issue of Charter Cities and General Law Cities.
Public Comment: None presented.
Willits City Council Minutes of July 23, 2025 Page 7 of 8
13. Closed Session Notice
None
14. Adjournment
Mayor Allman declared the meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.
For more information on the July 23, 2025, Willits City Council Meeting please view the recording on YouTube.
Can Alo
TOM ALLMAN, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Debrestedener
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of July 23, 2025 Page 8 of 8