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WILLITS
WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 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 Allaniz and Mayor Tom Allman were present.
Also present were staff members: Rod Wilburn, Interim City Manager; Jim Lance, City Attorney; Dusty Duley, Community Development Director; Manuel Orozco, Finance Director; Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director; Kenan O'Shea; Airport Operations; Brian Fay, Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
2. Public Communications
• Alise Cox, Mendo Local News, inquired about the status of the Assistant City Manager status with the City of Willits.
Nick Johnson expressed his interest in the Entertainment District that was discussed at the August 27, 2025, Willits City Council meeting. Mayor Allman informed Mr. Johnson that the Entertainment District item would be back on the agenda for the September 24, 2025, Willits City Council meeting.
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. August 27, 2025.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Burton/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar item(s) (a).
6. Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest.
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations+
a. Verbal Reports - No Action.
• Rod Wilburn, Interim City Manager, announced the retirement of Assistant City Manager, Cathy Moorhead, Mr. Wilburn stated he is proud to recognize her twenty years of service to the City of Willits and wished her the best in the next chapter of her life.
Mr. Wilburn announced that Jim Shields, Laytonville County Water District General Manager, passed away the week of September 1st. The City sends their condolences to his family and the community of Laytonville.
• Mayor Allman announced there would be more to come on the retirement of Cathy Moorhead, the Council appreciates her contributions to the City during her tenure.
Councilmember Burton added that there will be a more commemorative recognition, Ms. Moorhead filled a lot of roles in the City during her tenure.
Public Comment: None presented.
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Second Discussion Regarding FAA Order to Modify Chapter 2.40 - Airport, Amending Willits Municipal Code 2.40.030 and 2.40.040, Entitled "Regulations for Use and Conduct-Generally".
• Kenan O'Shea explained that the Ordinance was updated based on direction that was made at the City Council Meeting of August 13, 2025.
Public Comment:
• Banning Galton stated that if the Ordinance has to be changed that the tenants agreed with the changes. They still strongly feel that the examples of the single complaining individual are not adequate to merit a change, especially in light of examples of personal attacks of individuals in the City and individuals at the airport Mayor Allman responded that this is what is required by the FAA. Mr. Galton continued that he feels the FAA needs to be informed that the Airport Tenants are dealing with a single individual that is taking strategic photos and is presenting information in a very manipulative manner that is not representative of the truth. b. UV Disinfection System PDDC Control Panel Upgrade at the Willits Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director presented the time to Council.
Mr. Kolon explained that the City received a donation of twelve modules from the City of Petaluma, each module cost $10,000, for the City's system at no cost. Mayor Allmon inquired if the $85,000 is able to be covered by the City of Willits. Mr. Kolon responded that the project was in the FY 2024-25 Budget and was carried over for FY 2025-26.
• Vice Mayor Alaniz inquired as a capital improvement project it falls under the capabilities of being reimbursed with the 36% coming from Brooktrails? Mr.
Kolon stated that it does. Mr. Alaniz expressed concern over the agreement with Brooktrails that had expired in July and inquired if there was any way to wait until the budget has passed to proceed with the project. Mr. Kolon responded that the City has an outside Utilities Attorney as City Attorney Lance working on the Agreement. Mr. Alaniz inquired about how long the Willits City Council Minutes of September 10, 2025 Page 2 of 5 project would take to be completed. Mr. Kolon responded that it is scheduled for October, and it would take a weeks' worth of time to work on. The City can not wait until the budget has passed because the system is failing. Council Member Burton added that because this is a maintenance item the City is not required to get Brooktrails consent to proceed with the project.
Public Comment:
• Tamara Alaniz, Brooktrails General Manager, commented that Brooktrails does need to be notified a head of time. Ms. Alaniz proceeded to explain that Mr. Kolon had contacted Ms. Alaniz a few days before this Council meeting to inform her of the project. Ms. Alaniz proceeded to explain that this is a great opportunity for us as partners in the settlement agreement to establish a process to review, accept, approve and reimburse the City from Brooktrails, the 36% of capitol improvement projects. It was Rod Wilburm, City Attorney Lance, the previous City Manager and Ms. Alaniz that got the last settlement agreement in place, which was a very cooperative and good process, but it was interim City Manager Wilburn that suggested getting a process in place in the settlement agreement so that when the City needs to come to Brooktrails to ask for money for Capital Improvement Projects it is not coming after the fact. With Brooktrails not having the opportunity to review it as is required in the settlement agreement. As far as the UV Replacement Panel is concerned, Ms. Alaniz reviewed the project scope, Brooktrails was notified that the project would be on this agenda, there is no agreement in place that would establish the process, Ms. Alaniz does not want to dispute a process that does not exist since there is no agreement. However this is definitely a Capital Improvement Project, the gift from the City of Petaluma of the UV Component is incredible, it is important to ensure that the City has integrated them properly into the system for reporting and monitoring. Not everything that is reported there is reported to the state but is important to the community and how the plant is run. Ms. Alaniz is unable to agree on Brooktrails behave to the project and the 36% of Brooktrails share of the project because there is no process in place. Ms. Alaniz is happy to meeting with staff to get the agreement going and have a process in place. She is unable to commit Brooktrails to the 36% without the direction of the Brooktrails Board, but she does agree that it is right to move the project forward and can tell her board that Brooktrails should pay their fair share once an agreement is in place. Mayor Allman promised that the City staff will start the process of getting an Agreement in place with some process for project notification in the future, but the City needs to start moving on this project now.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2025-40 approving a contract with Veolia Water Treatment Technologies and Water Treatment Solutions to update and replace the UV Disinfection System Controls at the Willits Wastewater Treatment Plant. c. Zoning Text and Map Amendments to Implement the 2024 General Plan Land Use Element Update
• Dusty Duley, Community Development Director presented a PowerPoint to City Council on the Zoning Tex and Map Amendments. Mr. Duley commented on a letter that was sent to council by Tim and Gloria Westby disputing the change to the Zoning Map. Mr. Duley stated that he has spoken to Mr. & Mrs.
Wesby and has informed them that their property will not be effected by the Zoning Map Change. They are zoned heavy industrial and will remain heavy Willits City Council Minutes of September 10, 2025 Page 3 of 5 industrial. They did not receive notification because their property was not going to be rezoned.
Public Comment:
• Helen Sims inquired how the Zoning changes will effect the existing tenant within the zones that will be changed will there be a new permit schedule or will there be the need to adopt new to the permit schedule as people move into the zones? Mayor Allman stated that it will not affect the current tenant but will affect a real estate transaction or the change of ownership of properties.
• Gloria Westby opposed the proposed rezoning of her property. She requested that the council pause the rezoning process correct public record to reflect the true and accurate fact that she was not provided with notice nor did she ever agree to the approved rezoning and preserve her residential rights provide written confirmation of her zoning status and protections. Ms. Westby reserves all legal rights and remedies under California law she asked that this statement be entered into public record.
• Council Member Burton asked City Attorney Lance if the notice is the paper was considered sufficient public notice. Mr. Lance responded that he is not certain about that but that it was his understanding that the City was going to extend the hearing.
Council Member Gonzalez asked Mr. Duley if the Westby's property was going to be rezoned. Mr. Duley responded no, it is not going to be rezoned, and it was not planned to be rezoned when the item was brought it in front of the Council for the General Plan Change.
• The item will be on the next City Council Meeting Agenda for possible adoption. Mr.
Duley reiterated that those not affected by the rezoning will not receive notification. • Michia Sied stated that postponing this decision would affect business owners that are relying on this change in order to move forward with their plans. Mayor Allman responded that the council cannot move forward with the item knowing that residents may not have been notified he feels it would be fair to bring it back to the council meeting of September 24th.
d. Repair and Maintenance of the Langemann Gate at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2024-41 approving a repair and maintenance contract with Chapco Construction LLC. of Sacramento for the Langemann Gate Repairs at the Willits Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount of $97,000.
10. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Burton
Nothing to report but would like to get the Song that Mr. Jeske sang at the August 27th meeting on the agenda as a song for the City of Willits, he invited anyone else that may have a song for the City of Willits to bring it to Council.
Councilmember Gonzalez
• Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) - Swore in a new special district member, Adam Gaska. Discussed Sphere of Influence and Municipal Service Review of the Hopland Utility District, there was no change. • Reminded the Council and Community that tomorrow is 9/11.
Willits City Council Minutes of September 10, 2025 Page 4 of 5 Councilmember Stranske
Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) - Meets September 11, Mayor Allman
Finance Committee - Meets September 17, 2025.
Food Truck Meeting - Meets September 23, 2025
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
11. Good & Welfare
Vice Mayor Alaniz
September 18, Mr. Alaniz will be starting a citizenship class for residents that are interested in becoming naturized citizens.
September 20", there is a community clean up day. Please reach out to the City for information or to volunteer.
Tomorrow is September 11th, there will be an American Legion Ceremony in Bud Snider Park at 12:00 pm.
12. Closed Session Notice
None presented.
13. Adjournment
Mayor Allman declared the meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
For more information on the September 10, 2025 Willits City Council Meeting please view the recording on YouTube.
Tom Allman, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
ceres Peelersen
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of September 10, 2025 Page 5 of 5