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WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 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: Bob Richardson, Interim City Manager; Jim Lance, City Attorney; Dusty Duley, Community Development Director; Manuel Orozco, Finance Director; Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director; Brian Fay, Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
2. Public Communications
• Saprina Rodriguez expressed concern over the Holiday Traffic mobile sign that was used during the Black Friday weekend. The sign was parked in front of her business which took away parking space during the weekend for customers. She requested that it be placed in a location that would not affect customers' ability to park at local business locations
• Ms. Rodriguez requested that she be allowed to present to the city a certificate showing that she has had her grease trap cleaned as opposed to a quarterly Grease Trap Inspection.
Daniel Curtis responded that Grease Trap inspections are being done quarterly to every business in town that is required to have one. Mr. Curtis explains that an inspection one to two times a year is not enough depending on the size of the grease trap. In the beginning they may do more inspections to see how fast the grease trap fills up so that recommendations can be made to how often the grease trap needs to be cleaned.
3. Public Matters
a. Little lake Fire District Monthly report. - Fire Chief Alvarez unable to attend. b. Update from Third District County Supervisor John Haschak. • There will be a HazMobile visit to Willits April 3rd - 4th The Psychiatric Hospital Facility should be complete and open to take care of clients in the Spring of 2026.
• The new Mental Health Wing of the Mendocino County Jail will be complete within the next month or so.
• There will be a Health Summit workshop on January 14th in the afternoon during the Board of Supervisors meeting. This is the second workshop
providing information about the effects of HR 1, which has drastic cuts to MediCal.
• Supervisor Haschak stated the he appreciates the collaboration of the City of Willits to make sure we have a new Emergency Access Route near the Ells Field Airport in Brooktrails. The formal 2n° access route off of Sherwood Rd. has environmental and feasibility studies going on for two potential routes. • Council member Burton ask what the two routes being considered for the Brooktrails Emergency Access Route? Supervisor Haschak responded that one was Primrose heading East to connect to Highway 101. The other is Firco Road that comes out at the Apachie Mill.
4. Enactment of Ordinances
a. Discussion and Request for Adoption of an Amendment to Willits Municipal Code Title 17 - Zoning, Revising Chapter 17.66, "Supplemental Provisions", and adding Chapter 17.87, "Mobile Vendors", to Establish Regulations for Mobile and Sidewalk Vending.
• Council Member Burton recused himself due to a conflict of interest. There is a Food Truck that operates on his property on Franklin Ave. • Swetha Venuturupalli, Senior City Planner presented a PowerPoint presentation identifying the amendments to the Willits Municipal Code • Mayor Allman inquired that if someone wanted to report a vendor that is in violation they would need to contact the Community Development Department and not the Willits Police or 911. Ms. Venuturupalli stated that this is correct.
Public Comment:
• A Citizen (Did not introduce herself) inquired if this would have any impact on the Farmers Market? Ms. Venuturupalli stated that it would not. • Helen Simms requested that a map be made to identify the locations and areas that a Mobile Vendor or Food Truck could operate. Mayor Allman answered that a Mobile Vendor or Food Truck cannot be on public streets, private property without the property owner's permission on their person. • Bear Kamoroff asked for the definition of Public Facilities and how they are different from a public right of way? Ms. Venuturupalli responded that Public Facilities is a zone that is included in the Ordinance that is public right of way with includes streets and crosswalks.
• Maria Fierro, Jalos Market Owner, asked what are the hours that a Food Truck can operate. Dusty Duley, Community Development Director, responded that the hours of operation for a Food Truck will be from 8 am to 9 pm. Mayor Allman inquired if there were any exceptions to the hours of operation. Mr. Duley responded that if the Food Truck were part of a Special Event that has been authorized to go beyond the hours of operation of 8 am. to 9 pm.
• Mayor Allman gave a recommendation that if a property owner gave written permission that food trucks could operate until 12 am. On weekends. This was agreed to by the rest of the council and will be updated in the Ordinance.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Alaniz and carried unanimously with Burton recused to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-06, amending Chapter 17.66 entitled Willits City Council Minutes of December 10, 2025 Page 2 of 8 "Supplemental Provisions" and adding Chapter 17.87 entitled "Mobile Vendors" to Title 17 (Zoning) pf the Willits Municipal Code b. Discussion and possible action to approve adoption of proposed Ordinance Amending the City's Water Service Ordinance at Title 14 of the Willits Municipal Code, Chapter 14.08, Revising the Definition of an "Applicant" for water service and the definition of an "Owner" of Property.
Public Comment:
• Amy Huddle-Grooms inquired if the City was allowing more water meters for those that do not have them? Mayor Allman responded that this ordinance is not changing that.
Moved by Burton/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-07 amending the City of Willits Water Service Ordinance at Title 14 of the Willits Municipal Code, Chapter 14.08, Revising the Definition of an "Applicant" for Water Service and the Definition of an "Owner" of Property.
c. Discussion and Request for Adoption of an Ordinance of the City of Willits Adopting the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code Part 9 with Amendments, as well as the 2025 Edition of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, Part 7, Regulating and Governing the Safeguarding of Life and Property from Fire and Explosion and for Providing for the Issuance of Permits, Repealing all other Ordinances and Parts of Ordinances of the Little Lake Fire Protection District in Conflict Herewith.
• Mayor Allman stated that the Council wants to make sure that this is not adding any new guidelines or cost on people who want to build in the City of Willits. Matt Keiser, UVFA Fire Code Official, The changes within the document are the same changes that the Little Lake Fire District has had for 20 plus years. Will not increase fees to build within the City.
Public Comment: None presented
Moved by Burton /Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-08 adopting the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code Part 9 with Amendments, as well as the 2025 Edition of the California Wildland- Urban Interface Code, Part 7, Regulating and Governing the Safeguarding of Life and Property from Fire and Explosion and for Providing for the Issuance of Permits, Repealing all other Ordinances and Parts of Ordinances of the Little Lake Fire Protection District in Conflict Herewith.
5. Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. November 12, 2025 - Special Meeting.
ii. November 12, 2025 - Regular Meeting.
b. Adopt a Resolution Designating City Officials Authorized to Apply for Disaster Assistance.
Willits City Council Minutes of December 10, 2025 Page 3 of 8 Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Alaniz/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar item(s) (a-b).
c. Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing Specific City Staff to Transfer Funds Between the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) and Savings Bank Of Mendocino County.
• Councilmember Burton requested to have Interim City Manager, Bob Richardson as a signer to Transfer Funds between LAIF and Savings Bank of Mendocino County.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Burton/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar items) (c), with the addition of Bob Richardson, Interim City Manager to the signer list.
d. Adoption of a Resolution Changing the Authorized Signatures for the City of Willits Checking Account, Payroll Account, and Safe Deposit Box at Savings Bank of Mendocino County.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar items) (d).
e. Consideration of a Request by Redwood Waste Solutions, Inc. to Apply a Consumer Price Index Increase of 1.31-Percent to all Service Accounts within the City of Willits.
Public Comment:
• Basima Sizemore inquired about the reason for the 1.31-Percent increase. Mayor Allman responded that this is a once-a-year increase based on the Consumer Price Index. The agreement that Redwood Waste Solutions has with the City of Willits requires that this be approved by the City Council.
Moved by Burton/Seconded by Alaniz and carried 4/1 with Gonzalez abstaining to approve Consent Calendar items) (e).
Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest. a. Accounts Payable Activity Report: November 2025.
b. Building Permit Activity Report: November 2025.
c. Business License Activity Report: November 2025.
• Council Member Burton requested more information on some of the AP Checks.
Willits City Council Minutes of December 10, 2025 Page 4 of 8
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Verbal Reports - No Action.
• Bob Richardson reported that being new staff there is not a lot to report at this time.
Mr. Richardson states that he is getting the chance to meet all of the staff and is starting to understand the flow of work and how things operate. Mr. Richardson states that he will be heavily involved with the future of the City and how challenges ahead will be handled. Mr. Richardson states that the staff that have come and talked with him have been delightful.
Public Comment: None presented.
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Discussion on Right-of-Way Abandonment Request #RA 23-01 for an Unimproved Alley between West Oak Street and State Highway 20 in the City of Willits.
• Dusty Duley, Community Development Director, presented a PowerPoint on the Right of Way Abandonment Request.
Public Comment:
• Saprina Rodrigues questioned if the City abandons the alley way, will the property owners then assume the area behind their homes and will this increase their property tax?
• Diana VanWinkle spoke in favor of the City not abandoning the alley. • Omaya Sizemore spoke in favor of the City abandoning the alley. • Amy Grooms spoke against the City abandoning the alley. • Nick Cassagrande spoke in favor of the City abandoning the alley. • Mark Walker spoke against the City abandoning the alley. • Josh Potter spoke against the City abandoning the Alley. • Jesse Grooms spoke against the City abandoning the alley. • Omaya Sizemore expressed concerns about fires she needed to put out in the alley and reports that she has found drug paraphernalia in the alley way. • Jose Rodriguez spoke in support of the City abandoning the alley. • Council member Alaniz spoke against advising staff to continue with the Right-of- way abandonment. Council member Gonzalez agreed with Council member Alaniz. • Council member Burton feels this is a low priority to the City. Mr. Burton also feels that when a property owner agrees to buy a property they agree based on it physical lay out and zoning.
• Council member Stranske agrees with Council member Alaniz. • Mayor Allman believes that abandoning the alley would save the City money. He feels that the least amount of government land the City has is better for the City.
Mayor Allman feels this is an opportunity for the City to grant this property to the people that are currently paying property taxes on their property, and they are going to be able to enlarge their backyard or build an ADU. Mayor Allman requested that the discussion continue at the February 11"h council meeting. b. Discussion of Potential Collaboration between the City of Willits and the County of Mendocino to Relocate Donated Sculptures to a Public Location within the City Highway 20 Park.
Willits City Council Minutes of December 10, 2025 Page 5 of 8 • Dusty Duley, Community Development Director explained that he was contacted by Karen Matson, Mendocino County Museum Director, regarding the potential opportunity to relocate seven sculptures donated by folk artist Mark Walker from their current location just off highway 101, south of Willits, to a highly visible, publicly accessible location with the City Highway 20 Park Mayor Allman asked how long will the sculptures last what is their life expectancy and who will maintain the sculptures when they start deteriorating? Mayor Allman feels the sculptures are important to the City because Mr. Walker was important to the community, but he feels we should go in with eyes wide open of no cost to the City. Karen Matson, Museum Director, responded that the sculptures were donated to the county in 1988 along with the land that they re on along with a small endowment for the care and maintenance of the sculptures. The donation was made by Mark Walker himself. At this time the Museum staff feel it is time to relocate the sculptures so that it would be easier to access and maintain and also that they can be better appreciated by the community. The week of December 15th Mrs.
Matson has an item going before the Board of Supervisors to inquire about accessing funds that have been allocated and there is still the endowment that Mr. Walker started for the sculptures along with another endowment that the Museum has. Ms. Matson states that the sculptures are the Museums responsibility. Ms. Matson states that the sculptures were a gift to the Community and they would like to place them at a location that they would do the most good and appreciated. Council member Gonzalez expressed concern over them being moved to a location that they are not safe, they are safe at the location that they are currently at. Mayor Allman believes that a Memorandum of Understanding would be the best way to go and not for the County to give the sculpture to the City, and that if they become an issue the City can call the county and let them know, Council Member Burton expressed that he wished the City had a better history with collaboration with the County. Council Member Alaniz spoke in support of having the sculptures at the Highway 20 location.
Public Comment:
• Tamara Alaniz mentioned the new Brooktrails Township Community Services Districts new building and that they would be interested in exploring the option of displaying some sculptures from the Musuem in the lobby. • Hellen Sims inquired if there are any other locations other than the Highway 20 location to display the sculptures. Karen Matson responded that they are not without a location for the sculptures, but that the Highway 20 location would be an opportunity that they could broaden the benefit from the sculptures.
• District Supervisor Haschak added that part of the problem with where the sculptures are located now is that they are overgrown and with all the work that Caltrans has been doing lately the sculptures are not appreciated and they need to be moved
• Council Member Alaniz suggested that the Museum contact the School District as well.
• Mark Walker stated what the Artist Mark Walker is his grandfather's first cousin. Mr. Walker inquired about the property that the sculptures are Willits City Council Minutes of December 10, 2025 Page 6 of 8 currently on. What happens to the property once the sculptures are moved.
Mr. Walker then suggested that they be moved next to the Train Barn next to the Musuem.
10. Department Monthly Reports - (presented at the second meeting of each month).
a. Airport. -
• Walter Kolon reports that they are currently working with CalFire regarding the Firco Rd. Access Agreement and will be brining back to Council at the beginning of February.
b. Community Development.
• Dusty Duley reported on the Caltrans Proposed Highway 20 Corridor upgrade that was slated to be done in 2033, due to funding this project has been delayed until 2035. Mr. Duley reports that the City has partnered with Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) and submitted a grant through the Caltrans Sustainable Grant Program to seek funds to support staff to go through an exercise with the community to identify perspective improvements. With this delay hopefully the City can acquire some Grant funds to support the work that the City was already charged with doing.
• The Community Development Department has been exploring different ideas in for approval at a March City Council Meeting.
• Mayor Allan asked when the Bid for the Snider Park Gazebo will go out? Mr. Duley responded that the last direction from council was to freeze infrastructure projects due to the City's financial situation.
• Vice Mayor Alaniz inquired about the Gateway Sign that was planned for Highway
20. Mr. Duley responded that the project was put on hold due to the City's current budget situation.
c. Finance.
• Council member Burton inquired about the status of the City's financial accounts.
Manuel Orozco, Finance Director responded:
Main account - $2,577,439.00
Payroll - $317,824
Savings - $35, 119.00
CD Investments - $5,318,616.00
d. Police Department - Nothing more to add.
e. Services & Facilities - Nothing more to add.
f. City Attorney
• Jim Lance, City Attorney reported that he has received a letter from Dr. Ann Farr, Trustee of the Willits Environmental Remediation Trust, she reports that the trust is scheduled to be before the court for a final order of termination of the trust dissolution on or before December 31, 2025. Dr. Farr and her attorney will be in Willits City Council Minutes of December 10, 2025 Page 7 of 8 court on Friday, December 12'h to give a progress report, and tell the court that they are ready for dissolution and that they have wrapped up all of the obligations.
Months ago there were no further action needed by the Regional Water Board. f. Utilities. - Nothing more to add.
No action taken.
10. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Vice Mayor Alaniz
• Finance Committee - Next meeting on January 17'.
• Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) - Moving toward charging flat rates for bus riders.
Mayor Allman
• There was a meeting on December 9th regarding Frontier Days Parking, between the Police Department and Fire Department there will be much better signage, Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
11. Good & Welfare
• Council member Gonzalez reported there is a tree lighting ceremony on Saturday December 13th
Vice Mayor Alaniz - Jalos Market opening was on December 2nd. Willits High School is having Hot Winters Night December 11th . Lighted Truck Parade takes place at 6pm on December 13th before the Tree Lighting. Willits Center of the Arts is holding their 25th Anniversary on December 15th.
12. Closed Session Notice
None presented.
13. Adjournment
Mayor Allman declared the meeting adjourned at 9:11 p.m.
For more information on the December 10, 2025 Willits City Council Meeting please view the recording on YouTube.
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Delores Pedese
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of December 10, 2025 Page 8 of 8