111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 28, 2026
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: Bob Richardson, 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
• Helen Sims asked if there was a list of the maintenance projects for streets and sidewalks that is available to the public. Council member Gonzalez announced that there is a Transportation Committee Meeting on January 29t at 3:30, there will be discussions of some projects at the 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. January 14, 2026.
Vice Mayor Alaniz pointed out some corrections that needed to be made in the minutes. The minutes were approved with those corrections being made.
Public Comment: None presented.
b. Discussion and Possible Adoption of a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Willits for the Garman Culvert Extension Replacement Project Award of Bid to Wylatti Resource Management Inc. of Covelo for $25,004.01.
• Walter Kolon, Services and Facilities Director explained that before 2015 Caltrans had installed a culvert in the right of way across the street from North Main that runs alongside the Garman Property. Caltrans installed the culvert at an angle; throughout the years the culvert has directed the water against a building on Garman's property. Since the relinquishment of Highway 101 after the completion of the bypass, the City of Willits took over responsibility. The City is now responsible for any potential damage that is happening to the building due to the incorrectly installed culvert. Vice Mayor Alaniz asked for confirmation that the funds will be reimbursed 100% with Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) Transportation Funds. Mr. Kolon confirmed that the project falls within MCOG guidelines and would be reimbursed.
Public Comment: None presented
C. Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt the Proposed Rules, Regulations, and Minimum Standards for Willits Municipal Airport.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Burton/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar items) (a-c).
d. Review and Approve the City of Willits 2024 and 2025 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Burton/Seconded by Alaniz and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar item(s) (d).
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.
City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Verbal Reports - No Action.
• Bob Richardson, Interim City Manager reported that he is just finishing up all of the technical work of the reorganization of the City. Looking for a date to enter into discussions with the appropriate Labor Unions and bring that back to the Council defining when they are can meet together.
• Getting ready to launch the bid process for the Clean California Grant to get that project up and running. There are hopes to get this out to bid within a month allowing to start construction in the fall. Dusty Duley, Community Development Director stated that this includes the Pavillion in Bud Snyder Park as well as getting the bid out for the decorative street lights and banner on Main St.
Public Comment: None presented.
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
Willits City Council Minutes of January 28, 2026 Page 2 of 5 a. Public Hearing to Discuss Future Applications for Funding Under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and Consider Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing Submittal of an Application in Response to the 2025 CDBG Notice of Funding Availability.
• Dusty Duley, Community Development Director presented a PowerPoint Presentation on the Community Development Block Grant Program. • Current applicants are the Little Lake Grange and MCHC.
Public Comment:
Representatives of the Willits Grange expressed their gratitude for the City and the CDBG Block Grant Program.
• Erica Bruce explained that the Grange had saved up money to have a new roof installed but then found out that they had to have asbestos remediation done on the building. This used up all the funds that were saved for the new roof. The Grange has started saving money again for a new roof, currently has $84,000 saved and there is a possibility of getting help from the California State Grange. • Council Member Burton states that he likes these projects but pointed out that the Senior Center is also struggling to get a new roof on their building. Mr. Duley responded that he would reach out to Mr. Baker at the Willits Senior Center and find out what the needs are for the Senior Center. Mr. Duley will work with the City's Consultants to understand how the program may be able to assist the Senior Center.
Mr. Duley states that the CDBG is an annual program and pointed out that the Willits Pool is also in need of upgrades. The Senior Center and the Willits Pool may become the two applications for the next round of CDBG Funds.
Moved by Alaniz/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2026-08 approving an application for funding and the execution of a Grant Agreement and any amendments thereto from the 2025 funding year of the State CDBG Program.
10. Department Monthly Reports - (presented at the second meeting of each month). a. Airport. - Nothing further to add
b. Community Development. - nothing further to add.
c. Finance.
Saving Bank of Mendocino County
Account Amount
Main Account $3,851,167.91
Payroll Account 450,249.09
Savings Account 35,133.80
$4,336,550,80
LAIF $ 557,908.00
US Bank Balance $5,347,488.94
Processor Accounts
Xpress Bill Pay $ 253,167.94
Pathpoint 280,727.79
$ 533,895.73
Total Citywide Accounts $10,775,843.47
Willts City Council Minutes of January 28, 2026 Page 3 of 5 • Mayor Allman asked for the status of Fiscal Year 23/24 audit. Mr. Orozco responded that the auditor said the City Financials will be complete by the end of this week. Mayor Allman asked Mr. Orozco to ask the auditor for a specific date that the Fiscal Year 23/24 audit will be completed and report this to the Council at the Council Meeting of February 11, 2026. d. Police Department
Mayor Allman mentioned that Police Chiefs memo regarding curfew has created a Public Safety Awareness Campaign. Chief Fay responded that was the intent. The intent was to educate and bring awareness and remind that children need to be supervised. e. Services & Facilities - Nothing further to add.
f. Utilities - Nothing further to add.
No action taken.
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Burton
Water/Wastewater Committee
Council member Burton reported that the meeting was mostly informational. The committee received updates on projects that the Council had previously voted on he Sherwood Band of Pomo Indians may approach the city regarding a wate intertie for their housing on East Side Rd. Trout Unlimited wants to remove the old weir in the creek at the sewer plant. PG&E gas line project on Holly St and East Hill Rd. Little Lake Mobile Home Park has a water deficiency issue and is seeking to hook up to City Water. Council Member Stranske added that this project is 100% reimbursable by the State.
Councilmember Gonzalez
• League of California Cities (LCC)
The meeting was a Public Safety Committee Meeting.
• Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) - Meeting is February 2nd • Transportation Committee - Meeting is January 29th at 3:30 at City Hall.
Councilmember Stranske
• Water/Wastewater Committee -
• Transportation Committee -
• Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) -
Vice Mayor Alaniz
• Finance Committee -
Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) -
• Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) - Meeting is February 3rd.
Measure K Committee -
Mayor Allman
Mayor Allman reference the question that Ms. Sims asked at the beginning of the meeting. Mr. Allman announced that Capitol Improvement Projects are off the table right now because of the City's Budget. Mr. Allman then asked if there is some way the community can be aware of projects that are going on. Mr. Kolon responded that the Transportation Committee Meeting is the best way for the public to find out.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
Willits City Council Minutes of January 28, 2026 Page 4 of 5
12. Good & Welfare
• Council Member Gonzalez responded that Rotary is having their Crab Sale the weekend of February 6th
• Vice Mayor congratulated Blue Zones on January 16" they received their certification.
12. Closed Session Notice
None presented.
13. Adjournment
Mayor Allman declared the meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
For more information on the January 28, 2026 Willits City Council Meeting please view the recording on YouTube.
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Debres Pedeser
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of January 28, 2026 Page 5 of 5