111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25, 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; Connor Stack, City Planner; Brian Fay, Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
Mayor Allman read an obituary of Jack Bothwell, longtime resident and community member that passed away on February 22, 2026 at the age of 101.
2. Public Communications
• Mary Colvig, Head Coach for the Willits Otters Swim Club, expressed concern over the condition of the Willits Pool and stated that she was disappointed to hear that the pool would need to wait until the next Community Development Block Grant Funding cycle in 2027.
• Debra Polk, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Mendocino College, announced that the College is working on the Mendocino Lake Community College District, Willits Center Phase II. March 10th at 10 am Senator McGuire and Congressman Huffman will be at the Willits Center to celebrate the beginning of this project. • John Kvasnick, Willits Chamber of Commerce, introduced the Interim Chamber Coordinator, Steven Dye.
Steven Dye explained that he Interim Chamber Coordinator because he is planning on moving this coming summer. During his time as Chamber Coordinator, he plans on using his background in multimedia and marketing to highlight the City of Willits and to ensure that the businesses in Willits continue to grow. • Stewart Handte spoke about Jack Bothwell and about the friendship he formed with him.
3. Public Matters
None.
Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. January 28, 2026 - Special Meeting.
il. February 11, 2026 - Regular Meeting.
ili. February 17, 2026 - Special Meeting.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Burton/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar items) (a).
b. Discussion and Possible introduction of an Amendment to Willits Municipal Code Title 17 - Zoning, Adding Chapter 17.89, "Entertainment Zones", to Establish Regulations for the Creation of Entertainment Zones.
• Item 5b was moved to item 9b to allow for discussion.
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.
Public Comment: None presented.
Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Presentation of Audit Conducted by Moss, Levy & Hartzheim Regarding Audited Financial Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024.
Manual Orozco, Finance Director and Bin Zing, Auditor for Moss, Levy & Hartzheim, presented the council with the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Audit and answered questions of the Council.
Public Comment:
• Nicole Caldwell stated that the Transportation Tax covered more employees in 2003, why does it not now? Ms. Caldwell mentioned that the City should be adjusting water and sewer rates annually to keep pace with inflation, rising operation cost, maintenance etc.
Bear Kamoroff commented on the processes being used to perform the Audit.
Saprina Rodriguez expressed concern over the lack of discussion about Measure K Funds and concern over the transactions being entered as a lump sum rather than being detailed, she states that the Finance Manager was given sufficient staff. Mrs.
Rodriguez inquired if the City has been paying a consultant to work in the finance department over the past year.
• Stewart Handte inquired if the City was on the verge of bankruptcy. Is it a fixable situation. Mr. Handte commends the City Council for trying to fix it. • Councilmember Burton inquired if the City has to pay out staff at the end of each year for time accrued, ie. sick and vacation time and how much is the amount for this now.
Willits City Council Minutes of February 25, 2026 Page 2 of 4 Ben Zing, responded that the total of the combination of vacation time and sick time that has accrued and owed to employees is about $880,000.
• Vice Mayor Alaniz asked Mr. Zing to clarify the difference between cash receipts and receipts. Mr. Zing responded that any time that someone pays the system generates a cash receipt to verify that the City receives cash, this is not like a physical receipt. • Council member Burton inquired if the City is maintaining minimum balances for the City's obligations for their borrowings? Ben responded that there are 3 long term debts that the City has and that this question would be for the City's Bond Council. b. Discussion and Possible Introduction of an Amendment to Willits Municipal Code Title 17 - Zoning, Adding Chapter 17.89, "Entertainment Zones" , to Establish Regulations for the Creation of Entertainment Zones.
Connor Stack, City Planner, presented a PowerPoint presentation of the project.
Public Comment:
• John Kvasnicka, Chamber of Commerce, stated that the entire map that was in the packet does not indicate the Entertainment Zone that will be used for each event.
Saprina Rodriguez stated that she believes it is not the best use of City's Tax dollars to create an entertainment zone so people can walk around and drink alcohol. The City has businesses that have the licenses and the space for the consumption of alcohol.
Nicole Caldwell asked who would be paying for the insurance and security for the events and is the City liable if anything happens? Mr. Stack commented that the insurance and security requirements will be unchanged from the past.
Moved by Alaniz/Seconded by Gonzalez a motion to introduce and waive further reading of a proposed ordinance to amend Title 17 (Zoning) of the Willits Municipal Code adding Chapter 17.89, "Entertainment Zones" to establish regulations for Entertainment Zones, carried unanimously.
10. Department Monthly Reports - (presented at the second meeting of each month). a. Airport. - nothing further to add.
b. Community Development.
• Mr. Duley reported that they have extended the opportunity for the public to make application with Community Development Staff, for housing rehabilitation loan program.
• Using the Clean California Grant Funds there is another round of free dump runs. If you are a resident of the City of Willits, please see Connor Stack for a voucher. c. Finance. - nothing further to add.
d. Police Department - nothing further to add.
e. Services & Facilities. - nothing further to add.
f. Utilities. - nothing further to add.
No action taken.
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Mayor Allman
Economic Development & Financing Corporation (EDFC) - Attended the EDFC meeting and stated that if you are a business owner and need to borrow money at a low interest rate there are opportunities available to you through the EDFC.
Willits City Council Minutes of February 25, 2026 Page 3 of 4 Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
12. Good & Welfare
• None presented
12. Closed Session Notice
None presented.
13. Adjournment
Mayor Allman declared the meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
For more information on the February 25, 2026 Willits City Council Meeting please view the recording on YouTube.
Lala
Tom Allman, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Delores Pederan
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of February 25, 2026 Page 4 of 4