111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 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; Davey Bowles, Building Official:
connor Stack, City Planner; Brian Fay, Police Chief; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk
2. Public Communications
• None presented
3. Public Matters
a. Proclamation Recognizing National Nutrition Month - March.
Mayor Allman Read the Proclamation Recognizing National Nutrition Month.
4. Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. April 8, 2026.
• Council Member Gonzalez pointed out the misspelling of Andy Heath's name on Item 6a in the April 8, 2026 minutes. Delores Pedersen, City Clerk, will make the correction. Comments are available to view on YouTube starting at timestamp 3:11.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Alaniz and carried 4/1 with Council Member Burton Abstaining to approve Consent Calendar items) (a).
b. Discussion and Possible Adoption of Resolution Approving a Catastrophic Leave Bank Policy.
• Item pulled and will not be discussed at this meeting. • Items 5b & 5c pulled for further discussion by Vice Mayor Alaniz.
c. Approve Contract with RW Consulting to Facilitate Wastewater Negotiations Between the City of Willits and Brooktrails Community Services District. • Vice Mayor Alaniz expressed concern; all comments are available to view on YouTube starting at timestamp 4:14.
• Vice Mayor proposed to have the item delayed until any conflicts of interest are cleared.
Public Comment:
• Nicole Caldwell provided public comment; the full comment is available on YouTube at timestamp 19:53.
• Helen Sims provided public comment; the full comment is available on YouTube at timestamp 21:18.
Moved by Alaniz/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to waive a response until the City receives a written response from the Fair Political Practice Commission (FPPC) of whether or not there is a conflict of interest for Vice Mayor Alaniz to participate in discussions involving the Sewer Plant Negotiations with Brooktrails. d. Approve an Agreement for Human Resources Services with Muchmore Than Consulting and Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute the Agreement. • Vice Mayor Alaniz expressed concern; all comments are available to view on • YouTube starting at timestamp 28:02.
• Council member Gonzalez commented: all comments are available to view on YouTube starting at timestamp 30:23.
• Mayor Allman commented: The full comments are available to view on YouTube at timestamp 34:31.
Public Comment:
• Nicole Caldwell provided public comment; the full comment is available on YouTube at timestamp 37:17.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Stranske and carried 4/1 with Vice Mayor Alaniz dissenting to approve Consent Calendar items) (d).
6. Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest. a. Building Activity Report March 2026
b. Business License Activity Report March 2026
Public Comment: None presented.
7. Commissions, Agencies, and Authorities
None presented.
City Manager Reports and Recommendations+
a. Verbal Reports - No Action.
• Interim City Manager Roberts provided a verbal report; the full comment is available to view on YouTube at timestamp 48:32
• Bob Richardson, Interim City Manager; Provided Cash Balances Report to Council:
Savings Bank of Mendocino County
Account Amount
Willits City Council Minutes of April 22, 2026 Page 2 of 5 Main Account $3,392,794.86
Payroll Account 292,482.09
Savings Account 33,138,13
$3,718,415.08
LAIF Balance $ 563,807.12
US Bank Balance $2,375,011.32
Processor Accounts
Xpress Bill Pay $ 213,482.48
Pathpoint 485,650.53
$ 699,133.01
Total Citywide Accounts $7,356,366,.53
Public Comment: None presented.
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Consideration of a Request that the City of Willits Vacate an Undeveloped Alley Approximately 14 Feet Wide and 180 Feet Long, Oriented East-West, that was Originally Established as Part of the Oak Park Addition Subdivision in 1902. • Mayor Allman commented on the item; the full comment is available to view on YouTube at timestamp 1:14.
• Council member Burton recused himself due to a conflict of interest. • Dusty Duley, Community & Economic Development Director, provided information and a PowerPoint presentation; the full comment is available to view on YouTube at timestamp 1:06:36.
Public Comment:
• Nicole Caldwell provided public comment; the full comment is available on YouTube at timestamp 1:24:23.
• Omaya Sizemore provided public comment; the full comment is available on YouTube at timestamp 1:26:08.
• George Dudley provided public comment; the full comment is available on YouTube at timestamp 1:30:44.
• Ken Sizemore provided public comment; the full comment is available on YouTube at timestamp 1:33:14.
• Amy Grooms provided public comment; the full comment is available on YouTube at timestamp 1:34:51.
• Nicolas Casagrande provided public comment; the full comment is available on YouTube at timestamp 1:37:42.
• Stephanie provided public comment; the full comment is available on YouTube at timestamp 1:41:53.
• Basima Sizemore provided public comment; the full comment is available on YouTube at timestamp 1:42:47.
• Mark Walker provided public comment; the full comment is available on YouTube at timestamp 1:43:28.
• Vice Mayor Alaniz's full comments are available on YouTube at timestamp 1:45:53.
Moved by Stranske/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried 3/1 with Vice Mayor Alaniz dissenting and Council Member Burton recused to adopt Resolution Willits City Council Minutes of April 22, 2026 Page 3 of 5 No. 2026-02 approving the vacation of an approximately 14-foot-wide alley right- of-way established by the 1902 Oak Park Addition Subdivision Map. b. Cal Fire Cooperative Agreement/License, Improvement and Maintenance of Firco Rd. and Ells Field Airport.
• Davey Bowles, Building Official and Public Works Director, presented the item; full comments are available on YouTube at timestamp 1:53:33.
Public Comment:
John Hashchak, 3r° District Supervisor, provided public comment; the full comment is available on YouTube at timestamp 1:57:15.
Moved by Burton/Seconded by Alaniz and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2026-02
10. Department Monthly Reports - (presented at the second meeting of each month). a. Airport. - nothing further to add.
b. Community Development.
• Dusty Duley reported that the Willits Farmers Market will be moving back to Sider Park on April 30th. Full Comments may be seen on YouTube at timestamp 2:00:21. • Dusty Duley reported that staff would be bringing forward a resolution to establish the Downtown Entertainment Zone at the May 6* City Council Meeting. Full Comments may be seen on YouTube at timestamp 2:00:30.
• Dusty Duley reported that the Willits Pool Schedule has been established. Full comments may be seen on YouTube at timestamp 2:00:44.
c. Finance- nothing further to add.
d. Police Department - nothing further to add.
e. Services & Facilities
Davey Bowles provided an update on the Solar Project at the Athletic Fields. Full Comments may be seen on YouTube at timestamp 2:01:53.
f. Utilities. - nothing further to add.
10. City Council Announcements, Communications, and Reports Councilmember Gonzalez
• Bi-Monthly Chamber of Commerce Meeting
Representatives of the Chamber gave a report of Chamber Activities. They will also be preparing a Budget to present to Council.
Councilmember Stranske
Reports that the Bikes and Scooters being ridden on the Main Street sidewalks has reduced.
Vice Mayor Alaniz
Finance Committee - Meets on April 23, 2026, 4:00 pm.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
11. Good & Welfare
None presented.
12. Closed Session Notice
None presented
Willits City Council Minutes of April 22, 2026 Page 4 of 5
13. Adjournment
Mayor Allman declared the meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
For more information on the April 22, 2026, Willits City Council Meeting, please view the recording on YouTube.
TOM ALLMAN, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Delaco Paleven
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of April 22, 2026 Page 5 of 5