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WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 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: Dusty Duley, Interim City Manager; Jim Lance, City Attorney; Davey Bowles, Building Official; Connor Stack, City Planner; Brian Fay, Police Chief; and Amber Ojeda, Administrative Services Coordinator.
Public Communications
• Public speaker's comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 1:41.
Public Matters
None.
4. Enactment of Ordinances
None presented
5. Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
City Council Minutes:
i. April 22, 2026 - Regular Meeting.
• Dusty Duley, Interim City Manager, identified corrections that need to be made to staff members in attendance. View on YouTube at timestamp 19:59.
Item 5b was pulled for further discussion by Councilmember Burton.
Item 5c was pulled for further discussion by Vice Mayor Alaniz. b. Possible Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Catastrophic Leave Bank Policy. • Councilmember Burton expressed concern; comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 20:50
• Councilmember Gonzalez's comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 25:50.
• Councilmember Alaniz's comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 27:06. • Mayor Allman's comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 27:36.
• Deborah Muchmore, HR Consultant, comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 29.05.
Public Comment:
• Comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 38:57.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Allman and carried 3/2 with Councilmember Stranske and Burton dissenting to approve Consent Calendar item (b). c. Adoption of a Resolution Approving Amendments to the City's Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.
• Item will be brought back at the City Council Meeting of May 27, 2026 to form an Ad- Hoc Committee to review the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual and identify the changes that need to be made.
Public Comment: None presented.
d. Adoption of Resolution Approving the Side Letter Agreement between the City of Willits and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1245 (IBEW), Extending the Term of the Current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Through September 31, 2026, and Authorizing the Mayor to Sign the Successor MOU Reflecting the Terms.
Public Comment:
• Comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 19:13. e. Adoption of Resolution Approving the Side Letter Agreement Between the City of Willits and the Willits Police Officers Association (WPOA) Extending the Term of the Current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) through December 31, 2026, and Authorizing the Mayor to Sign the Successor MOU Reflecting the Terms.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Alaniz and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar items) (a, d, and e).
6. Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest. a. Accounts Payable Activity Report: April 2026.
b. Building Permit Activity Report: April 2026.
c. Business License Activity Report: April 2026.
• Councilmember Burton's comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 57:45.
Public Comment: None presented.
Commissions, Agencies, and Authorities
None presented.
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Verbal Reports - No Action.
Interim City Manager Duley's comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 1:07:09.
Willits City Council Minutes of May 13, 2026 Page 2 of 4 Public Comment: None presented
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Discussion and Consideration of Adoption of a Resolution Establishing a Downtown Entertainment Zone
• Connor Stack, City Planner's presentation and Council discussion may be viewed on YouTube, timestamp: 1:09:41.
Public Comment:
• Comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 1:27:56.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Alaniz and carried 3/2 with Councilmember Burton and Stranske dissenting to adopt Resolution No. 2026-02 establishing a Downtown Entertainment Zone pursuant to Chapter 17.89 of the Willits Municipal Code.
10. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Burton
Reported that he has had many inquiries about the construction that is going on behind the Skate Park/Dog Park. Davey Bowles reported that the project behind the Skate Park/Dog Park is a wetlands mitigation as part of the Rail with Trail project.
Comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 1:46:30. • Mr. Bowles reported that PG&E connected the Solar Array at the Skate Park.
Comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 1:47:56.
Councilmember Gonzalez
• Local Agency Formation Commission (LACo)
Budget Passed
Annexation with Ukiah.
Workshop on the sphere of influence for the City of Point Arena.
Comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 1:48:23.
Councilmember Stranske
Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) - Meets 5/14/2026 Vice Mayor Alaniz
Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG)
Completing the operational working plan. Comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 1:50:05
: Measure K Committee -
Attended the Skunk Train Influencer Day. Comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 1:49:32
• Brooktrails Fire Department Golf Tournament 5/16/2026 at the Brooktrails Golf Course. Comments may be viewed on YouTube at timestamp 1:52:14 • This weekend is the last weekend for Two Dogs and a Bone at the Willits Community Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
11. Good & Welfare
Councilmember Burton
• Vice Mayor Alaniz
Councilmember Gonzalez
Willits City Council Minutes of May 13, 2026 Page 3 of 4 • Councilmember Stranske
• Mayor Allman
12. Closed Session Notice
a. Pursuant to Government Code §54957 - Consideration and Possible Appointment of an Interim City Manager.
City Council Adjourned to Closed Session at 8:23 pm
13. Adjournment
The City Council reconvened to open session at 9:06 pm, and reported direction was given to staff.
Mayor Allman declared the meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
For more information on the May 13, 2026, Willits City Council Meeting, please view the recording on YouTube.
TOM ALLMAN, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Debres Pedarsen
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of May 13, 2026 Page 4 of 4