City Council - Special Meeting - Budget Workshop
Special MeetingCalistoga, CA · May 19, 2025
Agenda
Mayor AGENDA
Donald Williams
City Council - Special Meeting – Budget Workshop
Vice Mayor
Irais Lopez-Ortega Monday, May 19, 2025 - 10:00 AM
Councilmembers 1307 Washington St., Calistoga
Lisa M. Gift In Person
Scott Cooper
Kevin Eisenberg
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disruptions.
1. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL
2. GENERAL GOVERNMENT
2.1. City Council Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget Workshop
Recommended Action: Discuss and provide direction to staff on key elements of the
Fiscal Year 2025/26 budget including department goals, modification to current
practices related to General Fund year-end savings, staffing modifications,
Infrastructure Fund projects, and capital improvement program (CIP) projects to be
incorporated into the recommended budget.
Staff Report - City Council Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget Workshop - Pdf (Page 3 - 11)
3. COUNCIL REPORTS
4. ADJOURNMENT
NOTICE: If you challenge a city’s zoning, planning, or other decision in court, you may be limited to raising only
those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written
correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing. Judicial review of any City
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the date upon which the decision becomes final. Judicial review of environmental determinations may be subject
to a shorter time period for Litigation, in certain cases 30 days following the date of final decision.
Pursuant to GC §54957.5: any writings/documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding any item
on this agenda will be made available for public inspection on the City website at www.ci.calistoga.ca.us.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL RECEIVED AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA:
Any supplemental writings or documents distributed to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this
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and will be available for public review in the City Clerk’s Office located at 1232 Washington Street, Calistoga,
California, during normal business hours and by appointment.
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POSTING: I declare a copy of this agenda was posted at City Hall, 1232 Washington Street, Calistoga, among
other locations in the city limits of Calistoga, on May 16, 2025, by 4:30 p.m.
Yudiana Galvan, City Clerk
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City of Calistoga
STAFF REPORT
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Rachel Stepp, Deputy City Manager
Meeting: City Council - Special Meeting - Budget Workshop - May 19 2025
Subject: City Council Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget Workshop
DESCRIPTION:
City Council Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget Workshop
RECOMMENDATION:
Discuss and provide direction to staff on key elements of the Fiscal Year 2025/26 budget including
department goals, modification to current practices related to General Fund year-end savings,
staffing modifications, Infrastructure Fund projects, and capital improvement program (CIP) projects
to be incorporated into the recommended budget.
SUMMARY:
As part of the City’s annual budget development process, the City Council convenes a study session
to review strategic and financial priorities across all departments. This session provides an early
opportunity to align goals and resources before formal budget adoption. This session will include the
following topics:
Review of Departmental Goals and Objectives
Discussion of Infrastructure Fund policy revisions related to revenue from General Fund year-
end savings
Budget Summary including signifant changes from the prior year and recommended staffing
modifications
Infrastructure Fund overview and recommended projects
Overview of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Provided in the attachments are the Draft Department Goals and Objectives and the FY 25/26 Draft
Budget Summary sheet that represents a balanced budget.
CEQA STATUS:
This action does not meet the definition of a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA).
ATTACHMENT(S):
FY 2526 Draft Goals and Objectives 5.19.25
Budget for FY 25-26 Budget Master File Draft - Fund Summary
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APPROVAL(S):
Connie Cardenas, Admin. Services Director Approved - May 15 2025
Laura Snideman, City of Calistoga | City Manager Approved - May 16 2025
Yudiana Galvan, City of Calistoga | City Clerk Approved - May 16 2025
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City of Calistoga
Departmental
Goals and
Objectives
FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026
(DRAFT)
Page 5 of 10
Departmental Goals and Objectives
(Draft)
The Calistoga City Council has a focus on economic vitality, housing, infrastructure,
recreation, professional services, our environment, public safety, and small-town character.
The following Departmental Goals and Objectives for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 aim to support
the City Council’s overall focus.
The following does not encompass all services that each department provides but rather is a
list of the projects and programs that are either new initiatives or special projects that will be a
major focus for the department in the fiscal year and/or require new funding.
This document is divided into the following departmental focus areas (in no particular order):
Public Works, Planning and Building, Fairgrounds, City Administration, Fire, Police, and
Parks and Recreation.
PUBLIC WORKS
Public Works is responsible for Water Treatment, Water Distribution, Sewer Collection,
Sewer Treatment, Reclaimed Wastewater Storage and Distribution, Storm Drainage, Streets,
Sidewalks, Traffic Engineering, City Buildings/Facilities, Parks, Capital Projects, Engineering,
Development Plan Review, Regulatory Enforcement, and other related Public Works
services. For Fiscal Year 2025-2026, the Department will have a particular focus on:
1. Complete the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board Cease-and-Desist
Order work critical for NPDES permit compliance at the Dunaweal Wastewater
Treatment Plant (WWTP) by completing the construction of the Riverside Ponds and
Headworks Mitigation Project.
2. Advance multi-year efforts to complete California Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD)
compliance work at Kimball Reservoir, including replacing the seized drain valve and
intake tower, and repairing the outlet and raw water treatment pipe conveyance
beneath the dam.
3. Advance State Division of Drinking Water compliance by progressing design and
permitting for the Rutherford and Dunaweal water booster pump stations, enabling
removal of the Pope Street station from the 100-year floodway and supporting
disinfection byproduct reduction through granulated activated carbon (GAC) filtration
improvements.
4. Continue to pursue grants and potential local infrastructure bonding to fund
replacement and rehabilitation of aging water/sewer pipes over seventy-five years old
and local bridge projects.
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5. Formalize succession planning and internal advancement opportunities within the
engineering team.
PLANNING AND BUILDING
Planning and Building is responsible for overseeing and guiding development activities in the
City of Calistoga. Department functions include administration of building and planning
regulations, assistance to the public on City permit applications, land use and zoning
information, code enforcement, assistance to the Planning Commission and City Council, and
environmental review. For Fiscal Year 2025-2026, the Department will specifically prioritize:
1. Continue to implement annual Housing Element action items. Tasks include outreach
exercises, policy adoption, ordinance amendments, and more.
2. Recommend modifications to the Municipal Code to eliminate obsolete or inconsistent
provisions, ensure compliance with State laws, improve clarity and usability, promote
transparency and accessibility, and support community development goals to create a
more efficient, legally sound, and responsive regulatory framework. Priority Municipal
Code sections to address are:
Chapter 16.16 Subdivision Design & Improvement Standards as it relates to circulation
Chapter 8.20 Nuisances as they relate to noise
All Residential Chapters as they relate to the continued prohibition of short-term
rentals
3. Initiate and complete an update of the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and associated
in-lieu fees by conducting a nexus study.
4. Continue advancing the “Missing Middle” housing conversation with Council and
develop practical mechanisms, incentives, and development standards that efficiently
support and encourage this type of housing development.
5. Pursue residential development of the City-owned parcels located at Earl and Eddy
Streets either in coordination with the school district or as a standalone project.
6. Continue to collaborate with City departments and applicants to ensure that City-
initiated and private development projects that are consistent with the City’s General
Plan and Municipal Code are processed per State law and result in projects that retain
or enhance community character.
7. Provide efficient entitlement procedures for applicants and develop professional
partnerships with applicants who choose to invest in projects that are consistent with
the General Plan and will provide goods, services, and/or revenues that support the
community.
8. Establish a Senior Planner position to enhance the Planning Department’s capacity to
manage complex projects and provide strategic support for the City’s housing goals
and long-range planning initiatives.
FAIRGROUNDS
The Fairgrounds Department is responsible for the oversight, revitalization, and management
of the approximately 70-acre fairgrounds property. The City is committed to transforming the
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fairgrounds into a vibrant community asset that benefits both residents and visitors. For Fiscal
Year 2025–2026, the Department will specifically prioritize:
1. Support the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee: Facilitate the work of the newly
established committee by providing the necessary resources and coordination to help
them offer informed advice, conduct research, and make recommendations on matters
related to the fairgrounds.
2. Develop a Long-Term Fiscal Sustainability Plan: Create a strategic roadmap to guide
revitalization efforts, secure funding through grants and partnerships, and ensure the
site’s financial viability. The plan will emphasize the fairgrounds’ role in supporting
recreational, cultural, and economic development.
3. Enhance Community Engagement and Stewardship: Continue ongoing community
outreach and volunteer efforts to maintain the grounds’ appearance and foster a
strong sense of community involvement in the care and future of the property.
4. Establish a Maintenance position to support the revitalization of the Calistoga
Fairgrounds by addressing deferred maintenance, repairing neglected infrastructure,
and ensuring the smooth return of community programs, events, and activities.
ADMINISTRATION
Administrative staff provides timely and professional management through a broad range of
administrative, management, and financial services. For this document, the section includes
the goals for the City Manager’s Office, City Clerk’s Office, Finance, and Human Resources.
For Fiscal Year 2025-2026, these core functions will specifically prioritize:
1. Implement a Records Management System to streamline document organization,
improve accessibility, ensure compliance with public records laws, enhance
transparency, and reduce manual workloads.
2. Implement a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to modernize city
operations and improve financial oversight.
3. Enhance long-term financial planning by creating 10-year financial projections and a
two-year budgeting cycle to reduce administrative workload, improve fiscal stability,
and allow city staff to focus more on service delivery and strategic priorities while still
maintaining flexibility through mid-cycle adjustments.
4. Actively retain exceptional City staff and recruit for vacant positions.
5. Conduct labor negotiations and discussions to create successor Memorandums of
Understanding and Employment Resolutions.
6. Identify and apply for Federal and State grants to fund improvements and address
community needs, such as at the fairgrounds, solar/EV, city infrastructure, community
center, etc.
7. Implement technology-centered projects such as an IT Managed Services Contract
and a redesign of the City’s website.
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8. Continue to provide Administrative and Project Management support to other city
departments.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Fire Department provides services to the residents and visitors of greater Calistoga,
which protect their lives, property, and environment from fires, medical emergencies,
hazardous materials incidents, and disasters. For Fiscal Year 2025-2026, the Department will
specifically prioritize:
1. Amend and adopt the 2025 Fire Code to ensure compliance with updated state
regulations, improve wildfire protection, enhance emergency response, and strengthen
fire safety requirements for new development. Local amendments will address
Calistoga’s unique fire risks while aligning with regional safety standards and mutual
aid agreements.
2. Work with the Napa County Office of Emergency Services and other Napa County
agencies to update and adopt the Napa County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation
Plan.
3. Complete review and evaluation of our daily staffing model to provide the highest level
of services to the community while maintaining fiscal accountability.
4. Work with the Fairgrounds Revitalization Director and local volunteers to initiate
improvements of an area for Fire Department training and drills.
5. Evaluate administrative and management staffing needs in the Fire Department.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Police Department serves the Calistoga community by identifying stakeholders who
share the goal of maintaining public safety and making Calistoga a great place to live and
visit. We pride ourselves on providing professional services in an ethical and honorable
manner. The Department embraces the concept of community-oriented policing,
transparency, and professionalism. For Fiscal Year 2025-2026, the Department will
specifically prioritize:
1. To improve direct supervision and mentorship, and improve departmental succession
planning, reorganize Police Department staffing by eliminating the Lieutenant position
and creating an Administrative Sergeant position, that each of the three sergeants will
rotate through.
2. Implement a Patrol Bike program to enhance community engagement, improve patrol
access in high-pedestrian areas, and provide faster response times in congested
spaces like downtown, parks, and events.
3. Research the implementation of a drone program to monitor large events, improve
emergency response, and support public safety as a force multiplier at locations like the
fairgrounds, downtown, and wildfire-prone areas.
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PARKS AND RECREATION
Parks and Recreation oversees all recreation operations, programs, and services to promote
healthy lifestyles and improve the quality of life for people of all ages. The Department
encourages citizen involvement and develops cultural harmony by building and maintaining
community partnerships. For Fiscal Year 2025-2026, the Department will specifically
prioritize:
1. Expand morning fitness programs for seniors to include chair-based exercise, low-
impact aerobics, strength training, and balance-focused classes.
2. Expand and strengthen the group of volunteers who already support the department.
This includes increasing their involvement in special events, senior and teen trips,
projects at the Fairgrounds, and other Parks and Recreation programs.
3. Strengthen the long-term sustainability of Parks and Recreation programs by refining
cost recovery strategies, considering caps on individual program subsidies, exploring
membership-based models, and reducing expenditures through more efficient use of
in-house resources.
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FUND GENERAL WATER SEWER
Revenues 21,918,893 6,615,474 6,045,374
Risk Management (1,668,975)
Transfer Out Debt (373,902)
Available 19,876,016 6,615,474 6,045,374
Operating Expenditures:
Department
FINANCE 1,023,179
PLANNING COMMISSION 9,000
CITY COUNCIL 198,121
CITY CLERK 280,933
CITY ATTORNEY 150,000
CITY MANAGER 1,158,725
FAIRGROUNDS 822,392
PLANNING DEPARTMENT 745,323
BUILDING 576,792
POLICE & POLICE DISPATCH 5,205,508
FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES 3,489,858
NON DEPARTMENTAL 309,235
HUMAN RESOURCES 428,275
ALL PUBLIC WORKS 3,297,219
ALL PARKS & RECREATION 1,308,957
SHARPSTEEM MUSEUM 30,141
MONHOFF 25,250
LIBRARY SERVICES 188,000
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN 566,500
PW - TRANSIT SHUTTLE 23,500
TOTAL EXPENDITURES $ 19,836,909 $ 4,206,138 $ 2,944,204
ALL FUNDS SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) 39,107 2,409,336 3,101,170
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