St. Helena meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

St. Helena agendas take up design-build ordinance, $248,967 water system contract and General Fund report; no minutes posted yet

St. Helena's City Council and three advisory bodies were scheduled to meet over the past two weeks on a $248,967 water system design contract, a new design-build contracting ordinance, and a draft report on the city's General Fund. Agendas were posted for seven meeting notices, but no minutes have been published for any of them, so no votes, approvals or rejections are confirmed in the records available. Two of the seven meetings were canceled outright.

City Council, Oct. 13

The council's regular agenda listed an ordinance to authorize design-build project delivery and adopt a conflict of interest policy, and amendments to the Planning Commission By-Laws. It also listed a Professional Services Agreement with Cannon Corporation for SCADA System design with a not-to-exceed amount of $248,967, a Professional Services Agreement with Hydrologics, Inc. for water system maintenance, and ratification of the Chief of Police contract.

A separate special closed session the same day listed a public employment discussion regarding the City Manager, a real property negotiation with Napa Valley Community College District for 1088 College Ave., and a real property negotiation with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) for 1301 Mitchell Drive. Closed session items are listed on the agenda; what was discussed is not disclosed in the posted record.

Finance Committee, Oct. 8

The committee met at 3:00 PM at City Hall, 1088 College Ave. Its main scheduled item was discussion of a Draft Final Committee Report to City Council on General Fund Expenditures, Revenues and Reserves. The agenda also listed consent approval of minutes from August 14 and September 10, 2026, and public comment by email to Staff Liaison Susan Casey until three hours before the meeting. The next regular Finance Committee meeting date is listed as TBD.

Water and Wastewater Advisory Committee, Oct. 8

The agenda listed a Utility Rate Setting/Infrastructure Investment Research presentation by Dr. Eric Edwards and a Bell Canyon Reservoir Sediment Study by Scott Alman. Also scheduled: Cross Connection Control Program regulations and citywide backflow installation options, a draft Citywide Sampling Program for discolored water mitigation, and development of the committee's work plan.

Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee, Oct. 7

The committee met at 5:00 PM at City Hall, 1088 College Ave. Scheduled business was a vote for committee Vice Chair (item 6.1) and development of the FY 2027 Committee Work Plan (item 6.2), plus consent approval of minutes from September 2, 2026. Future agenda topics listed for possible scheduling included PFAS in city water and wastewater, traffic calming under the Streets Master Plan, RCAAP-related measures, the Trails and Open Space Implementation Plan, pedestrian safety improvements, and Vine Trail engagement.

Canceled meetings

The Planning Commission meeting of Oct. 6 was canceled, with no items heard or decided; the next Special Planning Commission meeting is Nov. 4, 2026. The Library Board of Trustees meeting of Oct. 14 was canceled; the next meeting is Nov. 11, 2026. The Parks & Recreation Commission meeting of Oct. 19 was canceled; the next regular meeting is Nov. 16, 2026.

Coming up

Both meetings listed in the next two weeks are canceled. The Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 6:00 PM at Vintage Hall Board Room, 465 Main Street, is canceled, with no substantive items on the notice; the next Special Planning Commission meeting is Nov. 4, 2026. The Parks & Recreation Commission meeting of Oct. 19 is also canceled, with the next regular meeting Nov. 16, 2026.

Public comment for Planning Commission items may be emailed to ipubliccomment@cityofsthelena.gov and must arrive three hours before a meeting. Interpretation requests must be made at least 72 hours in advance through the Office of the City Clerk at (707) 968-2640.

St. Helena roundup: Planning Commission meetings canceled; City Council to weigh design-build ordinance and $248,967 SCADA contract

No decisions were recorded in St. Helena's recent public meetings, based on the agendas and summaries available for the past two weeks. The Planning Commission's Oct. 6 meeting was canceled, and three committees met on agenda items only; their minutes have not yet been published. The next scheduled items that could produce votes come at the Oct. 13 City Council meeting.

Planning Commission: Oct. 6 canceled, Oct. 20 also canceled

The Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Vintage Hall Board Room, 465 Main Street, was canceled. The agenda contained no substantive items for decision or discussion — only the cancellation notice and standard procedural information on public comment, interpretation services, appeals and accessibility. No items were heard or decided.

The commission's Oct. 20, 2026 meeting has also been canceled, with the same procedural-only agenda. The next Special Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Nov. 4, 2026.

Finance Committee: draft report on General Fund

The Finance Committee met Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1088 College Ave. The main scheduled item was discussion of a Draft Final Committee Report to City Council on General Fund Expenditures, Revenues and Reserves. The agenda also listed routine items: roll call, public forum, staff and committee reports, and consent approval of minutes from Aug. 14 and Sept. 10, 2026. No votes on contracts, fees or ordinances were listed. The next regular Finance Committee meeting date is listed as TBD.

Water and Wastewater Advisory Committee: rates, sediment, backflow

The Water and Wastewater Advisory Committee met Oct. 8 to review updates on water operations and a discolored water mitigation program. Scheduled items included a Utility Rate Setting/Infrastructure Investment Research presentation by Dr. Eric Edwards; a Bell Canyon Reservoir Sediment Study by Scott Alman; Cross Connection Control Program regulations and citywide backflow installation options; a draft citywide sampling program for discolored water mitigation; and development of the committee's work plan.

Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee: vice chair, FY 2027 plan

The Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee met Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1088 College Avenue. Scheduled business included a vote for committee vice chair (item 6.1) and development of the FY 2027 committee work plan (item 6.2), plus consent approval of minutes from Sept. 2, 2026 (item 5.1). Future agenda topics listed for possible scheduling were PFAS in city water and wastewater, traffic calming under the Streets Master Plan, RCAAP-related measures, the Trails and Open Space Implementation Plan, pedestrian safety improvements and Vine Trail engagement (items 7.1–7.6). No contracts, ordinances or fee changes appeared on the agenda.

Coming up

City Council, Oct. 13: The council is scheduled to consider an ordinance authorizing design-build project delivery and adopting a conflict of interest policy; a Professional Services Agreement with Cannon Corporation for SCADA System design not-to-exceed $248,967; a Professional Services Agreement with Hydrologics, Inc. for water system maintenance; ratification of the Chief of Police contract; and amendments to the Planning Commission By-Laws.

City Council closed session, Oct. 13: A special closed session lists a public employment discussion regarding the City Manager, a real property negotiation with Napa Valley Community College District for 1088 College Ave., and a real property negotiation with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) for 1301 Mitchell Drive.

Planning Commission, Oct. 20: Canceled. The next Special Planning Commission meeting is Nov. 4, 2026.

Public comment for city meetings can be emailed to ipubliccomment@cityofsthelena.gov and must arrive three hours before a meeting. Interpretation requests must be made at least 72 hours in advance through the Office of the City Clerk at (707) 968-2640.

St. Helena Council to weigh $793,756 Bell Canyon contract, ADU rules

The St. Helena City Council met Aug. 11 to consider a $793,756 contract amendment for the Bell Canyon Reservoir Intake Tower and Valve House project, but no minutes have been published, so the outcome is not yet known. The council also has a regular meeting Aug. 25 with several items, including a $93,000 increase to a water management contract and a new ordinance on accessory dwelling units.

Recent meetings

• **City Council (Aug. 11)** – Agenda included the $793,756 contract amendment with Mead & Hunt, bringing the total to $2,257,196; one-year memorandums of understanding with the Police Officers' Association, Employees Association, and Firefighters Association; a public hearing on an ordinance clarifying on-site storage regulations; temporary street closures and alcohol possession for the 2026 Harvest Festival; and adoption of the Napa Countywide Active Transportation Plan. No decisions have been reported.

• **Library Board of Trustees (Aug. 12)** – Meeting cancelled. The next regular meeting is Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. at the St. Helena Public Library.

• **Water and Wastewater Advisory Committee (Aug. 13)** – Discussed draft chapters 5 and 6 of the Water Management Plan, a community forest easement proposal, the frequency of monthly water reports, and a rate study. No final decisions were expected.

• **Finance Committee (Aug. 14)** – Discussed an employee classification and compensation report and the process for developing the committee's draft final report. The agenda was procedural, with no major decisions.

• **Parks & Recreation Commission (Aug. 17)** – Meeting cancelled. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 21.

• **Planning Commission (Aug. 18)** – Held public hearings on a short-term rental permit at 626 Mills Ln (staff recommended continuing the decision until a zoning discrepancy is resolved) and a conditional use permit for a retail wine shop at 1269 Main Street, Suite 1299 (staff recommended approval). CEQA exemptions were cited for both projects. The commission also scheduled Brown Act and Rosenberg's Rules of Order training and noted a future study session for the Wydown Hotel on Sept. 15.

Upcoming meetings

• **Parks & Recreation Commission (Aug. 24)** – Special meeting to appoint a chair and vice chair, review the summer program and special events, and discuss the commission's workplan, goals, and park assignments. Also includes park maintenance and community services updates.

• **City Council (Aug. 25)** – A special closed session will discuss a liability claim by Thompson Builders Corporation. The regular meeting will consider consent items including a $93,000 increase to a water management plan contract with West Yost & Associates (total not-to-exceed $304,628), a professional services agreement with GEI Consultants for the Bell Canyon Intake Tower and Valve House Rehabilitation, a resolution requesting the Governor's veto of Assembly Bill 1383, and the appointment of Susan Casey as Interim Director of Administrative Services/Treasurer. A public hearing will introduce three ordinances updating accessory dwelling unit regulations and water/sewer lateral requirements.

Coming up

• **Sept. 9** – Library Board of Trustees, 5 p.m., St. Helena Public Library
• **Sept. 15** – Planning Commission study session for the Wydown Hotel
• **Sept. 21** – Parks & Recreation Commission

All meeting agendas and minutes are available on the city's official website.

St. Helena council to weigh $793,756 contract amendment; recent meetings set agendas

No decisions were made at St. Helena public meetings over the past two weeks; all were agenda-only or cancelled. The most consequential item on the horizon is a $793,756 contract amendment for the Bell Canyon Reservoir project, which the City Council will consider Aug. 11.

Recent meetings (agenda only)

Parks & Recreation Commission — July 27

The commission held a special meeting to select a new chair and vice chair, as the chair position is vacant. Members also discussed the Elm Tree Tunnel project and set departmental and commission goals for the 2026-2027 term. A consent item covered approval of June 15, 2026 meeting minutes. Minutes have not yet been published.

City Council — July 28 (closed session)

The council met in closed session to discuss a liability claim filed by Thompson Builders Corporation against the city. No other business was on the agenda.

City Council — July 28 (regular agenda)

The council discussed water service and quality following a July 18 event and considered an ordinance to clarify on-site storage regulations in commercial, mixed-use, and industrial zones. Agenda items included:

• A $114,020 contract with Ron's Quality Construction to install a house at the water treatment plant.
• A professional services agreement with North Coast Community Planning not to exceed $97,300.
• A budget amendment of $73,698 for the Downtown Sidewalk Improvement Project.
• A $36,500 agreement with Bob Murray & Associates for City Manager recruitment services.

Finance Committee — Aug. 3

The committee reviewed and potentially adopted reports from the Employee Classification and Compensation and Cost Allocation subcommittees. Members also discussed key assumptions and the schedule for the full committee's draft final report.

Planning Commission — Aug. 4

This meeting was cancelled. The agenda contained only procedural boilerplate and no items for decision or discussion.

Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee — Aug. 5

The committee reviewed the Oak Avenue Restoration Project and discussed traffic slowing alternatives. Members also nominated a chair and vice chair for fiscal year 2026/27 and approved minutes from the June 3, 2026 meeting.

Coming up

City Council — Aug. 11

The council will consider a consent item to approve a $793,756 contract amendment with Mead & Hunt for the Bell Canyon Reservoir Intake Tower and Valve House project, bringing the total contract to $2,257,196. Also on the agenda:

• One-year memoranda of understanding with the Police Officers' Association, Employees Association, and Firefighters Association.
• A public hearing on the ordinance clarifying on-site storage regulations.
• Temporary street closures and alcohol possession rules for the 2026 Harvest Festival.
• Adoption of the Napa Countywide Active Transportation Plan.

The meeting is open to the public.

St. Helena Roundup: City Council to weigh water plant contract, storage ordinance; commissions set leadership

St. Helena's City Council has a packed agenda covering water infrastructure contracts, a proposed storage ordinance, and City Manager recruitment, while the Planning and Parks & Recreation commissions are scheduled to elect new leadership. All recent meetings listed below are agenda-only — minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes cannot be confirmed.

City Council — July 28

The City Council is scheduled to discuss water service and quality following a July 18 event and consider an ordinance clarifying on-site storage regulations in commercial, mixed-use, and industrial zones.

Several infrastructure contracts are on the agenda:

• A contract with Ron's Quality Construction for $114,020 to install a house at the water treatment plant.
• A Professional Services Agreement with North Coast Community Planning not to exceed $97,300.
• A budget amendment of $73,698 for the Downtown Sidewalk Improvement Project.
• An agreement with Bob Murray & Associates for $36,500 for City Manager recruitment services.

A separate special City Council meeting on July 28 is scheduled for a closed session regarding a liability claim filed by Thompson Builders Corporation against the City of St. Helena. No other business is listed.

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which items were approved, modified, or continued.

Planning Commission — July 21

The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on a new Short-Term Rental Permit (STR26-008) for a single-family residence at 1248 Stockton Street (APN 009-232-026) in the Medium Density Residential zone.

The agenda also includes an educational presentation on the Napa County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan update, discussion and recommendation of the 2026-27 Planning Commission Work Plan for City Council approval, and nomination and election of a new Chair and Vice Chair.

Parks & Recreation Commission — July 27

The Parks & Recreation Commission is scheduled to hold a special meeting to select a new Chair and Vice Chair; the chair position is currently vacant. Members are also set to discuss the Elm Tree Tunnel project and set departmental and commission goals for the 2026-2027 term. Approval of June 15, 2026 meeting minutes is listed as a consent item.

Coming up

• **Finance Committee — Aug. 3:** Review and potential adoption of the Employee Classification and Compensation Subcommittee Report and the Cost Allocation Subcommittee Report, plus discussion of assumptions and schedule for the Full Committee Draft Final Report.
• **Planning Commission — Aug. 4:** Cancelled. No items for decision or discussion.
• **Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee — Aug. 5:** Discussion of the Oak Avenue Restoration Project and traffic slowing alternatives, plus nominations for Chair and Vice Chair for Fiscal Year 26/27 and approval of June 3, 2026 meeting minutes.

All recent meeting outcomes remain unconfirmed until minutes are published. Readers are encouraged to consult the official agendas and minutes on the City of St. Helena website for authoritative results.