Locunity/St. Helena, CA·City Council
The governing body of the City of St. Helena, a General Law City operating a Council-Manager form of government. The Council is comprised of five members elected at-large during General Municipal Elections, including a Mayor who serves a two-year term and four Council Members who serve four-year alternating terms. The City Council sets goals and establishes public policies responsive to the community, while the City Manager implements those policies and manages day-to-day operations.
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Recent updates from Governing Board
The advisory Finance Committee presented two years of findings, including pension prepayments, financial policy compliance, and class-and-comp critiques, and council voted to receive the report.
Why it matters: The findings could drive pension prepayment, reporting and compensation policy and inform the next council's budget deliberations.
Council unanimously expanded the filtration rebate program, moving to a 50 percent city share, six months of retroactivity and caps, despite concerns that the $50,000 fund will run out.
Why it matters: The rebate is funded from water enterprise money, so ratepayers cover relief for discolored water and the council may need to add funds soon.
Council introduced the first reading of an ordinance implementing AB 1572, restricting potable irrigation of nonfunctional turf for government, commercial and HOA properties on a phased schedule.
Why it matters: The state requirement begins January 1, 2027, and phases in commercial and common-area properties through 2029, while single-family homes are unaffected.
After reconsidering a consent item, council approved replacing two Parks pickups with fully electric Chevrolet trucks at roughly $4,386 more than the original hybrid plan.
Why it matters: The switch uses state clean-fuel rebates of $15,000 per truck and shapes fleet that is expected to last about 20 years.
The council approved most of staff's reorganization positions but removed library and parks director salaries for rework after the Vice Mayor challenged pay levels and job descriptions.
Why it matters: The Blackberg-driven reorganization adds a net position at up to $311,000 annually, and the debate previews comparator-city disputes over executive pay.
The chief introduced four new officers with family members pinning badges, noting they fill vacancies rather than expand the force.
Why it matters: Staffing stays flat while the department replaces departures, and the badge-number tradition ties officers to department history.
The Napa County RCD presented a completed bridge replacement that restored salmon and steelhead passage on Sulphur Creek and enabled CAL FIRE truck access.
Why it matters: The project, started by neighbors, reopened about 3.2 miles of habitat and anchors a watershed-wide effort backed by NOAA and state grants.
The council recognized the Friends and Foundation of the St. Helena Public Library, which plans $175,000 in grants this year and announced a fundraising event.
Why it matters: Private donations pay for materials, programs and staff hours at the library that city funds do not cover.
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