Fort Bragg, CA

Special City Council

The Fort Bragg City Council meets in a special closed session on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 4:30 PM at Town Hall, 363 N Main Street, and via Zoom. The only substantive business is four closed-session conferences with legal counsel: two anticipated-litigation items (one unspecified case and the claim of John Naulty) and two existing cases involving Mendocino Railway and Sierra Northern Railway. No open-session decisions, ordinances, contracts, or public hearings are listed; the agenda is otherwise procedural and ends with adjournment.

• Closed session: anticipated litigation, significant exposure, one case (item 26-431)
• Closed session: anticipated litigation, claim of John Naulty (item 26-428)
• Closed session: CITY OF FORT BRAGG v. MENDOCINO RAILWAY, Case No. 21CV00850, Mendocino County Superior Court (item 26-429)
• Closed session: SIERRA NORTHERN RAILWAY and MENDOCINO RAILWAY v. CITY OF FORT BRAGG, U.S. District Court Case No. 4:24-cv-04810-JST (item 26-430)
• Public comment on closed session items limited to three minutes per speaker; no action or discussion under the Brown Act

City Council

The Fort Bragg City Council meets Monday, September 28, 2026 at 6:00 PM at Town Hall, 363 N. Main Street, and by Zoom. Most of the agenda is a consent calendar of 11 ordinances amending the Coastal Land Use and Development Code and Inland Land Use and Development Code, covering formula businesses, cannabis cultivation and retail, short-term rentals, animal keeping, telecommunications facilities, density bonuses and inclusionary housing, signs, landscaping, and economic-development zoning changes. A continued public hearing will take up amendments to the Inland General Plan for Regional Housing Needs Assessment requirements for the 2027 Housing Element cycle. The council will also consider a $114,619 cannabis tax grant and a Cisco cybersecurity agreement not to exceed $95,455.40.

• Consent calendar: resolution accepting a Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program grant of $114,619.00
• Consent calendar: Cisco cybersecurity software 5-year bundle installment agreement, total not to exceed $95,455.40
• Ordinance 1024-2026 adding Section 17.42.075 'Formula Business Regulations' to the Coastal Land Use and Development Code
• Ordinances 1025-2026 and 1026-2026 adding cannabis cultivation, cannabis retail, delivery-only retail, and short-term rental standards
• Continued public hearing from September 14, 2026 on Inland General Plan amendments for 2027 Housing Element RHNA requirements

Planning Commission

The regular Planning Commission meeting scheduled for September 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. has been cancelled. The next regular meeting is set for October 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The agenda contains no other business items.

• Regular meeting of September 23, 2026 cancelled
• Next regular meeting scheduled for October 14, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.

Community Meetings

The Parks and Recreation Ad Hoc Committee's regular meeting scheduled for September 23, 2026, has been cancelled. The next regular meeting is set for October 28, 2026. This agenda contains only the cancellation notice and no items for discussion or decision.

• Regular meeting of September 23, 2026 cancelled
• Next regular meeting scheduled for October 28, 2026

Public Safety Committee

The regular Public Safety Committee meeting scheduled for September 16, 2026, at 3:00 PM has been cancelled. The next regular meeting is set for Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 3:00 PM. This agenda contains only the cancellation notice and no substantive items.

• Meeting cancelled for September 16, 2026
• Next meeting scheduled for October 21, 2026

Community Meetings

The Prop 47 Local Advisory Committee is meeting to approve minutes from June, hear public comments, and discuss its goals, transitional housing updates, deliverables, staffing, and the December meeting schedule. The agenda is largely discussion-oriented with no final decisions listed.

• Approve minutes from June 17, 2026 meeting
• Discussion on Local Advisory Committee Goals
• Discussion and update on transitional housing
• Discussion and update on deliverables
• Discussion and update on staffing

Special City Council

The Fort Bragg City Council is meeting in a special closed session to confer with legal counsel on two existing lawsuits involving railways. No public action or discussion is expected, as the agenda is limited to closed-session items and public comments. The meeting is procedural and offers no open-session decisions.

• Closed session on Sierra Northern Railway and Mendocino Railway v. City of Fort Bragg, U.S. District Court Case No. 4:24-cv-04810-JST
• Closed session on City of Fort Bragg v. Mendocino Railway, Mendocino County Superior Court Case No. 21CV00850
• Public comments limited to 3 minutes per speaker on closed-session items only

City Council

The Fort Bragg City Council will hold two public hearings: one on adopting coastal land use code amendments requested by the California Coastal Commission for ADU and tiny home ordinances, and another on amending the General Plan and zoning codes to meet Regional Housing Needs Assessment requirements for the 2027 Housing Element cycle. The council will also consider consent items including a budget amendment, a license agreement for Veterans Memorial Hall, and several proclamations.

• Public hearing on ADU and tiny home ordinance amendments requested by California Coastal Commission
• Public hearing on General Plan and zoning amendments for 2027 Housing Element (RHNA)
• Budget Amendment No. 2026/27-02 for FY 2026/27
• License and Operations Agreement for Veterans Memorial Hall with County of Mendocino
• Reaffirmation of opposition to offshore drilling, exploration or fracking

Community Development Committee

The Community Development Committee will review a staff report regarding perceived conflicts between pedestrians and e-bikes on the Coastal Trail. The committee will discuss possible solutions following the presentation of state law and the Preservation of Parks Ordinance.

• Review of CDC Staff Report regarding electric bikes on the Coastal Trail
• Discussion of State Law and Preservation of Parks Ordinance related to trail use
• Approval of minutes from the August 3, 2026, meeting

Public Works and Facilities Committee

The Public Works and Facilities Committee is meeting to approve the minutes from August 13, 2026, and to hear a director's oral report on departmental activities and project updates. No other substantive decisions or discussions are listed on the agenda.

• Approval of minutes from August 13, 2026
• Director oral report on departmental activities and project updates

Finance and Administration Committee

The Finance and Administration Committee's regular meeting scheduled for September 9, 2026, has been cancelled. The next regular meeting is set for October 14, 2026, at 4:00 PM. No items were discussed or decided.

• Meeting cancelled

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will review a recommendation from the Community Development Committee regarding Ordinance No. 1024-2026. This item involves repealing and replacing specific sections of the Municipal Code related to mobile vending permits and insurance requirements.

• Review of Ordinance No. 1024-2026 regarding mobile vending permits and liability insurance
• Proposed regulation of mobile vending locations in the Central Business District public right of way
• Approval of August 26, 2026, Planning Commission meeting minutes

Visit Fort Bragg

The Visit Fort Bragg Committee will hold a strategic discussion about the future of the organization, receive updates on the City of Fort Bragg's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue, and hear from The Idea Cooperative and the Special Events Subcommittee. The meeting also includes approval of the August 11, 2026 minutes and public comment periods.

• Strategic discussion on the future of Visit Fort Bragg
• Update on Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue with historical and monthly summaries
• Update from The Idea Cooperative
• Oral update from VFB Special Events Subcommittee
• Approval of minutes from August 11, 2026 meeting

Community Development Committee

The regular meeting of the Community Development Committee scheduled for September 7, 2026, has been cancelled. The next regular meeting is scheduled for October 5, 2026, at 4:00 PM.

Community Meetings

The Parks and Recreation Ad Hoc Committee regular meeting scheduled for August 26, 2026, at 4:00 PM has been cancelled. No items will be discussed or decided at this meeting.

• Meeting cancelled; no agenda items to consider

Planning Commission

The Fort Bragg Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider recommending that the City Council amend the Inland and Coastal General Plans and zoning codes to meet Regional Housing Needs Assessment requirements for the 2027 Housing Element cycle. The item includes CEQA exemptions and an addendum to the EIR. The commission will also approve minutes from the June 10, 2026 meeting and take public comments on non-agenda items.

• Public hearing on General Plan and zoning code amendments for 2027 Housing Element (CEQA Exemption 15061(b)(3), 15265(c); EIR Addendum)
• Inland General Plan Housing Amendment Resolution
• Coastal General Plan Housing Amendment Resolution
• Housing in Commercial Zones Ordinance amendments (ILUDC and CLUDC)
• Approval of June 10, 2026 meeting minutes

The Fort Bragg Planning Commission held a public hearing and voted 4-0 to recommend that the City Council amend the Inland and Coastal General Plan and Zoning Codes to meet Regional Housing Needs Assessment requirements for the 2027 Housing Element cycle. The recommendation was adopted as Enactment No. 09-2026. The commission also approved the minutes of the June 10, 2026 meeting. No public comments were received on non-agenda or consent calendar items.

• Recommended approval of resolution to amend General Plan and Zoning Codes for 2027 Housing Element (4-0, Enactment No. 09-2026)
• Approved minutes of June 10, 2026 Planning Commission meeting (4-0)

Special City Council

This is a special closed-session meeting of the Fort Bragg City Council, which also convenes as the Municipal Improvement District No. 1 and the Redevelopment Successor Agency. The council will discuss existing litigation involving Sierra Northern Railway and Mendocino Railway, and conduct a performance evaluation for the City Attorney. No public action is expected, as the agenda consists solely of closed-session items.

• Closed session discussion of litigation: Sierra Northern Railway and Mendocino Railway v. City of Fort Bragg (U.S. District Court Case No. 4:24-cv-04810-JST)
• Closed session discussion of litigation: City of Fort Bragg v. Mendocino Railway (Mendocino County Superior Court Case No. 21CV00850)
• Closed session performance evaluation of the City Attorney

The Fort Bragg City Council held a special closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding existing litigation and to conduct a public employee performance evaluation. Mayor Godeke reported that no reportable action was taken on the closed session items.

City Council

The Fort Bragg City Council will hold public hearings on two major land-use code updates: one to align coastal regulations with inland rules for cannabis businesses, short-term rentals, formula businesses, and other topics, and another to implement economic development goals. The council will also consider consent items including a Blues Festival contract, an engineering services amendment, and a compensation plan for C.V. Starr employees. A report on the 2026 Wastewater Collection System Master Plan is scheduled for discussion.

• Public hearing on LCP amendment and 7 ordinances for cannabis, short-term rentals, formula businesses, animal keeping, telecom, density bonus, inclusionary housing, signs, landscaping, and definitions
• Public hearing on 2 ordinances to amend Inland and Coastal land use codes for economic development
• Resolution approving Blues Festival contract with Pam Bell Productions (not to exceed $53,500)
• Resolution approving third amendment to on-call engineering services with Lumos & Associates (not to exceed $141,097.95)
• Resolution establishing compensation plan for C.V. Starr employee classifications effective July 12, 2026

Public Safety Committee

The Public Safety Committee will meet to approve minutes from February 2026 and receive an oral update from Care Response Unit staff on their projects and activities. The agenda is otherwise routine, with no major decisions or public hearings listed.

• Approve minutes of February 18, 2026 meeting
• Oral update from Care Response Unit staff on projects and activities

Public Works and Facilities Committee

The Public Works and Facilities Committee is meeting to approve the minutes from May 14, 2026, and hear a director's oral report on departmental activities and project updates. The agenda is largely procedural, with no specific action items, contracts, or public hearings listed.

• Approval of minutes from May 14, 2026
• Director oral report on departmental activities and project updates

Finance and Administration Committee

The Finance and Administration Committee's regular meeting scheduled for August 12, 2026, has been cancelled. The next regular meeting is set for September 9, 2026, at 4 PM.

• Meeting cancelled
• Next meeting: September 9, 2026, 4 PM

Planning Commission

The regular Planning Commission meeting scheduled for August 12, 2026, has been cancelled. The next regular meeting will be held on August 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM.

• Meeting cancelled
• Next meeting: August 26, 2026 at 6:00 PM

Visit Fort Bragg

The Visit Fort Bragg Committee will review and provide direction on the FY 26-27 scope of work for The Idea Cooperative, a contracted tourism marketing firm, and discuss strategic goals for the year based on survey results. The committee will also receive updates from Visit Mendocino and its special events subcommittee. Public comments are invited on non-agenda items.

• Receive report and provide direction for FY 26-27 Scope of Work for The Idea Cooperative (contract attached)
• Discussion of Visit Fort Bragg Strategic Goals FY 2026/27 and Committee Survey Results
• Receive update from Visit Mendocino
• Receive oral update from VFB Special Events Subcommittee
• Approve minutes from June 9 and June 15, 2026 meetings

Special City Council

The City Council will hold a closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding two existing lawsuits involving the City of Fort Bragg and Mendocino Railway. The first case is in Mendocino County Superior Court (Case No. 21CV00850). The second is a federal case in the U.S. District Court (Case No. 4:24-cv-04810-JST). No public action or discussion on these items is expected during the open portion of the meeting.

• Closed session: Conference with legal counsel on City of Fort Bragg v. Mendocino Railway (Superior Court Case No. 21CV00850)
• Closed session: Conference with legal counsel on Sierra Northern Railway and Mendocino Railway v. City of Fort Bragg (Federal Case No. 4:24-cv-04810-JST)
• Public comment period on closed session items only
• Meeting is hybrid (in-person at Town Hall and via Zoom)
• Agenda is limited to closed session litigation; no other business items

The Fort Bragg City Council held a special closed session to discuss two ongoing lawsuits involving Mendocino Railway and Sierra Northern Railway. After reconvening in open session, the council voted unanimously to release a previously confidential letter related to the litigation. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Released previously confidential letter in City of Fort Bragg v. Mendocino Railway litigation (unanimous)

City Council

The Fort Bragg City Council will hold a regular meeting with several consent items and reports. Key actions include approving a contract for biological compliance services on the Raw Water Line Replacement Project, confirming pay rates with a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for police, and approving an emergency sewer repair change order. The council will also receive reports and consider resolutions on the Timberwolf Stadium track project, a planning grant for C.V. Starr Community Center Phase III, and a Parks & Recreation policy.

• Approve $84,970 contract with WRA, Inc. for biological compliance on Raw Water Line Replacement Project (WTR-00016)
• Confirm pay rates including 3% COLA for Fort Bragg Police Association effective July 12, 2026
• Approve $26,510 change order with Akeff Construction for emergency sewer repairs at North Harbor Drive
• Consider resolution for Timberwolf Stadium Track and Multipurpose Athletic Field Improvement Project
• Consider resolution to apply for Community Resilience Centers Round 2 Planning Grant for C.V. Starr Community Center Phase III

The Fort Bragg City Council unanimously adopted four resolutions: approving a professional services agreement for biological compliance monitoring on the Raw Water Line Replacement Project, confirming pay rates including a 3% COLA for police, approving a change order for emergency sewer repairs, and adopting a resolution for the Timberwolf Stadium Track and Multipurpose Athletic Field Improvement Project. The council also adopted resolutions for a Community Resilience Centers grant application and a Parks & Recreation Strategic Service Delivery and Coordination Policy. All votes were 5-0.

• Approved WRA, Inc. contract for biological monitoring ($84,970) (5-0)
• Approved police 3% COLA pay adjustment (5-0)
• Approved sewer repair change order with Akeff Construction ($26,510) (5-0)
• Adopted Timberwolf Stadium project partnership framework (5-0)
• Authorized Community Resilience Centers grant application for C.V. Starr Phase III (5-0)
• Adopted Parks & Recreation Strategic Service Delivery and Coordination Policy (5-0)

Community Development Committee

The Community Development Committee is meeting to discuss various topics, including a mobile vending unit ordinance, a community youth survey, and a formula business ordinance. The committee will also review a request for funding from the Larry Spring Museum and discuss historical placards and a virtual tour. The meeting is primarily procedural, with no major decisions expected.

• Mobile Vending Unit Ordinance discussion
• Review of Formula Business Ordinance
• Request for funding from Larry Spring Museum for Redwood Time Exhibition
• Discussion of historical placards and virtual tour
• Open call for mini murals on retaining wall at Hwy 20 and Hwy 1

City Council

The July 27, 2026 regular City Council meeting has been cancelled. The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM. The agenda contains only a cancellation notice, with no items for discussion or decision.

• Regular meeting of July 27, 2026 at 4:00 PM cancelled

Planning Commission

The regular meeting of the Fort Bragg Planning Commission scheduled for Wednesday, July 22, 2026, has been cancelled. The next regular meeting is set for Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

• Meeting cancelled
• Next meeting scheduled for August 12, 2026

Community Meetings

The Parks and Recreation Ad Hoc Committee meeting scheduled for July 22, 2026, has been cancelled. The next meeting is set for August 26, 2026.

• Meeting cancelled for July 22, 2026
• Next meeting scheduled for August 26, 2026

Public Safety Committee

The City of Fort Bragg’s Public Safety Committee has cancelled its regular meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, 2026. No agenda items or decisions were posted for this session. The committee will reconvene at its next regularly scheduled meeting on August 19, 2026.

• Regular meeting cancelled with no agenda items or public hearings posted.