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.