[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6561305,"mediaKeyId","3292695-d1eb8f7cde51f946acd01c795ab255a2","parentId",3292695,"title","Council approves annexation of 1766 Sulphur Springs Avenue into municipal sewer district","audioSeconds",219,"startMs",3081000,"endMs",3300000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292695-d1eb8f7cde51f946acd01c795ab255a2&start=3081&end=3300","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292695-d1eb8f7cde51f946acd01c795ab255a2/thumbnail_3081000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6561305/California/Council-approves-annexation-of-1766-Sulphur-Springs-Avenue-into-municipal-sewer-district","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561305-19dc34ed069176ec0934a61e128e510e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141367&Signature=XDzfLoIChq6qDmkIXIAF0b87k10c1CKlV47OTKuOVLF1k68JZZfUyvrEoMB0FPGgzklmEp9-lblut7D7bWYi9h3YgGbMfuGWycLvMiz5QUDeFc8Q1IjPMrS1Fh0MfKW30c9BY-5zaz2OXu4qY-9l26j3FSdMahDNAEutadFl2Cf5820KR2sqGaqn116QKmLnKlLF-EbtNYtQozB-MH6ttErNKoMYzVIcLB~hxiu9FgrVhvHR7BIAEnF7D1PvXbtzryfwUUoWuuIWPAdbtIwy-83-A4KAlEbvgzWwkJF4bCpgh2xEJxkMLgzgQS62dYFd0vZKwL9slNqyrC2vi7Ohow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of St. Helena","date","2025-05-14T04:45:46.963Z","article","The St. Helena City Council adopted a resolution on May 13 approving annexation of the parcel at 1766 Sulphur Springs Avenue (APN 9350024) into the St. Helena Municipal Sewer District No. 1.

Director Leach summarized the annexation process and said the city will complete paperwork with Napa County and other agencies as the next step. Staff reminded council that annexation does not obligate the city to extend sewer mains to the parcel; the property owner is responsible for main extension costs and may choose to enter reimbursement agreements with neighboring owners.

Public comment on the item was limited and councilmembers sought clarification about the property owner. After a motion and second, the council adopted the resolution by roll call vote; councilmembers recorded affirmative votes.

Ending: Resolution adopting MSD annexation No. 151 for APN 9350024 was approved by the council on May 13; follow-up paperwork to county agencies will be completed by staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Council - 13 May 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council adopted a resolution to annex 1766 Sulphur Springs Avenue (APN 9350024) into the St. Helena Municipal Sewer District; property owner remains responsible for extending sewer main to serve parcel.","taxTitle","Saint Helena, Napa County, California","taxId",55592,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6561310,"Council adopts ordinance to move St. Helena utility billing from bimonthly to monthly",266,2792000,3058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292695-d1eb8f7cde51f946acd01c795ab255a2&start=2792&end=3058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292695-d1eb8f7cde51f946acd01c795ab255a2/thumbnail_2792000.jpg","/articles/6561310/California/Council-adopts-ordinance-to-move-St-Helena-utility-billing-from-bimonthly-to-monthly","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561310-586ed3732891931199235e127c277acc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141367&Signature=TOFTNlxVUdskZOgETJUeN7PyYCTI3M~tugHJalTjW28usrUIZF~BqpD~xmcqV1cS4h44kePaV1-00euxkB-F3zFJNZQsfUQTQrbi4fIF55jsN53xKUZs1aRVTr5zha-JO7Sz5MzlK4BnbCl9niaESuID4Hd0GO0ACqJM4c5l4n7-Ux0afbizNOATy2qN9sPYCYBEj40uiiSw7GwcS5x7YPbnXkNsyRGDhxdJuvASWWiVc8DCPa87VgQwvQw50QVdMltXshddXrYn1IZ~V5i-AOB2oOdLuxRxekc1TukPlXPsERKGrjNaTpMNy8b25j76ST8f3BRrGmb3pyoIF23LzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Helena City Council conducted the public hearing and voted on May 13 to proceed with an ordinance to change the city's utility billing for water and sewer from bimonthly to monthly billing, shorten the due period to 21 days, and remove late penalties and interest charges.

Finance Manager Martin Beltran told council the changes do not alter the annual cost to customers; the changes increase billing frequency from six to 12 statements per year and rely on the city's smart-meter installation to improve meter reading and billing accuracy. Staff said reducing the due-date window to 21 days addresses posting and timing issues that arise with monthly cycles, and that eliminating late penalties aligns the city with other utilities.

After a public hearing with no members of the public asking to speak on the item, the council voted to adopt the staff recommendation. The roll call recorded affirmative votes from Councilmembers Barrick, Summers, Spadaro, Vice Mayor Deasy and Mayor Paul Dohring.

Ending: The ordinance will return for final adoption at a subsequent meeting (the action on May 13 advanced staff'recommended language and next steps).","Council held the introduction and first reading and then voted to move forward with an ordinance to change water and sewer billing from bimonthly to monthly, reduce the bill due window to 21 days, and eliminate late penalties; council vote was unanimous.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6561315,"Council pauses Towser Apiaries permit after residents raise ecological concerns",470,2297000,2767000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292695-d1eb8f7cde51f946acd01c795ab255a2&start=2297&end=2767","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292695-d1eb8f7cde51f946acd01c795ab255a2/thumbnail_2297000.jpg","/articles/6561315/California/Council-pauses-Towser-Apiaries-permit-after-residents-raise-ecological-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561315-004637b54a730ac1e33cdf4d22a73888/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141367&Signature=ZnyHsj8SrWLf9MysI-hhfb7npLJridihx2IIUQgyzA9tWc~qRHQfgekonxoghVyikOSxZDNS9eTZWxu7x-uuErXY28xJDW1EoFaEL~ydljqeRy6uBzsaAp8eTAemNOenIJkSxSY1r2gS2LNHArpXm8g4vXHtVKvvmdrSc2P073oqRYq8VXyxLxuraY4NInFLewx1sfWEnxeQjJPncMDK7pGkoDbHG2iGcdwKdEBTfUYanCiHulRiy9npmgxUA2dmhnlwC~LFM5Lj2mnKuf5WVFPqzE3kcGc3qBjwsGLGH0g3kJj2uots8QvUoqqrWogdqhoLTWks3K9D0xTNyAAm7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Helena City Council removed a proposed multi-year agreement with Towser Apiaries from the consent calendar on May 13 after public comment raised concerns about the hives'location and impact on native pollinators.

Director Leach told the council Towser Apiaries has kept bee hives at the wastewater treatment plant spray fields for two years under informal permits; the new contract would formalize the arrangement, add termination clauses and a $500 fee, and set the hives in a relocated area farther from the community forest. Leach said the move was coordinated internally to reduce conflicts with community planting projects.

Several public commenters urged further study before a formal agreement. Elaine DeMann, speaking as a California naturalist and climate steward, said honey bees can compete with native pollinators, spread pathogens and prefer nonnative plants, potentially harming the native-plant restoration work underway in the community forest. DeMann asked that staff consult the local volunteers planting the community forest and local biologists before final action.

Councilmembers and staff agreed to pause the consent item and seek further input. Director Leach said staff believed they had coordinated with volunteer Paul Asmuth but would reconfirm and bring more information back to council.

Ending: The council postponed action on the Towser Apiaries contract for further stakeholder outreach and additional information. No contract was approved May 13.","Council pulled consent item on a multi-year apiary agreement at the wastewater spray fields after multiple residents urged more stakeholder outreach and biological review. Staff and council agreed to postpone the item so staff can consult volunteers planting the nearby community forest and local ecologists.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6561319,"St. Helena council hears $1.9M shortfall in draft 2025–27 budget; businesses urge restoring tourism funding",8183,2003000,10186000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292695-d1eb8f7cde51f946acd01c795ab255a2&start=2003&end=10186","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292695-d1eb8f7cde51f946acd01c795ab255a2/thumbnail_2003000.jpg","/articles/6561319/California/St-Helena-council-hears-19M-shortfall-in-draft-202527-budget-businesses-urge-restoring-tourism-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561319-75671a8ee46cd787dbc650f378b3e59e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141367&Signature=J12~iczlPBd4mzzPCniDT~IdMko7UgGlqbqZ~yi-THcXgqcqDg1CaB06lAc6XNNOxmHncUPhXs2rZR4OMt8TBHiVkuqRJy16-rPaoAiFm4uConhE3AjNX6K8FFf~fvDOluuIc1Ps3SKqLq9J9VRjNF6JcNEevTsfF5UxkbdoUepdQAENsfOtgxm6rplo5o5DBPdbrcZhU4IwR6tK6DMoblcSFEv7WXGl0qcgh7YnfCgwwn~Sg5b8hLts2aZgd190xDySdeEZoMuR3MeiIKQIUj6a-3rpIs-srCaca4FJf2D24BFU0T-44DSFR8M8fEzvKs2Xa7il9tQzGvpTR~kBcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Helena City Manager Carmelo and Administrative Director Mandy Kellogg presented the city's proposed fiscal 2025''26 and 2026''27 operating budget on May 13, outlining staff-recommended reductions and the need to draw on reserves to balance operations.

The administration said revenues are growing slowly (about 4.4% projected) while expenses'particularly pension and other fixed costs'are increasing faster. Staff identified roughly $1,940,000 in potential reductions and estimated the draft budget would still require about $1,700,000 to be withdrawn from reserves in the first year and about $3,000,000 over two years if no additional revenue measures are adopted.

Kellogg and Finance Manager Martin Beltran told council the draft includes no cuts to library, parks and recreation, emergency services or the paving program, but that the proposed reductions and a hiring freeze for certain executive positions will reduce service capacity. The presentation highlighted a roughly $70 million five-year capital improvement program and stressed that delayed maintenance raises future costs.

The budget discussion became focused on a proposed reduction to the city's destination marketing agreement with the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce and on smaller nonprofit grants. Chamber CEO Amy Caravas Salazar told council the city's contract funds visitor marketing and the downtown welcome center and warned that a proposed cut would reduce tourist visits that generate transient occupancy tax (TOT). Multiple local business leaders'including Kristen Cropper of Louis Martini Winery, Carl Dean (hospitality/business owner), Christopher Costow (restaurant owner), Aaron Trumbull (Sportigo) and Rick Kaufman (Harvest Inn)'appeared during public comment and urged restoring or maintaining chamber funding, citing examples of increased visitation tied to chamber programs.

Councilmembers and finance committee members said they want a clearer presentation of recurring versus one-time costs, a prioritized list of cuts, and more work on revenue options. Staff said the finance committee has recommended (but not included in the draft) one-time contributions such as $500,000 to a Section 115 trust to prefund pension liabilities and smaller prefunding for building and equipment replacement; those items would raise the amount needed from reserves if adopted.

Council also discussed continuing three nonprofit grants (previously $30,000 each to three organizations) at a reduced total level; staff said the draft would fund the three organizations at a combined $75,000 rather than the prior combined $90,000 requested. Council asked staff to report back with more detail and directed the city manager to meet with the chamber to explore options for the destination-marketing contract.

City staff said they will return a revised budget for formal adoption at the June 10 meeting. Staff also said they will prepare contingency scenarios and a plan of potential further reductions and report on recommended revenue options in coming months.

Ending: Councilmembers praised staff work on a difficult draft and directed more analysis on cuts and revenue options. No final budget vote was taken on May 13; the council scheduled additional review and a June 10 adoption hearing.","City staff presented a draft two-year budget that would withdraw roughly $1.7 million from reserves in year one and about $3 million over two years if current proposals remain. Council and the public pressed for clearer plans on cuts and potential revenue options; business leaders urged preserving funding for destination marketing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves annexation of 1766 Sulphur Springs Avenue into municipal sewer district

Council adopts ordinance to move St. Helena utility billing from bimonthly to monthly

Council pauses Towser Apiaries permit after residents raise ecological concerns

St. Helena council hears $1.9M shortfall in draft 2025–27 budget; businesses urge restoring tourism funding