[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_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":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6524166,"mediaKeyId","4416452-34aebc939cf2503c7be3c245840eb9d8","parentId",4416452,"title","Council directs staff to negotiate with local promoter for two-day music festival at fairgrounds","audioSeconds",1779,"startMs",3289000,"endMs",5068000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4416452-34aebc939cf2503c7be3c245840eb9d8&start=3289&end=5068","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4416452-34aebc939cf2503c7be3c245840eb9d8/thumbnail_3289000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6524166/Calistoga/Napa-County/California/Council-directs-staff-to-negotiate-with-local-promoter-for-two-day-music-festival-at-fairgrounds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524166-cb7277dfb5bc31f3fe553dd78043016a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447962&Signature=S0rFW5TvVBeZIq~7aTvjOoZC9Q0J0pkG7KAxkyKUXdMf5t~Ws96W6cWC4hNJ0xLKP8BifeOfW4tfYAMaB~v8HOJW1GjDJzA~P-VVtd8G4eFH2JqflHPS63lO4l2TB7GwECrd7rSfE~D~oPwccleRvMGIG-B6CQKdZSMYelBo4td8Nufk8y4wrklLJaz7xZFvbyesBIFsOtOnrY7fXNhCzZUWXXbuHtAFD9qGB7ZLAlAYiBR578azJ85VS4N-6~25DpN-URYgQMqsOGRIFITVcoUGMn~zVtGpHsh8ZFkHba0-686mSX1FV53RJ59Fin99tPkIQMJ47vZc7l66P5TMgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-18T15:48:25Z","article","The Calistoga City Council on June 17 directed staff to enter direct negotiations with a local promoter, Wright Productions, for a proposed two‑day music festival at the Calistoga Fairgrounds. Staff presented three options; the council generally favored option 3 (direct negotiation) and asked that a negotiated contract return to council for formal approval.

Fairgrounds Director Shelley Wright described the festival opportunity as a low‑cost public-asset activation that could generate rental revenue, transient-occupancy tax receipts and provide marketing opportunities for local vendors. Wright and promoter Gary Himmelfarb said a professionally produced festival would require promoter investment, and the promoter requested an exclusive multi‑year agreement so it could recoup upfront costs and invest in marketing and production.

Promoter Gary Himmelfarb said production investments for a festival could exceed $1 million and that lead artists can command fees around $250,000; he proposed an initial multi‑year term (he discussed a 10‑year preference, noting some advisors suggested up to 15 years) but said contract length and review terms could be negotiated and include performance milestones and exit clauses. Himmelfarb provided proposed October 17–18, 2026 as potential festival dates, saying artist negotiations require a year of lead time.

Public commenters, including business owners and chamber representatives, broadly supported pursuing the festival and highlighted potential economic benefits for hotels, restaurants and retailers. Some council members and residents raised concerns about honoring prior commitments to other community partners (including the advisory committee and an outstanding community survey), neighborhood impacts (noise, parking, traffic) and the need for clear safety, traffic and noise-mitigation plans.

Council members emphasized the following directions to staff: negotiate contract terms that include performance milestones, review and exit clauses; ensure public-safety plans are approved by fire and police; return the negotiated contract to council for public review and approval; and include community‑notification and mitigation measures for neighbors. Several council members proposed a 5‑year contract as a reasonable compromise; others expressed openness to longer terms with review periods. The council did not vote to approve a specific contract or exclusivity period that night; staff received direction to proceed with negotiations under option 3.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6.17.25 Special City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After extensive public comment and council discussion, Calistoga City Council gave staff direction to pursue direct negotiations with a local promoter for a proposed two-day rock music festival at the fairgrounds, with council review of any signed contract.","taxTitle","Calistoga, Napa County, California","taxId",79255,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6524171,"Council approves fairgrounds sponsorship program; Gift abstains, naming rights reserved for council",1998,1094000,3092000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4416452-34aebc939cf2503c7be3c245840eb9d8&start=1094&end=3092","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4416452-34aebc939cf2503c7be3c245840eb9d8/thumbnail_1094000.jpg","/articles/6524171/Calistoga/Napa-County/California/Council-approves-fairgrounds-sponsorship-program-Gift-abstains-naming-rights-reserved-for-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524171-2b1781ee03b95c132f027e406ed51b19/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447962&Signature=I5CRhFQMoWSFTtz8OAZH6VnfpH51lUbrjhyuV4tR8wS3toaTvnAOyP21XSLRnw4lbTjqLM7id-m9Fjf7cDfLe1eZ4ILFCUHNs6ygLgJ~L58R3PuJxGYaKq-u2lhyZdgADHOXga7DmmEed5KJuO6f0NSbfry7q2X3wcAnwgG3IiO9GEAh-DRYrdAVGWUfUVXG8Wfsne08hEuNwQkbveFfWklDdhY3mk~VHGRMYzBG0uuqRVlrnuO6PJyqUY3lje6D-SIOZhoaq-g3pd71qux87x5J1zHK~BTLX3cKGZOzKJ06IyPySr~KHMRbp37e3tDhmXDQiKu3QS6RgoC8xwcLGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Calistoga City Council voted June 17 to adopt a resolution authorizing staff to design and implement an annual sponsorship program to raise revenue and support improvements at the Calistoga Fairgrounds. The resolution passed on a 4–0 vote with Council member Don Gift recorded as abstaining.

Fairgrounds Director Shelley Wright presented the draft program as a near-term tool to fund items such as exterior banners, picnic tables and website recognition while the city develops a full master plan for the site. Wright said larger opportunities, including naming rights for buildings such as the Butler Building, would be reviewed by the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee and forwarded to the council for approval: “Naming rights would be brought back to the council,” Wright said.

Director Wright emphasized the distinction between sponsorships (a marketing exchange that provides publicity to businesses) and donations (earmarked contributions). She said sponsorships would generally be annual and that the draft program gives staff discretion to negotiate placements for banners and sponsor recognition. The staff report noted tickets the city receives through an existing racetrack agreement are a common sponsorship tool but cautioned against distributing tickets to council members because that could be a gift of public funds.

Council members debated how much administrative authority to delegate. Council member Eisenberg and others expressed confidence in Director Wright’s ability to implement a fair program but asked that material changes be brought back to the council. City Manager clarified the resolution delegates creation of the program to staff and that the manager would approve the program before broader implementation; council indicated they expect legal review and that fund accounting will track sponsorship revenues in Fund 70.

Roll call on the resolution: Eisenberg — aye; Cooper — aye; Gift — abstain; Vice Mayor Lopez Ortega — aye; Mayor Williams — aye. The resolution authorizes staff to proceed; the council did not specify implementation timelines for individual sponsorships at the meeting.","The council approved a resolution authorizing staff to develop and implement an annual sponsorship program for the Calistoga Fairgrounds. Council member Don Gift abstained; the council confirmed naming-rights proposals would return to council for approval.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6524176,"Council appoints mayor and Council member Gift as liaisons to Fairgrounds Advisory Committee",600,480000,1080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4416452-34aebc939cf2503c7be3c245840eb9d8&start=480&end=1080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4416452-34aebc939cf2503c7be3c245840eb9d8/thumbnail_480000.jpg","/articles/6524176/Calistoga/Napa-County/California/Council-appoints-mayor-and-Council-member-Gift-as-liaisons-to-Fairgrounds-Advisory-Committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524176-41314d527f7b305d9c7834f37914c9be/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447962&Signature=jMyRjk7NG78MsQhkVHisRLVEZazP6zAyOwJd8QXDFd-eWXSPaqxQxDn5-HWRGdYc3tonoYayqaokmLaHQcXkL9xnha8bPTnOIQ51cRkq4Vt3SnYIkfQI3aSq5DzS7Jc-Syin2IEyXrOP7-JBT2Fu-H-5cI~704MHROZKW0ss-Qq626sAGo2R3E45JlNvlUro6Uf9BYDD4pZI0b6tm4t6St7QUmUfbewFklc7IWuLRHthyViGPVpPfme7c6DKp5cUaLJP4CNqDVnymnoJOVnM9k-sVyKJ129~XwVAPmgz3nIOGQJCCWdyKsqDT~CvwRW3Sf7MmbdY11V3oNNU971-Bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Calistoga City Council voted unanimously on June 17 to appoint Mayor Williams and Council member Don Gift as council liaisons to the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee, a body formed to guide community input on the future of the Calistoga Fairgrounds.

Mayor Williams nominated herself and Gift for the liaison roles; Council member Eisenberg seconded the nomination. After a brief discussion in which Council member Gift described her substantive involvement interviewing committee applicants and her commitment to representing working families, the council approved the nominations by roll-call vote: Eisenberg — aye; Cooper — aye; Gift — aye; Vice Mayor Lopez Ortega — aye; Mayor Williams — aye.

During debate, Vice Mayor Lopez Ortega and others emphasized that liaisons do not steer resident committees but serve as communication links between staff, the committee and the council. Council member Eisenberg described the liaison role as ensuring “good communication between the council and the committee,” noting the committee is resident‑led and the residents will elect the chair.

The council did not set additional constraints on liaison duties during the approval; the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee will proceed with outreach and work as defined in its formation materials. The liaison appointments carry no separate compensation and will be tracked through normal committee liaison reporting channels.","The council appointed Mayor Williams and Council member Don Gift as its liaisons to the newly formed Fairgrounds Advisory Committee after discussion about representation; appointment passed unanimously.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6524180,"Calistoga council adopts ordinance updating fire hazard severity zones; two members recuse",287,211000,498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4416452-34aebc939cf2503c7be3c245840eb9d8&start=211&end=498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4416452-34aebc939cf2503c7be3c245840eb9d8/thumbnail_211000.jpg","/articles/6524180/Calistoga/Napa-County/California/Calistoga-council-adopts-ordinance-updating-fire-hazard-severity-zones-two-members-recuse","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524180-a7e64ea58bcbf0d5b488c43c87641bcc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447963&Signature=owTzD0om-b9VRKxAKv0o7D00GjHvt3vuVvoPOo~4wKyF2okQNh2Pjd6FIdBpLqJ5cT5eQa4ms4byZ90mcTT9hMq0-ZvgaIO~N3k5fwk38njUyHqZFslEH2lBlSisDnulpaad-klavygPAh41jNAvRVHk~c-eon3-z2kAPLSD~vpGtL1t6MBTVwjErwSt7-w1DOnmVzahZ3CygEAdbYeNpoc-txJoaS844NtsmOWbKT~iK1fTg~qdrgre-9jYO~1N-3oV3404v52fM0a-VjOpHRpWDAdLgrEnukbe~9F~70IQSzwHgLTvjAYX9D6fK55IIziAVP8gpna~L9Vvo25Xbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Calistoga City Council voted to approve the second reading of an ordinance updating and designating fire hazard severity zones on June 17, 2025, with Council members Scott Cooper, Don Gift and Vice Mayor Lopez Ortega voting yes and Mayor Williams and Council member Eisenberg recused due to proximity to the mapped areas.

The ordinance — taken on the consent calendar as a second reading — updates maps and designations used to identify areas of elevated wildfire risk. The ordinance was not pulled from consent for extended debate; the council proceeded to a roll-call vote after a public-comment period.

Residents raised public-safety and evacuation concerns during public comment. Miss Yount, a resident who spoke during the hearing, said the updated map places recent multi‑story apartment projects in higher-severity zones and called for a pause on growth: “You have the 3 story apartments on Lincoln … I think they’re in the red … You keep growing and you’re putting people in places that are not really good places to be and the growth is just gonna add to the need for evacuation.”

Carrie Abreu, another resident, told the council she had spoken with firefighters and said Calistoga’s volunteer fire department and water supplies may be inadequate for new development in high‑hazard areas. Abreu said a significant fire could “drain Kimball Dam” and leave hydrants dry during peak season, and expressed concern about multi‑story buildings the town lacks apparatus to serve.

City Clerk recorded the roll call: Council member Eisenberg and Mayor Williams were noted as recused. The vote record was: Cooper — aye; Gift — aye; Lopez Ortega (Vice Mayor) — aye. The ordinance did not include an ordinance number or citation on the record and no amendments were recorded during the meeting.

The ordinance will take effect according to the city's ordinance-adoption schedule; the council did not state a specific effective date on the record. The council did not specify any further staff direction or follow-up reports related to implementation during the vote.","The Calistoga City Council approved a second-reading ordinance to update and designate fire hazard severity zones, with two members recusing for proximity to affected areas. Public commenters urged a slowdown to development citing water and evacuation concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council directs staff to negotiate with local promoter for two-day music festival at fairgrounds

Council approves fairgrounds sponsorship program; Gift abstains, naming rights reserved for council

Council appoints mayor and Council member Gift as liaisons to Fairgrounds Advisory Committee

Calistoga council adopts ordinance updating fire hazard severity zones; two members recuse