The Healdsburg City Council meeting Monday night convened with multiple proclamations, a long list of routine agenda items, and discussions about electric rebates and building conditions.
The city recognizes length of service by inviting employees who have served five years or more to be publicly recognized at a council meeting. Several such were so honored on Monday, May 18, including Healdsburg firefighters Mike Jacobs and Blake Ratto. Also recognized was Kevin Newman for his work as an industrial mechanic and his persistent approach to problem solving.
The council also approved proclamations acknowledging Jewish American Heritage Month, Affordable Housing Month and Public Works Week (May 17-23) This last featured Healdsburg Utility Maintenance Foreman Victor Halverson, chosen by his fellow employees to receive the 2026 Pride in Public Service Award. Halverson has worked for the city for more than 37 years.
The council’s consent calendar is made up of routine items that typically don’t require discussion or have already been discussed and require final approval. Monday’s consent calendar included the approval of public art grants, scheduling a date for weed-abatement protests, approving the sale of surplus equipment, approving the use of state funds for road repair and approval of a bid to construct a lighted pedestrian crossing on Powell Avenue at Johnson Street.
Utility Conservation Analyst Terra Sampson presented the council with options to expand rebate programs to encourage electric vehicle (EV) usage. The rebates will apply to new or used electric cars and are limited to qualifying low-income households. They will also apply, in certain cases, to EV chargers and electrical panel upgrades (to accommodate EV charging). The council approved the expanded program. For details on how to apply for a rebate, Healdsburg electric customers can email co**********@********rg.gov or call 707.431.3122.
The final item Monday night was a report from Central Services Manager Tyler Kettman, with the results of a study on the condition of the Healdsburg police and fire department buildings. Both were constructed more than three decades ago (HFD 1991, HPD in 1993), and both are showing their age.
The police department building not only houses law enforcement, but the city’s IT Department and Emergency Operations Center. The fire department shares the woes of aging infrastructure and changing operational needs.
Kettmann, plus Police Chief Matt Jenkins and Fire Chief Jason Boaz, told the council that the study is thorough and reflects the reality of evolving needs and conditions. When asked by the council if a reimagined floor plan will suit his department’s needs, Jenkins said simply, “We make it work.”
The price tag for full implementation of remodeling and modernizing both buildings is $17.4 million. Some fire department costs can be covered by revenue from Measure H, a countywide sales tax for fire services, and City Manager Jeff Kay pointed out that multiple small projects can be folded into other maintenance work.
