The Healdsburg City Council met for over five hours on Monday evening, Oct. 12, at City Hall. The council discussed the July 4 fireworks show, described as one of the largest in the county. The show costs the city about $50,000 a year, plus about the equivalent in staff time. A discussion about whether to replace it with a drone show covered relative costs, the impact of loud explosions on pets and sensitive people, the logistics of staging the annual show and more.
A key point is the impact on neighborhoods and public safety staffing of illegal fireworks being set off in neighborhoods, and whether a drone show would free up public safety to confront the illegal displays.
The council gave Community Services Director Mark Themig direction to return with more specific cost alternatives for a one- or two-year program to try the drone-show alternative.
Foley Family Community Pavilion
The Pavilion has been open for almost a year, and Community Services Department staff have taken what has been learned and developed updated fee and usage schedules that include seven tiers of use, ranging from city-sponsored events, to the farmers’ market, to small events put on by local nonprofits, to business events like the recent rental by automaker Jeep for a media event.
The council was impressed that the Pavilion has so far hosted 87 events—including 60 farmers’ markets—and was receptive to the approach. The council asked Recreation Supervisor Matt Milde to come back with a final proposed fee structure.
Community Services Financial Plan
City Manager Jeff Kay and Community Services Director Mark Themig presented an overview of the financial landscape for the busy department.
Kay noted that the presentation was the first of three parts; Monday’s discussion focused on capital projects, budget projections and available funding. The city has more than $30 million in unfunded projects on its wish list. These include the Laura Fish Somersal Park at the north end of the community, a major makeover of Badger Park at the south end and dozens of smaller items, some of which are new projects and some of which are deferred maintenance at existing facilities.
The council was not inclined to pursue a $10 million or $15 million bond that could finance many projects but could also incur more than $1 million a year in bond payments.
After reviewing projected revenues and expenses for the next five years, the council emphasized the value of deferred maintenance and smaller projects that will make an impact and are eligible for matching grants.
Fire Department Staffing and Equipment
When Sonoma County voters passed the Measure H sales tax in 2024, Healdsburg began receiving $1.6 million a year from the tax, earmarked for fire services. Fire Chief Jason Boaz proposed using the funds to purchase and outfit a new brush truck and to staff Fire Station 2 with two full-time staff: a fire captain and a firefighter.
Boaz also proposed using 10% of each year’s Measure H funds for wildfire mitigation.
The council approved the department’s requested expenditures.
Climate Mobilization Strategy Update
Assistant City Manager April Mitts presented the third annual report on the city’s Climate Mobilization Strategy. Positive momentum was reported in outreach, energy and water savings, public transportation, solid waste reduction, and wildfire mitigation programming.
The meeting began with a proclamation acknowledging October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Lorie Violette, Domestic Violence Services manager for YWCA Sonoma County, accepted the proclamation and told the council that the YWCA’s 24/7 domestic violence hotline receives more than 3,000 calls a year.
Violette also noted that YWCA Sonoma County is marking its 50th year serving the community, and “we will be here for families as long as they need us.”
