Willits City Council — June 10, 2026
A new interim city manager, a Frontier Days proclamation and a progress report on the city budget
Mayor Tom Allman gaveled the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Before public comment, Mayor Allman introduced James Connor as the city’s new interim city manager, noting that Connor previously served the city as interim police chief in 2023 and 2024 and brings 25 years of public service experience from Sonoma County.
“My primary goal here is to help the council find a city manager that will fit the community’s needs, the city staff, and the council’s needs,” James Connor said. “My CalPERS pension allows me to work as a retired annuitant for 960 hours — about five and a half months of full-time — and my commitment to the council is that I will be here for that entire time, provided they need me.”
Proclamations
The council handled one ceremonial item. Mayor Tom Allman read a proclamation celebrating the 100th anniversary of Willits Frontier Days, designating June 22 through July 4, 2026, as “Western Wear Days” and naming 2026 “The Year of the Sweetheart” to honor past Frontier Days Sweethearts in attendance. The proclamation recognized Frontier Days as California’s longest continuously running rodeo, founded in 1926, and honored the volunteers, sponsors, contestants, and community partners who have sustained the event for a century.
Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items
Gary Martin requested 10 to 15 minutes on the July 22 agenda to present on Willits arts programs and a proposed public sculpture.
Nici Caldwell criticized police inaction regarding neighborhood juvenile vandals who damaged Brookside Middle School and harassed a Walnut Street neighbor. Caldwell said that in the early morning hours of January 3, she witnessed her neighbors’ children and their friends vandalize Bechtel Grove Middle School. She said a neighbor on Walnut Street had his door kicked in and property damaged by the same group. She said both she and her neighbor called police that night but were told officers faced limitations in acting against minors.
“It’s been going on for 10-plus years,” Caldwell said. “We’ve sat down with the last four police chiefs and nothing happens.”
Consent Calendar
No public comments were received. The council unanimously adopted the May 27 meeting minutes.
Council Member Reports
Vice Mayor Matthew Alaniz promoted the Willits Community Theatre gala and noted his Fair Political Practices Commission matter has expanded under Government Code 1090.
Council Member Gerardo Gonzalez warned residents of new no-parking notices distributed with water bills and highlighted Police Chief Brian Fay’s goal to minimize vehicle towing during the upcoming parade.
Council Member Larry Stranske offered up a history trivia item regarding Samuel Wilson.
Mayor Tom Allman announced a June 11 closed session to interview city manager applicants and upcoming summer meetings on June 24 and July 22.
Item: Accounts Payable Review
Administrative Services Manager Joseph Park and Interim City Manager James Connor presented the financial warrants. Council Member Burton reviewed several expenditures, including a $215 Data Ticket Inc. fee, a $4,387 USGS creek-flow station contract, a $10,000 monthly IT charge to Apex Technology, a $36,000 wastewater fund charge for an East Hill Road leak, and a $22,278 county tax administration charge for collecting city assessments through through property tax bills.
No citizens spoke on this item.
Council Member Matthew Alaniz criticized the Chamber of Commerce’s failure to provide agreed-upon annual budgets despite receiving Transient Occupancy Tax payments.
“We kind of skipped over the conversation about whether they're actually meeting their end of the agreement or whether anybody on the council would like to see them held accountable,” Alaniz said. “Because we'd like to see where they're spending that money — they are receiving public money.”
Connor noted the chamber is collaborating with a CPA to finalize its budget. No formal vote was taken.
Item: Infrastructure Updates
Mayor Tom Allman highlighted reports of brown water, broken pipes, and downtown water surges.
“I appreciate our city residents’ understanding that when these things happen, we try to take care of them as quickly as possible.” Mayor Tom Allman
No citizens spoke on this item.
Mayor Allman urged residents to report water issues directly to city staff. The council took no formal vote.
Item: Budget Timeline and Audit Scope
**Presentation:** Administrative Services Manager Joseph Park presented an updated budget timeline targeting potential adoption of the 2026-27 budget at a June 29 special meeting. Park confirmed that the 2024-25 audit has not begun due to incomplete journal entries and bank reconciliations, but staff will establish the audit scope directly after budget adoption.
No citizens spoke on this item.
Council members praised staff for progress toward securing the city’s first on-time budget in three years.
“If we could get a budget adopted by June 29th, it would be the first time I think in three years that this council has done finalized a budget before July 1,” Allman said.
Adjournment
Mayor Tom Allman adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:26 p.m.