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# Willits City Council – Aug. 12, 2026 — Full Report
- URL: https://www.mendolocal.news/willits-city-council-aug-12-2026-full-report/
- Published: 2026-08-22T18:59:38.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-22T18:59:38.000Z
- Description: Police car color compliance, a cannabis committee appointment, and a pulled sculpture relocation item were addressed.
- Author: Elise Cox
- Tags: Willits

Mayor Tom Allman gaveled the Willits City Council to order on Aug. 12, 2026\. (The full meeting is available via the city's video archive.)

**Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items**

Two speakers addressed the council regarding a town hall at the Willits Grange on Aug. 27 at 7 p.m., organized to discuss whether Willits Police Department vehicle markings comply with state law on distinguishing colors. A third speaker described refurbishing used electronics.

**Consent Calendar**

The council split the two consent calendar items. Councilmember Burton moved to approve the July 22 meeting minutes; Councilmember Gonzalez seconded. No public comment was offered. The vote was 5-0.

A second item — appointment of two at-large members to the Cannabis Dispensary Selection Committee — was pulled from the consent calendar for discussion (see below).

**Item: Cannabis Committee Appointments**

Community Development Director Dusty Duley explained that Willits caps cannabis dispensaries at three. Two are currently operating, two applicants are competing for the third license, and the selection committee requires two community at-large members. After advertising in a local newspaper produced zero applicants, Duley said staff recruited Helen Sims and Kevin Copperfield directly.

Mayor Allman pressed Duley on whether the committee is subject to the Brown Act. Duley acknowledged he was not certain. Allman initially moved to table the item until the city attorney could answer the question. Council Member Burton suggested the council could approve the appointments and resolve the Brown Act question afterward, with Duley committing to report back at the next meeting. The council agreed to proceed.

Councilmember Burtom moved to appoint Sims and Copperfield; a second was offered. The vote was 5-0\. Allman directed staff to report the Brown Act determination at the next meeting.

**Accounts Payable / Monthly Expenditure Reports**

Council Member Bruce Burton walked through a series of line items from the June and July accounts payable reports.

**Item: Mark Walker Sculptures — Highway 20 Park (Pulled)**

The council pulled agenda item 9A — consideration of relocating the Mark Walker sculptures to Highway 20 Park — for further research. No date was given for its return to the agenda.

No vote was taken.

**Council Member Reports**

Councilmember Burton asked about a property on Lopez Road that was inadvertently rezoned from heavy industrial to R-2 during a citywide zoning cleanup.

Burton also noted that Councilmember Matthew Alaniz had resolved questions about a conflict of interest related to the Brooktrails contract and suggested the mayor appoint an ad hoc committee to address the city's long-term settlement agreement with Brooktrails Township Community Services District over sewer treatment. Allman directed the city clerk to add the item to the next agenda. Tamara Alaniz, general manager of the Brooktrails Township CSD, thanked Conner for initiating settlement discussions.

Council Member Alaniz reminded the public that the Finance Committee meets Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 4 p.m. in city council chambers, open to the public.

Mayor Allman noted Grocery Outlet had reopened and credited Bowles and city staff for expediting permitting and construction review. Allman reminded residents that vehicles parked on public streets more than 72 hours are subject to citation and towing, and said campers, boats, and disabled vehicles are subject to citations and possible towing. 

Allman raised sidewalk maintenance responsibility, asking who bears liability for cracked or lifted sidewalks — particularly where trees are the cause. Bowles cited California Streets and Highways Code Section 5610, which places responsibility on adjacent property owners, not the city. He said an encroachment permit — typically around $300 — is required for sidewalk work in the city right-of-way. Bowles noted the city had spent $38,000 on precision grinding of city-owned sidewalks roughly two years ago, covering parks, school frontage, and city properties. 

Allman flagged a press conference the following morning at Artefex, a metal-canvas fabrication business on East Hill Road, noting the company currently employs six and may double its workforce within a year. The Mendocino County Economic Development Finance Corporation, on which Allman sits, has supported the business.

A letter from Marcy Barry of Willits Frontier Days, read into the record, thanked the city for its support during the event and reported the rodeo had been a success.

**Adjournment**

The council moved into closed session at to discuss the recruitment and appointment of a city manager. Mayor Allman announced that the closed session had concluded and direction had been given to staff.