Issues

Currently topical issues are listed here with links to supporting information. Issues are updated as information is submitted. Please consider volunteering to gather information. Below each issue are Wish List items for volunteer contributions. If the information is public record, photographic or comes from published sources, the information may be submitted anonymously. All opinions may be submitted on the Suggestion page. Also on the Suggestion page, anyone may ask for additional issue information to be requested on the wish list. As information comes in it will be posted here.

Scroll down. Click on the issue link to go to the topic page with more information.


Small Winery Ordinance Referendum


Sale of City Hall


Housing
Click on the Housing link above and see the excellent PowerPoint presentation about St. Helena's housing problem shown by Mary Stephenson to the City Council recently. Mary works with the Our Town affordable housing advocates in St. Helena.

Below are two links to learn about St. Helena's legal liability for affordable housing. The State takes this allocation to each community very seriously and there are some significant consequences for non-compliance. We are required to share the burden of housing in the State and declare how we will do that every 5 years. In the current cycle, we have 9 months to go to meet our obligation and very little has been done. Time to get serious.

White Paper on Housing by Steve Goldfarb -- attorney version What Paper on Housing -- non-attorney version (easier to read)


Quality of Life: Dangerous Sidewalks

Read the City Code for maintenance and repair of sidewalks -- homeowners are liable! Learn about the program in Napa.
WISH LIST: Photographs of crumbling and/or dangerous sidewalks. Please identify location.


General Plan Changes


Demographic Information on St. Helena. Image is one thing, reality is another.


The Lawsuits

The Calderon lawsuit, which resulted from the discovery of slum conditions which the City knew about, forced the City of St. Helena to enact new housing ordinances and obligated the City to up to 2 million dollars if reforms are not made. Costs exceeded $300,000 to the plaintiffs in addition to legal costs.
Calderon Lawsuit Settlement Details

Press Release

Settlement Synopsis for Non-lawyers


Wine Train
Check the PUC ruling.