City Manager Round Up - MAY

City Manager Round Up May

MESSAGE FROM THE CITY MANAGER

City Manager Roundup One of my top priorities is keeping our community informed and engaged. The City Manager’s Update is a monthly digital newsletter designed to keep you connected with what’s happening in Fort Bragg. Each edition includes timely updates on City news, programs, projects, and upcoming events — all in one place. I hope you find this newsletter useful and informative as we continue working together to build a stronger, more vibrant community.

Thank you for staying connected!

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Fort Bragg is a small town nestled between the coast and the redwoods with a strong sense of community that seeks to preserve its environment while providing resilient public facilities and infrastructure and supporting a safe and vibrant economic, multi-cultural, and recreational experience for both locals and visitors alike.

A California coastal destination with rich natural resources and rugged beauty, is transforming our future by weaving together our people, ecosystems, and economy to create community prosperity. We are making our mark in the 21st Century by creating climate-ready water and energy independence, housing and economic opportunities, accessible health care, community public safety, and education for all

INNOVATION

SERVICE-ORIENTED

HONESTY & INTEGRITY

Drives our city forward, encouraging creative solutions and continuous improvement by embracing new ideas and technologies to enhance quality of life.

Responsive to the public and to each other to demonstrate our genuine commitment to create a Fort Bragg that serves us today and readies us for a successful tomorrow.

Emanate throughout our community to engender the trust, transparency, responsibility, and accountability that our citizens deserve.

COLLABORATION

FAIR & ETHICAL

Nourish civic pride and celebrates the diversity of our city and the meaningful municipal services that our residents and businesses rely on.

Principles and practices, Fort Bragg promotes an inclusive community culture of unity and equality that openly invites everyone to enjoy our unique coastal enclave.

On May 30, the City of Fort Bragg hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Police Department to celebrate the completion of a new electric vehicle (EV) charging station —an important step in modernizing the City’s fleet and reducing its environmental footprint.

The event, which began at 11:00 AM, was well attended by community members, local and regional dignitaries, and project partners. The ceremony featured remarks from Mayor Jason Godeke, who welcomed attendees and recognized several officials in the audience, including members of the City Council, Mendocino County Supervisors Bernie Norvell and Ted Williams, Planning Commissioner Richard Neils, and City Manager Isaac Whippy.

Speakers included City Manager Isaac Whippy, Brian Gerving, PG&E’s Regional Senior Manager for the Humboldt Division, Chantell O’Neal, Project Manager, Janet Orth from the Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG), and Police Chief Neil Cervenka, who delivered the closing remarks.

The project represents a significant collaboration among many partners. Chief Cervenka was acknowledged for his forward-thinking leadership in adopting electric patrol vehicles—specifically the Ford Lightnings—making Fort Bragg one of the first police departments in the nation to electrify its fleet.

The City Manager expressed appreciation to the Council for its support, to the staff team, and to the project funders. One of those contributors was PG&E, whose Fleet Program helped fund major infrastructure improvements, including a new junction box, transformer upgrades, and per-vehicle incentives. PG&E was praised not only for its financial support but for working alongside staff over the past two and a half years to help the City reach this project milestone.

Funding also came from MCOG, which awarded the City $233,000 through the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), made newly applicable to EV infrastructure under the 2023 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance helped purchase the Ford Lightnings, and Sonoma Clean Power awarded rebates through the CaleVIP 1.0 grant, expected to total around $22,000.

The installation team was proudly all-local, including Tall Tree Engineers (design), Akeff Construction (construction), and Fort Bragg Electric (electrical work). Building this project with local talent not only highlights the depth of expertise within our community but also reinforces the value of investing in our regional economy. The success of this collaboration is a powerful example of how rural expertise and skilled tradespeople can deliver complex infrastructure with pride and precision.

The City’s Public Works Team played an essential role, with special recognition to Emily Reno, who managed vehicle onboarding, mobile app setup, and last-minute troubleshooting with ChargePoint.

After the ribbon was officially cut by Chantell O’Neal, attendees gathered for photos with the new Chargers and EV patrol vehicles, followed by refreshments and community conversation.

The project was praised not just for its sustainability and technological achievement, but also for being a testament to the resilience and capability of Fort Bragg’s local workforce. As one speaker noted: “What we’re celebrating is our community’s capacity to come together and get things done. It shows that in our rural corner of the coast, we don’t wait for solutions to come to us—we build them ourselves, with grit, ingenuity, and a can-do spirit.”

The City delcared June 2025 as LGBTQI+ Pride Month

June is Pride Month — a time to honor the contributions and resilience of LGBTQI+ individuals. Fort Bragg is proud to be an inclusive community that supports equality and stands against discrimination.

On May 27th, during the City Council Meeting, Mayor Jason Godeke officially proclaimed June 2025 as LGBTQI+ Pride Month. He was joined by Spectrum advisor Marshall Carr and Katie Turner-Carr from the Mendocino County Safe Space Project.

On May 27th, during the City Council meeting, Councilmember Lindy Peters presented a proclamation congratulating Harvest Market on behalf of the City Council for reaching 40 years as an independently owned local institution.

Since 1985, Harvest Market has been a cornerstone of Fort Bragg, supporting local farmers, promoting sustainability, and serving our community with care.

Here’s to many more years ahead!

The City of Fort Bragg has successfully finalized the acquisition of Mendocino Community Network (MCN) for $300,000, marking a significant advancement in its municipal broadband initiative.

This strategic purchase, endorsed by both the Fort Bragg City Council and the Mendocino Unified School District Board of Trustees, aligns with a shared commitment to enhance digital equity and modernize regional internet infrastructure.

City Manager Isaac Whippy highlighted the acquisition as a pivotal move enabling the City to rapidly develop a community-owned broadband system prioritizing local service, affordability, and cutting-edge technology. The transition maintains MCN’s established community trust and expertise while leveraging $10.3 million in California Public Utilities Commission grant funding secured for citywide fiber internet deployment.

Superintendent Jason Morse expressed strong support, emphasizing benefits for both the school district and the broader community, with assurance that MCN’s customerfocused service will persist under City management. The City is collaborating closely with MCN staff to ensure a smooth operational integration over the next three to six months, with ongoing updates planned to keep the public informed. This acquisition represents a forward-looking investment in reliable, high-speed internet access essential to Fort Bragg’s economic and social vitality.

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This article marks the start of a new monthly feature in the City Manager Round Up! Each month, we’ll dedicate a page to Fort Bragg’s Emergency Management program— sharing updates on how the City is working to strengthen community resilience and providing tips to help you prepare for the unique challenges our rugged region faces.

We also want to hear from you! Each update will include a survey to help the City assess community preparedness and gather valuable feedback.

This month, we’re focusing on the City Manager’s role in Emergency Management—how they help Fort Bragg stay ready for emergencies and respond effectively when they happen. Stay tuned for important updates and ways you can get involved!

Director of Emergency Services In Fort Bragg, the City Manager also serves as the Director of Emergency Services, a role defined by the Fort Bragg Municipal Code. This designation grants the City Manager, currently Isaac Whippy, additional authority when an emergency occurs.

What is an Emergency?

An emergency is any event that overwhelms local government resources.

For example, if a severe storm causes more damage than Fort Bragg’s Public Works crew can handle, the City Manager may declare an emergency to activate their extended powers.

What Can the City Manager Do During an Emergency?

When an emergency is declared, the City Manager can: Impose temporary regulations to protect public safety.

Request outside resources from county, state, or federal agencies.

Increase spending authority to fund response and recovery efforts.

These powers are temporary, meant to help Fort Bragg respond quickly and effectively to emergencies.

If you want to know more, check out Chapter 2.24 of the Fort Bragg Municipal Code or the City’s Emergency Operations Plan

On May 12, 2025, City Council Adopted City Council Resolution Approving a Contract Amendment with Truepoint Solutions for the Purchase and Use of Accela Software and Implementation Services.

On May 12, 2025, City Council Approved an Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement of the Mendocino Council of Governments to Add Energy & Climate Related Programs as Specific Powers.

On May 12, 2025, City Council Held a Public Hearing, Receive Planning Commission’s Recommendation regarding Coastal Development Permit 1-25 (CDP 1-25), Design Review 125 (DR 1-25), Use Permit 1-25 (UP 1-25), Sign Permit 2-25 (SP 2-25) for 49 apartments including 41 one-bedroom and 8 two-bedroom units at 860 Hazelwood.

On May 12, 2025, City Council Authorized the Submittal of an Application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for funding under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

On May 12, 2025, City Council Approved Resolution Of The Board of Directors Of The Fort Bragg Joint Powers Financing Authority Authorizing The Execution And Delivery Of The Installment Purchase Agreement With The City Of Fort Bragg Joint Powers Public Financing Authority And Assignment Of Payments Thereunder To Everbank, N.A. On May 12, 2025, City Council Provide Direction to Staff Regarding Street Project Planning and the Use of Unassigned Reserves; Including 1) Local Streets and Roads and Funding Sources, 2) 2025 Pavement Preservation Project Direction 3) Stop-Gap Patch Paving Project, 4) Purchasing Equipment for Self-Performing Work, and 5) Escalating the 2027 Revitalization Project Design.

On May 12, 2025, City Council Approved the Purchase of Mendocino Community Network (MCN), Acceptance of the Due Diligence Report, and Authorization for the City Manager to Finalize and Execute the Purchase Agreement.

On May 27, 2025, City Council Adopted a List of Projects For the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Funded

By SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

On May 27, 2025, City Council Amended the Master Salary Compensation Plan to add Maintenance Classifications and Treatment Division Positions and confirmed the Pay Rates and Ranges for All City of Fort Bragg Classifications.

On May 27, 2025, Approved a Contract Change Order with B.T. Mancini Company, Inc. for the City Hall Flooring Update Project, City Project No. PWP-00141 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Contract (New Amount Not To Exceed $126,820.00).

We proudly recognize the incredible work of our Public Works team here in the City of Fort Bragg.

From maintaining our streets and water systems to overseeing vital infrastructure projects and operating our treatment plants, you keep our city running strong, rain or shine.

To our Engineering team, Water & Sewer crew, Treatment Plant operators, and the Corporation Yard staff: THANK YOU. Your hard work, pride, and dedication make Fort Bragg a safer, cleaner, and better place for all of us.

The City of Fort Bragg, in partnership with the Mendocino Land Trust, has launched a public survey to gather input on the future Community Forest at the 580-acre property on Summers Lane and Highway 20. This unique site— home to a rare Mendocino Cypress forest—will host three proposed reservoirs to improve drought resilience, while preserving sensitive habitat through conservation easements.

The survey invites the community to share ideas on possible amenities, recreational uses, and how best to balance access with environmental stewardship. The survey will remain open for approximately two weeks, and a public workshop is planned later this summer to discuss the results.

📍 Take the Online Survey to help shape this regionally significant park.

On May 30, the City of Fort Bragg partnered with the Blue Zones Project Mendocino County to host the “Wellness by the Waves” demonstration event at the Noyo Headlands Trail. The event showcased outdoor fitness equipment as a way to gauge community interest in creating a parcourse —an outdoor exercise circuit—along the Fort Bragg Coastal Trail.

Community members had the opportunity to try the equipment, speak with City staff and Blue Zones representatives, and share their thoughts through a brief survey.

To ensure everyone has a chance to weigh in, the survey will remain open online for the next two weeks, allowing residents who were unable to attend the event to participate and help shape the future of fitness amenities along the trail.

📍 Take the online survey

Redwood Waste Solutions, Inc. will be hosting a free mobile household hazardous waste (HHW) event, Thursday, June 5 & Friday, June 6, 2025 between the hours of 9:00 am and 1:00 pm at Caspar Transfer Station, 14000 Prairie Way, Mendocino, CA 95460.

For additional information about HHW Please visit: https://candswaste.com/services/household-hazardouswaste/

6/14/2025 Nor Coast Rodders Classic Car Show - Downtown Fort Bragg 06/21/2025 Fort Bragg Pride March and Celebration 07/10-13/2025 Lion’s Club Carnival Redwood Ave. 07/05/2025 World’s Largest Salmon BBQ

For those planning to paint the exterior of their commercial business, colors need to be approved in advance by the City. Please bring your color swatches in for review with a nominal fee or email CDD@fortbragg.com for more information.

Public Experience Liaison Boldly go where no one has gone before!

The City of Fort Bragg has a BRANDNEW position.

We are recruiting for a Public Experience Liaison to enhance visitors, vendors, consultants, and residents experience at City Hall. This position will play an integral role in city operations by helping visitors, vendors, consultants, and residents efficiently connect them to the RIGHT staff member.

This is a part-time position, working 20 or fewer hours each week.

Seasonal Laborer Want to be part of a brand new, community-changing project by supporting the City of Fort Bragg's Public Works Department as a Seasonal Laborer!

This position is authorized for up to 1,000 in a fiscal year. The position is part-time, approximately 20 hours a week. This position does not have benefits other than limited sick leave.

For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/ careers/fortbragg/