Calistoga council postpones tourism improvement district renewal amid community concerns

Tensions ran high at the Calistoga City Council meeting on December 11, 2024, as council members expressed frustration over their lack of involvement in a crucial tourism district renewal process. Councilor Giff voiced concerns about being sidelined, stating, "We could have been involved in the very beginning... here we are being told what we have to do, like little children."

The discussion centered around the renewal of the Tourism Improvement District (TID), which has not been revisited in a decade. Council members were informed that a steering committee, composed of lodging representatives, had been working on this process since early 2023, but many felt they were left out of key decisions. Giff emphasized the need for the council to be at the forefront of such important discussions in the future, lamenting the current position where they had "no leverage" to influence outcomes.

The council learned that 65% of the weighted vote from the community supports the renewal, but concerns were raised about the representation of smaller hoteliers in the decision-making process. Council members, including Eisenberg and Cooper, echoed Giff's sentiments, expressing discomfort with moving forward without further community input.

In a decisive move, the council voted to table the discussion, allowing for more dialogue and consideration of community feedback before proceeding. The decision reflects a commitment to ensuring that all voices, particularly those of local hoteliers, are heard in shaping the future of Calistoga's tourism landscape.