Calistoga council approves concession deal, expands fairgrounds survey boundary and moves advisory meetings to 6 p.m.

Calistoga — The Calistoga City Council on Aug. 19 approved a concession license with the Native Sons of the Golden West Parlor 86 to handle alcohol sales at Calistoga Speedway, voted to expand a planned statistically valid survey of fairgrounds users to the Calistoga Joint Unified School District boundary, and adopted a resolution moving the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee’s regular meeting time from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The concession agreement with Native Sons of the Golden West Parlor 86 gives the city 25% of gross alcohol sales at Sprint Car races at the speedway. Staff projected that if race events proceed in 2026 the revenue could amount to about $5,000 per race (roughly $21,000 across events the staff listed). Mayor Williams recused himself from the concession vote because he is a member of the local parlor; the council approved the agreement by roll call, with Council members Eisenberg, Cooper, Gift and Vice Mayor Lopez Ortega voting aye.

Why it matters: The three actions concern how the city manages and finances the 70‑acre fairgrounds, a city-owned facility that has drawn increased public interest. The concession deal creates a recurring revenue share and formalizes use of a local nonprofit as a vendor; the survey boundary decision expands the population sampled for community input; and the meeting‑time change is aimed at increasing public participation in advisory committee meetings.

Concession license: staff report and vote

Shelly Wright, fairgrounds rehabilitation director, presented the concession license proposal and said the agreement provides the city with 25% of all gross alcohol sales at Sprint Car races. Wright told council the city issued an RFP and that the Native Sons parlor was selected; staff noted the RFP was issued twice and the last RFP produced a single proposal. Wright also said the vendor must follow licensing and community‑standards compliance.

Council…