Saint Helena mayor outlines fiscal‑year 2024–25 accomplishments, infrastructure and housing priorities

The mayor of Saint Helena delivered an update describing fiscal‑year 2024 and 2025 accomplishments and outlining planned capital, housing and public‑safety projects, as well as steps the city has taken after a recent cybersecurity incident. "It is my honor as mayor of our great city to share an update on our accomplishments in fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025," the mayor said.

The address highlighted several completed and ongoing actions the city says are intended to meet state requirements and build infrastructure resilience. The mayor said the city completed recertification of its housing element and adopted necessary zoning map amendments to comply with state laws. City staff also completed the Complex Surplus Land Act process and expect to announce progress on the sale of two city‑owned properties intended for potential development.

The mayor described steps on energy and sustainability, including an "innovative permit sale" to encourage residential electric vehicle chargers and gray‑water systems, and the kickoff of a downtown specific plan that officials say will guide future development and reduce investor risk.

Public works priorities included work to improve sewer reliability: staff are reviewing video mapping of the sewer system to prioritize repair or replacement of pipes to reduce rain‑driven water intrusion and overflow events that can lead to spills and fines. The mayor listed a portfolio of planned water and wastewater projects, including a wastewater treatment plant upgrade, high‑priority pipeline repairs, work on the Rutherford pump station permanent structure, rehabilitation of the Bell Canyon intake power valve house, replacement of a septic system and leach field at the water treatment plant, and a smart‑meter program. The mayor also said staff are investigating causes of a historic seasonal discoloration of water.

City officials highlighted administrative and capital work: the administrative services team is managing $5,600,000 in grant funding, has moved to a two‑year budget cycle and updated affordable housing impact fees. The mayor said the public works department improved the pavement condition index from 47 to 64; crews completed 885 of 965 Saint Helena Grapevine maintenance requests, replaced 100 signs citywide and filled more than 250 potholes since early 2025. With the Saint Helena Beautification Foundation, crews planted 29 new elm trees to preserve a historic elm tree tunnel in front of Behringer.

Parks and recreation and library services figures appeared prominently in the address. The mayor said youth sports participation grew 30 percent and summer camp participation rose 87 percent since 2022; the bocce league grew to 90 teams and about 900 active players. The Saint Helena Public Library had more than 118,000 visitors and hosted over 230 programs in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, according to the mayor.

Public safety and emergency preparedness items included two citywide emergency evacuation drills, an updated training plan aligned with state law and OSHA requirements, continuing partnership with Firewise on hazard mitigation and defensible‑space inspections, and city crew weed abatement on city‑owned properties. The mayor also said staff will bring a more stringent fire safety ordinance to the city council later this year. The city placed a new Type 1 fire engine in service; the mayor said the firefighters association raised most of the $865,000 cost.

The mayor discussed a ransomware incident that affected city staff and some customers: personal data for all employees and some customers was posted on the dark web after the city declined to pay a ransom, the mayor said. In response, officials said they have taken steps to strengthen cybersecurity, including moving the city website domain from .org to .gov.

The mayor acknowledged rapid staff work on a local ballot measure, saying city staff provided technical review of the Noble House/Charles Krug development ballot initiative in a short time frame. Looking ahead, the mayor listed additional near‑term projects and events, including development of a parks and recreation master plan, a city centennial celebration planned for 2026, North-of‑Adams sidewalk rehabilitation in summer and fall 2025, Oak Avenue rehabilitation beginning fall 2025, and continued work on property sales that could yield housing and hotel development.

The mayor closed by thanking staff and volunteers for their work on the city’s most aggressive capital improvement program to date and for community engagement on ongoing projects.