Calistoga council approves pilot fundraiser with Native Sons, mayor abstains

The Calistoga City Council on April 21 approved a pilot capital campaign partnership with Native Sons Parlor 86 and the Calistoga Fairgrounds Foundation to raise funds for heating and air conditioning in the Butler Building.

Council members endorsed a one-time fundraising event — described by staff and advisory committee members as a dinner-dance — and approved a request that the city waive the Tubbs building rental fee (including kitchen use), a fee staff said is normally $2,500. The plan, as presented, identifies the Native Sons and the newly formed Calistoga Fairgrounds Foundation as the primary organizers; the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee would coordinate with staff and evaluate the event’s effectiveness afterward.

Bill Squire, speaking on behalf of the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee, described the proposal as a way to generate funds and public attention to the fairgrounds’ needs and said the advisory committee and partners would return to the council with an evaluation after the pilot. “Our directive has been for the Advisory Committee to come up with a plan for the fairgrounds for the future,” Squire said.

Members of the Calistoga Fairgrounds Foundation and the Native Sons said they would fund promotional expenses and volunteer to coordinate sponsors and logistics. Jim Yant, president of the Calistoga Parlor of Native Sons Parlor No. 86, told the council the organizations were eager to help and look forward to the project.

Council members from across the dais praised the volunteer-led approach and the committee’s follow-up plan, noting the city previously invested in the fairgrounds roof and that partnerships could help sustain operations going forward. One councilmember said the pilot follows proper procedures: needs were identified by the advisory committee, outreach occurred, and a formal endorsement was brought to the council.

Mayor Williams moved the motion to approve the collaborative pilot project; Vice Mayor Gift seconded. When the council took the roll call, Council Members Eisenberg, Lopez Ortega, Cooper and Vice Mayor Gift voted in favor. Mayor Williams abstained, saying, “I think I should abstain. It just occurs to me as we’re talking that I am a member of the Native Sons … in the interest of being extra prudent here, I will abstain.” The motion passed with four ayes and one abstention.

The council’s approval covers the pilot event and the requested fee waiver; it does not commit the city to any ongoing partnership or additional projects. Staff and the advisory committee said they will return with an evaluation of the event and any recommended next steps.

The council moved on to other business after the vote; the advisory committee representatives thanked the council for its support.