Julie A. Garofalo – I grew up in a rural disadvantaged community in northern Sacramento County, earned my bachelor’s degree in Geology at the University of California, Davis, and a master’s degree in Geology at CSU Sacramento. My role as a State of California licensed Professional Geologist and Certified Hydrogeologist at an engineering firm for over 10 years has provided me many opportunities to work with farmers and rural communities throughout the state to develop clean, safe and reliable water sources for drinking and crop irrigation. Serving on the Colusa County Grand Jury in 2021-2022 was a rewarding experience that fueled my motivation to run for office and help address issues affecting our city. If I am elected to Colusa City Council, I will use my experience to prioritize and implement projects that fix our City’s aging water system, streets, and other critical infrastructure. I am ready to promote methodical, responsible growth that enhances our town, while preserving Colusa’s historic character and uniqueness that we are well known for. I pledge to improve transparency and accountability for how the public’s business is conducted, and to make sure that your voice is fairly represented to the Council. Thank you for your consideration.
Ryan Codorniz – As a lifelong third generation resident of Colusa, I was raised to work hard, think smart, and question what you might not understand. Come to a conclusion and act, something that I have embraced while on the Planning Commission for the city. I was appointed nearly three years ago and have since risen to the title of chairman. In that time, I had to make many hard decisions but did so with the benefit of the city and its people in mind. One thing I pride myself on is listening to the voices of the people and the concerns they raise. I have family roots in Colusa politics with my uncle Frank Jaconetti serving on the city council for four terms before retiring. His dedication to the city and its people are something I strive to achieve in my lifetime. Family is paramount to me. As a single father, I want to ensure that Colusa is on the right path for the coming generations. I will work tirelessly to be a voice for the community and advocate for transparency within all city dealings, partner with city departments on ways to better serve the people, and use grant funding to fix our aging roads and infrastructure.
Joshua Hill – I am a fourth generation Colusan and a third generation home builder. My wife Mallory and I raise our two beautiful daughters Brooklyn and Tatum in this wonderful town. I attended Santa Rosa Junior College for two years; after that I transferred to Southern Oregon University. I was born and raised in Colusa. I returned to raise a family and start my career in construction. I have been a member of the Rotary service club for seven years. Through my friendship with the late Kirk Kelleher, I began to learn about how city council can make a difference in our community and I made the decision I would run for council in the next election. After Kirk’s passing, I chose to apply for his seat. After completing the two year position, I ran a successful election, bringing my years of service on the council to six. I have a focus for keeping Colusa a family-forward city, to strengthen our economy through smart business policies, and place street repair as one of my highest priorities. I will continue to focus my efforts on making a positive difference in our community. I always believe Colusa grows great people.
Tom Reische – With almost 20 years of experience as a Colusa City councilmember, I can help keep our city moving forward. My business background working at, managing, and now owning Messick Ace Hardware since 1981, makes me distinctively qualified to make certain our city is using resources efficiently and is benefiting those who live and work here. I am also a longtime Colusa resident, so I understand the need to continue to create opportunities for residents while furthering community pride. With my support as a council member, the City of Colusa is currently on the road to significant success. I would like to see the Pirelli building revitalized from a shuttered facility into a profitable and productive enterprise that will bring new opportunities and employment to Colusa. I also understand the need to keep the downtown core of our city thriving by making Colusa a destination for tourism, entertainment and outdoor activities. In closing, I would like to voice my support for our city’s staff. These public servants execute the will of the City Council on a daily basis while addressing the needs and requests of our residents.
1) What are your top three priorities and what steps should the City Council take to address them?
Julie A. Garofalo – Our streets are in critical condition, with major potholes, worn paint, and dimly lit streets that pose safety hazards. At only $1.5M after five years, the cannabis fund will not pave our way to success. While the City has attempted but has yet to secure a grant, we need to prioritize and keep pursuing grant funding for street repairs. Secondly, the City should utilize recently-awarded funding (pending) and the competitive bid process for design and implementation of projects that fix our water system, including new well construction and water quality treatment, with forward thinking during the design phase to accommodate new anticipated growth. Lastly, the City should focus on revitalizing Main Street and our riverfront, including securing grants to address blight and the homeless issue.
Ryan Codorniz – My priorities are reigning in current cannabis companies and configuring a fair share agreement with them that benefits the city and its people. I would spearhead a plan to determine the sufficient level of cannabis-oriented businesses allowed within city limits. The city cannot move forward if we continue to stumble over the same issues that citizens have continued to voice concern. Improving streets and public safety are also priorities, and would largely be determined if Measure B passes. The city needs this measure to pass more than ever with the deficit we face. The steps to be taken by the city council are simple: put issues on the agenda, allow the public to voice their concerns or ideas, and come to a sensible solution to implement them.
Joshua Hill – My top three priorities when re-elected are street repair, recreation department rejuvenation, and boosting Colusa’s economy. To accomplish street repair, the city council has to leverage the cannabis fund along with increasing our streets budget so that we can maintain the current and new construction. The field of dreams project needs to be a focus of the council. This project will provide much needed infrastructure for our youths sports programs. We have to repair and fill the Pirelli building making it a business park creating jobs and generating tax dollars, additionally facilitating business positive policies.
Tom Reische – No answer provided.
2) On what eligible uses would you like Colusa’s remaining $1.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to be spent?
Julie A. Garofalo – Several streets in town currently do not have complete or adequate sidewalks, including around our schools. The paint striping for several crosswalks and stop indicators are completely worn. A sidewalk you might be walking on can suddenly come to an end, forcing a change in course by walking in the street. We cannot wait on grant funding for major street overhauls when smaller projects can be done today to help improve pedestrian safety. Using remaining ARPA funds to complete our sidewalks would take the financial burden off of homeowners, and re-striping of crosswalks with high visibility flashing indicators near schools would be a great beneficial use of funds. Priority should be focused on sidewalks and crosswalks near schools to improve the safety of our children.
Ryan Codorniz – I would like to see the remaining ARPA funds be used on items city departments have been unable to purchase because of lack of funds in the budget. Our public health and safety are of paramount importance and these funds could be used to bolster fire, police, and public works with equipment they need. I would like to see some of those funds also used for water and sewer infrastructure, which, along with grants, could cover costs of improving city wells and water quality. This all should be done wisely by spreading out ARPA expenditures over the course of the qualifying period to strengthen budgetary and financial stability. Going on a spending spree would be irresponsible. We need to make this money count. Once spent, it’s gone!
Joshua Hill – I would love to see the remainder of the ARPA funds be utilized for infrastructure repair. Alternatively, the city desperately needs police vehicles, street department vehicles, and other machinery to maintain and repair our streets, sidewalks, curbs, and gutters.
Tom Reische – No answer provided.
3) What steps should the City Council take to ensure city staff are following all policies, especially those that ensure that purchases and services contracted for the city are in the best interest of the public and allow for the fair and equitable treatment of all persons who wish to or do conduct business with the city?
Julie A. Garofalo – All council members and department heads should be well-versed in the purchasing policies and competitive bid process, and should understand all conditions and requirements of the contracts we enter. It is important the City Treasurer, as an elected official, provide routine status updates and discuss with Council any issues or concerns with finances that are not in compliance with these policies. Adhering to the competitive bid process reduces the risk of contractors padding their bids and allows the city to conduct thorough due diligence to verify contractor references and ensure the citizens are paying for the best price possible for top-notch quality products and services. While hard lessons were learned from the Grand Jury report, there is still room for improvement with purchase policy compliance.
Ryan Codorniz – The steps the council implemented after the grand jury findings took the city in the right direction. Now we need to ensure that they are followed to safeguard the city, its finances, and its citizens. If policies continue to be ignored or circumvented, then a real discussion needs to be had on disciplinary actions with staff. The grand jury report was a slap in the public’s face and the days of blanket purchase orders are over. Contracted services must be fair and available to local companies first and outsourced only with a better offer or when time is of the utmost importance. Calling for quotes only takes moments to do and should be done every time the cost threshold surpasses what the council has set forth.
Joshua Hill – The city should follow all policies and procedures that we have set in place for full transparency to ensure fair and equitable treatment to all persons who wish to conduct business with the city.
Tom Reische – No answer provided.
4) The City Council voted to allow cannabis retail stores anywhere in the city except within 1,200 feet of a school. How many retail pot shops should be allowed to open in Colusa and where?
Julie A. Garofalo – Our city is struggling to manage its cannabis industry, with several companies not complying with the conditions of their Development Agreements or continuing to violate ordinances. I have verbal reports from educators that Colusa-based cannabis products (per the packaging) are being confiscated from minors in schools throughout the county. Despite public opposition and the recommendations of our Planning Commission, our City Council’s 3-1-1 vote to approve dispensaries was premature. It is imperative that we create a Cannabis Management Plan before approving any additional cannabis facilities. Following its adoption, only one dispensary should be allowed and only within industrial-zoned areas (except the Pirelli Building). This provides a compromise for those who desire the products, while keeping the dispensary out of sight to help protect our youth.
Ryan Codorniz – I heard the public’s concerns on dispensaries when the Planning Commission convened on this issue. We hammered out what we thought was the best option for Colusa and its citizens. The Council rejected our recommendation to allow dispensaries only on the fringe of city limits, away from our town center, and not to allow micro-dispensaries to pop up in the cannabis companies that were only meant to be cultivation or manufacturing. I believe in free enterprise, but when it comes to our small town, the people have a right to be heard. The majority of the public as well as myself were OK with a dispensary in light industrial (CIP), yet the majority of the council disagreed. Cannabis isn’t going away but we can control how or where it is sold.
Joshua Hill – I believe the only place that could potentially facilitate a dispensary retail storefront should be Colusa Industrial Properties. The City Council is currently modifying our cannabis ordinance so that council can set limits of cannabis business based on state license type.
Tom Reische – No answer provided.
5) How do you envision the City of Colusa in 10 years and what steps should be taken in the next four years to get there?
Julie A. Garofalo – I envision a Colusa with fixed critical infrastructure, including streets and our water system, and a revitalized downtown and riverfront. To get there, we must first focus on implementing projects from our recently awarded grants to fix our water issues. The City should continue to pursue grant opportunities that address our streets/curb/gutter infrastructure. We must address these critical infrastructure issues first in order for Colusa to be able to support tourism and responsible growth in a manner that protects public safety and improves quality of life. Historic preservation grants and other sources of funding should be secured for revitalization of our downtown and riverfront, which are Colusa’s major and unique assets that we can capitalize on. I look forward to a new and improved Colusa!
Ryan Codorniz – I envision Colusa to be a beacon in the agriculture community in terms of innovation and manufacturing. Growth is paramount to attracting new business and the hopeful utilization of the Pirelli plant. I see the city ushering in a new era of careful planning and completion of pending projects such as improvements to our water systems, water treatment plant, roads, and planned housing. The path is laid out in our general plan, and not paved in gold but rather hard work, determination, and good old grit. The steps necessary to ensure this vision will be a balanced budget, no unnecessary spending, infusion of grant funds, communication, and an honest relationship with city staff at every level and council.
Joshua Hill – I envision the city of Colusa in the next 10 years to have completed steps for responsible growth contributing to a thriving economy, an excellent job market for our citizens, and infrastructure that we can be proud of. To get to this, we need to continue to be a family forward town where young families raise their children. We also have to follow the general plan and continue down the path of being a pro-business city. I hope to always see children playing in the parks and all sports fields, families happy and enjoying our local amenities, and business thriving.
Tom Reische – No answer provided.