"The forest doesn’t fear winter. It knows how to hold life quietly, until the time to bloom returns.”
~ Lawrence Nault

Work Completed and Moving Forward This Year

As the City continues to move through a busy year, it is important to recognize that a great deal of work has been happening both in public view and behind the scenes. The City has not been standing still. Staff have been working on facility repairs, internal system improvements, grant-funded projects, downtown cleanup efforts, water system maintenance, infrastructure planning, and community partnerships.

One major accomplishment has been the full remediation of City Hall following water damage. This work required time, coordination, and patience. Still, it allowed the City to address the damage and restore City Hall as a functional public facility for residents, staff, and public meetings.

The City has also completed the refurbishment of the Gazelle Tank, an important part of Weed’s water system. Water infrastructure is often out of sight, but it is essential to daily life, fire protection, and long-term community resilience. Completing the Gazelle Tank work is an important victory for the City’s infrastructure program, and the City is also planning future inspections and updates for other tanks in the system.

The City has also been working on its internal systems, including the human resources function. While this type of work is not always visible to the public, it matters. Strong internal systems support clearer expectations, better communication, improved accountability, and higher-performing City teams. The goal is simple: when the organization functions better internally, it is better positioned to serve the public externally.

The City has also continued working to execute projects and leverage grant funding wherever possible. One important example is the continued recovery and infrastructure work in Lincoln Heights. Grant-funded Mill Fire recovery work has included the replacement of aging water infrastructure, the installation of new water mains and services, and street restoration. The City is also continuing to pursue and coordinate additional improvements in the area, including curb, gutter, street, storm-drain, and related infrastructure work. These projects are part of the City’s broader effort to repair damaged infrastructure, support neighborhood recovery, and make long-term improvements in areas affected by the Mill Fire.

Main Street Demolition Project

The Weed City Council awarded a $748,983.20 contract to Eddie Axner Construction, Inc. for the Main Street Demolition Project. This project is the result of more than a year of collaboration among the City, legal counsel, and Mr. Juarez, who transferred the properties to the City so the City could address and mitigate damage to the downtown buildings.

The work follows the structure fire in September of last year that damaged five downtown units. Even before that fire, the City had been working with legal counsel to address concerns at the properties through the receivership process. With the properties now under City ownership, and with the California Department of Housing and Community Development having completed its review of the City’s surplus-property process, the City can move forward with demolition, cleanup, and future disposition of the parcels as part of its broader effort to address blight and prepare key Main Street properties for redevelopment.

Eddie Axner Construction submitted the lowest reviewed bid at $748,983.20, followed by Mike Peters Inc. at $839,260 and Bowen Engineering at $853,500. The City’s goal is to complete the work by the end of the year, weather and construction conditions permitting.

Tesla Supercharger Agreement

The City Council approved an amendment to the Tesla Supercharger agreement for the charging station at 44 S. Weed Boulevard. Under the amendment, Tesla will pay the City $1,000 per month in rent to help offset the City’s ongoing maintenance work at the site, including trash service, vegetation management, and brush maintenance.

This amendment is part of a broader City effort to better account for the staff time and resources required to maintain public and shared-use spaces. Under the original agreement, the City was responsible for common-area maintenance but did not receive recurring reimbursement for that work. The City appreciates Tesla’s willingness to update the agreement and help reimburse the City for the work staff performs to keep the Supercharger lot clean and maintained.

Cal-Ore Broadband Expansion

The City Council approved a communications site lease with Cal-Ore Communications Co. to support the expansion of high-speed fiber-optic broadband in Weed. The agreement allows Cal-Ore to place a communications cabinet and related equipment on approximately 100 square feet of City-owned property near the northwest corner of Inez Street and Clay Street.

The agreement includes an initial 20-year term, with six automatic renewal options. Cal-Ore will pay the City $300 per month, with annual increases tied to the Consumer Price Index. This project reflects the City’s commitment to improving broadband access for residents and businesses. The new cabinet will help Cal-Ore expand fiber service throughout the north end of town.

Downtown Events and Heritage Plaza

The City Council approved fee waivers for three upcoming Chamber of Commerce events: the Heritage Plaza grand opening and Chamber mixer, Trunk or Treat on Main Street, and Olde Fashion Christmas and Tree Lighting. The approvals reflect the City Council’s commitment to supporting community partners working to bring more events, activities, and energy to downtown Weed.

The Chamber of Commerce is taking the lead on these events, with the City providing support where appropriate. This week’s Heritage Plaza event also included a 9/11 remembrance and an opportunity to recognize the many people who helped make Heritage Plaza possible, including the Chamber of Commerce, local donors and contractors, and the City of Weed Public Works staff.

As downtown event activity continues to grow, the City is also reviewing its reservation and fee structure to ensure community events remain accessible while helping offset City costs, including staff time and resources. City staff will be visiting with Chamber of Commerce officials and Weed Parks and Recreation staff to discuss possible improvements to the reservation process for Heritage Plaza and the park area outside City Hall.

Partnership With the City of Dorris

The City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Dorris for building official, plan review, and inspection services. The agreement continues a long-standing and positive partnership between the two cities, allowing Weed to support a neighboring community while also setting clear expectations for staff time, scheduling, and reimbursement.

Under the agreement, Weed’s Building Inspector will generally be available to Dorris every other week, subject to staff availability and the operational needs of the City of Weed. This structure allows the City to continue helping Dorris with important building services while ensuring that Weed’s own permits, inspections, and municipal needs remain the priority.

Dorris will reimburse the City for billable staff time, travel time, mileage, and authorized extraordinary costs. The agreement reflects a practical regional partnership: Weed can provide needed expertise, Dorris receives continued building-service support, and both cities have a clearer framework for scheduling and funding the work.

City Council Write-In Filing Period

Residents interested in serving on the Weed City Council still have an opportunity to pull paperwork and run as a write-in candidate. Candidate paperwork will be available beginning September 24, 2026, and the filing period closes October 20, 2026.

Those interested may pick up paperwork at Weed City Hall, 550 Main Street, during normal business hours. Serving on City Council is one of the most direct ways residents can help shape the future of Weed, participate in local decision-making, and serve the community.

For questions, residents may contact the City Clerk’s Office at 530-938-5020.

Measure K Information

The Weed City Council referred Measure K to the November 3, 2026, ballot for consideration by City voters. Measure K is a local transactions and use tax, commonly called a sales tax. If approved by a majority of Weed voters, the measure would establish a 1.5% tax on taxable sales within the City of Weed.

The City’s current sales tax rate is 7.50%. If Measure K is approved, the rate would become 9.00%. The tax would apply to taxable retail purchases made in Weed, including purchases made by residents, visitors, and travelers passing through the City. Certain items are exempt from sales tax under state law, including most groceries, prescriptions, many medical supplies, rent, utilities, services, and items purchased with CalFresh benefits.

Measure K is a general tax. Revenue would be deposited into the City’s General Fund. It could be used for any lawful City purpose, including services such as 911 emergency services, fire protection and wildfire prevention, emergency medical response, police patrol and protection, building safety and inspection, streets, roads, sidewalks, snow removal, City infrastructure, and long-term financial stability. Because it is a general tax, the measure does not legally earmark revenue for a specific department, project, or spending plan.

City staff estimates Measure K would generate approximately $1.7 million annually, depending on future taxable sales, economic conditions, the operative date, and State administration and collection charges. Revenue from locally approved transactions and use tax would remain with the City of Weed and could not be taken by the State or transferred to another agency.

The measure has no expiration date and would remain in effect until repealed by voters. The ballot question states that the measure would be subject to regular audits. General Fund revenues and expenditures are also reviewed through the City’s public budget process and annual financial reporting.

Weed voters will make the final decision on Measure K at the November 3, 2026, election. A “Yes” vote approves the measure. A “No” vote rejects the measure.

Closing

Progress in a small city often happens in layers. Some of it is visible, like demolition work, community events, road repairs, and broadband expansion. Some of it happens quietly, through facility repairs, water-system maintenance, grant administration, internal systems, and the daily work of staff serving the public. Taken together, these efforts show a City that is preparing for the future while continuing to take care of the responsibilities in front of it today. Like the forest in winter, Weed continues to hold life, strength, and possibility as it prepares for the next season of growth.