Andrés Marquez, Cloverdale City Councilmember

08/20/2026

Attended the Russian River Valley Watershed Conservation Series event last night put on by the Enso Earth Care Team. Presentations and discussion panel featured speakers, Don McEnhill of Russian Riverkeeper, Patrick Fuss, P.E of City of Healdsburg, David Berman of Sonoma Water, and Tessa Holmes of Quvira Vinyards.

Attendees learned about aquifer storage and recovery projects, recycled water, the Dry Creek Restoration Project, invasive species such as Arundo Donax and its effects on water consumption, and most importantly the effects of lack of metering in the Alexander Valley.

This meeting emphasized why it’s important for Cloverdale, Healdsburg and all people who are concerned about the health of our regional aquifers should make their concerns known to LAFCO (Sonoma County Local Agency Formation Commission) ahead of the September 2nd Hearing regarding the proposed Alexander Valley Water District.

08/19/2026

On Monday evening at the Healdsburg City Council meeting it was encouraging and exciting to see some of my suggestions turn into action. The Council considered how they should engage in the LAFCO (Sonoma County Local Agency Formation Commission) process regarding the proposed Alexander Valley Water District formation.

The Council authorized City Manager Jeff Kay to engage directly with Cloverdale and LAFCO on Healdsburg’s behalf. This includes reviewing relevant documents, meetings, and materials ahead of the September 2nd LAFCO hearing to ensure that Healdsburg has a clear understanding of the proposal and its potential impacts.

The Healdsburg City Manager has also been given authority to determine the appropriate level of participation during this phase and, if necessary, to prepare a letter to LAFCO in coordination with Mayor Chris Herrod. The goal is to ensure Healdsburg is represented in a thoughtful and well prepared way.

The Healdsburg City Council also asked staff to come back with a clearer proposal for a potential water resiliency liaison role, including what it would involve and when it would be needed. Any decision on appointing a Council liaison will be made once there is a better understanding of timing and structure.

For Cloverdale residents, I want to be clear about why I am engaging with Healdsburg on this issue. The decisions being made through the LAFCO process will shape the long term governance, reliability, and affordability of water across our shared region. This is not just a Cloverdale issue or a Healdsburg issue, it is a regional one. My focus is to ensure that Cloverdale’s interests are protected while also working collaboratively with our neighbors so that the final outcome reflects what is best for the entire Alexander Valley and the communities that depend on it.

Video link should take you to timestamp 01:43:15 where the item begins.

Following public comment from Russian River Property Owners Association representatives Mike Martini and Dennis Murphy as well as Theresa Ryan who Chairs the Water Committee for the Redwood Chapter of the Sierra Club, conversation picks up at 02:08:00.

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08/17/2026

Thank you Angela Woodall, of the Healdsburg Patch for reporting on tonight’s agenda for the Healdsburg City Council Meeting.

The agenda item is to: “Consider appointing a (Healdsburg) City Councilmember to participate in regional dialogue regarding water resiliency discussions and conversation surrounding the proposed Alexander Valley Water District.”

Appreciate everyone’s involvement and support.
…And, that includes you!

I look forward to working with Healdsburg City staff and the new appointee.

Council members will consider joining regional water talks while weighing an end-of-life program contract expansion tonight.

08/16/2026

A wonderful time at the Sonoma County Fair with my wife, Mari yesterday. Had the opportunity to spend time with an incredible group of Latina leaders, some who have been strong mentors to me and others I was grateful to meet for the first time.

08/10/2026

08/10/2026

Wednesday’s City Council Meeting:
Agenda Update

As of this evening, the agenda for Wednesday’s 6:00 p.m. regular City Council meeting has not yet been posted on the City’s website. The meeting is scheduled to include a 5:00 p.m. closed session followed by the regular meeting at 6:00 p.m.

The Brown Act generally requires agendas for regular meetings to be posted at least 72 hours before the meeting. I have contacted City staff to ask how the City plans to proceed and to ensure that the appropriate notice requirements are being addressed.

I am sharing this simply to keep the public informed. I will provide an update when I receive clarification from the City.

Public access to the Council agenda and timely notice of meetings are important parts of an open and transparent local government.

Nestled in the heart of wine country, the quiet City of Cloverdale has a sunny disposition and an even warmer climate. The northern gateway to Sonoma County, Cloverdale will charm you with its old-town feel, and reel you in with its stunning surroundings. Though smaller in size with under 10,000 res...

08/06/2026

Cloverdale has officially entered the chat. 💧

Important news from yesterday’s Sonoma County LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission) hearing regarding the “Request for Reconsideration of Denial of Proposal for Formation of the Alexander Valley Water District, a California Water District.”

The proposal was previously denied 4–2 at the May 6 hearing. At that time, Cloverdale was not participating in the process.

On June 24, the City Council appointed me to represent Cloverdale in these discussions. Since then, I’ve worked with Cloverdale City Attorney Alex Mog to prepare a comment letter outlining our city’s concerns. The comment letter was unanimously approved by the full City Council on July 22 and submitted to LAFCO ahead of yesterday’s hearing.

Our concerns were heard.

During deliberations, LAFCO acknowledged Cloverdale’s comments. With Cloverdale now at the table, and Healdsburg expected to participate soon, the Commission voted to “continue discussions with the assumption that the Commission will do something other than deny the proposal.”

LAFCO has now created an ad hoc committee with Commissioners Susan Harvey and David Rabbitt to work through the terms and conditions of a potential modified resolution. This gives Cloverdale and Healdsburg an opportunity to be consulted before those terms are finalized.

This is important.

Cloverdale has a stake in what happens within our shared water basin. We now have a seat at the table to help make sure any future arrangement protects our community’s interests while creating an opportunity for meaningful regional cooperation.

In other words, let’s make sure the prenup is satisfactory before the big day. 😉

The next LAFCO hearing is September 2.

Thank you to the Cloverdale residents who continue to show up! We got work to do.

08/05/2026

Delivered written and public comment to the Healdsburg City Council at last nights Healdsburg City Council meeting, requesting they appoint a Councilmember and potentially an alternate to join regional discussions about water resiliency and the proposed Alexander Valley Water District.

The purpose is to improve communication, exchange information, and better understand the perspectives of neighboring communities as we address the short and long term challenges of water resiliency and regional water management.

At the end of yesterday’s meeting Councilmember David Hagele made the proposal for a future agenda item which got unanimous support from the Healdsburg City Council. Healdsburg City Manager Jeff Kay responded it would likely come back for discussion at the next meeting in August 17th.

Tomorrow, the Russian River Property Owners Association will appeal the recent decision from LAFCO to deny the formation of the proposed Alexander Valley Water District as it is currently being proposed. Whatever the outcome of tomorrow’s decision, it is a positive step forward that Cloverdale and Healdsburg will be part of the process as it continues and evolves.

Thank you to the whole Healdsburg City Council and the Russian River Property Owners Association for the collaborative engagement.

08/02/2026