James Khatami (Nevada City City Council At-Large, California, candidate 2026)
James Khatami is running for election to the Nevada City City Council At-Large. Khatami is on the ballot in the primary on June 2, 2026.[source]
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Biography
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Elections
Nonpartisan primary
Nonpartisan primary election for Nevada City City Council At-Large (2 seats)
James Khatami (Nonpartisan), Adam Kline (Nonpartisan), and Micayla Sortland (Nonpartisan) are running in the primary for Nevada City City Council At-Large on June 2, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| James Khatami (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Adam Kline (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Micayla Sortland (Nonpartisan) | ||
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 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
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Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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Campaign website
Khatami's campaign website stated the following:
Issues I am concerned about…
Fire Safety and Open Space can work together
Like so many of my neighbors, I am an avid walker and hiker, and I appreciate the feeling that we get here in Nevada City of living in a small town surrounded by the forest. I believe that we can continue to protect the forest using it to create a natural fire break. This can be achieved by working with the City's FireWise groups, and using the City’s Measure C funds, to protect us all from the dangers of fire.
I'm also glad to live in a community that acknowledges the central role of climate change in creating these new conditions in California that have put us all at risk. I will work hard to make sure that Nevada City does our fair share to achieve Net Zero emissions.
Maintain and Expand our Open Space and Trails
I am a big supporter of our wonderful trails and open space system. It is part of what makes this a special place.
Many people and groups worked tirelessly over the decades on the City’s preservation and acquisition of the Deer Creek Environs, Sugarloaf, Hirschman’s Pond and Trail, the Old Airport, and all of the trail segments around town. The 32 acre Nisenan Deer Creek Cultural Reclamation Corridor acquisition is an important recent addition. Pioneer Park is our version of Central Park, with something for everyone.
One of my most important goals as a Council member will be to work on maintaining and expanding our open spaces and trails. Our parks and open space lands should continue to be a proud priority. They have the potential to form a natural fire break around the city. We should consider assisting private landowners adjacent to our public lands with their fuel reduction projects with this goal in mind.
An updated Open Space Element to the General Plan will be adopted by the next City Council. I hope to help see it become a visionary plan that will continue Nevada City’s status as a leader in open space protection. Acquisition of the BLM lands and preservation of more Deer Creek access should be priorities.
Strengthen Downtown and Seven Hills Business Districts
We need to protect our sales-tax generating business core, both our tourist dependent businesses in our historical downtown and local serving businesses in Seven Hills. Sales tax accounts for over 40% of our revenues and pays for our police, fire protection and Public Works. As a City Council member, I will do everything in my power to work with the business community to improve the economic vitality of our downtown and Seven Hills.
Stabilize City Staff
Being on the Planning Commission has given me insight into the importance of a stable full-time City Staff. Staff upheaval and turnover, especially the City Manager and the City Planner positions, have cost the City money and have impeded our ability to deal with long term issues, such as dealing with rising water and sewer rates, formulating a new balanced Short Term Rental policy, and working with partners to build affordable housing that is in scale and character with our small town.
Protect the City from State & Federal Overreach
I worked on the campaign to save the County Courthouse in downtown Nevada City and to persuade the State of California not to move the courthouse out of the City, with all the disastrous consequences that move would have on our downtown economy. That campaign made me realize the importance of forcefully advocating for our interests in our dealings with the State and with the Federal Government.
Protect our Neighborhoods
I got into public life in Nevada City five years ago when a luxury home developer proposed to tear down a historic wall and pathway in our American Hill neighborhood to build a second driveway into his newly acquired property. We organized our neighbors, circulated a petition and brought the issue to the Planning Commission and the City Council. After 18 months of hard work, we prevailed. I promise that, as a City Council member, I will bring the same perseverance and hard work to all neighborhood issues, big and small, to make sure that Nevada City remains the special place that we all love.
Protecting Downtown Retail
-For sales tax revenue
-For an exciting downtown.
The City over the years has been very concerned about protecting the retail success of our city businesses. On the ground floor downtown, the continuity of retail shops one after another is one of the things that most attracts tourists and locals. (Just look at Grass Valley’s Main Street which is almost all retail.) That seems to be slipping in Nevada City.
The City has an ordinance that is supposed to control non-retail uses. However, we see many non-retail businesses locating on the ground floor downtown without required review. (Note: Offices and other non-retail uses are allowed on Spring St. and most of N. Pine St., and Washington St. as well as upstairs on other streets.)
As you may know, at the Planning Commission I voted against a new yoga shop proposed in the old Earth Store space across from the National Hotel on Broad St. The Planning Commission is allowed to review these non-retail uses and to determine whether they would detract from the pedestrian environment, weaken the continuity of the shopping frontage, and other factors.
A local downtown merchant appealed the Planning Commission approval of the yoga shop to the City Council. She felt it would add to weakening the retail strength of downtown. Many people spoke and wrote notes in favor of the appeal. However, it was denied 5-0.
The Council noted that they think the ordinance needs revising. I agree. However, I believe that the only changes that need to be revised in the ordinance would be to tighten it up. Nevada City needs an exciting mix of retail shops and restaurants to keep it fun and interesting and to generate critical sales tax.
I would appreciate your vote!
Jim
— James Khatami's campaign website (April 3, 2026)
See also
2026 Elections
External links
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Candidate Nevada City City Council At-Large |
Footnotes
