Alturas City Council
Regular Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
March 15, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
Pursuant to Resolution #2021-55 adopted by City Council on October 19, 2021, the Alturas City Council Mayor Mark Steffek called the regular meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. at the City Council Chambers and via teleconference. Councilmembers present: Mark Steffek, Kelly Crosby, Cheryl Nelson, Loni Lewis and Samantha Wood. Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: City Clerk Macey Binning, City Treasurer Dorothy Long, Police Chief Sid Cullins, City Attorney Jeff Hedlund, Director of Public Works Joe Picotte, Fire Chief Jimmy Lloyd, and Fire Marshal Eric Hunter. Public attending: 4. All present joined together in Pledge of Allegiance.
Chris Cavasso submitted a complaint and is concerned action is not being taken.
Mayor Steffek replied that the complaint was received and the Police Commissioners have reviewed his complaint and sent a written response back to Mr. Cavasso.
Garret Ingram informed Council he has purchased a glass crusher, which is a big benefit for the entire community.
Councilmember Lewis is a part of the Recycling Committee and has met with Mr. Ingram. Mrs. Lewis is excited to share new ideas they have discussed once researched further.
MOTION by Councilmember Nelson, SECONDED by Councilmember Lewis to approve the agenda as presented. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Lewis, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to adopt the consent agenda for the Alturas Municipal Sewer District as follows: a) Approve minutes of February 15, 2022 special meeting. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Nelson, SECONDED by Councilmember Lewis to adopt the consent agenda as follows: a.) Approve minutes of February 15, 2022 meeting; b.) Approve City warrants for February, 2022 in the amount of $139,822.68; c.) Adopt Resolution #2022-12 removing inactive water & sewer accounts in the amount of $4,084.71; d.) Approve ACH reconciliation report for February, 2022 in the amount of $157,222.30; e.) Requesting approval to extend Resolution #2021-55 for an additional 30 days to authorize remote teleconference meetings of the legislative bodies of City of Alturas pursuant to Brown Act provisions; f.) Adopt Resolution #2022-13 approving the applications for the City of Alturas Utility Relief Program in the amount of $14,841.51. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Lewis, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to open the public hearing at 2:14 pm for considering the first reading of Ordinance #525 amending sections of Chapter 1. Article 1 “Elections”. ALL AYES.
City Clerk Binning explained the City needs to update when City Officials take their seats. Currently City Officials take their seats at the first City Council meeting following an election. This does not give
adequate time for election results to be certified. Ms. Binning would like to change this to the July City Council meeting following the election. Ms. Binning needs to update the municipal code book to reflect when the General Municipal Election is conducted. It shall now read the City Council fixes the day of the statewide direct primary election as the date of the general municipal election within the city. This is due to the statewide direct primary election now rotating from March to June.
With no further comments to come before City Council. MOTION by Councilmember Nelson, SECONDED by Councilmember Lewis to close the public hearing at 2:17 pm. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Lewis, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to approve the first reading of Ordinance #525 amending sections of Chapter 1. Article 1 “Elections”. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Wood, SECONDED by Councilmember Lewis to adopt Resolution #2022-14 approving the final initial checklist for the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Alturas Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project including the supplemental revisions. ALL AYES.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilmember Lewis is a part of the Recycling Committee and has met with Mr. Ingram from Blue Water Recycling. She would like to meet with the rest of the committee to discuss ideas. She would like to implement a City-wide cleanup day or week around Earth day. Mrs. Lewis plans on contacting Modoc Joint Unified School District to discuss recycling ideas that may turn into a fundraiser. Mrs. Lewis will look further into curbside recycling service.
Mr. Picotte advises Mrs. Lewis that they need to review Waste Managements original agreement before proceeding with curbside recycling.
Councilmember Wood asks for an update on the nuisance property that was reported at the January 18, 2022 City Council meeting.
City Attorney Hedlund replies there isn’t new information at this time.
Mayor Steffek inquires on the status of the damaged hangar.
Mr. Picotte replies he has been in contact with the insurance company. However, with construction of a new hangar Mr. Picotte will need to work with the Federal Aviation Administration. This process may take some time.
Councilmember Lewis asks the status of the pool. Will it be open for the season? Mayor Steffek replies that the new pool will not be constructed this year and the committee is diligently working on applying for grants.
Mr. Picotte will provide Council with a status on the existing pool at the next City Council meeting. Mr.
Picotte hopes to open for the season but depending on the state of the pool will determine if it is able to open.
COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS:
Fire Marshal Hunter introduced the new Fire Chief Jimmy Lloyd. Mr. Hunter invites Council to view his new office located in the fire barn.
Fire Chief Lloyd informed Council that the Alturas Fire Department had big changes. Keith Jacques resigned from Fire Chief after 17 years. Mr. Jacques plans on remaining with the Alturas Fire Department.
Assistant Fire Chief Gene Hamilton and Tom O’Malley have also resigned but will remain with the Alturas Fire Department. Chief Lloyd has been with the Alturas Fire Department for fourteen years.
IT Specialist Buie is making changes to prevent threats. Mr. Buie has been researching purchasing options to replace door access system. However, this has been challenging and there is a lack of availability.
Councilmember Lewis would like to thank the Alturas Police Department for going above and beyond on a serious incident that occurred. Mrs. Lewis would like to give a special thanks to Officer Middleton on this incident.
Director of Public Works Picotte would also like to thank the Alturas Police Department for assisting the Public Works Department with recent vandalism at the showgrounds. Mr. Picotte informs Council that the grant application the City submitted for Clean California wasn’t awarded. However, Modoc County’s application to update the park was awarded which is great for the community. Mr. Picotte still plans on updating streets, curb and gutters surrounding the park. It will just be in phases. Mr. Picotte has been working with City Treasurer Long to close out the Pedestrian project. Mr. Picotte is preparing for annual vector control inspections to prepare for mosquito abatement. Mr. Picotte and Dorothy Long recently had a meeting with local community clubs to discuss adopting a new rate schedule for facility use at the showgrounds and ballfields. The City does not intend to profit off these fees, just maintain the facilities.
Councilmember Lewis asks if it would be beneficial to install security cameras at the showgrounds and ballfields to help prevent vandalism.
Mr. Picotte believes it would be and has been working with IT Specialist Buie to explore the best costefficient options for the showgrounds and ballfields.
City Treasurer Long informed Council she applied for business interruption money through Golden State Risk Management Authority (GSRMA) for the Alturas Municipal Pool when it was shut down in 2020 due to COVID. The City of Alturas was awarded $2,954.60 for their loss of profit.
City Clerk Binning announces election nomination papers are due March 16th. Then she will have a better idea if the City Council should have an election or cancel their June 7, 2022 election.
Mayor Steffek reminds Council that Monday, April 4, 2022 is the City Councils annual appreciation dinner for the Alturas Fire Department. Mr. Steffek would also like to wish everyone a safe and Happy Easter.
MOTION by Councilmember Lewis, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to take a 10-minute recess and then to reconvene into closed session. ALL AYES.
At 3:13 p.m., Mayor Steffek announced the Council would be meeting in closed session under G.C.
Section 54957.6/Conference with Labor Negotiators representing UPEC Local 792 General Unit.
Reconvened back to open session at 4:49 p.m. with no action to report at this time.
At 4:50 p.m., Mayor Steffek announced the Council would be meeting in closed session under G.C.
Section 54956.9 Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation - Claim No. 110184.
Reconvened back to open session at 5:02 p.m. with no action to report at this time.
With no further business to come before City Council. MOTION by Councilmember Lewis to adjourn the meeting at 5:02 p.m. and to return in regular session on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 2:00 p.m., City Hall.
SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson. ALL AYES.
Respectfully,
Macey Binning
City Clerk