Alturas City Council
Regular Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
June 21, 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, and Loni Lewis.
Councilmembers absent: Samantha Wood. Staff present: City Clerk Macey Binning, City Treasurer Dorothy Long, Police Chief Sid Cullins, Director of Public Works Joe Picotte, Fire Chief Jimmy Lloyd, and Fire Marshal Eric Hunter. Public attending: 8. All present joined together in Pledge of Allegiance.
Under public forum Patricia Cantrell suggested to the City Council that when they fix the sewer lines, they also fix the roads. This process would save the City money and prevent them from doing the same area twice. Ms. Cantrell encourages the City Council to move quickly and take action on the pool.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Lewis to approve the agenda as presented. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Lewis, SECONDED by Councilmember Crosby to adopt the consent agenda as follows: a.) Approve minutes of May 17, 2022 meeting; b.) Approve minutes of May 31, 2022 special meeting; c.) Approve City warrants for May, 2022 in the amount of $134,618.26; d.) Adopt Resolution #2022-28 removing inactive water & sewer accounts in the amount of $92.03; e.) Approve ACH reconciliation report for May, 2022 in the amount of $163,112.94; f.) 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. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Lewis, SECONDED by Councilmember Crosby to open the public hearing at 2:07 pm for considering the proposed Sewer/Wastewater rate schedule for the City of Alturas and Alturas Municipal Sewer District in accordance with Proposition 218 California Constitution Article XIIID. ALL AYES.
Director of Public Works Picotte explained through the wastewater planning grant one requirement is to review the current rates. This rate study was conducted by SHN Engineers, Inc. They reviewed maintenance costs to infrastructure, operation cost and much more. After they conducted the rate study the proposed increasing the rates every year by 6.40% for the next five years just to maintain operations.
Areas of the current infrastructure were built in the 1930’s and is a matter of time before repairs need to be conducted. Mr. Picotte plans on moving to sewer ponds but that is still in planning stages.
Patricia Cantrell is not here to protest. She is aware the current sewer lines need to be replaced and would like to reiterate that she would like to see the sewer lines and roads be constructed together. Ms. Cantrell would like to advise Mr. Picotte to dig the lines at least 3 ft down due to the weather. Ms. Cantrell thanks the City for everything that they do.
Nick Menkee lives in the former Daphnedale Service District and is upset that they were charged a reconnect fee when he only has sewer service. He believes there is nothing to reconnect. He would like
for everyone to be reimbursed for this fee. Mr. Menkee is also upset with the formation and construction of the Daphnedale Service District when it was first established.
City Clerk Binning explained a reconnect fee is to activate a new account. Customers are required to pay a reconnect fee or deposit to start a new account.
Rosemary Nelson believes this is not a good time to raise rates. The Community is already suffering due to inflation, and adding another increase is a financial burden. This will also affect the Community’s mental health and wellbeing.
Patricia Cantrell informs everyone that the Daphnedale Service District has been dissolved and is now the Alturas Municipal Sewer District. Ms. Cantrell would like to recommend the City reaching out to Carol Madison at TEACH, Inc. to help with grants. Mrs. Madison has helped several agencies apply for grants to purchase new equipment.
Mr. Picotte replied that TEACH, Inc. is a partnership that the City has, and the City is always looking for available grants.
Councilmember Crosby is concerned with rates increasing this will affect the elderly and low-income residents, and she will commit to finding available funds to reduce the financial burden.
Fire Marshal Hunter knows that City Treasurer Long is always actively applying for grants and has been awarded several substantial grants that have helped the City.
Brian Cox knows how important grants are. He also knows that the City does not have the staffing to manage all the grants.
Mayor Steffek would like to thank everyone for their comments and reminds them that the hearing is solely on the sewer rate increase.
With no further comments to come before City Council. MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to close the public hearing at 2:29 pm. ALL AYES.
City Clerk Binning announced the City of Alturas has received 54 written protests for the proposed sewer rate increase.
MOTION by Councilmember Lewis, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to adopt Resolution #2022-29 approving the new Sewer/Wastewater rate schedule for the City of Alturas and Alturas Municipal Sewer District in accordance with Proposition 218 California Constitution Article XIIID. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Lewis to authorize the Mayor to sign the hangar lease agreement between the City of Alturas and Modoc County Agriculture Department.
ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson approve the second reading of Ordinance #526 adopting a Military Equipment Use Policy. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Lewis, SECONDED by Councilmember Crosby authorize Dorothy Long to sign the United Public Employees of California (“Union”) acknowledgement and agreement to update the 2021-2023 Alturas General Unit Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Lewis to adopt Resolution #2022-30 approving the third amended budget for Fiscal Year 2021/2022 in the amount of $6,715,723.00.
ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Lewis, SECONDED by Councilmember Crosby to adopt Resolution #2022-31 approving Fiscal Year 2021/2022 budget to roll over to Fiscal Year 2022/2023, until adoption of new budget. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Lewis to re-appoint Alturas Planning Commissioners Bill Hall & Marlene Hamilton for another four-year term through July of 2026.
ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Lewis, SECONDED by Councilmember Crosby to adopt Resolution #2022-32 approving the Personal Service Contract Agreement for Janitorial Services between the City of Alturas and Sarah’s Cleaning - Sarah Channell and Channell Floors Janitorial - Landis Channell.
Effective July 1, 2022. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to award the Propane Service to Ed Staub & Sons for $.25 over wholesale with the expiration date of June 30, 2023. ALL AYES.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilmember Crosby attended a cyber security webinar through League of California Cities. This webinar was very informative and she will share the PowerPoint with the Councilmembers and staff. Mrs.
Crosby informs the Council she has signed up to attend the annual 2022 League of California Cities Conference.
City Clerk Binning received the form from League of California Cities to designate a voting delegate for the 2022 conference. This will be on July City Council agenda.
COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS:
Fire Chief Lloyd reports the Alturas Fire Department has done a total of 18 fire calls and 141 medical calls so far this year. Earlier this month they had a fire call where a house caught on fire. The response time was one minute which saved the house. Only the garage was damaged from the fire. However, the house has smoke damage.
Councilmember Lewis inquires on the deadline date for people to comply with the weed abatement program?
Fire Marshal Hunter responds that he started sending the first notification out in May. With the first notification he seen 70% comply with the weed abatement program. He will send the second notification this week. Mr. Hunter and Mr. Picotte have been working together to create a action plan to clear alley ways together.
Mayor Steffek asks the Alturas Fire Department how they address and notify the public that burn barrels are prohibited. He also wonders how they monitor illegal burning.
Fire Marshal Hunter responds that they are usually notified by neighbors of illegal burning, and then are able to address the safety issue.
Fire Chief Lloyd explained they advertise notifications of fire restrictions in the newspaper and website.
Police Chief Cullins reports that the Alturas Police Department has made 74 arrests this year. This time last year the Alturas Police Department had 109 arrests.
Councilmember Lewis inquires if the Alturas Police Department will be filling the vacant positions.
Police Chief Cullins is in the process to fill one Police Officer position. However, filling these positions will be a challenge. There seems to be a shortage of Officers within the State of California. Police Chief Cullins reached out to the academy and the graduating students already have jobs with other agencies.
Director of Public Works reports that they will be working on pot holes. Currently two of his street projects have been approved through California Transportation Commission. The first project will be Court Street between 1st Street and 4th Street because it is a well-traveled road. Then second project will be W. 8th Street between Warner Street and N. West C Street. Mr. Picotte continues to look for street funding and may start applying for federal funds. Federal funding is a longer process but may be worth it.
Mr. Picotte informs the Council that hot mix pricing has increased substantially, and this will be the first year working with Hat Creek. Hat Creek Construction, Inc recently purchased Eagle Peak Rock and Paving, Inc. Mr. Picotte will be working Modoc County to establish the Airport Land Use Plan and creating an Airport Land Use Committee. Mr. Picotte is still working with the insurance adjuster to rebuild the destroyed hangar. When the new hangar is constructed Mr. Picotte will update the bathrooms at the airport to be in compliance. Mr. Picotte purchased 100 low lead fuel at the airport. He was able to split the load with another City which saved the City money. 100 low lead will be priced at $8.50 a gallon which is comparable to surrounding airports. Mr. Picotte received a letter regarding the Wastewater plant.
In this letter it addressed fines. Mr. Picotte feels a few of these fines are not justified and will respond to this letter. Mr. Picotte reports that the City of Alturas is currently producing 1.6 million gallons of water a day. With drought conditions Mr. Picotte is monitoring water table levels closely. He will also put out a notice asking the public to conserve water. Mr. Picotte is planning to start the mosquito abatement by the first week of July. Glenn Zane at the mill site would like to move forward and have logs at the mill by August 2022.
Mayor Steffek would like to thank Mr. Picotte for his presentation on the proposed sewer rates at the June 9, 2022 Town Hall meeting.
City Treasurer Long spoke with Heather Hadwick, Deputy Director of the Office of Emergency Services (OES) regarding the Homeland Security Grant. Ms. Long received notice that they can start soliciting bids for the security updates to the front of City Hall. Ms. Long submitted a grant to purchase hoses for the Alturas Fire Department and is waiting to hear if it was awarded. Ms. Long is currently working on finalizing audits and the FY 2022-2023 budget. Ms. Long advises all Department Heads to freeze all unnecessary spending until the FY 2022-2023 budget is finalized.
Councilmember Nelson asks if the pot holes in front of the Alturas Fire Department can be filled. She is worried with the trucks leaving for an emergency, that the pot holes can be damaging.
Fire Marshal Hunter replies that he has spoke to Mr. Picotte and would like to see other areas in town fixed first. When the trucks leave the barn or when returned they are moving slowly.
Councilmember Nelson spoke with the owners of Alturas Ranches and they’ve expressed that they would like to contribute to the Alturas Municipal Pool. Mrs. Nelson recommends the City reach out to the owners of Alturas Ranches.
Councilmember Crosby reports that Superior California Economic Development (SCED) applied for a feasibility grant for the USDA processing facility and is just waiting to hear if it has been awarded.
Councilmember Lewis recently seen a newspaper article regarding the Alturas Municipal Swimming Pool. Mrs. Lewis thought the article was misleading since it said that the City Council will decide if the Alturas Municipal Swimming Pool will open for the 2022 season. When the City Council voted during the April City Council meeting not to open for the 2022 season.
Mr. Picotte agreed and explained he was hopeful for another funding opportunity. However, he recently found this funding will not be available.
Councilmember Lewis was asked how long has the City had the John Wall Trust funding? City Treasurer responded since 2015 and it is in the LAIF account and accrues interest.
City Clerk Binning would like to invite the Councilmembers and staff to a BBQ potluck to celebrate retiring Council and welcoming the new members. Ms. Binning applied for the Risk Management Accreditation Program (RMAP) through Golden State and she was notified they were awarded $18,290.00.
Mayor Steffek asks if the City is prepared for Fandango Day events? Director of Public Works responds they will be. He has serval beatification projects he would like to complete before the event.
With no further business to come before City Council. MOTION by Councilmember Lewis to adjourn the meeting at 3:30 p.m. and to return in regular session on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 2:00 p.m., City Hall.
SECONDED by Councilmember Crosby. ALL AYES.
Respectfully,
Macey Binning
City Clerk