Alturas City Council
Regular Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
October 18, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
Pursuant to Resolution #2021-55 adopted by City Council on October 19, 2021, the Alturas City Council Mayor Cox called the regular meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. at the City Council Chambers and via teleconference. Councilmembers present: Kelly Crosby, Cheryl Nelson, and Brian Cox.
Councilmembers absent: Paul Minchella and Samantha Wood. Staff present: City Clerk Macey Binning, City Treasurer Dorothy Long, City Attorney Jeff Hedlund, and Director of Public Works Joe Picotte. Public attending: 14. All present joined together in Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Cox asked for a moment of silence for Bobby G. Ray. Bobby G. Ray severed on the City Council for many years. He served as Mayor January 1977 to April 1980 and again June 2018 to March 2020. When Bobby G. Ray first joined as a Councilmember, he was a part of the youngest Council in California history.
Under public forum Karen Haines, Volunteer High Plateau Humane Society Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) Program Manager, would like to recommend the City Council accept the proposed changes Mrs. Haines submitted for the draft Animal and Fowl ordinance. Mrs. Haines distributed signed petitions along with letters of support to the City Council and Staff. Mrs. Haines explained the Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) Program to the City Council and the ultimate goal for this program is less unowned, unaltered, free roaming Community Cats. The long-term goal of this program is to receive less kittens at the Humane Society.
Currently the Humane Society is overwhelmed by the number of cats they have, which puts a strain on the volunteers. With this program the Humane Society could free more room within the facility. This would be beneficial in case of an emergency; the facility could be used as a holding center until animals are reunited with their owners. Mrs. Haines inquired when the ordinance will be presented again to the City Council.
Mayor Cox replied a Committee met regarding the Animal and Fowl ordinance. During this meeting they discussed and made changes that will be reviewed by the City Attorney. Before the ordinance is presented to the City Council, legal notice will be posted ten days prior to the meeting.
Linda Martinez suggests treating cats at large the same as when dogs are at large. Mrs. Martinez has seen results from the Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) Program.
Mayor Cox believes with the draft Animal and Fowl ordinance the City has addressed their concerns.
Dudley Haines informed the Council the Humane Society is mainly volunteers. He would like to commend these volunteers for working so hard for the Community. The Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) Program will help decrease the workload for the volunteers. If the City implements this program it won’t increase the City’s workload.
Dori Kaplan voiced that the charge to have a cat spayed or neuter is very expensive, even with a voucher from the Humane Society. Mrs. Kaplan would like to propose a spay and neuter clinic to help the Community afford this expense and help control the cat population.
Lawrence Xikis has seen results from the Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) Program himself. He had a couple cats overpopulate and with the help from this program he was able to maintain the population. Mr. Xikis expressed the only thing he would be against is euthanizing cats.
Mayor Cox believes that the issues presented to the City Council are items that have been addressed with the draft Animal and Fowl ordinance. The City is not discouraging or preventing the Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) Program. However, the City does not have the funding to implement the program. The draft Animal and Fowl ordinance will be a tool to work together to achieve the same goal.
City Attorney read a written public comment from Durriya Syed who is an Outreach Analyst in the Department of Insurance (CDI). Mrs. Syed’s letter informed the constituents of the programs offered. They provide a number of free informative presentations and informational guides for homeowners, drivers, and our senior community. If anyone would like further information on the programs go to their website at insurance.ca.gov.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to approve the agenda as presented. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Nelson, SECONDED by Councilmember Crosby to adopt the consent agenda as follows: a.) Approve minutes of September 20, 2022 meeting; b.) Approve City warrants for September, 2022 in the amount of $150,028.92; c.) Approve ACH reconciliation report for September, 2022 in the amount of $115,265.16; d.) Adopt Resolution #2022-51 removing inactive water & sewer accounts in the amount of $251.08; 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. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to adopt Resolution #2022-52 approving the 2022/2023 Fiscal Year Budget in the amount of $5,027,182.00. ALL AYES.
The Safety Unit Labor Negotiation Committee consisting of Mayor Cox and Councilmember Crosby met with the Safety Unit to update and review the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). During this negotiation it was requested a 20% increase over a two-year span to all Safety Unit Employees, and an increase for supervising positions such as Sergeant. The Negotiation Committee countered with a 7.5% increase for Patrolman and Fire Marshal; and 11.5% increase for Sergeant over a span of two years.
MOTION by Councilmember Nelson, SECONDED by Councilmember Crosby to adopt Resolution #2022-53 approving the Memorandum of Understanding between the United Public Employees of California Local 792 Alturas Safety Unit and the City of Alturas. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to appoint Brian Cox as City Council representative to serve on the Modoc County Transportation Commission. Effective October 18, 2022. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to appoint Paul Minchella as City Council representative alternate to serve on the Modoc County Transportation Commission to replace Councilmember Kelly Crosby. Effective October 18, 2022. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Nelson, SECONDED by Councilmember Crosby to appoint Kelly Crosby to the Sales Tax Ad-Hoc Committee to replace Councilmember Paul Minchella. Effective October 18, 2022. ALL AYES.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilmember Nelson reported she attended the October 13, 2022 Pool Committee meeting. Mrs.
Nelson is aware of several businesses and community members that would like to donate money for a new pool.
Mayor Cox attended the October 13, 2022 Pool Committee meeting too. At the meeting they discussed creating a donation site through Rotary for those who would like to contribute.
Councilmember Crosby attended the October 11, 2022 Modoc LAFCO meeting. At this meeting LAFCO updated and adopted their bylaws and travel per diem for the Commissioners. Mrs. Crosby informed the Council Canby Service District and Canby Fire District will be merging which will come before the LAFCO Commissioners at a later date. Mrs. Crosby reports she attended the Superior California Economic Development (SCED) Loan Committee. During this meeting they approved a loan for a business located in Modoc County.
Mayor Cox informed the Council he and Councilmember Wood met with City Clerk Binning, Chief of Police Cullins and Animal Control Officer Wion to review and revise the Animal and Fowl ordinance.
During this review they considered the communities best interest, health and safety.
City Attorney Hedlund proposes adding one penalty section within the ordinance instead of several to reference.
Councilmember Nelson asked the status on the damaged airport hangar located at the Alturas Municipal Airport.
Director of Public Works Picotte has been working on rebuilding a hangar at the Alturas Municipal Airport that was damaged in a wind storm. However, obtaining an available building contractor seems impossible.
COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS:
Director of Public Works Picotte informed the Council during the Planning Commission Meeting the Commissioners approved a LED sign for Modoc Medical Center. The Commissioners would like to moratorium LED signs. This would allow the Planning Commission to set requirements and gain input from the City Council on what they would like to see regarding LED signs.
Mayor Cox agrees and would like to preserve the historic appearance on Main Street. Mr. Cox asks if Mr.
Picotte has explored further a caretaker at the Airport to relieve some of his duties.
Director of Public Works Picotte hasn’t had a chance to fully explore. Currently he is working on a draft a Service Agreement for a Planner to assist with the workload regarding the Senior Nursing Facility. Items
on this agreement will be reimbursable through Modoc Medical Center. Mr. Picotte is having a discussion with Modoc County regarding a new antenna on the North Tank. This antenna will supply a backup system for communications and Mr. Picotte hopes to gain a partnership with Modoc County. Mr. Picotte reports the Public Works Department received a demonstration on a Vacuum (VAC) truck. Mr. Picotte is interested in purchasing a VAC truck in the future. Mr. Picotte reports the Railroad has completed repairs for the season.
City Treasurer Long reports she and City Clerk Binning will be attending the Golden State Risk Management Annual Conference. This conference will be held in Corning, CA October 20th and 21st.
City Treasurer Long is working on finalizing the CV2 and CV3 amendments. Ms. Long plans on allocating the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds of $624,000.00 by the November Council meeting. During the November City Council meeting the Modoc High School intern will attend to experience how meetings are conducted. Ms. Long would also like to report for Chief of Police Cullins. The Alturas Police Department has two recruits that are currently going through the process to attend the Police Academy. However, they would like to get a third recruit.
At 3:06 p.m., Mayor Cox announced the Council would be meeting in closed session under G.C. Section 54957/ Employee Performance Evaluation – Titles: Finance Director, and Assistant Finance Director.
Reconvened back to open session at 3:22 p.m. no action was taken.
With no further business to come before City Council. MOTION by Councilmember Nelson to adjourn the meeting at 3:33 p.m. and to return in regular session on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 2:00 p.m., City Hall. SECONDED by Councilmember Crosby. ALL AYES.
Respectfully,
Macey Binning
City Clerk