Alturas City Council
Regular Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
August 15, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
The Alturas City Council Mayor Cox called the regular meeting to order at 2:01 p.m. at the City Council Chambers. Councilmembers present: Kelly Crosby, Paul Minchella, Cheryl Nelson, and Brian Cox.
Councilmembers absent: Samantha Wood. Staff present: City Treasurer Dorothy Long, Public Works Director Warren Farnam, and Fire Marshal Eric Hunter. Public attending: 6. All present joined together in Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC FORUM:
Hazel Looper addressed the City Council regarding the condition of the City’s streets. She would like to see a plan now that the City has a new Director of Public Works. Mrs. Looper expressed the neglect to our City streets in several locations and would like to see a change. She also inquired about grants since she understands that the funding is different from the past and is certain that cost is a factor.
Public Works Director Farnam informed Mrs. Looper that this is something that the City is working on. He advised her of the upcoming street projects and that he plans on doing a prioritization list for street repairs.
Mayor Cox explained additional City efforts to make the streets a priority. Mayor Cox informed Mrs.
Looper of the recently formed City Street Ad Hoc Committee and assured her that the streets are a priority for the City.
Councilmember Crosby thanked Mrs. Looper for coming forward and reiterated the streets being a priority.
Penny Keeney addressed the City Council in regards to policing questions. Ms. Keeney has concerns about speeding down main street and people using cell phones while driving. She would like to see these laws enforced better.
Mayor Cox informed Ms. Keeney of the extreme staffing issue that the Police Department has been recently recovering from. The City has been relying on multi-agency assistance a lot recently so we are working to get back up to normal operations with patrol. More officers on the road will increase enforcement across the board. Mayor Cox also explained that recently there was an informal survey done on main street that reported that 85% of vehicles are within 5mph of the speed limit.
Councilmember Crosby advised Ms. Keeney to speak with California Highway Patrol as well and maybe they can assist with her safety concerns.
Penny Keeney also addressed the City Council about the area by Holdorff’s Recycling.
Fire Marshal Hunter assured Ms. Keeney that Holdorff’s family is working very hard to clean that location up and it is coming out of their own pockets to do so. He advised to be patient with them as it’s a process and the City is in communication with them about the location being cleaned up.
John Looper addressed the City Council regarding his neighbor’s property and the excess debris causing rodents and other issues at his personal residence.
Fire Marshal Hunter informed Mr. Looper of the City’s procedures with complaints and how they’re addressed. He let Mr. Looper know that the specific residence in question is being dealt with and the process just takes time.
Hazel Looper thanked the City Council for their time and for answering her questions and is hopeful that there are plans for her concerns.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to approve the agenda as presented. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to adopt the consent agenda as follows: a.) Approve minutes of July 18, 2023 meeting; b.) Approve minutes of July 28, 2023 special meeting; c.) Approve City Warrants for June 2023 in the amount of $707,895.77; d.) Approve City Warrants for July 2023 in the amount of $40,120.28; e.) Approve ACH reconciliation report for July 2023 in the amount of $412,719.48; f.) Adopt Resolution #2023-43 removing inactive water & sewer accounts in the amount of $646.15. ALL AYES.
The General Government Committee presented a finalized employment agreement for the Assistant Finance Director Tacie Wheeler that will be effective September 1, 2023. The three-year agreement has a salary of $54,000 for year one, $60,000 for year two, and $66,000 for year three.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella to approve a three (3) year employment contract for the Assistant Finance Director Tacie Wheeler. Contract effective September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2026. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to appoint Tacie Wheeler as City Clerk to fill the unexpired term. City Treasurer Long will administer The Oath of Office of September 1, 2023 to newly appointed City Clerk Wheeler. ALL AYES.
Director of Public Works Farnam presented a draft letter supporting High Desert Lumbers efforts to upgrade the fire sprinkler system. Originally there was a request from High Desert Lumber to upgrade the well pump as well, but there are specifics to that that have not been approved on the City side at this time.
Also the Director of Public Works plans to meet with Glenn Zane of High Desert Lumber this week to discuss the plans for the mill.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to authorize the Director of Public Works to sign a letter supporting a Resource Advisory Committee grant application for High Desert Lumber to upgrade the fire sprinkler system. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella to open the public hearing seeking community input on the City of Alturas Sanitary Sewer System Upgrades project prior to project closeout as required by the Community Development Block Grant close-out process at 2:44pm.
ALL AYES
City Treasurer Long reports that the Sanitary Sewer System Upgrade project was funded through the CV1 round of funding. The project was meant to replace the digester lid at the waste water treatment plant and purchase a vacuum trailer to assist with lift station cleanouts to improve the City’s sewer system since it is considered critical infrastructure. Due to unforeseen supply and demand issues during the pandemic and post pandemic inflation, the City was only able to purchase the digester lid before the project time period was up. This upgrade will serve approximately 1,389 beneficiaries allowing the City to meet the national objective required by Housing and Community Development.
No additional public comment was made.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to close the public hearing at 2:46pm. ALL AYES
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to adopt Resolution #2023-44 declaring City Vehicle surplus property and authorizing the sale of such surplus property. ALL AYES
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Crosby to adopt Resolution #2023-45 approving the Special Services Agreement between the City of Alturas and Brandley Engineering Inc. ALL AYES
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Crosby to adopt Resolution #2023-46 awarding the bid to low bidder Q&D Construction LLC for Alturas Municipal Airport: Reseal Joints – Runway 13-31 and Taxiway B Project AIP No. 3-06-0003-021-2023. ALL AYES Director of Public Works Farnam informs City Council that he met with Anders from SHN Engineering regarding the changes of the scope of the project and the amended being presented reflects the changes coming from the state.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to adopt Resolution #2023-47 approving the second addendum to SHN Consulting Engineers & Geologists, Inc. contract for the City of Alturas Wastewater Planning Study. ALL AYES Mayor Cox appoints Paul Minchella as the council representative on the City Street Ad-Hoc Committee along with Director of Public Works Farnam, and City Treasurer Long. For community members, he appoints Rich Bowlin, Chris Robbins, and Dean Rouse. Additionally, Mayor Cox will serve as the council alternate when needed.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to authorize the Mayor to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Modoc County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Alturas for dispatching services for fiscal year 2023/2024. ALL AYES MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella to adopt Resolution #2023-48 authorizing the Director of Public Works and/or City Treasurer to execute documents required by California Department of Transportation for funding or project authorization. ALL AYES
COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS
Fire Marshal Hunter informs City Council that the Fire Department is actively addressing the weed abatement throughout the city. The Fire Department is aware that the overhanging trees in roadways have become an issue and they are handling that accordingly. Alleyways will be next on the list as they are also aware they have become an issue in various locations. Fire Marshal Hunter also let the Council know that the new Fire Marshal vehicle has arrived and is actively in service.
Director of Public Works Farnam reports that he is getting up to date with the staff in the department and required trainings that are out of date. He also attended the Modoc County Transportation Commission meeting as well as a meeting with GHD regarding the closing of the East Street STIP project. Director Farnam also advised that he will be putting some pressure on the contracted engineers regarding our existing pool rehabilitation project as the time window of completion is getting smaller as time goes on.
In addition to the pool facility, DPW Farnam is also assessing other City infrastructure that is in need of repair. Some include the fire hall, dog pound, buildings at the waste water treatment plant and public works director office. All have some roofing repairs that are becoming critical.
DPW Farnam attended the Planning Commission meeting as Planning Director and reported out on the sign permits that were approved and tabled as well as the General Plan Update that was approved.
City Treasurer Long reported she also attended the Modoc County Transportation Commission meeting as well as the meeting with GHD regarding the completion of East Street. At this time the work has been completed on East Street and the Notice of Completion has been filed with the County. City Treasurer Long informs the Council that retired City Clerk Cary Baker has agreed to assist with the transition and training of the new City Clerk and has been assisting with office operations on the interim.
City Attorney Hedlund extended gratitude to Fire Marshal Hunter on his weed abatement program. He commended Hunter for his ability to get people to comply with the requirements on their own.
Mayor Cox reported on behalf of the Police Department and let the council know that there is another applicant in backgrounds for the January academy. This would put the department back to full staff.
Councilmember Crosby stated she will be attending the Superior California Economic Development District meeting on August 17, 2023. She also attended LAFCO and the USDA processing committee meeting. Councilmember Crosby invited the City Council to attend a meeting on December 12, 2023 to hear the results of the survey that the feasibility committee is conducting.
Mayor Cox informs the Council on the changes made to the Land Conservation Water Fund grant for a new pool. There were some challenges pertaining to budgetary items regarding engineering that were resolved by making some adjustments.
Councilmember Minchella attended the LAFCO meeting and reported that the Municipal Service Review (MSR) and the Sphere of Influence (SOI) are being updated. John Benoit from LAFCO will be working with City staff to get the required information.
With no further business to come before City Council. MOTION by Councilmember Nelson to adjourn the meeting at 3:37 p.m. and to return in regular session on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., City Hall. SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella. ALL AYES.
Respectfully,
Dorothy Long
City Treasurer