Alturas City Council
City Hall Council Chambers
March 19, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Alturas City Council Mayor Kelly Crosby called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. at the City Council Chambers. Councilmembers present: Paul Minchella, Cheryl Nelson, Brian Cox, Samantha Wood and Kelly Crosby. Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: City Clerk Tacie Wheeler, City Treasurer Dorothy Long, Director of Public Works Warren Farnam, City Attorney Jeff Hedlund, Chief of Police Marc Muller, Officer Frankie Widby. Public attending: 12. All present joined together in the Pledge of Allegiance.
In Public Forum, Ginny Albertson announced a concern she had about a building on Main Street. She states there is cement falling from this building ono the sidewalk. It is the old Title Company building by Social Services.
Jake Luba came forward and would like to post Boy Scouts signs for another month along Main Street with regard to the other signs that will be put up. He states that they are gearing up for a meeting and would like to advertise and get the word out.
He was advised to get the item on the next agenda, or to talk to businesses and get signs up on business property.
Tom O’Malley, Superintendent for Modoc Joint Unified School District, introduced himself and discussed a letter from Dwight Beeson regarding the Modoc Scholarship Fund. Mr. O’Malley would like Council to appoint someone to be part of the board for this fund. It is usually just one meeting per year.
Councilmember Wood states that she is already appointed and just needs contact information.
Director of Public Works Farnam states that he has an addition to the agenda that he just received today and is necessary to take care of at this meeting, as it’s for a grant that they are trying to close at the end of this month. It is a resolution to update the designated signers for the OES Grant.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to approve the addition to the agenda, to make it item #14 and move item #14 to item # 15. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Wood, SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella to approve the agenda as amended. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to approve Consent Agenda items as presented. ALL AYES.
Alora Camacho, representing the senior class for Modoc High School, introduces herself and asks Council permission and assistance in hanging the banners for Modoc High School along Main street for the Graduates of 2024 from May to mid-June.
MOTION by Councilmember Cox, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood. ALL AYES.
Gena Long, from Modoc Crisis Center, presents the signs she requests to put along Main street from April 1st through April 30th for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood. ALL AYES.
Judy Mason, representing the America Red Cross, explained some of the things that the Red Cross does for people and some of the free services that are offered. Locally, they cover four counties – Shasta, Siskiyou, Lassen and Modoc. The proclamation would help get the word out about the American Red Cross.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to authorize the Mayor to sign a Proclamation declaring March as Red Cross Month. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Wood, SECONDED by Councilmember Cox to open Public Hearing at 2:26 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING: This was Covid relief money that was originally used for the Utility Relief Program, that provided nearly $36,000 to the community in utility relief. The scope was changed to the Decontamination Station for First Responders. This is the final step for project close out.
No other comments.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Nelson to close Public Hearing. ALL AYES.
Director of Public Works Farnam explains that Public Works has a lot of different fees for a lot of different things. There is a need to update the costs/gees to cover our own labor hours for services. There is a problem with backflow, and some people not wanting to follow through with the backflow requirements, and there is currently no penalty for doing so. Creating a penalty for those who don’t comply helps to protect our city water and we are able to be in compliance with all of our reporting requirements.
Councilmember Cox says that he would like to see what our current fees are now, to compare with the rates they would be changing them to. He would also like to compare the Airport fees to other airports, to make sure our fee would be in the ballpark of those around us. Additionally, he wants to know why removing the Council on encroachment fee waivers for public entities is necessary.
DPW Farnam offers to bring this back after conducting a survey of other airport fees.
Councilmember Cox suggests passing the resolution and fee schedule as is, but tabling the airport fees and the waiver of fees without bringing to Council.
MOTION by Councilmember Cox, SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella to approve Resolution #2024-8, except for the airport fees and the waiver of the encroachment fees that will be brought back to Council at a later time. ALL AYES.
Director of Public Works Farnam states that this CIP project was started before he started here and was completed this winter, and included the efforts of multiple people.
Councilmember Cox if they could include other aspects, or any other existing plans for other departments, like Fire. He asks Fire Chief Lloyd how old the ladder truck is (it’s about a 1997) and would probably need to be on the radar for replacement. He states that Council should look at other capital improvements in other departments before approving this 5-year plan, so we don’t fall short in other areas of the City for capital improvements.
DPW Farnam says that this is based on grant funds for water, and does not take away from other departments capital improvement fund or projects. There would be a separate document for different City departments, it would not be necessary to amend this plan.
Councilmember Cox asks about the cost of the SCADA system.
DPW Farnam explains that it is very expensive.
Councilmember Cox suggests prioritizing a generator over the SCADA system.
MOTION by Councilmember Cox, SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella to approve the Capital Improvement Plan for Water and Wastewater, prioritizing the generator in front of the SCADA system. 4 AYES, 1 NO.
Director of Public Works Farnam explains that this is a basic contract for weed control services.
Councilmember Cox asks what the cost is.
DPW Farnam states that it is $50 per hour.
Councilmember Cox asks if he has an estimated number of hours.
DPW Farnam says that he estimates that the ball fields will probably cost between $1000 - $1500, and far outweighs what it would cost us to do it in house.
MOTION by Councilmember Wood, SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella to adopt Resolution $2024-10 authorizing the Director of Public Works to contract with the Modoc County Agricultural Department for annual weed control services. ALL AYES
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to approve Mayor signature on the 60-day Notice of Termination of the Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Modoc and City of Alturas for Building Inspection Services. ALL AYES Director of Public Works Farnam states that this is to start on April 22nd, weather permitting.
MOTION by Councilmember Cox, SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella for Mayor signature on construction agreement with Q&D Construction for Reseal Joints Runway 13-31 and Taxiway B at Alturas Municipal Airport AIP NO. 3-06-003-021-2023. ALL AYES
MOTION by Councilmember Cox, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to move item #14 to item #
15. ALL AYES
MOTION by Councilmember Cox, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to remove specific name of OES Grant Designation and replace with titles Director of Public Works and/or City Treasurer. ALL AYES Councilmember Cox states that Kathie Rhoads, County Supervisor and former City Treasurer, brought up to him our Classic CalPers Employees were below 70%. The City also received a letter from Denise Pennell concerning this issue. Mr. Cox has continued to research and track this issue. He states that the City is outside the law on reporting the CalPers Unfunded Liability (UAL). He states that the Council needs to set up a time with the Treasurer to address Classic employees the same way they did for PEPRA employees, and there should be meetings on how we’re going to pay this down. Mr. Cox adds that looking at the election results, we may have a council with only two current members on it, filling three new seats.
Kathie Rhoads states that there are very few entities in California in contract with CalPers who do not have this issue. Mrs. Rhoads also states that she has faith in Treasurer Long to get this under control. The County is also tackling this, and County Administrative Officer (CAO) Robertson has knowledge on this as well that he can share today.
Treasurer Long states that the UAL has a specific line item in every department, and it does reflect that in the budget. Anyone is welcome to come see this. Mrs. Long explains that she speaks with CalPers regularly, and as long as the UAL is paid each year, pensions are safe. We pay every year. Mrs. Long states that UAL is first when creating the budget and the City is on top of and monitoring this. She adds that the difference between Classic and Pepra is that even if we put one million dollars towards the Classic UAL, it would only move it one fifth of a percent.
Councilmember Minchella reiterates that we are in compliance with CaPers, and states that the City cannot compensate for the State’s shortfall.
Councilmember Cox says that CalPers has three ways to pay this down, and that Council should look at this.
Carol Madison states that people have been planning.
Chester Robertson, County Administrative Officer (CAO) explains that this is one of the largest expenses/liabilities. He further explains a bit about what the unfunded liability (UAL) is and a section 115 Trust.
Councilmember Cox says that he would like to put on the next agenda a work session for this.
MOTION by Councilmember Cox, SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella to close the discussion.
ALL AYES
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Mayor Crosby reports that the finance committee met and discussed many financial issues, including the UAL and the Budget, and well as HR. She also reports that the USDA Feasibility Study is working on the next step for the meat processing plant.
Councilmember Nelson states that she went by the mill and they still seem to be keeping at it.
Councilmember Cox states that he noticed he has been removed from all committees. He says that it does not agree with court case law that he will be leaving with Attorney Hedlund to review.
COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS:
Fire Chief Jimmy Lloyd says that there were 0 fire calls, 26 medical calls in January and 3 fire calls, 24 medical calls in February. He adds that April is coming up and reminds Council about the annual dinner that Council usually puts on for the Fire Department.
Chief of Police Marc Muller states the police department had 34 reports and 12 arrests. He says they should receive their new patrol car this month, and also got the new live scan machine ordered. They are in prelims for a USDA grant for new vehicles.
Treasurer Long states that she has stepped back from assisting DPW Farnam in his duties as Director of Public Works. She is now focusing on grant writing for other departments, such as the FEMA grant for radios (AIG Grant). Ms. Long adds that the City is audited every fiscal year, independently, by the State for any state funds received, and by grants for any grant received over $750,000. All audits are public, and notes that due to technical difficulty they have not been updated on the website.
Director of Public Works Farnam says that they are moving right along with staff training. The mill site is still working on upgrades. They are working to finalize West 8th Street and Court Street projects. Also working to get potholes filled in. Mr. Farnam states they are addressing the sign issue around town that was brought up at the last Council meeting, and adds that stop signs are not required at every intersection in residential areas. As far as the WWTP, they are assessing where to drill. Mosquito spraying will be starting soon; we will get it in the paper. The airport is on track for the crack-seal repair. Waiting for insurance assessment. Looking to upgrade the Jet A tank, thank could potentially save $1000/load by buying in bulk, but the tank is expensive. Working on the Airport Improvement Plan. The pool is moving along, rebuilding the heat exchanger. Had a meeting with contractors. There was a small leak, they are going to isolate for this season and address it in the fall. There is no word yet from the McConnell Grant. At the ball fields, the old bathrooms are running again and open for high school baseball and softball to use, so no more porta pottys. They are working with someone on a use permit for a mobile food truck. Also, they are moving the generator back to Well 6.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood for a break at 4:33 p.m.
Reconvened at 4:37.
Councilmember Cox states that in reviewing the contract, as a council person and former Mayor, Attorney Hedlund is his counsel. Mr. Cox adds that Mr. Hedlund has not responded or addressed him at all.
Mayor Crosby states that he is out of order and asks him to leave for closed session.
Councilmember Cox tells Attorney Hedlund that he is not representing him. Mr. Cox hands Mr. Hedlund some paperwork and tells him to read the documents.
Closed session begins at 4:38 p.m.
Reconvened back to open session at 4:42 p.m.
Attorney Hedlund reports that Council has selected Oppenheimer Firm to investigate the FEHA issue.
With no further business to come before City Council, MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to adjourn the meeting at 4:43 p.m. and to return in regular session on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 2:00 pm, City Hall. ALL AYES Respectfully,
Tacie Wheeler
Tacie Wheeler
City Clerk