Alturas City Council
City Hall Council Chambers
May 21, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Alturas City Council Mayor Pro-Tem Cheryl Nelson called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. at the City Council Chambers. Councilmembers present: Paul Minchella, Brian Cox, Samantha Wood, Cheryl Nelson 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, Officer Frankie Widby, Fire Chief Jimmy Lloyd and Assistant to the Treasurer Deanna Garcia. Public attending: 7. All present joined together in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Four students representing the Junior Livestock Show (JLS) stood to invite Council and staff to this year’s Junior Livestock Show June 17-21st.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to approve the agenda as presented. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to approve Consent Agenda as follows: a.) Approve minutes of April 16, 2024 meeting; b.) Approve City Warrants for April 2024 in the amount of $282,783.34; c.) Approve ACH reconciliation report for April 2024 in the amount of $87,496.22; d.) Adopt Resolution #2024-17 removing inactive water & sewer accounts in the amount of $539.66. ALL AYES.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella to approve the use of the livestock showgrounds and ball fields on July 6, 2024 as a secondary location for the Alturas Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Fandango Days Celebration, and authorization to see alcohol on the premises.
ALL AYES.
City Treasurer Long explains that Debbie Pederson at MCTC is working on their annual application for the Intercity Bus Program, and asks Council for a letter of support for said application.
MOTION by Councilmember Wood, SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support for the Modoc County Transportation Agency’s FTA 5311(f) Intercity Bus Program application. ALL AYES.
Fire Chief Lloyd states that they are trying to contract with Day Wireless to get their radios and equipment updated. They will come here to do an inventory of what we have, and see what if anything is salvageable and what needs replaced. This is the first step to see exactly what we are going to need to upgrade our radios.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to approve the use of Risk Mitigation Assessment Program (RMAP) funds for radio maintenance for the fire and police department, not to exceed $4,500.00. ALL AYES.
Director of Public Works Farnam explains that these progress reports are something that we do every year.
They are a snapshot of what we do and how we’re complying and making progress with our projects. He states that Tom Eames did a good job putting these reports together.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to approve Resolution #2024-14. ALL AYES.
Director of Public Works Farnam says that he lumped these two reports together in his first explanation, but that this report is specifically about our housing and building projects.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to approve Resolution #2024-15. ALL AYES.
Director of Public Works Farnam says that they adjusted the description of this position to be a supervisor position versus a manager position, as that fits the duties more accurately, and takes into account the exempt versus non-exempt status of the position. Warren will be incorporated for any disciplinary actions necessary for employees.
Councilmember Cox states that there is no salary range listed and asks what the salary will be.
DPW Farnam explains that it will depend on the person and what qualifications the person may have. He states that it will not be much more than minimum wage.
Coucnilmember Cox says that the new job description has much more qualifications listed and explains that we didn’t get a lot of applicants before. He is concerned that with more qualifications we won’t get any applicants. Mr. Cox asks what the top of the salary would be.
DPW Farnam says it will not be more than $25 per hour.
MOTION by Councilmember Wood, SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella to approve Resolution #2024-16. ALL AYES.
Director of Public Works Farnam states this is something the Council has already approved, he just needs approval to sign and get this done.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to approve the Supplemental Services Agreement for the Pavement Maintenance Management Plan (PMMP) for the Alturas Municipal Airport and authorize the Director of Public Works to sign and execute the agreement.
ALL AYES
Councilmember Cox states that he had informed Council and staff when he was leaving in December that he would not be back until February 7th. He says that Attorney Hedlund sent a demand to be at the meeting, then on the agenda, there was an item from Councilmember Crosby to remove me as Mayor. There was also a closed session item and grievances against me, so essentially every item on the agenda was about him. MR. Cox further explains that he informed Attorney Hedlund that he would be unavailable for this meeting, but he did not get a response. He says the letter said he needed to attend the meeting. Mr. Cox states that there is no reason this had to be done in January while he was gone. He was on what’s called the Forgotten Coast in Florida, with no internet for a Zoom option, and no address to be able to post on the agenda for a Zoom meeting. He says he is just asking for the minimal amount for this trip to return to the meeting that was required.
City Treasurer Long explains that the pool committee wrote a grant to the McConnell Foundation, originally asking for $30,000, but we were awarded $15,000. This is to go to the roof repair and materials for some other restoration on the buildings for the pool.
MOTION by Councilmember Wood, SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella to adopt Resolution #2024-18 to accept the grant award from the McConnell Foundation in the amount of $15,000 and authorize Director of Public Works Farnam and/or City Treasurer Long to execute grant documents. ALL AYES.
City Treasurer Long states that this is the 2nd amended budget so far this year, and it includes investigation services, LEAP grant and pool costs.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to adopt Resolution #2024-19 approving the second amended budget for Fiscal Year 2023/2024 in the amount of $10,505,938.00. 4 AYES, 1 NAY.
Mayor Crosby reads the letter from City Attorney Hedlund explaining the personal conflict of interest and disengagement from representation from the City
Councilmember Cox states that since December he has mentions a conflict of interest several times, this is not a new development.
MOTION by Councilmember Cox, SECONDED by Councilmember Crosby to to accept the letter of Personal conflict of Interest Disclosure and Disengagement from Representation from City Attorney Hedlund. ALL AYES.
Director of Public Works Farnam explains that they were late getting this to us, so he went ahead and waived the fee, but will pay it himself if the waiver is not approved.
Councilmember Minchella asks wat Every 15 Minutes is.
DPW Farnam explains it is a program that is put on for high school kids about every four years to try to prevent drinking and driving, and says Chief Lloyd could probably explain better as the fire department is part of it.
Fire Chief Lloyd explains that there is a mock accident set up, and several departments, including APD, Modoc Medical, CHP, etc., collaborate to put this event on for the kids in order to show them the true affects and consequences of drinking and driving.
MOTION by Councilmember Wood, SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella to waive the encroachment permit fees of $50.00 for the Every 15 Minutes exercise organized by the California Highway Patrol that was held on April 29, 2024. ALL AYES.
Director of Public Works Farnam says that this was discussed at the last meeting. Councilmember Cox had asked for a survey of neighboring airports fees, which was included in the agenda packet. As far as the encroachment fees, it will save staff and Council time to give him permission to approve waivers for government and non-profit entities.
Councilmember Cox states that he appreciates the time taken for a survey for the airport fees. He asks about the encroachment fee waiver, wondering if it will be for everyone.
DPW Farnam explains that it will not be for everyone, just entities like the schools, Chamber, etc. Other entities will have to pay the permit fee.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to adopt Resolution # 2024-20 updating the Public works fee schedule to include on call airport fees and authorization to waive government/non-profit encroachment fees. ALL AYES
Director of Public Works Farnam states that we have not updated our pool fees. Deanna has done a good job doing a comparison for surrounding areas pools, and Tom did a good job on the swim lesson surveys so that we could come up with reasonable rates.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to adopt Resolution #2024-21 for Pool Use Fees. ALL AYES
Director of Public Works Farnam says that his plan is to make things flexible for staff, and to keep the pool operating six to seven days per week. He states that this would be a good way for the City to show their appreciation of our staff for all of their efforts.
Councilmember Crosby asks if this would go toward our insurance, as they encourage healthy habit for our staff.
Treasurer Long states that it varies, and she does not know for sure if this would help for Golden State.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella to waive a pool family pass fee for all full-time City employees and an individual pass for part-time City employees. ALL AYES Director of Public Works Farnam explains that the LEAP Grant – Planning Grant – would not have been able to achieve the timeline in the original grant. This will be a tight timeline and we didn’t have a lot of money to throw at it, so we will see what we can get with it.
MOTION by Councilmember Crosby, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to adopt Resolution #2024-22 designating the City Planner/Public Works Director to manage the LEAP Grant approved projects and advertise an RFP for professional services. ALL AYES Director of Public Works Farnam shares that there is $100,000 CRRSAA (Coronavirus and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act) funds, and we need to designate where to spend it. He says they are looking at having it go to 3rd St.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to adopt Resolution #2024-23 designating the Public Works Director and/or City Treasurer to administer Coronavirus and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) funds for California Transportation Commission approved projects. ALL AYES
Councilmember Crosby states that she wanted to see if Council would approve moving the next meeting from the 18th to either the 4th, 11th or 25th of June.
Councilmember Cox states that if Council were to approve moving the meeting, he would suggest the 25th be more applicable, as we don’t want a date that is closer to today’s meeting.
Councilmember Minchella agrees.
MOTION by Councilmember Minchella, SECONDED by Councilmember Wood to move the date of our next meeting to June 25th, 2024. 4 AYES, 1 NO.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilmember Wood states she went to a meeting for the Modoc Scholarship fund. She explains that leadership has changed hands now, as it has not been running smoothly. They are working on new Bi-Laws.
We will need to appoint a new council member to this committee.
Councilmember Minchella reports that he attended the California League of Cities Leadership meeting in April. The meeting explained many problems that California cities are facing, but not a lot of that pertained to Alturas. He did learn about a specific website to utilize to look for grants we could apply for.
COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS:
Treasurer Long says that she and Chief Muller are working on grants for the Police Department, one in particular we were late, but encouraged to submit for the next round. RFP’s have gone out for a City attorney, but we have received zero response so far. Dominic and Warren are helping her with the HVAC system update. She also submitted a grant for the Police Department that is very competitive, but she did obtain a support letter from the DA’s Office, TEACH and the Crisis Center to accompany the grant application. She then reports that she will be out of the office until June 3rd.
Officer Frankie Widby speaks on behalf of Chief of Police Muller and reports that there have been 45 cases since the last meeting, of which there were 16 arrests made. They are currently working on the Cal Photo audit. They received the new livescan machine and hope to have it up and going next week. She says that TEACH has offered to help them with new radios. She attended an advanced strangulation training, and Officers C. Widby and C. Harrison attended their supervisor trainings and they are up to date on their perishable skills.
Fire Chief Lloyd states that they had 9 fire calls and 30 medical. They completed four trainings. They have two openings now, as two people left. They currently have 38 firemen staffed.
Director of Public Works Farnam reports that we will be getting to potholes around town soon. We are getting weekly complaints, and we are wanting to address them. State coming to do a 5-year inspection at the wastewater treatment plant tomorrow. The generator is up and going. At the airport, they are finishing the crack-seal project. The fuel tank we have out there is very old, and we are looking to upgrade to a larger tank, which will help save some money as we can get a better rate buying more fuel at a time. We have $119,000 in insurance money we are trying to figure out what to spend that on. The pool has had hiccups with contractors, but we are working through those. The public works guys have been working hard to get the pool going, Tom has been working on the insurance to be able to start training our lifeguards. We hired some great kids as lifeguards and three staff supervisors. We are getting the geothermal pressure tested, it’s coming along. The chemicals and pumps are working good, so we are getting close. At the livestock grounds and ballfields, Sean did a good job getting the cameras put up. He donated his time to do that for us. Eric got the locks and codes done and updated. The Outdoor Expo is coming up, just after JLS. He hopes to know about Fandango Days soon so we can get ready for that. For planning, Tom and Deanna are working on the GIS Training.
Jake Luba asks when the pool is scheduled to be open.
DPW Farnam replies that they are hoping for the 14th of June.
With no further business to come before City Council, MOTION by Councilmember Wood, SECONDED by Councilmember Minchella to adjourn the meeting at 3:02 p.m. and to return in regular session on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 2:00 pm, City Hall. ALL AYES
Respectfully,
Tacie Wheeler
Tacie Wheeler
City Clerk