Alturas City Council
City Hall Council Chambers
July 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
City Council Mayor Paul Minchella called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. at the City Council Chambers.
Councilmembers present: Duanna Knighton, Jennifer Engel, Paul Minchella, Brian Cox and Jodie Larranaga.
Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: City Clerk Tacie Wheeler, City Treasurer Dorothy Long, Director of Public Works Warren Farnam, Police Chief Morgan, Fire Chief Lloyd. Public attending: 7. All present joined together in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Public Forum
None.
3. Approval or Additions/Deletions to Agenda
MOTION by Councilmember Engel, SECONDED by Councilmember Cox to approve the agenda as written.
ALL AYES.
4. Consent Agenda
MOTION by Councilmember Engel, SECONDED by Councilmember Cox to approve Consent Agenda as follows: a.) Approve minutes of June 16, 2026; b.) Approve City warrants for June in the amount of $288,326.52; c.) Approve ACH reconciliation report for June 2026 in the amount of $168,310.54; d.) Adopt Resolution #2026-17 removing inactive water & sewer accounts in the amount of $966.21. ALL AYES.
5. Discussion/Action Item
Treasurer Long, Councilmember Buie and Councilmember Anderson stood while Clerk Wheeler administered the Oath of Office.
New councilmembers take their seats.
NEW BUSINESS
6. Discussion/action Item
Clerk Wheeler calls for nominations for Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem.
MOTION by Councilmember Larrnaga, SECONDED by Councilmember Knighton to appoint Councilmember Engel for Mayor.
MOTION by Councilmember Engel, SECONDED by Councilmember Larranaga to appoint Councilmember Buie for Mayor Pro-Tem. ALL AYES.
7. Discussion/Action Item
Councilmembers discuss and volunteer for committees.
MOTION by Councilmember Buie, SECONDED by Councilmember Larranaga to update committee appointments. ALL AYES.
8. Discussion/Action Item
Police Chief Morgan states that the fifth paragraph down, talking about the SB1 funding needs to be removed.
MOTION by Councilmember Larranaga, SECONDED by Councilmember Knighton to adopt Resolution #2026-18, approving the application for the Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program, removing the fifth paragraph.
ALL AYES.
9. Discussion/Action Item
Director of Public Works explains that we do this with the County every year. They County is the lead on this, so they handle all of the administrative work. If we need supplies, we go through the County to get them.
MOTION by Councilmember Buie, SECONDED by Councilmember Larranaga to adopt Resolution #2026-19 authorizing submittal of a Regional Used Oil Payment Program application with Modoc County being the regional lead agency, related authorizations and identification of regional participants. ALL AYES.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Knighton reports that MEDC solicited reference letters from businesses.
Councilmember Engel reports that she received a letter from SCED asking for our continued participation.
COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS
Fire Chief Lloyd reports that they currently have 40 members, with one pending application. They had 8 fire calls and 21 medical calls. There was one structure fire that started in a kitchen, but the homeowner was saved. The horn is not fixed yet, but the pole is set. SVE came to put it up, but the pole was too tall, so they are getting an electrician to cut the pole down a bit so SVE can put the horn up.
Police Chief Morgan reports that they had 31 new cases, with 14 arrests that included 6 felonies and 8 misdemeanors. They have been getting complaints about abatement enforcement, but they have been working on it. Mainly for trailers and such that are not registered or have false plates. They are looking at being able to get a new DUI enforcement vehicle, trailer for DUI checkpoints and PAS machines with the grant money. They got the Lexipol policy finalized and their new evidence management is working out really well. They were also contact by an agency that offers to sell evidence that has been forfeited, including firearms, vehicles, phones, etc, and will look into that. They are still working on the fee schedule and looking at comparable Cities, so it is not finalized yet.
Treasurer Long reports that the CalPERS UAL has been paid for 2026/2027. She wants to remind everyone that the Ethics and Sexual Harassment trainings are due this year. We will see if the City Attorney can put on one of the trainings, and maybe a brown act refresher, or we will go through Vector Solutions. She has been working with the attorney on the Transient Occupancy Tax issues that are coming up, as there are some businesses – mostly Airbnb’s – that are not paying. She is also updating some of the City policies with the HR attorneys, and will bring them to Council in the future. The City has been receiving quite a few complaints about thistle, and it seems to be a big problem right now. Also, August 5th, at 4 pm, will be a Council orientation and budget workshop.
Director of Public Works Farnam reports that one of their employees has left for another job, but they are leaving his position open for now. Still have one out on workers comp. He is still working with the new people at the Mill Site. For the new Wastewater Treatment Plant, they are working on the waste water application, with 90% of the design submitted. The State application has been submitted, but waiting until August for the funding answer. Still working on filling pot holes when they can. They pick up a roller and trailer on Friday. Building activity has been slow. They got the emergency fix completed, under the estimate. They have received a FOIA/complaint for the emergency sewer repair that was done. They are working on cleaning up around City Hall. They are spraying for mosquitos 1-2 times per week, weather permitting. They have been working through some issues at the pool, including a geothermal pump replacement. He met with PD, Fire, Treasurer las week for budget talks and will have the full budget workshop in August.
With no further business to come before City Council, MOTION by Councilmember Larranaga, SECONDED by Councilmember Buie to adjourn the meeting and to return in regular session on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 2:00 pm, City Hall. ALL AYES.
Respectfully,
Tacie Wheeler
Tacie Wheeler
City Clerk