Auburn City Council Minutes 9/25/2023
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
September 25, 2023
REGULAR SESSION
A Regular Meeting of the Auburn City Council was held at Auburn City Hall, 1225 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA on Monday, September 25, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Dowdin Calvillo presiding and City Clerk Amy Lind recording the minutes.
CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Sandra Amara, Daniel Berlant, Mike Holmes, Rachel Radell-Harris, Alice
Dowdin Calvillo
Council Members Absent: None
Staff Members Present: City Manager Sean Rabé, City Attorney Gary Bell, Public Works Manager Mengil Deane, Community and Economic Development Director Jonathan Wright, Battalion Chief John Rogers, Administrative Services Director Nathan Bagwill, Human Resources Director Jennifer Leal, Police Chief Ryan Kinnan and Police Sgt Neri.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MAYORS COMMENDATION/ PROCLAMATION/ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mayor Dowdin Calvillo spoke about an event filled weekend in Auburn.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was approved as presented by consensus of the Council.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Items 6, 9,10, 11 were removed from the consent calendar.
1. Minutes
By MOTION, approve the City Council Minutes of 7/24/2023 and 8/28/2023.
2. Planning Commission Appointment
By RESOLUTION 23-137, appoint Yvone Hobbs to the City of Auburn Planning Commission to a term to run concurrent with that of Council Member Radell-Harris.
3. Second Reading of Ordinance to Prohibit Syringe Exchange Programs in the City by Amending Title XI of the Auburn Municipal Code Adding Chapter 123 (Syringe Exchange Programs Prohibited) Auburn City Council Minutes 9/25/2023
By MOTION, waive the full reading and adopt Ordinance 23-03 adding Chapter 123 to Title XI of the Auburn Municipal Code prohibiting syringe exchange programs from operating in the City of Auburn and Finding and Determining that the Ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3), and 15378.
4. Environmental Determination & Permission to Advertise - 2023 Storm Drain Capital Improvement Project
By RESOLUTION 23-138, find the 2023 Storm Drain Capital Improvement Project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per Section 15301 (Existing Facilities); Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) and Section 15303 (New Construction and Conversion of Small Structures); and
By MOTION, authorize the Public Works Manager to advertise the 2023 Storm Drain Capital Improvement Project.
5. Authorization for the City Manager to enter into an Agreement with Placer County for the submittal of a Household Hazardous Waste By RESOLUTION 23-139, authorize the County of Placer to submit a Household Hazardous Waste Grant regional application on behalf of the City of Auburn as a regional participant.
6. Dispatch Agreement with CAL FIRE for FY 2023/24 - FY 2025/2026 Removed from the consent calendar; see item 11A.
7. Reallocation of Funds for Police Vehicle
By RESOLUTION 23-140, approve the reallocation of funds, previously approved for the purchase of a Chevrolet Tahoe, instead be used to purchase a Tesla Model Y.
8. Amendment 1 to the Mead & Hunt Professional Services Agreement By RESOLUTION 23-141, approve Amendment 1 to the Mead & Hunt Professional Services Agreement adjusting the maximum amount of the contract to recognize projects subject to Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program Grant funding.
9. City of Auburn Discretionary Grant Program
Removed from the consent calendar; see item 11B.
10. Economic Development Commission's request to issue $20,000 in Economic Development Grants
Removed from the consent calendar; see item 11C.
11. Authorization to Join Sister Cities International
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Removed from the consent calendar; see item 11D.
*** end of consent calendar ***
By MOTION, approve the consent calendar excluding 6,9,10 and 11.
The motion was made by Council Member Berlant and seconded by Council Member Amara and approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Amara, Berlant, Holmes, Radell-Harris, Dowdin Calvillo Noes: None
Absent: None
CONSENT ITEMS FORWARD (if needed):
Dispatch Agreement with CAL FIRE for FY 2023/24 - FY 2025/2026 Council Member Berlant recused himself from this item and left the Council Chambers.
By RESOLUTION 23-142, approve a Cooperative Fire Programs Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement for dispatch services with CAL FIRE for fiscal years 2023/2024 through 2025/2026 and authorize the City Manager to sign any related documents on behalf of the City of Auburn.
The motion was made by Council Member Radell-Harris and seconded by Council Member Holmes and approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Amara, Holmes, Radell-Harris, Dowdin Calvillo
Noes: None
Absent: Berlant (recused from vote)
Council Member Berlant returned to the Council Chambers. 11B. City of Auburn Discretionary Grant Program
Council asked staff for clarifications on this item.
By motion, award $10,000 each to Auburn Trails Alliance and the Auburn Symphony.
The motion was made by Mayor Dowdin Calvillo and seconded by Council Member Radell-Harris and approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Amara, Berlant, Holmes, Radell-Harris, Dowdin Calvillo Noes: None
Absent: None
By motion, find that extenuating circumstances exist with replacement of the ceiling and most furnishings in the State Theater due to asbestos exposure that warrants exceeding the $10,000 grant max, and as a result award $20,000 to Auburn State Theater.
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The motion was made by Mayor Dowdin Calvillo and seconded by Council Member Berlant and approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Amara, Berlant, Holmes, Radell-Harris, Dowdin Calvillo Noes: None
Absent: None
By motion, direct staff to go out for second round of applications for the remaining $20,000.
The motion was made by Mayor Dowdin Calvillo and seconded by Council Member Berlant and approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Amara, Berlant, Holmes, Radell-Harris, Dowdin Calvillo Noes: None
Absent: None
Council directed staff to amend the grant application to allow the Council to exceed the maximum amount when extenuating circumstances exist/ findings can be made.
11C. Economic Development Commission's request to issue $20,000 in Economic Development Grants
Council asked questions of Community and Economic Development Director Wright.
Mayor Dowdin. Calvillo asked for a list of all applicants in the future and inclusion of the funding policy in the staff reports.
By MOTION, approve a recommendation to issue $20,000 in Economic Development Grants to fund four (4) Business Improvement Grants, two (2) Event Sponsorships Grants and two (2) Community Enhancement Grants.
The motion was made by Council Member Radell-Harris and seconded by Council Member Holmes and approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Amara, Berlant, Holmes, Radell-Harris, Dowdin Calvillo Noes: None
Absent: None
Mayor Dowdin Calvillo asked for the State Theater and the City Manager to work together on waiving of permit fees for demolition and return to Council. (relating to item 11b.)
11D. Authorization to Join Sister Cities International
There was discussion regarding being a friendship city with Chamonix France.
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An MOU with Chamonix will be brought back before the Council.
By RESOLUTION 23-143, approve the City becoming a member of Sister Cities International and authorizes the Mayor to sign all documents required to join the organization on behalf of the City.
Council directed staff to bring this membership back in a year or two to analyze and report on financial benefits.
The motion was made by Mayor Dowdin Calvillo and seconded by Council Member Berlant and approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Amara, Berlant, Holmes, Radell-Harris, Dowdin Calvillo Noes: None
Absent: None
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Human Resources Director Jen Leal introduced Justin Orton, new HR Analyst.
Mike Holmes reported on Crooked Lane Brewery being in Sac Business Journal. He spoke about SBA benefits for local businesses. He also spoke about the Old Cemetery Tour and the Old Town Post Office.
Dustin Yue, resident of Auburn, spoke about the importance of the Old Town Post Office.
Adam Terella, also spoke about the importance of the Old Town Post Office.
Jackie Weston, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, spoke about a recent fundraiser and thanked the Council for participating.
BUSINESS:
12. Placer County Transportation Planning Agency (PCTPA) Current Planning and Outreach Efforts
Presentation by Mike Costa and Cory Peterson, Senior Planners with PCTPA (presentation available in the record). No action needed.
REPORTS
13. City Manager Report
City Manager Rabé provided a report to Council.
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14. City Council Committee Reports
City Council Members reported on their appointed committee and commission meetings.
CLOSED SESSION:
By consensus of the Council without objection, adjourn to a Closed Session:
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL; ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Gov. Code, § 54956.9, subd. (d) (2).)
A point has been reached where, in the opinion of the City Council on the advice of its legal counsel, based on the below-described existing facts and circumstances, there is a significant exposure to litigation against the City:
Facts and circumstances that might result in litigation but which the City believes are not yet known to potential plaintiff or plaintiffs.
Number of Potential Cases: One
Report Out of Closed Session: The City Council returned from closed session at 8:54 p.m. and Mayor Dowdin Calvillo announced that there was no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Dowdin Calvillo adjourned the meeting without vote and by unanimous consent at 8:54 p.m.
Alice Dowdin Calvillo, Mayor
Onus
Amy Lind, City Clerk
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