Auburn City Council Minutes 2/12/2024
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 12, 2024
REGULAR SESSION
A Regular Meeting of the Auburn City Council was held at Auburn City Hall, 1225 _incoln Way, Auburn, CA on Monday, February 12, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. with Mayo Rachel Radell-Harris presiding and City Clerk Amy Lind recording the minutes
CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Alice Dowdin Calvillo, Sandra Amara, Mike Holmes, Michelle Sierra Sammons
(teleconferenced), Rachel Radell-Harris
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, Interim Fire Chief John Rogers, Battalion Chief D'Ambrogi, Community Fire Prevention Manager Lindsay Davidson, Human Resources Director Jennifer Leal, and Police Chief Kinnan.
Councilmember Sierra-Sammons was ill which is an "emergency circumstance" under AB 2449, which allowed her to participate remotely in the meeting. An "emergency circumstance" is a physical or family medical emergency that prevents a Councilmember from attending in person. (Gov. Code, § 54953, subd. ((1).)
By MOTION, authorize Councilmember Sierra-Sammons to participate remotely under AB 2449 due to an emergency circumstance.
The motion was made by Mayor Radell-Harris and seconded by Council Member Dowdin Holmes and approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes:, Dowdin Calvillo, Amara, Holmes, Sierra Sammons, Radell-Harris Noes: None
Absent: None
Council Member Sierra Sammons disclosed that there were no other individuals 18 years of age or older present in the room at the remote location with her.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MAYORS COMMENDATION/ PROCLAMATION/ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Black History Month Proclamation
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Auburn City Council Minutes 2/12/2024
The agenda was adopted as presented by consensus of the Council.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Item 2 was removed from the consent agenda.
1. Minutes
By MOTION, approve the City Council minutes of 1/8/2024.
2. Appoint a Volunteer City Historian
Removed from the consent calendar; see item 4A.
3. Professional Services Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for Labor Negotiation Services
By RESOLUTION 24-16, authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (LCW) for Labor Negotiation Services.
4. Public Works - Vehicle Purchase
By RESOLUTION 24-17, authorize the Public Works Director to purchase a utility pickup truck for Public Works operations. *** end of consent calendar ***
By MOTION, approve the consent calendar, excluding item 2.
The motion was made by Council Member Amara and
seconded by Council Member Dowdin Calvillo and approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes:, Dowdin Calvillo, Amara, Holmes, Sierra Sammons,
Radell-Harris
Noes: None
Absent: None
CONSENT ITEMS FORWARD:
4A. Appoint a Volunteer City Historian
Council thanked Ms. Cramer for serving in this position.
By RESOLUTION 24-15, appoint Carol Cramer as the City of Auburn Historian for a term of 4 years.
The motion was made by Council Member Holmes and
seconded by Council Member Dowdin Calvillo and approved by the following roll call vote:
2 Auburn City Council Minutes 2/12/2024
Ayes:, Dowdin Calvillo, Amara, Holmes, Sierra Sammons,
Radell-Harris
Noes: None
Absent: None
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Sandy Marquez, Debbie Woley and Catherine McBride, of "We the People", , addressed the Council.
Lee Frier stated he supports the previous speakers message.
Rich Miller, State Director for American Alliance for Medical Cannabis and Advisory Council for CA for Americans for Safe Access addressed the Council.
Deborah Grinder, stated she supports the "We the People" speakers.
Sara Leibert, President of Auburn Union Teachers Association addressed the Council
Chief Kinnan introduced a new Police Officer and Community Services Officer.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
5. Conflict of Interest Code
City Clerk Amy Lind presented this item.
A public hearing was held; no public comment.
By RESOLUTION 24-18, approve the revised Conflict of Interest Code.
The motion was made by Council Member Amara and
seconded by Council Member Dowdin Calvillo and approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes:, Dowdin Calvillo, Amara, Holmes, Sierra Sammons,
Radell-Harris
Noes: None
Absent: None
BUSINESS:
6. Employment Agreement for the Finance Director Position 3 Auburn City Council Minutes 2/12/2024
City Manager Sean Rabé presented this item.
Ms. Johnson introduced herself to Council.
BY RESOLUTION 24-19, approve and authorize the City Manager to enter into an employee agreement with Gretchen Johnson for the position Finance Director.
The motion was made by Council Member Dowdin Calvillo and seconded by Council Member Amara and approved by the
following roll call vote:
Ayes:, Dowdin Calvillo, Amara, Holmes, Sierra Sammons,
Radell-Harris
Noes: None
Absent: None
7. Employment Agreement for the Fire Chief Position
City Manager Sean Rabé presented this item.
By RESOLUTION 24-20, approve and authorize the City Manager to enter into an employee agreement with John Rogers for the position of Fire Chief.
The motion was made by Council Member Dowdin Calvillo and seconded by Council Member Amara and approved by the
following roll call vote:
Ayes:, Dowdin Calvillo, Amara, Holmes, Sierra Sammons,
Radell-Harris
Noes: None
Absent: None
An oath of office and badge pinning for newly appointed Fire Chief Rogers followed.
Battalion Chiefs D'Ambrogi and Jelle presented Chief Rogers with a recognition gift.
*The council recessed for 5 minutes*
8. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 24-XXXX Adding Section 100.71 of the Auburn Municipal Code - Defensible Space Inspections: Requests and Disclosure
Fire Chief Rogers presented this item.
4 Auburn City Council Minutes 2/12/2024
Council Member Dowdin Calvillo asked for clarification on definition of "third party".
Public comment: Sandy Marquez and Victor Allen.
By MOTION, introduce by title only and waive first reading of an Ordinance as amended adding section 100.71 to Chapter 100 of Title IX of the Auburn Municipal Code requiring defensible space inspections and disclosures prior to sale, exchange, or transfer of real property within Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
The motion was made by Council Member Dowdin Calvillo anc seconded by Council Member Holmes and approved by the
following roll call vote:
Ayes:, Dowdin Calvillo, Amara, Holmes, Sierra Sammons,
Radell-Harris
Noes: None
Absent: None
9. Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Facilities and Capabilities within the City of Auburn
Public Works Director Mengil Deane introduced this item. Natalie Hampton, Project and Transit Manager provided an informational report regarding EV charging facilities and capabilities within the City of Auburn (presentation available in record).
Public comment: Sandy Marquez and Dustin Yue.
10. Authorization to Negotiate a Contract for the Audit, Design, and Construction of Energy - Related Projects at City Owned Facilities
Public Works Director Mengil Deane presented this item.
Rachel T, with Schnieder Electric addressed the Council.
Public comment: Sandy Marquez and Victor Allen.
By MOTION, authorize the City Manager to negotiate a contract with Schneider Electric in accordance with California Government Code Section 4217.10 through 4217.18 for the audit, design, and construction of energy-related projects at City owned facilities.
2. By MOTION, find the design and construction of energy related projects at City owned facilities categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per Section 15301 (Existing Facilities);
5 Auburn City Council Minutes 2/12/2024
The motion was made by Council Member Amara and
seconded by Council Member Holmes and approved by the
following roll call vote:
Ayes:, Dowdin Calvillo, Amara, Holmes, Sierra Sammons,
Radell-Harris
Noes: None
Absent: None
REPORTS
City Manager Report
City Manager Rabé provided a report to Council.
12. City Council Committee Reports
City Council Members reported on their appointed committee and commission meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Radell-Harris adjourned the meeting without vote and by unanimous consent at 8:17 p.m.
Uner ind Rachel Radell, Harris, Mayor
Amy Lind, City Clerk
6