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CALL TO ORDER: 5:30 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor John Sawatzky, Mayor Pro Tem Elise Scafani, Council Member Michelle Lewis-Lusso, Council Member Kat Napier
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Council Member Christopher G. Firor (excused) STAFF PRESENT: Finance Manager Dani Burkhart, City Attorney Ryan Plotz, Clerk Laura McClenagan, and Videographer Justin Goad https://www.youtube.com/@BLCNews95525
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVE AGENDA:
Motion: To remove Item 9. Public Comment on Closed Session Items as it duplicates Item 2a. Public Comment on Closed Session.
Motion by: Mayor Pro Tem Elise Scafani
Second by: Council Member Kat Napier
Public Comment: None received
Motion Summary: Consensus (4/0)
CLOSED SESSION AGENDA:
a. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
b. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT - Acting City Manager
c. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Motion: To go into closed session.
Motion by: Mayor Pro Tem Elise Scafani
Second by: Council Member Michelle Lewis-Lusso
Public Comment:
Commenter Julie Christie asks if there is a set time that the council will be coming back into session.
Mayor John Sawatzky responded “approximately 6:15”
Speaker Adelene Jones objects to your close session, to have people go away for 45 minutes and then come back. “I just find that's very unfortunate if not misguided.” Motion Summary: Consensus (4/0)
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Ryan Plotz, reported that the council took action in close session that finalizes an employment separation agreement with Mandy Mager;
CITY OF BLUE LAKE
C A L I F O R N I A
111 Greenwood Road
P.O. Box 458
Blue Lake, CA 95525
(707) 668-5655
Fax: (707) 668-5916
www.bluelake.ca.gov
Blue Lake City Council Minutes
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 5:30 p.m. ~ Special Council Meeting Skinner Store Building ~ 111 Greenwood Rd., Blue Lake ~ Behind City Hall P a g e 2 | 5
Motion: City Manager Mandy Mager and the City Council have mutually decided to end their relationship, effective May 9, 2025..
Motion by: Mayor Pro Tem Elise Scafani
Second by: Council Member Michelle Lewis-Lusso
Absent: Council Member Christopher G. Firor
Motion Summary: Consensus (4/0)
City Attorney Ryan Plotz, also reported the material terms of the separation agreement, of which the document will be made publicly available following tonight’s broadcast, are as follows: The City and Ms. Mager mutually agree to end their employment relationship. Ms.
Mager's final day was May 9, 2025.
The city agrees to pay a severance payment to Ms. Mager in an amount equal to four months’ salary, payable as salary continuance, in equal installments, over an eight-payroll period. Ms. Mager agrees to comprehensively release any and all claims against the city arising from the employment relationship. Further, there is no admission of liability as between the parties.
There is a public statement that has been agreed to which has been previously issued by the city as follows: "City Manager Amanda Mager and the Council have mutually decided to end their relationship effective May 9, 2025. The City Council expresses its sincere gratitude to Mandy for her nine plus years of dedicated service to, and leadership of, the city of Blue Lake. And the Council wishes her the best in all her future endeavors.” An interim city manager will be appointed while the city conducts a comprehensive recruitment process.
There's a provision for the return of any city property and there are other standard terms and conditions which would be standard in a separation agreement. The document itself, once signed by the mayor, will be provided publicly as a public record.
I also want to mention that we just appreciate the community's patience with confidential personnel matters. There is not much information that either party is at liberty to provide and so I know there's some frustration with the lack of comment by either party, but the terms of separation agreement will be made public to anybody who requests. I hope you can respect the city's position that it does not comment on personnel matters as those are confidential between the employer and the employee.
CONSENT AGENDA
PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Commenter shares his disappointment with Mayor John Sawatzky and Council Member Kat Napier.
Commenter Verda Pitts: expressed gratitude for the hard work and due diligence of the council; and wishes Mandy Mager well.
Commenter Susan Terave speaks in favor of affordable housing.
Commenter Darcey Lima states that she felt she could see Mandy’s vision for Blue Lake. Requests to know the council’s vision.
Mayor John Sawatzky replied that he shared Mandy’s vision.
Commenter expresses thanks to the council.
Commenter Angela Dare expresses thanks to the council.
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Commenter Julie Christie gives “consideration” to the new council; states that previous councils had failures of procedure, advises the current council to avoid those mistakes, also mentions the Planning Commission meeting and the Baduwa't Watershed Council.
Commenter Beckie Thornton Raygoza: thanks Mandy Mager for her service to Blue Lake and City Council for a fabulous job; states that affordable housing should be just affordable housing, maybe eliminate retail.
Commenter states that the housing deal was a horrible plan but maybe the best that could have been done; advises the council to proceed since the plan is already in place, in order to avoid problems with the state.
AMENDED SALARY SCHEDULE
In the absence of our contracted city manager the city council may appoint a member of staff as the acting city manager for the transitionary period until a new city manager is recruited per city code §2.12. Finance Manager, Dani Burkhart has agreed to accept this role and to implement this change. A new job description and revised salary schedule will need to be adopted.
Finance Manager, Dani Burkhart stated CalPERS requires the job title, job description and salary schedule be reported for every position. The council is taking action to include Acting City Manager in the salary schedule, included in the agenda packet.
Motion: To approve the salary schedule as presented.
Motion by: Mayor Pro Tem Elise Scafani
Second by: Council Member Michelle Lewis-Lusso
Public Comment:
Commenter Verda Pitts asks Finance Manager Dani Burkhart what positions she will hold.
Finance Manager Dani Burkhart responds that Finance Manager Vicki will retain the title of Finance Manager and corresponding duties for the interim transition period, and Acting City Manager has more of an HR focus.
Commenter stated that his interactions with Finance Manager Dani Burkhart have been positive; she is knowledgeable and responsive.
Commenter Mardi Granger stated that she is grateful that someone on the staff could step into this position and asked who the new person was sitting next to Finance Manager Dani Burkhart.
Finance Manager Dani Burkhart apologizes and introduces Laura McClenagan as clerk who will be responsible for agendas and minutes for the city council meetings.
Commenter Jean Lynch reminded the council that Finance Manager Vicki was the interim city manager for a time and handled the position wonderfully.
Commenter Becky thanked Finance Manager Dani Burkhart for stepping into the Acting City Manager position.
Commenter Angela feels blessed to have staff who will take on the responsibilities.
Commenter Julie concurs with previous speakers and has faith that the council, staff and the community will be vigilant and attentive and keep separation of powers.
Commenter Rebecca Collins had questions regarding the posting of cities P a g e 4 | 5
employment positions.
Finance Manager Dani Burkhart will look into the posting question.
Motion Summary: Consensus (4/0)
APPOINT ACTING CITY MANAGER
Formal appointment of Acting City Manager
Council Member Michelle Lewis-Lusso request clarification on permanent vs interim city manager.
Mayor Pro Tem Elise Scafani’s clarification was that our Acting City Manager will serve as the City Manager until such time as we appoint an interim city manager or a permanent city manager.
Mayor Pro Tem Elise Scafani further clarified that the acting city manager is not necessarily going to be acting as a city manager until we have a permanent; there might be an interim city manager brought in at any point to bridge that time frame.
Motion: To appoint Dani Burkhart as Acting City Manager.
Motion by: Council Member Michelle Lewis-Lusso
Second by: Council Member Kat Napier
Public Comment: None received
Motion Summary: Consensus (4/0)
APPOINT ADDITIONAL CHECK SIGNERS
Acting City Manager Dani Burkhart reported that due to recent staffing changes the city is required to update the authorized check signers for accounts ending in 5918, 0654, and 2782. Staff recommend at least three check signers so that we can make sure our bills get paid on time in case someone is out. Staff recommendation consists of staff who are regularly around and available to do check signing tasks. Glenn Bernald, Public Works Superintendent and Melissa Combs, Accounting Specialist II, are current check signers. Emily Wood, Parks and Recreation Director, has volunteered and is aware of the requirements.
The council considers a member of the council as an additional signer.
Motion: To designate Glenn Bernald, Public Works Superintendent, Melissa Combs, Accounting Specialist II, Emily Wood, Parks and Recreation Director and Council Member Kat Napier as authorized check signers for accounts ending in 5918, 0654 and 2782.
Motion by: Mayor Pro Tem Elise Scafani
Second by: Council Member Michelle Lewis-Lusso
Public Comment:
Comment by (Vera Pittz): confirmed for herself that Emily Wood had previously worked in City Hall and expressed approval.
Comment by (Julie): asked if there was a city ordinance that outlines how to move forward in this situation and concurs with the recommended list.
Motion Summary: Consensus (4/0)
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
(Removed, see AGENDA APPROVAL)
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ADJOURN
Motion: To adjourn May 13, 2025, City Council meeting at 7:55 p.m.
Motion by: Mayor Pro Tem Elise Scafani
Second by: Council Member Kat Napier
Public Comment: None received
Motion Summary: Consensus (4/0)
Laura McClenagan
Deputy Clerk, City of Blue Lake
Minutes Approved 5/27/25
Motion: To approve minutes with name corrections to be made.
Motion by: Council Member Michelle Lewis-Lusso
Second by: Council Member Kat Napier
Public Comment: None received
Motion Summary: Consensus (4/0)