CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
Mayor Jason Greenough Mayor Pro Tem Isaiah Wrigh
Council Member Raymond Altman Council Member Beau Smith Council Member Blake Inscore
MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
VIA ZOOM
MONDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2022 6:00 P.M.
CLOSED SESSION
Call to order Mayor Pro Tem Wright called the closed session to order at 5:02 p.m.
Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Ray Altman, Council Member Blake Inscore, and Mayor Pro Tem Isaiah Wright
Council Members absent: Council Member Beau Smith and Mayor Jason Greenough
Staff present: City Manager Eric Wier, City Attorney Martha Rice, Human Resources Manager Sunny Valero, Finance Director Linda Leaver, and Police Chief Richard Griffin
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
• Conference with Labor Negotiator (Gov. Code § 54957.6), City Representative: Eric Wier, Employee Organization: Crescent City Police Officer Association • Conference with Legal Counsel: Existing Litigation (Govt. Code § 54956.9(d)) Magan L.
Natha and Sarla M. Natha v. City of Crescent City (CVPT-2021-1184); Alice Brown v. City of Crescent City (18-CV-07826-EMC); William Paul v. City of Crescent City (20-CV- 01967-CRB)
• Conference with Legal Counsel: Potential Litigation (Govt. Code § 54956.9(d)(4)): 3 cases
There were no public comments.
Council Member Smith joined the closed session already in progress at 5:40 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
Call to order Mayor Pro Tem Wright called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Ray Altman, Council Member Blake Inscore, Council Member Beau Smith, and Mayor Pro Tem Isaiah Wright
Council Member absent: Mayor Jason Greenough
Staff present: City Manager Eric Wier, City Attorney Martha Rice, City Clerk/Administrative Analyst Robin Patch, Human Resources Manager Sunny Valero, Finance Director Linda Leaver, Housing 1 Page
2/7/22 COUNCIL MINUTES
Authority Executive Director Megan Miller, Public Works Director/City Engineer Jon Olson, Aquatics Supervisor Alissa Garcia, Account Clerk Brittany Ingram, Relief Pool Supervisor Bill Morris, Public Works Maintenance Manager Jason Wylie, Police Sergeant Anthony Lopez, Fire Chief Bill Gillespie and Police Chief Richard Griffin
Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Pro Tem Wright
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Rice reported no actions were taken on closed session items.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
There were no public comments.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
1. Black History Month Proclamation
Mayor Pro Tem Wright read the proclamation aloud.
2. New Hires - Brittany Ingram, Bill Morris, and Martha Rice Finance Director Leaver introduced her new employee, Brittany Ingram, who is working in the Water Department as an Account Clerk. Aquatics Supervisor Garcia introduced her new employee, Bill Morris, who is the Relief Pool Supervisor for Fred Endert Municipal Pool. City Manager Wier announced that City Attorney Rice has been City Attorney for several years, but now she is a City employee.
CONSENT CALENDAR
3. Council Meeting Minutes
• Recommendation: Approve the January 10, 2022 regular meeting minutes and the January 18, 2022 special meeting minutes of the City Council.
4. Warrant Claims List
• Recommendation: Receive and file the warrant claims list for the period January 15, 2022, through January 28, 2022.
5. Payroll Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the biweekly payroll report for the period ending January 29, 2022, paid February 4, 2022.
6. Water SCADA Installation Notice of Completion
• Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign and file a Notice of Completion for the Water SCADA Project
7. Engineering, Planning, Environmental, & Other Related Support Services Request for Qualifications
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to release a Request for Qualifications for on-call, as-needed, engineering and other related support services 2| Page
2/7/22 COUNCIL MINUTES
There were no public comments.
On a motion by Council Member Inscore, seconded by Council Member Smith, and carried on a 4-0 polled vote with Mayor Greenough being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City adopted the consent calendar consisting of items 3-7 as presented.
PUBLIC HEARING - None
REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS - None
CONTINUING BUSINESS
8. Remote Teleconferencing for Public Meetings
• Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• At the discretion of the Council: Approve and adopt Resolution No. 2022-12, A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
RESCINDING AUTHORITY TO USE REMOTE TELECONFERENCING PURSUANT TO AB 361
City Attorney Rice reported to the Council the direction given to the Council at the last meeting.
If this resolution is approved, it would be effective Friday, February 11t as there are already noticed meetings that will be virtual. Public Health Officer Dr. Stutz reported to the Council that there are 270 active cases of this morning, 7 hospitalized, 1 in the ICU. This data is significant improvement from last week. Council Member Smith asked if Dr. Stutz had any influence over what the schools are doing; Dr. Stutz said they are in constant communication with the School quaranting ries, Dr Stute said hat omitro stes festive and school, so the strategy is modified. City Manager Wier asked Dr. Stutz about masking orders; Dr.
Stutz stated that as of February 15' State orders are set to expire; Dr. Stutz stated that after the ' they will be rescinded and will revert back to the rules that were in place prior to that and the local order will be modified to reflect those changes. Masks will no longer be required to be worn in public unless you work in healthcare or public transit. City Manager Wier asked Dr. Stutz if he believed we were now on the downward trend of this; Dr. Stutz stated that yes, the graph on the website it shows that the peak was last week and now we are on the downward slope.
There were no public comments.
Council Member Inscore stated that he is fine with keeping the resolution in place so we can meet in public for the first meeting in March. The Council was in agreement to not take any action and wait to meet in person for the first meeting in March.
9. Transfer of Veteran's Monument Maintenance Fund
• Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Accept the transfer of the Veterans' Monument Maintenance Fund and the "Brick Program" from the Del Norte County Veterans' Memorial Monument Committee Doug Plack of the Del Norte County Veterans' Memorial Monument Committee gave a detailed history via slideshow of the design and build of the Veterans' Monument. Committee Member 3 | Page
2/7/22 COUNCIL MINUTES
Kelly Schellong spoke to all of the work done by community members to make this a reality and her appreciation for each person who was a part of it. She further stated that there was only one grant received of $3,000 and the rest was donated by the community through fund raising.
There were no public comments.
The Council spoke in support of the Committee and how important this monument is for our community and our veterans.
On a motion by Council Member Inscore, seconded by Council Member Altman, and carried on a 4-0 polled vote with Mayor Greenough being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City accepted the transfer of the Veterans' Monument Maintenance Fund and the "Brick Program" from the Del Norte County Veterans' Memorial Monument Committee
NEW BUSINESS
10. Fiscal Year 2020-21 Audit
• Recommendation: Receive presentation from auditor
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Receive and file Fiscal Year 2020-21 audit reports
Mitesh Desai of Badawi and Associates went over the audit process and what it entailed. The independent auditor tests and reviews the City's records and policies, interviews City staff, and confirms items with outside parties (including banks, the State, the County, the City's insurance provider, legal firms, local businesses, and others) in order to provide an opinion on whether the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the City. Audit work begins after the fiscal year ends (June 30) and continues through several phases taking approximately six months. The Fiscal Year 2020-21 audit was completed December 31, 2021.
Mr. Desai's opinion is that the City's financial statements do present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the City as of June 30, 2021. This is sometimes referred to as a "clean audit", and it is the City's goal to achieve this result every year. The financial report contains the Independent Auditor's Report, the Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), government- wide financial statements, fund financial statements, notes to the financial statements, required supplemental information, combining financial statements and the single audit report. Also included in the agenda packet is the Auditor's Communication with Those Charged with Governance. This letter describes the responsibilities of the auditor, how the audit was planned and performed, and the limitations that are inherent in any audit process. The third item included in the agenda packet is the Auditor's Report on Agreed-Upon Procedures Applied to Appropriations Limit Schedule. As part of the City's annual budget process, the Appropriations Limit (also known as the Gann Limit) is calculated for the upcoming fiscal year. The City's auditor reviews the factors chosen by the City to calculate the limit and verifies that the calculations are correct compared to the prior year. Finally, the City also engaged the auditor to audit and report on the City's Measure S activities in Fiscal Year 2019-20. The voters of the City approved Measure S (a local 1% transactions and use tax, often referred to as a sales tax) in November 2020 and the tax began April 1, 2021. There was one quarter (April - June 2021) of Measure S activity in Fiscal Year 2020-21. The auditor's report on the revenues and expenses are included here.
There were no public comments.
There was consensus of the Council to receive and file the Fiscal Year 2020-21 audit reports with Mayor Greenough being absent.
4 | Page
2/7/22 COUNCIL MINUTES
11. Budget-to-Actual Operating Results for Fiscal Year 2020-21 Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Receive and file budget-to-actual financial report of the City's major operating funds for Fiscal Year 2020-21
Finance Director Leaver reported to the Council on FY 2020-21. For FY 21, there was less spent on wages and benefits than the year before; there has been staff turnover; police overtime has been significantly reduced due to better scheduling. Council Member Smith asked Director Leaver about the $2,083,256 in reserves and the fund balance of $3,497,523; Director Leaver explained the 25% Reserve Policy. This would pay the bills for the next 2-3 months if needed be.
There were no public comments.
Council Member Inscore stated that we should look for ways to look at the increased revenue and what can be done with them to buy back into the community.
There was consensus from the Council to receive and file the budget-to-actual report of the City's major operating funds for Fiscal Year 2020-21.
12. CCPD Academy Sponsorship Program for Police Department Recruits • Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Approve and adopt Resolution No. 2022-13, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY APPROVING AN AMENDMENT AND
A SIDE LETTER TO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE
CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AND THE CRESCENT CITY POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2021 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2023 City Manager Wier explained that even though a great recruitment was done by Human Resources Manager Valero, there has not been applicants to fill vacant police officer positions Chief Griffin explained that when he worked at the Sheriff's Office they had recruits go through the academy. He has a repayment plan for any recruit that is put through the Academy and how it would work based on how much time they give CCPD. Sergeant Lopez addressed the Council and told them the CCOA supports this sponsorship program. Stopping your life for 6 months is difficult to do, so sponsoring someone to go to the Academy is an incredible blessing. Chief Griffin stated that CCPD has a partnership with College of the Redwoods. Council Member Inscore asked if this is approved, could we get someone to the Academy by July; City Manager Wier stated that getting someone on board in May so they can go through the first module so they can go to the Academy and "hit the ground running".
There were no public comments.
City Attorney Rice stated that there were blanks on the resolution, therefore the date, February 7th would need to be filled in to match the side letter.
On a motion by Council Member Inscore, seconded by Council Member Smith, and carried on a 4-0 polled vote with Mayor Greenough being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City approved and adopted Resolution No. 2022-13, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF 5 | Page
2/7/22 COUNCIL MINUTES
THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY APPROVING AN AMENDMENT AND A SIDE LETTER TO THE
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AND THE CRESCENT CITY POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2021 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2023 with the side letter having the appropriate dates for February:
13. Street Name Changes and Cost Allocation
• Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
Direct staff regarding the procedures for processing of street name changes requested by City residents
City Attorney Rice reported to the Council that recently there have been inquiries on street name changes. The last time the City did this was back in 2014 when the City Council approved changing South A Street to Lighthouse Way. The reason for the request was because the majority of people didn't realize that A Street continued and was an issue for the post office as well as first responders. The procedure to do a name change is relatively easy, the Council will approve a resolution and send it to the Board of Supervisors so they can distribute it throughout the County departments. Notices are then sent to the post office, police department, fire department, sheriff's office, dispatch, Del Norte Ambulance and other local utilities. The last time the Community Development Director chose to take it to the Planning Commission to vet the request and make recommendations to the Council, it wasn't required, and didn't have a public hearing, it was just a regular agenda item. City Attorney Rice said the Council has options, there can be approvals required by the Planning Commission, City Council and have public hearings. The application can include the name, location, applicants - are all affected property owners required to consent, and should it be a majority (50%+1) or a supermajority (67%). There can be a notice sent by mail to all affected property owners of the application and public hearing date, regardless if they signed the petition. The name requirements should be appropriate for the location, no offensive references, and only using the English alpha-numeric characters, no symbols, etc. Council Member Smith asked if there should be a committee so there can be options; Council Member Altman stated it should go to the Planning Commission; Council Member Inscore agreed with Council Member Altman. Does not support charging a fee unless it was a single residence on a short street and the resident wanted a name change. Mayor Pro Tem Wright agreed that there should not be a fee charged; the threshold should be high and street name changes shouldn't be commonplace. Planning Commission first, if they recommend approval, it will go to the City Council for approval and if it is denied, the applicant can appeal to the City Council. Council Member Inscore stated that streets shouldn't be broken up with name changes for a block; no continuous street should be broken; Council Member Altman asked how a super majority would be attained, would the applicant need to have a petition signed by neighbors who agree. Mayor Pro Tem Wright stated that option B stating no language other than English and no symbols, what about Native words; City Attorney Rice stated that it would be necessary for first responders to be able to pronounce the street name. City Attorney Rice outlined the direction given by the Council of street name changes should go before the Planning Commission first, if they recommend approval, it will automatically go to the City Council for approval. If the Planning Commission denies it, then the applicant could appeal that decision to the City Council. There will not be a fee associated with the name change request and it should have a supermajority (67%) of the property owners affected to sign the application. Everyone who would be affected by the change would be notified of the date of the public hearing. The name requirements listed under A and B are self-explanatory. City Manager Wier stated that when considering a street name, first responders should be taken into consideration as it shouldn't be a confusing name or broken in the middle of the block. A consistent address will allow fire or police to respond to calls easily.
Council Member Inscore appreciated Mayor Pro Tem Wright's question about a Native word and is hopeful that there is a street in the City that can carry a Tolowa name to honor them. City 6 | Page
2/7/22 COUNCIL MINUTES
Attorney Rice stated that this can be on a case by-case basis and the Planning Commission and City Council can determine if the street name is appropriate. The City Council was in consensus to have the procedure as illustrated by City Attorney Rice.
There were no public comments.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
Legislative Matters - City Manager Wier stated he met with Congressman Huffman in regard to infrastructure funding.
• City Manager Report and City Council Directives - City Manager Wier reported to the Council:
Coastal Voices Grant application has been submitted $200k Clean California Grant submitted Tuesday $1.7 million
CalOES grant submitted today for generators
• Measure S Oversight Committee meeting - this Wednesday at 5:00 • Regarding February 22nd meeting, there is no need to have the meeting. • The Council was in consensus to cancel the February 22°d Council meeting > Reports, Concerns, Referrals, Council travel and training reports - None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Pro Tem Wright adjourned the meeting at 9:07 p.m. to the regular meeting with the City Council of the City of Crescent City scheduled for Monday, March 7, 2022 at 6:00 p.m., via Zoom.
ATTEST:
Robin Patch
City Clerk/Administrative Analyst
7 | Page
2/7/22 COUNCIL MINUTES