CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
Mayor Jason Greenough Mayor Pro Tem Isaiah Wright
Council Member Raymond Altman Council Member Beau Smith Council Member Blake Inscore
MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FLYNN CENTER BOARD CHAMBERS
981 H STREET
CRESCENT CITY, CA 95531
MONDAY MARCH 21, 2022 6:00 P.M.
OPEN SESSION
Call to order Mayor Pro Tem Wright called the meeting to order at 6:00 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, Public Works Director Jon Olson, Public Works Maintenance Manager Jason Wylie, Housing Authority Executive Director Megan Miller, Fire Chief Bill Gillespie and Police Chief Richard Griffin Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Pro Tem Wright
*Moment of silence for the loved ones we have lost to COVID-19* Mayor Pro Tem Wright called for a moment of silence.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
The following citizens addressed the Council:
Roger Gitlin: spoke on 200 A Street and would like an update on the code enforcement case at the next Council meeting. Also requested the City send postcards or a reminder system to have owners take care of the weeds growing in the curbs, gutters and sidewalks.
Steve Fournier: spoke in regards to not living in his home for a year and came back to town with a $900 water/sewer bill and there was no usage on the meter.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
1. Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation
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Mayor Pro Tem Wright read the proclamation aloud and presented it to Susan Smith of the Child Abuse Prevention Council.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Council Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the March 7, 2022 regular meeting minutes of the City Council.
3. Warrant Claims List
• Recommendation: Receive and file the warrant claims list for the period January 29, 2022, through February 11, 2022 and for the period February 12, 2022, through February 25, 2022.
4. Payroll Report
• Recommendation: Receive and file the biweekly payroll report for the period ending March 12, 2022, paid March 18, 2022.
5. Budget-to-Actual Financial Reports for February 2022 Recommendation: Receive and file monthly budget-to-actual financial reports of the City's major operating funds for month of February 2022
6. Wastewater Treatment Plant Digester Cleaning
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign a Small Public Works Agreement between the City of Crescent City and Wastewater Solids Management, Inc. for the purpose of solids removal and cleaning of two anaerobic digesters at the City of Crescent City Wastewater Treatment Plant Approve and adopt Resolution No. 2022-21, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 BUDGET OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
7. Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority Revised Trespass Ordinance Approval • Recommendation: Approve the revised Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority Ordinance No. 2022-01 as presented
8. Water Capacity Study for Elk Valley Rancheria Under Water Wheeling Agreement • Recommendation: Approve and adopt Resolution No. 2022-22, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 BUDGET OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
• Ratify the City Manager's signature of the Amendment to Task Order 20 with Stover Engineering for BOVCSD Water System Capacity Analysis
9. State Water Board Arrearages Payment Program - Wastewater Funding Recommendation: Authorize the submittal of an application for funding under the State Water Board Arrearages Payment Program for Wastewater and authorize the resumption of water disconnections for delinquent water and water/sewer accounts as presented
Council Member Smith asked for item 6 to be pulled from the consent calendar for questions; there were no dissenting Council Members.
There were no public comments on the consent calendar.
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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 adopted the consent calendar consisting of items 2-5, 7-9 as presented.
Council Member Smith asked about the WWT Digester Cleaning and wasn't the company already under contract for it; City Manager Wier stated that this particular item is not part of their standard contract.
On a motion by Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Inscore and carried on a 4-0 polled vote with Mayor Greenough being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City approved and authorized the City Manager to sign a Small Public Works Agreement between the City of Crescent City and Wastewater Solids Management, Inc. for the purpose of solids removal and cleaning of two anaerobic digesters at the City of Crescent City Wastewater Treatment Plant and approved and adopted Resolution No. 2022-21, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 BUDGET OF THE
CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
PUBLIC HEARING
10. Adoption of Waste Disposal Reduction Ordinance
• Recommendation: Open the public hearing
• Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
Receive public comments
Further Council discussion
• Close the public hearing
• Waive full reading, read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 828, AN ORDINANCE
OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE CRESCENT CITY MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING CHAPTER 8.32, ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL REDUCTION, TO TITLE 8, HEALTH AND SAFETY
Mayor Pro Tem Wright opened the public hearing at 6:15 p.m.
City Attorney Rice reported to the Council that there were no changes from the last meeting, the ordinance will be in effect in 30 days from adoption.
Mayor Pro Tem Wright closed the public hearing at 6:17 p.m.
There were no public comments.
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 waived full reading, read by title only and adopted Ordinance No. 828, AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE CRESCENT CITY MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING CHAPTER 8.32, ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL REDUCTION, TO TITLE 8, HEALTH
AND SAFETY
ADJOURN TO THE CRESCENT CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY
(Minutes in the next agenda for the Housing Authority)
RECONVENE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Pro Tem Wright reconvened the City Council meeting at 6:47 p.m. 3 | Page
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REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS - None
NEW BUSINESS
13. MOU with Del Norte County and Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority Regarding SB 1383 Implementation
• Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Approve a Memorandum of Understanding Between the Jurisdictions of Del Norte County, City of Crescent City, and the Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority Regarding Implementation of SB 1383 Regulations for Rural Jurisdictions and Defined in Section 4269.8 of the Public Resources Code
City Attorney Rice stated that this agreement goes hand in hand with the one adopted earlier in the meeting. The Authority will do the majority of the implementation of the plan. Council Member Smith asked if this will make us complaint sooner than later; City Attorney Rice stated that yes and that mandatory organics collection has been postponed until 2027.
There were no public comments.
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 approved a Memorandum of Understanding Between the Jurisdictions of Del Norte County, City of Crescent City, and the Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority Regarding Implementation of SB 1383 Regulations for Rural Jurisdictions and Defined in Section 4269.8 of the Public Resources Code
14. MOU for Axon Video Software Licenses for Del Norte County District Attorney's Office • Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Approve a Memorandum of Understanding with Del Norte County for Axon Video Software Licenses for Del Norte County District Attorney's Office • Approve and adopt Resolution No. 2022-20, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 BUDGET OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
Police Chief Griffin stated that the goal of this is transparency for the public. Currently when body camera footage is uploaded, it is uploaded with a case number and category in www.evidence.com. Presently the Records Clerk would get a request from the DA's office for the case file body camera footage. This MOU will give 13 licenses to the DA's office which gives 13 users access for the DA's office. The DA's office can log in to evidence.com to view the video footage as long as they are not marked confidential. They cannot make changes to the case numbers or the retention - it only gives them access to view the footage. If footage is marked confidential, and the DA wants to view the footage, there would be a meeting to discuss it further.
Council Member Smith asked if the Chief of Police would be the lead administrator for this program; Chief Griffin stated that he was. Mayor Pro Tem Wright asked how City's usually send footage to the DA's office; Chief Griffin stated that other cities don't have the same working relationship with the DA's office as CCPD has with the DNCo DA therefore implementing this instead of the typical way shows that.
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There were no public comments.
On a motion by Council Member Smith, 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 approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Del Norte County for Axon Video Software Licenses for Del Norte County District Attorney's Office and approved and adopted Resolution No. 2022-20, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 BUDGET OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
15. Gas Taxes and Gas Prices
• Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Take such action and/or direct staff as necessary and appropriate, possibly including writing letters to state and federal lawmakers requesting relief for taxpayers in light of soaring gas prices
City Attorney Rice stated that the Council was in consensus to have this discussion on the agenda. She went over the breakdown of the taxes on gas stating that gas prices are largely dependent upon crude oil prices, which are determined in the global crude oil market by the worldwide demand for and supply of crude oil. Other components of the retail price of gas are refining costs and profits, distribution and marketing costs and profits, and taxes. She further stated that the oil companies can still charge $6 a gallon if they choose to, so anything that is done may not make it to the taxpayer's pocket. City Attorney Rice stated that the Council can write letters of support for pending state and/or federal legislation; write letters to state and federal representatives imploring them to take action to provide relief to consumers and send letters to state and/or federal representatives requesting specific action. Council Member Smith stated that people will eventually not be able to drive to work and it will be a trickle effect. Asked for how much Measure S has received from the gas tax; wants to see something that we can do locally to help the situation. Council Member Inscore stated that it is his opinion based on what happened back in 2008 that the gas prices are eventually going to come back down. City Attorney Rice stated that any change to the ordinance will have to go back the voters. Council Member Inscore stated that an average voter would have a difficult time understanding what the City would want to do by taking a portion of Measure S. We have already made significant commitments with the Measure S funds. It's the State legislators that can make changes much bigger than what we can do here locally. Mayor Pro Tem Wright asked if we did send it back to the voters, how many gas stations are in the City limits; City Manager Wier stated that most all of the gas stations are in the City limits; only two are in the County. Mayor Pro Tem Wright asked if it were to be placed before the voters when would it be; City Attorney Rice stated it would not go until November. Council Member Inscore stated that we couldn't help anyone here until Spring next year where the State could help people in two months. Council Member Smith stated that since he has been on the Council he has seen that Measure S funds has been utilized properly. Council Member Altman stated that the federal government has not raised the gas tax in 20 years. If it was removed, the infrastructure would not be able to happen. There will be very little money in the pockets of drivers and will cost a lot of money in lost funds to infrastructure. City Attorney Rice answered that money stated that it would be all taxpayers and their dependents. Council Member Altman said that it he was not advocating for a repeal, you could keep the gas tax where it is since they are expecting a §billion surplus; backfill the tax with the surplus so the market could correct. Council Member Smith stated he would like to see how much of the gas tax goes to Measure S Funds, most people are going to Brookings for gas. Council Member Altman stated it is proposed for July - December so its unknown how long these cents off per gallon would last. 5 | Page
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The following citizen addressed the Council:
Dave Schmidt: agrees to low taxes across the board as well as other products and services.
Council Member Altman stated that he was understanding that this was for letters of support for state and federal legislators and that the discussion is about local taxes. Wanted to clarify what the goal of this agenda item; is not in support of what was suggested since it would affect infrastructure funding, which is deeply needed. Council Member Inscore stated that a letter sent representing Crescent City that speaks to supporting the people and that if we can't come to consensus for the full Council to send a letter, an individual Council Member can send a letter, which he intends to do. Council Member Altman stated that he agrees with his fellow Council Members, however the real problem is a supply problem and that it will work its way out in time.
Mayor Pro Tem Wright asked if there was consensus to have staff draft a letter. Council Member Inscore suggested City Manager Wier should reach out to Sara Sanders, the League of California Cities Representative to have a letter prepared for Council review and approval; City Manager Wier stated he would reach out to the League to see if there are other cities that are contemplating the same thing. Council Member Inscore stated his agreement with Council Member Altman in the fact that many communities have already made commitments based on these funds and backfilling with the surplus.
16. Selection of Council Member for the Fire Chief Interview Panel • Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Select a Council Member to be a panelist for the Fire Chief Interview City Manager Wier stated that moving forward with the Fire Chief recruitment, there is the need to have this interview panel as we are now down to the top candidates. Typically, the Council is not involved in these Director positions/interviews. However, in this particular role, there will be the need to have one Council Member to represent the City Council in the panel. March 31st in the morning. Council Member Inscore stated his interest in the position.
Council Member Altman nominated Council Member Smith since he has experience in the fire department; Council Member Smith declined.
There were no public comments.
On a motion by Council Member Altman, seconded by Council Member Smith and carried unanimously, Council Member Inscore was selected to be a panelist for the Fire Chief interview
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
> Legislative Matters - Primarily revolving around the gas discussion and letters being discussed to come back before the Council.
> City Manager Report and City Council Directives - City Manager Wier reported on the following: (listen to report)
• Measure S meeting last Tuesday in which Front Street was discussed. Direction was given to use unallocated Measure S funds and ARPA Funds to do two more blocks construction to begin in July
Pool project and upgrade to HVAC; agreement with Johnson Controls will come before the Council
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• Clear direction was received for the new City Hall and CCPD facility upgrades; consultant agreements will come before the Council as well • RAISE grant application is being worked on by staff - fourth time applying for Front Street - very competitive grant, but the City is in a good position for funding. • Rural Recreation grant- for the amphitheater and waterfront plaza applied for • Coastal Voices grant ($200k - news on April 1st)
• CalOES grant for generators will be before the Council at the next meeting • Recruitment and hires is a priority; RV Park Supervisor and Finance Analyst 1 have been hired and have begun their work with the City.
• Pool closure set for next week for one week; routine maintenance, cleaning and working on the decks.
• Reports, Concerns, Referrals, Council travel and training reports - Council Member Altman: said he was concerned about the public comment about the $900 water bill and asked for the policy to be reviewed
Council Member Smith: asked for a list for the Boards/Committees Council Member Inscore: for consideration of the next agenda - Tolowa Dee-ni Nation will be seeking funding of $2.5 million for wastewater structure improvements at the Xaa-wan'-k'wvt Village and Resort and asked for a letter of support. Council was in consensus. Stated that in regards to the RAISE grant, if work is continually being done on Front Street, our project will be too small to have for the grant application for the funding. City Manager Wier stated a cost benefit analysis was done and our project was recognized as highly recommended for funding.
Council Member Altman asked for the numbers for the RAISE grant seeing how Tamera Leighton stated we didn't have any fatalities on Front Street to receive funding. City Manager Wier stated that due to the 80' crossing it is a strong safety component for the grant.
Mayor Pro Tem Wright: asked about the man who had the large water bill and would we even be able to suspend someone's account at this time; City Attorney Rice stated she is unaware of a policy. Attended the GSRMA Board meeting as well as the Chamber Annual Awards Dinner.
Council Member Inscore stated that since there is a fee for the sewer that the best idea would be for the owner to suspend the account if they were going to be gone.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Pro Tem Wright adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m. to the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Crescent City scheduled for Monday, April 4, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the Flynn Center, 981 H Street, Crescent City, CA 95531.
ATTEST:
Robin Patch
City Clerk/Administrative Analyst
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