CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
Mayor Isaiah Wright Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore
Council Member Raymond Altman Council Member Jason Greenough Council Member Kelly Schellong
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AND
CRESCENT CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY
FLYNN CENTER BOARD CHAMBERS
981 H STREET
CRESCENT CITY, CA 95531
MONDAY OCTOBER 16, 2023 6:00 P.M.
CLOSED SESSION
Call to order Mayor Pro Tem Inscore called the closed session to order at 5:04 p.m.
Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Ray Altman, Council Member Jason Greenough, Council Member Kelly Schellong (via Zoom due to illness), Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore
Council Member absent at roll call: Mayor Isaiah Wright Staff members present: City Manager Eric Wier, City Clerk/Administrative Analyst Robin Altman, City Attorney Martha Rice and Police Chief Richard Griffin
Mayor Wright joined the closed session already in progress at 5:43 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
There were no comments from the public on closed session items.
CLOSED SESSION
• Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Gov. Code § 54956.9(d) (1)): 2 cases: Kellin Kumler v. City of Crescent City, (Del NoYOUrte Superior Court Case No.
SC-23-2249); Linda Sutter v. Tri-Agency, et al (Del Norte Superior Court Case No. CVPT- 2023-1261)
• Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation (Gov. Code § 54956.9(d) (4)):
1 case
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Rice reported no actions were taken on closed session items.
OPEN SESSION
Call to order Mayor Wright called the open session to order at 6:05 p.m.
Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Ray Altman, Council Member Jason Greenough, Council Member Kelly Schellong (via Zoom due to illness), Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore, and Mayor Isaiah Wright 1 | Page
10/16/23 COUNCIL MINUTES
Staff members present: City Manager Eric Wier, City Clerk/Administrative Analyst Robin Altman, City Attorney Martha Rice, Human Resources Manager Sunny Gonzales, Finance Director Linda Leaver, Public Works Director Dave Yeager, Housing Authority Executive Director Megan Miller, Grants Coordinator Bridget Lacey, and Police Chief Richard Griffin Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Wright
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
The following residents addressed the Council:
Dorothy Riley: spoke about caring for someone in her life and how kind she was to him, a false narrative in the community about her and that she has had technology inside her for two years.
Craig Emmerson: spoke about a homeless camp that was located at the end of Pebble Beach at gt. He stated that Officer Valero of CCPD did a fantastic job getting the area cleaned up and the individuals removed. He wanted to make sure the Council knew of the job well done.
Virginia Deltorre: spoke about a contract for a cleaning service she did for a long time for the Clty and did not win the next contract due to her higher bid. She was not made aware of not getting the job and had already budgeted for continuing with the contract. > Reports, Concerns, Referrals, Council travel and training reports - Council Member Altman: on October 7 he attended the Crescent City Annual Fire Department Awards dinner and listed the award recipients. Attended the Pelican Bay Citizens Advisory Meeting and reported on the programs ongoing at the prison as well as donations to the community food gardens and that Level 1 is being repopulated by inmates from other prisons. He also attended the Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in Sacramento this past weekend where Fire Chief Steve Wakefield was honored.
Council Member Greenough: spoke about the terrorist attack in Israel, would like to see a letter of support for the people of Israel and send it to the California Embassy.
Council Member Schellong: attended the Border Coast Regional Airport Authority meeting and met with a carrier interested in bidding on the Essential Air Service (EAS), met with the County to discuss Dispatch and Animal Control Services, attended the Economic Development Task Force meeting wherein discussions were held on what the future of downtown looks like, thanked our Public Works crew for cleaning up the maze area of downtown.
Mayor Pro Tem Inscore: attended the Tri-Agency meeting on Friday - they have been served a summons for a lawsuit and are moving forward in the proper manner, will be working on ar amended JPA. The JPA will have stricken from the agreement "a lender of last resort": reviewed an RFP for a Director which would be a contract position and made adjustments to that in a draft form. Tomorrow he will be travelling south to serve on the Cal LAFCO meeting to serve the remaining term of a member who had recently passed away.
Mayor Wright: nothing to report.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
1. Introduction of New City Employee: Building Inspector Sean Rosenthal Public Works Director Yeager introduced new City employee, Building Inspector Sean Rosenthal to the Council. Mr. Rosenthal stated he was grateful to work for the City and looking forward to his new position.
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2. Police Chief Commendation Award - Tom Kinney, California Auto Image Mayor Wright stated this item will be postponed to the next meeting as Mr. Kinney is unable to be present tonight.
CONSENT CALENDAR
3. Council Meeting Minutes
• Recommendation: Approve the June 2, 2022, October 2, 2023, and October 9, 2023 meeting minutes for the City Council.
4. Warrant Claims List
Recommendation: Receive and file the warrant claims list for the period September 9, 2023 through September 22, 2023 and for the period September 23, 2023 through October 6, 2023
5. Payroll Report
• Recommendation: Receive and file the biweekly payroll report for the period ending October 7, 2023, paid October 13, 2023
6. Budget-to-Actual Financial Reports for July and August 2023 • Recommendation: Receive and file the budget-to-actual financial reports of the City's major operating funds for the months of July and August 2023
7. Letter of Support for Tolowa Dee-Ni' Nation's Application for EDA's Recompete Grant Program
• Recommendation: Ratify the City Manager's signature on a letter of support for the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation's grant application for the US Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration Recompete Pilot Program
8. Request for Federal Disaster Declaration for Groundfish Fishery • Recommendation: Approve a letter to Governor Newsom requesting support for a Federal Disaster Declaration for the Groundfish Fishery Council Member Schellong asked for item 4 to be pulled from the consent calendar as she has a conflict with her present employer. The Council was in consensus to pull those items.
There were no comments by the public on items 5-8.
On a motion by Council Member Altman, seconded by Council Member Inscore, and carried 5-0, the City Council of the City of Crescent City adopted items 1-3, 5-8 of the consent calendar as presented.
There were no comments from the public on the amended motion.
On an amended motion by Council Member Altman, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, and carried on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City adopted items 3, 5-8 on the consent calendar as presented.
There were no public comments on item 4.
On a motion by Council Member Inscore, seconded by Council Member Greenough, and carried on a 4-0-1 polled vote with Council Member Schellong recusing herself, the City Council of the City of Crescent City adopted item 4 on the consent calendar as presented. 3 | Page
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REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS - None
ADJOURN TO THE CRESCENT CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY
(Minutes will be on the next agenda of the CCHA)
RECONVENE AS THE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Wright reconvened the City Council meeting at 6:39 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
13. Tobacco Retail License Ordinance Adoption
Recommendation: Open public hearing
• Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Close public hearing
• Waive full reading, read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 835, AN ORDINANCE
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE CRESCENT CITY MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING CHAPTER 8.36, REGULATION OF TOBACCO RETAILERS, TO TITLE 8, HEALTH AND SAFETY
Mayor Wright opened the public hearing at 6:39 p.m.
City Attorney Rice gave a summary of what was contained in the ordinance and detailed the following portions: fees, eligible businesses, advertising regulations and enforcement. The ordinance that is before them has had no changes since the introduction. Council Member Greenough spoke in opposition to this ordinance as he believes it is government overreach. He said there are already regulations on the books both State and Federally that cover this. Council Member Altman stated that his position remains the same, he says he doesn't understand why there is such a push for marijuana in California, but tobacco is being severely regulated. Feels both marijuana and alcohol is far more problematic than tobacco. Flavored tobacco has already been removed in our County. Doesn't feel like the local pharmacies weren't represented. Rite Aid recently filed for bankruptcy, and he hopes it's not due to taking away some of their products.
There are a lot programs that are paid for by tobacco tax, such as our School Resource Officer, and it had already been decided not to take tobacco completely away by the State.
Robert Derego: spoke about being a marijuana user and smokes regular cigarettes as well. He feels cigarettes are more difficult to quit but that marijuana has health benefits.
Mayor Wright closed the public hearing at 6:50 p.m.
On a motion by Council Member Schellong, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, and carried on a 3-2 polled vote with Council Member Altman and Council Member Greenough voting no, the City Council of the City of Crescent City waived full reading, read by title only and adopted Ordinance No. 835, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE CRESCENT CITY MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING CHAPTER 8.36, REGULATION OF TOBACCO RETAILERS, TO TITLE 8, HEALTH AND SAFETY.
14. Public Hearing: 2023 CDBG Notice of Funding Availability • Recommendation: Open public hearing
• Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
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• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Close public hearing
• Approve and adopt Resolution No. 2023-72, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR
FUNDING AND THE EXECUTION OF A GRANT AGREEMENT AND ANY
AMENDMENTS THERETO FROM THE 2023 AND/OR 2024 FUNDING YEAR OF
THE STATE COG PROGRAM
Direct staff to prepare and submit an application for CBG funding under the 2023 NOFA for OTC - PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE - STORM DRAIN PROJECT PHASE /I (F STREET) IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,065, 485
Mayor Wright opened the public hearing at 6:51 p.m.
Grants Coordinator Lacey reported to the Council that in 2020 the City applied for funding for the Storm Drain Project Phase III (F Street) with the 2020 NOFA but was not awarded. Instead, this project has been waitlisted for the last three years. As more funding has become available through CDBG for OTC projects, they have simply been funding down this list, rather than opening the OTC category up for more applications. The Storm Drain Project will now be eligible under the 2023 NOFA and is very likely to be funded, assuming all the threshold requirements are met. The Housing Element will be a threshold item and is on track to be approved before applications are due. There is apparently enough funding to cover all remaining projects on the waitlist and HCD will go back to accepting new OTC applications with the 2024 NOFA. Council Member Greenough asked the creation of another outfall for the storm drains; City Manager Wier stated that no, it is not a part of this. Council Member Greenough asked for an update and if we've heard back from Coastal Commission; City Manager Wier stated that the timeliness and the timing of the funding, this project was prioritized.
Robert Derego: commented on Mayor Pro Tem Inscore's comment under the Housing Authority Consent Calendar regarding the housing need and asked if the City is selling the city short by having a lot of short-term rentals. Agreed that housing is desperately needed.
Mayor Wright closed the public hearing at 6:59 p.m.
On a motion by Council Member Greenough and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the Clty of Crescent City approved and adopted Resolution No. 2023-72, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CRESCENT CITY APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING AND THE EXECUTION OF A GRANT AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO FROM THE 2023 AND/OR 2024 FUNDING YEAR OF THE STATE CDBG PROGRAM and directed staff to prepare and submit an application for CDBG funding under the 2023 NOFA for OTC - PUBLIC
INFRASTRUCTURE - STORM DRAIN PROJECT PHASE III (F STREET) IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,065,485.
CONTINUING BUSINESS - None
NEW BUSINESS
15. Update Position Control and Budget for Finance Department Restructure Recommendation: Hear staff report
Technical questions from the Council
: Rocerive public comment
Further Council discussion
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• Approve and adopt Resolution No. 2023-73, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FY 2023-24
BUDGET AND POSITION CONTROL
Finance Director Leaver stated that the Finance Department is nearly finished with the department's restructure, this is the one remaining item. The current item approved is two Account Clerks which is usually in the Water Department, there is one Finance Analyst that does invoices, purchase orders, etc), and one Finance Technician that does Accounts Payable and Payroll. There is a need in the Water Department to have an additional employee to help with the workload as two is not enough. Instead of hiring another Finance Analyst, to hire a part-time Account Clerk and a part-time File Clerk position. Staff requests direction from the Council to adjust the position control to remove the vacant Finance Analyst position and add the part-time Account Clerk and part-time File Clerk position. Council Member Schellong stated that she is concerned about removing the Finance Analyst position and would hate to see the position gone that is helpful for the larger picture in the Finance Director. Director Leaver stated that the staffing plan proposed will continue the high quality of work and transparency. Once the automatic meter- reading program is implemented, the positions in the Water Department will be reevaluated.
Council Member Altman stated he appreciated the adaptive nature of the Finance Department.
Would like to see whatever helps her department run more smoothly.
There were no comments from the public.
On a motion by Council Member Greenough, seconded by Council Member Altman, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent approved and adopted Resolution No. 2023-73, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FY 2023-24 BUDGET AND POSITION CONTROL.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
• Legislative Matters - None.
> City Manager Report and City Council Directives - Council Member Greenough asked for the Council's opinion of adding a letter of support for Israel to the next Council agenda.
Mayor Pro Tem Inscore and Council Member Schellong stated they were unsure who to send the letter to; Council Member Greenough stated it would go to the California Israel Embassy. Council Member Schellong asked what the goal and content would be of the letter; Council Member Greenough stated it would be us showing our support to the people of Israel, condemn the acts publicly. Mayor Pro Tem Inscore stated he would like to see the content of the letter before he made the decision as there are many innocent lives that have been lost on all sides. He does not want to single out one people group when lives have been lost. Mayor Wright stated that he would like to see how the United States is going to respond before wanting to draft a letter. Council Member Schellong stated that she agrees that this is atrocious, however, there have been other people dying in other countries from terrorism and would this be a regular action for the Council? Mayor Wright asked if there was an official level on the State or Federal level; City Attorney Rice stated that there will not be any state government that will do anything aside from the Federal government to send troops, etc. It's not uncommon for a local jurisdiction to send letters of support such as this. City Manager Wier stated that direction is needed by consensus to have it added to the next agenda. Council Member Altman stated that the whole area has been fighting since Biblical times. Mayor Pro Tem Inscore stated that the letter could simply say that violence against the innocents is condemned, and we stand in solidarity for Israel. The Council was in unanimous consensus to place this on a future agenda.
City Manager Wier reported the following to the Council:
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Shared photos from the Fallen Firefighter Memorial Ceremony; Council Member Altman explained each photo and spoke of the honor it was to be present for the ceremony. Chief Carey thanked Council Member Altman and City Clerk Altman for attending and for the support of the City Council for the fire department. He stated the most heartbreaking thing he saw was all of the children who were present because they lost their fathers. City Manager Wier stated he appreciated all of the work that Chief Carey is doing for the Department and that Chief Wakefield would have been proud
There is a housing crisis in our community that is having a ripple effect. There are a few housing projects in the works now - there is a 162-unit project that was just presented to the Planning Commission known as Battery Point Apartments. There can be a presentation by the developers to the Council, should they desire one. The Council was in unanimous consensus to have this presentation at a future Council meeting. The Valhalla project was approved at the last Planning Commission meeting and the Danco project will be before them soon. Council Member Schellong stated it is a good idea to make sure the public knows that although the Council approves the project, there is no control over what they charge for rent.
Beachfront Park is well underway for design - there were additional grants applied for, such as the Clean California Grant (a presentation will be before the Council at a future meeting) and the Clean California Grant was obtained for just under $3million.
Monster Splash at the Pool is this Saturday, from 3pm-5pm in the parking lot as well as in the pool.
Chamber Mixer for the City will be on October 26t at the Bank of America Building hosted by the City to celebrate the art gallery.
The Homecoming Parade starts at 3:45pm this Friday downtown The high school band program competed at the Marching Band Competition Chief Griffin reported on the untimely passing of Del Norte Sheriff Deputy Deanna Esmael last Thursday. He wanted to communicate that help is available for those who are mourning her loss. Asked anyone who needs the help to please reach out to him.
Council Member Schellong said she was proud about the award of the grant for Beachfront Park and applauded Grants Coordinator Lacey for all of the work she has done to obtain them.
Mayor Wright asked about the proposed meeting on Monday, October 30"h for a Housing Set Aside discussion.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Wright adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m. to a special meeting of the City Council of the City of Crescent City on Monday, October 30, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wastewater Treatment Facility, 210 Battery Street, Crescent City, CA 95531.
POSTED:
Robin Altman
City Clerk/Administrative Analyst
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