CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
Mayor Blake Inscore Mayor Pro Tem Ray Altman
Council Member Jason Greenough Council Member Kelly Schellong Council Member Isaiah Wright
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
FLYNN CENTER BOARD CHAMBERS
981 H STREET
CRESCENT CITY, CA 95531
MONDAY JUNE 3, 2024 6:00 P.M.
OPEN SESSION
Call to order Mayor Inscore called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Jason Greenough, Council Member Kelly Schellong, Council Member Isaiah Wright, and Mayor Blake Inscore
Council Member absent: Mayor Pro Tem Ray Altman
Staff members present: City Manager Eric Wier, City Attorney Martha Rice, Community Development Specialist Heather Welton for City Clerk/Administrative Analyst Robin Altman, Finance Director Linda Leaver, Public Works Director Dave Yeager and Police Chief Richard Griffin Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Inscore
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
• Public Works Maintenance Manager Jason Wylie Retirement City Manager Wier Yeager announced Public Works Maintenance Manager Wylie's retirement and his contributions to the City in a PowerPoint presentation. Manager Wylie stated he has enjoyed working for the City and its residents. On behalf of the Council, Mayor Inscore presented Manager Wylie with a photo of Battery Point Lighthouse.
REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS - None
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Bryan Casper, California Citizens Camp Cleanup Crew CEO = spoke to the Council about some homeless encampments and the debris left behind. His organization has been cleaning up these areas out of pocket. Requests assistance from the City in order to expand the volunteer program.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Warrant Claims List
Recommendation: Receive and file the warrant claims list for the period May 4, 2024 through May 17, 2024.
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2. Council Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve and adopt the May 20, 2024 meeting minutes of the City Council.
3. Payroll Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the biweekly payroll reports for the period ending May 18, 2024, paid May 24, 2024.
4. Consolidation of the General Municipal Election for 2024 • Recommendation: Approve and adopt Resolution No. 2024-41, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY DECLARING THE DATE OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION OF 2024, SPECIFYING THE OFFICES TO BE FILLED, AND REQUESTING CONSOLIDATION OF THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024 CITY OF CRESCENT CITY ELECTION WITH THE NOVEMBER 5. 2024
STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION
5. COW Contract Time Extension (Pebble Beach Design)
• Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign Task Order 5.0 with COWI to extend the term of the contract to June 30, 2025
6. Amendment to Agreement and Budget for Special Counsel Legal Services - Civica Law Group
• Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement for Special Counsel Legal Services with Civica Law Group, APC • Approve and adopt Resolution No. 2024-42, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 BUDGET OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
7. CCPD Grant Acceptance - ABC Alcohol Policing Partnership • Recommendation: Accept the ABC Alcohol in Policing Partnership Grant and authorize the City Manager to execute grant documents
8. Bond Counsel Professional Services Agreement
• Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to sign a Professional Services Agreement with Jones Hall for Bond Counsel Services
9. 1405 California St: Subordination Agreement and Deferred Improvement Agreement • Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign a subordination agreement as requested by Sam Schauerman for 1405 California Street - Phase 1, subordinating the City's utility connections fees lien to a new loan, in a form approved by the City Attorney
• Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign the Deferred Improvement Agreement for 1405 California Street
10. Review of Draft FY 24/25 Budget and Approval Process for the Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority (DNSWMA)
• Recommendation: Approve the FY 24-25 Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority Budget as presented
Council Member Schellong requested item 1 be pulled from the consent calendar as she has a conflict of interest with her current employer and item 10 for discussion. The Council was in consensus.
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There were no comments from the public.
On a motion by Council Member Schellong, seconded by Council Member Greenough and carried on a 4-0 polled vote with Mayor Pro Tem Altman being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City adopted items 2-9 of the consent calendar as presented.
There were no comments from the public.
On a motion by Council Member Wright, seconded by Council Member Greenough, and carried on a 3-0-1 polled vote with Council Member Schellong recusing herself and Mayor Pro Tem Altman being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City received and filed the warrant claims list for the period May 4, 2024 through May 17, 2024.
There were no comments from the public.
Council Member Schellong asked if 10% increase in salaries across the board, is this a normal action; Mayor Inscore stated that they are looking at reclassification of positions, therefore every position would need to properly scale the positions with what aligns with the County. In doing that, it was found that job descriptions had not been updated and were no longer accurate, therefore the budget was adjusted to cover updating the positions.
On a motion by Council Member Wright, seconded by Council Member Schellong, and carried on a 4-0 polled vote with Mayor Pro Tem Altman being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City approved the FY 24-25 Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority Budget as presented
PUBLIC HEARING
11. Municipal Code Update: Sign Regulations (Ch. 17.39) • Recommendation: Open public hearing
• Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Waive full reading, read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 839, AN ORDINANCE
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING CHAPTER
17.39, SIGNS, OF TITLE 17, ZONING, OF THE CRESCENT CITY MUNICIPAL CODE Mayor Inscore opened the public hearing at 6:25 p.m.
Planner Ethan Lawton presented to the Council the Sign Regulations Ordinance with revisions from the Council at introduction. Council Member Schellong supported the wind-blown signs being the same as a sandwich board, Council Member Greenough agreed, asked what drove the cost; Planner Lawton stated that CEQA dictated it as well as other criteria in permitting. Council Member Wright asked if the Council decided not to do the CEQA permitting, would that start the process over; Planner Lawton stated that yes, if you make it a regular permittable under a regular sign permit, it would have to come back to the Council. After discussion at a Council level, the Council was in consensus to have the ordinance come back to the Council with the change to make this a regular permittable sign permit. It was also decided to have staff review the residential/professional parcels within the City.
There were no comments from the public.
Mayor Inscore closed the public hearing at 6:46 p.m.
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12. Incentives for Affordable Housing Ordinance (Chapter 17.48.030) Recommendation: Open public hearing
Hear staff report
Technical questions from the Council
Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
Waive full reading, read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 841, AN ORDINANCE
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING CHAPTER
17.48.030, INCENTIVES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, OF TITLE 17, ZONING, OF
THE CRESCENT CITY MUNICIPAL CODE
Mayor Inscore opened the public hearing at 6:46 p.m
Planner Lawton stated there has been no changes to this ordinance since adoption. He gave a brief overview of the ordinance.
There were no comments from the public.
Mayor Inscore closed the public hearing at 6:52 p.m
On a motion by Council Member Greenough, seconded by Council Member Wright, and carried on a 4-0 polled vote, with Mayor Pro Tem Altman being absent, the City Council of the City of rescent City waived full reading, read by title only and adopted Ordinance No. 841, Ar
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDIN CHAPTER 17.48.030, INCENTIVES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, OF TITLE 17, ZONING, OF
THE CRESCENT CITY MUNICIPAL CODE
CONTINUING BUSINESS - None
NEW BUSINESS
13. Draft Recreational Vehicles on Private Property Ordinance (Chapter 17.55) • Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Provide direction to staff on any proposed changes to the DRAFT Recreational Vehicles on Private Property Ordinance
Planner Lawton presented to the Council the draft ordinance for Recreational Vehicles being on private party that had been recommended by the Council in 2019. The Council had then decided to hold off on the ordinance until the discussion and determination about Accessory Dwelling Units had been held. This ordinance went before the Planning Commission and Planner Lawton went over in detail the recommended revisions the Planning Commission gave for the Council to consider. City Manager Wier stated for clarification purposes that this ordinance does not set the fees, they would be found in the Fee Schedule. This ordinance would also require a conditional use permission to have an RV on private property. Council Member Wright asked about the fees for short or long term, is that for if it is connected to underground utilities or in general; Planner Lawton explained that it would be in general. Council Member Wright asked if there are two or three ways to exit around the RV in case of an emergency, would using the side yard be approved; 4 | Page
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Planner Lawton explained that the main concern about structures being close together poses a greater fire hazard, therefore having enough room will allow emergency responders easier access. The Council was in agreement that there were several restrictions in the ordinance that they do not agree with and feel are too restrictive to property owners with RVs and enforcement would be burdensome. The Council did not want to codify an ordinance that didn't work for the community and enforcement is an issue. City Manager Wier stated that this ordinance was drafted in the spirit of beautifying the community by not having RVs at every residence. By not having an ordinance that addresses this, staff does not have the ability to enforce it. This ordinance will ensure a five-foot clearance around the RV from the residence so that firefighters can protect the other structures in a fire. The Council discussed that due to the size of an RV and the five-foot requirement, there will not be space on any City parcel for an RV to be parked and in compliance with the requirement. Planner Lawton stated that this ordinance was intended to address temporary occupation, not storage of an RV. He further stated that if Crescent City would adopt this ordinance it would be the first of cities in California to have such ordinance. Because it is a difficult to manage, difficult to enforce and has too many unforeseen circumstances, most Planning agencies discourage cities from adopting anything like this. Police Chief Griffin stated when there is a report of an RV that has been in the road over 72 hours, his officers have to go out and tag it to ask the owner to move it. He suggested to change the language for the tarp to state that it must be in good condition.
The following resident gave public comment:
Darrin Short-spoke about the changes he would have to make to his property in order to be in compliance with this proposed ordinance.
The Council wanted to have clarity on what our municipal code currently says about RVs and have this item brought back to the Council.
14. Fee Schedule Updates
Recommendation: Hear staff report
Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Provide direction to staff regarding fee schedule updates for FY 24-25 • Consider an appoint a Council ad hoc committee to review pool programming and fees Director Leaver presented the Fee Schedule update to the Council. The changes in the fee schedule were under Administrative fees, Planning fees, Building Permit fees, and fees for lab services. City Manager Wier went over in detail the permit fees and the process on how they are determined. Council Member Schellong asked for clarification on the process for permits going from $516 to $22k. SHN Planner Lawton explained the process and what it entails as well as the costs associated with permitting. He further stated that the fees are associated with consultant and staff time to process them. City Manager Wier further explained that these fees will go towards the cost of the Planning service. Mayor Inscore asked when the last time there was an evaluation on the leases we have for North Coast Children's Services and James Fallman as he feels we are not charging enough for the footage the City is providing to them; Director Leaver stated that although she does not have the date where the fees were reevaluated, but the contract for Mr. Fallman is dated 2015, and for the Northcoast Children's Service is dated 1992. Mayor Inscore asked what the process was to reevaluate the fees for those contracts; City Attorney Rice stated that she does not know what is contained in the lease, however, since Mr. Fallman's is a month-to-month lease, it can be renegotiated. The Council was in consensus to reevaluate the rent being charged on these two properties. The Council discussed ensuring those who will be impacted by the raise in fees are communicated with and suggested an email list. Director Leaver stated that since we don't currently have an email list that we can advertise that the public hearing 5 | Pag e
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will be July 1st on our website and Facebook page. The Council was in unanimous consensus to bring back the draft Fee Schedule during a public hearing on the 1st. Mayor Inscore and Council Member Wright agreed to be on the ad hoc committee to review pool programming and fees.
There were no comments from the public.
15. Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Grant Acceptance • Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Approve and adopt Resolution No. 2024-44, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO REPRESENT THE CITY AND ENTER AGREEMENTS REGARDING
THE HSIP GRANT FUNDING PROGRAM
receive enhanced pedestrian crossings including sidewalks with ADA compliant curb ramps, new road signs, and updated pavement markings. Caltrans has authorized the City to modify locations and scope as long as the Set-Aside (SA) funding is used for "Pedestrian Improvements" ". Measure S funds will also be used towards this project. Council Member Schellong asked about accidents that have occurred on 5th & H Street and if that location was evaluated due to the placement of the stop sign; Director Yeager stated that location had been evaluated due to the complaint of the stop sign and the City has put new striping down to indicate a stop sign. He further stated that it has been discussed to make that location a 4-way stop, but that will have to come back to the Council with information from Chief Griffin about the accidents.
There were no comments from the public.
On a motion by Council Member Wright, seconded by Council Member Schellong, and carried on a 4-0 polled vote, with Mayor Pro Tem Altman being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City approved and adopted Resolution No. 2024-44, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
REPRESENT THE CITY AND ENTER AGREEMENTS REGARDING THE HSIP GRANT
FUNDING PROGRAM
16. Crescent City Cultural Gateway and Beautification Project - Greenworks Professional Services Agreement
Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
Further Council discussion
Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign a Professional Services Agreement with GreenWorks, PC for the design of the Cultural Gateway and Beautification Project funded by the Caltrans Clean California Grant Program
City Manager Wier outlined the design agreement for the Cultural Gateway and Beautification project for Beachfront Park and the associated timeline. Council Member Schellong asked if there was a virtual picture of what the berms will look like and what it will do for the view; City Manager Wier stated they wouldn't be very high, like 2-3 feet tall with Tolowa dune grass.
There were no comments from the public.
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On a motion by Council Member Greenough, seconded by Council Member Wright, and carried on a 4-0 polled vote with Mayor Pro Tem Altman being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City approved and authorized the City Manager to sign a Professional Services Agreement with GreenWorks, PC for the design of the Cultural Gateway and Beautification Project funded by the Caltrans Clean California Grant Program Council Member Greenough asked if this design plan also included the archway; City Manager Wier stated it would.
17. Military Equipment Use Policy
• Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Receive the Military Equipment Use 2024 Annual Report • Waive full reading, read by title only, and introduce Ordinance No. 842, AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
CONFIRMING APPROVAL OF THE CCPD MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY Chief Griffin stated this is an annual requirement to have this report and stated that CCPD does not have several of the items outlined as military equipment. They do have, however, some rifles and impact munitions. Nothing has changed, however he noticed that the two pepper ball launchers were not included in last year's report, so he made sure to include it in this year's.
There were no comments from the public.
On a motion by Council Member Wright, seconded by Council Member Greenough, and carried on a 4-0 polled vote with Mayor Pro Tem Altman being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City waived full reading, read by title only, and introduced Ordinance No. 842, AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY CONFIRMING
APPROVAL OF THE CCPD MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
• Reports, Concerns, Referrals, Council travel and training reports - Council Member Wright - attended to the last Board of Directors for GRMA, and Crescent City will not be on the Board for the next two years. Asked about the Healthcare District was going to donate for the passive exercise stations; City Manager Wier said they have donated and that two are being currently designed.
Council Member Schellong - thanked staff for all of the hard work put into the budget. Attended the City Wellness Event last week; the Memorial Day services was well attended; Point of Honor clean up day was done on American Service Members Day; and attended the Forest Moon Festival.
Council Member Greenough - thanked staff for working on the budget; attended the Forest Moon Festival.
Mayor Inscore - attended the Memorial Day services and was grateful that the Hmong Memorial was replaced and erected; and attended Forest Moon.
Legislative Matters - None
• City Manager Report and City Council Directives - City Manager Wier stated that Economic Development and Recreation Director Taylor would present a few photos to the Council from the Forest Moon event this weekend. Director Taylor went over the activities 7 | Page
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of the weekend including the work the volunteers did to make it success. City Manager wanted to recognize Chiet Griffin and CCPD for being extra staffed for the Forest Moon Festival and First Friday event. Chief Griffin was also present at the City's Wellness Event with a taser exercise. City Manager Wier went over in detail about the Budget Workshop and what the budget entails.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Inscore adjourned the meeting at 9:21 p.m. to the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Crescent City on Monday, June 17, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Chambers of the Flynn Center, 981 H Street, Crescent City, CA 95531.
ATTEST:
Baltmar
Robin Altman, City Clerk/Administrative Analyst
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