416 N Franklin Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Phone: (707) 961-2823
Fax: (707) 961-2802
City of Fort Bragg
Meeting Minutes
City Council
THE FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL MEETS CONCURRENTLY
AS THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
NO. 1 AND THE FORT BRAGG REDEVELOPMENT
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
6:00 PM Town Hall, 363 N. Main Street
and Via Video Conference
Monday, March 27, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Norvell called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Bernie Norvell, Vice Mayor Jason Godeke, Councilmember Tess Albin-Smith, Councilmember Lindy Peters and Councilmember Marcia Rafanan
Present: 5 -
AGENDA REVIEW
1. MAYOR’S RECOGNITIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON: (1) NON-AGENDA, (2) CONSENT CALENDAR & (3)
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
Dr. Richard Miller asked the Council to start a morale commission. Speaker spoke on behalf of the tennis community, asked to protect the one remaining tennis court. George Reinhardt spoke in support of Dr. Miller's idea and of protecting open space.
3. STAFF COMMENTS
None.
4. MATTERS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Vice Mayor Godeke thanked Conservation Works for their work on Otis Johnson Park. Mr.
Godeke also acknowledged that a pilot program was started at Harvest Market to reimburse EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card holders up to $60/month of fresh produce. Councilmember Albin-Smith said after the Whale Festival the wrap-up committee will meet on Thursday; submit any comments to her via email. Councilmember Peters mentioned that on March 29 the National Weather Service will conduct a tsunami warning test. SB429 multi-family housing, removing local control for cities that are approving or looking at housing projects that would give that control over to the state. The City voted to oppose this litigation because we feel as cities we need as much local control as we can get. AB1708, repeat offenders for burglary and theft, hoping this bill will help curb the habit of some to steal from grocery stores and accentuates rehabilitation for repeat offenders. Mr. Peters also spoke about a study on tourism, the only thing really missing was community pride. Wants some way to instill community pride. Would like to move forward to at least take a look at this. Mayor Norvell spoke about how another city in Lake County was City of Fort Bragg Page 1 Printed on 4/6/2023
City Council Meeting Minutes March 27, 2023
experiencing lots of theft, and how we let ABC do the work for us. Good to be up in Arcata with other Councilmembers.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Albin-Smith, seconded by Councilmember Peters, that the Consent Calendar be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Rafanan
5 -
5A. 23-076 Adopt City Council Resolution Approving Amendment of Contract with Therma, LLC for the Installation, Monitoring and Maintenance of CV Starr Community Center's Building Automation Controls, Increasing the Amount by a Not to Exceed Amount of $6,147.00 and Authorizing City Manager to Execute Same (Account 810-4812-0751)
This Resolution was adopted on the Consent Calendar.
5B. 23-092 Adopt Joint City Council/Municipal Improvement District Resolution Amending the FY 2022/23 Budget for Mid-Year Budget Adjustments
This Resolution was adopted
5C. 23-074 Receive and File Minutes of the February 09, 2023 Public Works and Facilities Committee Meeting
This Committee Minutes was received and filed
5D. 23-090 Approve Minutes of March 13, 2023
This Minutes was approved
5E. 23-094 Approve Minutes of Joint City Council/Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District Special Meeting of March 22, 2023
This Minutes was approved
6. DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS None.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
7A. 23-065 Receive Report, Conduct Public Hearing, and Consider Adoption of Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Execute PG&E Loan Documents Associated with the Facilities Lighting Improvement Project
Mayor Norvell opened the public hearing at 6:20 PM.
Assistant City Engineer Alfredo Huerta presented the staff report on this agenda item. Matthew Bennett with EcoGreen Solutions outlined the program, its funding, and how energy savings of the project will pay for itself. Long term solution, not bulb replacement only, but fixtures as well; City of Fort Bragg Page 2 Printed on 4/6/2023
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LED lighting.
Public Comment: Marcy Snyder of the Grass Roots Institute spoke in support of the project.
Carrie Durkee also spoke in support of the resolution approving the project.
Mayor Norvell closed the public hearing at 6:41 PM.
Discussion: Councilmember Lindy Peters willing to support. Vice Mayor Jason Godeke said these are changes we want to make anyway and they are making it painless for us. Mayor Bernie Norvell agrees.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Albin-Smith, that the Resolution be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Rafanan
5 -
8. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
8A. 23-093 Receive Continued Mid-Year Budget Review Reports: FY 22/23 Budget Goals, Long Range Planning, and Presentation from NHA Advisors on Special Sales Tax
Finance Director Whippy noted this is a continuation of Wednesday’s mid-year budget review.
Mike Meyer and Eric Scriven of NHA Advisors made a presentation regarding the Unfunded Liability.
Public Comments - None.
Budget Goals
Finance Director Whippy talked about the economic outlook and upcoming budget development.
Recommends increasing funding for emergency reserves from 5% to 10% of operating expenses. Recommends 50% of surplus be applied to Section 115 Trust.
No Councilmembers opposed to Finance Director Whippy’s recommendations.
Streets Special Sales Tax
Assistant Director Engineering O’Neal presented a report on the ½ cent sales tax for street repairs. That is up for renewal in 2024. Recommends putting a new sales tax measure on the 11/7/2023 ballot.
Public Comments - None.
There was some discussion and it was proposed that Assistant Director Engineering O’Neal and City Attorney verify some more information
This Report was accepted
8B. 23-079 Receive Report and Consider Adoption of City Council Resolution Approving Professional Services Agreement with Walker Consultants to Prepare a Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategy, and Authorizing City Manager to Execute Contract (Amount Not To Exceed $67,690; Account No. 110-4320-0319)
Assistant Planner Peters gave the report this evening.
Public Comment Jacob Patterson asked about bicycle parking. Jay McMartin-Rosenquist said she hopes no parking is lost on Franklin and Redwood.
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Discussion: Councilmember Tess Albin-Smith wants electric bus parking. Vice Mayor Jason Godeke would like outreach to community and online survey sounds good to him and to include tourists. He would like to encourage everyone to walk more and that charging stations will be important. Councilmember Lindy Peters would like the surveys done in the summer and to add EV charging stations in the study.
This Resolution was adopted
Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Rafanan
5 -
8C. 23-067 Receive Report and Consider Adoption of City Council Resolutions Approving Professional Services Agreements with Engineering Solutions Services in a Not to Exceed Amount of $45,000 to Provide On-Call Grant Services, and with Evan Brooks Associates in a Not to Exceed Amount of $30,000 to Provide On-Call Grant Services, Authorizing City Manager to Execute Contracts (Various Account Numbers)
Assistant Director Engineering O’Neal gave the staff report on this agenda item.
Public Comment: None.
Discussion: Mayor Norvell is in favor of these two contracts and recommends moving forward with it.
A motion was made by Councilmember Albin-Smith, seconded by Mayor Norvell, that the Resolution be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Rafanan
5 -
8D. 23-068 Receive Report and Consider Adoption of City Council Resolution Approving Agreement for Acquisition of Six Parcels of Real Property (Assessor’s Parcel Nos. 019-070-07-00, 019-070-10-00, 019-070-11-00, 019-080-14-00, 019-080-16-00 and 019-080-23-00) and Approving a Certificate of Acceptance Public Works Director Smith gave the staff report on this agenda item. City Attorney Collins explained this is for approval to purchase the property. An agreement with a closing date of this Friday.
Public Comment: Jacob Patterson spoke in support of the property purchase.
Discussion All Councilmembers in agreement.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Godeke, seconded by Councilmember Albin-Smith, that the Resolution be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Rafanan
5 -
9. CLOSED SESSION
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ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Norvell adjourned the meeting at 8:01 PM.
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