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
Monday, October 23, 2023 6:00 PMTown Hall, 363 N. Main Street and Via Video Conference
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Norvell called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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
1A. Presentation of Proclamation Declaring October 9 - October 15, 2023 as Code Enforcement Officer Week
Vice Mayor Godeke presented the Proclamation Declaring October 9 - October 15, 2023 as Code Enforcement Officer Week. The City of Fort Bragg's Code Enforcement Officer's Valerie Stump and George Leinen received the proclamation and thanked the City Council for the recognition.
1B. Presentation of Proclamation Declaring September 15 - October 15, 2023 as Latino Heritage Month
Mayor Norvell read the Proclamation Declaring September 15- October 15, 2023 as Latino Heritage Month. Acting City Clerk Diana Sanchez received the proclamation on behalf of the Fort Bragg Latino Community and thanked City Council for recognizing her community. 1C. Presentation of Proclamation Declaring October Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Councilmember Peters read the Proclamation Declaring October Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Judy Whitlock of Soroptomist International of Noyo Sunrise was called up to receive the proclamation. She thanked the City Council for the proclamation which will help increase awareness.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON: (1) NON-AGENDA, (2) CONSENT CALENDAR & (3)
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
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(1) Ron White, Richard Miller, Jay Rosenquist, George Reinhardt, Jacob Patterson (2) None
(3) Jacob Patterson
3. STAFF COMMENTS
City Manager Peggy Ducey gave an update on the new phone system and the lost calls. She also mentioned the upcoming Magic Market. Finance Director Whippy, updated on the pool closure from November 1 - November 10 at the CV Starr, for critical pool maintenance and lifeguard recertification.
4. MATTERS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Rafanan had no updates. Councilmember Peters stated that the Public Safety Committee had met last week and had a code enforcement officer present. They will be looking into implementing a vacancy fee for businesses primarily downtown but will extend to the community for properties and residences. Peters also mentioned Council can’t comment on railroad matters due to current litigation proceedings. Councilmember Albin-Smith, member of Soroptomist International Noyo Sunrise stated that giving patients a pink rose has helped encourage women to get breast exams. She also mentioned that she had been traveling internationally to provide more information and promote the cause. Albin Smith reminded everyone about the Visit Fort Bragg Magic Market Event this Saturday where there will be food vendors, activities, 90 plus vendors and live music from 11-4pm for the community. Vice Mayor Godeke informed that the Haz-Mobile will be back to the Caspar Transfer Station on Thursday November 30, 2023, the times will be announced before the event. He further thanked the public for attending the open forum at CV Starr. Mayor Norvell had no updates.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Albin-Smith, that the Consent Calendar be approved. The motion carried out by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Rafanan
5 -
5A. Adopt City Council Resolution Appointing Director and Alternate Director to Represent and Vote on Behalf of the City of Fort Bragg on the Redwood Empire Municipal Insurance Fund (REMIF) Board of Directors This Resolution was adopted on the Consent Calendar.
5B. Resolution of the Fort Bragg City Council approving the removal of Public Works Administrative Analyst and add an additional Engineering Technician to the Fort Bragg Employee Organization classifications and confirming the pay rates/ranges for all City of Fort Bragg established classifications; approving Budget Amendment 2023/24-08; Account Number 110-4330-various)
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This Resolution was adopted on the Consent Calendar.
5C. Approve Minutes of October 10, 2023
These Minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
6. DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS Councilmember Rafanan spoke to members of the community about swim team concerns.
Mayor Norvell also spoke to community members about swim team concerns.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
7A. Conduct Public Hearing, Receive Report, Receive Finance & Administration Committee Recommendation, and Consider Adoption of City Council Resolution Approving Updates to the City’s Impact Fee Schedule Mayor Norvell opened the public hearing at 6:36 PM.
Assistant Director of Engineering, Chantell O’Neal and Alison Lechowicz of Lechowicz + Tseng Municipal Consultants presented the staff report on this item.
Public Comment: Jay Rosenquist, Jacob Patterson
Mayor Norvell closed the public hearing at 7:20 PM.
Discussion: O'Neal began the discussion by acknowledging the amendment of Exhibit A for the resolution. Council accepted the amendment as presented. Councilmember Albin-Smith stated that when this item was discussed at the Finance and Administration Meeting she had recommended that rather than lowering fees, they use the excess (up to the current amounts) for the new fees. Councilmember Peters thanked staff and the consultant for their work. Mayor Norvell thanks and supports staff and the consultant as well. He also made a recommendation for staff to bring back the fees for the Fire Department, CV Starr and Police Department to a future Public Hearing.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Rafanan, 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 -
7B. Conduct Public Hearing, Receive Report, Receive Finance & Administration Committee and the C.V Starr Ad-Hoc Council Committee Recommendation, and Consider Adoption of City Council Resolution Approving Updates to the C.V. Starr Community Center Fee Schedule for FY 2023/24 Mayor Norvell opened the public hearing at 7:26 PM.
CV Starr Director, Moneque Wooden presented the staff report on this item. She noted that the presented schedule that went out with the first agenda packet had to undergo some changes on lines 39-42 since there was a calculation error in Excel but it has been updated and republished.
Finance Director Whippy added that if approved tonight, the fees would be effective January 1, 2024. Punch passes will be removed to generate and attract more memberships. He noted that council's policy has always been to have 100% cost recovery for services. The recommendation City of Fort Bragg Page 3 Printed on 4/2/2024
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tonight is also to contract a consultant to review and generate clear direction to staff on certain programs and fees that provide benefit to the whole community and what the cost recovery should be.
Public Comment: Tessie Branscomb, Derek Hutchinson, Ronda Wasco, Heidi Sorensen, Tina Caranicolas, Natalie Thiel, Leo, Sophia Seaholm, Alexander Riece, Lisa Norman, Jacob Patterson, Jay McMartin Rosenquist.
Mayor Norvell recessed the meeting at 8:07 PM.
Mayor Norvell reconvened the meeting at 8:17 PM.
Mayor Norvell closed the public hearing at 8:41 PM.
Discussion: Councilmember Rafanan asked how many of the current lifeguards are also a part of the Sea Dragon Swim Team. Councilmember Peters mentioned his experience with the Annual Swim Meets, he noted that fees have not been raised since 2013. He mentioned looking into offering corporate memberships. He recommended the Sea Dragons reach out to the Mendocino Coast Children's Fund for support for indigent families. Councilmember Albin-Smith compared her experience with soccer tournaments to the swim meets. She noted that if there is no money, there is no maintenance and therefore no pool. She offered to help with fundraising as the goal is for CV Starr to remain open. Vice Mayor Godeke values all of the comments made this evening but realizes we need to keep the CV Starr financially viable. Mayor Norvell appreciates the process that has happened to come to a consensus about what it will take to keep the CV Starr open. Councilmember Peters proposed the City Council pay for this years swim meet out of the Council Goals Budget. All of the councilmembers concurred.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Godeke, seconded by Councilmember Peters, 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 -
7C. Conduct Public Hearing, Receive Report, Receive Finance & Administration Committee Recommendation, and Consider Adoption of City Council Resolution Approving Establishing a Credit Card Convenience Fee to be Collected for the use of Credit/Debit Cards
Mayor Norvell opened the public hearing at 9:18 PM.
Finance Director, Isaac Whippy presented this staff report on this item. The goal being for residents to pay more conveniently for city services.
Public Comment: David Spaur
Mayor Norvell closed the public hearing at 9:23 PM.
Discussion: Mayor Norvell thanked Whippy for recognizing the need for this new system and for expanding the way we collect money. It was clarified that these fees do not apply to utility payments only to non-utility payments.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Albin-Smith, that the Resolution be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
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Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Rafanan
5 -
8. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
8A. Receive Update on the Termination of the Current CV Starr Operating Agreement with Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District Finance Director, Isaac Whippy updated on the the Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District giving notice to the City of Fort Bragg terminating the operating agreement. The intent tonight is to provide council with an update on the transition plans for the city to absorb the CV Starr Center.
Public Comment: David Spaur, Jay McMartin Rosenquist.
Discussion: Councilmember Albin-Smith would like Visit Fort Bragg to help with marketing. Mayor Norvell asked about whether hours of operation are posted on the website, Ms. Wooden clarified that they try to keep hours posted and up to date with the exception of last minute sick calls for classes of which some they are unable to post in a timely manner. The public is always encouraged to call for the latest information.
8B. Receive Presentation of Community Engagement Plan for the Noyo Harbor Blue Economy Visioning, Resiliency and Implementation Plan Special Projects Manager, Sarah McCormick gave an update on the Community Engagement Plan for the Noyo Harbor Blue Economy Visioning, Resiliency and Implementation Plan. The Coastal Commission has given $898,000 for this 2 year planning effort.
Public Comment: Peter Mackemy of the Grass Roots Institute-Mendocino Vision Work Group, Jay McMartin Rosenquist.
9. CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Norvell recessed the meeting at 10:25 PM. The meeting reconvened to Closed Session at 10:30 PM.
9A. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT. Gov't Code Section 54957 (b). Title: City Clerk 9B. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT. Gov't Code Section 54957 (b). Title: City Manager Mayor Norvell reconvened the meeting to Open Session at 11:15 PM and reported that no reportable action was taken on the Closed Session items.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Norvell adjourned the meeting at 11:15 PM.
________________________________
BERNIE NORVELL, MAYOR
_______________________________
June Lemos, MMC, City Clerk
IMAGED (___________)
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