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, November 13, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Norvell called the meeting to order at 6:10 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. 23-375 Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing November as Native American Heritage Month
Councilmember Rafanan read the Proclamation recognizing November as Native American Heritage Month. She thanked the council for recognizing her heritage and is very pleased that more is being done to keep the cultural preservation of the Native American Culture.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON: (1) NON-AGENDA, (2) CONSENT CALENDAR (1) Heidi Sorensen (Sea Dragon board member and parent), Jay Rosenquist, Jacob Patterson. (2) None.
3. STAFF COMMENTS
Finance Director, Isaac Whippy gave a status update on the CV Starr's pool repairs. The repairs were completed and the center is now open for business as usual.
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City Council Meeting Minutes November 13, 2023
4. MATTERS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Godeke thanked the Culture and Education Ad-hoc Committee and council for the proclamation and for approving the use of the Fort Building for a learning center and for the seed money that was granted. Councilmember Albin-Smith talked about the pickleball tournament on Saturday that was well attended. She also mentioned the Winter Wonderland Event and parade in downtown Fort Bragg are coming up on December 2, 2023, all are welcome. Tomorrow the Visit Fort Bragg Committee will be meeting at 9:30 AM to further plan and discuss the Winter Wonderland event. Albin-Smith inquired about advertising for CV Starr memberships. Whippy responded that the big advertising campaign would be for the New Year.
Councilmember Peters thanked Heidi from the Sea Dragons for coming in to acknowledge the support from council. He also spoke to Veronica Bazor about the Otsuchi exchange program.
They are hoping to kick it off again with a visit from Otsuchi friends in March of 2024.
Councilmember Rafanan went to the Veteran’s Memorial Service and was very pleased with the service. She also reminded for anyone wanting to enter the Winter Wonderland Parade to sign up.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Rafanan, that the Consent Calendar be approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Rafanan
5 -
5A. 23-385 Approve Scope of Work for a Request for Proposals for Professional Services for Preparation of a Biosolids Treatment and Disposal Feasibility Study This Scope of Work for Request for Proposals was approved on the Consent Calendar.
5B. 23-368 Receive and File Minutes of the Public Safety Committee Meeting for June 21, 2023
These minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
5C. 23-389 Receive and File Minutes of the April 12, 2023 Finance and Administration Committee Meeting
These minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
5D. 23-382 Receive and File Minutes of the Finance and Administration Committee Meeting of June 14, 2023
These minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
5E. 23-383 Receive and File Minutes of the Finance and Administration Committee Meeting of August 24, 2023
These minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
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5F. 23-384 Receive and File Minutes of the Finance and Administration Committee Meeting of October 11, 2023
These minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
5G. 23-391 Approve Minutes of October 23, 2023 City Council meeting These minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
6. DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS None.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
None.
8. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
8A. 23-399 Approve an Update to the City of Fort Bragg Personnel Rules and Regulations Regarding Catastrophic Leave Program
Manager Peggy Ducey presented the Staff Report for this item.
Public Comment: Jacob Patterson
Discussion: It was discussed that employees should be required to apply for State Disability in order to be eligible for donations. It was clarified that employees are in fact required to apply.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Rafanan, that the Staff Report be approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Rafanan
5 -
8B. 23-374 Receive Report and Consider Adoption of Fort Bragg Municipal Improvement District Resolution Approving Professional Services Agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc to Prepare the WasteWater Collection System Master Plan, City Project No. WWP-00021, and Authorizing City Manager to Execute Contract (Amount Not To Exceed $725,000; Account No. 716-7009-0731) Assistant Director of Engineering Chantell O’Neal presented the Staff Report for this item.
Public Comment: Jenny Shattuck
Discussion: Councilmember Peters is pleased to hear that we will be getting cameras in order to facilitate finding sewage blockages or pipe issues rather than having to dig up the pipes to find the problems. Mayor Norvell thanked public works staff.
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 -
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8C. 23-387 Approval of Agreement with the County of Mendocino to Terminate Leasehold and Cooperative Agreement Pertaining to the Operation of the Animal Control Facility Located at 19701 Summers Lane, Fort Bragg, CA
City Manager Peggy Ducey presented the Staff report on this item.
Public Comment: Shelley Green, Jacob Patterson
Discussion: There was no discussion.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Godeke, seconded by Councilmember Albin-Smith, that the Staff Report be approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Rafanan
5 -
8D. 23-390 Resolution of the Fort Bragg City Council Approving Professional Services Agreement with City Management Advisors, LLC, dba Peckham & Mckenney to Provide Executive Recruitment Services for the Position of City Manager and Direct Staff to Agendize a Professional Service Agreement for Action by City Council (Not To Exceed $27,000; Account # 110-4110-0319 for $10,000; Account # 110-4130-0319 For $17,000) (Amount Not To Exceed $27,000; Account No. 110-4110-0319 For $10,000; Account No. 110-4130-0319 For $17,000)
Tony Dahlerbruch of Peckham and McKenney presented the proposal for this item. Tara Schultz new to Peckham and McKenney introduced herself.
Mayor Norvell appointed Councilmember Peters and Vice Mayor Godeke to the City Manager Recruitment Ad-hoc Committee.
Public Comment: Jacob Patterson
Discussion: Mayor Norvell suggested that council approve the item as to move forward with a contract. Schultz stated that if council approves the contract, she would be working closely with city councilmembers to better understand what the candidate requirements and qualifications they are looking for. Vice Mayor Godeke stated that it seemed like an important investment in order to get a good candidate pool.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Rafanan, that the Resolution be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5- Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Rafanan
Mayor Norvell adjourned the meeting at 7:27 PM.
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