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, August 12, 2024 6:00 PMTown Hall, 363 N. Main Street and Via Video Conference
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Norvell called the meeting to order at 6:01 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 -
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
None.
AGENDA REVIEW
None.
1. MAYOR’S RECOGNITIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON: (1) NON-AGENDA, (2) CONSENT CALENDAR & (3)
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
(1) Ron White, Jacob Patterson, Shelley Green, Jay.
(2) Jacob Patterson.
3. STAFF COMMENTS
Chief Cervenka expressed his gratitude to the approximately 1,000 people who attended National Night Out and to all those who helped make the event a success.
City Clerk Diana Sanchez provided an update on the upcoming election. With Mayor Norvell not seeking re-election, the nomination period has been extended from August 9 to August 14. So far, nomination papers have been issued to six interested candidates, and three have submitted their papers and been approved by the County Clerk. If you are interested in running, please contact Diana at [email protected]
4. MATTERS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Peters expressed gratitude to both the community and staff for their role in City of Fort Bragg Page 1 Printed on 9/25/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes August 12, 2024
making National Night Out a success.
Councilmember Albin-Smith provided an update on her participation in an international convention, where economic development was a key topic.
Vice Mayor Godeke echoed the positive sentiments about National Night Out, thanking everyone involved. He also reminded the community that schools will be reopening on Wednesday and urged everyone to drive carefully.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Peters pulled items 5B, 5C and 5D for discussion.
Councilmember Albin-Smith pulled item 5E for discussion.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Godeke, seconded by Councilmember Peters, that the Consent Calendar be approved with the exception of 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Rafanan
5 -
5A. Introduce by Title Only and Waive Further Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 3.20 of the Fort Bragg Municipal Code and Approve Update to Credit Card Use Policy
This Ordinance was introduced on the Consent Calendar.
5F. Resolution of the Fort Bragg City Council to Approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the Fort Bragg Police Association and Authorizes the City Manager to Execute Same and Adopt Changes to the City of Fort Bragg Salary Rate Compensation Plan Effective July 1, 2024
This Resolution was adopted on the Consent Calendar.
Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Rafanan
5 -
5G. Resolution of the Fort Bragg City Council Approving an Application for Funding and the Execution of a Grant Agreement and any Amendments Thereto from the 2019-2020 Funding Year of the State CDBG Program
This Resolution was adopted on the Consent Calendar.
5H. Resolution of the Fort Bragg City Council Approving Contract Change Order With GOC Construction for the Fire Station Roof Replacement Project, City Project No. PWP-00138 and Authorizing City Manager to Execute Contract (Amount Not To Exceed $209,110)
This Resolution was adopted on the Consent Calendar.
Aye: Mayor Norvell, Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Albin-Smith, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Rafanan
5 -
5I. Receive and File Minutes of the Public Works and Facilities Committee Meeting for June 13, 2024
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These Committee Minutes were received and filed on the Consent Calendar. 5J. Approve Minutes of City Council Special Closed Session of July 22, 2024 These Minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
5K. Approve Minutes of July 22, 2024
These Minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
5L. Approve Minutes of Strategic Planning Workshop of July 23, 2024 These Minutes were approved on the Consent Calendar.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
5B. Adopt by Title Only, and Waive Further Reading of Ordinance 995-2024 an Ordinance of the City of Fort Bragg Adding Chapter 3.09 to the City’s Municipal Code to Impose a Transactions and Use Tax to be Administered by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration City Attorney Baron Bettenhausen provided an explanation, clarifying that this is a procedural request which will only take effect if approved by voters in the November 5, 2024 election. The request will not be enacted until after the election results are in and the measure is passed.
Public Comment: None.
Discussion: None.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Rafanan that this Ordinance be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
5C. Adopt City Council Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Execute Agreements with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration for Implementation of a Local Transaction and Use Tax
Assistant Engineering Director Chantell O'Neal explained that this item involved a correction requested by the Tax Board to an agreement executed last year for the 2023 fiscal year.
Public Comment: None.
Discussion: None.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Rafanan that this Resolution be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
5D. Adopt City Council Resolution of City of Fort Bragg Authorizing Examination of Sales or Transactions and Use Taxes Records Resolution for Examination of Confidential Records
Assistant Engineering Director Chantell O'Neal explained that this item involved a correction requested by the Tax Board to an agreement executed last year for the 2023 fiscal year.
Public Comment: None.
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Discussion: None.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Rafanan that this Resolution be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
5E. Adopt Municipal Improvement District Resolution Approving Purchase Order In the Amount of $320,000 with Synagro-WWT, Inc for the Transportation of Biosolids to Land Application Sites or Landfill, Common Sense Exemption 15061
Assistant Engineering Director Chantell O'Neal explained that this contract pertains to the transportation of biosolids out of Fort Bragg.
Public Comment: None.
Discussion: There was discussion regarding the potential use of biosolids as fertilizer or in other projects to help reduce costs in the future.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Rafanan that this ID Resolution be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
6. DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS None.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
None.
8. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
8A. Approval of Draft Strategic Plan - A Collaborative Effort from Community Workshop, City Council and City Staff Surveys and Interviews City Manager Isaac Whippy and Ellen Cross and Maria Pascoal of Strategy Driver presented on this item.
Public Comment: Jacob Patterson, Paul Clark.
Discussion: Councilmembers appreciated the transparent and public nature of the process. They noted that the document is highly useful as it translates the broad vision into actionable objectives.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Vice Mayor Godeke, 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. Discussion on Upcoming "Biggest Time" Event at Noyo Headlands Park Police Chief Neil Cervenka presented on this item.
Public Comment: Shay Wachtel, Jacob Patterson, Maria Dahlin, Tanda, Maria Flynn.
Discussion: Councilmembers expressed enthusiasm for the event, believing it will be an excellent opportunity to educate the community about local Native American culture.
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8C. Receive Presentation on the City of Fort Bragg Section 115 Investment Performance
City Manager Isaac Whippy presented on this item, followed by Ashley Bairs of PARS and PFM Asset Management Dennis Mullins and Ryan Nicasio.
Public Comment: Shay Wachtel
Discussion: None.
8D. Receive Report and Consider Approval of Police Department's Firearms Purchase Request
Sergeant PJ Ferris and Chief Cervenka presented on this item.
Public Comment: Gabriel Quinn Maroney, Jacob Patterson, Cassandra Roberts.
Discussion: Chief Cervenka announced that three officers have completed red dot training and have been carrying their equipment for some time. Additionally, the Laser 10 less-lethal platform has been deployed.
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 -
8E. Receive Report and Consider Adoption of City Council Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Agreement with Rincon Consultants, Inc. for the Environmental Impact Report for the Fort Bragg Reservoir Project, Project WTR-00024, Amount Not to Exceed $540,182.86, Statutory Exemption 15262 and Common Sense Exemption 15061
Assistant City Engineer Diane O'Connor presented on this item.
Public Comment: Jacob Patterson.
Discussion: None.
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 -
8F. Receive Report and Consider Adoption of City Council Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Agreement with Water Works Engineers for Design Services on the Reservoir Project, Project WTR-00024, Amount Not to Exceed $705,385, Exempt from CEQA 15060(c), 15378
Assistant City Engineer Diane O'Connor presented on this item.
Public Comment: None.
Discussion: It was clarified that the reservoir siting will involve coordination between two firms.
WRA will collaborate with Rincon, whose lead biologist has been trained by the same experts as those from the Native Plant Society, which has conducted extensive work in the Pygmy Forest.
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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
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Norvell adjourned the meeting at 7:58 PM.
_______________________________
BERNIE NORVELL, MAYOR
_______________________________
Diana Sanchez, City Clerk
IMAGED (___________)
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