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, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, 200 S. Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802, 701 West Ocean
Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90831
and Via Video Conference
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Mayor Godeke called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Norvell joined the meeting at 7:55 PM.
Vice Mayor Jason Godeke, Councilmember Marcia Rafanan, Councilmember Lindy Peters and Councilmember Tess Albin-Smith
Present: 4 -
Absent: 1 - Mayor Bernie Norvell
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
None.
AGENDA REVIEW
1. MAYOR’S RECOGNITIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1A. 24-961 Proclamation for Breast Cancer Awareness Month Councilmember Peters read the Proclamation Declaring October Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Councilmember Albin-Smith shared that Soroptomist International and Adventist Health Mendocino Coast celebrated a Day in Pink - Breast Cancer Awareness Event. She encouraged everyone to get exams.
1B. 24-962 Proclamation Declaring October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Vice Mayor Godeke read the Proclamation declaring October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Project Sanctuary will be sent the proclamation.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON: (1) NON-AGENDA, (2) CONSENT CALENDAR & (3)
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
(1) John Bunk, Jacob Patterson.
(2) None.
(3) Jacob Patterson.
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3. STAFF COMMENTS
City Manager Whippy announced that emergency repair work on S. McPherson St. will begin next Monday, with Akeff Construction contracted to handle the repairs. He also shared that the City, in collaboration with the Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG), Mendocino County, CalTrans, and Noyo Harbor, has been awarded a grant for the planning of the Noyo Harbor Multimodal Circulation Plan. This initiative will kick off with a workshop on October 21st, featuring two walking tours and an online survey that will be available to the public. Police Chief Cervenka reported that the second community Fentanyl Task Force meeting is scheduled for October 16th.
This meeting will include presentations from multiple organizations addressing the issue of fentanyl in the community. He also congratulated Captain O’Neal on being selected for POST Command College. City Clerk Sanchez reminded the community that the last day to register to vote for the upcoming election is October 21st. She will also be present at the Farmers Market on Wednesdays, providing election registration forms.
4. MATTERS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Rafanan announced that on October 17th, Noyo Fish Co. will be hosting a dine-out event, with a portion of the proceeds supporting the Mendocino Coast Humane Society.
Councilmember Peters explained that the reason only three councilmembers are present at Town Hall is that Mayor Norvell and Councilmember Albin-Smith are attending the League of California Cities Conference in Long Beach. This conference presents a valuable opportunity for networking with other councilmembers and for the City representatives to collectively propose initiatives and legislation to the State Senate that would benefit the cities. Peters also agreed with a public comment regarding the need for trash cans to be reinstated along the Coastal Trail and requested that this be added to the agenda for the next Public Works Committee meeting.
He shared that he attended a meeting of the Fort Bragg Fire Protection Authority Board, where they discussed the ending of the parcel tax, noting that they are currently solvent and funding from the last tax initiative is secure. He reminded everyone that the City currently has two tax initiatives on the ballot and stated that adding a third parcel tax would be too burdensome for the community.Councilmember Albin-Smith, reporting from the conference in Long Beach, echoed Peters’ sentiment about the importance of networking and training for City representatives. She also mentioned her recent trip to the City’s Sister City, Otsuchi, and noted that they will provide a report to the Council on November 12. Regarding the proclamation on Domestic Violence, she expressed pride that the City acknowledges these significant issues and highlighted the Soroptimist's support at the United Nations level. Vice Mayor Godeke announced that he received his ballot in the mail, which consists of two pages, and wanted to bring this to everyone’s attention in case there is any confusion regarding it.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Approval of the Consent Calendar
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Albin-Smith, that the be approved on the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Rafanan, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Albin-Smith
4 -
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Absent: 1 - Mayor Norvell
5A. 24-964 Resolution of the Fort Bragg City Council Amending the Master Salary Compensation Plan to add Two Classifications Including Pay Rates and Ranges for Grants Analyst and Office Assistant Positions Effective October 20, 2024
This Resolution was approved on the Consent Calendar
Enactment No: RES 4856-2024
5B. 24-968 Resolution of the Fort Bragg City Council Amending the Pay Rates and Range for Police Captain Classification Reflecting Retroactive Ordinance 672 Salary Adjustment
This Resolution was adopted
Enactment No: RES 4857-2024
5C. 24-965 Resolution of the Fort Bragg City Council Confirming Support of the Cohort-4 Proposition 47 Grant
This Resolution was adopted on the Consent Calendar.
Enactment No: RES 4858-2024
5D. 24-981 Resolution to Spend America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds on the Lost Revenue Replacement Category
This Resolution was adopted on the Consent Calendar.
Enactment No: RES 4859-2024
5E. 24-963 Receive and File Minutes of the June 25, 2024 Community Development Committee Meeting
This Minutes was approved on the Consent Calendar.
5F. 24-974 Approve Minutes of September 23, 2024
This Minutes was approved on the Consent Calendar.
6. DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS None.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
7A. 24-882 Receive Report, Conduct Public Hearing, and Consider Adoption of City Council Resolution Approving an Application for Funding and the Execution of a Grant Agreement and Any Amendments Thereto from the 2024 Funding City of Fort Bragg Page 3 Printed on 4/18/2025
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Year of the State CDBG Program
Vice Mayor Godeke opened the public hearing at 6:36 PM.
Grants Coordinator Sallas presented the staff report.
Public Comment: Shelly Green and Paul Clark.
Vice Mayor Godeke closed the public hearing at 6:41 PM.
Discussion: Councilmembers asked clarifying questions. There was discussion about how the low income funding can be used for projects such as code enforcement. Grants Coordinator clarified about how the matrixes determines what is an eligible activities. Councilmembers support the programs.
A motion was made by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Vice Mayor Rafanan, that the Resolution be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Vice Mayor Godeke, Councilmember Rafanan, Councilmember Peters and Councilmember Albin-Smith
4 -
Absent: 1 - Mayor Norvell
Enactment No: RES 4860-2024
8. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
8A. 24-979 Receive Presentation on Pro-Housing Initiatives and Policies Recommendations and Provide Direction to Staff
City Manager Whippy and Consultant Marie Jones presented on this item. They shared on the upcoming housing initiatives are seeking to receive a Pro-Housing Designation state. Economic Development Manager Sarah McCormick explained how the Community Land Trust works.
Public Comment: Shelly Green, Jacob Patterson, Jenny Shattuck, and Paul Clark, Discussion/Direction: Councilmemebers asked clarification questions about getting more points towards the Pro Housing Designation. After extensive discussion, the councilmembers agreed on several proposals and provided direction to Consultant Jones to complete the Pro Housing Designation application.
8B. 24-915 Receive Report And Provide Direction Regarding Proposed Update To Fort Bragg Municipal Code Chapter 6.12 To Establish And Authorize Code Enforcement Cost Recovery Fees
Code Enforcement Office George Leinen presented this staff report. He proposed updates to Municipal Code Chapter 6.12.
Public Comment: Elise Cox, Jacob Patterson, Paul Clark, Jenny Shattuck and Andrew Jordan.
Discussion/Direction: After a brief discussion, the Council directed staff to continue with cost recovery on code enforcement issues and update the ordinance.
9. CLOSED SESSION
Vice Mayor Godeke Recessed the meeting at 7:59 PM. The meeting reconvened to Closed Session at 8:12 PM.
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24-983 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - Existing Litigation Pursuant to Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of Gov. Code Section 54956.9 City of Fort Bragg v. Mendocino Railroad
Vice Mayor Godeke reconvened the meeting to Open Session at 9:27 PM and reported that no reportable action was taken on the Closed Session item.
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Mayor Godeke adjourned the meeting at 9:27
________________________________
BERNIE NORVELL, MAYOR
_______________________________
Diana Sanchez, City Clerk
IMAGED (___________)
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