Agenda Item #G2
CITY OF IONE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Meeting of May 16, 2023
Mayor Rhoades called meeting to order at 6:00 PM
A. ROLL CALL:
Present: Stacy Rhoades, Mayor
Jack Mitchell, Vice Mayor
Dominic Atlan, Councilmember
Alison LaFayne, Councilmember
Diane Wratten, Councilmember
Staff: Amy Gedney, Acting City Manager
Sean Cameron, City Attorney
Janice Traverso, City Clerk (6:03 pm)
B. CLOSED SESSION: Council convened to Closed Session to discuss the following:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL: Public Employee Appointment – City Manager – Government Code 54957.6
C. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION: Council reconvened to Open Session and Mayor Rhoades reported that information was received and direction was given.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL: Public Employee Appointment – City Manager – Government Code 54957.6
D. MAYOR RHOADES LED THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
E. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
It was moved by Councilmember Wratten, seconded by Councilmember Atlan and carried to approve the agenda.
AYES: Rhoades, Mitchell, Atlan, LaFayne, Wratten
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
F. PRESENTATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS: None
G. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Oral Custer, Historic Preston Foundation – last month we met with City Manager, Amy Gedney and Police Chief, John Alfred in connection with our interest in the development of a Veterans Academy at Historic Preston. Since that time we have been able to speak to officials of CalFire and staff with legislators. The outcome of the meeting indicated an interest by the City in the Administration building.
1. Pursuant to Section 11011.1 of the Government Code, approximately sixty-five acres within the interior of the former Preston Youth Correctional Facility in Amador County will be transferred at no cost of the City of Ione from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
2. The seventeen-acre former staff housing area of the surplus property external to the perimeter of the facility will be acquired through title donation to nonprofit organization Historic Preston Restoration Foundation for the purpose of restoring the residential area for families of military Veterans.
3. The former administration building at Preston Youth Correctional Facility will become offices for City of Ione Fire and Police protection. It is recommended that additional interior areas within the facility be developed as a specialized Career Technical Academy for the families of military Veterans.
4. Historic Preston Foundation will offer to provide for management of the vacant facility for the City of Ione – through state funding that reduces by half the cost of maintenance over the previous 12 years since the facility was closed in June 2011.
David Livingstone, Wildflower:
1. Thanked the Police Chief, Amy Gedney and the rest of the Council for putting in the “stalker”, the City’s sign board on Foothill Drive, which tracks the speed of vehicles—it is working.
2. Thanked staff for some improvements that have been made on the hazards on the fence at Lupine and Foothill Drive.
3. Congratulate the City of Ione and everyone who worked on Homecoming.
4. Having difficult connecting to the new City of Ione website—it has been live since May 15, 2023.
H. INFORMATION ITEMS: None
I. CONSENT CALENDAR:
It was moved by Councilmember Wratten, seconded by Councilmember Atlan and carried to approve the following:
1. Minutes of May 2, 2023
2. Warrants
AYES: Rhoades, Mitchell, Atlan, LaFayne, Wratten
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
J. PUBLIC HEARING: None
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
For the record: Action minutes provide the necessary documentation of City Council action. Audio recordings are retained for those desiring more detail on particular agenda item discussions. These audio recordings provide an accurate and comprehensive backup of City Council deliberations and citizen discussions.
K. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Train Depot Grant Deed – Joycelyn Limas, City Surveyor from Willdan Engineering gave an overview of the project. The Amador Central Railroad Corporation is requesting the City give a portion of the property at 315 S. Mill Street (where the historic Train Depot currently sits), to ACRC so they can begin the process of refurbishing the depot. ACRC has a 501C status, and is eligible for for grants.
Councilmember Atlan requested this item being tabled until the following requirements by State Surplus Land Act - Government Code Sections 65402(a) were completed.
• No real property shall be disposed of until the location, purpose and extent of such disposition has been submitted to and reported upon by the planning agency as to conformity with the adopted General Plan • All dispositions of surplus land must be approved by the Department of Housing and Community Development before the sale or lease can be finalized.
Leonard Williams, ACRC owns the railroad. We are a 501C3 and want the depot because we have so much invested in the depot and we hate seeing it going back to the earth. We want to fix the depot. Whatever steps that need to be taken, we need to do it a hurry and take over ownership and start getting the funding. We have people wanting to put money into the depot but cannot get it done until we own it.
After discussion by Council, it was moved by Councilmember Wratten, seconded by Councilmember Atlan to designate this surplus land and that this item go to the Planning Commission for additional steps that need to be taken to move it from the City to whomever.
AYES: Rhoades, Atlan, LaFayne, Wratten
NOES: Mitchell
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
2. Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant and Tertiary Treatment Plant Overview – Kathryn Gies representing West Yost Engineering presented an update and overview of the efforts that have been completed by West Yost related to our assessment of the City of Ione Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and Castle Oaks Recycled Water Facility (COWRF). The topics addressed were as follows:
• Facility Overview
• Current Wastewater Flows
• Discharge Permit Overview
• Key Topics Related to the WWTP
• Key Topics Related to the COWRF
L. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER:
• May 19, 2023 - City Attorney interviews.
• May 25, 2023 - Special Districts Committee meeting
• May 22, 2023 – Ad Hoc Budget Committee, draft budget will be presented at the first meeting in June.
• May 22, 2023 – New Building Inspector start date.
M. COUNCIL COMMENTS/COMMITTEE REPORTS/FUTURE AGENDA:
Mayor Rhoades:
• Homecoming was great—first time in 15 to 20 years received compliments on the Public Works Department for their hard work during Homecoming • There is a rut on the horse track that needs repair.
Councilmember Atlan:
• The chain link fence in front of the Elementary School is an eyesore and needs attention—the fence is falling over.
Vice Mayor Mitchell:
• Some websites may be affected by the recent cyber terrorism—cutting of AT&T cables
• Thanked the staff for the information received by Ad Hoc Budget Committee.
• Thanked the Chief Mackey, Chief Alfred and Public Works for making Homecoming fantastic and safe.
Councilmember LaFayne:
• Thanked staff for the information received by the Ad Hoc Finance Committee.
• ACRA Meeting – the budget was discussed. Pool Contract will be presented to the Park & Recreation Commission at their next meeting.that he presents a full picture.
• Would like an update on HR Dynamics, the City’s current Human Resource Contractor. Report by HR Dynamics, will be given to the City by the end of June.
N. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned by Councilmember Atlan, seconded by Councilmember Wratten and carried to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Traverso
City Clerk