CITY OF
CITY OF JACKSON
City Council Meeting Minutes
JACKSON January 10, 2022
ALIFORNIA
Mayor and Council Members John Georgette, City Clerk
Robert Stimpson, Mayor
Connie Gonsalves, Vice Mayor (via telecon) Staff Members:
Steve McLean, Council Member Josh Nelson, City Attorney Matt Riebe, Council Member Yvonne Kimball, City Manager Chad Simmons, Council Member Susan Peters, City Planner Debbie Mackey, Fire Chief
ABSENT: None Chris Mynderup, Police Chief
Matt Ospital, City Engineer
Mayor Stimpson called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.
Mayor Stimpson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Stimpson held a moment of silence for ex-Fire Chief Frank Tremaine.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
Motion to approve the City Council Agenda dated January 10, 2022, as presented. Moved by Councilmember McLean, seconded by Councilmember Riebe, and carried by a 5 to 0 vote:
AYES: Stimpson, Gonsalves, McLean, Riebe, Simmons
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
2. REMOTE MEETING FINDINGS.
Motion to approve the Remote Findings dated January 10, 2022, as presented. Moved by Vice Mayor Gonsalves, and seconded by Councilmember Simmons and carried by a 5 10 O vote:
AYES: Stimpson, Gonsalves, McLean, Riebe, Simmons
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
3. PUBLIC MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
Discussion items only, no action will be taken. Any person may address the Council at this time on any subject within the jurisdiction of the City Council. Please note - there is a three (3) minute limit.
Council Meeting Minutes - January 10, 2022 Page 2
Paul Jones, Jackson resident, offered prayer.
Thornton Consolo, Jackson resident, expressed his concern over the Pitt St. bridge closing and will be down for a period of time. He thinks this bridge is an historical item and needs to stay where it is. Would like to see the City reconsider the removal and replacement of this bridge. He understands the cost will eventually be shared with other entities for the replacement. Feels it would be worth keeping the old bridge, especially on how long it will take to get the bridge back up. Replacement of the bridge will take a long time and has not seen any formal statements as to how long it will take to remove the existing bridge and replace the bridge to get the roadway open. He would like to see more information on this. Mayor Stimpson stated this information cannot be calculated until it is understood what the underlying conditions are. The roadbed has to be removed to see the condition underneath which will determine how long it will take. CM McLean also reminded everyone that there will be another presentation later on this. Thornton understands replacement is millions, repair would be hundred thousands. He would like to see the original historic bridge remain there. He's not a big fan of the Creekwalk until it is funded. Once there is a full plan on the Creekwalk, the full extent of the plans, and how it will be funded. Does not want to commit the existing Pitt St. bridge to be part of that project until we know what is happening and will be utilized as part of a complete package. He will miss the bridge and not looking forward to the detours people will have to take to get around the bridge, especially if it is going to be closed for a year or more. Mayor Stimpson agreed from a historical aspect, he likes the bridge the way it is and would like to see it remain as is.
Sean Kriletich thanked the City of Jackson, Mayor, Vice Mayor and City Council members for the work with water and the City of Jackson in general in 2021. He brought forward a set of interesting facts about the city and how much water falls here on the City of Jackson vs. how much money that water is worth at AWA rates [report provided to clerk]. The fact is we produce a lot of water right here.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR.
Items listed on the consent calendar are considered routine and may be enacted by one motion. Any item may be removed for discussion at the request of a Council Member. a. Approval of Expenditure Report for December 2021 in the amount of $804,752.47. b. Approval of Payroll Expenditure Report for December 2021 in the amount of $281,936.96. c. Receive Fire Department Monthly Report for December 2021. d. Receive Police Department Monthly Report for December 2021. e. Receive Pitt Bridge Closure announcement (closure effective February 1, 2022). f. Receive announcement flyer for city's notification system. g. Approval of Special Event Permit Application - Ann Harkey Memorial. h. Acceptance of Committee Assignments (decision made at 12/13/21 meeting).
Council Meeting Minutes - January 10, 2022 Page 3
Motion 1o approve the Consent Calendar dated January 10, 2022, as presented. Moved by Councilmember McLean, seconded by Councilmember Simmons, and carried by a 5 to 0 vote:
AYES: Stimpson, Gonsalves, McLean, Riebe, Simmons
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
5. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS.
This section is to provide staff an opportunity to present oral status reports on issues. No legal action is expected to be taken by the Council.
Public Works, Bree Wilder
The city survived the storms over Christmas and New Year's with only a couple tree branches that came down at Kennedy Wheels. Rest of the town held up pretty well. The guys did a good job at keeping the drains clean.
• All the Christmas decorations have been taken down today and packed away. • A while back we had a citizen come in who requested signs on Church St. for the school and crosswalk; those are now installed.
• On Hoffman, down below the school crosswalk, the street pavement is crumbling. It is some of the new pavement that was done 2 years ago for an SB1 project. The contractor who did it originally will be taking care of it by re-doing that section. Mayor Stimpson questioned if there were 2 sections being looked at. Bree answered it was a big section. They replaced one section that was fixed last year and could be a 50-foot strip being replaced. • Lights in Busi Parking Lot have been out for a while. Tesla has a contractor scheduled tentatively for this Thursday. They hit the wires doing trenching so they will re-trench to get them fixed.
Amador St.: there is a 4" steel water line there that has had several problems with. Last week, they put a clamp on it to stop a leak and another leak sprung up next to. They clamped it, and another one sprung up next to it. There are 4 patches in a 5' strip now, it's holding together. He met with Weber Ghio and will put this out on an RFQ
• The Civic Center roof, repairs will start on Monday 1/17. This will be Phase I which will be the top of the Civic Center by the AC units and the back room of JPD and what else they can fit in with the weather conditions.
Police Chief, Chris Mynderup
• Monthly calls: interesting to point out, they were about 800 fewer calls than last year however total calls for service for the year, we were down 1. The bulk of the calls were officer initiated and a lot was due to shortage of officers half the year. Thanked the officers out there for doing a fantastic job keeping the department afloat.
It was exciting to be a part of the Serbian Christmas last Friday. Good to see this tradition back on Main St. and it was a good time.
• They were supposed to have their post-audit last week, however, their post-Coordinator had a medical emergency and ended up re-scheduling for late February.
Council Meeting Minutes - January 10, 2022 Page 4
• JPD has done their DOJ audit regarding their entries into the stolen vehicle system, automated firearm system, missing/unidentified person system, and have a couple items to work on, although passing the audit.
• Ready to put 2021 behind us and looking forward to 2022.
Fire Chief, Debbie Mackey
• Ended 2021 with 100+ call more than previous year. Total calls for the month were 182, extremely busy with +40 more than previous December.
• Thank you for the moment of silence for the 7h anniversary of Frank Tremaine's death. Spoke with his wife, Jenny. It's a somber day for all but she keeps busy. Their daughter, Sarah, is on the Fire Department. She takes the day off in tribute to her father. • Had a fire at 194 Agate Place, it was combined to the stove. Crews quickly brought it under control. No damage to the building, just the stove. Appears to be a malfunctioning behind the panels.
There were 3 structure fires Upcountry over past couple weeks. JFD covered the district at 2 of the fires. They responded to several calls while up there. They had to put on snow chains on the engine to get to a couple locations. They had to use a stokes basket get some occupants out of the house to the road to get into the ambulance. They also had to help get a Medic unit that was stuck in the snow. The storm was significant and caused some delays, nothing significant to cause any injuries. One Medic unit was stuck for 7 hours in the middle of the storm. • Had a fire over the weekend up at Butte Terrace; just outside the City of Jackson, JFD responded and assisted. Crews put out the fire quickly, several rooms and contents were heavily damaged by smoke. Family is displaced and Red Cross assisted the family. House was • JFD is finishing up with the inspections to comply with SB1205. Resolution will be at the next council meeting. JFD has done all the impartment inspections and school inspections this year.
They all did a wonderful job, the first year they have done these inspections. • The Fire Appreciation Night Dinner is this Saturday night and will be celebrating 2020 and City Attorney, Josh Nelson provided a brief update; The Governor has extended the mask mandate that was recently put in place through February 15th • Meaning we will be under the mask mandate for at least the next two (2) city council meetings. He will continue to monitor and provided any new information as it becomes available.
City Manager, Yvonne Kimball
Been spending a lot of time on staff related issues and filling the vacancies. We have the following vacancies:
• Engineering Services for Federal Aid projects (to follow CalTrans processes) • City Planner
• The RFQ's for both these positions will go out this week with responses due by end of month (January).
• Building Inspector/Code Enforcement
Council Meeting Minutes - January 10, 2022 Page 5
SB1383 Organic Food Recycle regulation. City Council already passed a resolution for a rural waiver but still need to do an Ordinance which is scheduled for the next Council meeting.
There is a grant for this but need the Ordinance first.
Had a conversation with ATCAA Executive Director, Justin Howard, regarding a request for City to help sponsor an after-school program. This will be on the next city council meeting agenda.
6. COUNCIL REPORTS.
This section is to provide Council members an opportunity to present reports on their activities and to request item be placed on future agendas.
Council member McLean
• Attended an Amador County Transportation Commission meeting; Director, John Gedney, did a great job putting together a funding source identification summary, 5-6 different funding sources that the commission can tap into. Will meet with Yvonne soon to discuss in more detail. He was elected to be the Vice Chairman.
• Attended the Amador County Transit Authority meeting as well.
Council member Riebe
• Has upcoming Cemetery Meeting and Amador County Tourism and a few others. Will have more to report next meeting.
Council member Simmons
• He and Mayor Stimpson put up a new banner in celebration of the State Champion Argonaut Football team. It was a fun evening. Since the event came quickly, he asked if the City could put out a formal Proclamation for them. Kimball stated the city already reached out to the Argonaut School Principal requesting for the correct verbiage for the proclamation and it's been a week and have not heard back. She asked if he could help get a response back for us, we'd appreciate it.
Vice Mayor Gonsalves
• Attended the downtown rally for the Argonaut Football State Championship celebration. • Attended the Serbian Christmas shoot-out.
• Have not had any committee meetings.
• Had question for City Manager, Kimball, regarding the wet waste disposal and if there would be any impacts to our wastewater treatment plant. Kimball addressed VM Gonsalves that the city already meets the SB1383 accounting and do not need to worry about it know. Kimball clarified that "residential" has a rural exemption. City Attorney Nelson added that we have a 5-year exemption and should not have any impacts on Jackson's wastewater treatment plant.
Mayor Stimpson
• Attended a couple meetings here and there, nothing to share as of yet.
Council Meeting Minutes - January 10, 2022 Page 6
7. DISCUSSION CALENDAR.
For the record: Action minutes provide the necessary documentation of City Council actions and audio recordings are retained for those desiring more detail on particular agenda item discussion.
These audio recordings provide an accurate and comprehensive backup of City Council deliberations and citizen discussion.
Receive, discuss, and provide direction regarding (verbal) report from the Homeless Outreach Coordinator regarding the City's response to homeless issues.
Christine Platt, Outreach Coordinator, reported that last month was pretty slow in respect to meetings but busy in her work. City of Jackson received a person that did not belong here, most likely displaced. With the help with an outside agency, they were able to determine where he wanted to go. She drove him to Merced; he was not set up here to be homeless here in our area.
Thank you to Bree (Public Works Superintendent) for helping set up the mobile shower. They did a trial last month. This month she will be picking certain dates and times around the weather conditions that would benefit for people to come out. She's been sending communications to other agencies regarding the shower date(s).
Lastly, she is currently working on housing for a person.
Mayor Stimpson asked if the mobile shower was up and running now. Platt answered yes, and for now it is set up near the Corp yard [Public Works]. The location site is shared with other outside agencies versus announcing or social media to protect the privacy of the location. She had 10 people come last week. She is trying to run it as discreetly as possible, so it does not impact the community. It was quite successful and will try to run it once a week, pending weather. During summer months, hoping to run it twice a week. CM McLean asked if people are leaving the shower in good shape. Platt answered, yes, those using it are respectful and do not leave a mess. McLean shared he saw a known homeless man and said he looked quite dapper and probably took advantage of the shower. Platt shared she has someone who volunteered to come out next time offering free haircuts.
b. Receive EPA's Argonaut Mine Superfund Site Clean-Up Update.
John Hildebrand, EPA, gave a very informative presentation regarding the upcoming cleanup activities and will be starting a much larger project coming up soon. Flyers were sent out to the community and shared his contact information for any questions that the community has.
Council thanked John for a great presentation.
c. Possible award of the Oro De Amador property Cattle lease agreement.
City Manager, Yvonne Kimball, explained that the Oro de Amador property has been used for cattle grazing but is contaminated as well. It is an abandoned mining site ultimately to be used for recreation. City has been working with the State to get a removal action workplan that will lead to clean up action. In the interim, cattle grazing has been allowed on the property. The city issues Council Meeting Minutes - January 10, 2022 Page 7
advertisements to invite potential interests to bid on the lease. We go by the highest bidder for the lease and city issues a lease agreement to that bidder. The last few years the property has been leased to the Laughton's. This past agreement expired the end of December 2021.
She went on to say that the City issued a RFQ in November; the first round we received 2 responses, and both had issue(s) with the way the RFQ was put out. Therefore, it was decided to publish a 2n° round RFQ to clarify the discrepancy in our advertisement. This time around we received 3 bids as listed (page 27 of the packet). Staff reviewed all 3 bids. Based on advertised selection criteria, staff recommends awarding to the highest bidder. Mayor Stimpson agreed that we should award to the highest bidder, that is the objective. CM McLean asked if the revenue comes to the city. Kimball said yes and stated she was pleased to see 3 bids this year, as in past, it was always just one (1) bidder with no other bidders.
Mayor Stimpson opened for Public Comment.
Jim Laughton, Jackson resident, presented prepared remarks [copy to clerk] regarding the Oro de Amador lease and is disputing it. He requested Council to table this tonight and investigate the water issue and who is the best value to the City.
Mayor Stimpson offered discussion to the Council. CM McLean wants to make sure that we are doing this correctly and following the appropriate rules. City Attorney Nelson acknowledged that we did and clarified the reason for the rebid. One reason was miscommunication from the bidders and staff wanted to evaluate and wanted to make sure it was an apples-to-apples comparison.
Jim Laughton questioned the material changes in the lease. CA Nelson answered that In the 2 bids received previously, there were substantial changes from one bidder and other changes from the other and it was a non-apples-to-oranges comparison. Therefore, it was re-bid to get an apples-to- apples comparison which is before the council tonight.
Jim Laughton continued to argue the other bidder would be a non-responsive bid if he wrote in different terms and proceeded to request that council throw out the other bidder. CA Nelson clarified that is not what was in front of council today. The first bids were all rejected. The second bids are in front of council. There are no exceptions to these bids. What is in front of council this evening is to except one of the bids or to again reject all bids and re-bid. It's not possible to go back and resurrect the prior bid. Staff recommends you award to the highest bidder.
Mayor Stimpson stated he wanted to award the bid to bidder A, the highest bid, that's what makes sense and asked council to weigh in.
Additional comment was made by Bronwyn Hogan stated she doesn't know the back story to this but as for someone who reviews requests for funding opportunities, if applicants don't have what meets the requirements and somebody else does, we don't re-fly the RFP because somebody didn't have a bid application that didn't meet the bid requirements.
Mayor Stimpson stated the bids have been reviewed by our legal counsel and have to go on their recommendation.
Council Meeting Minutes - January 10, 2022 Page 8
After no further comments, closed public comments and entertained a motion.
Motion to award the bid to Bidder A, January 10, 2022, as presented. Moved by Mayor Stimpson, seconded by Councilmember McLean, and carried by a 5 to 0 vote:
AYES: Stimpson, Gonsalves, McLean, Riebe, Simmons
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
d. Main St. Merchants Meeting Direction
City Manager Kimball provided overview regarding the Main St. Merchants meeting agenda she has proposed and discussed with Council.
Council's direction was to allow the City to kick off the meeting but the Main St. Merchants need to take leadership and create their own organization. City will provide support with 2 councilmembers but the City cannot support 100% financially.
CM Kimball will set up kick off meeting relating to City's mission Mayor Stimpson opened Public Comments.
Wayne Garibaldi, former councilmember, there to help the city any way fit. Agrees with city, the drive has to come from the Main St. Merchants and council can help.
Mayor Stimpson asked who was going to be in the meeting. Kimball said she would facilitate the meeting, but Council needs to task a couple councilmembers to be present.
Kimball recapped direction that she will send meeting invites to Main St businesses. Council requests she invite all businesses from Water St, Hwy 88, and Main St. Does not want anyone excluded and they can make the decision to come or not come. Kimball confirmed that VM Gonsalves and CM McLean have volunteered to support the City. e. Update on timekeeping software as relates to overall payroll process improvement (verbal presentation).
City Manager Kimball turned this update over to Dalacie Blankenship.
Dalacie provided a report on the timekeeping system the city is implementing utilizing the Novatime for their timekeeping solutions. The city's initial cost was $5,712 and the next 2 years on the contract at $3,900 per year.
Novatime was selected based on 2 factors as they work with local municipalities and were most Council Meeting Minutes - January 10, 2022 Page 9
familiar with the varying schedules of police, fire, and public works departments. The timekeeping process is the most time-consuming part of the payroll process. Implementation of The Novatime software should reduce the overall time for this process by 70-85%. Novatime is a complete work force management solution. It ensures privacy and data integrity through encryption and prevents unauthorized access into the database, firewalls, and intrusion prevention systems. Access to the software is web-based for all users and can be made via computer, web-browser, or mobile app.
City Manager Kimball shared that she and staff have been looking into improving the entire payroll process for quite a while. The timekeeping piece has not been automated. The biggest benefit will be saving 85% time just collecting, inputting, and correcting issues with everyone's timecards. Department heads have seen the demo and agree this will help the payroll process.
Mayor Stimpson opened for public comment.
Debby Collins, Jackson resident, used to do payroll and timekeeping and was concerned about the comment "supervisors will be able to review, edit and approve timesheets". She said once an employee inputs their information and if a supervisor edits this information seems a bit dangerous. Secondly, she wanted to know exactly how much time is spent on this right now if we're to save 70-80%, how much time (estimated) will be saved.
Dalacie answered that there are always times when things happen when an employee is entering times on to their timesheet; they may miss a punch or don't have the total hours for that day included so their supervisors can go back and edit. The supervisor can check with the employee for accuracy, not changing someone's hours.
Mayor Stimpson provided Council's direction to proceed.
8. REGULAR MEETING ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor Stimpson adjourned the regular meeting at 9:20 p.m.
9. CLOSED MEETING ADJOURNMENT.
Closed session adjourned at 10:30 pm.
ATTEST:
theore 07/18/2022
on concorde
Date Approved