CITY OF
cond CITY OF JACKSON
City Council Meeting Minutes
JACKSON October 9, 2023
ALIFORNIA
Mayor and Council Members John Georgette, City Clerk
Steve McLean, Mayor
Chad Simmons, Vice Mayor Staff Members:
Max Godde, Council Member Josh Nelson, City Attorney (REMOTE) Connie Gonsalves, Council Member Chris Mynderup, Interim City Manager/Police Chief Bob Stimpson, Council Member Dale Fishback, Interim Fire Chief Carleen Kirkpatrick, Deputy City Clerk
ABSENT: None Christine Platt, Homeless Outreach Coordinator Mayor McLean called the meeting to order at 6:29 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.
Mayor McLean led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. CEREMONIAL.
• Introduction and swearing in of new Police Officer: Graciela Razo.
Police Officer Graciela Razo was sworn in by City Clerk John Georgette, introduced by Interim City Manager/Police Chief Christopher Mynderup, and her badge was pinned on by her daughter.
• Recognition for years of service and contributions to the Jackson Police Department:
Doug Grey
• Jim Walshaw
Interim City Manager/ Police Chief Christopher Mynderup introduced retired officers Doug Grey and Jim Walshaw, honoring them for their multiple years of service to the Jackson Police Department with specialized gifts to recognize their contributions.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
Motion to approve the City Council Agenda dated October 9, 2023 as presented. Moved by Councilmember Stimpson, seconded by Councilmember Gonsalves, and carried by a 5 to 0 vote:
AYES: McLean, Simmons, Gonsalves, Godde, Stimpson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
October 9, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes
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.
Mitchell Vinciguerra (Field Representative/NorCal Carpenters Union Local 152) - He requested the City of Jackson adopt labor standards and pre-qualification language for future projects. One labor standard would be the use of a state sponsored apprenticeship programs, considering increased wages and student debt concerns, a construction apprenticeship can sometimes be a better option for many young people than the traditional undergraduate program. He stated construction apprenticeship programs are proven escalators to the middle class, training tens of thousands of construction workers every year at no cost to taxpayers, and policies that that require the utilization of apprentices develop a pool of skilled labor in the local area who can work on future projects. The second great labor standard he discussed was the requirement that contractors provide health care. He stated that 1/4 (26%) of construction workers in California lack health insurance and the workers rely on emergency rooms, which taxes an already overburdened medical system. He advised that policies requiring contractors to offer their workers family health care raises standards in the construction industry and ensures employers who offer healthcare compete on a level playing field.
Council thanked Mr. Vinciguerra for the information.
Mayor McLean asked for further public comment and received none.
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 the September 11, 2023 Meeting Minutes.
b. Approval of Expenditure Report in the amount of $794,876.36 (through 9/25/23), and $282,301.89 (through 10/9/23).
c. Approval of September 2023 Payroll Expenditure Report in the amount of $354,726.61.
d. Approval of Treasurer's Report for June and July 2023.
Receive Jackson Building Department for Monthly Report for September 2023. f. Receive Jackson Fire Department Monthly Report for September 2023. g. Receive Jackson Police Department Monthly Report for September 2023. h. Approval of Special Event Permit Application - Argonaut Football Downtown Rally on October 26, 2023 [Argonaut High School, ASB Advisor Taylor Wenske]. i. Approval of Special Event Permit Application - Jackson Elementary Fall Festival on October 27, 2023 JUS TAP, Rachelle Limmer].
i. Approval of Special Event Permit Application - Christmas Delights on Jackson Main Street on November 24-25, 2023 [Historic Jackson Business Association, Sasha Gareau].
k. Proclamation to Establish a Sister City Relationship with Trebinje, Bosnia & Herzegovina on September 21st, 1, 2023.
1. Proclamation Honoring Phil and Wendy Bovero of Jackson Tire Service as Recipient of October 9, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes
the 2023 Amador County Chamber of Commerce Businessperson of the Year Award on October 7, 2023.
m. Proclamation to designate November 1S, 2023 as Extra Mile Day. n. Resolution No. 2023-36 Awarding the Construction Contract for the 435 South Avenue Demolition Project to Fisk Demolition.
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar dated October 9, 2023 as presented. Moved by Councilmember Godde, seconded by Councilmember Gonsalves, and carried by a 5 to 0 vote:
AYES: McLean, Simmons, Gonsalves, Godde, Stimpson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Councilmember Gonsalves advised regarding Consent Item (4i), while she was in fifth grade at Jackson Elementary, she participated in a contest to name the teachers and parents group and she named the group JUSTAP for "just tap and come in".
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.
Interim City Manager / Police Chief, Chris Mynderup - On October 16, 2023, oral board testing will be conducted for three applicants interested in the last open police officer position. PD plans to begin testing for the full-time detective position afterwards. As Interim City Manager, he attended the Planning Commission meeting on October 2, 2023 for the Public Hearing on the General Plan, Environmental Impact Report, and Housing Element. The Commission unanimously agreed to a resolution recommending Council to adopt. On October 4, 2023, he met with Sutter Creek's Interim City Manager/Police Chief Jim O'Connell, lone City Manager Amy Gedney, and Ione Police Chief John Alfred regarding combining forces on animal control issues to respond with their numbers as a unified force as they agree the County should be paid something for the services but the amounts requested don't match up to the city's numbers/use. Mayor McLean expressed support. He attended the East Bay Mud Picnic for the first time, with Mayor McLean and Councilmember Gonsalves, and was fascinated by the guest speaker, a paleontologist who was pulling 40-50-million-year-old fossils from the Mokelumne Watershed.
*On behalf of Public Works Superintendent, Bree Wilder - Wilder has an RFQ out for a new 2023 F650 dump truck bid and the closing date is October 13, 2023. This item is expected to be returned to council at the next meeting for approval.
Councilmember Gonsalves advised of the emails they receive regarding available vehicles from other companies. Vice Mayor Simmons stated his preference towards buying new rather than used.
Councilmember Stimpson agreed.
Interim Fire Chief, Dale Fishback - October is Fire Safety Month and they have groups presenting at the schools on fire prevention and safety. There are nine applicants that have been invited to test for the October 9, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes
open firefighter position on October 25, 2023. They hope to start interviews the first week of November, based on testing results, with plans to make an offer by mid to late November. The ladder truck is now registered to the City through DMV and insured, and will be available for the Downtown Rally on October 26*h and for any other purpose thereafter. The Fire Dept will be participating in the Lion's Club Halloween Parade with the Studebaker. They are still having some staffing issues, but with Frankie hopefully returning and the new hire coming on soon, the issues should be mitigated.
Councilmember Stimpson inquired about Frankie Digirolomo. Chief Fishback advised he is doing well, has a long recovery time, but is in good spirits.
City Attorney, Josh Nelson (Remote) - He provided a reminder that the State Legislative session has completed and the bills approved by Legislature are being reviewed by the Governor now, expected to be signed by October 14, 2023. Once signed, his team will put together a summary of the bills relevant to the City of Jackson.
6. COUNCH, REPORTS.
This section is to provide Council members an opportunity to present reports on their activities and to request item be piaced on future agendas.
Councilmember Gonsalves - Attended the Pardee BBQ with Mayor McLean and Interim City Manager/Police Chief Mynderup. On October 7, 2023, she attended the Chamber of Commerce Businessperson of the Year dinner, honoring Phil and Wendy Bovero of Jackson Tire. She and her husband are doing a benefit dinner for Hospice on October 13, 2023 at the National Hotel, with all proceeds going to Hospice. It is $60 per ticket, serving steak barbeque, all the fixings, and her husband's famous cheese sauce, with the "It's All Good" band playing on the terrace. Mayor McLean stated he will not be able to make it due to a prior commitment down south with a check presentation at a hospital serving children with cleft palette.
Councilmember Godde - On September 13, 2023 he attended the Cemetery Committee meeting where they scheduled a Jackson Cemetery Cleanup Day for Saturday, October 28, 2023. He also attended the Rollingwood Mobile Home Park emergency preparedness team meeting, and they would like to meet with city staff to discuss pros/cons of having an emergency siren in the mobile home park or possibly citywide. He attended the Kennedy Mine Foundation meeting and they began the restoration on Tailing Wheel No. 1. He attended the Planning Commission meeting on October 2, 2023, as well as the Ad Hoc Committee meeting for finding the next City Manager.
Councilmember Stimpson - There is an upcoming Air District Board of Directors meeting on October 10, 2023.
Vice Mayor Simmons - Attended the Planning Commission meeting on Octoher 2, 2023. He attended the Chamber of Commerce Businessperson of the Year dinner on October 7, 2023. He checked out the French Bar Bridge project and it is running on time to be out of the water by the deadline of October 15, 2023.
October 9, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor McLean - Attended the Chamber Mixer in September, the ACT meeting, and the Amador Transit meeting this month. He attended the East Bay Mud Picnic with Chief Mynderup and Councilmember Gonsalves. He attended the Businessperson of the Year Event on October 7, 2023. He met with Lucy Hackett and Alicia Miller from the Beautification Committee meeting, who will be sharing some great ideas tonight.
Vice Mayor Simmons inquired if there will be a Veteran's Day Parade this year. Interim City Manager Mynderup advised they turned in the application Friday, pending submission of insurance.
Councilmember Gonsalves asked if it will still be on Saturday and staff confirmed.
Planning Commission Chair Thornton Consolo asked Mayor McLean if the High School consolidation was brought up during the ACTC meeting. McLean advised there is always some talk about it and John Gedney, Patrick Crew, and himself plan to attend the meeting on November 1, 2023 at the school district office. They are still awaiting tratfic study information from Caltrans on Argonaut and 88, along with discussion on Wicklow Way, the Center Street Extension, though all of these projects are years out following the planned consolidation in 2025.
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 discussions. These audio recordings provide an accurate and comprehensive backup of City Council deliberations and citizen discussion.
a. Receive, discuss, and provide direction regarding (verbal) report from the Homeless Outreach Coordinator regarding the City's response to homeless issues [Christine Platt].
Christine Platt advised they helped an individual return home back east. The shower program is having a really good turnout, which is good and bad because that means there are more unhoused people. While she was out of town at Dillon's Beach, Assistant Homeless Outreach Coordinator Brittney Pettinichio showed excellent judgment in requesting permission to advocate for a sick individual she took to the emergency room, and after firmly advocating for him, the hospital discovered a massive infection and he was sent to Stanford for further medical treatment. She wanted to commend Brittney for her passion and advocacy, stating she believes they made a very good decision in hiring her. They also applied for the HHAP 4 Grant for the shower project. They didn't get the entire amount requested but got enough to keep the program going for another two years. The HHAP 5 Grant is coming up and they are working in collaboration with some other agencies for some California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) encampment resolution money, which is a little different pass-through funding we can get for the unhoused in our city. Tuolumne County just got $6 million to purchase property for more housing and bigger shelters. In Jackson, we currently have two very small shelters.
Mayor McLean asked if the city receives any money from the County for the showers, as not all unhoused use of the showers are from the city. Platt advised we do not but the showers are open to anyone in the county, while the work she does is limited to within Jackson's city limits.
Councilmember Stimpson advised anytime he has ever approached the county for extra funds to help with anything they have always come through, and suggested this is what we need to do.
October 9, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes
Platt advised on the HHAP 3 Grant, they received less money than they asked for, but were backfilled by Kaiser, Blue Shield, and another agency. Stimpson advised in the past they haven't always spent their grant money and Platt advised she will spend it, as she just ran out of shower money (for example).
Councilmember Godde asked if we have sign in sheets for the showers to know who uses them and where they are from, so if they were from outside city limits, we would have evidence of that. Platt advised she keeps a list and it is very seldom she gets someone she doesn't know, but the homeless population is very fluid and doesn't always sleep within city limits so they don't want to place any limits. Godde advised he wouldn't suggest limiting the showers, only that the information may support getting financial help from other agencies.
Councilmember Stimpson asked if there is any specific insurance (other than our general insurance policy) or a waiver in case someone slips in the shower and gets hurt. Platt advised there is insurance on the trailer itself but she isn't certain on our insurance coverages, and there is no waiver form at this time. She advised we could do a waiver, however, there is no way for her to verify that a person is who they say they are without identification (which many homeless don't have). City Attorney Nelson advised the general insurance policy should cover a situation like this but will follow up.
b. Cemetery Committee's Application for Fiscal Partnership with Amador Community Foundation to operate with Non-Profit Status, allowing them to Accept Donations Through Formal Means [Keith Davis].
Keith Davis introduced himself and their Communications Director Lisa Lucke. He advised they have applied for nonprofit status with the Amador Community Foundation to get donations through them to enhance the appearance of the Jackson Cemetery. They received $2500 in TOT money from the city last year and hope for the same this year but have to move forward as if it isn't coming. They are also considering doing some tours to bring in more income. Last year, 160 tons of rock were donated by the Jackson Rancheria and delivered by Armstrong & Sons, and the Pine Grove Youth Camp spread the rock for two weeks. They are seeking Council's endorsement to move forward and provided them with a handout of their budget for 2024. Lisa Lucke clarified that they will not have nonprofit status but have applied for fiscal sponsorship to work under the nonprofit umbrella of the Amador Community Foundation as other organizations do. They would like to be able to participate in "Giving Tuesday" on November 28, 2023, as a lot of money is donated at that event/venue. Vice Mayor Simmons agreed with this and asked if they are seeking direction to go forward. Simmons asked Attorney Nelson for his input.
City Attorney Josh Nelson advised the cemetery as a department of the city is already a nonprofit and anyone who donates is eligible to claim it as tax deductible. He advised that partnering with Amador Community Foundation can open them up to additional marketing and benefits, and deferred to the city as it is appropriate if Council thinks it is a good policy decision.
Mayor McLean advised they should possibly have a budget line item for the cemetery committee. Councilmember Stimpson advised there used to be, and Vice Mayor Simmons stated they haven't been given any money for some time. Councilmember Stimpson stated they need to October 9, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes
make it a line item and the next time the budgeting committee meets they can discuss it and make the application.
Mayor McLean asked for public comment and received none.
Motion to approve the Cemetery Committee forming a fiscal partnership with Amador Community Foundation as presented. Moved by Councilmember Gonsalves, seconded by Councilmember Godde, and carried by a 5 to O vote:
AYES: McLean, Simmons, Gonsalves, Godde, Stimpson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
c. Presentation by the Historic Jackson Business Association (HJBA) Beautification Committee regarding a placement of historical statues in the downtown district [Alicia Miller / Lucy Hackett].
Lucy Hackett clarified they are not on the Beautification Committee or in the Historic Jackson Business Association, but believe they have some good ideas. Alicia Miller advised she has attended a Beautification Committee meeting but is not a member. They shared their ideas on replacing some signage and placing statues/sculptures in Jackson (examples/photos in the agenda packeto. They suggest using Gold Rush theme iron or rusted steel signs and sculptures, purchased from the Metal Zoo, and installing them in several downtown locations or on city owned properties. The sculptures presented are expected to last at least 20 years, and they are looking to securely install with rebar and cement. Suggested locations included Petkovich Park, by the Fire Department, at the crosswalk by the highway, etc. Signage replacement suggestions include signs at Kennedy Mine, Busi parking lot, and the parking lot at the intersection of Main Street and the highway. They provided an example of a steel sign made by Pure Metal for Beau Gilman's house. They are obtaining cost estimates, have volunteers willing to install, and plan to return to Council to request funding assistance. They want to promote that Jackson is alive and well, appealing to increased tourism. With Mayor McLean and Public Works okay, they are moving one of the original Amador Lumber trucks to the corner across the street from the library on the highway that can be decorated per season with lights, pumpkins, barrels of daffodils, corn, etc. They have talked to Vince Construction about getting big boulders and gravel, and she plans to talk to Vice Mayor Simmons about getting some drought tolerant plants. Council was in support of these beautification efforts and requested they return with costs. Councilmember Godde suggested considering installations that would not be susceptible to vandalism and theft.
Mayor McLean advised there is an upcoming Beautification Committee meeting this Thursday at Jackson Realty at noon.
8. REGULAR MEETING ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor McLean adjourned the meeting at 7:33 p.m.
October 9, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes
9. CLOSED SESSION.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT
Title: City Manager
10. CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor McLean adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m. to October 23, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
ATTEST:
John Hears 10/23/23
John Georgette, City Clerk Date Approved