CITY OF
:1700A mall CITY OF JACKSON
City Council Meeting Minutes
BACKSON November 13, 2023
CALIFOANIA
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
Connie Gonsalves, Council Member Chris Mynderup, Interim City Manager/Police Chief Bree Wilder, Public Works Superintendent
ABSENT: Dale Fishback, Interim Fire Chief
Bob Stimpson, Council Member Carleen Kirkpatrick, Deputy City Clerk Christine Platt, Homeless Outreach Coordinator
Mayor McLean called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.
Mayor McLean led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
Motion to approve the City Council Agenda dated November 13, 2023 as presented. Moved by Vice Mayor Simmons, seconded by Councilmember Gonsalves, and carried by a 4 to 0 vote:
AYES: McLean, Simmons, Gonsalves, Godde
NOES: None
ABSENT: Stimpson
ABSTAIN: None
2. 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.
Thornton Consolo - Expressed concerns regarding the school consolidation, lack of County assistance, and the estimated time of completion for the roundabout on Hoffman in light of the increase in students/parents that will be commuting to the Argonaut High School campus. Hoffman Street is in disrepair. He requested a non-defective EIR with a traffic study to address the traffic, parking, and pedestrian access to the high school post-consolidation. Vice Mayor Simmons advised he sent the School Board meeting recording to Consolo's email for review. The Draft EIR is complete and will be released with a three-month period to submit responses. Mayor McLean advised the City of Jackson has already submitted a response.
November 13, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes
3. 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 October 23, 2023 meeting minutes.
b. Approval of Payroll Expenditure Report in amount of $344,184.47. c. Approval of Expenditure Report in the amount of $257,527.89. d. Approval of Treasurer's Report for August 2023.
e. Receive Building Department Monthly Report for October 2023. f. Receive Fire Department Monthly Report for October 2023. g. Receive Police Department Monthly Report for October 2023. h. Resolution No. 2023-39 Authorization of CalRecycle Grant Application.
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar dated November 13, 2023 as presented. Moved by Councilmember Godde, seconded by Vice Mayor Simmons, and carried by a 4 to O vote:
AYES: McLean, Simmons, Gonsalves, Godde
NOES: None
ABSENT: Stimpson
ABSTAIN: None
4. 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 Superintendent, Bree Wilder - Public Works is setting up for Christmas Delights and expect a Christmas tree to be delivered this week from Woodland Expansion. Some creek work will begin near the end of Placer Drive by the Timber Ridge Apartments tomorrow, along with the corner of Hwy 49 and South Avenue. This is done every year but the creek fills up again quickly. The water leak near Amador Plaza was in the fire line and not the City's, the property owner was advised. He has a meeting with Bennett Engineering this Thursday to discuss planning for the grant funded water reservoir project. Mayor McLean inquired about the drain on South Avenue and there is no update at this time.
Interim Fire Chief, Dale Fishback - The Fire Department will be participating in the Sutter Amador Hospital's first mass evacuation drill this Thursday between 1pm-4pm to prepare for an uncontrolled wildland fire scenario. He requested contact information for Christmas Delights to connect regarding the Studebaker and Santa plans. Mayor McLean advised it is Sasha Gareau and will provide contact information.
Interim City Manager/Police Chief, Chris Mynderup - The Police Department assisted with the Veteran's Day parade over the weekend on Saturday and all went smoothly, staff doing an excellent job.
PD will also attend the Sutter Amador Hospital evacuation drill this Thursday with Fire. PD is preparing to assist on Christmas Delights (Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving).
November 13, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes
City Attorney, Josh Nelson - No report.
5. 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.
Councilmember Gonsalves - Attended the Veteran's Day parade over the weekend.
Councilmember Godde - Attended the Cemetery Committee and there will be another clean-up this Saturday the 18" from 10AM-12PM. On 10/8/23 he attended an informative Native American Cultural Awareness workshop in Jackson. Wednesday there will be a Turkey Drive at the Cost Less parking lot from 6AM-6PM, donate a turkey or a $20.
Councilmember Stimpson - Absent.
Vice Mayor Simmons - Attended the ACRA meeting and School Board meeting last week. He forwarded an email of the meeting with pertinent information pertaining to Jackson starting at approximately 1 hour and 23 minutes. He plans to get together with PW Supt Wilder and other involved City staff to discuss.
Mayor McLean - Attendance at the following: Economic Development Committee meeting (10/25), Amador County Transportation Committee meeting and Amador County Transit Commission meeting (11/2), South Avenue meeting with PW Supt Wilder/staff and the Chamber of Commerce Mixer at the Laughton Ranch (11/8), Beautification Committee meeting (11/9), and the Veteran's Parade (11/11).
He was recently contacted by the LA Times regarding the Hein & Co Building and B Street Theatre vacating and he respond to them this week. He received an email from Dominic of Scout Pack 78 that attended a council meeting last month and he made the following requests: new swings at Detert Park (lost during winter storms last year) and crosswalk lights on Broadway at Hwy 88. McLean advised the City will work on replacing the swings but the crosswalk would be more difficult as it crosses Caltrans' highway. The Fox 40 news crew recently filmed some old structures for Visit Amador, which included the National Hotel. Mayor McLean and Councilmember Gonsalves got to participate. Gonsalves advised Fox 40 took a nice shot of Main Street and may have taken some drone footage.
6. 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].
Platt has been training her part time assistant while on the job. They have noticed a slight increase in the senior homeless population recently. There are other agencies that specifically work with seniors, which is helpful. Shower schedules have been coordinated with Public November 13, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes
Works, with only two dates closed over the holidays (i.e. Thanksgiving). Mayor McLean advised there seems to be an increase in people at the park near the restrooms/City Hall and one woman in particular that has returned a few times who seems to be sleeping on the bench. Platt advised she has had contact with this individual and she is not interested in receiving assistance.
She cannot force individual people to work with her but the park is mostly vacant at night. PD does a good job of monitoring the area. McLean stated under Hwy 49 has been quiet and Platt emphasized the extreme weather dangers in that area specifically. McLean thanked her for all her work and efforts.
b. Receive, discuss and provide direction regarding bids on RFQ for I.T. Managed Services.
Interim City Manager Mynderup advised the City of Jackson has never had managed I.T. services and is way overdue to properly protect City intellectual property. An RFQ went out August 18 to September 8, 2023 and received eight bids which were evaluated by staff based upon criteria in the RFQ (reference to Chart provided in the agenda packet). The overall top recommended candidate was ABSO Technologies, Inc.
Mayor McLean opened the item for council discussion. Councilmember Gonsalves inquired if the managed services will be able to assist with implementing an updated user-friendly accounting software system. Mynderup advised the changes will need to occur gradually, including the financial system.
The most important concern now is to protect City information first and then upgrades or user-friendly conversion projects later.
Mayor McLean asked for public comments. Steve Pearce, representative of ABSO Technologies, Inc. introduced himself to Council, gave a brief introduction to his agency, and offered to answer any questions. Chief Mynderup added that ABSO Technologies, Inc. was the only company do a complete walk-through of the City offices/systems and provided staff with pertinent information to update/amend the RFQ, showing their commitment and willingness to assist the City.
Mayor requests a motion.
Motion to approve entering into contract for I.T. managed services with ABSO Technologies, Inc. dated November 13, 2023 as presented. Moved by Councilmember Gonsalves, seconded by Councilmember Godde, and carried by a 4 to 0 vote:
AYES: McLean, Simmons, Gonsalves, Godde
NOES: Nune
ABSENT: Stimpson
ABSTAIN: None
i. Receive, discuss and provide direction regarding lessee selection for two-ycar Oro de Amador Cattle Pasture Lease (January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025).
Interim City Manager Mynderup recapped the conditions of the cattle pasture lease contract and the staff recommendation to award the lease to the high bidder (Bidder A) for $8,513.00/year. The only other bid that came in was at $2,250.00/year.
November 13, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor McLean opened the item for council discussion. Vice Mayor Simmons inquired if both bidders were aware of the approximate $5k/year requirement to maintain a firebreak and Mynderup confirmed advising Council may also recommend reducing the fee at their discretion. Mayor McLean advised the cost can be revisited later and asked if the firebreak would be along the Rollingwood Estates, which Mynderup confirmed [firebreak includes perimeter of the parcel]. Councilmember Gonsalves inquired if the pasture lease agreement was listed as "up to" two years, in the instance development of the parcel is able to begin and Mynderup confirmed. Gonsalves advised in the past the Council was always been provided with bidder information. City Attorney Josh Nelson advised the last lease was also presented to Council as Bidder A and B but the names can be provided at Council discretion.
Mayor McLean asked for public comments and received none. Mayor requests a motion.
Motion to approve award of the Oro de Amador cattle pasture lease to the highest bidder (Bidder A: Gib Gianandrea in terms of dollar amount dated November 13, 2023 as presented. Moved by Vice Mayor Simmons, seconded by Councilmember Godde, and carried by a 4 to 0 vote:
AYES: McLean, Simmons, Gonsalves, Godde
NOES: None
ABSENT: Stimpson
ABSTAIN: None
d. Discussion regarding replacement of three City of Jackson owned signs located at Busi-Park, Tailing Wheels and Historic Main Street on Hwy 88 [Mayor Steve McLean].
Mayor McLean recapped Alicia Miller's proposals from the previous Council meeting for replacing signs with cut steel/rusted metal signs and that there may be other interested parties to build the signs.
Councilmember Gonsalves advised she spoke with Cam Merzlak of Merzlak Signs, who suggested using aluminum composite panel or luster board (MDO plywood with an aluminum face), as other cities that have used cut steel had visibility issues. Mayor McLean advised the main historic sign on Hwy 88 could use a new coat of paint, mowing weeds, and possibly place a yard of cobble stone or river rock around the base. A rusted metal pioneer statue may also catch the eye in that location. Simple maintenance free ideas that show up well should be considered. McLean inquired if we want to put any of these ideas out to bid. Councilmember Gonsalves inquired if another committee will be reviewing this item, such as Economic Development Committee (EDC) or Beautification Committee (Jackson Realty). Vice Mayor Simmons advised before it goes to bid a cost estimate and plan should be discussed, and suggested it be referred to the EDC. Gonsalves advised it will be put on the next agenda for EDC.
Alicia Miller - Reminded Council of the presentation with Lucy Hackett at the last council meeting and the sign is for public parking and Kennedy Mine, which is rotted through and about to fall. In regard to Cam Merzlak's thoughts, these signs will not be hurt if they get rusted and do not require maintenance. e. Discussion regarding possible install of new crosswalks near Theresa's (1235 Jackson Gate Road) intersection [Mayor Steve McLean].
Mayor McLean invited Alicia Miller to speak on this topic.
November 13, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes
Alicia Miller - Her family owns Theresa's Place and spent $20k last year paving the parking lot across the street and installing a pole light for ease of their customers. She would like to have a crosswalk installed along with "PED XING" and "SLOW DOWN" signs for their patrons to walk to that parking lot, or a stop sign at the China Graveyard Road intersection to reduce speeds. She commented that she saw numerous intersections in Jackson with no lights with crosswalks on her way to the meeting tonight.
Mayor McLean opened the item for council discussion and stated the City Attorney advised this item doesn't need Planning Commission review and Council can decide on the item. Councilmember Gonsalves inquired about codes and regulations related to the crosswalk installation. City Attorney Nelson advised that Council would at least need to adopt an ordinance and recommended the City Engineer look into the item as well. An ordinance would require at least two meetings with an introduction at the next meeting.
Mayor McLean asked for public comments and received none.
7. REGULAR MEETING ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor McLean adjourned the meeting at 7:14 p.m.
8. CLOSED SESSION.
*Mayor McLean allowed property owner Michael Ramaley to speak prior to closed session. • CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9:
2 Cases
• CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - Aqueous film-forming foams product liability litigation MDL No2:18-mm-2873-RMG (City of Camden, et al., V. 3M Company and City of Camden, et al., v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company et al.) • PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title: City Manager
9. CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor McLean adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on November 27, 2023.
ATTEST:
-ohn Georgele 11/27/23
lohn Georgette, City Clerk Date Approved