CITY OF
CITY OF JACKSON
City Council Meeting Minutes
JACKSON March 25, 2024
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
Connie Gonsalves, Council Member Carl P. Simpson, City Manager Chris Mynderup, Police Chief
ABSENT: Bree Wilder, Public Works Superintendent
Bob Stimpson, Council Member Dale Fishback, Interim Fire Chief Carleen Kirkpatrick, Deputy City Clerk
Daphne Parker, Pool Director
Erin Ventura, Contract Planner/HBA (Remote)
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.
Mayor McLean held a moment of silence in remembrance of retired City of Jackson Fire Chief Jack Quinn.
1. CEREMONIAL.
Recognition of Susan Peters for receiving Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil's 2024 Woman of the Year Honoree award.
Senator Alvarado-Gil's representative Dana Jorgensen introduced Susan Peters and provided her with a signed Resolution. City Council expressed their gratitude to Susan Peters for all of her support throughout the years to the City of Jackson and Amador County.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
Motion to approve the City Council Agenda dated March 25, 2024 as presented. Moved by Councilmember Gonsalves, seconded by Councilmember Godde, and carried by a 4 to 0 vote:
AYES: McLean, Simmons, Godde, Gonsalves
NOES: None
ABSENT: Stimpson
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.
March 25, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes
Thornton Consolo - Expressed opposition to the City of lone's recent proposal to change their City Clerk to an appointed position and claimed it is a conflict of interest.
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 March 11, 2024 Meeting Minutes.
b. Approval of Expenditure Report in the amount of $488,141.68 and $171,788.65.
Acceptance of Annual Progress Report for the Housing Element. d. Receive Police Department Monthly Report for February 2024. e. Approval of Special Event Permit Application - Motherlode Cruise Car Show. f. Receive Treasurer's Report for December 2023.
g. Acceptance of contract modification (Amendment #1) to Professional Services Agreement with Hildebrand Consulting, LLC for the 2024/2025 Sewer Rate Study. h. Resolution 2024-05 Establishing Fees & Program Schedule for the 2024 Swim Program. i. Acceptance and appointment of two Cemetery Committee members, Beth Haddoitt & Jim Wilson.
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar dated March 25, 2024 as presented. Moved by Councilmember Gonsalves, seconded by Councilmember Godde, and carried by a 4 to 0 vote:
AYES: McLean, Simmons, Godde, Gonsalves
NOES: None
ABSENT: Stimpson
ABSTAIN: None
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 Superintendent, Bree Wilder - PG&E provided notification of a power shut-off scheduled for 2/9/24, and the City prepared for it and the shut-off did not occur. However, a PG&E shut-off did occur at a high priority area at the Martell Reservoir on 3/8/24 without notice which caused issues with the inverters resulting in murky water in some areas. The entire reservoir had to be cleaned, pumped out and disinfected as a result. Bree commended the Public Works crew for handling this situation well while he was on vacation. The reservoir is now full again and once residues settle from chlorinating, they will resume use, though are currently still on bypass. PG&E stated a second letter was sent with the date change, though this was not received at the City. Councilmember Gonsalves inquired if there is any recourse action to take. City Manager Carl Simpson advised them to request a secondary notification via phone from PG&E of future shutoffs, as a letter is inadequate. Wilder advised he is working with the new PG&E Superintendent for our area regarding notification for high priority areas moving forward.
Public Works is currently investigating two water leaks on Wicklow Way and near Les Schwab.
March 25, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes
Interim Fire Chief, Dale Fishback - Fire Captain Greathouse is on medical leave for another month due to injury to hand. Fire Engineer Frankie Digirolamo is back on regular duty. The contract with Amador Fire Protection District (AFPD) ends this year and will not be renewed. Services AFPD provided will come in house if current Fire personnel completes the required training or the work will be contracted out. Fire and PD staff will be attending services for Jack Quinn with high presence. Coverage for the City will come from outside agencies. Fire plans to utilize the Studebaker at his services, along with police escort. Fire Department will be attending Little League Opening Day. Fire made a total of $12,700.00 selling tri-tip sandwiches at Dandelion Days. The Association has committed $2,400.00 for repairs to the Studebaker, but if additional funds are needed to finish repairs a request may come back to Council.
Police Chief, Chris Mynderup - Dandelion Days was a success with only one issue with an intoxicated individual. Follow up meeting with the Lions Club is 3/28/24, will request club members remain present at the end of Dandelion Days event to help clear vendors from the street in the future. Police Captain Arevalos has completed his three-week POST mandated management training course. A local District Attorney had an encounter with an untethered dog owned by a homeless individual. Sergeant Del Rio responded to the incident and a follow-up investigation is underway.
City Attorney, Josh Nelson - No report.
City Manager, Carl P. Simpson - Attended Dandelion Days and enjoyed tri-tip from the Fire Department with his family. Observed no issues and a flawless smooth run event. Expressed thanks to Public Works Superintendent Bree Wilder and his team, the Fire Department and the Police Department for their hard work and support of this event.
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.
Councilmember Gonsalves - The Economic Development Committee meeting is this Wednesday 3/27/24 at 1:30PM in the Civic Center. The Motherlode Cruise Car Show will be held on 5/18/24 with 144 cars registered so far. Chamber of Commerce is hosting and may need some assistance from Council to help with vendors at the event.
Councilmember Godde - Attended an Amador Council of Tourism meeting and was able to confirm that the City is receiving TOT funds from Short Term Rentals in the City of Jackson.
Councilmember Stimpson - Absent.
Vice Mayor Simmons - Attended an ACRA meeting, they hired an Interim Director Michael Roc.
Mayor McLean - Attended a Chamber of Commerce Mixer and the Kennedy Mine, Beautification Committee meeting on 3/14, Dandelion Days, Chamber of Commerce meeting and an Archway meeting with members of the Beautification Committee on 3/19/24.
March 25, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes
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. Presentation by Amador County Health on Water Safety and the Lifeguard voucher program paid for by the Kids' Plate grant [Marcy Harlan, Compliance Officer/Amador County].
Marcy Harlan of Amador County Health Department presented on water safety and the Kids' Plates grant program. Funds for this grant are made possible through the purchase of specialty license plates with hands, stars, hearts & "+" signs on them. 20 vouchers are now available for Lifeguard training and approximately 70 swim lesson vouchers will be ready for May sign-ups. Life vests, car seats, bike helmets and bike safety courses are also covered by the Kids' Plates grant. Marcy provided information on the water watcher program and reminded everyone that "drowning is silent". #notonemore Mayor McLean opened the item for council discussion and received none. Mayor McLean asked for public comments and received none. Council thanked Marcy Harlan for presenting on this important topic.
b. 2024 Jackson Pool Swim Program Presentation [Daphne Parker, Pool Director].
Pool Director Daphne Parker provided information to Council on the 2024 Jackson pool program and lifeguard certification training courses (currently accepting applications at City Hall). She also covered the lifeguard training voucher program, paid for by the Kids' Plates grant through the Amador County Health Department. Daphne Parker completed her training this year to become a certified lifeguard instructor for the City of Jackson and is partnering with the American Red Cross for the City of Jackson become an official lifeguard training facility affiliate, which will allow the City of Jackson to teach CPR/AED courses among other important course offerings in the future. Daphne introduced Council to the American Red Cross Longfellow's WHALE Tales Water Safety for Children supplemental training guides which will be used to help parents supplement kids' swim lessons with additional water safety training at home. *NOTE: Swim lesson sign-ups DO NOT begin until May 1, 2024. City Staff is unable to accept early sign-ups or requests. Thank you for your understanding.
Mayor McLean opened the item for council discussion and received none. Mayor McLean asked for public comments and received none. Council thanked Daphne Parker for her hard work in supporting the pool program.
c. Revisit discussion on remote public access to regular Council meetings.
City Manager Carl P. Simpson advised that Councilmember Godde has received a couple of complaints from elderly and/or ADA residents requesting remote participation be reinstated at meetings. Currently, the ability to view and listen to Council meetings is available and remote participation has been eliminated due to recent negative "zoom-bombing" incidents in other cities. Council discussed some impacts related to our community and various options moving forward. City Attorney Josh Nelson advised names are not required for anyone to participate remotely or in person and participation can only be limited via the Brown Act if there is sufficient disruption and provided an example of case law from March 25, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes
Santa Cruz. A participant was removed from a Council meeting after displaying a "Hitler Salute" and his rights were later upheld under the 1s' Amendment of the US Constitution. Best practice upon a disruption would be to cancel the meeting and reschedule.
Mayor McLean asked for public comments.
Virginia Manor - Input from the senior population is important in our community, especially for those who do not wish to travel at night.
Steve Pearce / ABSO Technologies, Inc. (Jackson's IT Managed Service provider) - Provided an example of recent "zoom-bombing" in Rancho Cordova that included racist, graphic and vulgar hate speech by an organized group of people which was very disruptive to their Council meeting. It caused chaos in the meeting and staff was unsure what to do. Rancho Cordova and many other municipalities have transitioned to remote viewing and listening and eliminated remote participation as a result. Steve recommended Council stick with current preventative measures.
Debby Collins - Stated she previously supported remote participation but in light of additional information, has changed her opinion.
Upon further consideration, Council agreed to maintain meetings as currently being held, with access to view and listen without remote participation. The public was advised of alternative means to participate, including calling or emailing City staff or Council members before/after meetings with any questions. comments, or concerns.
8. REGULAR MEETING ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor McLean adjourned the meeting at 7:34 p.m. to 6:30p.m. on April 8, 2024.
9. CLOSED SESSION.
THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES OR FACILITIES
Consultation with: City Manager / IT Consultant
10. CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor McLean adjourned the meeting at 8 p.m.
ATTEST:
chin 4/9/24
John Georgette, City Clerk Date Approved