CITY OF
CITY OF JACKSON
City Council Meeting Minutes
JACKSON March 24, 2025
CALIFORNIA
Mayor and Council Members John Georgette, City Clerk
Steve McLean, Mayor Josh Nelson, City Attorney
Chad Simmons, Vice Mayor Erin Ventura, Contract Planner (attended remotely) Sierra McLean, Council Member
Staff Members:
ABSENT:
Max Godde, Council Member
Connie Gonsalves, Council Member
Ryan Pidgeon, Fire Chief
Carleen Kirkpatrick, Deputy City Clerk
Mayor McLean called the meeting to order at 6:31 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 March 24, 2025 as presented. Moved by Vice Mayor Simmons, seconded by Councilmember Sierra McLean, and carried by a 3 to 0 vote:
AYES: Steve McLean, Simmons, Sierra McLean
NOES: None
ABSENT: Godde, Gonsalves
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.
None.
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 March 10, 2025 Meeting Minutes.
b. Approval of Expenditure Report in the amount of $133,539.80 (March 20, 2025).
March 24, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
c. Receive Treasurer's Report for January and February 2025. d. Approval of City Manager contract amendment with Carl Simpson.
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar dated March 24, 2025 as presented. Moved by Councilmember Sierra McLean, seconded by Vice Mayor Simmons, and carried by a 3 to 0 vote:
AYES: Steve McLean, Simmons, Sierra McLean
NOES: None
ABSENT: Godde, Gonsalves
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 - Purchased battery powered equipment with Grant money from the Amador Air Board. Total of the grant was $10k and $9,977 was spent and the reimbursement will come in in approximately two weeks. The equipment seems impressive. crew who extinguished the fire and rescued a cat. (2) 3 vehicle accident outside of town on 88, 1 truck on fire, 1 vehicle had a patient trapped, JFD crew utilized the "jaws of life" to remove the patient. (3) Vehicle accident near Electra Road, Patient had significant trauma injuries, JFD crew was first to provide care and assisted American Legion Ambulance with transport by providing an EMT during transport. Updated Fire Maps were released by CalFire and will have a significant impact on JFD, requiring additional inspections. This is new for the Local Responsibility Areas like ours.
Successful Dandelion Days. Only responded to 1 emergency related to the event.
Police Chief, Chris Mynderup - Dandelion Days was a success with no law enforcement issues to report.
City Attorney, Josh Nelson - Provided an update on 14th Amendment concerns recently brought to court in a Vallejo, CA case regarding the anti-camping ordinances putting them in danger, which was deemed unconstitutional in that case. This is a developing issue which will likely take years to reach final resolution. Jackson does not need to change our approach at this point but it is important to keep in mind as we consider individual cases enforcing this ordinance.
City Manager, Carl P. Simpson - Attended Dandelion Days with his wife and will be comparing attendance numbers for this event through Placer.ai to previous years and events in Jackson.
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.
March 24, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Gonsalves - Absent.
Councilmember Godde - Absent.
Councilmember Sierra McLean - Attended the Air Resource Board meeting and received information (as mentioned by PW Supt Wilder) on the grant to replace gas powered equipment with electric.
Vice Mayor Simmons - Attended Dandelion Days and served the Lions on Sunday afternoon.
Mayor McLean - Attended Chamber of Commerce meeting and an Archway meeting on March 18th. 3/20 attended the grand opening at the new renal care facility by Safeway.
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. 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report. [Erin Ventura, Contract City Planner].
Erin Ventura explained that the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report must be submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) by April 1st each year to track progress on housing programs and regional housing needs allocation (RHNA) goals. The RHNA number, assigned by the state, determines the required housing units across income levels over an eight-year cycle. Key achievements include the 2024 update's state certification and the establishment of a countywide housing working group, which met three times in 2024 and once so far in 2025 to discuss accessory dwelling units, water efficiency landscape ordinances, and growth projections with AWA. This group aims to enhance efficiency in planning, with future collaboration planned on housing programs, including partnerships with Amador County Public Health and local housing-focused non-profits. In 2024, six units were permitted/entitled in the Jackson View subdivision, and five single-family homes were completed, contributing to RHNA tracking. The report details applications received, approvals, denials, and building permits issued and finalized. With five years left in the cycle, the City is not on track for below-market-rate housing but has time to improve. While RHNA sets a goal, not a mandate, the City's role is to reduce constraints for developers rather than build housing itself. Ventura sought approval to submit the report to HCD and OPR.
Mayor McLean opened the item for council discussion.
Mayor McLean asked for public comments and received none.
Motion to approve submission of the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report to HCD and OPR, dated March 24, 2025 as presented. Moved by Vice Mayor Simmons, seconded by Councilmember Sierra McLean, and carried by a 3 to 0 vote:
AYES: Steve McLean, Simmons, Sierra McLean
NOES: None
March 24, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
ABSENT: Godde, Gonsalves
ABSTAIN: None
b. Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 732 Amending Section 2.04.020 of Chapter 2.04 of Title 2 of the Jackson Municipal Code to Update the City Council Meeting Time.
Mayor McLean advised the Council has been meeting at this time for some lime already.
Mayor McLean opened the item for council discussion.
Mayor McLean asked for public comments and received none.
Mayor requests a motion.
Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 732 Amending Section 2.04.020 of Chapter 2.04 of Title 2 of the Jackson Municipal Code to Update the City Council Meeting Time dated March 24, 2025 as presented. Moved by Councilmember Sierra McLean, seconded by Vice Mayor Simmons, and carried by a 3 to O vote:
AYES: Steve McLean, Simmons, Sierra McLean
NOES: None
ABSENT: Godde, Gonsalves
ABSTAIN: None
Receive and accept FY 23/24 Audit Report [Reports are available for viewing in person during the meeting, at City Hall and once accepted by Council will be placed on the city website at the following link: https://www.ci.jackson.ca.us/administration_finance.php#outer-74].
Carrie Schroeder - Smith & Newell CPAs conducted the financial audit for the City for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. The audit resulted in an unmodified opinion, which is the highest level of assurance.
The Statement of Net Position (Pages 13-14) showed total assets of $67.6 million, reflecting a 12% increase from the prior year. Major asset categories included capital assets ($39.5 million, 58%), cash and investments ($18 million, 27%), and loans receivable ($7.9 million, 12%). Total liabilities were $22.3 million, decreasing by 1% due to timely payments. Pension liability stood at $8.4 million (38% of total liabilities), while OPEB liability was $1.6 million. The City's net position was $47.6 million, an increase of 20%, indicating that revenues exceeded expenditures for the year.
The Fund Financial Statements (Pages 16-18) provided a short-term financial overview of the City's major funds. Total revenue was $13.6 million, primarily from intergovernmental sources ($8.7 million) and taxes and assessments ($4.1 million). Total expenditures were $13 million, with the French Bar Bridge project being a significant factor in increased revenues and expenditures. The net change in fund balance was a positive $571,000, indicating an overall increase in funds. The Proprietary Funds Statement (Page 20) detailed financials for water, sewer, and other enterprise funds, breaking down long-term liabilities and debt.
The Notes to the Financial Statements (Pages 27-58) provided further breakdowns of financial data, including detailed information on cash and investments. The Budget-to-Actual Comparison (Page March 24, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
64) showed a positive budget variance of $462,000, meaning expenditures remained within budget, and revenues slightly exceeded expectations.
Lastly, the Single Audit Report was reviewed. This report is required when federal expenditures exceed $750,000 in a fiscal year. The City received an unmodified opinion on compliance, confirming adherence to federal expenditure regulations.
Mayor McLean opened the item for council discussion.
Mayor asked for public comment and received none.
Mayor requests a motion.
Motion to approve the FY 23-24 Audit Report, dated March 24, 2025, as presented. Moved by Councilmember Sierra McLean, seconded by Vice Mayor Simmons, and carried by a 3 to O vote:
AYES: Steve McLean, Simmons, Sierra McLean
NOES: None
ABSENT: Godde, Gonsalves
ABSTAIN: None
d. Review Applications and Cemetery Committee Recommendation for Member Appointment.
Mayor McLean advised the Cemetery Committee recommended Teresa Floyd in the memo.
Councilmember Sierra McLean inquired if any of the applicants are present tonight and invited him to speak.
Jim McCarthy - Jim referenced his qualifications in his application, noting his familiarity with the Cemetery, proximity to it, and involvement with the nearby Homeless Outreach Program's showers, allowing him to observe activities there. He expressed his desire to join the Committee to help maintain its progress.
Mayor McLean opened the discussion for council input. Councilmember Sierra McLean asked if the reason for Teresa Floyd's recommendation by the Cemetery Committee was known. Vice Mayor Simmons pointed out that Floyd's application indicated she would be unable to attend most meetings. However, Simmons noted that Floyd's high school "Latin X group" often participates in Cemetery clean-up events. Deputy City Clerk Kirkpatrick informed the council that the Cemetery Committee had discussed adjusting their meeting time if Floyd were appointed. Councilmember Sierra McLean expressed concern, stating that the meeting time had already been submitted to the County and was not changed previously. Since two applicants could attend at the current time without requiring an approval process to adjust the schedule, she preferred appointing someone available under the current meeting schedule. Mayor McLean acknowledged the Cemetery Committee's recommendation but remained open to the Council's decision. Vice Mayor Simmons mentioned that Jim McCarthy, a previous City Council applicant, was present at the meeting tonight.
Councilmember Sierra McLean agreed, and Simmons noted that McCarthy is already involved in some city efforts, but also understands the Cemetery Committee's recommendation. Simmons March 24, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
questioned whether the recommendation came from the Cemetery Committee or the Cemetery Sexton, and Deputy City Clerk Kirkpatrick confirmed it was the committee's recommendation.
Simmons reiterated the choice is difficult as Floyd is the committee's recommendation.
Councilmember Sierra McLean emphasized it is the Council's responsibility to select their own representatives to be on this committee and stated her preference for Jim McCarthy. Vice Mayor Simmons agreed, particularly because McCarthy was present.
Mayor McLean asked for public comments and received none.
Mayor requests a motion.
Motion to appoint Jim McCarthy to the Cemetery Committee, dated March 24, 2025.
Moved by Councilmember Sierra McLean, seconded by Vice Mayor Simmons, and carried by a 3 to 0 vote:
AYES: Steve McLean, Simmons, Sierra McLean
NOES: None
ABSENT: Godde, Gonsalves
ABSTAIN: None
7. REGULAR MEETING ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor McLean adjourned the meeting at 7:03 p.m.
8. CLOSED SESSION.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (pursuant to Government Code 54957) Title: City Manager
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Pursuant to Government Code § 54954.5(f)) Agency designated representatives: Carl Simpson, Josh Nelson Employee organizations (under discussion): JPFA, JPOA, SEIU
9. CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor McLean adjourned closed session meeting at 8:15 p.m.
ATTEST:
4/15/25
arleen Kifkpatrick, , Deputy City Clerk Date Approved