CITY OF
CITY OF JACKSON
City Council Meeting Minutes
JACKSON June 23, 2025
ALIFORNIA
Mayor and Council Members Josh Nelson, City Attorney (remote attendance) Steve McLean, Mayor
Chad Simmons, Vice Mayor Staff Members:
Max Godde, Council Member Carl P. Simpson, City Manager Connie Gonsalves, Council Member Chris Mynderup, Police Chief Sierra McLean, Council Member Alex Sharp, Volunteer Fire Battalion Chief/PIO Bree Wilder, Public Works Superintendent
ABSENT: None Carleen Kirkpatrick, Deputy City Clerk
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 June 23, 2025 as presented. Moved by Vice Mayor Simmons, seconded by Councilmember Gonsalves, and carried by a 5 to 0 vote:
AYES: Steve McLean, Simmons, Godde, Gonsalves, Sierra McLean NOES:
ABSENT: None
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.
To listen to full public commentary, audio recordings are available on the City of Jackson website at Residents Marilyn Lewis and Jim McCarthy provided public comment.
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 June 9, 2025 meeting minutes. (Removed from Consent Calendar, Added to Discussion Calendar.)
b. Approval of Expenditure Report in the amount of $521,024.08 (June 20, 2025).
June 23, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
c. Receive Building Department Monthly Report for May 2025. d. Possible reappointment of Planning Commissioner Thornton Console for two more years, through June 30th, 2027. (Removed from Consent Calendar, Added to Discussion Calendar.)
e. Approval of Resolution No. 2025-14 Adopting a List of Projects and Approving the Use of SB1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act Funding for City Street Projects for FY 2025-26.
f. Receive Homeless Outreach Coordinator monthly report for May 2025.
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar dated June 23, 2025 as amended. Moved by Councilmember Gonsalves, seconded by Councilmember Sierra McLean, and carried by a 5 to 0 vote:
AYES: Steve McLean, Simmons, Godde, Gonsalves, Sierra McLean NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
*Consent Item #3a: Approval of June 9, 2025 meeting minutes.
Council heard public comment from Marilyn Lewis and directed staff to remove two italicized legal and zoning clarification "notes" on page 3 of the minutes.
Motion to approve the June 9, 2025 City Council meeting minutes, as amended. Moved by Councilmember Sierra McLean, seconded by Vice Mayor Simmons, and carried by a 5 to 0 vote:
AYES: Steve McLean, Simmons, Godde, Gonsalves, Sierra McLean NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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 - The Buena Vista waterline project is going out to bid and will be in the paper this Friday 6/27/25. Scout Hut stairs are currently being rebuilt by Jayden Martin to earn his Eagle Scout badge, completed through donation. The Wastewater Treatment Plant roof is almost complete. The HVAC at the Police Department is underway. Met with DTSC about the Sutter Street Drainage, a few pending drainage issues to work out. Mattley Hillside is nearly complete.
Volunteer Fire Battalion Chief, Alex Sharp - No fire issues with the "Bottilleas" Dinner on Main Street.
Fire assisted with set up and take down. Two new volunteers began training. Engine # 6332 is currently out of service for mechanical issues, no expected date of return yet. Moving forward with replacement of traditionally powered extrication tools to battery powered, and Council is invited to come test them out on some cars once they are up and running. Mayor McLean inquired if they will keep the current sets as backup, and Sharp confirmed advising they replace one set at a time and keeping backups.
June 23, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
Police Chief, Chris Mynderup - Attended the "Bottilleas" Dinner on Main Street, no PD issues.
Gearing up for July 3° event, all PD personnel will be on duty.
City Manager, Carl P. Simpson - City Clerk John Georgette is hoping to return next Monday. Thanks to everyone who helped with the Bottilleas event, including Fire, Police, Public Works, volunteers and associations.
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 "Bottilleas" Dinner on Main Street and thanked everyone who was involved. Unable to attend the Historical Society Dinner on Sunday. Advised she recently resigned from being a board member for the Chamber of Commerce to avoid any conflict of interest in voting on their application.
Councilmember Godde - No report.
Councilmember McLean - Attended the Historical Society BBQ on Sunday and recommends people check it out.
Vice Mayor Simmons - Attended the "Bottilleas" event on Main Street June 21, 2025.
Mayor McLean - Attended the beautification committee meeting on June 16'h, focused on the "Bottilleas" dinner. Spoke with Father Marco about the Serbian Sister City event upcoming mid- August. June 17'h h, attended the Chamber of Commerce meeting. June 18th, attended the Technical Advisory Committee meeting as part of the ACTC funding for roads. Attended "Bottilleas" and supported the archway fundraiser, as well as the Historical Society BBQ.
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.
*Consent Item # 3d: Possible reappointment of Planning Commissioner Thornton Consolo for two more years, through June 30th, 2027. (TABLED FOR NEXT MEETING ON 7/14/25, MISTAKENLY NOT DISCUSSED DURING MEETING.)
a. Discussion and possible approval of sponsorship for Hospice of Amador and Calaveras' "Celebrate Life" Annual Art Auction.
Mayor McLean opened the item for council discussion.
June 23, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
Council requested staff to provide information on the amount the City has donated in the past and tabled the item for the next Council meeting.
Mayor McLean asked for public comments and received none. b. Review of proposals and possible award of FY 25/26 Measure E / TOT Grants with recommendations from the Advisory Committet.
Mayor McLean opened the item for council discussion.
Councilmember Gonsalves presented the TOT/Measure E Advisory Committee's funding recommendations. Council agreed to first review proposals from the Amador County Chamber of Commerce, Baker Street West, Historic Jackson Business Association, and Kennedy Mine Foundation.
Vice Mayor Simmons abstained from voting on the Chamber of Commerce proposal due to a conflict of interest. Council approved all four proposals as submitted and recommended by the Advisory Committee.
Council then discussed, in detail, the proposals from the Amador Council of Tourism and the Amador County Arts Council. Councilmember Gonsalves noted concerns with the Arts Council's $20,000 request, citing the focus on administrative costs. The Advisory Committee recommended $5,000 total, split into two $2,500 disbursements one now and one mid-year-pending submission of quarterly reports showing benefit to the City of Jackson. The same recommendation was made for the Amador Council of Tourism, though concerns were raised regarding limited visibility of Jackson in their marketing and social media, lack of a physical office, and a late application submission.
Vice Mayor Simmons recommended not approving the Amador Council of Tourism's request, citing lack of direct support for Jackson and marketing efforts focused on Shenandoah Valley, Plymouth, and Sutter Creek (which does not participate in TOT distributions). Gonsalves clarified that the Amador Council of Tourism currently has no home base office.
A discussion followed regarding the overall TOT budget. Vice Mayor Simmons noted the budget is $30,000 and expressed concern over considering $99,000 in requests. Gonsalves responded that the $30,000 figure is outdated and that Council has historically approved amounts beyond that.
The Council also discussed the Baker Street West proposal. Simmons raised concerns about funding a $12,500 sound system for a building still lacking a certificate of occupancy. Gonsalves explained the group is progressing toward completion and has a play scheduled for December. City Manager Simpson clarified that while the building does not have a full certificate of occupancy, it has been granted limited access for specific small events.
Representatives from Baker Street West confirmed they plan to hold auditions in August for a holiday production and are limited in further development without performance revenue. Simmons reiterated support for the organization but maintained concern about funding infrastructure before the building is officially open with an approved certificate of occupancy.
Mayor McLean asked for public comment and received none.
Mayor requests a motion.
June 23, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
Motion to award TOT/Measure E grants to the Amador County Chamber of Commerce ($30,000), Baker Street West ($12,471), Historic Jackson Business Association ($16,965), and Kennedy Mine Foundation ($15,000) as requested and recommended by the Advisory Committee, dated June 23, 2025 as presented. Moved by Councilmember Gonsalves, seconded by Councilmember Godde, and carried by a 5 to O vote:
AYES: Steve McLean, Simmons, Godde, Gonsalves, Sierra McLean NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Simmons (No vote on Chamber of Commerce Application only) Mayor McLean reopened discussion on the Amador Council of Tourism application. Council agreed on an amended amount, with the exception of Vice Mayor Simmons.
Mayor McLean asked for public comment.
Mayor requests a motion.
Motion to award TOT/Measure E grants to the Amador Council of Tourism for $2500 initially, and consideration from Council for an additional $2500 after submission of a semi-annual report, showing evidence of sufficient support for Jackson, dated June 23, 2025 as recommended. Moved by Councilmember Gonsalves, seconded by Councilmember Sierra McLean, and carried by a 4 to 1 vote:
AYES: Steve McLean, Godde, Gonsalves, Sierra McLean
NOES: Simmons
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor McLean reopened discussion on the Amador County Arts Council's funding request.
Councilmember Gonsalves proposed amending the original $20,000 request to approve a total of $5,000, to be disbursed in two installments of $2,500—an initial payment and a second after six months, contingent upon submission of quarterly reports demonstrating program benefits to the City of Jackson.
Vice Mayor Simmons expressed opposition to using Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) funds to support the Arts Council's Executive Director salary, a concern echoed by Councilmember Gonsalves as the basis for reducing the funding request.
Vice Mayor Simmons inquired whether Baker Street West received funding from the Amador Arts Council; representatives confirmed they do not. Mayor McLean also voiced agreement with concerns about using public funds for salary expenses.
Councilmember Godde asked if the Amador Arts Council hosted a recent concert at the Kennedy Mine. (No answer to this inquiry is recorded.) Council briefly discussed past local concert events.
June 23, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor McLean opened the floor for public comment.
Erika Simmons, member of the TOT/Measure E Advisory Committee, clarified the Committee's recommendation: an initial $5,000 disbursement, with the possibility of an additional $5,000 each quarter, contingent on quarterly reporting that demonstrates adequate support for Jackson.
Councilmember Gonsalves reileraled thal Council relains the authority to adjust recommended funding amounts during the meeting and confirmed her initial motion as stated.
Mayor McLean requests a motion.
Motion to award TOT/Measure E grants 1o the Amador County Arts Council for $2500 initially, and consideration from Council for an additional $2500 after submission of a quarterly reports, showing evidence of sufficient support for Jackson, dated June 23, 2025, as amendea. Moved by Councilmember Gonsalves, seconded by Councilmember Sierra McLean, and carried by a 4 to 1 vote:
AYES: Steve McLean, Godde, Gonsalves, Sierra McLean
NOES: Simmons
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
c. Consideration and possible approval of Façade Grant for the Jackson Cinema [Erin Ventura, Contract Planner].
Mayor McLean opened the item for council discussion. Council agreed the application met all of the requirements of the façade grant.
Mayor McLean asked for public comments and received none.
Mayor requests a motion.
Motion to approve the façade grant application for Jackson Cinema in the amount of $2500, dated June 23, 2025 as presented. Moved by Vice Mayor Simmons, seconded by Councilmember Gonsalves, and carried by a 5 to 0 vote:
AYES: Steve McLean, Simmons, Godde, Gonsalves, Sierra McLean NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7. REGULAR MEETING ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor McLean adjourned the meeting at 7:13 p.m.
ATTEST:
7|14|25
Carleen Kirkpatrick, Deputy City Clerk Date Approved