City Council Meeting Minutes Monday, January 12, 2026
CITY OF JACKSON
City Council Meeting Minutes
January 12, 2026
Mayor and Council Members
Chad Simmons, Mayor
Steve Mclean, Vice Mayor
Max Godde, Council Member
Connie Gonsalves, Council Member
Sierra Mclean, Council Member
ABSENT:None
John Georgette, City Clerk
Josh Nelson, City Attorney (attended remotely)
Staff Members:
Carl P. Simpson, City Manager
Chris Mynderup, Police Chief
Ryan Pidgeon, Fire Chief
Erin Ventura, Contract Planner
Dana Knight, Administrative Assistant
Christine Platt, Homeless Outreach Coordinator
Mayor Simmons called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.
1. CEREMONIAL
a. Recognition for 8 years of volunteer service to the City of Jackson and the Jackson Fire Department.
• Holly Withrow
Chief Pidgeon presented Holly Withrow with a proclamation for her outstanding volunteer service being the Lead Elf during the Santa Patrol for the last 8 years. She started volunteering when she was just 10 years old and worked hard all 4 nights of the event to collect the canned food and nonperishables that people donated to the Interfaith Food Bank. Her dedication to this event is greatly appreciated.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
Motion to Approve the City Council Agenda dated January 12, 2026, as presented. Moved by Vice Mayor Steve McLean, seconded by Councilmember Gonsalves, and carried by a 5 to 0 vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Simmons, Steve McLean, Godde, Gonsalves, Sierra McLean
None
None
None
3. PUBLIC MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
City Council Meeting Minutes Monday, January 12, 2026
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.
During Public Comment - Several residents spoke about Cynthia Hale who was a well-known unhoused person who sadly passed away.
Trixxie Smith- She gave a picture to the council of Cynthia and her dog Gypsy and she shared her love for Cynthia and asked everyone to think about what they can do to help a neighbor who may be in need.
Becky Melville - Spoke about helping the unhoused through her church and helping Cynthia and others with essentials and things to help keep them warm. She mentioned the new ordinance making encampments illegal and said that Cynthia was sleeping in a ditch and that better solutions are needed.
Tyx Pulskamp-Asked the council if a Moment of Silence could be done in Cynthia's honor. Spoke of his friend Von who passed in 2019 close to where Cynthia did and at that time, he gave some ideas on how to make it safer to cross the streets. Statistics given on the average life expectancy of living without shelter and the high level of poverty in Amador County. Asked the council to work with the county to do more to service the needs of the citizens in Jackson today, and moving forward, like Cynthia and Robert Hillman who also passed recently.
Krista Ruesel -Found Cynthia in the street wet and cold the night she died and called the police. She didn't know what happened after that but said she failed her and the community failed her and changes need to be made to help people like her and for them to have more options.
Dr. Bob Hartman - He and his wife interface with many unhoused people through different organizations in the county and agreed with Ty about the statistics of life expectancy of the unhoused. Spoke of the cost of housing that has gone up at a rate 325% higher than wages. It will be a community effort to come up with solutions and asked that everyone treat the unhoused with respect and dignity that they deserve.
Mel Welsh -As a member of several organizations she agrees with all that was said tonight. She spoke about the Safe Haven Parking opportunity that is a viable option for people that have cars, so they can sleep in a safe place.
A Moment of Silence was observed for Cynthia Hale and Robert Hillman.
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 December 8, 2025 Meeting Minutes.
b. Approval of Expenditure Reports in the amount of $403,742.76 (12/19/2025) and $812,562.77 (1/8/2026)
c. Approval of Payroll Expenditure report for December 2025. d. Approval of Treasurer's Report for August 31, 2025 & September 30, 2025. e. Receive Fire Department monthly report for December 2025. f. Receive Police Department monthly report for December 2025. g. Receive Building Department monthly report for December 2025. h. Receive Quarterly Engineering Periodical Report (Oct-Nov 2025).
City Council Meeting Minutes Monday, January 12, 2026
i. Approval of Herceg Novi Delegation Ancillary Expenditures in the amount of $10,000. j. Receive Fire Department Annual Inspection Report- SB 1205 Compliance. k. Resolution No. 2026-01 Accepting a Grant Award from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for Hydraulic Rescue Equipment.
l. Approval of the Naloxone Distribution and Training Program - Policies and Procedures. m. Resolution No. 2026-02 Approving the Cal Fire Cooperative Fire Protection Grant. n. Resolution No. 2026-03 Accepting the Competition of the Hoffinan Patch Paving Project and Filing a Notice of Completion and Authorizing Recordation Therefore.
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar dated January 12, 2026, as presented. Moved by Councilmember Godde, seconded by Councilmember Sierra McLean, and carried by a 5 to O vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Simmons, Steve McLean, Godde, Gonsalves, Sierra McLean
None
None
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- Not in attendance. City Manager Simpson let the council know that he had nothing to report.
Fire Chief, Ryan Pidgeon - Reported on multiple items:
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•
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•
•
•
Hired 5 Per Diem Extra Help Firefighters this month to help with having two injured firefighters out. Two of them were volunteers and have started working their 24-hour shifts.
Several grants were issued this month: Cal Fire Cooperative Fire Protection Grant for just under $20,000. Fire House Subs for $40,000. to purchase battery powered extrication tools.
A $4,000 grant from the Elks Lodge was received to support the newly established Narcan Program. This is for the Narcan Kits that will be passed out to the public.
Received a donation from Michael Bucannon from Fireline Fit out of Gilroy of 13 sets of turnout gear, 12 coats and two helmets to support the Fire and Police Explorers Program.
Had some change orders to the Fire Trucks Unlimited project for refurbing the fire trucks .
May have more after they go through the trucks.
AED cabinet for Dietert Park has been shipped and will be here soon .
Thanked Holly Withrow again for her service as the Senior Elf. Thinks it may be the largest donation of goods that have been donated so far.
Completed Annual SB1205 inspections for the year .
Police Chief, Chris Mynderup - Made it through the holiday season unscathed and we are looking forward to a prosperous 2026. We are increasing our Cadet Fire Explorer Program and hope to continue it and build it as we go along, and the D.A.R.E. Program is coming back to the 5 th graders this year.
Detective Hopper has been working on lessons plans and getting money for supplies and graduation.
City Council Meeting Minutes Monday, January 12, 2026
Will have more information as that comes about.
City Manager. Carl P. Simpson - Nothing to report.
City Attorney. Josh Nelson -Nothing to report.
Audio not available for Council Reports and Item 7a.
6. COUNCIL REPORTS.
This section is to provide Council members an opportunity to present reports on their activities and to request items be placed on future agendas.
Councilmember Gonsalves - Nothing to report.
Councilmember Godde -Attended two Kennedy Mine meetings and will bring back an update on Wheel #1 soon. Also, volunteered serving Christmas Dinner at the Senior Center and attended the ribbon cutting of Taqueria Jiquilpan y Antojitos, the new Mexican food restaurant, at 559 Highway 49. It is where the Amador Ranch Market used to be located.
Councilmember Sierra McLean -Attended a showing of A Christmas Carol at the Baker Street West Theater. Said it was a very well-done performance and encouraged everyone to attend future shows.
Vice Mayor McLean -Visited with the delegates from Herceg Novi quite a bit while they were here.
Mayor Simmons-Also visited with the delegation. Attended the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Party. Delivered signs to the top twenty finalists of the Great Christmas Light Show. Took down the Tunnel of Lights decorations and attended the Serbian Christmas lunch after the celebration on Main Street.
7. DISCUSSION CALENDAR.
a. Presentation of Jackson's Second Annual Residential Christmas Lights Competition, "The Great Christmas Lights Show", winners [Erika Simmons, Economic Development Committee].
Economic Development Committee member, Erika Simmons thanked all of the individuals, businesses, and organizations, for their generous sponsorship and dedicated volunteer service in support of the 2025 Festival of Trees, Tunnel of Lights, and Citywide Christmas Lights Competition. She also thanked everyone who participated in the Great Christmas Lights Competition and her, and Mayor Simmons presented the top three finalists in the Commercial category and the top five finalists in the Residential category with certificates and prize money.
The Commercial winners were:
City Council Meeting Minutes Monday, January 12, 2026
• 1
st Place -Kit Carson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center - $1,000.00 • 2
nd Place -Sue's Shoppe - $750.00
• 3
rd Place -Sierra Eyecare Associates - $500.00
The Residential winners were:
• p
t Place-9 North Pioneer Circle - $1,000.00
• 2
nd Place -126 Gordon Place - $800.00
• 3
rd Place - 115 Hillside Place - $600.00
• 4
th Place -10438 Buena Vista Drive - $400.00
• 5
th Place -10365 Spunn Road - $200.00
b. Receive, discuss, and provide direction on verbal report of City's ongoing response to homeless issues [Christine Platt, Homeless Outreach Coordinator].
Christine said Amador County's most recent homeless count is about 100 people. To help ease the strain ·on resources, the county-wide Homeless Task Force is making progress on a site for safe parking for unhoused individuals living in cars or camping although there is not currently a proposal for any sanctioned encampments. Reported that Amador County has two homeless shelters with 30 beds total for women, children and some men. Pets are not allowed at the shelters, which can be a deterrent for many experiencing homelessness in Amador County. c. Receive presentation from The Resource Connection to gain an understanding of the resources they provide for the community. [Mia Huss and Sheri Noble] Mia Huss and Karen Frazier gave a presentation on the Resource and Referral programs for childcare in Amador and Calaveras Counties. Said they provide support with finding childcare, paying for childcare and supporting childcare providers in the region. They also have a Grandparent Respite program that gives support for grandparents raising children and a Consumable Closet program that provides free supplies for childcare providers to help support high quality early learning environments. Looking forward to the Celebrate the Child event in April and asked the City of Jackson to do what they can to support local childcare centers and invited the council to attend Child Care Council meetings. d. Design Review and approval ofFa1yade Improvement Grant in the amount of $2,500 to Time for Tea at 162 Main Street [Erin Ventura, Planning Director] Planner Ventura gave an overview of the proposal to replace the front window with a passthrough window and add shutters to be open when the business is open and closed when the business is closed. The applicant provided renderings and the recommendation is to review the Design Review application, issue the Certificate of Appropriateness and award the applicant $2,500. Said it is coming to the City Council for approval because they are the approving body for the Fa9ade Improvement Grants and if the grant is not approved the applicant will probably not move forward with the project.
After council discussion, Mayor Simmons called for Public Comment.
City Council Meeting Minutes Monday, January 12, 2026
Thornton Consolo asked if this was already approved. Planner Ventura let him know that it is on the agenda tonight for approval. Mr. Consolo stated that he doesn't think the look of the shutters is historic. Thinks that history is getting lost in Jackson and would like the shutters to be modified to be more historic looking.
Tyx Pulskamp asked if the shutters were glass or metal. Said they look wildly modem but is in favor of having the shutters, because it is a creative way for people to see that people are down there spending money and someone driving by may stop and spend money as well.
Debbie Collins wondered how the windows will work since the window on the right will be sticking straight out into the sidewalk because the clock is there. The pictures don't show the windows open, so it is hard to tell.
With no further comments from the public or the council, Mayor Simmons requested a Motion.
Motion to approve the Design Review and Farade Grant applications/or Time/or Tea, as presented and award $2,500. Motion moved by Councilmember Gonsalves, and seconded by Vice Mayor McLean, and carried by a 5 to O vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Simmons, Steve McLean, Godde, Gonsalves, Sierra McLean
None
None
None
e. Approval ofFa9ade Improvement Grant in the amount of$2,500 to Saloon 1848 at 105 Main Street
Planner Ventura explained that the applicant is requesting $9,750 to complete sidewalk repairs in front of his business at 105 Main Street. Fa9ade Grants typically are issued for $2,500 and recommends approving this amount to the applicant for the sidewalk improvements. Removing these grates is common along Main Street and a lot of owners have replaced them with concrete, and it is an allowable use ofFa9ade Grant money.
Property owner and applicant Justin Berenstein commented that he believes the sidewalks are the city's responsibility and not the owner of the properties. He also stated that the council has granted more than $2,500 for Fa9ade Grants in the past. Shared that someone tripped and fell a few weeks ago, and wanted clarity on who is responsible for the sidewalks.
After further discussion on who owns the sidewalks the city attorney said he would be talking with Carl and would look into it.
Councilmember Sierra McLean stated that the city is contemplating revitalization of downtown and thinks that redoing all the sidewalks at the same time would make more sense.
Councilmember Gonzalves shared that she is in favor of awarding the grant and believes that it is the city's liability if someone fell and the city would be the deep pockets is someone sued.
Mentioned that in the past more money was awarded for these grants.
City Council Meeting Minutes Monday, January 12, 2026
After more council discussion on the issues with grates in the sidewalks, Councilmember Gonzalves said she would make a motion to increase the amount to $5,000.
Motion to approve the Farade Grant for Saloon 1848 in the amount of $5,000 to improve the sidewalk for safety reasons. Moved by Councilmember Gonsalves, seconded by Counci/member Godde a11d carried by a 3 to 2 vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Steve McLean, Godde, Gonsalves,
Simmons, Sierra McLean
None
None
f. Final review of City Council Committee Assignments.
Mayor Simmons asked the council if they wanted to add or change their assignments.
Councilmember Godde asked that the Amador Senior Center be added because he is on that board. Mayor Simmons questioned if they would need to change their bylaws to have a sitting council member rotate each year and asked him to look into it.
Councilmember Godde asked to be taken off the Amador Council of Tourism Committee Assignment. After council discussion about how the organization has changed over the years it was mentioned that they could decide later what they want to do about that position in the future. Tyx Pulscamp asked the council to keep going to these meetings because it helps to keep his family's business going and their employees employed. City Manager Simpson offered to take that committee assignment and Councilmember Godde will be the alternate.
ACRA was removed from the assignment list.
Mayor Simmons said he would like to create an Ad Hoc Committee to talk with Victory Village before signing any formal documents on work they said they would do and their finances. Asked Councilmember Gonzales to be on it with him and she agreed.
Mayor Simmons asked for public comment and hearing none asked for a motion.
Motion to update the City Council Committee Assignments as discussed. Moved by Councilmember Gonzales, seconded by Councilmember Godde.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Simmons, Steve McLean, Godde, Gonsalves, Sierra McLean
None
None
None
g. Council Member Independent Departmental Assignments Discussion.
After council discussion, Mayor Simmons asked City Manager Simpson to bring this item City Council Meeting Minutes Monday, January 12, 2026
back to the next council meeting with a draft of the framework with the different departments listed and a rotation schedule, so the council can be assigned to each department.
Direction only. No action was taken.
h. Introduce and waive the first reading of an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 14.04 of the Jackson Municipal Code adopting by reference the 2025 edition of the California Building Standards Code, and other uniform and related codes.
Mayor Simmons asked for Public Comment and hearing none called for a motion.
Motion to Introduce and Waive the First Reading of the Ordinance adopting and amending the 2025 edition of the California Building Standards Code, and other uniform and related codes, by Vice Mayor McLean, seconded by Councilmember Sierra McLean and carried by a 5 to O vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Simmons, Steve McLean, Godde, Gonsalves, Sierra McLean
None
None
None
8. REGULAR MEETING ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor Simmons adjourned the meeting at 8: 11 p.m.
9. CLOSED SESSION.
a. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property: 319 Laurel Drive
Agency negotiator: Carl Simpson
Negotiating parties: Mike Ladner
Under negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor Simmons adjourned Closed Session at 8:47 p.m. with no reportable action.
ATTEST:
Date Approved