CITY OF
CITY OF JACKSON
City Council Meeting Minutes
August 13, 2026 (Adjourned from August 10, 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:
Robert Kightlinger, City Manager
Chris Mynderup, Police Chief
Ryan Pidgeon, Fire Chief
Ben Diedrich, Building Permit Tech
Daphne Parker, Pool Director
Mayor Simmons called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. CEREMONIAL.
Introduction and swearing in of new employee, City Manager: Robert Kightlinger.
Robert Kightlinger took the oath of office as Jackson City Manager. Mayor Simmons welcomed him and noted that the appointment followed an extensive recruitment involving approximately 33 applicants and two rounds of interviews.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
Approval of agenda for this date; any and all off-agenda items must be approved by the City Council (pursuant to §54954.2 of the Government Code).
Motion to Approve the City Council Meeting Agenda dated August 13, 2026, as presented.
Moved by Councilmember Sierra McLean, seconded by Councilmember Steve McLean, and carried by a 5 to O vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Simmons, Steve McLean, Godde, Gonsalves, Sierra McLean
None
None
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.
No Public Comment was received.
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 or'a Council member.
August 13. 2026 City Council Special Meeting Minutes
a. Approval of July 13, 2026 Regular & Special Meeting Minutes. b. Approval of Expenditure Reports in the amount of $1,089,935.32 (July) & $128,170.91 (August) c. Approval of the July 2026 Payroll Expenditure Report in the total amount of $503,974.96 d. Receive Treasurer's Report for May 2026
e. Receive Building Department Monthly Report for July 2026 f. Receive Fire Department Monthly Report for July 2026 g. Receive Police Department Monthly Report for July 2026 h. Receive status update on active grant list.
1. Approval of the Professional Services Agreement between the City of Jackson and Hildebrand Consulting LLC for the 2026 Cost Allocation Plan.
J. Approval of Resolution 2026-29 Accepting the Completion of the City Hall HV AC and Filing a Notice of Completion and Authorizing Recordation Therefore. k. Receive Public Works Sewer Sanitation Management Plan Annual Report
1. Approve City Manager Employment Agreement
Mayor Simmons amended Item L, of the City Manager Employment Agreement, Section 13 (c), to change the date compensation commenced from August 3, 2026, to August 1, 2026.
Motion to Approve the Consent Calendar dated August 13, 2026 as amended. Moved by Councilmember Godde, 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
5. i ADMlNISTRA TIVE 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 - Thanked Simmons Landscaping for work at the cemetery. PSI began year two of the City's five-year sewer CCTV inspection and cleaning program.
City crews repaired dry rot and completed the pool roof work. A pool skimmer plumbing leak was isolated and will be investigated during the winter. Sister City signs were installed at the parking garage and highway locations.
Fire Chief. Ryan Pidgeon- Reported that the department provided mutual aid at the Underwood incident and that Engine 6331 had been deployed nearly continuously since late July, including five days at the Dove Fire and subsequent assignments at the Gann and Timber fires. Department personnel had accumulated approximately 19 deployment days and received positive feedback from their strike team leader. At National Night Out, the department trained residents in the use of naloxone/Narcan. The public AED remained operational.
Police Chief. Chris Mynderup - Reported on recent department activities, including attending the July 26 MADD Awards in Sacramento, where Officer Jordan Thurman was recognized for 71 DUI arrests and his efforts that contributed to securing an approximately $90,000 CHP grant. On August 4, the August 13, 2026 City Council Special Meeting Minutes
Department provided mutual aid to the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department during the fire, with Officers Thurman and Morrison conducting overnight patrols in evacuated areas. The Chief also thanked the agencies, organizations, and local grocery stores that supported the City's National Night Out event. Mayor Simmons thanked Chief Mynderup for successfully serving as Interim City Manger during the transition.
City Attorney, Josh Nelson -Provided an update on AB 13 83, which would increase PERS retirement benefits and employer costs for safety employees and increase the PEPRA compensation cap for certain employees. The bill has passed the Assembly and is currently in the Senate suspense file, with a decision expected by the end of August. Attorney Nelson noted that several local government organizations have expressed opposition and that further updates will be provided as the legislation progresses.
City Manager. Robert Kightlinger - Presented an overview of the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget, noting that although municipal services are expected to continue, additional revenues and/or targeted expenditure reductions will be necessary to address a projected General Fund deficit approaching $400,000. The shortfall is primarily attributed to increased PERS and healthcare costs, inflation, and lower tax revenues resulting from local business closures. The City Manager reviewed priorities and upcoming projects for the Police, Fire, Public Works, Water, Wastewater, Building Code, and Pool operations. The pool, which operates as an Enterprise Fund, is not currently financially self-sustaining and will require City support while staff pursues grant funding for needed repairs. City Manager Kightlinger also recognized staff for their efforts throughout the year, including Pool Director Parker for her work during the pool season.
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 -Attended the Amador County Fair and congratulated Erica for the City of Jackson window display, which received second place. She also welcomed City Manager Kightlinger and his family.
Councilmember Godde -Thanked Chief Mynderup for serving as Interim City Manager, welcomed City Manager Kightlinger, and thanked Simmons Landscape for its cemetery work.
Councilmember Sierra McLean - Attended a Fire Department training that included the Explorer Program, met with Amador County Public Health representative Fernando Gutierrez regarding tobacco-use policies and community education, and attended National Night Out.
Councilmember Steve McLean - Attended the Amador County Fair and a Chamber mixer and welcomed the new City Manager.
Mayor Simmons - Reported on LAFCO and Economic Development Committee meetings, National Night Out, a PG&E community outreach meeting, and an Amador County Transportation Commission meeting with City Manager Kightlinger. The Sutter Street project is not currently programmed for funding; the City will pursue grants and future funding opportunities. He congratulated staff on the City's second-place fair display and thanked the Jackson Lions Club for committing $3,000 to support the Explorer Program at three community August 13, 2026 City Council Special Meeting Minutes
events, with a possible matching grant being explored.
7. DISCUSSION CALENDAR.
a. Receive Jackson Pool End of Season Review [Daphne Parker, Pool Director].
Pool Director Daphne Parker recognized the professionalism, leadership, teamwork, and commitment of the 2026 pool staff. She announced that a full season report, including attendance, programs, operations, and financial information, would be presented at the August 24 meeting.
Gavin Mynderup: Recognized for continued growth as pool manager, strong leadership and reliability, and his effective response to two significant medical emergencies during the season.
Kaleigh Cronin: Recognized for exceptional work ethic, leadership, communication, and service during her second season, as well as her positive influence on younger staff.
Paitley Cross: Received the 2026 Golden Whistle Award for excellence in safety, dependability, leadership, and dedication. She became lifeguard-certified, attended all available in-service trainings, accepted additional responsibilities, and received positive feedback as a swim instructor. b. Public Hearing: Resolution No. 2026-30 Approving and Confirming the Report of Delinquent Utilities Charges and Requesting Amador County to Collect such Charges on the Tax Roll [Dalacie Blankenship, Finance Manager] Finance Manager Blankenship explained that the City annually transfers delinquent utility charges to the County tax roll after other collection efforts have been exhausted. Three properties were included, and all required notices had been completed. Councilmember Gonsalves asked if the property taxes on these parcels were up to date. Blankenship stated that, to the City's knowledge, property taxes on the parcels were current.
Mayor Simmons called for public comment, hearing none he called for a motion.
Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2026-30, originally noticed/or August JO, 2026, in which the public hearing was continued to this meeting, approving and confirming the report of delinquent utility charges and requesting that Amador County collect the charges on the tax roll. Moved by Councilmember Gonsalves, 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
c. Consideration and possible adoption of Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Budget by reference, including information regarding vacancies and recruiting efforts:
• Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-31 Setting a Tax Related Appropriation Limit in Compliance with Article XIIIB of the Constitution of the State of California for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
August 13. 2026 City Council Special Meeting Minutes
• Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-32 Approving the City Operation Budget and City Capital Improvement Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27. • Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-33 Authorizing Full-Time Positions in the City Service Effective July 1, 2026, in Accordance with the Operating Budget for the 2026-27 Fiscal Year.
(Budget message includes Council Strategic Goals & Objectives, FY 26/27 In Review/Team Accomplishments; FY 26/27 Budget Sheets: summary, CJP details, expenditures by fund).
No Council discussion. Mayor Simmons called for public comment and hearing none called for a motion.
Motion to adopt Resolutions 2026-31, 2026-32 and 2026-33 for the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Budget by reference, including information regarding vacancies and recruiting efforts. Moved by Vice Chair Steve McLean, seconded by Councilmember Gonsalves, 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 adjournment the regular meeting at 7:02 pm.
ATTEST:
Date Approved