CITY OF JACKSON
City Council Meeting Minutes
August 24, 2026
Mayor and Council Members John Georgette, City Clerk
Chad Simmons, Mayor
Steve McLean, Vice Mayor
Max Godde, Council Member
Connie Gonsalves, Council Member
Sierra McLean, Council Member
ABSENT: None
Josh Nelson, City Attorney (Attended Remotely)
Staff Members:
Robert Kightlinger, City Manager
Chris Mynderup, Police Chief
Ryan Pidgeon, Fire Chief
Trevor Hoaas, Assistant PW Superintendent
Christine Platt, Homeless Outreach Coordinator
Dana Knight, Administrative Assistant
Mayor Simmons called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
Motion to Approve the City Council Agenda dated August 24, 2026, as presented. Moved by Vice Mayor Steve McLean, seconded by Councilmember Godde, and carried by a 5 to O vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Simmons, Steve McLean, Godde, Gonsalves, Sierra McLean
None
None
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 August 13, 2026 meeting minutes adjourned from August 10, 2026. b. Approval of Expenditure Report in the amount of $483,124.33. c. Approval of Resolution No. 2026-34 Accepting the Completion of2026 Sewer Improvement - Project B and filing a Notice of Completion and Authorizing Recordation Therefore.
d. Approval of Resolution No. 2026-35 Authorizing Full-Time Positions in the City Service Effective July 1, 2026, in Accordance with the Operating Budget for the 2026-27 Fiscal Year and Superseding Resolution No. 2026-33.
e. Approval of the Website Accessibility Policy.
f. Approval of the Operational Guide for Effective Communication, Auxiliary Aids, and Interpreter Services.
g. Receive Homeless Outreach Coordinator Report for July 2026.
Mayor Simmons called for Public Comment, hearing none, he called for a Motion.
August 24. 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes
Motion to Approve the Consent Calendar dated August 24, 2026 as presented. Moved by Councilmember Gonsalves, seconded by Councilmember Sierra McLean, and carried by a 5 to 0 vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Simmons, Steve McLean, Godde, Gonsalves, Sierra McLean
None
None
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.
Assistant PW Superintendent, Trevor Hoaas - Reported that punch-list work for Sewer Project B had been completed, with one punch-list item remaining on Sewer Project A. Plans for the reservoir project were approximately 95% complete and comments had been submitted. Environmental documentation was expected to be posted and circulated for public comment. The pool office roof was completed for approximately $7,900. Public Works performed tear-off and dry-rot repairs, saving the City approximately $6,000. The sewer CCTV and cleaning contractor identified two significant areas of infiltration below Fire Station No. 1 near the creek, and repairs were completed.
Fire Chief, Ryan Pidgeon - Reported that Engine 6331 had returned from the Timber Fire and that the crew received high praise for its work. Engineer Rock Craig received special recognition for his leadership during the deployment. Chief Pidgeon also reported on an early-morning vehicle fire near Electra Road/Highway 49 involving a trapped occupant. Fire and law-enforcement personnel attempted rescue under extremely hazardous conditions; one Fire Department member was treated and released for smoke inhalation and minor bums.
Police Chief, Chris Mynderup - Reported that the Police Department conducted a no-camping ordinance enforcement operation at the Oro de Amador property, which has been designated as a critical infrastructure because of high fire danger. Several active camps were observed, citations were issued, one individual was arrested for probation violations, and a future cleanup will be coordinated. Chief Mynderup also described the August 23rd vehicle-fire response and recognized Officer Jordan Thurman, Community Service Officer Gavin Mynderup, and Fire Chief Ryan Pidgeon for extraordinary bravery fa attempting to rescue an occupant from the burning vehicle. The occupant later succumbed to her injuries, and condolences were expressed to her family and loved ones.
City Attorney. Joshua Nelson - No report.
City Manager. Robert Kightlinger - Reported meeting with Sheriff Redman and Sutter Health leadership, visiting the shower program with Homeless Outreach Coordinator Christine Platt, accompanying Police personnel during the Oro de Amador operation, and attending the Top Cop fundraiser.
5. 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.
August 24. 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes
Council.member Gonsalves -Reported no meetings since the prior Council meeting and noted the upcoming Economic Development Committee meeting.
Council.member Godde - Encouraged residents to volunteer at the Kennedy Mine. He reported working with the City Manager on a lease agreement for a small area of City property to provide employee parking for the Amador Senior Center and reported assisting with Meals on Wheels deliveries to approximately 35 homebound Jackson seniors.
Councilmember Sierra McLean -Attended an Air Resources meeting and reported that no matters discussed were currently affecting Jackson.
Vice Mayor Steve McLean -Attended the Top Cop fundraiser benefiting disabled veterans and first responders. He reported meeting with a new PG&E district representative and discussing renewed consideration of historic Main Street streetlights and potential future PG&E charitable funding opportunities, including possible support for the Main Street Arch Project. He also announced a planned September 10th donation by the Native Sons to the Kennedy Mine Foundation for Tailing Wheel No. 1.
Mayor Simmons - Attended a Chamber mixer at Scott Harvey Wines, the Top Cop fundraiser, and a Kennedy Mine speaker event. He also accompanied Jackson Police Department personnel and the City Manager during the Oro de Amador encampment enforcement operation and noted that conditions at the property had improved compared with prior cleanups.
6. DISCUSSION CALENDAR
a. Receive, discuss and provide direction regarding (verbal) report from the Homeless Outreach Coordinator regarding the City's response to outreach efforts and services [Christine Platt].
Homeless Outreach Coordinator Christine Platt reported that Assistant Outreach Coordinator Kristen had returned, and they are working to bring client files and program data current. During the month, two individuals were assisted from the street into local shelter and three individuals released from the County jail were assisted in returning to their home communities. Platt described use of the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) to stabilize eligible clients in housing while Social Security disability applications are processed and reported continued intensive medical case management and coordination with Victory Field Medicine and other medical providers.
Platt also addressed concerns regarding garbage and personal property near the shower and cemetery area.
Closing procedures have been strengthened, including cleanup of the area and photographs at the end of shower days. Council discussed the importance of keeping the cemetery entrance and gazebo area clean, use of the Police Department non-emergency number when property or individuals are present outside program hours, and the possibility of volunteer cleanup or maintenance work at the gazebo.
Council discussed the permanent supportive housing project at Sutter Hill. Platt reported that site work had begun and described the project as expected to include approximately 30 behavioral-health-connected units and approximately 10 general affordable-housing units, subject to program requirements and referral priorities. She also discussed upcoming training regarding changes from the Mental Health Services Act to the Behavioral Health Services Act and stated that the City expected to learn around October 1st whether its encampment-related grant application would be funded. At Council's request, future outreach reports will include client-contact totals and more complete program data. b. Introduction and waive the first reading of an Ordinance amending sections 3.24.020, August 24. 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes
3.24.030, 3.24.040, 3.24.200, 3.24.220, and 3.24.230 of Chapter 3.24 of the Jackson Municipal Code relating to Transient Occupancy Tax.
City Manager Kightlinger explained that the City's Transient Occupancy Tax ordinance required updating to align with changes in State law and improve enforceability. City Attorney Nelson stated that the ordinance would become effective 30 days after its second reading, assuming adoption at the next meeting.
Mayor Simmons called for Public Comment, hearing none, he called for a Motion.
Motion to introduce Ordinance No. 743, waive the first reading, and approve amendments to Jackson Municipal Code Chapter 3.24 relating to Transient Occupancy Tax. Moved by Councilmember Gonsalves, seconded by Vice Mayor Steve McLean, and carried by a 5 to 0 vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Simmons, Steve McLean, Godde, Gonsalves, Sierra McLean
None
None
None
7. REGULAR MEETING ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor Simmons adjourned the regular meeting at 7:01 pm to go into Closed Session.
8. CLOSED SESSION.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Agency designated representatives: City Manager Employee organization: SEIU, JPOA, JF A
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9)
Name of case: Mackey v. City of Jackson, Amador Superior Court, Case No. 23-CV-13061
9. CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor Simmons reported out from Closed Session at 7:43 pm with no reportable action.
ATTEST:
John;Georgette, Ci Date Approved