ORLAND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order by Mayor Chris Dobbs at 6:01 PM.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Councilmembers Bruce T. Roundy, John McDermott, Jeffrey Tolley, Vice Mayor Matt Romano and Mayor Chris
Dobbs
Councilmembers absent: None
Staff present: City Manager Pete Carr; Director of Administrative Services Rebecca Webster; City Clerk Jennifer Schmitke; City Attorney Greg Einhorn; Police Chief Joe Vlach City; Planner Scott Friend
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION – NONE
MEETING ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION AT 6:02 PM
CLOSED SESSION ENDED AT 6:28 PM
RECONVENEVED TO REGULAR SESSION - Called to order by Mayor Chris Dobbs at 6:30 PM.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION – No reportable action.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Warrant List (Payable Obligations)
B. Approve City Council Minutes for April 2, 2024
C. Receive and File Public Works and Safety Commission Minutes from February 13, 2024 D. Approve and Adopt Second Reading: Proposed Local Sales Tax Ballot Measure Ordinance and Resolution
Mayor Dobbs pulled Item D to discuss.
ACTION: Councilmember Tolley moved, seconded by Councilmember Roundy, to approve the consent items A – C. Motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.
City Manager Pete Carr presented the second reading of Ordinance 2024-04. The ordinance suggests a local tax of ½ cent on all taxable goods, with the primary focus on funding ambulance services, street maintenance excess revenue would support parks & recreation and library services as needed.
Additionally, Mr. Carr presented Resolution 2024-05, which directs City staff to place the measure on the ballot for county election consolidation.
Orland resident Byron Denton expressed his support for the new proposed tax measure. However, he emphasized the importance of ensuring that the additional ½ cent tax does not conflict with Measure A and highlighted the need for public education on the new measure and reassured residents that Measure A would remain unaffected.
Orland resident Marilyn Ponce voiced her apprehensions regarding the purpose of the proposed tax. In response, Mr. Carr provided a brief explanation.
Orland resident Ron Lane stated he is for the proposed tax and explained that 65% of the City’s sales tax revenue comes from travelers along I-5 at fueling stations.
Councilmembers discussed the proposed tax spending priorities.
ACTION: Councilmember McDermott moved, seconded by Councilmember Roundy, to approve the second reading of Ordinance 2024-04 by title: adding Chapter 3.10 to the Orland Municipal Code regarding a Transactions and Use Tax to be Administered by the State Board of Equalization upon Adoption by the Voters. Motion carried by a roll call vote 4-1.
AYES: Councilmembers Roundy, McDermott, Vice Mayor Romano and Mayor Dobbs NAYS: Councilmember Tolley
Councilmember Tolley explained his vote against the proposal, citing feedback from constituents who expressed their opposition to it. He stated, "Multiple people have told me that they do not support this, I also do not support it so no."
Councilmember McDermott backed the tax measure but raised concerns about Councilmember Tolley's dissenting vote, emphasizing his wish for a skate park and questioning how Councilmember Tolley envisioned the city financing it.
Councilmember Romano explained his vote, citing economic significance of funding essential updates to city infrastructure, including roads and capital improvements, despite his opposition to tax increases.
ACTION: Councilmember McDermott moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Romano, to Adopt Resolution 2024-05 a resolution of the city council of the City of Orland, calling and giving notice of a municipal election to be held on November 5, 2024 to submit to the qualified voters a question increasing the current transactions and use tax rate from 1/2 cent to one cent to be implemented as a general tax; Motion carried by a roll call vote 4-1.
AYES: Councilmembers Roundy, McDermott, Vice Mayor Romano and Mayor Dobbs NAYS: Councilmember Tolley
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
A. General Plan Amendment (GPA) #2023-02: Supplement to the 2021-2029 6th Cycle Housing Element Update
City Planner Scott Friend delivered an informational presentation on the re-adoption of the City's 6th Cycle Housing Element. Friend also informed the Council that the 6th Cycle Housing Element would return for their consideration on May 7th, where they would be asked to take action on the matter.
Councilmember Tolley raised inquiries regarding the compliance of the City and County, particularly regarding developed and undeveloped properties. Mr. Friend provided clarification on the matter.
Orland resident Byron Denton expressed gratitude to Mr. Friend for his dedicated efforts on the Housing Element. Denton also shared his previous experience as a member of the City's Planning Commission, where he contributed to the adoption of the General Plan in previous years.
B. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Discussion #2: Projected Public Safety Fund Budget, General Fund Revenues, Capital Equipment Schedules
Mr. Carr presented the second segment of the draft proposed budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025 (FY25), starting on July 1. He provided an overview of revenue projections and forecasts. Mr. Carr reviewed the anticipated revenues and expenditures for the Measure A Public Safety Funds, Mr. Carr shared updated fleet replacement schedules for the Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments.
Mayor Dobbs inquired about licensing requirements for future water trucks. Public Works Director Ed Vonasek explained that the City would need an employee with a tanker endorsement and an air brake endorsement, on their license but not class A, to operate the trucks.
Councilmember Roundy proposed that the City be proactive by allocating funds to support the Economic Development Commission.
Councilmember Romano expressed concerns about the decrease in Measure A revenue compared to FY24 budget, especially with the recent opening of a new fueling station. Councilmember Romano requested the prior year's actual budget numbers, spanning at least the last two fiscal years to be listed on the Measure A reports and asked to see the Police and Fire fleet listed out in a format similar to that of the Public Works department.
Mr. Denton expressed gratitude to the City staff for their hard work on the budget.
Orland resident Earl Megginson praised City staff for their dedication and hard work in serving the community.
C. Council Meeting Location
Director of Administrative Services Rebecca Webster summarized the previous meeting's discussion about finding an alternate location for City Council meetings to ensure ADA accessibility. Ms. Webster shared that City staff has completed paperwork and scheduled meetings at the Glenn County Office of Education's (GCOE) Glenn Success Square Conference Center and discussed with Council using the Orland Unified School District Board room as a backup venue. Ms. Webster explained that City Commissions are currently evaluating their preferred meeting locations.
Mayor Dobbs agreed that a secondary location for meetings would be a good idea in case the GCOE venue is not available.
The Council collectively agreed that the discussion surrounding the relocation of meeting venues is primarily aimed at facilitating greater ADA accessibility.
Ms. Ponce expressed her concerns about not holding meetings at Carnegie. She requested that the City present a plan for updating Carnegie. Mayor Dobbs assured her that he would discuss this with the City Manager to include the plan on a future agenda.
Valley Mirror representative Todd Bishop inquired about the audiovisual (AV) infrastructure at the alternate meeting locations. Ms. Webster responded that both alternative venues would have similar or more advanced technology compared to the current setup.
Orland resident Dottie Tefelski expressed her opinion on the importance of preserving and updating the Carnegie building due to its historical significance.
Mr. Denton emphasized the significance of ensuring that the Carnegie building is ADA accessible.
Shirley Ceccon, representing the Orland Women’s Improvement Club, expressed her optimism regarding the Council's plans to update the Carnegie building.
Orland Women’s Improvement Club President Christine Stifter presented a letter from Clare Arano expressing concerns about the City “abandoning” the Carnegie Center. Ms. Stifter urged the Council to contemplate investing in Carnegie for essential upgrades.
Mr. Carr announced that the first meeting in the Glenn County Office of Education (GCOE) building will take place on June 18th. He acknowledged the Council's interest in putting on a future agenda a plan for the future revitalization of the Carnegie Center.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Yvonna Bennett shared her concerns about matters not related to the City of Orland.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
Councilmember Tolley:
• Attended the Economic Development Meeting April 9th;
• Attended the City’s code enforcement meetings at City Hall; • Attended the Glenn County Court House opening in Willows April 12th.
Councilmember Roundy:
• Attended the Glenn Groundwater Authority meeting April 8th; • Attended the Glenn County Court House opening in Willows April 12th; Vice Mayor Romano:
• Asked to have on a future agenda a Carnegie Hall remodel; • Shared he has had Orland citizens come up to him about a recent incident at the high school and asked to have a future agenda item on the issue;
• Will be attending a town hall visioning meeting April 23rd at 3-5.
Councilmember McDermott:
• Will be attending the Planning Commission Meeting April 18th; Mayor Dobbs:
• Attended 4H scholarship interviews as a representative of the City; • Will be attending fire department meeting.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:37 PM
Jennifer Schmitke, City Clerk Chris Dobbs, Mayor