________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of August 26, 2025 1 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
MINUTES
PLACERVILLE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2025
CLOSED SESSION: 4:30 PM
OPEN SESSION: 5:00 PM
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS – TOWN HALL
549 MAIN STREET, PLACERVILLE, CA 95667
4:30 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
Item 1: Public Employee Appointment
Pursuant to Government Code § 54957
Position: Director of Finance
____________________________________________________________________________________ 5:00 P.M. OPEN SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. and The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited.
2. ROLL CALL: Present: Carter, Clerici, Gotberg, Neau, Yarbrough
3. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
3.1 A Proclamation of the City Council Declaring September 2025, as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (Mayor Clerici)
The Mayor read the proclamation and presented it to Richard Montgomery on behalf of ZERO Prostate Cancer.
3.2 Recognition of Pioneer Community Energy for Sponsorship of Energy Efficient Pool Equipment (Mr. Nishihara)
The Mayor presented the certificate to Gina Stassi-Vanacore, Director of Communications at Pioneer Community Energy.
3.3 Welcome Michael Fritschi, New Chief Plant Operator – Water Reclamation Facility (Ms. Savage)
Public comment was received from Ruth Michelson.
________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of August 26, 2025 2 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT – City Attorney Ebrahimi
The Mayor reported that Natalie Tornincasa, Assistant Finance Director, has been appointed to the position of Interim Finance Director.
5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
It was moved by Councilmember Yarbrough that the City Council table Item 12.2 to a future meeting. The motion was seconded by Mayor Clerici.
Public comments were received from Robin Center, Mark Acuna, Lara Gularte, Lynell Phillips, and Wendy Thomas.
At this time, Mayor Clerici withdrew his second, and Councilmember Yarbrough withdrew his motion.
It was moved by Vice-Mayor Gotberg that the City Council adopt the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Yarbrough.
The public comment period concluded following remarks from Michael Drobesh, Ruth Michelson, Sue Taylor, and Tom Cumpston.
The motion passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Carter, Clerici, Gotberg, Neau, Yarbrough
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
6. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS TO THE PUBLIC
6.1 Brief Comments by the City Council
The City Council made brief comments.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
NOTE: All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion by roll call vote unless any member of the Council wishes to remove an item for discussion. The reading of the full text of all Resolutions will be waived unless a Councilmember requests otherwise.
7.1 Approve the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled City Council Meeting of August 12, 2025 (Ms. O’Connell)
The City Council approved the Minutes of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of August 12, 2025.
7.2 Approve the Accounts Payable Register (Mr. Warren)
________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of August 26, 2025 3 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
The City Council approved the Accounts Payable Register.
7.3 Approve the Payroll Register (Mr. Warren)
The City Council approved the Payroll Register.
7.4 Receive and File Public Records Requests (Ms. O’Connell) The City Council received and filed public record requests.
7.5 Second Reading of an Ordinance for Zone Change (ZC) 25-01 “Thompson House” (Ms. Kendrick)
Ordinance No. 1727
The City Council waived the second reading and adopted an ordinance amending the Official Zoning Map of the City of Placerville on Assessor’s Parcel Number 003-241-067 from Business & Professional to Medium Density Residential (Zone Change 25-01)
7.6 Consider Approving the General Services Administration Contract Purchase of 16 Archer 1200 Barriers and 1 Archer T-1000 Drop Deck Trailer from Meridian Rapid Defense Group Sales, LLC in the Amount of $162,965.45 and Approving a $10,990 Budget
Appropriation from the PARSAC Flexible Spending Account for the Said Purchase (Mr. Stone)
Resolution No. 9461
The City Council approved the General Services Administration Contract Purchase of 16 Archer 1200 Barriers and 1 Archer T-1000 Drop Deck Trailer from Meridian Rapid Defense Group Sales, LLC in the amount of $162,965.45 and approved a $10,990 budget appropriation from the PARSAC flexible spending account for the said purchase.
Public comments were received from Sue Rodman, Alan Ming, Ruth Michelson, and Michael Drobesh.
It was moved by Councilmember Neau that the City Council approve the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Gotberg and passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Carter, Clerici, Gotberg, Neau, Yarbrough
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of August 26, 2025 4 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
8. PUBLIC COMMENT – NON-AGENDA ITEMS
8.1 Oral Communication
Oral communication was received from David Zelinsky.
8.2 Written Communication
No written communication was received.
9. ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
No items were pulled from the Consent Calendar.
10. ORDINANCES
Ordinance No. 1727 was adopted under the Consent Calendar, Item 7.5.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
No public hearings were scheduled.
12. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
12.1 Assessment of Fire Gates in Placerville and Challenges Associated with their Removal (Ms. Kendrick)
The Director of Development Services presented the item. Public comments were received from Sue Rodman, David Zelinsky, Michael Drobesh, Mark Acuna, Marian Washburn, Kirk Smith, and Norma Quigley.
Following discussion, it was moved by Vice-Mayor Gotberg that the City Council approve Option #1 in the staff report to 1) prioritize the review and potential removal of fire gates on public streets where feasible, in coordination with the Fire Chief and Public Works; 2) Engage with property owners and homeowners' associations for gates on private streets to explore removal or modifications (e.g., keeping gates unlocked during high fire danger periods); and 3) Conduct a comprehensive CEQA analysis for any proposed removals that could impact circulation or existing project approvals.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Neau and passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Carter, Clerici, Gotberg, Neau, Yarbrough
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of August 26, 2025 5 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
12.2 Consider an Amendment to an Agreement with Arts and Culture El Dorado for Use of 525 Main Street for Offices and Gallery Space Extending the Term of the Agreement (Mr. Morris)
Resolution No. 9462
The City Manager summarized the item. Public comment was received from Kelly Ahola, Melinda Velasco, Sigrid Benson, Margie Lopez-Read, Michelle Kite, Laura Malone, Dan Bolster, Irene Lipshin, Terri Allen, Gemma Benton, Gavin Sellers-Norman, Philip Morganelli, Lexi Boeger, Tom Cumpston, Wendy Thomas, Sue Rodman, Kathi Lishman, Ruth Michelson, Michael Drobesh, Robert Read, Brian Chapman, Heidi Mayerhofer, Sue Taylor, Kris Kiehne, and Mark Acuna.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Neau that the City Council approve staff’s recommendation to adopt a resolution approving an amendment to an agreement with Arts and Culture El Dorado for use of 525 Main Street for offices and gallery space extending the term of the agreement. The motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Gotberg.
After a point of clarification by the City Attorney, Councilmember Neau amended her motion to adopt staff’s recommendation to extend the term of the lease agreement to December 31, 2028, and direct staff to amend the agreement by removing the triggering provision regarding the “Investigation Completion Date.” The motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Gotberg.
The motion passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Clerici, Gotberg, Neau
NOES: Carter, Yarbrough
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Mayor called for a brief recess.
12.3 Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation Initiative:
Reviving Downtowns and Main Streets – Request for Discussion and Direction on Submitting Comments (Ms. Kendrick)
The Director of Development Services presented the report. Public comments were received from Ruth Michelson, Kathi Lishman, and Michael Drobesh. The City Council provided direction to staff.
12.4 Consider Finding the Frontage Improvements Associated with the Placerville Drive Bridge Replacement Project (CIP #41404) Necessary, and Authorizing Staff to Place a Demand Upon the ________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of August 26, 2025 6 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
Current Property Owners of Two Parcels Requiring Performance Pursuant to the Recorded Street Frontage Improvement
Agreements for Said Parcels (Ms. Savage)
Resolution No. 9463
The City Engineer presented the item. Public comments were received from Michael Drobesh. It was moved by Councilmember Neau that the City Council find the Frontage Improvements associated with the Placerville Drive Bridge Replacement Project (CIP #41414) necessary and authorize staff to place a demand upon the current property owners of two parcels requiring performance. The motion was seconded by ViceMayor Gotberg and passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Carter, Clerici, Gotberg, Neau, Yarbrough
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
12.5 Receive a Presentation Regarding the League of California Cities City Managers Sales Tax Working Group’s Recommended Sales Tax Reforms, and Consider Approving a Letter of Support for the ECommerce Sales Tax Reforms to the League of California Cities Board of Directors, and Authorize the Mayor to Execute the Same (Mr. Warren)
The Assistant City Manager/Director of Finance presented the information. Public comments were received from Michael Drobesh and Sue Rodman. It was moved by Councilmember Carter that the City Council approve a Letter of Support for the E-Commerce Sales Tax Reforms to the League of California Cities Board of Directors and authorize the Mayor to execute the same.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Neau and passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Carter, Clerici, Gotberg, Neau, Yarbrough
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
13. COUNCIL REPORTS FROM OTHER AGENCY MEETINGS
The Council reported on recent and upcoming meetings of various external bodies. No public comments were received.
• El Dorado County Transit Authority
(Neau, Yarbrough)
________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of August 26, 2025 7 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
• El Dorado County Transportation Commission
(Clerici, Neau, Yarbrough)
• LAFCO (El Dorado Local Agency Formation Commission)
(Carter)
• SACOG (Sacramento Area Council of Governments)
(Clerici)
• Pioneer Community Energy Board of Directors
(Carter)
• Placerville Fire Safe Council
(Gotberg)
• Opportunity Knocks/Continuum of Care
(Carter)
14. REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – (Requests for Future Agenda Items Requires a Majority Concurrence of the Council)
No requests for future agenda items were made.
15. CITY MANAGER AND STAFF REPORTS
15.1 Receive and File June and July 2025 Police Reports - Stats (Chief Wren)
The item was received and filed.
15.2 Receive and File July Fire Station 25 Run Report (Chief Cordero) The item was received and filed.
15.3 Development Services Department Monthly Statistics for June (Ms.
Kendrick)
The item was received and filed.
Public comments were received from Sue Rodman.
16. UPCOMING ITEMS
Items tentatively scheduled for the next City Council meeting include:
Presentation on Placerville Cemeteries, NBS Agreement CAD Formation Services, Placerville Drive Pedestrian Connectivity - Award Construction Contract, Dewberry Construction Management Agreement- Budget Appropriations, ________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of August 26, 2025 8 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
Planning Commission Bylaws, Salary and Benefit Provision Resolution for the Executive Management Unit, and Master Fee Schedule.
17. ADJOURNMENT @ 8:25 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting will be held on September 9, 2025, 4:30 P.M. Closed Session, 5:00 P.M. Regular Meeting.
Regina O’Connell, CPMC, City Clerk