________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of April 14, 2026 1 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
MINUTES
PLACERVILLE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026
CLOSED SESSION: 4:45 P.M.
OPEN SESSION: 5:00 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS – TOWN HALL
549 MAIN STREET, PLACERVILLE, CA 95667
4:45 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
Item 1: Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9
Aida Hernandez-Orozco v. City of Placerville et al, Sacramento County Superior Court Case No. 34-2022-00329750-CU-PA-GDS Item 2: Conference with Real Property Negotiations Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.8
Property: 212 Armory Drive, Placerville, CA
Agency Negotiation: Dave Warren, City Manager
Negotiating Parties: City of Placerville and State of California Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
____________________________________________________________________________________ 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 Recognizing April, 2026, as Child Abuse Prevention Month (Mayor Gotberg)
The Mayor read the proclamation and presented it to members of the El Dorado County Child Abuse Prevention Council. Public comment was received from Leo Bennett-Cauchon and Nadiyah Ameen Solis.
3.2 A Proclamation Declaring April 17th, 2026, as Natural Connections Day 2026 (Mayor Gotberg)
________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of April 14, 2026 2 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
The Mayor read the proclamation and presented it to Krista Potter, Natural Resource Program Coordinator at El Dorado High School. Students in the program addressed the City Council regarding their experiences and the program’s importance. Public comment was received from Leo BennettCauchon.
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT – City Attorney Ebrahimi
The City Attorney reported that two public comments were received in advance of Closed Session (from Leo Bennett-Cauchon and Ruth Michelson), and the City Council provided direction to Staff.
5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
It was moved by Councilmember Clerici that the City Council adopt the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Neau and passed by the following voice 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.
6.2 Introduction of Fire Chief Brad Gates, El Dorado County Fire Protection District (Chief Cordero)
Chief Tim Cordero announced the completion of the annexation between the Diamond Springs–El Dorado Fire Protection District and the El Dorado County Fire Protection District. He introduced Brad Gates as the incoming Fire Chief for the unified District following a nationwide recruitment, noting the retirements of himself and Diamond Springs Chief Matt Gallagher.
Public comment was received from Leo Bennett-Cauchon.
6.3 Receive Update from the Placerville Fire Safe Council (Mr. Acuna) Mark Acuna, Event Coordinator for the Placerville Fire Safe Council, provided information on the Fifth Annual Wildfire Safety Day scheduled to take place at Midtown Mall (681 Main Street), Saturday, May 2, 2026.
No public comment was received.
________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of April 14, 2026 3 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
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 March 24, 2026 (Ms. O’Connell)
The City Council approved the minutes of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of March 24, 2026.
7.2 Approve the Accounts Payable Register (Ms. Tornincasa) The City Council approved the Accounts Payable Register.
7.3 Approve the Payroll Register (Ms. Tornincasa)
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 records requests.
7.5 Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance to Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 25-03 – Title 10 (Zoning), Section 10-4-17 (Sign Regulations) to Allow Regulated A-Frame/Sandwich Board Signs in the Commercial Business District (CBD) Zone; and Finding that the Project is Exempt from CEQA (Ms. Kendrick)
Ordinance No. 1733
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar. No public comment was received. It was moved by Councilmember Clerici that the City Council waive the second reading and adopt a Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 25-03 – Title 10 (Zoning), Section 10-4-17 (Sign Regulations) to allow regulated A-frame/sandwich board signs in the Commercial Business District (CBD) Zone; and find that the project is exempt from CEQA.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Carter and passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Carter, Clerici, Gotberg, Yarbrough
NOES: Neau
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7.6 Waive the Second Reading and Adopt an Ordinance Repealing and ________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of April 14, 2026 4 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
Replacing Municipal Code Section 1-9-2 Regarding Qualifications for Elective Office (Ms. O’Connell)
Ordinance No. 1734
The City Council waived the second reading and adopted an ordinance repealing and replacing Municipal Code Section 1-9-2 regarding qualifications for elective office.
7.7 Consider Accepting a Grant Deed for Public Street Right-of-Way Along the Frontage of 7533 Green Valley Road (Assessor’s Parcel Number 325-120-079-000) and Authorizing the City Engineer to Sign a Certificate of Acceptance and Record Said Offer (Ms. Savage) Resolution No. 9511
The City Council accepted a grant deed for public street right-of-way along the frontage of 7533 Green Valley Road (Assessor’s Parcel Number 325- 120-079-000) and authorized the City Engineer to sign a certificate of acceptance and record said offer.
7.8 Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Engineer or Designee to Release a Request for Proposals for Consulting Services for the Belt Filter Press Building Improvements Project (CIP #42233) (Ms.
Savage)
Resolution No. 9512
The City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the City Engineer or designee to release a request for proposals for consulting services for the Belt Filter Press Building Improvements Project (CIP #42233).
7.9 Consider Ratifying Construction Contract Change Orders No. 1 through No. 11 in the Total Aggregate Amount of $16,459.20 with Doug Veerkamp General Engineering, Inc., for the Placerville Drive Pedestrian Connectivity Project (CIP #42337), and Authorizing the City Engineer to Execute a Notice of Completion and Release Retention for the Same (Ms. Savage)
Resolution No. 9513
The City Council ratified Construction Contract Change Orders No. 1 through No. 11 in the total aggregate amount of $16,459.20 with Doug Veerkamp General Engineering, Inc., for the Placerville Drive Pedestrian Connectivity Project (CIP #42337), and authorized the City Engineer to execute a Notice of Completion and release retention for the same. ________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of April 14, 2026 5 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
7.10 Consider Receiving and Filing the Annual Report for the Traffic Impact Mitigation Fee for Fiscal Year 2019/2020 (Ms. Tornincasa) The report was received and filed.
7.11 Consider Retroactively Approving and Affirming a Memorandum of Understanding with the Placerville Police Officers Association Effective July 1, 2025 Through June 30, 2028 and Authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to Execute the Same (Mr. Warren) Resolution No. 9514
The City Council retroactively approved and affirmed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Placerville Police Officers Association effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028 and authorized the Mayor and City Manager to execute the same.
Public comment was received from Leo-Bennett Cauchon. It was moved by Councilmember Clerici that the City Council pull Item 7.5 and adopt the balance of the Consent Calendar. The motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Neau and passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Carter, Clerici, Gotberg, Neau, Yarbrough
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
8. PUBLIC COMMENT – NON-AGENDA ITEMS
8.1 Oral Communication
Oral communication was received from Ruth Michelson, Leo BennettCauchon, and Jack Devan.
8.2 Written Communication
No written communication was received.
9. ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Item 7.5 was pulled from the Consent Calendar.
10. ORDINANCES
Second reading and adoption of ordinances will be placed on the Consent Calendar unless separate discussion or action is requested by a Council Member or member of the public. ________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of April 14, 2026 6 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
10.1 Planning Commission Recommendation Regarding General Plan Amendment GPA 26-01 and Zone Change ZC 26-01 to Apply the Housing Opportunity (HO) Overlay to 201 New Morning Court (APN 325-240-016), and Adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) (Ms. Kendrick)
Resolution No. 9515
The Director of Development Services presented the report. Public comment was received from Frank Porter, Peg Vanderkar, Kathy Dunkak, Ruth Michelson, Amanda Carillo, and Leo Bennett-Cauchon.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Clerici that the City Council approve the following actions:
(1) Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), finding that all potentially significant impacts have been mitigated to less-than-significant levels; and (2) Approve General Plan Amendment GPA 26-01 to amend the General Plan Land Use Designation from Commercial (C) to Commercial-Housing Opportunity Overlay (C-HO) for the 2.36-acre site at 201 New Morning Court (APN 325-240-016); and
(3) Introduce and waive the first reading of an Ordinance approving Zone Change ZC 26-01 to amend the Zoning Map from Commercial (C) to Commercial-Housing Opportunity Overlay (C-HO) for the same site.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Yarbrough and passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Carter, Clerici, Gotberg, Neau, Yarbrough
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
11.1 Consider Approving the 2026 Water and Wastewater Rate Study Prepared by Bartle Wells Associates, the Bi-Monthly Water Rates and Drought Water Rates Recommended by Bartle Wells Associates Effective April 16, 2026, the Pass Through of Any Wholesale Water Rate Increase from El Dorado Irrigation District to the City’s Water Rates as Allowed Under California Government Code Section 53756, a Limitation on Ratepayer Water Leak Adjustments to One Billing Period Once Every Two Years Effective April 16, 2026, a 2.50% Credit/Debit Card Convenience Fee Effective July 10, 2026, the BiMonthly Wastewater Rates Recommended by Bartle Wells Associates ________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of April 14, 2026 7 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
Effective April 16, 2026, and Eliminating the Vacant Home Sewer Charge Discount Program Effective April 16, 2026 (Mr. Warren) Resolution No. 9516 (Water Rates)
Resolution No. 9517 (Wastewater Rates)
The City Manager and Michael DeGroot, Principal Consultant at Bartle Wells Associates, presented information on the Water and Wastewater Rate Study. Public comment was received from Sue Rodman, Harmony Dancer, Ruth Michelson, Kirk Smith, Tim Durbin, Jack Devan, Amanda Carillo, Terri Patton, Diedre, Mike Potter, and Adolf Zierke.
Following Council discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Clerici and seconded by Councilmember Yarbrough that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the 2026 Water Rate Study prepared by Bartle Wells Associates, bi-monthly water rates and drought water rates, the pass through of any increases in wholesale water rates, limitations on ratepayer water leak adjustments, and a 2.50% credit/debit card convenience fee.
The motion was passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Carter, Clerici, Gotberg, Neau, Yarbrough
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Furthermore, Councilmember Clerici made a motion that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the 2026 Wastewater Rate Study prepared by Bartle Wells Associates, the bi-monthly wastewater rates, limitations on ratepayer water leak adjustments affecting wastewater charges, a 2.50% credit/debit card convenience fee, and eliminating the vacant home wastewater charge discount program.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Yarbrough and passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Carter, Clerici, Gotberg, Neau, Yarbrough
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
11.2 Consider Adoption of a Resolution of Necessity to Acquire Real Property by Eminent Domain from 7485 Green Valley Road (APN 325-120-089-000), Property Owner - AmeriGas Propane, L.P., a Delaware Limited Partnership, for the Placerville Drive Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Project (CIP #41816) (Ms. Savage) ________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of April 14, 2026 8 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
Resolution No. 9518
The City Engineer presented the report. No public comment was received.
It was moved by Councilmember Clerici and seconded by Councilmember Yarbrough that the City Council adopt a Resolution of Necessity to acquire real property by eminent domain from 7485 Green Valley Road (APN 325- 120-089-000), property owner – AmeriGas Propane, L.P., a Delaware Limited Partnership, for the Placerville Drive Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Project (CIP #41816).
The motion was passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Carter, Clerici, Gotberg, Neau, Yarbrough
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
12. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
12.1 Consider Approving a Full Street Closure Along Main Street Between Bedford Avenue and Sacramento Street on Saturday, June 6, 2026 from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM for the 2026 Golden History Days Event Featuring the Highway 50 Wagon Train Arrival and In Memoriam Tribute for Davey “Doc” Wiser (Mr. Nishihara)
Resolution No. 9519
The Director of Community Services explained the item. Event applicants Greg Rezak and Doug Veerkamp, from the Golden History Association, addressed the Council. Public comment was received from Sue Rodman.
Following Council discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Clerici that the City Council approve a full street closure along Main Street between Bedford Avenue and Sacramento Street on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (extending the closure by one hour) for the 2026 Golden History Days event featuring the Highway 50 Wagon Train arrival and In Memoriam Tribute for Davey “Doc” Wiser.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Yarbrough and passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Carter, Clerici, Gotberg, Neau, Yarbrough
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
12.2 Receive and File a Status Update for the Clay Street Bridge Realignment and Replacement Project (CIP #40617) (Ms. Savage) ________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of April 14, 2026 9 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
The City Engineer provided the update. Public comment was received from Sue Rodman, Wendy Thomas, Mickey Kaiserman, Marian Washburn, Doug Veerkamp, Mike Potter, and Patty Borelli. The status update was received and filed.
13. COUNCIL REPORTS FROM OTHER AGENCY MEETINGS
The Council reported on recent and upcoming meetings of various external bodies.
• El Dorado County Transit Authority
(Neau, Yarbrough)
• 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
No City Manager and Staff reports.
16. UPCOMING ITEMS
Items tentatively scheduled for the next City Council meeting include:
Thompson/Sherman/Sheridan - Award Construction Contract, WRF - Close CIP 42606, WRF PV Solar Project - Approval of a PG&E Contract and JCI Contract Amendment, Mallard Apartments - Accepting Offers of Dedication for Public Street Right of Way, PD Fee Increase, Hosted STR 1st Reading, Development Services Department March Stats, Planning Fee Update, Gold Bug Park and Mine ________________________________________________________________________ Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of April 14, 2026 10 Visit us on “The Web” at www.cityofplacerville.org
Fees, Aquatics Fees, Solid Waste Fees, Mallard Apartments Maintenance Assessment District Resolution of Intent, TIM Fee Report 2020/2021, Intention to Provide for Annual Levy and Collections of Assessment, Fire Stats, Letter of Support for AB 1866, Letter of Support for AB 2517.
17. ADJOURNMENT @ 7:28 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting will be held on April 28, 2026, 4:30 P.M. Closed Session, 5:00 P.M. Regular Meeting.
Regina O’Connell, CPMC, City Clerk