Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
CITY OF SONORA
City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
Monday, May 01, 2023
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on Monday, May 1, 2023, at 5:00 PM in the City of Sonora Council Chambers located at 94 N. Washington Street Sonora, CA 95370.
THIS MEETING IS PHYSICALLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING VIA VIDEO CONFERENCING AT:
Zoom Meeting Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81193397821?pwd=UGdrRTcyaFFac3o0b2JQK2FmMTRyUT09 Dial: (669) 444-9171
Meeting ID: 811 9339 7821
Passcode: 906625
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE COMMENT.
THIS MEETING WILL BE LIVE STREAMED ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AT www.sonoraca.com.
Written comments can be submitted to be included as part of the administrative record; they will not be read during the meeting. All comments must be received by 3:00 pm on the day of the noticed meeting and can be submitted to the City Clerk at 94 N. Washington Street Sonora, CA 95370 or via email to [email protected]. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tempore Ann Segerstrom
Council Members Suzanne Cruz, Matt Hawkins, Andy Merrill City Administrator Melissa Eads
City Attorney Douglas White
_____________________________________________________________________________________ 10/21/2024
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
CLOSED SESSION - 4:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Called to order at 4:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Ann Pro-Tem Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
Councilmember Andy Merrill
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comment.
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
1. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Government Code Section § 54956.8 Property: 290 S. Stewart Street, Sonora, CA, Tuolumne County 95370 Agency Negotiators: Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
2. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section § 54956.9: Two (2) Potential Cases; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
Called to order at 5:00 PM.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Mark Plummer stated direction was given to staff.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Matt Hawkins led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
Councilmember Andy Merrill
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 9:44 AM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:
Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill
PUBLIC COMMENT (NON-AGENDA ITEMS)
The public may address the Council on any item of public interest not otherwise on the agenda that is within the jurisdiction of the City. No action may be taken. Matters to be addressed may be referred to City Staff or placed on a subsequent meeting Agenda. Speakers are limited to a three (3) minute presentation. If participating via Zoom, please raise your hand using the Raise Your Hand feature or dial *9 (*6 to unmute).
A member of the public informed those in attendance there will be another smoke-free section at the Mother Lode Parade between E. Jackson and E. Dodge, additional signage will be added.
PRESENTATIONS
3. Receive an update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg.
Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg informed those in attendance of the ongoing discussion of the Greenly By-Pass; the Fire Safe Advisory Committee, Vegetation Management Ordinance; attended the event at the Tuolumne Community Resilience Center; and the homelessness.
4. Receive the Sonora Employees Association employee recognitions for 2022; Christopher Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
5. Receive the Sonora Police Department employee recognitions for 2022 ; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
6. Receive the Sonora Fire Department employee recognitions for 2022; Aimee New, Fire Chief.
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
Mayor Mark Plummer called for a 15 – 20-minute break.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Items on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be voted on in one motion unless a Council member or member of the public has a question or wishes to discuss an item. In that case, the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately.
Called back to order at 6:02.
7. Consider approval of City Council Minutes for May 02, 2022 and May 16, 2022; Tracy Skelly, City Clerk
8. Consider approval of disbursements in the amount of $168,463.02 for payroll, including employee salaries, employer and employee taxes, retirement contributions, miscellaneous voluntary employee deductions, holiday pay, and other adjustments, including retro-pay; Tracy Skelly, Administrative Services Officer.
9. Consider approval of thirteen (13) identified comparator agencies to benchmark against for the City’s compensation study; Christopher Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
10. Consider approval of Resolution 05-01-2023-A authorizing the City Administrator to execute an agreement with the Bank of Stockton to provide the City with banking services; Christopher Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
11. Consider authorization to accept an award from the Central Sierra Continuum of Care Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program, not to exceed $135,220, and approve associated budget adjustments for the use of the funding; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:
Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill
PUBLIC HEARINGS
12. Introduce by title Ordinance No. 891, amending Section 17.04.010, Definitions, amending Section
17.32.065, Additional Activities Requiring Design Review, and adding Chapter 17.44, Cargo Containers, under Title 17, Zoning, of the Sonora Municipal Code, and waive the first reading; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director.
Community Development Director Rachelle Kellogg and the Council discussed Ordinance 891.
Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg commended the City for the Ordinance.
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
Sharon Marovich Tuolumne Heritage Committee informed those in attendance it is National Historic Preservation Month; and shared concerns about the cargo containers.
Councilmembers discussed and agreed to wait to vote on Ordinance 891.
NEW BUSINESS
13. Consider ratification of the City Administrator’s Emergency Contract Award to Dewberry Engineers Inc., for the main drain field inspection and condition assessment; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
Melissa Eads City Administrator explained the contract.
Council appreciated all of the information that was shared.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:
Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill
14. Consider ratification of the Mayor's submittal of a letter to Tuolumne County Administrator Tracie Riggs and the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors regarding the City's perspective on homeless services and our experience as it relates to serving as the County seat; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
Melissa Eads City Administrator discussed the letter with Council.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Matt Hawkins. Voting Yea:
Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill
COUNCIL MEMBER/DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS
Councilmember Matt Hawkins attended Range Day with the Sonora Police Department; Braver Angels; and Citygate meeting.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom attended the Mother Earth Celebration; Duane Ellis Celebration of Life; Finance Committee meeting; Electric Charging Station ribbon cutting; League of Women Voters Homeless event; spoke with Frank Washburn from Wal Mart; and shared a compliment she received about Councilmember Andy Merrill.
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
Councilmember Andy Merrill attended the Amador Tuolumne County Action Agency (ATCAA) staff meeting; spoke about the charging stations and hybrid cars.
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz attended at Sierra Bible the Not My Kid event, in collaboration with YES Council Partnership and Sonora Area Foundation; and the Annual Fundraiser for the Foothill Pregnancy Center.
Mayor Mark Plummer spoke about the City’s Consultant Citygate; attended Braver Angels; and is looking forward to the parade and Mother's Day events.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 7:07 PM.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at City Hall (209) 532-4541, [email protected]. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting (28 CFR
35.102-35.104 ADA Title II).
Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City Administrator’s Office at 94 N. Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370 during normal business hours (8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays). The agenda and supporting public documents are also available on our City website www.sonoraca.com listed under the agenda/minutes link on the Government page.