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 15, 2023
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on Monday, May 15, 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 COMMENTS.
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 Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
Councilmember Andy Merrill
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned at 4:01 PM.
1. Threat to Public Services or Facilities (Government Code §54957); Consultation with: Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
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, May 12, 2023 at 10:10 AM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom. 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).
Margott Weltin Sonora Chamber of Commerce informed those in attendance the next mixer is at Hawks & Associates CPA; Second Saturday was very successful; and the next Concert Series starts June 8th.
Pablo Lopez Tuolumne County Public Health informed those in attendance of the Public Health Training.
BZ Smith shared Infant/Child Enrichment Services, Raising Healthy Families will offer an online workshop event in June.
A member of the public shared concerns about boats and RV's parking on Arbona Circle.
Ann Leonard shared her concerns on No Parking Signs.
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
PRESENTATIONS
2. Introduction and Swearing in of Police Corporal Michael Paulsen; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
3. Receive a presentation from Visit Tuolumne County, provide comment and input into the scope of services, and direct staff to execute an Agreement effective July 1, 2023; Lisa Mayo, Executive Director.
Lisa Mayo President and CEO and Katie Kirkland Communications and Marketing from Visit Tuolumne County presented to those in attendance their scope of services including the Marketing Plan; Special Projects; Advertising; and Familiarization Tours.
BZ Smith stated she is impressed with their efforts and grateful they are looking at new pathways.
4. Receive testimony from members of our local LGBTQ+ community, mental health experts, legal experts, and the public on issues currently facing the LGBTQ+ community, what Pride Month means to them, and consider drafting a City resolution recognizing the month of June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the City of Sonora, thus standing in solidarity with the County Board of Supervisors; Andy Merrill, City of Sonora Councilmember.
Many members of the public shared their comments.
Councilmember Matt Hawkins asked Mayor Mark Plummer for a 15-minute break, Council agreed.
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 7:16.
5. Consider approval of disbursements in the amount of $167,255.35 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.
6. Consider authorization to accept a BSCC’s Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant program application not to exceed $15,000 and approve associated budget adjustments for use of the funding; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
7. Consider adoption of Resolution No. 05-15-2023-A approving a list of projects to receive Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account Funding (RMRA); Christopher Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
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
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
8. 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.
Rachelle Kellogg Community Development Director requested direction from Council to proceed with Ordinance 891.
Sharon Marovich Tuolumne Historical Committee shared comments on the cargo containers.
Council discussed and shared their comments.
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom. Voting Yea: Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill
NEW BUSINESS
9. Consider approval of award to Burton’s Fire Inc. for the not-to-exceed amount of $315,000 to purchase a Type 6 Wildland Urban Interface Fire Engine and authorize the City Administrator to sign the purchase contract and all related project documents; Aimee New, Fire Chief, Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director.
Community Development Director Rachelle Kellogg and Fire Chief Aimee New addressed the Council.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:
Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill
10. Provide staff direction regarding the use of City sidewalks under the new Encroachment Permit Ordinance; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director.
City Attorney Doug White suggested to move Items #11 - #19 to the next meeting and move on to Item #10.
No public comment.
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
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
MONTHLY REPORTS
11. Receive the Sonora Administration Department monthly report for March 2023; Christopher Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
12. Receive the Sonora Community Development Department report for April 2023; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director.
13. Receive the Sonora Fire Department monthly report for April 2023; Aimee New, Fire Chief.
14. Receive the Sonora Public Works Department monthly report for April 2023; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director, Mike Lagomarsino, Public Works Supervisor.
15. Receive the Sonora Police Department monthly report for April 2023; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
COMMUNICATIONS
16. Receive a letter supporting the League of California Cities' participation in an informational hearing calling on the Legislature to provide solutions to the fentanyl and substance abuse crisis.
17. Receive letters sent to the California State Assembly and Senate opposing Assembly Bill 742, a bill eliminating the use of canines in Policing.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom informed those in attendance the Community Survey Links have been sent out; attended the Saint James Pilgrimage; YES Partnership; and the art auction and fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity is June 10th.
Councilmember Andy Merrill stated he will save reports for another time.
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz thanked Public Works, Sonora Police and Fire Departments for their excellent job during the parade and rodeo.
Councilmember Matt Hawkins concurred with Councilmember Suzanne Cruz and thanked everyone for being here tonight.
Mayor Mark Plummer thanked everyone and enjoyed the parade; and is invited to Columbia College, they are receiving a grant developing a new program for new loggers and equipment operators.
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
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
18. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section § 54956.9: One (1) Potential Case; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
19. Threat to Public Services or Facilities (Government Code §54957); Consultation with: Aimee New, Fire Chief; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 8:46 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.