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, June 05, 2023
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on Monday, June 5, 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
_____________________________________________________________________________________ 11/04/2024
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 4:01 PM.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Andy Merrill
ABSENT
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comment.
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned at 4:02 PM.
1. Threat to Public Services or Facilities (Government Code §54957); Consultation with: Aimee New, Fire Chief; 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 Suzanne Cruz 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 Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 12:46 PM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, 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 addressed the Council.
Katie Dunn President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce informed those in attendance the Chamber has signed a new lease for an office in downtown Sonora; and the first concert in the park will be on June 10th.
Bill Seldon thanked City Administrator Melissa Eads for hiring an Engineering Team; and spoke about the main drain.
BZ Smith attended the Pride event; and spoke about the safety of our youth.
PRESENTATIONS
2. Receive an update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg.
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
Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg informed those in attendance the County is working hard to increase fire protection with grant money; spoke about homelessness and the opening of the facility in Soulsbyville; is interested in discussions between the City and County on the Greenly Road Bypass and the Dome.
3. Introduction of Public Works Assistant Aaron Jobe; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director.
4. Receive a Proclamation recognizing June 19, 2023, as Juneteenth National Independence Day; Ann Segerstrom, Mayor Pro-Tem.
BZ Smith spoke about Juneteenth and hoped the Council would all vote yes.
Marlys Bell spoke about Juneteenth and thanked Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom for the Proclamation.
Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg shared with those in attendance the County adopted Juneteenth last year.
The Council discussed a little wordsmithing to add to the Proclamation Motion was made by Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Seconded by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea: Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill
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.
5. Consider approval of disbursements in the amount of $171,967.53 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 adoption of Resolution No. 06-05-2023-A establishing the Gann Appropriations Limit for FY23/24 for the City of Sonora; Christopher Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
7. Recommend that the City Council approve a budget adjustment to reallocate $26,000 of Fiscal Year 2022- 23 budget within the General Fund’s General Services Budget Unit to pay for the HVAC repairs at the Fire Station, $19,200, and for vegetation management on Lyon’s Street, from Hope Lane to Bald Mountain Road, for $6,800. (Requires a 4/5 vote); Christopher Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
8. Waive the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 891, Cargo Containers; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development 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
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
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. Approve the FY23/24 Proposed Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets as presented.; Christopher Gorsky, Administrative Services Director
A five-minute recess was called.
Called to order at 6:03 PM.
Administrative Services Director Chris Gorsky presented the budget.
Each Department Head presented their portions of the budget.
Jason Morey addressed the Council in regard to Enterprise.
Tyler Piche representing the Fire Fighters Association addressed the Council.
Fire Chief Aimee New made additional comments.
The Council discussed the budget.
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 Andy Merrill
Voting Nay: Councilmember Matt Hawkins
NEW BUSINESS
10. Consider the Mayor’s recommendation to reappoint Kevin Anderson to serve as a City of Sonora Planning Commissioner for a four-year term expiring on July 1, 2027; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea:
Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, 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
MONTHLY REPORTS
11. Receive the Sonora Administration Department monthly report for April 2023; Christopher Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
12. Receive the Sonora Community Development Department monthly 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 Police Department monthly report for April 2023; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
15. Receive the Sonora Public Works Department monthly report for April 2023; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director, Michael Lagomarsino, Public Works Supervisor.
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
City Administrator Melissa Eads thanked Administrative Services Director Chris Gorsky and all the Department Heads for all their work on the budget.
Councilmember Matt Hawkins informed those in attendance that fire season is upon us.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom attended the Water Advisory Committee meeting; Drought and Climate Outlook; and Pride event.
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz recently returned from Chicago for a writers’ conference; spoke about Juneteenth; and recommended everyone to watch the Sound of Freedom.
Mayor Mark Plummer thanked Councilmember Andy Merrill for filling in for the Access Tuolumne meeting; and thanked Administrative Services Director Chris Gorsky and the Staff for all their hard work on the budget.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 8:33 PM.
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
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.