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, July 03, 2023
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on Monday, July 3, 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
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 into closed session 4:02 PM.
1. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Gov. Code Section § 54957.6): Agency designated representatives: Melissa Eads, City Administrator; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director; Employee Organization: Sonora Police Officers' Association (SPOA).
2. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Gov. Code Section § 54957.6): Agency designated representatives: Melissa Eads, City Administrator; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director; Employee Organization: Sonora Employees' Association (SEA).
3. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Gov. Code Section § 54957.6): Agency designated representatives: Melissa Eads, City Administrator; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director; Employee Organization: Sonora Management Employees' Association (SMEA).
4. 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.
5. 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.
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
6. 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.
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 directions were given to staff.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Matt Hawkins led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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, June 29, 2023 at 10:42 AM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
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 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
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 stated she was not in agreement with the 99 Cent Store's application to sell alcohol. There is a 30-day period to protest, and she will be protesting the application due to the oversaturation of alcohol outlets in the city limits.
A member of the public commented there are many issues in town, and this is the last time he will be addressing the council on the Noise Ordinances and the disrespect.
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.
7. Consider approval of disbursements in the amount of $207,066.56 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.
8. Consider approval of Resolution No.07-03-2023-A, establishing the City of Sonora’s Recruitment Incentive Plan with sign-on bonuses as presented; Christopher Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
9. Consider approval of Amendment #1 to the Tuolumne County Transportation Council Joint Powers Agreement to Address Fiscal Responsibility of the City and County as Required by CalPERS; Christopher Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
10. Consider approval of the Annual Contract with Visit Tuolumne County (VTC) for Tourism Marketing Services in an amount not to exceed $150,000 for Fiscal Year 23-24 as budgeted; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
11. Consider approval of Resolution 07-03-2023-B Authorizing the Sonora Police Department to submit a BSCC Organized Retail Theft Prevention Program grant application, authorize the City Administrator to execute all documents relating to the grant application, and direct the Police Chief to return to City Council with the application results and to accept the award; Turu VanderWiel, Police 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
Lisa Mayo President & CEO, Visit Tuolumne County thanked the City Council for their support and is looking forward to the Partnership with the City of Sonora; and is excited to work together on the Special Projects.
Motion made by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, minus Item #10, pulled for discussion, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea: Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor ProTem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill
After discussion and clarification by City Administrator of Item #10, Motion to Approve was made by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, 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 REPORTS
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom attended the Water Advisory Committee's field trip to the Homeless Encampments on critical waterways, it was highly educational; and Happy 4th of July.
Councilmember Matt Hawkins stated a simple message, it is weed eating time, and we need to use nylon string when weed eating, also be very careful when using a lawn mower; and think about your neighbors it is very hot out, please check on your neighbors.
Councilmember Andy Merrill organized the field trip for the Water Advisory Committee to show the environmental impact Homelessness has on our community; and hopes this will put pressure on CalTrans and the County to do something to help solve the problem.
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz informed those in attendance our local Theatre will be playing for the next two days the Sound of Freedom; and Happy Independence Day to the citizens of this great country.
Mayor Mark Plummer attended the Mother Lode Fair, enjoyed the booths and complemented the communities support for the local Youth Groups on their fundraising; and stated, the community spirit in Sonora is stunning and we are fortunate to live here, Happy Independence Day.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 5:30 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.