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, August 07, 2023
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on Monday, August 7, 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
07/15/2024
City Clerk
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
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Called to order at 5:00 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Andy Merrill 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 Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 3:00 PM.
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
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).
Lisa Mayo, President & CEO Visit Tuolumne introduced Chelsea Davis a Bay Area Influencer who will be in Sonora to promote Summer Wellness Adventure.
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
1. Receive an introduction of Fire Engineer Peter Doppe; Aimee New, Fire Chief.
2. Receive an update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg.
Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg congratulated Peter Doppe and welcomed him aboard; gave an update on the Fire Safety Advisory Committee and grant funding; commented on the excellent work the Tuolumne Fire Safe Council is doing and the Community Wildfire Prevention Plan (CWPP); informed those in attendance on Rafferty Court, it is very positive for the County and is glad to see it is moving along; would like to continue discussions with the County/City/Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC) about funding for the Greenly Road Bypass; is interested in future discussions between the County and City about the Dome; and attended the National Association of Counties (NACo) meeting.
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.
3. Consider approval of disbursements in the amount of $294,893.36 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 Director.
4. Consider adoption of Resolution No. 08-07-2023-A, authorizing the closure of State Route 49 (Washington Street) and certain city streets for the 2023 Sonora Union High School Homecoming Parade; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
5. Consider adoption of Resolution No. 08-07-2023-B ending the proclamation of a Local State of Emergency in the City of Sonora due to the Winter Storms; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
6. Consider adoption of Resolution No. 08-07-2023-C creating a new class description for a Finance Assistant/Deputy City Clerk position in the Sonora Administration Department and updating the Sonora Employees Salary Range table; Christopher Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
7. Consider approval of a contract with Aspen Street Architecture, Inc. in the amount of $14,175 to design, engineer, and prepare construction documents for security upgrades at City Hall which will include improved safety features at both counters, community development, and include a wheelchair lift for the stairwell and amend the FY23/24 General Fund appropriations by $14,175; 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
Mayor Mark Plummer asked to set aside Item #6 and Councilmember Matt Hawkins asked to set aside Item #7. Councilmember Andy Merrill wanted to confirm there would be no open container at the Homecoming Parade.
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, for Items #3, #4 and #5.
Administrative Services Director Chris Gorsky confirmed Item #6 was a new position and that there is not a new salary range; Item #7 is the first step in safety and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) upgrades to City Hall.
It was confirmed open container is not allowed at the Homecoming Parade.
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; for items number #6 and #7.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. Introduce by title Ordinance No. 892, amending Section 15.28.04, Exemptions, of Title 15, Buildings and Construction, of the Sonora Municipal Code and waive the first reading; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director.
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
9. Introduce by title Ordinance No. 893, amending Title 2, Administration and Personnel, Chapter 2.16 Salaries, and adding Sections 2.16.100 to 2.16.102 City Council Compensation, and waive the first reading; Christopher Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
Darren Duez commented he was in agreement with the City Council receiving an increase in pay; and stated the Council needed to be mindful of public perceptions, especially when passing a new tax measure and then asking for a wage increase.
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 Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Matt Hawkins. Voting Yea:
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill Voting Nay:
Mayor Mark Plummer, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Matt Hawkins had nothing to report; and stated it has been a good summer.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom had a Christmas Town Sonora meeting; attended a closed meeting on a city property and the Fire Safe meeting; previously shared with the City Councilmembers about a citizen who spoke to her of the sidewalk filth, and would like to have a discussion in greater depth as we need to keep downtown cleaner on a continual basis.
Councilmember Andy Merrill took part in the first Volunteer Day at Raffety Court and helped clean; expressed a huge thank you to the community of Soulsbyville and Chairperson David Goldemberg for all their support; and is impressed with the potential the facility has, and the impact it will have on our community.
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz attended the Vision Sonora meeting, had lunch with the City Administrator and went to see the mural at Jamestown school; they also viewed the homeless encampments, and the progress on Stockton Street; and toured the new Foothill Pregnancy Center as they have recently moved.
Mayor Mark Plummer attended the Fire Safe Council meeting; and is hopeful some of the funds from Measure Y will go towards repairing the sidewalks in downtown that have become dangerous to walk on.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 6:41 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.