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, October 02, 2023
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on Monday, October 2, 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
08/05/2024
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 Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
Councilmember Andy Merrill
ABSENT
Mayor Mark Plummer
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comment.
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned at 4:01 PM.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
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.
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
RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
Called to order at 5:00 PM.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom stated directions were given to staff.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Matt Hawkins led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
Councilmember Andy Merrill
ABSENT
Mayor Mark Plummer
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 10:28 AM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Seconded by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea:
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).
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
Elaine Linehan from the Aronos Research Club informed those in attendance they will be hosting Coffee with a Cop.
Katie Dunn President Sonora Chamber of Commerce informed those in attendance Christmas lights are being put up and thanked Andy Merrill for his help; Trick Or Treat Street will be October 28th from 4:00 to 5:30; Sonora Magazine's Fall/Winter addition is going to print and is featuring an article on 40th Anniversary of the Christmas Parade, Rachelle Kellogg, and the Saint James Episcopal Church; the next mixer is at Pinnell's Carpet One Floor & Home October 17th, and the next mixer will be Co-Hosted with Visit Tuolumne County at the Opera Hall December 14th.
PRESENTATIONS
5. Receive an update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg.
Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg had nothing to report as he has been out on leave, was happy to take any questions.
6. Receive the Quarterly Report and a Presentation from Visit Tuolumne County.
Lisa Mayo, President & CEO and Katie Kirkland, Sales & Marketing Manager Visit Tuolumne County presented to those in attendance their quarterly report including print adds for Visit Sonora in Diablo Magazine, National Geographic UK with Visit Tuolumne County and also picked up by National Geographic U.S online; created a newsletter template; created a Visit Sonora logo; is an official sponsor for Second Saturday Art Night, and a second year sponsor for the Holly Jolly Wagon during Christmas Town Sonora; is working with Diamond Digital Marketing Company to develop social media for the City of Sonora; Sunset Travel awarded the City of Sonora the title of One of the Best City Getaways in the Western United States; and will be having a workshop on the Tourism and Marketing District.
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 $162,997.78 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 and authorize the Mayor to sign the letter of support in favor of the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Company 2023 Plan to place 2,100 miles of power lines underground by 2026 to reduce wildfire risk; 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
9. Consider approval of Resolution No. 10-02-2023-A, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Sonora authorizing the City Administrator to execute a Lease and Operation Agreement with the Sonora Chamber of Commerce for the Sonora Opera Hall; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
10. Consider approval of the Contract between the City of Sonora (City) and the Sonora Chamber of Commerce (Chamber)in the amount of $50,000 for downtown City event management services and marketing as approved in the FY 23-24 Final Budget; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
11. Consider authorization of the closure of Bradford Street, from Washington to Green Street, and the possession and consumption of beer and wine, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., during the Sonora Chamber of Commerce’s 2nd Saturday Art Night and on the 4th Saturday of each month from October 2023 through October 2024; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director.
12. Consider award to Golden State Fire Apparatus for the not-to-exceed amount of $509,504.25 to purchase a Type 3 Wildland Urban Interface Fire Engine and authorize the City Administrator to sign the purchase contract and all related project documents; Aimee New, Fire Chief.
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz requested to pull Items #8 and #9 for more discussion, Councilmembers Matt Hawkins and Andy Merrill agreed. Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom requested to pull Item #11for more discussion.
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea:
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill, for Items #7, #10 and #12.
City Administrator Melissa Eads discussed with the City Councilmembers her recommendations for the Council to consider Item #8, including the potential to bring more projects to our community, fire safety, and economic impacts.
Motion made by Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill, for Item #8.
City Administrator Melissa Eads discussed with the City Councilmembers her recommendations for the Council to consider Item #9, including the Chamber taking over some of the responsibilities the Community Development Department; increasing funds/revenue and expenditures would decrease. Administrative Services Director Chris Gorsky explained the expenditures and the general fund contribution.
Motion made by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill, for Item #9.
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
Community Development Director Rachelle Kellogg shared with the Councilmembers this request is the same as the request for 2nd Saturday to close Bradford Street, the business owner would like to now add 4th Saturday.
Motion made by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Seconded by Councilmember Matt Hawkins. Voting Yea:
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill, for Item #11.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Andy Merrill sent a huge thank you to Compassion Outreach for the work they did in cleaning up the homelessness pollution; attended theTuolumne Access Cable-8 Board of Directors meeting; and is helping with putting up the Christmas lights.
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz attended the California League of Cities Conference and Expo with Mayor ProTem Ann Segerstrom and City Administrator Melissa Eads.
Councilmember Matt Hawkins had nothing to report.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom attended the California League of Cities Annual Conference and Expo; watched the Drought Monitor report and the placement of the lights on the Red Church; attended the Farmers Market and filled out the Hazard Mitigation Survey; and received notification of the PG&E/Tuolumne County answer event on October 9th.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 5:50 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.