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 16, 2023
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on Monday, October 16, 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 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. 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.
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.
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
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, October 13, 2023 at 12:00 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).
Elena Linehan with the Aronos Research Club informed those in attendance of a fundraising event called the Haunted Clubhouse Event on October 28, 2023 at their clubhouse.
Ann Leonard addressed the City Council and asked them to use some of the Measure Y money to fix the large pothole at the end of her road.
Katie Dunn President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce thanked the City Council and City Staff for their trust and confidence in the Chamber for awarding them the Event Management and Marketing contract and the Opera Hall contract, it is a win, win, win for the City, Chamber and the Community; the next mixer will be at Pinnell's Carpet One, Floor & Home; there will not be a mixer in November; on December 14th the Holiday Mixer will be held at the Opera Hall, and is Co-Hosted with Visit Tuolumne County.
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
3. Receive a presentation regarding the Main Drain Field Inspection and Condition Report, direct Staff to continue collaboration with CalTrans on improvements, and report back to the Council within 60 days; Dave Richard, Associate Vice President, Dewberry; Gerard Fuccillo, City Engineer.
No public comments.
4. Receive a presentation regarding Code Enforcement from CSG Consultants; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director, Irma Gowin, Senior Code Enforcement Officer, CSG, and Daisy Gomar, the City’s assigned Code Enforcement Officer.
No public comments.
City Administrator Melissa Eads asked the Council some of their suggestions for Code Enforcement they include, concern over dilapidated/historic houses; cars parked on the streets for long periods of time; brush and fire hazard items; and more transparency in the reporting process.
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 $171,030.21 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 approval of Resolution No.10-16-2023-A to authorize the City Administrator to execute an agreement to purchase a Ravo 5 iSeries Street Sweeper; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
No public 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
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7. Discussion and Community Engagement regarding the Sonora Police Department’s Annual Military Equipment Report and the Department’s Funding, Acquisition, or Use of Military Equipment; 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
A member of the public asked, where do the Officers get their training on rifle use? Police Chief Turu VanderWiel explained, the initial training is 40-60 hours for certification, the Officers attend training off site at other agencies that hold regular patrol rifle certification classes; annual qualifications/training is done in house.
NEW BUSINESS
8. Consider recommendation limiting the use of Zoom or other remote meeting attendance platforms during City Council meetings; Melissa Eads, City Administrator, Douglas White, City Attorney.
Susan Maderas, a concerned citizen, addressed the City Council and urged them to continue to use Zoom to encourage public participation.
Matthew, a concerned citizen, addressed the City Council on eliminating public comments from Zoom, by taking away public comment it could feel as though the public is being silenced for the opportunity to speak up; and the Council needs to think about the effectiveness of their decorum.
A member of the public on Zoom commented limiting things is a good idea. Zoom attendees who do not live or work in Sonora, do not know anything about the City, who are from other counties are just taking up time and are not being helpful.
Motion made by Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Seconded by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea:
Mayor Mark Plummer, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins Voting Nay: Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Andy Merrill
9. Consider authorization to advertise for public bid on the Woods Creek Park Basketball Court Project; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director.
No public comments.
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
MONTHLY REPORTS
Community Development Director Rachele Kellogg updated those in attendance on the Transit Project; the work being completed; and shared we are close to having the project behind us.
10. Receive the Administrative Services Department Report for September 2023 (FY23/24).
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
11. Receive the Sonora Fire Department monthly report for September 2023; Aimee New, Fire Chief.
Fire Chief Aimee New informed those in attendance they are waiting for the graphics to put on the Type 6, it should roll out in November; the Type 3 is in production, and we should have by the end of the year; and the 163rd Annual Firefighters Ball is November 4th.
12. Receive the Sonora Police Department monthly report for September 2023; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
13. Receive the Sonora Public Works Department monthly report for September 2023; Michael Lagomarsino, Public Works Supervisor.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Andy Merrill attended the Homelessness meeting; Rafferty Court is moving along, and the majority of the construction is completed; the County is looking at creating a safe parking program with grant funding; helped put up Christmas lights; and had the pleasure of playing at the Bach Festival in Columbia.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom attended the Bach Festival; Solid Waste Committee meeting for Andy; YES Partnership for Suzanne, the YES Partnership is having a Drug Take Back Day October 28th; attended the Amador Tuolumne County Action Agency (ATCAA) meeting for Andy; will be touring the County Water Systems with TUD, for the Water Advisory Committee field trip; and appreciated attending the meetings for Andy and Suzanne as they were informational and interesting.
Councilmember Matt Hawkins wished everyone a nice night.
Mayor Mark Plummer attended the Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC) meeting; and thanked everyone.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 8:27 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.