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, November 06, 2023
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on Monday, November 6, 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 citizens who wish to provide public comment during the meeting will be invited to do so by the Mayor.
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].
Public Access Audio and Video Live Streaming
The Public will not have access to give public comments via public access audio and video live streaming; they are available for audio and visual only; and can be accessed via our website at www.sonoraca.com.
Remote viewing of the meeting via live streaming is provided to members of the public as a courtesy. If the livestreaming connection malfunctions for any reason and no Council Members are attending via teleconference, the City Council will continue the public meeting in Chambers without remote access.
Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tempore Ann Segerstrom
Council Members Suzanne Cruz, Matt Hawkins, Andy Merrill City Administrator Melissa Eads
City Attorney Douglas White
08/19/2024
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 Pre-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
ABSENT
Councilmember Andy Merrill
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned at 4:01 PM.
1. Conference with Real Property Negotiations, Government Code Section § 54956.8 Property: APN 002-151-012, Sonora, CA, Tuolumne County 95370 Agency Negotiators: Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
2. Public Employment (Gov. Code Section § 54957): Title: Community Development Director.
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.
RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
Called to order at 5:05 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
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.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
ABSENT
Councilmember Andy Merrill
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Friday, November 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion 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
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.
Lisa Mayo, President & CEO and Katie Kirkland, Sales & Marketing from Visit Tuolumne County informed those in attendance of the kickoff of their new fun project the Sonora Selfie Trail.
A member of the public thanked the City Council for having the pothole filled at the end of her road, and she shared they filled a couple more of the worst ones.
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 retired Police Officer from the Central Valley addressed the City Council, on August 18th his vehicle was hit by a hit and run driver.
Katie Dunn President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce informed those in attendance a press release went out last week for the Small Business Season - Support Local; the Fall/Winter Sonora Magazine is out.
A member of the public informed those in attendance there are Community Feedback Surveys available from Behavior Health for the Mental Health Services Act; asked a question of the Mayors report out of the closed session, and when minutes would be included in the agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
4. Receive an update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg.
Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg stated there are a number of things going on at the County including, the board is having a Priority Setting Session in January to look at prioritizing the next two years; Committee on Aging is having their annual Centenarian Event December 7th at the Senior Center; and at the next board meeting the agenda includes the acquisition of properties, three of which are in the City limits.
5. Receive the Strategic Growth Plan Presentation from CSG Consultants, Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director.
Community Development Director Rachelle Kellogg introduced Glen Lajoie and Brad Misner from CSG, who led the presentation.
No public comments.
6. Receive the Sonora Linoberg Street Charrette Refined Concepts Report and Presentation, Tyler Summerset, Executive Director of Blue Zones Project Tuolumne.
Executive Director of Blue Zones Project Tuolumne Tyler Summersett introduced Kristy Conforti who led the presentation.
Laurie Livingston Executive Director Tuolumne County Arts thanked the Blue Zones Project for helping them present a grant received from the California Arts Council through a project called Creative Core in support of adults with intellectual disabilities.
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
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 $159,339.24 and $162,737.98 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.
Motion 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, for Item #7.
8. Consider approval of a Contract Award between the City of Sonora and Preparative Consulting in an Amount not to Exceed $93,000 for the Comprehensive Update to the City Emergency Operations Plan (EOP); Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
Mayor Mark Plummer pulled item #8 for separate consideration.
City Administrator Melissa Eads confirmed there is no impact to the general fund, this item was previously budgeted.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom. Voting Yea: Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, for Item #8.
9. Consider approval of an award from the Central Sierra Continuum of Care Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program (Round 4), not to exceed $81,562.09, and approve associated budget adjustments for the use of the funding; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz pulled Item #9 for discussion.
Police Chief Turu VanderWiel explained this was a second-round grant that was applied for and was approved, this will help to continue the program into another year; this is a City of Sonora part-time employee that is funded through the first and second grants.
No public comment.
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 Matt Hawkins, Seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom. Voting Yea: Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, for Item #9.
NEW BUSINESS
10. Provide direction to staff regarding (1) appeal of the Police Chief’s decision related to an Alcoholic Beverage Control permit, and (2) implementation of an administrative appeal process for administrative decisions that the City of Sonora Municipal Code (“Code”) currently lacks; Douglas L. White, City Attorney.
A member of the public addressed the City Council with continued concerns about the 99 Cents Stores application/denial with Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC).
The 99 Cents Store Appeals process was voted in two Motions.
Motion #1: Motion to direct staff to bring the 99 Cents Store Appeal to Council at future meeting.
Motion made by Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom. Voting Yea: Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins
Motion #2: Motion to direct staff to prepare an Ordinance to develop an Appeal process by which the City Council would hear Appeals of discretionary acts by department heads and the City Administration.
Motion 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
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom attended the Water Advisory Committee field trip to the TUD Sewage Processing Plants; Christmas Town meeting; and the Cal Cities Emergency Readiness Seminar.
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz attended the TuCARE (Tuolumne County Alliance for Resources and Environment) Natural Resources Summit; Community Wildfire Protection Plan meeting, their next meetings are at 9:00 am December 9, 2023, and January 13, 2024, at the Elks Lodge; and Dodge Ridge is looking for employees, their next event is November 11th at the Armory.
Councilmember Matt Hawkins attended the Parks and Rec Beautification meeting; subbed for Andy at the Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC); and wished everyone a good night.
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 attended the TuCARE (Tuolumne County Alliance for Resources and Environment) Natural Resources Summit with Councilmember Cruz; and shared the City's disappointment with the move by the County to burden the City with more homeless; and encouraged the community to contact the Supervisors and sway them as they can.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 6:05 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.