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, December 04, 2023
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on Monday, December 4, 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
09/03/2024
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 Andy Merrill
ABSENT
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
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 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).
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 Labor Negotiators (Gov. Code Section § 54957.6): Agency designated representatives:
Melissa Eads, City Administrator; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director; Unrepresented Employee: Community Development 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
RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
Called to order at 5:06 PM.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Mark Plummer stated the Council and Staff will be meeting further on item #1 after this meeting concludes. Direction was given to staff on other three (3) items.
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, December 1, 2023 at 3:00 PM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember 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.
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 and CEO Visit Tuolumne County read a letter on behalf of Katie Dunn, President Sonora Chamber of Commerce informing those in attendance of the Chamber's vision to turn downtown Sonora into a nationally recognized Christmas Town; and the Holiday Mixer is on December 14th from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM.
PRESENTATIONS
5. Receive an update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg.
Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg informed those in attendance the Fire Safety Advisory Committee is still meeting; attended the California State Association of Counties Annual meeting; encouraged the City Councilmembers to attend the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs meetings; and the original undergrounding plans with PG&E to start work in Tuolumne County is discouraging.
6. Receive a presentation on the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS); Rob Egger, Director II Superintendent of Schools.
Director II Superintendent of Schools Robert Egger and the Councilmembers discussed after the presentation.
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 $173,276.08 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 Administrative Policy #50 establishing a new procedure and amount for compensating Community Service Officers and Reserve Officers for the annual uniform allowance; Christopher Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
9. Consider acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2023 Traffic Impact Mitigation Report; Gerard Fuccillo, City Engineer; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
10. Consider adoption of Resolution 12-04-2023-A, calling and giving notice for the holding of a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, for the election of certain officers, as required by provisions of the laws of the State of California related to general law cities; requesting the Board of Supervisors of Tuolumne County permit the County Registrar of Voters to render election services; and requesting the consolidation of said election with the statewide Presidential primary election held on the same date; Douglas White, City Attorney.
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
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz.
Voting Yea: Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz; Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill.
NEW BUSINESS
11. Consider adoption of a Resolution formally requesting Tuolumne County (“County”) consider the burden placed on the City of Sonora (“City”) in its decision to purchase property for transitional and permanent housing for the County’s unhoused population within City limits; Douglas White, City Attorney.
A member of the public stated the County sprang this on us without clarification and no one reached out.
Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg discussed with the Councilmembers the tentative transition for a homeless person from Rafferty Court to housing in the City; and reviewed the letter the City sent to the County.
Gerry Lewis informed those in attendance he had worked with the homeless community for many years, their needs have not changed, their needs have only grown in different ways.
A member of the public asked the City Council what the City was going to do with the property at 269 S Stewart Street.
Stephen Opie stated the City and the County have collaborated for years on different projects, we are meant to work in good faith; and it seems the City is being railroaded.
Patricia Ramirez informed those in attendance we are being railroaded in a very short time, not everyone in Sonora Knolls knows what is going on; there hasn't been good collaboration between the City and County; and there are a lot of concerns that need to be looked at.
A member of the public stated this is surprising, it is too fast, and not enough information.
Councilmembers discussed their concerns and opinions.
Motion made by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom. Voting Yea: Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz; Councilmember Andy Merrill
Voting Nay: Councilmember Matt Hawkins
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
MONTHLY REPORTS
12. Receive the Sonora Administrative Services Department monthly report for September 2023 (FY23/24); Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
13. Receive the Sonora Fire Department monthly report for October 2023; Aimee New, Fire Chief.
14. Receive the Sonora Police Department monthly report for October 2023; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
15. Receive the Sonora Public Works Department monthly report for October 2023; Michael Lagomarsino, Public Works Supervisor.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Matt Hawkins appreciated the public being in attendance and Supervisor Goldemberg; and offered the two prospective Councilmembers words of advice.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom attended the lighting ceremony; helped with parade organization and Christmas Tree Lane; participated in giving a Key to the City to Rachelle Kellogg; watched the Drought Webinar and Climate Outlook; and thanked everyone in the audience.
Councilmember Andy Merrill shared a personal philosophy; and the Columbia College Community Orchestra is performing Friday at 7:00 PM and Sunday at 3;00 PM.
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz attended many of the same events as Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom; and the Sounds of the Season.
Mayor Mark Plummer attended Las Posadas in Columbia and the Christmas Parade; thanked Supervisor Goldemberg, the Chamber and Councilmembers; and encouraged everyone to shop local.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 6:52 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 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
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.