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 18, 2023
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on Monday, December 18, 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 Matt Hawkins
Councilmember Andy Merrill
PUBLIC COMMENTS
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
1. Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Gov. Code Section §54957); Douglas White, City Attorney.
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 Council and Staff will continue with closed session after the regular meeting.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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
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 15, 2023, at 2:18 PM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Seconded by Councilmember Matt Hawkins. 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.
Elena Linehan from the Aronos Research Club informed those in attendance they are hosting their New Years Barn Dance.
Jen Lopez Project and Program Manager Visit Tuolumne County shared with those in attendance the Sonora Selfie Trail has launched.
PRESENTATIONS
2. Receive a presentation on the retirement of Fire Captain Kurt Rhoades; Aimee New, Fire Chief.
3. Receive a presentation on the retirement of Community Development Director Rachelle Kellogg; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
4. Receive a presentation on the introduction of City of Sonora Homeless Outreach Coordinator Chris Neves; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
5. Receive a presentation on the introduction of the Homeless Outreach Support Team (HOST); 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
6. Receive a presentation to recognize Rebecca Bell for her support and contributions; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
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 $160,428.52 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 adoption of Resolution 12-18-2023-B, updating the job description for Fire Captain; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
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
NEW BUSINESS
9. Consider waiving the first reading, read by title only, and introduce Ordinance No. 894, Adding Chapter
1.25, Appeal of Administrative Decisions, to Title 1, General Provisions, of the Sonora Municipal Code to establish a procedure for the appeal of administrative decisions that otherwise lack an appeal process; Douglas White, City Attorney.
No public comment.
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, Councilmember Andy Merrill
10. Consider approval of the City of Sonora Housing Successor Annual Report for 2023; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director.
No public comment.
Mayor Plummer and the Councilmembers accepted the report, a vote was not required.
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. Consider adoption of Resolution 12-18-2023-A, awarding the On-Call Professional Engineering Services Agreement to Dewberry Engineering, Inc. and authorizing the City Administrator to execute the agreement and all related contract documents; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Seconded by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea:
Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill
12. Consider adoption of Resolution 12-18-2023-C establishing the City of Sonora’s Recruitment and Retention Incentive Plan; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
Chief VanderWiel informed those in attendance of the need for the Incentive Plan.
Colette Such is hopeful the new hires stay for a specific time period once they have received the funds.
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, Councilmember Andy Merrill
13. Consider adoption of Resolution 12-18-2023-D amending the SPOA salary schedules for the Police Officer, Corporal, and Sergeant positions; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
Corporal Brickley thanked the Council for sitting down, talking to and listening to the SPOA.
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, Councilmember Andy Merrill
MONTHLY REPORTS
14. Receive the Sonora Administrative Services Department monthly report for October 2023 (FY23/24); Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
15. Receive the Sonora Fire Department monthly report for November 2023; Aimee New, Fire Chief.
16. Receive the Sonora Police Department monthly report for November 2023; 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
17. Receive the Sonora Public Works Department monthly report for November 2023; Michael Lagomarsino, Public Works Supervisor.
Mayor Mark Plummer thanked Public Works for all their work getting ready for Christmas.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom wished Happy Holidays to all; finished filing candidates paperwork for reelection; attended the Columbia College Concert; YES Partnership; the Chamber and Visit Tuolumne County Mixer; City Employee Holiday Party; Pop Hudson Sing Along; Christmas Town Christmas Concert at the Red Church; and stated it has been a great Christmas Season.
Councilmember Andy Merrill attended the Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC); Homelessness Committee; and had a great time completing first semester teaching at Columbia College.
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz thanked Ann for filling in at the YES Partnership meeting; attended 2nd Saturday; Christmas Musicale-Make Room; and encouraged everyone to remember the meaning and purpose of Christmas and our great nation.
Mayor Mark Plummer attended 2nd Saturday; Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC); Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO); the Staff Party; and wished everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
ADJOURNMENT
Re-adjourned into closed session 6:43 PM and took a 5 (five) minute break.
Returned to open session at 7:41 PM.
Mayor Mark Plummer stated direction was given to staff.
Adjourned at 7:42 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.