CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - JANUARY 02, 2024 PAGE 1 OF 5
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, January 02, 2024 at 5:00 PM
94 N. Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 532-4541
MINUTES
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on Monday, January 2, 2024, 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
04/15/2024
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - JANUARY 02, 2024 PAGE 2 OF 5 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
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.
RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
Called to order at 5:02 PM.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Direction was given to staff.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Andy Merrill led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - JANUARY 02, 2024 PAGE 3 OF 5
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 29, 2023, at 9:44 AM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
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
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.
Karen Caldwell representing the Tuolumne Fire Safe Council informed those in attendance that the Community Fire Protection Plan Draft that is out for public comment and there will be an open house at the US Forest Service.
A member of the public commented that she was pleased Tyler Summersett has been hired as the Community Development Director as he is well respected.
Katie Dunn President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce updated those in attendance that Christmas Decorations and Trees will be taken down; updated those in attendance on the progress and projects for the Opera Hall.
Fire Chief Aimee New read aloud to those in attendance an email she received stating high regard for the Fire Department and how well they care for the citizens of Sonora.
PRESENTATIONS
4. Receive an update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg.
Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg, updated those in attendance of the upcoming County Annual Board Workshop; Tuolumne County would like to re-establish the joint meetings with the City; and the Committee on Aging will have open seats and encouraged volunteers.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - JANUARY 02, 2024 PAGE 4 OF 5
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.
No public comments.
5. Consider approval of disbursements in the amount of $220,002.67 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. Waive second reading, read by title only, and adopt Ordinance 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.
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Mayor Ann Pro-Tem Segerstrom. Voting Yea: Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill
NEW BUSINESS
No public comment.
7. Consider and direct the execution of a letter of support for the California Climate Investment- CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grant application to be submitted by the Tuolumne County Fire Safe Council for Fuels Reduction and Fire Break/Dozer Line Maintenance in the Dragoon Gulch Area.
Consider a financial contribution to the Fire Safe Council for the planning and grant preparation efforts, in an amount not to exceed $2,500; Melissa Eads, City Administrator and Aimee New, Fire Chief.
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.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - JANUARY 02, 2024 PAGE 5 OF 5
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Matt Hawkins informed those in attendance it was a great Holiday Season and New Year.
Councilmember Andy Merrill updated those in attendance that TCTC was very close to deciding on a New Member at Large on the Board; and 2023 was a very good year for the City and 2024 was going to be a land mark year.
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz informed those in attendance it was enjoyable being involved with Christmas Town, New Years celebrations and citizen celebrations; and Public Works did an excellent job with the recent round of bad weather.
Councilmember Ann Segerstrom informed those in attendance the holidays were a Festive Season; there was a grand send off for Rachelle Kellogg and welcomed Tyler Summersett; and she agreed with Councilmember Merrill to keep 2024 going.
Mayor Mark Plummer informed those in attendance he was grateful for everyone, the Councilmembers and staff and enjoyed working with everyone.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 5:40 PM.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Administrator 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.