CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - FEBRUARY 05, 2024 PAGE 1 OF 6
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Monday, February 05, 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 Tuesday, February 5, 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.
CLOSED SESSION - 3:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Called to order at 3:02 PM.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
ARRIVING LATE
Councilmember Andy Merrill
05/06/2024
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - FEBRUARY 05, 2024 PAGE 2 OF 6 ABSENT
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comment.
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned into closed session 3:05 PM.
1. Conference with Real Property Negotiators (Gov. Code, § 54956.8) Property Location: APN 056- 570-059, located near the intersection of Sanguinetti and Old Wards Ferry roads; Property Owner: City of Sonora; Agency Negotiator: Melissa Eads, City Administrator; Buyer Negotiator:
California Gold Development Corporation.
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 Management Association (SMEA), Sonora Confidential Association (SCEA); Sonora Police Officers' Association (SPOA); Sonora Fire Fighters Association (SFFA); Sonora Employees Association (SEA).
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. Public Employment (Gov. Code Section § 54957): Title: Community Development Director.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Threat to Public Services or Facilities (Gov. Code Section § 54957); Consultation with Christopher Gorsky; Administrative Services Director; 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 Suzanne Cruz led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Andy Merrill
ABSENT
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The agenda was posted on Friday, February 2, 2024, at 2:07 PM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea: Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, 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.
BZ Smith representing the Tuolumne County Arts, California Arts Council, and the United Way Merced County, informed those in attendance of the details of the Grant that was applied for and received from the Heartland Creative Corps, California Arts Council for rural counties.
Elena Linehan of the Aronos Research Club informed those in attendance of the Appreciation Reception for the Friends of Aronos that will be held at the Aronos Club House, everyone is welcome to attend.
PRESENTATIONS
8. Receive an update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg.
Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldenberg updated those in attendance that the County had finished its Countywide Workshop; will be attending the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington DC and will be speaking at a round table on disaster resilience; he encouraged the City Council to attend the next Committee on Aging meeting.
9. Receive a presentation regarding the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act and CARE Court; Annie Hockett, Tuolumne County Health and Human Services Agency Director.
Annie Hockett, Tuolumne County Health and Human Services Agency Director introduced Tami Mariscal, Tuolumne County Behavioral Health Director, Tami informed those in attendance on the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act and CARE Court and their impact on the individuals in need of the services.
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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.
10. Consider approval of disbursements in the amount of $205,081.20 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.
11. Consider approval of an additional Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Sergeant Position to the Sonora Police Department, increasing approved FTEs by one (1) position; Christopher Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
12. Consider acceptance of a grant from Pacific, Gas and Electric and approve the FY23/24 Budget adjustment in the amount of $3,000; Christopher Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea: Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Andy Merrill.
NEW BUSINESS
13. Consider adoption of Resolution Number 02-05-2024-A, authorizing the closure of State Route 49 (Washington Street & Stockton Road), along with certain other City Streets for the 2024 Mother Lode Round-Up Parade and Rodeo, and authorizing a community contribution to the Sheriff’s Posse for the filing fee of the encroachment permit in an amount not to exceed $1,800; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea: Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Andy Merrill.
14. Consider adoption of Resolution Number 02-05-2024-B, authorizing the possession of opened alcoholic beverage containers and the public consumption of alcoholic beverages within the cordoned areas of the special event, which is identified by the street closures of State Route 49 (Washington Street) and other identified connecting City Streets for the 2024 Mother Lode RoundUp Parade; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
A member of the public commented the Tuolumne County Sherriff’s Department had four new Officer's graduating this month and will have four more the following month.
A member of the public commented she was not in agreement with open container Resolution 02- 05-2024-B.
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea: Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Andy Merrill.
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15. Consider approval of Amendment #2 to the UNICO Construction Engineering Contract, in the amount of $111,544.21, and authorize the City Administrator to execute all related project documents; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
No public comment.
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 Andy Merrill.
16. Consider approval of a contract award between the City of Sonora and Vanir in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for Phase 1 of the City of Sonora Police Department facility needs assessment and design-build management services for the construction of a Police facility; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
A member of the public commented he agrees with a new facility for the police department; however, the information should be better presented to the public as the PR and optics have been very bad; the purchase/building of a new facility should have community input and closed session should not include items that greatly affect the community and there needs to be better transparency.
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 Andy Merrill.
17. Consider approval of a contract award between the City of Sonora and EPIC Recruiting in an amount not to exceed $200,000 for Phase 1 of the City of Sonora Police Department with an on-demand option for online recruiting; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
No public comment.
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.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom informed those in attendance that it had been a busy two weeks; she helped write and edit the third issue of the Quarterly Insights newsletter; filed Form 700 and encouraged everyone to look at the local candidates and vote.
Councilmember Andy Merrill shared he is reading the Dune series by Frank Herbert and read a quote from the Children of Dune that stood out, as it is election time and it is important who we choose; watched/listened to League of Women Voters event, it was very riveting and lead five groups of youths from the EPIC Youth Coalition through City Hall.
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz informed those in attendance of the National Prayer Breakfast held at Adventist Health; will attend the Women's Soroptimist Leadership event, and encouraged people to remember when voting, that our country is not based on a Democracy, we are a Constitutional Republic, and it is important to remember that when voting.
Mayor Mark Plummer attended an Access Tuolumne Workshop; League of Women Voters Candidate Forum for City Council Members and thanked the Community and Staff.
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ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:03 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.