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, August 05, 2024
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on August 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 live streaming 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.
CITY COUNCIL appreciates your interest and encourages participation. Regularly scheduled meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.
The numerical order of the items on this agenda is for convenience of reference. Items may be taken out of order upon request of the Mayor or Council Members. All questions shall be directed to the Mayor who, at their discretion, will refer to Staff.
___________________________________________________________________________________________ Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz
Council Members Bess Levine, Andy Merrill, Stephen Opie City Administrator Melissa Eads
City Attorney Douglas White
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 10/07/2024
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 Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Andy Merrill
ABSENT
Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Stephen Opie
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned at 4:01 PM.
1. Conference with Legal Counsel - Liability Claim (Government Code Section §54956.95): Three (3) Potential Cases, Claimant: Kampa, Claimant: Tiraschi, Claimant: Twohey; Agency Claimed Against: City of Sonora; Douglas White, City Attorney, Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
2. Threat to Public Services or Facilities (Government Code §54957); Consultation with: Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
Called to order at 5:00 PM.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Ann Segerstrom stated direction was given to staff.
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
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Bess Levine led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Andy Merrill
ABSENT
Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Stephen Opie
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Friday, August 2, 2024, at 10:52 AM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Bess Levine, 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.
Katie Dunn President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce updated those in attendance on the first Business Watch meeting; thanked the City Manager, Fire Chief, Police Chief and Police Officers for attending the meeting; and the second Business Watch meeting will be August 28th at the Opera Hall.
Allan Zimmerly with the Historic Dome Preservation Group informed those in attendance they are trying to acquire the Historic Dome; and gave an update on their efforts.
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
PRESENTATIONS
3. Receive an Update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg; Melissa Eads, City Administrator. (10 min.)
Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg informed those in attendance the County is still working through the budget; there are still potential options for the City to tag on to the County's Solid Waste 1000 tons per year program; still moving forward on the Chipping program, and can use a current grant to purchase a chipper; the Navigation Center is getting closer to opening; and the County is adding better water source to the safe parking area.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom asked Supervisor David Goldemberg a few questions and Councilmember Andy Merrill made additional comments.
4. Receive Introduction of Police Canine Handler Ronald Watson; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief. (10 min.)
5. Receive Introduction to, and Swearing in of Police Officer Scott Ryan; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief. (10 min.)
6. Receive an Update on Homeless Outreach from the Sonora Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Coordinator; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief and Chris Neves, Homeless Outreach Coordinator. (10 min.)
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 Meeting Minutes from September 18, 2023; October 2, 2023, October 16, 2023; and April 15, 2024; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
8. Consider Approval of Disbursements in the Amount of $304,862.94 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.
9. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 08-05-2024-A, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Sonora Awarding a Contract for Auditing Services to Harshwal and Company, LLP for the Fiscal Years 2024 to 2026, with an Additional Two-Year Option and Authorize the Administrative Services Director to Execute the Agreement; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
10. Receive a Donation of a Ceiling Light Fixture Valued at $1,200 from the Hotel Victoria dba the Sonora Inn. The Light Fixture will be Installed at the City Owned Sonora Opera Hall; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
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
Councilmember Andy Merrill asked about the plan for the fixture.
Katie Dunn President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce gave an explanation.
No public comments.
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill
NEW BUSINESS
11. Consider Adoption of Resolution 08-05-2024-B and the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP); Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director. (20 min.)
Councilmembers and Noelle Anderson from Michael Baker International discussed the plan.
Larry Coombes asked if a fire evacuation plan was included.
Motion made by Councilmember Bess Levine, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Police Chief Turu VanderWiel informed those in attendance the Dispatch Center is now complete; and August 6th is National Night Out.
Councilmember Bess Levine visited two new local downtown businesses; and attended the Visit Tuolumne County meeting.
Councilmember Andy Merrill attended professional development through Columbia College.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom attended the Chamber mixer at Nox; helped with orientation planning for the Council; attended the push-in ceremony and toured the fire station; and attended Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce- Government Affairs meeting
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 6:28 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).
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
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.