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 19, 2024
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on August 19, 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
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 10/21/2024
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
1. CALL TO ORDER
Called to order at 4:03 PM.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Andy Merrill
ARRIVING LATE
Councilmember Stephen Opie
ABSENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.
4. ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned at 4:04 PM.
A. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section § 54956.9: One (1) Potential Cases; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
B. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section § 54956.9: One (1) Potential Cases; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
C. Conference with Legal Counsel - Liability Claim (Government Code Section §54956.95): One (1) Case, Claimant: Greenlaw; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
5. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
Called to order at 5:00 PM.
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. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz stated direction was given to staff.
7. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Stephen Opie led the Pledge of Allegiance.
8. ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Andy Merrill
Councilmember Stephen Opie
ABSENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
9. CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Friday, August 16, 2024 at 12:36 PM.
10. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea: Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill, Councilmember Stephen Opie
11. 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 informed those in attendance of the second Business Watch meeting on August 28th at 8:00 AM; tomorrow nights mixer will be at Solar Works on Mono Way; there have been Trick Or Treat Street and Christmas Town meetings; and there is an art exhibit by Peggy Reza at the Sonora Chamber Office.
Alex Bloom Economic Development Manager for Mother Lode Training and Central Sierra Economic Development District introduced himself to the Council and members of the public; and stated he was available for presentations or other information the City may require.
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
12. 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.
A. Consider Approval of the City Council Meeting Minutes from November 6, 2023; November 20, 2023; and May 6, 2024; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
B. Consider Approval of Disbursements in the Amount of $189,063.87 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.
C. Consider Acceptance of an Informational Report for the July 2024 Accounts Payable Payment Register and Void Report; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Service Director.
D. Consider Approval of Resolution Number 08-19-2024-A, Authorizing the Closure of State Route 49 (Washington Street) and Certain City Streets for the 2024 Sonora Union High School Homecoming Parade;Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
E. Consider Approval of CSG Consultants, Inc. (CSG) Task Orders No. 1A and No. 1B, as Approved in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget, for Building/Permitting/Inspection Staff Augmentation in the Amount of $165,000, and Code Enforcement Services in the Amount of $100,000 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
F. Consider Approval of an Amendment to Dewberry Engineer Inc., Task Order No. 4 for an Additional Amount of $25,000 for Phase 1 Transition of the City Engineering Files from Paper Hard Copies Stored at an Offsite Location to Digital Files Stored at City Hall; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Stephen Opie. Voting Yea:
Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill, Councilmember Stephen Opie
13. NEW BUSINESS
A. Consider Approval of Resolution Number 08-19-2024-B Declaring a Portion of APN 056-108-015 as “Exempt Surplus Land,” Pursuant to the California Surplus Land Act; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director. (15 min.)
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director explained Resolution 08-19-2024-B to the Council.
Councilmembers Andy Merrill and Bess Levine discussed the Resolution with Tyler Summersett.
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
A member of the public who wrote a letter explained to the Council the top three items of the letter.
Council continued their discussion.
Motion made by Councilmember Stephen Opie, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:
Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill, Councilmember Stephen Opie
B. Consider Acceptance of Blue Zones Project Branded Bike Racks for Both Bus Stops Located Along Stockton Road and One Additional Rack at the Location of City Choice; Tyler Summersett; Community Development Director. (10 min.)
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director presented the Bike Rack Project to the Council.
Council discussed and made comments.
Sean Simons shared his concerns over the bike racks and agreed with Councilmember Andy Merrill's comments.
A member of the public shared concerns over the bike racks.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director suggested that the concerns and changes the Council would like should go back to Blue Zones for review.
There was no motion, this Item will come back to the Council.
C. Consider Approval of a Letter of Support for the Mathiesen Memorial Health Clinic Application to the Bureau of Primary Health Care Federal 330 New Access Point Grant; Melissa Eads, City Administrator. (10 min.)
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea:
Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill, Councilmember Stephen Opie
14. MONTHLY REPORTS
A. Receive the City of Sonora Administrative Services Department Report for June 2024 (FY23/24); Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director
B. Receive the City of Sonora Community Development Department Monthly Report for July 2024; Tyler Summersett, 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
C. Receive the City of Sonora Fire Department Monthly Report for July 2024; Aimee New, Fire Chief.
D. Receive the City of Sonora Police Department Monthly Report for July 2024; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
E. Receive the City of Sonora Public Works Department Monthly Report for July 2024; Michael Lagomarsino, Public Works Supervisor.
15. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Receive Communications Regarding "What Cops Want - 2024";
16. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS (3 minutes each)
Councilmember Bess Levine attended the Visit Tuolumne meeting.
Councilmember Andy Merrill attended the Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC).
Councilmember Stephen Opie will be attending the Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) meeting; went fishing and had a great time.
Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz attended the following meetings Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC), Central Sierra Economic Development, and Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO); explained the Local Agency Formation Commission’s (LAFCO) origination and purpose; was impressed with the Public Works Department, thanked Sonora Fire, Police, Public Works and the Staff for doing a great job keeping the City focused.
17. ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 5:55 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 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.