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, October 07, 2024
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on October 7, 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
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 11/18/2024
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
Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Andy Merrill
Councilmember Stephen Opie
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comment.
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned at 4:01 PM.
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.
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.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Bess Levine 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 Ann Segerstrom
Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Andy Merrill
Councilmember Stephen Opie
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 12:53 PM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
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 Club informed those in attendance of Coffee with a Cop on Wednesday October 9th from 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM.
Mark Plummer complimented the Sonora Public Works Department for their pothole work on Shepherd Street; and shared concerns over the homeless.
Katie Dunn President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce informed those in attendance the Parade Applications are now available; Business Watch will have a Zoom meeting for training on the BAND App; there will be a Business Watch meeting Wednesday October 16th from 3:00 - 5:00 PM at City Hall and the guest speaker will be Dore Bietz from the Office of Emergency Services.
A member of the public applauded the Sonora Public Works Department for cleaning up the City; and informed those in attendance that October is Sober October.
PRESENTATIONS
2. Receive an Update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg; Melissa Eads, City Administrator. (10 minutes)
Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg informed those in attendance the final adopted budget took place on October 1st; the Sherriff continues to make progress on the new Dispatch Center; 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
gave an update on the County Fire Stations; spoke on the Tax Measure and Community Town Halls; attended the tour with the Governor’s Office of External Affairs; and there is a family that has moved into the Navigation Center.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom spoke about the City’s concerns with the homeless.
3. Consider Acceptance of a Donation of a Canine Training Suit and Related Equipment Valued at $1,707 from Friends of Sonora Police Department; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief. (10 minutes)
4. Receive a Presentation from the Central Sierra Economic Development District (CSEDD) Regarding the California Advanced Services Fund – Broadband (CASF); Alex Bloom, Economic Development Manager, Central Sierra Economic Development District. (20 minutes)
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.
5. Consider Approval of the City Council Meeting Minutes from April 3, 2023, July 15, 2024, and August 5, 2024; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
6. Consider Recording Two (2) Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance Documents for APN 001-094-009; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Stephen Opie. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill, Councilmember Stephen Opie
NEW BUSINESS
7. Consider Approval of Resolution Number 10-07-2024-A, Authorizing the 41st Annual Historic Downtown Sonora Christmas Parade on Friday, November 29th, 2024, and Authorizing the Closure of State Route 49 (Washington Street and Stockton Road), Along with Certain Other City Streets and Designating “No Parking” Locations; Tyler Summersett; Community Development Director.
A member of the public addressed the Council.
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
Motion made by Councilmember Stephen Opie, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill, Councilmember Stephen Opie
8. Consider Amending an Existing Lease with the Owner of the Property Located at 10 Calaveras Street to Include Expanded Parking Alternatives Utilizing City Right of Way; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Community Development Director Tyler Summersett discussed the parking extension.
The Council shared their comments and concerns.
District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg commented on the County's Facility Department.
A member of the public shared concerns over the parking extension.
A member of the public shared concerns over crosswalks and walking ability.
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill Voting Nay: Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Stephen Opie
9. Consider Approval of Resolution 10-07-2024-B Authorizing a Construction Contract in the Amount of $443,362.75 Between the City of Sonora and the Sierra Northern Railroad Contractor, G. Hedgecock, Inc. for the Reconstruction of Hospital Road and Consider Approval of Task Order #25-2 in the Amount of $196,000 Between the City of Sonora and Dewberry Engineers Inc. (Dewberry) for Design, Construction Engineering, Construction Management, and Materials Testing for the Reconstruction of Hospital Road; Mike Pugh, City Engineer, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
Mike Pugh, City Engineer detailed the Hospital Road Project.
A member of the public stated the improvement will be fabulous.
The Council discussed and shared an additional idea for the project.
Motion made by Councilmember Stephen Opie, Seconded by Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill, Councilmember Stephen Opie
10. Consider Approval of Dewberry Engineers Inc. (Dewberry) Task Order #25-3 in the Amount of $10,802 to Perform Pre-Work To Apply For Federal Building Resilient Infrastructure & Communities (BRIC) Funding or State Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Funding; Mike Pugh, City Engineer, 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
Mike Pugh, City Engineer explained the process for applying for the grant funding.
The Council discussed the budget with City Administrator Melissa Eads.
No public comment.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz, Seconded by Councilmember Stephen Opie. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill, Councilmember Stephen Opie
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie attended the American Loggers Conference at the Tuolumne County Fair Grounds; and YES Council is this week.
Councilmember Bess Levine attended the State of the County District One Town Hall Presentation; and the Natural Resource Advisory Committee.
Councilmember Andy Merrill informed those in attendance that the Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC) is in search of a new Executive Director; and attended Orange Shirt Day.
Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz informed those in attendance Obi Kaufmann will be speaking at the Stanislaus Nation Forest Service facility on October 13th.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom attended the Natural Resources Fair; met with the Governors Representatives; attended the Chamber Mixers, Christmas Town meeting, Columbia College Foundation recognition of Amy Nilson, the State of the County, League of California Cities Division meeting, Orange Shirt Day; and next week will be the last Farmers Market.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 7:07 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.