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 21, 2024
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on October 21, 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
ABSENT
Councilmember Stephen Opie
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comment.
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned at 4:01 PM.
1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Initiation of Litigation (Gov Code § 54956.9): One (1) Potential Case; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
2. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - (Gov Code § 54956.9): One (1) Potential Case; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
3. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - (Gov Code § 54956.9): One (1) Potential Case; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
4. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - (Gov Code § 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.
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
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Ann Segerstrom stated direction was given to staff.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Ann Segerstrom led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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 18, 2024 at 10:30 AM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
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
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 Sonora Chamber of Commerce informed those in attendance of the new tables for the Opera Hall, and the donation of a portion of the old tables; Trick or Treat Street, and Spooky Town Park is Saturday from 4:00 - 5:30 PM; applications for the Parade are coming in; and Christmas Town Sonora has three new events.
A member of the public shared concerns over the City sidewalks.
A member of the public mentioned an idea for a park.
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
5. Receive a Presentation from the Central Sierra Economic Development District (CSEDD) Regarding the Sierra Jobs First Program Update; Alex Bloom, Economic Development Manager, Central Sierra Economic Development District. (20-minutes).
No public comment.
6. Receive an Overview of the New EPIC Recruitment Video and Website for the Sonora Police Department; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief (20-minutes).
No public comment.
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 the City Council Meeting Minutes from April 17, 2023, May 1, 2023, May 15, 2023, and August 19, 2024; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
8. Consider Approval of Disbursements in the Amount of $187,054.80 and $183,123.84 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 Acceptance of an Informational Report for the September 2024 Accounts Payable Payment Register and Void Report; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Bes Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill, Councilmember Stephen Opie
NEW BUSINESS
10. Consider Adoption of Resolution 10-21-2024-A, Adopting and Amending the City of Sonora Fee Schedules as Set Forth in Exhibit “A”, Effective October 21, 2024; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services, Director.
Chris Gorsky Administrative Services Director explained the update to the Fee Schedule.
The Council discussed certain fees, and the fee schedule with Department Heads.
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
Katie Dunn as a Private Citizen requested clarity on short-term rental fees.
Mike Lemke Local Builder shared concerns about the increase of certain building related fees.
A member of the public shared concerns over the fee increases.
The Council requested clarification on several fees and the effect on the general fund.
Doug White City Attorney discussed the fee schedule with Council.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director and Brian Odom Deputy Building Official explained the Builder's Fees and how to calculate the fees.
The Council agreed to pull the Transient Use Permit Fee and the Building Permit Fees, all other Fees were approved.
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
MONTHLY REPORTS
11. Receive the City of Sonora Administrative Services Department Monthly Report for August 2024 (FY24/25); Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director
12. Receive the City of Sonora Community Development Department Monthly Report for September 2024; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
13. Receive the City of Sonora Fire Department Monthly Report for September 2024; Aimee New, Fire Chief.
Fire Chief Aimee New informed those in attendance the 164th Annual Fire Fighters Ball is Saturday November 2nd, tickets are available.
14. Receive the City of Sonora Police Department Monthly Report for September 2024; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
15. Receive the City of Sonora Public Works Department Monthly Report for September 2024; Mike Lagomarsino, Public Works Supervisor.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie attended YES Council; Coffee with a Cop; and the Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) went on a field trip.
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 Bess Levine attended Coffee with a Cop at the Aronos Club; went on a City Tour with Councilmember Andy Merrill and Historian Pat Perry; attended Brew Fest at the Sonora Fair Grounds; and Second Saturday.
Councilmember Andy Merrill attended the Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC), and Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency (ATCAA).
Mayor Ann Segerstrom went on a History Walk with Historian Pat Perry; attended Coffee with a Cop; Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO); Sonora Chamber Mixer at Black Bomb; Red Cross new agency location; Business Watch; and the Senior Center will have their open house October 22nd from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 6:30 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.