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, November 18, 2024
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on November 18, 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
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 12/16/2024
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
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
Called to order at 5:00 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Stephen Opie led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Bess Levine (Attended on ZOOM)
Councilmember Andy Merrill
Councilmember Stephen Opie
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 10:58 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 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 gave an update on the Christmas Parade and decorating for Christmas Town; informed those in attendance the RACK Card for Christmas Town and list of events is available; and shared with the Council a Thank you Note from St. James Church.
Julie Johnson Resident Leader Sonora Knolls Dragoon Gulch Fire Wise Committee shared concerns over the increase in fee for Debris Pick-Up.
Louis Mastro Sonora Business Watch and Business Owner shared concerns over the Crime on Washington Street.
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 informed those in attendance the Downtown Business are having an added hardship with the increase in fees from PG&E and TUD; shared concerns about the drivers on Washington Street; the trash cans need to be cleaned; and the community needs to think about the passage of Proposition 36.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Receive an Introduction and Swearing in of Police Officer Rylan Matyshock; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
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.
2. Consider Approval of the City Council Meeting Minutes from October 7, 2024; October 21, 2024; and November 4, 2024; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
3. Consider Acceptance of an Informational Report for the October 2024 Accounts Payable Payment Register and Void Report; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director
4. Consider Approval of Disbursements in the Amount of $182,221.85 and $198,603.44 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/City Clerk.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom asked for clarification on Tuolumne County Public Power Authority and Keenan Associates.
Chris Gorsky Administrative Services Director explained both items.
5. Consider Approval of a General Plan Amendment for Assessor Parcel Numbers 056-160-006 and 056-160-008 from Commercial to Heavy Commercial for Consistency with Zoning and Existing Uses in this Area of the City; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom and Councilmember Andy Merrill asked for clarification on the propane tanks size and use of the rail line.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director gave an explanation.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill, Councilmember Stephen Opie
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
NEW BUSINESS
6. Consider Adoption of the City Council Rules and Procedures Handbook; Doug White, City Attorney, Tracy Skelly, Administrative Services Officer/City Clerk.
Tracy Skelly Administrative Services Officer/City Clerk presented to those in attendance the updated City Council Rules and Procedures Handbook.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom and Councilmember Andy Merrill shared their comments and concerns.
Doug White City Attorney confirmed any amendments to the Handbook would require adoption of a Resolution in Open Session.
A member of the public shared comments .
Motion made by Councilmember Stephen Opie, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Suanne Cruz, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill, Councilmember Stephen Opie
7. Consider Approval of the Mayor’s Change of Appointment to the Central Sierra Economic Development District (CSEDD); Tracy Skelly, Administrative Services Officer/City Clerk.
Tracy Skelly Administrative Services Officer/City Clerk explained to those in attendance the new appointment.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom gave background information for the change to the appointment.
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
MONTHLY REPORTS
8. Receive the City of Sonora Administrative Services Department Report for September 2024 (FY24/25): Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director
9. Receive the City of Sonora Community Development Department Monthly Report for October 2024; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director shared with those in attendance the soft launch of the online permitting process.
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
10. Receive the City of Sonora Fire Department Monthly Report for October 2024; Aimee New, Fire Chief.
11. Receive the City of Sonora Police Department Monthly Report for October 2024; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
12. Receive the City of Sonora Public Works Department Monthly Report for October 2024; Mike Lagomarsino, Public Works Supervisor.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Vice Mayor Suzanne Cruz attended the Forestry Departments Bike Trail meeting; and the dedication of the first in the state of California Women's Veterans Memorial located in Twain Harte.
Councilmember Andy Merrill shared with those in attendance Dollar Dump Day is November 23rd for all Tuolumne County Residents; received a Clean California Grant that will feature the new Solid Waste mascot; attended the Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC) meeting, Committee on Homelessness; and Amador Tuolumne County Action Agency (ATCAA) is having a fundraising event, Adopt a Family.
Councilmember Bess Levine attended the Housing Coalition meeting; Visit Tuolumne County; and Natural Resources Advisory Committee.
Councilmember Stephen Opie had nothing to report.
Melissa Eads City Administrator updated those in attendance regarding Hospital Road.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom attended the Special Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) meeting; Sonora Chamber Leader and the Mayor did a radio program on Mother Lode Views for the parade and Christmas Town; attended the Central Sierra Economic Development (CSED) meeting; spoke with Alex Bloom and the crew from Cal State Fullerton on broad ban; attended the Tuolumne Chamber Gala; decorated for Christmas Town; and the Tuolumne County Resource Conservation District and Fire Wise Communities will have a Townhall on December 4th at 5:30 PM.
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 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
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.