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 Special Meeting Minutes
Monday, January 06, 2025
6:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have a special meeting on January 6, 2025, at 6:00 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 8:00 am 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 - Vacant
Council Members Bess Levine, Andy Merrill, Stephen Opie City Administrator Melissa Eads
City Attorney Douglas White
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 02/03/2025
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
CALL TO ORDER - 6:00 PM
Called to order at 6:00 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Andy Merrill led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
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.
A member of the public updated those in attendance on the most recent Sonora Economic Development meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion and Action to Select a Method to Fill a City Council Vacancy Due to the Resignation of Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, and Potential Action on an Immediate Appointment to Fill the Vacancy; Douglas White, City Attorney.
Doug White City Attorney explained to the Council the different opitons for filling the City Council vacancy.
Councilmembers discussed the different options.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom read a statement.
Several members of the public addressed the Council in their support of Mark Plummer to fill the vacancy.
Mark Plummer addressed the Council to express his interest in the vacancy on the Council.
Barbara Dessler addressed the Council on the vacancy and supports an application 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
Colette Such advocated for an application process.
Fire Chief Aimee New as a Department Head recommended either an appointment or interviews.
Nikki Coleman addressed the Council to express her interest in the vacancy on the Council and supports an application process.
The Matter was brought back to Council for further discussions.
A motion was made to appoint Mark Plummer to fill Suzanne Cruz's position on the City Council.
Motion made by Councilmember Stephen Opie, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie Voting Nay: Councilmember Merrill
Mayor Ann Segerstrom declared an Emergency to swear in the newest Councilmember. A motion was made to declare an Emergency and add an Emergency Item to the Agenda for the Swearing in of Mark Plummer.
Motion made by Councilmember Stephen Opie, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill, Councilmember Stephen Opie.
Mark Plummer was sworn in by City Clerk Tracy Skelly.
2. Discussion and Appointment of Vice Mayor; Douglas White, City Attorney.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom nominated Councilmember Andy Merrill as Vice Mayor.
A member of the public commented on the nomination of the new Vice Mayor.
Motion made by Councilmember Bess Levine, Seconded by Stephen Opie. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 7:00 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 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
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.