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, February 03, 2025
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on February 3, 2025, 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 Andy Merrill
Council Members Bess Levine, Stephen Opie, Mark Plummer City Administrator Melissa Eads
City Attorney Douglas White
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 02/18/2025
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
CLOSED SESSION - 4:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Called to order at 4:03 PM.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Stephen Opie
Councilmember Mark Plummer
ARRIVING LATE:
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned into closed session at 4:04 PM.
1. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Gov. Code Section § 54957.6): Agency Designated Representatives:
Melissa Eads, City Administrator; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director; Employee Organization: Sonora Management Association (SMEA), Sonora Confidential Association (SCEA); Sonora Police Officers' Association (SPOA); Sonora Fire Fighters Association (SFFA); Sonora Employees Association (SEA).
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 Mark Plummer 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 Andy Merrill
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Stephen Opie
Councilmember Mark Plummer
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 2:17 PM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
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.
Several members of the public addressed the Council.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill addressed the public.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom spoke of next steps.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill spoke of a point of order.
City Clerk Tracy Skelly read from the City Council Rules and Procedures Handbook.
City Attorney Doug White made remarks.
A five-minute break was requested.
Re-adjourned into open session
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
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. Consider Approval of the Pioneer Community Energy Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement and Waive the First Reading of Ordinance 902 Amending City of Sonora Municipal Code to Implement a Community Choice Aggregation Program in the Territory Under Public Utilities Code Section 366.2; Gina Stassi-Vanacore, Pioneer Director of Communications, Robbie Bergstrom, Tuolumne County Economic Development Senior Administrative Analyst.
The Council had several questions for Pioneer.
A member of the public addressed the Council.
Keith a concerned citizen shared questions and concerns.
Tracy Skelly as a member of the public asked several questions.
Gina Stassi-Vanacore, Pioneer Director of Communications responded to the public.
The Council discussed and made comments.
Motion made by Councilmember Stephen Opie, Seconded by Councilmember Mark Plummer. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer.
PRESENTATIONS
3. Receive an Introduction and Administration of the Oath of Office for the Building Official Brian Odom; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
City Clerk Tracy Skelly gave Building Official Brian Odom the Oath of Office.
4. Receive a Presentation from Visit Tuolumne County on the Quarterly Marketing Update; Lisa Mayo, Visit Tuolumne President & CEO.
Lisa Mayo President & CEO and Jennifer Lopez Marketing Manager Visit Tuolumne County gave their quarterly update and highlights.
No public comment.
5. Consider Acceptance of the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Sonora Police Department Management Study; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
Council discussed the California Peace Officers Standards and Training Report.
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 thanked Chief VanderWiel.
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.
6. Consider Approval of Meeting Minutes from December 20, 2024 (Special); January 6, 2025; January 6, 2025 (Special); Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
7. Consider Approval of Disbursements in the Amount of $197,230.59, $193,286.14, $206,107.31, and $219,139.24 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.
8. Consider Acceptance of an Informational Report for December 2024 Accounts Payable Payment Register and Void Report; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director
9. Consider Acceptance of a Monetary Donation of $7,000 from Jeanette and Richard Emery for Maintenance and Improvements to the City’s Dragoon Gulch Trail System; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
10. Waive Second Reading, Read by Title Only, and Adopt Ordinance No. 900, an Ordinance of the Sonora City Council Amending Sections 9.50.010, Obstruction Of Movement In Public Ways, 9.50.020, Sitting Or Lying Down On Public Sidewalks In Designated Areas Of The City, 9.56.020 Definitions, 9.56.050, Exceptions,
9.56.060, Enforcement, and 9.61.050, Abatement, and Adding Section 9.04.046, Bathing and Washing in Public Fountains or Public Restrooms, to Title 9, Public Peace, Morals and Welfare of the Sonora Municipal Code.
Waive Second Reading, Read by Title Only, and Adopt Ordinance No. 901, an Ordinance of the Sonora City Council adding Chapter 9.80, Shopping Carts, to Title 9, Public Peace, Morals and Welfare of the Sonora Municipal Code; Douglas White, City Attorney.
11. Ratify the Mayor's Proclamation Honoring Councilmember Suzanne Cruz; Tracy Skelly, Administrative Services Officer/City Clerk.
12. Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 02-03-2025-A Rescinding the City’s Emergency Recruitment Incentive Plans, Effective February 3, 2025, and Returning to the Original Hiring Incentives Passed by Council on July 3rd, 2023; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services 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
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer, Seconded by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer.
NEW BUSINESS
13. Consider Approval of an Agreement with Przybyla Advisors to Support Economic Development Goals and Activities in the City of Sonora; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Council discussed with Tyler Summersett Community Development Director the Agreement with Przbyla Advisors.
No public comment.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
14. Consider Approval of the Updated Mayor’s Appointments to City Committees and Community/Government Committees; Tracy Skelly, Administrative Services Officer/City Clerk.
Councilmembers discussed the updated Committees.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Stephen Opie, Seconded by Councilmember Mark Plummer. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Andy Merrill, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer.
MONTHLY REPORTS
15. Receive the City of Sonora Administrative Services Department Report for November 2024 (FY24/25); Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
16. Receive the City of Sonora Community Development Department Monthly Report for December 2024; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director recognized and thanked Jeanette and Richard Emery for their donation; updated those in attendance on the pickle ball court and the Business Community Meeting on February 11th.
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
17. Receive the City of Sonora Fire Department Monthly Report for December 2024; Aimee New, Fire Chief.
18. Receive the City of Sonora Police Department Monthly Report for December 2024; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
19. Receive the City of Sonora Public Works Monthly Report for December 2024; Mike Lagomarsino, Public Works Supervisor.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie attended the League of California Cities Conference; and Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) meeting.
Councilmember Bess Levine met with Nathan Alonzo, Local Government Relations Representative for PG&E; met with State Senator Maria Alvarado-Gil; and complimented the Community Development Departments new on-line permitting process.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill attended the League of California Cities Conference; and announced Tamera Blankenship is the new Executive Director for the Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC).
Councilmember Mark Plummer will be meeting with Tamera Blankenship; and thanked the Community and Council for his reappointment.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom attended the League of California Cities Conference; toured ATCAA (Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency) Head Start Program; attended the official opening of Black Bomb; watched the drought monitor and fire danger; and February 22nd is the Sonora Masonic Lodge #887 Installation of Officers and grand opening.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 8:29 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.