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
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on February 18, 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
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 03/03/2025
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
CLOSED SESSION - 4:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Called to order at 4:04 PM.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Stephen Opie
Councilmember Mark Plummer
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comment.
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned at 4:05 PM.
1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - (Gov Code § 54956.9): One (1) Potential Case; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
2. 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).
Due to time constraints the Council did not complete discussions on the following item and will return to closed session following the conclusion of the open session meeting.
3. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated 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.
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
Councilmember Stephen Opie led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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, February 14, 2025 at 1:30 PM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer, Seconded by Councilmember Stephen Opie. 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.
A member of the public remembered community members and addressed the Council on the Business Watch meeting.
BZ Smith informed those in attendance of the event at Courthouse Square on Presidents Day.
Mica Sutton Interim Executive Director at WATCH Resources informed those in attendance of the Critical Housing Initiative for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in our community.
Casey Kelly informed those in attendance of Allo Hope Foundation and Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn.
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 Mark Plummer made a public comment on behalf of Fentanyl Awareness Coalition of Tuolumne County and Surrounding Areas.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom made a public service announcement and shared information on the website www.runforoffice.org.
PRESENTATIONS
4. Receive a Presentation from Visit Tuolumne County Regarding the Tourism Marketing District and Provide Possible Direction for the Inclusion of the City of Sonora; Lisa Mayo, Visit Tuolumne President & CEO. (20 Minutes).
Mayor Ann Segerstrom informed those in attendance the Presentation for Visit Tuolumne County has been moved to a meeting in March.
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 February 3, 2025; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
6. Consider Acceptance of an Informational Report for January 2025 Accounts Payable Payment Register and Void Report; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director
7. Consider Approval of Disbursements in the Amount of $186,113.65 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. Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 902 and Resolution 02-18-2025-A, Adding Chapter 1.30 – Community Choice Aggregation Program, to Title 1, General Provisions, of the Sonora Municipal Code, and Approve the Amended and Restated Joint Powers Agreement for Pioneer Community Energy Authorizing the Implementation of a Community Choice Aggregation Program Under Public Utilities Code Section 366.2; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
A vote was taken for Items 5-8 before public comment. Mayor Ann Segerstrom re-opened for public comment.
No public comment.
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 Mark Plummer, Seconded by Councilmember Stephen Opie. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
9. Consider Placement of a Resolution Condemning Violence Against the LGBTQIA+ Community on the March 3, 2025, Council Meeting Agenda; Douglas White, City Attorney.
Councilmember Mark Plummer pulled for separate discussion.
Several members of the public addressed the Councilmembers on Item #9.
Doug White City Attorney addressed the Councilmembers.
Councilmembers discussed their perspectives.
Doug White City Attorney explained to those in attendance time limits and disruptions during a meeting.
Councilmembers continued their discussion.
Doug White City Attorney explained to the Councilmembers how to move or not move forward with Item #9.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine.
Voting Yea: Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Voting Nay: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer Vice Mayor Andy Merrill excused himself from the meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
10. Receive an Update on the Snell Street Reconstruction Project (County Line to Bonanza Road) and Approve the Proposed Realignment Alternative to Better Facilitate the Installation of the New Storm Drain Pipeline; Mike Pugh, City Engineer, Dewberry Engineers Inc.
Mike Pugh City Engineer explained the Snell Street Project.
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed.
Rhoda Schummer shared concerns over the Snell Street Project.
A member of the public shared concerns over the project and looks forward to something positive.
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
Councilmembers discussed further with Mike Pugh, City Engineer and Melissa Eads City Administrator.
Councilmembers approved the project.
11. Receive an Update on the Public Works Maintenance Building and Pickleball Court Projects; Mike Pugh, City Engineer.
Mike Pugh City Engineer updated the Councilmembers on both Projects.
No approval needed.
12. Consider Approval of Resolution 02-18-2025-B Amending and Replacing the Existing City Travel Policy with the Updated Policy as Presented; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
Chris Gorsky Administrative Service Director explained the Amended City Travel Policy.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
Absent: Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
13. Consider Approval of Resolution 02-18-2025-C Amending and Replacing the Existing City Investment Policy with the Updated Policy as Presented, to Better Align with Current Best Practices; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
Chris Gorsky Administrative Services Director explained Amending and Replacing the Existing City Investment Policy.
A member of the public made a comment.
Motion was made by Councilmember Mark Plummer, Seconded by Councilmember Stephen Opie. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
Absent: Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
MONTHLY REPORTS
14. Receive the City of Sonora Administrative Services Department Report for December 2024 (FY24/25); 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
Chris Gorsky Administrative Services Director informed those in attendance of the funding for the Public Works Building.
15. Receive the City of Sonora Community Development Department Monthly Report for January 2025; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
16. Receive the City of Sonora Fire Department Monthly Report for January 2025; Aimee New, Fire Chief.
17. Receive the City of Sonora Police Department Monthly Report for January 2025; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
18. Receive the City of Sonora Public Works Department Monthly Report for January 2025; Michael Lagomarsino, Public Works Supervisor.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie attended the YES Council meeting.
Councilmember Bess Levine attended the Business Watch meeting; Adventist Heart Health Celebration; and met with Lisa Mayo from Visit Tuolumne County.
Councilmember Mark Plummer attended the Fentanyl Awareness Coalition meeting; Business Watch meeting; met with Tamera Blankenship from TCTC (Tuolumne County Transportation Council), attended the TCTC (Tuolumne County Transportation Council) meeting; and met with Lisa Mayo from Visit Tuolumne County.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom informed those in attendance the Polar Plunge is Saturday; attended the Business Watch meeting; and El Campo de Sonora is June 7th.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned into closed session.
3. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section § 54956.9: One (1) Potential Case; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
Reconvened into open session.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom stated direction was given to staff.
Adjourned at 7:42 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.