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, March 03, 2025
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on March 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
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 03/17/2025
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 - 4:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Called to order at 4:30 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 4:32 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 Bess Levine 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, February 28, 2025 at 1:38 PM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Bess Levine, Seconded by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill. 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.
Iris-Siri of Shambhala shared her concerns with the Council and passed out packets.
Several members of the public addressed the Council.
A member of the public informed those in attendance March 4th is National Safety Day; and thanked Sonora Police Officers, Fire Department and Sherriff's Department.
Councilmember Mark Plummer made a statement.
Councilmember Stephen Opie made a statement.
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
2. Introduction and Swearing-in of Police Dispatcher-Records Specialist Zachary Argenal; Turu VanerWiel, Police Chief. (10 Minutes)
3. Introduction and Swearing-in of Police Officer Victor Garcia; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief. (10 Minutes)
4. Receive and Update from the President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce Katie Dunn. (10 Minutes) Katie Dunn President Sonora Chamber of Commerce shared the Sonora Chamber's Mission Statement; the dates for El Campo de Sonora, the Sidewalk Sale, Trick or Treat Street, Christmas Town Sonora and the Christmas Parade; and gave an update on the Opera Hall.
5. Receive a Presentation and Possible Direction on the Vanir Police Facility Needs Assessment Report Presented by Senior Project Director Rob Nash; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief. (20 Minutes) Turu VanderWiel Police Chief gave a brief summary and introduced Rob Nash from Vanir. Rob Nash reviewed the report with the Council.
The Council discussed the report.
No public comment.
6. Receive an Update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor Mike Holland; Melissa Eads, City Administrator. (15 Minutes)
Mike Holland Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor updated the Council on recent activities in the County; and answered questions.
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 February 18, 2025; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
8. Consider Approval of the Special Event Request as Submitted by the Sonora Chamber of Commerce to Host its Summer Concert Series at Cofill Park for 2025; Tyler Summersett, Community Development 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
9. Consider Amending the City of Sonora’s Farmer’s Market Fees as set forth in Exhibit “A” Effective Immediately; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill and Mayor Ann Segerstrom made comments about the fee increase.
10. Consider Ratifying an Application Submitted to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and Direct the Chief of Police to Return to City Council with the Application Results and to Accept the Award; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
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
PUBLIC HEARINGS
11. Waive First Reading, Read by Title Only, and Introduce Ordinance No. 903, an Ordinance of the Sonora City Council Amending Section 3.16.020, Rate, of Chapter 3.16, Sales and Use Tax, of Title 3, Revenue and Finance, of the Sonora Municipal Code; Douglas White, City Attorney.
Doug White City Attorney explained the Ordinance and discussed with the Councilmembers.
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.
COMMUNICATIONS
12. Receive Communications to the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors Adopting a Resolution Condemning Hate Crimes and Violence in Tuolumne County; Ann Segerstrom, Mayor City of Sonora.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie took a fire class and is Certified to go out on fires; and enjoyed spending time in Monterey.
Councilmember Bess Levine attended Visit Tuolumne County Marketing meeting; and helped pick up trash in the creek.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill attended the Columbia College Jazz Festival; and made a statement.
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 attended the TCTC meeting (Tuolumne County Transportation Council); Access Tuolumne; Braver Angels/Building Bridges event; and the Tuolumne County Public Health event.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom congratulated the Sonora Polar Plunge; attended the Central Sierra Economic Development meeting; there will be a biomass informational meeting at Mother Lode Job Training on March 24th; wrote a letter and sent a book about Historic Sonora to the Mayor of Kirishima our sister City; visited the new Masonic Hall; and daylight savings is this weekend.
Councilmember Stephen Opie made additional comments.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 6:46 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.