Minutes — Sonora City Council, March 17, 2025

CITY OF SONORA
City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
Monday, March 17, 2025
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on March 17, 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
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 04/07/2025
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 4:05 PM.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Stephen Opie
Councilmember Mark Plummer

PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.

ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned at 4:06 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).

2. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to Gov. Code, § 54956.9(d)(4): Three (3) potential matters; Douglas White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

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 some direction was given to staff, will continue with closed session after this meeting.

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, March 14, 2025 at 2:56 PM.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Mark Plummer. 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.

Mercedes Tune introduced the Non-Profit Organization ConAmor and read the Mission Statement; Dawn Warfield introduced the new event, Coffill Park Community Arts Expo on the 2nd Saturday’s April through October; and Pablo Lopez gave the background on ConAmor.

A member of the public shared concerns over where money is being spent in the County.

PRESENTATIONS

3. Introduction and Swearing-In of Fire Engineer Eric Schlarb; Aimee New, Fire Chief.

4. Receive a Presentation of the Sonora Fire Department Employee of the Year Award 2024; Aimee New, Fire Chief.

5. Receive the City of Sonora Police Department Annual Statistic Summary Report for 2024; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.

Turu VanderWiel Police Chief reviewed the Sonora Police Department Annual Statistic Summary Report for 2024.

Councilmembers discussed the report.

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 the City of Sonora Meeting Minutes from March 3, 2025; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.

7. Consider Approval of Disbursements in the Amount of $225,161.32 and $192,249.70 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 February 2025 Accounts Payable Payment Register and Void Report; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.

9. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 03-17-2025-A, Authorizing the Closure of State Route 49 (Washington Street) and Certain City Streets for the 2025 Mother Lode Round-Up Parade; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief Jim Opie addressed the Council on the upcoming Parade and gave a brief history of the Parade.

10. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 03-17-2025-B, Authorizing Opened Alcoholic Beverage Containers and Public Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages within Designated Areas of the Special Event. These Areas are Marked by Street Closures on SR 49 (Washington Street) and Other Identified City Streets for the 2025 Mother Lode Round-Up Parade; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.

11. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 03-17-2025-C, Approving a Use Agreement Between the Sonora Police Department and the Department of California Highway Patrol for Use of the Sonora Police Department Weapons Firing Range and Authorizing the City Administrator, or Designee, to Sign, Submit, and Execute Related Documents; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.

Turu VanderWiel gave public comment to clarify any questions the Council may have.

12. Waive the Second Reading and Adopt 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.

13. Consider Placement of a Proclamation Recognizing March 7–14, 2025, as California Arbor Week in the City of Sonora on the April 7, 2025, Council Meeting Agenda; Ann Segerstrom, City of Sonora Mayor.

Motion made by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Mark Plummer. Voting Yea:

Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer

NEW BUSINESS

14. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 03-17-2025-D and Resolution No. 03-17-2025-E Approving the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Salary Schedules with the Sonora Police Officers’ Association (SPOA), the Sonora Management Employees’ Association (SMEA), and the Sonora Confidential Employees’ Association (SCEA) and Authorize the City Administrator to Finalize the Memorandums of Understandings; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.

Chris Gorsky Administrative Services Director gave an explanation of the MOU's and salary schedules.

No public comment.

Councilmember Mark Plummer made comments in support.

Thomas Brickley President of the Sonora Police Officers Association thanked the Council for all of their support.

Motion made by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Mark Plummer. Voting Yea:

Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer

15. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 03-17-2025-F, Updating the Job Descriptions and Education Requirements for the Administrative Services Officer/City Clerk, Community Development Director, Police Chief, Police Lieutenant, and Fire Chief; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.

Chris Gorsky Administrative Services Director gave an explanation on the Update to the Job Descriptions.

Vice Mayor Andy Merrill asked about minimum qualifications.

Aimee New Fire Chief commented on the update to the Job Descriptions.

Motion made by Councilmember Stephen Opie, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea:

Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer

16. Consider Acceptance of the Fiscal Year 24/25 Mid-Year Budget Update with Recommended Adjustments, as Presented on Page 22 of the Report; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.

Chris Gorsky Administrative Services Director presented a power point on the Mid-Year Budget.

Councilmembers discussed with Chris Gorsky Administrative Services Director and Melissa Eads City Administrator.

Mike Pugh City Engineer, Dewberry Engineers Inc. made additional comments.

Councilmembers asked additional questions and made comments.

Melissa Eads City Administrator made additional comments.

A member of the public commented on underground utilities.

MONTHLY REPORTS

17. Receive the City of Sonora Community Development Monthly Report for February 2025; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.

18. Receive the City of Sonora Fire Department Monthly Report for February 2025; Aimee New, Fire Chief.

19. Receive the City of Sonora Police Department Monthly Report for February 2025; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.

20. Receive the City of Sonora Public Works Department Monthly Report for February 2025; Michael Lagomarsino, Public Works Supervisor.

COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie and his family have been enjoying the Dragoon Gulch Trails; and did not attend YES Council as it was cancelled.

Councilmember Bess Levine had nothing to 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
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill attended TCTC (Tuolumne County Transportation Council); the Special Board Meeting for ATCAA (Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency); the Columbia College Orchestra Spring Recital is May 3rd and 4th; and will be performing with Jimbo and the Tap Room April 12th.

Councilmember Mark Plummer attended the Natural Resources Advisory Committee meeting; TAC (Technical Advisory Committee)- CAC (Citizens Advisory Committee- TCTC (Tuolumne County Transportation Council); and a Fire Class.

Mayor Ann Segerstrom attended LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission); Blue Zones Age Friendly Community Work Group; there is a Biomass Information meeting on the 24th at the Mother Lode Job Training facility; April 26th and 27th is Love Tuolumne County Weekend; and Arbor Day was last Friday.

ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned into closed session.

B. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to Gov. Code, § 54956.9(d)(4): Three (3) potential matters; Douglas White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

Reconvened into open session.

Mayor Ann Segerstrom stated direction was given to staff.

Adjourned at 7:16 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.

Sonora City CouncilMarch 17, 2025

Sonora City Council
March 17, 2025