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, April 07, 2025
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on April 7, 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
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 04/21/2025
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 - 3:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Called to order at 3:04 PM.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Stephen Opie
Councilmember Mark Plummer
ARRIVING LATE
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Andy Merrill
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
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): One (1) Potential Case; Douglas White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Ann Segerstrom stated direction was given to staff.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Council and attendees recited 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, April 4, 2025, at 11:51 AM.
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.
A member of the public informed those in attendance of the Tuolumne County Volunteer Fair, April 17th at the Fair Grounds.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom shared with those in attendance the items received from the Mayor of our Sister City in Kirishima, Kagoshima, Japan.
PRESENTATIONS
3. Receive an Update from the President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce Katie Dunn; Melissa Eads, City Administrator. (10 Minutes)
Katie Dunn President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce informed those in attendance of the 2nd Saturday Art Night and After Eight Concert Series line up and dates; El Campo de Sonora is June 7th at Court House Park; and the next mixer is at Rustic Mood Artisan Gifts April 17th.
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
4. Receive the Sonora Employee’s Association (SEA) Employee of the Year for 2024; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director. (10 Minutes)
Chris Gorsky Administrative Services Director announced Darlene Gibson as the Sonora Employee's Association (SEA) Employee of the Year for 2024.
5. Receive the Sonora Police Department's 2024 Employee Recognitions; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief. (15 Minutes)
Turu VanderWiel Police Chief announced Jessica Reibin as the Ronald Billings II Explorer of the Year; Steven Effisimo as the Marshall McMaster Community Service Volunteer of the Year; Ashley Brandow as the Reserve/Part-Time Employee of the Year; Cyndi Nordvik as the Civilian Employee of the Year; and Ron Watson as the Officer of the Year.
6. Recognize and Celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunications Week; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief. (10 Minutes)
Turu VanderWiel Police Chief thanked the men and women of Public Safety Telecommunications.
7. Recognition of Fire Chief Aimee New’s Retirement and 10 Years of Service; Melissa Eads, City Administrator. (10 Minutes)
Melissa Eads City Administrator celebrated and recognized Aimee New Fire Chief on her retirement.
Aimee New Fire Chief addressed and thanked the Council.
8. Receive a Presentation on the Pre-Project Application Readiness Evaluation (PrePARE) Report for the Main Drain and Provide Direction to Apply for a Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program Grant; Mike Pugh, City Engineer, Carlye Buchholz, City Engineer, Rebecca Neilon, Dewberry Engineers, Inc. (15 Minutes)
Rebecca Neilon Dewberry Engineers Inc presented to those in attendance the PrePARE Report.
Mike Holland Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor suggested two ideas.
LeeAnn Hatton asked the Council and staff about grant applications, the parking structure and flooding zones.
Tamara Blankenship Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC) offered to be a resource and partner.
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
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.
9. Consider Approval of the City of Sonora Meeting Minutes from March 17, 2025, and June 6, 2022; Stacy EnosDel Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
10. Receive a Proclamation Recognizing March 7–14, 2025, as California Arbor Week in the City of Sonora; Ann Segerstrom, Mayor.
11. Consider Approval of the Transfer of $122,054 in Budget Savings from the TO 25-2 – Hospital Road Rehabilitation Engineering Services Project to TO 25-1 for City Engineer Services; Mike Pugh, City Engineer.
12. Consider Approval of Dewberry Engineering Inc. Task Order No. 25-7 for Professional Engineering and Surveying Support Services to Assist the City of Sonora (City) Community Development Department in Reviewing and Processing Development Applications and Associated Tasks; Mike Pugh, City Engineer.
13. Consider Approval of Dewberry Engineers Inc. Task Order No. 25-8 to Survey, Design, and Provide Construction Support for the Rehabilitation of the Newly Acquired Parking Lot Located on the Southwest Corner of Church Street & Stewart Street; Mike Pugh, City Engineer.
14. Consider Approval of Dewberry Engineers Inc. Task Order No. 25-9 FY 24/25 Annual Striping Project to Provide Engineering Design and Construction Support for the Re-striping on S. Washington Street; Mike Pugh, City Engineer.
Councilmember Mark Plummer requested to discuss Item E (Minutes Item #13), then stated it was Item F (Minutes Item #14).
Carlye Buchholz Dewberry Engineers Inc clarified the scope of the project.
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
PUBLIC HEARINGS
15. Conduct a Public Hearing for Sonora Police Department’s Military Equipment Use Report as Required by Assembly Bill 481; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
Turu VanderWiel Police Chief presented the Sonora Police Department Military Equipment Use 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
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed.
No public comment.
No action required.
NEW BUSINESS
16. Receive and Accept the City of Sonora’s Audited Financial Statements and Uniform Guidance for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024, Prepared by Harshwal & Company, Certified Public Accountants; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director
Chris Gorsky Administrative Services Director presented the results of the City's financial audit for the year ending in June 2024.
Garim Jha Harshwal & Company addressed the Council.
No public comment.
No action required.
17. Consider Approval of Thurmond Consulting LLC's Proposal to Retain the Firm as an On Call Resource for Future Projects, with Work Being Requested via Task Orders to be Approved by the Council, and Consider Approval of a Task Order to Write an Application for Funding the Rehabilitation of the City-Owned Structure at 290 S. Stewart Street, Along with an Environmental Document for the Project; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director detailed Thurmond Consulting LLC's proposal, the Task Order and the Environmental Document.
Councilmembers discussed the proposal and 290 S. Stewart Street with staff.
No public comment.
A vote was taken for Thurmond Consulting LLC's Proposal to Retain the Firm and an On Call Resource for Future Projects with Work Being Requested via Task Orders:
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
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 vote was taken for a Task Order to Write an Application for Funding the Rehabilitation of the City-Owned Structure at 290 S. Stewart Street, along with an Environmental Document:
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
18. Receive the Updated Fire Hazard Severity Zones; Aimee New, Fire Chief.
Aimee New Fire Chief updated those in attendance on the Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed.
No public comment.
No action required.
COMMUNICATIONS
19. Green Waste Disposal Days - April 12, 2025, and April 26, 2025.
20. Wildfire Preparedness Town Hall Series - April 28, 29, and 30, 2025.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie had nothing to report.
Councilmember Bess Levine attended the Visit Tuolumne County Board meeting.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill attended a fundraiser at the Game Room for Stand Up Speak Up Speak Out for Cal Pride Sierras.
Councilmember Mark Plummer attended two Chamber mixers; Biomass Workshop; Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC); and Access Tuolumne is going to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Tuolumne County.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom attended the State of the City presentation in Modesto; Cal Cities Central Valley Division meeting; El Campo de Sonora meeting; and the Biomass Workshop.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 7:15 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
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.