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, June 16, 2025
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on June 16, 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
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 07/07/2025
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
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Called to order at 5:02 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Ann Segerstrom led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Mark Plummer
ABSENT
Councilmember Stephen Opie
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Friday, June 13, 2025, at 10:21 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 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 made a suggestion for more banner space.
Jane Braga League of Women's Voters Mother Lode and Chair of the Water Interest Group (WIG's) invited the Councilmembers on a field trip to Ackerson Meadow Restoration Project on July 14th.
Don Nessel expressed how much he likes the added art to the overpasses.
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
Doug DeSoto shared it was wonderful to have resources for the homeless.
Phil Balbuena expressed his feelings for Sonora.
Councilmember Mark Plummer thanked the community.
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.
1. Consider Approval of Prequalified On-Call Construction Contractors to Augment City Staff in Various Areas of Construction; Carlye Buchholz, City Engineer.
2. Consider Approval of the Dewberry Engineers Inc. Team (Dewberry) Scope and Fee to Continue to Provide City Engineer Services for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 and Approve Task Order No. 26-1 in the amount of $350,000; Mike Pugh, City Engineer.
3. Consider Approval of the Dewberry Engineers Inc. Team (Dewberry) to Perform Design and Engineering Services for Street Repairs and Retaining Wall Replacement at 94 Snell Street and Approve Task Order No. 26-2, not to exceed $43,925; Mike Pugh, City Engineer.
4. Waive the Second Reading, Read by Title Only, and Approve Ordinance No. 904, a Text Amendment of Title 12 of the Sonora Municipal Code, Amending Chapter 12.16, Use of Sidewalks for Business. Review and Consider Acceptance of City of Sonora Outdoor Use Encroachment Permit Development Standards and Design Guidelines; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
5. Waive the Second Reading, Read by Title Only, and Approve Ordinance No. 906, Approval and Adoption of the 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map as Recommended by the California State Fire Marshal; Gary Carlson, Interim Fire Chief.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Mark Plummer
NEW BUSINESS
6. Consider Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing the Month of June as Pride Month in the City of Sonora; Andy Merrill, Vice Mayor.
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 made a statement and read the Proclamation.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom explained the process for a Proclamation and its definition.
Several members of the public addressed the Council.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill made a point of order.
City Clerk Tracy Skelly read a written statement for Councilmember Stephen Opie.
Councilmembers made additional comments.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill Councilmember Bess Levine Voting Nay: Councilmember Mark Plummer
Mayor Ann Segerstrom called for a five-minute recess.
7. Consider Approval and Award to Sinclair General Engineering Construction Inc. for the Woods Creek Park Pickleball Court Construction Project in the Amount of $175,800 and Authorize the City Administrator to Sign the Construction Agreement and All Related Project Documents; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director presented the Woods Creek Park Pickleball Court Construction Project including the bid from Sinclair General Engineering Construction Inc.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill discussed the project.
No public comment.
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 Mark Plummer
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 06-16-2025-A Establishing the FY25/26 GANN Appropriations Limit for the City of Sonora; Chris Gorsky; Administrative Services Director.
Chris Gorsky Administrative Services Director explained the GANN Appropriations Limit.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom asked for an explanation of the calculation.
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 Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Mark Plummer
9. Receive a Report Regarding the Implementation of Assembly Bill 2561 (AB 2561) - Local Public Employees Vacant Positions; Chris Gorsky, Assistant City Administrator Chris Gorsky Assistant City Administrator explained Assembly Bill 2561 and reported on the City’s vacant positions.
No public comment.
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 Mark Plummer
10. Review and Adopt the Proposed Fiscal Year 2025/26 Operating Budget and Adopt Resolution No. 06-16-2025- B, Including any Council Approved Supplemental Requests; Melissa Eads, City Administrator, Chris Gorsky, Assistant City Administrator.
Chris Gorsky Assistant City Administrator presented the Proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Operating Budget.
Melissa Eads City Administrator addressed the Council on Supplemental Requests.
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed.
Gary Carlson Interim Fire Chief made an additional comment.
A member of the public made a comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Mark Plummer
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmembers agreed not to report out and thanked the staff.
Melissa Eads City Administrator asked the Mayor to re-open the Operating Budget to include Department Head comments.
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
Turu VanderWiel Police Chief made additional comments.
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed.
Gary Carlson Interim Fire Chief made additional comments.
Councilmembers made final comments.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 7:45 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.