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, July 21, 2025
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on July 21, 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
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 08/04/2025
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 4:31 PM.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Stephen Opie
Councilmember Mark Plummer
ABSENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comment.
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 Fire Fighters Association (SFFA).
RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
Called to order at 5:00 PM.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill 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
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Stephen Opie
Councilmember Mark Plummer
ABSENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 8:46 AM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer. Seconded by Councilmember Stephen Opie. Voting Yea:
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.
Lisa Mayo President and CEO of Visit Tuolumne County thanked the Sonora Police Department.
A member of the public made comments and shared statistics.
PRESENTATIONS
2. Receive a Presentation of the Proposed Scope of Work from Visit Tuolumne County for Tourism Marketing Services, Effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, in the Amount of $100,000, and Authorize Notice to Proceed; Jen Lopez, Visit Tuolumne Marketing Manager.
Lisa Mayo President and CEO Visit Tuolumne County reviewed the 2024 Visitation and Impacts; The Opportunity; introduced the proposed campaign "Step Into Sonora"; and Enhancing Visibility; Jen Lopez Marketing Manager Visit Tuolumne County introduced Special Projects; Advertising; Familiarization Trips; Marketing Costs; and the Tourism Summit Awards and Partner Showcase is Thursday October 16, 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
3. Receive a Presentation Regarding Pioneer Community Energy’s Planned Expansion into the City of Sonora with a Service Launch in October 2027; Gina Stassi-Vanacore, Pioneer Community Energy Director of Communications.
Gina Stassi-Vanacore Director of Communications Pioneer Community Energy gave an overview of the Background; additional New Members; Communications and Outreach; Information Available on their Website; Multi-Phase Planning; and What to Expect.
Councilmember Mark Plummer asked about community outreach.
Gina Stassi-Vanacore explained the outreach campaign.
Public comment was called for both Presentations. There was no public comment for either Presentation.
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.
4. Consider Approval of the Meeting Minutes from June 21, 2022, and July 7, 2025; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
5. Consider Acceptance of an Informational Report for May and June Accounts Payable Payment Register and Void Report; Chris Gorsky, Assistant City Administrator
6. Consider Approval of Disbursements in the Amount of $203,385.36, $206,742.10, $203,131.19, $214,137.94, and $245,104.00 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.
7. Consider Approval of the Statement of Work No. 3 with Diamond Digital Marketing Co. for Expanded Social Media, Public Relations, and Communications Services, Effective July 1, 2025, Through June 30, 2026, in the Amount of $36,000, and Authorize the City Administrator to Execute the Agreement; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
8. Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 07-21-2025-A Approving Side Letters to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with the Sonora Management Employees Association (SMEA) and the Sonora Confidential Employees Association (SCEA) to Comply with California Code of Regulations (CCR) sections 571 and 571.1, and Resolution No. 07-21-2025-B Approving Updated Salary Range Tables for Each Group Reflecting Accurate Reporting of Compensation to CalPERS; Chris Gorsky, Assistant City Administrator, Tracy Skelly, Administrative Services Officer.
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 asked to remove Item 8.
William Creger White Brenner explained to those in attendance the Side Letters for the MOU's.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Bess Levine. Seconded by Councilmember Mark Plummer. Voting Yea:
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
9. Waive the Second Reading and Approve Resolution 07-21-2025-C and Ordinance No. 905 Updating the 2025 City of Sonora Emergency Operations Plan and Revision of the City of Sonora Municipal Code Chapter 2.28 – Emergency Services; Paul Bockrath, Preparative Consulting, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
A member of the public made a comment on the Minutes.
Tracy Skelly City Clerk addressed the comment.
Motion made by Mark Plummer for Items A, B, C, D and F. Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea: Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
NEW BUSINESS
10. Consider Approval of the Proposed Mutual Aid Agreement Between the City of Sonora and Chicken Ranch Tribal Fire Department and Authorize the Interim Fire Chief to Sign the Agreement and any Related Documents Necessary to Implement the Agreement; Gary Carlson, Fire Chief.
Gary Carlson Fire Chief explained to those in attendance the Proposed Mutual Aid Agreement.
Councilmember Mark Plummer and Gary Carlson discussed the County and other entities in the agreement.
Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer. Seconded by Councilmember Stephen Opie. Voting Yea: Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
11. Receive a Presentation from Westside Forestry Consulting on Recommended Treatments for Dragoon Gulch and Consider Giving Direction to Project Partners on the Preferred Fuel Treatment for Dragoon Gulch Trail Network; Tyler Summerstt, 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
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director explained to those in attendance the background of the Cal Fire Grant for Dragoon Gulch Fuel Reduction; Adam Frese a Forester for Westside Forestry Consulting presented the Fuel Treatment for the Dragoon Gulch Trail Network; Scope of Work; and Questions from the City of Sonora.
Councilmembers made comments, asked questions, and discussed with Adam Frese.
Melissa Eads City Administrator made comments.
Councilmembers and Tyler Summersett discussed community outreach.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill summarized the Council's priorities.
A member of the public made comments.
COMMUNICATIONS
12. Receive Communications from Citygate Associates, LLC. Regarding the Organizational Review and Budget Stabilization Study Update.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie attended a field trip to the Stanislaus-Tuolumne Experimental Forest.
Councilmember Bess Levine attended Visit Tuolumne County Board meeting; and the Commission on Homelessness.
Councilmember Mark Plummer meetings were cancelled for the month.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill did not have any meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 6:10 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 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
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.