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, September 15, 2025
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on September 15, 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
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 10/20/2025
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 4:00 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
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).
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.
3. Conference with Legal Counsel – Liability Claim - Pursuant to Gov. Code, § 54956.95: One (1) Potential Case, Claimant: Tourte; Agency Claimed Against: City of Sonora; Chris Gorsky, Assistant 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 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, September 12, 2025 at 10:31 AM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Councilmember Stephen Opie requested a moment of silence.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie Mayor Ann Segerstrom called for a moment of silence.
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.
Karl Rodefer addressed the Council.
Melissa Compton from Foothill Pregnancy Center addressed the Council.
Katie Dunn President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce informed those in attendance the Chamber Mixers are the third Tuesday of each month; the next Mixer is hosted by Black Oak Casino at Seven Sisters; and the 2nd Annual Sidewalk Sale is Saturday September 27th from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Councilmember Mark Plummer made a statement during public comment.
Councilmember Stephen Opie, City Administrator Melissa Eads and Doug White City Attorney discussed protocol.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill made additional 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
PRESENTATIONS
4. Receive a Presentation from the Sierra Nevada Energy Watch (SNEW) Program Staff Outlining Benchmarking completed for the City of Sonora; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director introduced Christina Weldon, Climate and Energy Technician from the Sierra Business Council; the presentation included the Sierra Nevada Energy Watch Program (SNEW); City of Sonora Electricity Analysis; Average Annual Electricity Usage and Costs; Annual Electricity Usage Trends; Electricity Cost Trends; Rate Comparison 2023 Usage; and Mono Way Electricity Rate Fluctuation.
Councilmembers asked questions and made comments.
A member of the public addressed the Council.
Christina Weldon Climate and Energy Technician presented the last slide, Next Steps.
Councilmembers made comments and asked additional questions.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director thanked the Sierra Business Council.
Councilmembers continued to discuss.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom asked if the public had anything else to comment, a member of the public made additional comments.
5. Receive an Introduction of Brittan Gregory, Sonora Fire Chief; Interim Fire Chief Gary Carlson.
Gary Carlson Interim Fire Chief introduced Brittan Gregory as the new City of Sonora Fire Chief.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom informed those in attendance that she, the new Fire Chief and the Interim Fire Chief will be at Knox Coffee Tuesday the 23rd from 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM to Meet the Mayor.
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 Acceptance of an Informational Report for August 2025 Accounts Payable Payment Register and Void Report; Chris Gorsky, Assistant City Administrator 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
7. Consider Approval of Disbursements in the Amount of $207,352.57, and $198,018.54 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 Approval of Resolution 09-15-2025-A, Authorizing the Closure of State Route 49 (Washington Street) and Certain City Streets for the 2025 Sonora Union High School Homecoming Parade; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
9. Consider Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the City of Sonora and CAL FIRE to Allow the Use of Conservation Camp Crews for Fuels Management, Hazard Reduction, and Conservation Projects Within the City of Sonora; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
Councilmember Mark Plummer commented on the MOU between the City of Sonora and CAL FIRE.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
10. Receive an Update on the City of Sonora Solid Waste Franchise Agreement Negotiations with California Waste Recovery Systems, LLC for Subscription-Based Solid Waste, Recycling, and Green Waste Collection and Management Services with Direction to Proceed with Proposition 218 Compliance Procedures, and Provide Direction on the Distribution of the Modified Recycling Revenue Share Program; Carlye Buchholz, City Engineer.
Carlye Buchholz City Engineer gave an update on negotiations; residential garbage rates; commercial garbage rates; modified recycling revenue sharing; commercial recycling rates; and additional negotiations with Cal-Waste.
Melissa Eads City Administrator and the Councilmembers made additional comments and asked questions.
Casey Vaccarezza Cal Waste addressed the Council.
Carlye Buchholz City Engineer reviewed frequently asked questions including the value added services; cost comparison between Cal Waste and Waste Management; the time frame for Cal Waste to coordinate the transition; the types of trucks Cal Waste has to provide service to the City; and the next steps.
Councilmembers discussed with Melissa Eads City Administrator.
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 unanimously gave direction to staff to begin public outreach and Proposition 218 outreach.
No vote was taken.
Councilmember Mark Plummer thanked Waste Management.
A member of the public shared he is happy with the outcome.
Councilmember Mark Plummer thanked staff and Cal Waste.
NEW BUSINESS
11. Consider Allowing Alcohol Vendors at the Sonora Farmers Market for the Remainder of the 2025 Market Season and for Future Market Years; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director addressed the Council on allowing alcohol vendors at the Sonora Farmers Market.
Councilmembers made comments and asked questions.
Katie Dunn asked a question about Certified Organic.
Councilmembers continued to discuss with Tyler Summersett Community Development Director.
Lieutenant Hannula addressed the Council on ABC rules for Farmers Market.
Councilmembers continued to discuss.
No Vote was taken Councilmembers unanimously agreed to allow Alcohol Vendors at the Farmers Market.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie attended TCTC/TCTA (Tuolumne County Transportation Council/Tuolumne County Transit Agency) for Vice Mayor Andy Merrill; YES Council; and the Reagan Dinner.
Councilmember Bess Levine attended Visit Tuolumne County Marketing meeting.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill thanked the Councilmembers for filling in while he was away.
Councilmember Mark Plummer attended the TCTC meeting (Tuolumne County Transportation Council); and the Tuolumne County Airport Land Use Commission was cancelled.
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
Mayor Ann Segerstrom attended the final Parking and Traffic Committee meeting; LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission); elected official training; harassment training; Solid Waste Committee for Vice Mayor Andy Merrill; Coffee with Cops is at the Aronos Club October 2nd; September 23rd at Knox Coffee Meet the Mayor, Interim Fire Chief and new Fire Chief from 8:00 - 10:00 am; the Sidewalk Sale is coming up; and the Quilt Show is September 19th and 20th.
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.