Minutes — Sonora City Council, October 20, 2025

CITY OF SONORA
City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
Monday, October 20, 2025
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on October 20, 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
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 11/11/2025
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 Mark Plummer

ARRIVING IN CLOSED SESSION
Councilmember Stephen Opie

PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comment.

ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned at 4:01 PM.

1. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Gov. Code Section § 54957.6): Agency Designated Representatives:

Melissa Eads, City Administrator; Chris Gorsky, Assistant City Administrator; Employee Organization: Sonora Fire Fighters Association (SFFA).

2. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Gov. Code Section § 54957.6): Agency Designated Representatives:

Melissa Eads, City Administrator; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director; Employee Organization: Sonora Police Officers' Association (SPOA).

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
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill 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, October 17, 2025, at 10:52 AM.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Stephen Opie. 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.

Barbara Dressler addressed the Council.

Mike Lemke gave an update to the Council.

Charles Segerstrom addressed the Council.

David Morgan thanked the Sonora Police Department.

Thad Waterbury addressed the Council.

PRESENTATIONS

3. Receive an Update from the President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce Katie Dunn; Melisa 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
Katie Dunn President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce acknowledged the Goodness Cafe and Bigwood Brew Works; the lights have been installed at the Red Church and Court House Park; gave an update and next steps for the "So Beautiful" pilot project and introduced Eleanor BonBon Brennan as the Administrator for the project; Trick or Treat Street and Spooky Town Park are this Friday October 25th; and the next mixer is October 24th at McDonald's.

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 Minute from September 15, 2025; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.

5. Consider Acceptance of an Informational Report for September 2025 Accounts Payable Payment Register and Void Report; Chris Gorsky, Assistant City Administrator

6. Consider Approval of Disbursements in the Amount of $198,612.86 and $195,840.14 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.

7. Consider Approval of Resolution No.10-20-2025-A Amending and Restating the Joint Powers Agreement of the CSJVRMA and Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute the Agreement; Chris Gorsky, Assistant City Administrator.

8. Consider Approval of a Proclamation Condemning Violence and Promoting Respectful Dialogue; Stephen Opie, Councilmember.

9. Waive the Second Reading, Read by Title Only, and Adopt Ordinance No. 910 of the Sonora City Council Repealing and Replacing Section 8.40.010, Fire Hazard Severity Zones, of Section 8.40, Fire Hazard Severity Zones, of Title 8, Health and Safety, of the Sonora Municipal Code to Align with Ordinance No. 906; Douglas White, City Attorney.

10. Consider Recommendation to Formally Dissolve Four (4) City Commissions/Committees:

1. Waive the Second Reading, Read by Title Only, and Adopt an Ordinance of the Sonora City Council Amending Chapter 12.20, Shade Trees and Shrubs, of Title 12, Streets and Sidewalks, of the Sonora Municipal Code to Dissolve the City Tree and Landscaping Board.

2. Waive the Second Reading, Read by Title Only, and Adopt an Ordinance of the Sonora City Council Amending Sections 2.36.040, Management and Supervision, 2.36.060, Superintendent – Purchases; City 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
Council Approval, and 2.36.130, Grave Markers – Requirements, of Chapter 2.36, Cemeteries, Of Title 2, Administration and Personnel, of the Sonora Municipal Code to Dissolve the Cemetery Committee.

3. Waive the Second Reading, Read by Title Only, and Adopt an Ordinance of the Sonora City Council Repealing Chapter 10.24, Parking and Traffic Commission, of Title 10, Vehicles and Traffic, of the Sonora Municipal Code to Dissolve the Parking and Traffic Commission.

4. Waive the Second Reading, Read by Title Only, and Adopt an Ordinance of the Sonora City Council Amending Sections 17.33.050 Administration, and 17.33.030, Land Use Plan, of Chapter 17.33, Commercial Specific Plan, of Title 17, Zoning, of the Sonora Municipal Code; Douglas White, City Attorney.

11. Consider Approval of Resolution Number 10-20-2025-B, Authorizing the Closure of State Route 49 (Washington Street) and Certain City Streets and Designating Temporary “No Parking” Zones for the 42nd Annual Historic Downtown Christmas Parade; Release the Three-Hour Parking Restrictions from Monday, November 17, through Friday, January 2, 2026, within the Downtown Corridor; and Request the Mayor or Vice Mayor Represent the City in the Christmas Parade; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.

12. Consider Approval of the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement, with All Exhibits, to California Waste Recovery Systems, LLC (Cal-Waste) for Subscription Based Solid Waste, Recycling, and Green Waste Collection and Management Services; Carlye Buchholz, City Engineer.

Councilmember Mark Plummer and Vice Mayor Andy Merrill asked to remove Item 10.

No public comment.

Motion made by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Stephen Opie for Items 4-9, 11 and 12. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
Mayor Ann Segerstrom made a comment on Item 8.

Councilmembers had a detailed discussion on Item 10, with Melissa Eads City Administrator.

Sharon Maravich Tuolumne Heritage Committee addressed the Council.

David Morgan addressed the Council.

Charles Segerstrom addressed the Council.

10. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie
Voting Nay: Councilmember Mark Plummer

PUBLIC HEARINGS

13. Waive First Reading, Read by Title Only, and Introduce an Ordinance of the Sonora City Council Clarifying Ordinance No. 905; Repealing Chapter 8.30, Emergency Services; and Repealing and Replacing Chapter

2.28, Emergency Services (Reserved) of the Sonora Municipal Code; Douglas White, City Attorney.

Christina Pritchard, White Brenner explained the clarification for Ordinance 905.

No public comment.

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

14. Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 10-20-2025-C - Amending the City’s General Plan to Approve the 2024- 2029 Housing Element, Including Adoption of an Initial Study/Negative Declaration in Accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.

1. Adoption of the Initial Study and Negative Declaration as the Appropriate Level of Environmental Review in Accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Guidelines;

2. Adoption of Findings of Fact for Approval of the 2024-2029 Housing Element as Presented in the Staff Report; and,

3. Approval of the 2024-2029 Housing Element as Included in the Agenda Materials.

Tyler Summersett Community Development Director gave a brief summary of the 2024-2029 Housing Element and introduced Lance Lowe from CSG Consultants, Inc.

Lance Lowe CSG Consultants, Inc. reviewed the 2024-2029 Housing Element Update including the Introduction and Purpose; Housing Element Table of Contents; Demographics and Needs Assessment; Housing Stock and Affordability; Special Needs and Homelessness; Regional Housing Needs Allocation; Site Inventory; Constraints to Housing; Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing; Housing Plan Goals; Key Programs and Objectives; Housing Program Summary; Example of Housing Programs; Community Outreach; HCD Consultation; CEQA; Planning Commission; and Recommendation.

Lance Lowe CSG Consultants, Inc. gave a clarification; Tyler Summersett Community Development Director and Melissa Eads City Administrator made additional comments.

Mike Lemke addressed the Council.

Quincy Yaley addressed the Council on behalf of Mike and Eric Lemke.

The Council continued to ask questions and discuss the 2024-2029Housing Element. Lance Lowe, CSG Consultants, Inc.; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director; Christina Pritchard, White Brenner; Glenn Lajoie, CSG Consultants, Inc.; and Rich Beck, MBI provided answers and clarification to the Council.

Mike Lemke and Quincy Yaley provided further comments.

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
Voting Nay: Councilmember Stephen Opie

QUARTERLY REPORTS

15. Receive the Sonora Community Development Department Quarterly Report for July, August, and September of 2025; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.

16. Receive the Sonora Engineering Department Quarterly Report for July, August, and September 2025; Mike Pugh, City Engineer, Carlye Buchholz, City Engineer.

17. Receive the Sonora Fire Department Quarterly Report for July, August, and September 2025; Gary Carlson, Interim Fire Chief.

18. Receive the Sonora Police Departments Quarterly Report for July, August, and September 2025.

19. Receive the Sonora Public Works Department Quarterly Report for July, August, and September 2025; Mike Lagomarsino, Public Works Supervisor.

COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie attended IRWM (Integrated Regional Water Management).

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 the Solid Waste Committee; TCTC (Tuolumne County Transportation Council); the Commission on Homelessness and ATCAA (Amador- Tuolumne County Community Action Agency) cancelled their meetings; and attended the protest.

Councilmember Mark Plummer attended TCTC; Tuolumne County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC); and the protest.

Mayor Ann Segerstrom attended the Safeway Grand Re-Opening Ribbon Cutting; Christmas Town meeting; Valley Vista walk through; and Cal Cities Round Table.

ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 7:55 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 CouncilOctober 20, 2025

Sonora City Council
October 20, 2025