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, November 03, 2025
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on November 3, 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
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 12/01/2025
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 4:03 PM.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Mark Plummer
ARRIVING DURRING CLOSSED SESSION
Councilmember Stephen Opie
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, Assistant City Administrator; Employee Organization: Sonora Fire Fighters Association (SFFA).
2. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Gov. Code Section § 54957.6): Agency Designated Representatives:
Doug White, City Attorney; Chris Gorsky, Assistant City Administrator; Employee Organization: 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
Councilmember Mark Plummer 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, October 31, 2025, at 10:13 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.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom attended the Fire Wise meeting at Elk Hills and shared information from the meeting.
PRESENTATIONS
3. Receive a Presentation Regarding Tobacco Retailer Licensing Within the City of Sonora. Provide Direction to Staff, in Coordination With Tuolumne County and the Blue Zones Project Team, to Return With Draft Materials Outlining a Potential Tobacco Retailer Licensing Ordinance for the City, Including an Analysis of the Number of Local Businesses That Would Be Affected; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director, Dr. Kimberly Freeman, Tuolumne County Public Health Officer, Kristi Conforti, Blue Zones Project Tuolumne County Public Policy Advocate, and Katie Johnson, Public Health Program Supervisor.
Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director, Dr. Kimberly Freeman, Tuolumne County Public Health Officer, Kristi Conforti, Blue Zones Project Tuolumne County Public Policy Advocate, and Katie Johnson, Public Health Program Supervisor presented to those in attendance information on Commercial Tobacco; Local Youth Vaping Rates; Mental Health Impacts of Youth Tobacco Use; Tobacco Retail License (TRL); Tobacco 21; Flavored Tobacco Sales Ban; and Blue Zones Project Support.
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 with the Presenters and Tyler Summersett Community Development Director.
Turu VanderWiel Police Chief addressed the Council.
A member of the public addressed the Council.
Councilmembers gave final thoughts.
Motion made by Councilmember Stephen Opie, Seconded by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
4. Receive a Presentation from the Central Sierra Economic Development District (CSEDD) Regarding the Sierra Jobs First Program Update; Alex Bloom, Economic Development Manager, Mother Lode Job Training and Central Sierra Economic Development District.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom informed those in attendance the Presentation from Central Sierra Economic Development District (CSEDD) has been moved to the next meeting.
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.
5. Consider Approval of the Meeting Minutes from October 6, 2025; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
6. Waive the Second Reading, Read by Title Only, and Adopt 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; Doug White, City Attorney.
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
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
NEW BUSINESS
7. Consider Authorization for the City of Sonora Police Department to Accept an Award From the State of California Office of Traffic Safety, (OTS), in an Amount Not to Exceed $55,000, and Approve Associated Budget Adjustments for the Use of the Funding; Jennifer Hannula, Police Lieutenant.
Jennifer Hannula Police Lieutenant informed those in attendance of the Award received from the State of California Office of Traffic Safety.
Councilmembers asked questions and made comments.
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
8. Consider Approval of Task Order 2A, an Amendment of Task Order 2, for Dewberry Engineers Inc. (Dewberry) to Perform the Additional Environmental and Geotechnical Services for the Snell Street Reconstruction and Drainage Improvements Project Needed to Accommodate the Preferred and Approved Realigned Road Alternative, Approved by City Council on February 18, 2025; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
Melissa Eads City Administrator introduced Matt Schmitz from Dewberry Engineering, Matt Schmitz Dewberry Engineering informed those in attendance of Task Order 2A.
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed.
Melissa Eads City Administrator made a recommendation.
Matt Schmitz Dewberry Engineering made additional comments.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Stephen Opie, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
MONTHLY REPORTS
9. Receive the Administrative Services Department Report for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 25/26; 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
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie did not have any committee meetings.
Councilmember Bess Levine is arranging a meeting with Lisa Mayo President & CEO of Visit Tuolumne County to discuss the Visit Tuolumne County Tourism Summit.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill did not have any committee meetings; discussed starting a Fire Wise Community in his neighborhood; Columbia College had their Orchestra Recital, and their first Community Choir Recital.
Councilmember Mark Plummer attended Cable 8 - Access Tuolumne; and the Pickle Ball Court Ribbon Cutting.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom attended the Cal LAFCO Conference; College Concert; the December Concert is the 5th and 6th; and tomorrow is Voting Day, go do your civic duty.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 6:26 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.