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, December 01, 2025
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on December 1, 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 Christopher Gorsky
City Attorney Douglas White
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 01/20/2026
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
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Stephen Opie
Councilmember Mark Plummer
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill possibly running late.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Derek Nunes addressed the Council.
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
1. Threat to Public Services or Facilities (Gov. Code, § 54957): Consultation with: Douglas L. White, City Attorney; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator; and Turu VanderWiel, Chief of Police.
2. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation; Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4): 1 Potential Case; Doug White, City Attorney; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
3. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Gov. Code, § 54956.9); Name of Case: Nunes v. City of Sonora, Tuolumne County Superior Court Case Number CV67840; Doug White, City Attorney; Christina Pritchard, City Attorney.
RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Ann Segerstrom stated direction was given to staff on two issues. On the third issue staff was authorized is issue an abatement warrant.
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
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Mark Plummer led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Stephen Opie
Councilmember Mark Plummer
ABSENT
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 11:19 am.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, 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.
Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor Mike Holland thanked the Council and staff.
PRESENTATIONS
4. Receive an Update from the President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce Katie Dunn; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator.
Katie Dunn President Sonora Chamber of Commerce thanked those who helped and participated in the Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Parade; gave a wrap up of the Christmas Parade; gave an update on Christmas Town Sonora; thanked the 2025 Sponsors; gave an update on the up coming events; the Holiday Community Mixer is co-sponsored with Visit Tuolumne County and is on December 16th; and the surveys have gone out.
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
5. Receive the Ceremonial Swearing-In of the City’s Newly Appointed City Administrator and Fire Chief; Tracy Skelly, City Clerk.
Tracy Skelly City Clerk officiated the Ceremonial Swearing-In of Chris Gorsky City Administrator and Brittan Gregory Fire Chief.
Chris Gorsky City Administrator thanked the Council.
Interim Fire Chief Gary Carlson welcomed the Gregory Family to assist with the tradition of the pinning of the Fire Chief Badge.
Brittan Greggory Fire Chief introduced his family and thanked the Council.
Tracy Skelly City Clerk read a brief statement expressing the City's sincere gratitude to Gary Carlson.
Gary Carlson Interim Fire Chief thanked the Council for the opportunity.
Council thanked Gary Carlson for all his hard work.
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 Approval of the Meeting Minutes from November 3, 2025; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
7. Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 12-01-2025-A Approving the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Sonora Employees’ Association (SEA) for FY2025-2030 and Authorize the Mayor to Sign the Agreement; Tracy Skelly, Administrative Services Officer/City Clerk; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator.
8. Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 12-01-2025-B and Accept the VFC (Volunteer Fire Capacity) Grant 2025 Award 7FG25024 and Authorize the Fire Chief to Approve and Sign the Contract to Accept the Award; Brittan Gregory, Fire Chief.
9. Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 12-01-2025-C to Declare a Portion of APN 056-570-059 as “Exempt Surplus Land,” Pursuant to the California Surplus Land Act; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director; Josh Varinsky, City Attorney.
Barbara Farkas addressed the Council on Item 9.
Sharon Marovich Tuolumne Heritage Committee shared concerns on Item 9.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director addressed the Council on Item 9.
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
Josh Varinsky City Attorney made additional comments on Item 9.
Council asked questions and made comments.
Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer, Seconded by Councilmember Stephen Opie. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer.
NEW BUSINESS
10. Receive an Update on the Proposition 218 Solid Waste Rate Study and Consider Approval for Release of the Proposition 218 Notice of Hearing; Carlye Buchholz, City Engineer.
Carlye Buchholz City Engineer gave a brief review and an update on Proposition 218 Solid Waste Rate Study; and introduced Ray Holms with Bartle Wells Associates.
Ray Holms Bartle Wells Associates reviewed the Study Objectives; Solid Waste Rates; Franchise Fee Study, Summary of City's Costs; and Next Steps.
Carlye Buchholz City Engineer discussed Proposition 218 Notice of Hearing; Franchise Agreement; bills and rates.
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed.
Casey Vacarrezza Director of Operations Cal-Waste addressed the Council.
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed.
Chris Gorsky City Administrator added additional comments.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer, Seconded by Councilmember Stephen Opie. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie had nothing to report.
Councilmember Bess Levine attended the Lighting Ceremony, Christmas Parade; and Visit Tuolumne County Board meeting.
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 attended the TCTC (Tuolumne County Transportation Council) meeting; and the Ad Hoc meeting with the County and City.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom attended the Central Sierra Economic Development District Board meeting; Lighting Ceremony; and Parade.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 6:09 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.