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, January 05, 2026
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on January 5, 2026, 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 Chris Gorsky
City Attorney Douglas White
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 02/02/2026
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
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:
Chris Gorsky, City Administrator; 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
Mayor Ann Segerstrom stated direction was given to staff.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Stephen Opie 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, January 2, 2026, at 9:41am.
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.
Barbara Dressler addressed the Council.
PRESENTATIONS
2. Receive the Ceremonial Swearing-In and Reading of the Oath for the City’s Newly Appointed Fire Captain Eric Schlarb; Brittan Gregory, Fire Chief.
Brittan Gregory Fire Chief read a statement and welcomed Whitney Schlarb to assist with the tradition of pinning the Fire Captain Badge.
Brittan Gregory Fire Chief officiated the Ceremonial Swearing-In of Eric Schlarb Fire Captain.
Eric Schlarb Fire Captain addressed the Council.
Councilmembers congratulated the new Fire Captain.
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
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.
3. Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 01-05-2026-A Accepting Unanticipated Revenue of $2,100 from the 2025 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Award 7FG25711, Appropriating the Funds for Eligible Expenditures, Approving a 50% Local Match of $2,100 from Fund 730, and Authorizing the Fire Chief to Approve All Required Documents to Accept the Grant; Brittan Gregory, Fire Chief.
4. Consider Adoption of Resolution 01-05-2026-B, Updating the Job Descriptions for the Police Corporal and Administrative Services Officer; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator.
5. Consider Approval of the City of Sonora’s Traffic Impact Mitigation Fund Report as presented for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator, Carlye Buchholz, City Engineer.
No public comment.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Second by Councilmember Mark Plummer. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
NEW BUSINESS
6. Receive an Update on Current and Future Parking Lot Projects in the City of Sonora; Carlye Buchholz, City Engineer.
Carlye Buchholz City Engineer presented an update on the Upcoming Parking Lot and Sidewalk Repair Projects.
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed.
7. Consider Approval of Task Order No. 26-07 for Dewberry Engineers Inc. (Dewberry) to Prepare a 2027 Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 8 Grant Application for the Development of the Sonora Moves – Downtown Plaza and Regional Connectivity Project; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator, Carlye Buchholz, City Engineer.
Carlye Buchholz City Engineer discussed Task Order No. 26-07 to prepare a 2027 Active Transportation Program (ATP), Cycle 8 Grant Application for the development of Sonora Moves - Downtown Plaza and Regional Connectivity Project.
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
8. Consider Approval of Task Order No. 26-08 for Dewberry Engineers Inc. (Dewberry) to Provide Engineering Services for the Lyons Parking Lot Improvements; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator, Carlye Buchholz, City Engineer.
Carlye Buchholz City Engineer discussed Task Order No. 26-08, the Lyons Parking Lot Improvements.
Sharon Maravich Tuolumne County Heritage Committee addressed the Council on Items #6, #7, and #8.
A member of the public made additional comments.
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed with Carlye Buchholz.
No action required was required for Item #6.
The vote for Item #7 and #8 is as follows:
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
The vote to move forward with the Church Street and Stewart Street parking lot is as follows:
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
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie had no meetings to report on.
Councilmember Bess Levine attended the Holiday Community Mixer.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill had no meetings to report on.
Councilmember Mark Plummer attended the Tuolumne County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC).
Mayor Ann Segerstrom attended the Holiday Community Mixer; thanked the staff for the Employee Appreciation Evening; sang at Pop Hudson; and read a card from Meilssa Eads.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 5:52 pm.
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
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.