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, February 02, 2026
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on February 2, 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 Christopher Gorsky
City Attorney Douglas White
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 03/02/2026
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 Legal Counsel—Consideration of Initiation of Litigation (Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4)) (one matter); Douglas White, City Attorney, Chris Gorsky, City Administrator, Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
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 Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 10:49 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.
Nathan Alonzo PG&E Local Government Affairs Representative addressed the Council on rates Caleb Brock Cal Trans Deputy District 10 Director Planning, Local Assistance and Environmental addressed the Council on the upgrades to the crosswalk near the Fairgrounds.
A member of the public addressed the Council on the Tobacco Coalition for Tuolumne County.
PRESENTATIONS
2. Receive an Update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor Mike Holland; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator.
Mike Holland Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor informed those in attendance of two possible new businesses; the County has decided to extended parking for RV's and trailers at Camp Justice for the next 60 days; Ambulance Service is still being worked on; and shared an idea for Christmas Town Sonora.
Councilmembers made 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
3. Recognize the Actions of Lieutenant Jennifer Hannula and Officer Rodolfo Figueroa with a Sonora Police Department Lifesaving Award; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
Turu VanderWiel Police Chief read a statement and recognized Lieutenant Jennifer Hannula with the Department Lifesaving Award. Ashley Brandow assisted in presenting the awards.
Turu VanderWiel Police Chief read a statement and recognized Officer Rodolfo Figueroa with the Department Lifesaving Award. Ashley Brandow assisted in presenting the awards.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom made comments.
4. Receive Introduction and Swearing-in of Police Dispatcher-Records Specialist, Raelene Carter; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
Turu VanderWiel Police Chief read a statement on Dispatcher-Records Specialist Raelene Carter.
Turu VanderWiel Police Chief officiated the Ceremonial Swearing-In of Dispatcher-Records Specialist Raelene Carter.
The Council congratulated and thanked Dispatcher-Records Specialist Raelene Carter.
5. Receive Introduction and Swearing in of Police Corporal Rodolfo Figueroa; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
Turu VanderWiel Police Chief read a statement on Officer Figueroa.
The Figueroa Family was invited to come up and assist with the tradition of pinning the Corporal Badge.
Turu VanderWiel Police Chief officiated the Ceremonial Swearing-In of Corporal Rodolfo Figueroa.
The Council congratulated and thanked Corporal Rodolfo Figueroa.
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 December 15, 2025, and January 5, 2026; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
7. Consider Acceptance of the Administrative Services Department Report for the 2nd Quarter of FY25/26; Chris Gorsky, 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
8. Consider Acceptance of the Quarterly Investment Report for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025/26, for the period ended December 31, 2025; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer, Seconded by Councilmember Levine. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie attended IRWM (Integrated Regional Water Management).
Councilmember Bess Levine had nothing to report.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill had nothing to report.
Councilmember Mark Plummer attended Cable 8-Access Tuolumne; and TCTC (Tuolumne County Transportation Council).
Mayor Ann Segerstrom reminded everyone property taxes are due; prepared a quote for the Blue Zones presentation final event with the help of Tyler; encountered the surveyors at the Lyons and Shepherd parking lot; participated in the Tobacco Pick Up; and reminded those in attendance of the Special Olympics Polar Plunge.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 5:38 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.