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, March 02, 2026
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on March 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
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 03/16/2026
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
Mayor Ann Segerstrom informed those in attendance Girl Scout Cookies were available.
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code, 54956.9(d): (1 case); 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 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, February 27, 2026, at 9:27 am.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
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
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.
Stephanie Reichle with the League of Women Voters informed those in attendance of the Living with Fire Workshop.
A member of the public addressed the Council.
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.
2. Consider Approval of the Meeting Minutes from February 2, 2026, and February 17, 20206; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
No public comment.
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
Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer, Seconded by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. Waive First Reading by Title only, and Introduce Ordinance No. 908, Rezoning Assessor Parcel Number (APN:
044-430-055) to the Regional Housing Needs Overlay Zone and add Chapter 17.21 Entitled Regional Housing Needs Overlay (RHNO) Zone to Title 17 of the City of Sonora Municipal Code; and Consider Re-Approving Program 3.1 of the Adopted 2024-2029 City of Sonora Housing Element, Including Adoption of an Initial Study/Negative Declaration as the Appropriate Level of Environmental Review in Accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and Guidelines; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director discussed Ordinance 908 and re-approving Program
3.1 of the adopted 2024-2025 City of Sonora Housing Element.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill made a comment.
Mike Lemke addressed the Council.
Councilmember Mark Plummer made additional 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
4. Conduct a Public Hearing to Receive Public Comment Regarding Possible Application for State of California Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); and
Consider Adopting Resolution 03-02-2026-A Supporting a City Application to the Community Development Block Grant Program in the Amount of $995,000 to Rehabilitate the Structure at 290 S. Stewart Street; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director discussed conducting the Public Hearing and the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) for the structure at 290 S. Stewart Street.
Councilmembers made comments and asked questions.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom opened the Public Hearing for public 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
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill and Tyler Summersett Community Development Director discussed how the CDBG funds were determined for the project.
Councilmembers continued to discuss.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director suggested a slight revision to the Resolution, Councilmembers agreed.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom closed the Public Hearing.
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
NEW BUSINESS
5. Accept the Fiscal Year 25/26 Mid-Year Budget Update and Approve the Recommended Budget Adjustments; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator
Chris Gorsky City Administrator presented the Fiscal Year 25/26 Mid-Year Budget update.
Councilmembers discussed the Mid-Year Budget with Chris Gorsky City Administrator.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom made final comments.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer, Seconded by Councilmember Stephen Opie. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
6. Consider Acceptance of $59,107 in Grant Funding from the Sonora Area Foundation to Complete Playground Re-Surfacing at Woods Creek Park; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director presented the Grant Funding Award from the Sonora Area Foundation which will be used to re-surface the playground at Woods Creek Park.
Councilmembers made comments and thanked the Sonora Area Foundation.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Bess Levine, Seconded by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill. 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
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie had nothing to report.
Councilmember Bess Levine attended Visit Tuolumne County Marketing meeting; and Blue Zones lunch.
Councilmember Mark Plummer attended Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC); met with a County Representative to discuss tax share; and attended the Blue Zones lunch.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill attended the Polar Bear Plunge.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom took the LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission) 101 course; and attended the Blue Zones lunch.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 6:17 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.