Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
MCORPORATED INDI Approved by Sonora City
Council May 4, 2026
CITY OF SONORA
мнен
City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes Nicole McCutchen,
Monday, April 20, 202 City Clerk
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on April 20, 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
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
IACORPORATED 1851
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 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.
2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Liability Claim - Pursuant to Gov. Code, § 54956.95: One (1) Potential Case, Claimant: Andrews; Agency Claimed Against: City of Sonora; Chris Gorsky, 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 Bess Levine led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
ICORPORATED 195
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, April 17, 2026, at 9:34 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.
Katie Dunn Executive Director of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce thanked the Public Works Team for their work at the Opera Hall; and the next Mixer is Tuesday, April 21st at the Bank of Stockton.
A member of the League of Women Voters addressed the Council.
Andy Carter Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCT) and Tuolumne County Transit Agency (TCTA) gave an update to the Council.
Kathryn Baker addressed the Council.
PRESENTATIONS
3. Recognize and Thank Administrative Services Officer Tracy Skelly for her Dedicated Service to the City of Sonora and Extend Best Wishes Upon her Retirement; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator.
Chris Gorsky City Administrator recognized and thanked Tracy Skelly for her service; and presented her with a Certificate of Recognition.
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
ONORA Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community RNI that enhances the quality of life for all
ICORPORATED 185%
Tracy Skelly Administrative Services Officer addressed the Council.
Councilmembers expressed warm remarks.
4. Receive an Update from the President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce Katie Dunn; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator.
Katie Dunn Executive Director of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce presented the results of the 2025 Sonora Chamber of Commerce Event Survey; and reviving the historic tradition of the All-American Soap Box Derby, April 24, 2027.
Katie Dunn Executive Director of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce introduced Brad Smith and Shawn Vessels with Northern California Soap Box Derby.
Brad Smith discussed with the Council the Tuolumne City Soap Box Derby from 2010-2017.
Councilmember Stephen Opie excused himself from the remainder of the meeting.
Katie Dunn Executive Director of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce continued with the presentation.
Katie Dunn Executive Director of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce invited Shawn Vessels to the lectern.
Shawn Vessels discussed the proposed race route with the Council.
Brad Smith added additional information.
Katie Dunn Executive Director of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce continued with the presentation and discussed with the Council.
Brad Smith and the Councilmembers continued to discuss.
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 March 30, 2026 (Special) and April 6, 2026; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
6. Approve a Proclamation Recognizing April 19-25, 2026, as California Cities Week in the City of Sonora; Ann Segerstrom, Mayor.
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
NORA Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community 7 that enhances the quality of life for all
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MCORPORATED 195
7. Consider Acceptance of an Informational Report for March 2026 Accounts Payable Payment Register and Void Report; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator
8. Consider Acceptance of Disbursements in the Amount of $206,476.62 and $233,161.04 for Payroll, Including Employee Salaries, Employer and Employee Taxes, Retirement Contributions, Miscellaneous Voluntary Employee Deductions, Holiday Pay, and Other Adjustments, Including Retro-Pay; Nicole McCutchen, Administrative Services Officer.
No public comment.
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 Mark Plummer
Councilmember Stephen Opie was absent.
NEW BUSINESS
9. Consider Approval for the Bid in the Amount of $99,110.00 from Cornerstone Construction to Paint and Complete General Maintenance of the City of Sonora Fire Station and Authorize the City Administrator to Execute the Agreement; Brittan Gregory, Fire Chief.
Brittan Gregory Fire Chief presented the bid to paint and complete general maintenance to the fire house.
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed.
No public comment.
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 Mark Plummer
Councilmember Stephen Opie was absent.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie was absent.
Councilmember Bess Levine attended the Visit Tuolumne County Marketing meeting.
Councilmember Mark Plummer attended Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC).
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community ORNI that enhances the quality of life for all
ICORPORATED 105)
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill shared personal news; and the Columbia Orchestra and Choir are performing Friday at 7:00 pm and Saturday at 2:00 pm.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom attended TCTC; Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO); was interviewed by mymotherlode.com; attended the Modesto State of the City; and volunteered at the Old Mill Run.
Councilmember Bess Levine made additional comments on the early years of Soap Box Derby.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 6:25 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.
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation