Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
ICORPORATED 195 Approved by Sonora City Council
June 2, 202€
CITY OF SONORA
City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes Nicole McCutchen, City Clerk
Monday, May 18, 2026
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on May 18, 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
MCORPORAED 1054
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Bess Levine led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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, May 15, 2026, at 10:19 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.
Kate Segerstrom addressed the Council.
Andy Carter Tuolumne County Transportation Council/Tuolumne County Transportation Agency (TCTC/TCTA) addressed the Council and gave an update.
A member of the public addressed the Council.
Brian Raymond representing the Office of Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil addressed the Council and presented a Resolution.
A member of the public addressed the Council.
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
CA
LIFORNI Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community SONORA. that enhances the quality of life for all
ICORPORATED 1051
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.
1. Consider Approval of the Meeting Minutes from May 4, 2026; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
2. Approve a Proclamation Recognizing National Travel and Tourism Week, May 3-9, 2026, and California Tourism Month (May 2026); Ann Segerstrom, City of Sonora Mayor.
3. Consider Acceptance of an Informational Report for April 2026 Accounts Payable Payment Register and Void Report; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator.
4. Consider Acceptance of Disbursements in the Amount of $232,628.60 and $198,523.10 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.
Jen Lopez Marketing Manager for Visit Tuolumne County addressed the Council.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom made a 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
PUBLIC HEARINGS
5. Consider Adoption of Resolution 05-18-2026-B Accepting the Updated Safety Element and Amending the City of Sonora General Plan; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director introduced Kelli Allen Environmental Project Manager with CSG Consultants.
Kelli Allen Environmental Project Manager presented the Updated Safety Element.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director addressed the Council.
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed.
Kelli Allen Environmental Project Manager made additional comments.
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
• CA
LIFORNI Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community ONORA that enhances the quality of life for all
IACORPORATED 1054
A member of the public addressed the Council.
Written comments were received.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director thanked Kelli Allen.
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
6. Waive the First Reading, Read by Title Only, and Introduce Ordinance No. 916 of the Sonora City Council Amending the City of Sonora Municipal Code to Add Chapter 8.50 to Title 8 Regulating Tobacco Product Sales and Consider a Fee Schedule for Tobacco Retailer Licenses; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director presented the Tobacco Product Sales and Fee Schedule for Tobacco Retailer Licenses.
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed.
Katie Johnson Tuolumne County Public Health, Kristina Herrera Tuolumne County Public Health, Dr.
Kimberly Freeman Health Officer and Turu VanderWiel Police Chief discussed the Tobacco Retail License and tobacco products with the Council.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director made additional comments.
Councilmembers gave their thoughts and made suggestions for Ordinance No. 916.
Steve Green Owner Mountain Vapors addressed the Council.
A member of the public addressed the Council.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director made final comments.
Council gave direction to staff to bring the first reading of Ordinance No. 916 back to the next City Council meeting.
QUARTERLY REPORTS
7. Receive the Administrative Services Department Report for the 3rd Quarter of FY25/26; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator.
8. Receive the Community Development Departments Quarterly Report for January, February and March 2026; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
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
MCORPORATED 1054
9. Receive City of Sonora Fire Department Quarterly Report for January, February and March 2026; Brittan Gregory, Fire Chief.
10. Receive the City of Sonora Police Department Quarterly Report for January, February and March 2026.
Councilmember Bess Levine asked for clarification if you could Text 911.
Turu VanderWiel Police Chief confirmed you can Text 911.
11. Receive the Sonora Public Works Department Quarterly Report for January, February, and March 2026; Matt Lewallen, Public Works Supervisor.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Mark Plummer attended Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC); and Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) meetings.
Councilmember Stephen Opie had nothing to report.
Councilmember Bess Levine attended the Mother's Day Parade and Rodeo; and the Farmer's Market.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill attended TCTC; and the Commission on Homelessness meetings.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom attended LAFCO; Cal Cities; Central Sierra Economic Development meetings; held a Meeting in a Box; and attended Cars, Cops and Coffee.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 7:05 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