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, July 06, 2026
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on July 6, 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___________________________________________________________________ Approved by Sonora
City Council
July 20, 2026
Nicole McCutchen
City Clerk
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
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Stephen Opie
Councilmember Mark Plummer
ABSENT
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
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 Police Officers' Association (SPOA).
2. Conference with Legal Counsel – Liability Claim - Pursuant to Gov. Code, § 54956.95: One (1) Potential Case, Claimant: Medina; 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 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
Councilmember Bess Levine
Councilmember Stephen Opie
Councilmember Mark Plummer
ABSENT
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 12:27 pm.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Bess Levine, Seconded by Councilmember Mark Plummer. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, 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.
Lisa Mayo President/CEO of Visit Tuolumne County introduced Myrka Morales Marketing and Communications Manager.
Kate Segerstrom addressed the Council.
Kat Baker addressed the Council.
Tyler Summersett Community Development Director responded to questions and comments.
PRESENTATIONS
3. Receive an Update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor Mike Holland; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator.
Mike Holland District 1 Supervisor informed the Council he attended the groundbreaking at the new Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) Sierra Pines Water Treatment Facility in Twain Harte; the opening 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
ceremony of the Mother Lode Fair; and discussed Tuolumne County's recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2026/2027.
4. Receive a Presentation from Visit Tuolumne County - Step into Sonora; Jen Lopez, Visit Tuolumne County Marketing Specialist.
Jen Lopez Marketing Specialist Visit Tuolumne County presented the new highlight video Step Into Sonora.
5. Receive Introduction and Swearing in of Police Explorers Joseph Greene and Destiny Bryan; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
Turu VanderWiel Police Chief read a statement on Police Explorers Joseph Green and Destiny Bryan.
Turu VanderWiel Police Chief officiated the Ceremonial Swearing-In of Police Explorers Joseph Green and Destiny Bryan.
The fiances of Joseph Green and Destiny Bryan were invited to come up and assist with the tradition of pinning the Explores Badge.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom congratulated Joseph Green and Destiny Bryan.
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 June 15, 2026; Stacy Enos-Del Razo Deputy City Clerk.
7. Consider Approval for Dewberry Engineers Inc. Team (Dewberry) Scope and Fee to Continue to Provide City Engineer Services for Fiscal Year 2026 / 2027 and Approve Task Order No. 27-1 in the Amount of $350,000; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator
8. Consider Adoption of Resolution 07-06-2026-A, Modifying the City's Recruitment Incentive Plan to Establish Sign-on Bonuses for Experienced Lateral Public Safety Dispatchers; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator.
9. Consider Adoption of Resolution 07-06-2026-B Ordering the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election, Requesting the Tuolumne County Elections Department Conduct the Election on Behalf of the City, and Requesting Consolidation of the City's Election with the November 3, 2026, Statewide General Election; Nicole McCutchen, Administrative Services Officer/City Clerk.
10. Consider Adoption of Resolution 07-06-2026-C Supporting the Tuolumne County Transportation Council's Submission of Local Authority Recommendations for Opportunity Zones 2.0 Designation of Eligible Tuolumne County Census Tracts, Including Downtown Sonora; 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
11. Consider Approval of Resolution 07-06-2026-D Amending the Job Description for the Police Records Technician Position to Remove Dispatcher-Related Qualification Requirements and Operational Responsibilities; Turu Vander Wiel, Police Chief.
12. Consider Approval of Resolution 07-06-2026-E Establishing the Job Description for Police Dispatch Records Shift Supervisor through the Reclassification of an Existing Dispatcher-Records Specialist Classification; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
13. Consider Approval of a Contract Extension with CSG Consultants Inc to Provide Professional Services to the Community Development Department for an Additional Two (2) Years; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom and Chris Gorsky City Administrator discussed the General Municipal Election.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Stephen Opie, Seconded by Councilmemebr Mark Plummer. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
NEW BUSINESS
14. Consider Approval of Resolution 07-06-2026-F Accepting the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program (Prop 64), Cohort 4 Grant Award in the Amount of $999,981; Authorize the City Administrator to Execute the Grant Agreement and all Related Grant Documents; and Amend the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Budget to Recognize Unanticipated Grant Revenue; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
Turu VanderWiel Police Chief introduced Jennifer Hannula Police Lieutenant.
Jennifer Hannual Police Lieutenant presented the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program (Prop 64) Cohort 4 Grant Award.
Councilmembers discussed with Chris Gorsky City Administrator.
No public comment.
Councilmembers made additional comments.
Motion made by Councilmember Mark Plummer, Seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. Voting Yea:
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, 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
15. Consider Authorization for the City Administrator to Execute a Right of Entry Agreement with the Tuolumne Fire Safe Council, Permitting Access to City-owned Property Located at the Intersection of Stockton Road and Highway 108 (APN 056-020-043), for the Purpose of Conducting a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Environmental Review; Brittan Gregory, Fire Chief and Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Brittan Gregory Fire Chief presented the Right of Entry Agreement with the Tuolumne Fire Safe Council permitting access to City-owned property located at the intersection of Stockton Road and Highway 108, for the purpose of conducting a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Environmental Review.
Brittan Gregory Fire Chief introduced Al Alt Executive Director Tuolumne Fire Safe Council to answer any questions from the Council.
Councilmembers asked question and discussed with Al Alt Executive Director Tuolumne Fire Safe Council.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Stephen Opie, Seconded by Councilmember Mark Plummer. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
Councilmembers were redirected to return to Item #14 for public comment and a vote.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Stephen Opie attended the Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) meeting.
Councilmember Bess Levine attended the Visit Tuolumne County meeting.
Councilmember Mark Plummer attended the Columbia Old Fashioned Glorious Fourth of July.
Mayor and Segerstrom attended the Sonora Chamber of Commerce Mixer at Cal-Waste; Cal Cities Division meeting; and shared the Police Departments new shoulder patch.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 5:58 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 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
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.