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, August 03, 2026
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on August 3, 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 at Sonora City
Council Meeting on August
17, 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
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, July 31, 2026, at 10:02 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.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, and Councilmember Mark Plummer all made comments regarding the Dove Fire.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Receive an Update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor Mike Holland; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator.
District 1 Supervisor Mike Holland was not in attendance.
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
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 July 20, 2026; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
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
3. Consider Adoption of Resolution 08-03-2026-A Ratifying the Director of Emergency Services' July 27, 2026, Proclamation of Local Emergency due to the Dove Fire and Authorize the Continuation of all Appropriate Emergency Response and Recovery Activities; Chris Gorsky, City Administrator.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill asked to pull Item #3 for further discussion.
Chris Gorsky City Administrator discussed Resolution 08-03-206-A ratifying the Director of Emergency Services' July 27, 2026 Proclamation of Local Emergency due to the Dove Fire.
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Stephen Opie. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
NEW BUSINESS
4. Consider Approval to Advertise and Solicit Bids for the FY 25/26 Parking Lot Improvement Project; and Consider Approval of a Contract Amendment to Dewberry’s Task Order 26-08 to Complete Final Design, Including the Addition of Bradford Street and the Associated Improvements to the Scope of Work; Carlye Buchholz, City Engineer.
Carlye Buchholz City Engineer presented the FY 25/26 parking lot improvement project including, the Church/Stewart Street parking lot; and the Lyons/Stewart Street parking lot.
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed.
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
Sharon Marovich Tuolumne Heritage Committee addressed the Council.
Councilmembers made additional comments.
Motion made by Councilmember Stephen Opie, Seconded by Councilmember Mark Plummer. Voting Yea: Mayor Ann Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, Councilmember Bess Levine, Councilmember Stephen Opie, Councilmember Mark Plummer
5. Consider Selecting a Locally Preferred Project Alternative for the Tuolumne Heritage Trail (Gold Rush Path) Project; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
Mike Pugh City Engineer gave an update on the Tuolumne Heritage Trail (Gold Rush Path), and introduced Derek Kirkland with Wood Rodgers Inc.
Derek Kirkland Wood Rodgers Inc. presented the Tuolumne Heritage Trail Phase 1 including the background; project timelines; and State Route 49 segment.
Tim Chamberlain Wood Rodgers Inc. presented project approval/environmental document; draft initial study - public review; and City Council action.
Councilmembers made comments.
Jerry Fuccillo addressed the Council.
Sharon Marovich Tuolumne Heritage Committee addressed the Council.
Councilmembers asked questions and discussed with Derek Kirkland and Tim Chamberlain.
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
QUARTERLY REPORTS
6. Receive the City of Sonora Police Department Quarterly Report for April through June 2026.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Mark Plummer had nothing to report.
Vice Mayor Andy Merrill thanked the Fire Chief and Police Chief.
Fire Chief Brittan Gregory gave an updated on the Dove Fire.
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
Councilmember Bess Levine had nothing to report.
Councilmember Stephen Opie had nothing to report.
Mayor Ann Segerstrom met with a representative from PG&E; attended the Sonora Police Department's BBQ; Friday is the last day to register to run for City Council; and attended the Christmas Town meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 6:40 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.