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SUSANVILLE CITY COUNCIL
Regular Council Meeting Minutes
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 – 4:30 PM
Mayor Schuster called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m.
Roll Call of Councilmembers Present: Thomas Herrera, Quincy McCourt, Kevin Stafford, Brian Moore, Mendy Schuster
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Mr. Newton stated that Chief Moore and Chief Cochran would each like to add a presentation of a promoted employee.
Moved by Thomas Herrera; seconded by Kevin Stafford to Approve with the addition of the presentations.
Motion Carried: 5 - 0
Voting For: Thomas Herrera, Quincy McCourt, Kevin Stafford, Brian Moore, Mendy Schuster
Voting Against: None
2. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING CLOSED SESSION ITEMS (if any): No public comment.
3. CLOSED SESSION:
The city council convened in closed session at 4:33 p.m. to discuss the following:
A. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT - pursuant to Government Code §54957
1. City Administrator - Evaluation
B. LABOR NEGOTIATIONS - pursuant to Government Code §54957.6 Agency Negotiator: Dan Newton, City Administrator - Management Bargaining Unit C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - existing litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1): Case number 63745, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Kathleen Allison, Gavin Newsom Vs. city of Susanville.
4. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION:
The City Council reconvened in open session at 5:01p.m.
Mayor Schuster led with the pledge of allegiance and the Invocation.
Mr. Newton stated that the Council met in closed session and no reportable action was taken and direction was provided to staff.
Chief Moore presented Dale Johnson as he has been promoted to the position of Engineer.
Chief Cochran presented Kevin Singletary as he has been promoted to the position of Sergeant.
5. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR:
Rikki, Lassen Family Services, stated that February is Parent Leadership Month and that on April 2, 2022, there will be an event to spread awareness of Child Abuse.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR:
6.A Minutes of the City Council's February 2, 2022 regular and special meetings. 735
Motion to waive oral reading and approve minutes of City Council’s February 2, 2022, regular and special meetings.
220202.spec.cc.min.pdf
220202.cc.min.pdf
Moved by Thomas Herrera; seconded by Brian Moore to Approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: Thomas Herrera, Quincy McCourt, Kevin Stafford, Brian Moore, Mendy Schuster
Voting Against: None
6.B Approved Position List
Motion to approve the approved position list to update the pay ranges for positions that currently start below the new minimum wage of $15.00/hour.
Part-time Salary Matrix.pdf
220216 Approved Position List update wage requirements.pdf Moved by Thomas Herrera; seconded by Brian Moore to Approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: Thomas Herrera, Quincy McCourt, Kevin Stafford, Brian Moore, Mendy Schuster
Voting Against: None
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: No business.
8. COUNCIL DISCUSSION/ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Councilmember Herrera offered congratulations to the two employees who were promoted, stated that he would like to see the Council support the Child Abuse event on April 2, 2022, and offered the Land Acknowledgment statement.
Councilmember McCourt also expressed his concern with the 600 children reported as abused in 2020.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
9.A Vendor and payroll warrants.
20220207140830.pdf
Motion to receive and file.
Moved by Thomas Herrera; seconded by Quincy McCourt to Approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: Thomas Herrera, Quincy McCourt, Kevin Stafford, Brian Moore, Mendy Schuster
Voting Against: None
9.B Consider Resolution No. 22-5969, ordering the submission of an ordinance proposing the imposition of a transactions and use tax (a General Tax) at the rate of one percent (1.0%) to the qualified voters of the city of Susanville at the general municipal election to be held on June 7, 2022, and consider Resolution No. 22-5970, authorizing the submission to the voters of an advisory question regarding the use of sales and use tax if approved by voters as the general municipal election to be held on June 7, 2022. 736
Mr. Newton provided an explanation of the resolutions being presented regarding the tax measure and the associated advisory measure. He stated that the language was presented at the February 2, 2022, meeting. He continued by reading the language of the advisory measure and the ballot measure. He added that the Ordinance related to the item is also included and the language has already been reviewed and approved by the Board of Tax and Fees. The election occurs on June 7, 2022, and would require a 4/5's vote.
Councilmember Herrera offered that the community may not realize that, out of the taxes already collected, the city only gets 1% of that as the state receives 99%. He also stated that the city should be held accountable for those additional funds, for instance, that funds go where it is stated they will go.
Councilmember Stafford stated that the expenditure reduction plan needs to come back for consideration.
Nancy McCallister, public, stated that this is the first place that she has lived that does not have an extra tax. She is for it as it does not appear that it will have much of an impact on the community members.
Curtis Bortle, public, stated that the city needs to get the trust of the community. He added that the tax should have a sunset date to promote a timeframe where the public can gauge whether or not the city is doing what it said it would do and, if not, the tax would end. He added that the Fire and Police Departments take 80% of the budget and if it will be going towards public safety, it should go to those departments.
Gary Bridges, public, stated that he does not believe in taxes unless it is necessary, and he believed that it is now necessary. He added that the employees of Susanville are doing everything they can, for instance, the Fire Department's ISO rating of a 2, to help the community. He added that this tax will also be passed to those traveling through Susanville, not just the citizens.
Member of the public, inquired as to how the Community Oversight Committee will be put together and stated that the information being provided prior to it going on the ballot would be beneficial.
Mr. Newton stated that the Oversight Committee is referenced in the Ordinance.
David Teeter, public, stated that most of the tax will still be paid by the citizens in our community. He added that he is against the tax as the expenditure reduction plan has not yet been implemented. He added that, if there is a higher tax, it will affect his business as it will require 1% more work to obtain 1% more in taxes.
Ms. McCallister brought up the company that was previously utilized by the city to see where the city's leakage is as well as money spent by those traveling through. She inquired as to how much of the potential $1.75 million projected would be from those traveling through our area.
Councilmember McCourt responded with what he knew about the Buxton company and the data available. He also discussed his idea with the sunset date as mentioned by Mr.
Bortle and suggested that the city include one.
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Mr. Newton asked Ms. Long, City Attorney, to discuss options for a sunset date. She stated there are 3 options for sunsets and provided an explanation of each.
Councilmember Herrera agreed with Councilmember Stafford that the city needs to bring back the expenditure reduction plan. He added that he also wanted to see a quarterly advisory committee meeting to discuss what is being spent. Councilmember McCourt agreed.
22-5969.pdf
22-5970 advisory measure.pdf
Moved by Brian Moore; seconded by Thomas Herrera to approve Resolution No. 22- 5969. Vote polled:
Aye: Moore, Herrera, McCourt, Stafford & Schuster
Noe: None
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Moved by Brian Moore; seconded by Thomas Herrera to approve Resolution No. 22- 5970 with the requested modifications including changes to the “P” to a “Q” and the termination date section needs to be changed to 17 in the ordinance.
Vote polled:
Aye: Moore, Herrera, McCourt, Stafford & Schuster
Noe: None
Motion Carried: 5- 0
9.C Consider Resolution No. 22-5971, authorizing Mayor to execute Agreement between City of Susanville and Lassen Irrigation Company for Implementation of the Johnstonville Dam Project.
Mr. Newton provided an explanation of the agreement between the Lassen Irrigation Company (LIC) and the city for the Johnstonville Dam Project as well as explanation of the Integrated Regional Water Management Group.
220211 LIC-CITY Agreement IRWM Prop 1.docx
22-5971.pdf
Motion to approve Resolution No. 22-5971, authorizing Mayor to execute Agreement between City of Susanville and Lassen Irrigation Company for Implementation of the Johnstonville Dam Project.
Moved by Thomas Herrera; seconded by Kevin Stafford to Approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: Thomas Herrera, Quincy McCourt, Kevin Stafford, Brian Moore, Mendy Schuster
Voting Against: None
9.D Consider ARPA fund utilization
Mr. Newton provided an explanation of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and how those funds can be utilized by the city. He explained the four eligible categories including:
1. To respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency or its negative economic impacts.
2. To respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID emergency
3. Government services – to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to COVID-19 emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year 738
4. To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure He continued that $550,000 was used to balance the city budget this year. He added that COVID expenses would include masks, sanitizer, cleaning supplies, equipment needed to allow people to work from home such as laptops.
Mr. Newton stated that he provided this information to get feedback and direction from the council.
Councilmember Herrera mentioned economic development, specifically listing Main Street and the river trail.
Mayor pro tem Moore suggested, talking about economic development and the $1.5 million set aside for it, and the need to include the business owners, the Chamber of Commerce, etc...
Mayor Schuster mentioned an ADA compliant swing at Memorial Park and assisting Lassen Senior Services (previously known as Meals on Wheels).
Mr. Bortle offered his thoughts on paying off some of the loans the city has in order to have smaller payments going out.
Ms. McCallister inquired as to whether or not the Main Street clean up and Code Enforcement would fall under economic development to which she was told it would.
Councilmember Herrera stated that there are many things currently happening and it takes time.
The council stated that Mr. Newton should continue doing what he is doing and it can be revisited if needed.
DRAFT ARPA PL.pdf
10. SUSANVILLE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: No business.
11. SUSANVILLE MUNICIPAL ENERGY CORPORATION: No business.
12. CONTINUING BUSINESS: No business.
13. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORTS:
13.A Department Reports.
Chief Cochran announced that they posted a monthly stat report on Facebook. He added that they will try to get it out there every month to show what they are working on.
14. FUTURE COUNCIL ITEMS:
14.A Future Council Items
Councilmember Herrera asked that a semi annual or annual report occur if the tax passes on how to utilize those funds. All agreed.
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Councilmember McCourt inquired if staff could partner with the Susanville Indian Rancheria and the County with a joint position to work for the community. Herrera and Stafford agreed.
Gary Bridges, County Supervisor, stated that it has been talked about before and it would need to be equalized.
220216 ITEMS FROM THE PODIUM.pdf
15. ADJOURNMENT:
Moved by Thomas Herrera; seconded by Brian Moore to Approve adjourn at 6:28pm.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: Thomas Herrera, Quincy McCourt, Kevin Stafford, Brian Moore, Mendy Schuster
Voting Against: None
_______________________________
Mendy Schuster, Mayor
Respectfully submitted by: Approved on: March 16, 2022
_____________________________
Heidi Whitlock, City Clerk