SUSANVILLE CITY COUNCIL
Regular Council Meeting Minutes
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2023 – 4:30 PM
Mayor McCourt called the meeting to order at 4:30pm.
Roll Call of Councilmembers Present: McCourt, Stafford, Herrera, Schuster, Brown
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Moved by Herrera; seconded by Brown to approve.
Motion Carried: 5 - 0
Voting For: McCourt, Stafford, Herrera, Schuster, Brown Voting Against: None
2. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING CLOSED SESSION ITEMS (if any): No comment.
3. CLOSED SESSION: The City Council convened in closed session at 4:31pm to discuss the following:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATIORS – pursuant to Government Code §54957.6:
1. Admin Unit
2. Fire Unit
3. Miscellaneous Unit
4. Professional Technical Unit
5. Public Works Unit
4. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION: The City Council reconvened in open session at 5:00pm.
Mayor McCourt requested that Jim McCarthy, public, start the Pledge of Allegiance and requested James Moore, Fire Chief, to provide the Invocation.
Dan Newton, City Administrator, stated that the City Council met in closed session to discuss the above listed items. No reportable action was taken; however, direction was provided to staff.
5. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR: Keenan Graham, public, addressed the council regarding an event that occurred on January 23, 2023, and stated that he was a victim. He expressed his dissatisfation with how a situation was handled and stated that he did apologize that day for some of his language and wanted to apologize again on the record.
Mayor McCourt thanked him for sharing and reminded everyone that there is a five-minute limit.
Maria Fregulia, public, stated that, after comments heard since the last meeting, residents attend council meetings to listen to the business at hand, as well as voicing concerns on issues they have deemed important. In addition to the length of the meetings, there were other concerns as residents do not attend meetings to be lectured by some councilmembers and that every item does not have to be rehashed by the Mayor. She stated that residents can ask questions if they have them and asked that some councilmembers save their soliloquies for when they run for office as they waste too much time during the meeting.
Jim McCarthy, public, stated his disappointment with the snow being pushed along the new bulbouts and requested that the city, county and CalTrans work together clear everything out during some of the few sunny days to avoid the glaciers in the middle of the street.
Kristin McDaniel and Trysta Spangle, Lassen Family Services, stated that February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and they are supporting survivors and promoting healthy relationships.
On February 8th, they encouraged everyone to wear orange to support teen dating violence awareness. They added that there will be a training held on February 17, 2023, regarding the intersection of human trafficking and race if anyone has interested in attending.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR:
6.A Minutes of the City Council's January 18, 2023 regular meeting. 230118.cc.min.draft.pdf
Motion to waive the reading of and approval of the City Council's January 18, 2023, regular meeting.
Moved by Stafford; seconded by Herrera to approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: McCourt, Stafford, Herrera, Schuster, Brown Voting Against: None
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: No business.
8. COUNCIL DISCUSSION/ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor McCourt offered the Land Acknowledgment Statement as well as the city's Mission Statement.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
9.A Community Garden Report
Mr. Newton introduced the item and LARP, the Local Area Revitalization Project CO-OP, as they operate and maintain the Susanville Community Garden.
MIchael Blaschak, LARP CFO, provided an explanation of what LARP does in the community and how they help with economic development in the community. He stated that the Susanville Community Garden is the base of the project. He added that the Farmer's Market and the Educational Farm in Janesville are also included. He reviewed the interest in plots, the waitlist, the number of seeds, volunteer hours and low-cost organic vegetable starts for those who need them.
He continued by introducing additional members who keep the process moving forward and how they work hard to keep sponsorships and partnerships to keep costs as close to nothing as possible, especially for those who are lower income. He provided a list of previous workshops that occured in 2022 as well as those planned for 2023.
He also stated that there is a small list of items that would be useful including a vegetable wash station; building improvements such as propane tank removal, bathroom plumbing and electrical upgrades; irrigation upgrade to increase growing space for additional garden members; park improvements such as tables, benches; and possible consideration to recognize the property as a city park. He added that the gardeners and managers greatly appreciate the city for funding the tool shed.
He concluded his presentation by stating that they are not only asking for a continued city donation as there are other grant opportunities that they are pursuing and thanked the Council for their time.
Andrea Stuemky, Thompson Peak Educational Farm Manager, also provided information on a potential project on the Sierra Road property.
Councilmember Schuster had a few questions regarding a few items listed in the contract that were required. She requested, specifically, if they were recieving funds from anywhere other than grants. Mr. Blakschak stated that they did request a $25.00 plot reservation fee but, most of those reservations’ fees were reimbursed to those individuals.
Councilmember Brown requested information on what the application process looked like to which Mr. Blaschak provided a response.
Mayor pro tem Herrera thanked LARP for their efforts.
Carol Clark, public, stated that LARP had previously stated that they were a non-profit and they are not based on the information that she found related to their number, 46543530, as they are listed with other for-profit businesses. She voiced her concerns with the finanical profit that LARP may be making while using the city's land to do it and requested to see a complete financial disclosure of any benefits their officers or members are receiving and stated that she would want to see it, even if they were a non-profit, as often those officers are well compensated.
Leann Vanderley, public, mentioned that LARP is not accepting new members, she heard about the $150,000 grant, but not the $400,000 grant mentioned and inquired as to what that money would be needed for. She also inquired about the potential conflict of interest if the mayor is advertising for LARP in his store. She requested a call from LARP to explain the financial items.
Seth Anderson, Rustic Rancher, responded stating that there was a grant called the CDFA “Farm to School Incubator Grant Program” and $1.2 million is coming to the county for nine producers. He added that if someone were to look it up, they would see the program updates, what they will be doing along with the dates, and all of the funds being received, although all of those funds need to be allocated through a budget. He stated that he is one of the producers who will be receiving some of the grant funding but, LARP was awarded $400,000 of the $1.2 million. He requested people call him if they have questions.
Lance Rich, public, stated that he is all for the community involvement going on tonight and suggested that an area at the airport be considered for a community garden area to increase foot traffic.
9.B Consider Resolution No. 23-6092, a designation of authorized applicant's agents for nonstate agencies to engage with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for the purpose of obtaining federal financial assistance for any existing or future grant programs.
James Moore, Fire Chief, provided an explanation of the item and requested approval of Resolution No. 23-6092.
23-6092.pdf
Motion to approve Resolution No. 23-6092, a designation of authorized applicant's agents for non-state agencies to engage with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for the purpose of obtaining federal financial assistance for any existing or future grant programs.
Moved by Brown; seconded by Herrera to approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: McCourt, Stafford, Herrera, Schuster, Brown Voting Against: None
9.C Discussion regarding the identified need for additional labor during the summer months, including peak fire season, for the Fire Department.
Chief Moore presented the item and requested the hiring of three temporary workers to assist staff during the busiest time of year.
Mr. Newton added that it would be presented with a small budget increase but will be comoing back for final approval.
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 Moore stated that, because they won the engine face off this past year, they are responsible for promoting this year’s face off. He added that he is open for any suggestions as they were supposed to come up to film but, due to the weather, the Fire Department will be filming themselves.
Bob Godman, Public Works Director, provided a brief update on the progress on the shopping cart ordinance issue.
Chandra Jabbs, Finance Manager, stated that staff is deep into the STOB and there will be some items coming before them shortly.
Ryan Cochran, Police Chief, offered a brief update on the current dog situation.
Mr. Newton added that the speed surveys are in the works. He added that there has been progress in some areas where surveys are not required.
14. FUTURE COUNCIL ITEMS:
14.A Future Council Items
Mr. Newton provided an explanation of the item and inquired as to whether or not there were any items that the Council would like to have added to the list. He added that the priority list is now discussed during the second meeting of every month and staff will start incorporating this list into that item as well.
Councilmember Stafford inquired about the animal shelter agreement and the K9 update.
Mr. Newton responded that there was a meeting with the county to discuss the animal shelter and that Pete Heimbigner, Lassen County, will be here for the February 15, 2023, council meeting to discuss.
20230201 Items from the Podium.pdf
15. ADJOURNMENT:
Moved by Schuster; seconded by Stafford to adjourn at 6:44pm.
Motion Carried: 5 - 0
Voting For: McCourt, Stafford, Herrera, Schuster, Brown Voting Against: None
______________________________
Quincy McCourt, Mayor
Respectfully submitted by:
____________________________ Approved of: February 15, 2023 Heidi Whitlock, City Clerk