SUSANVILLE CITY COUNCIL
Regular Council Meeting Minutes
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2023 – 4:30 PM
Mayor McCourt called the meeting to order at 4:31pm.
Roll Call of Councilmembers Present: McCourt, Stafford, Herrera, Schuster, Brown
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Moved by Stafford; seconded by Herrera 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 public comment.
3. CLOSED SESSION:
The Council convened in closed session to discuss the following:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATIORS – pursuant to Government Code §54957.6
1. Public Works Unit
2. Fire Unit
3. Miscellaneous Unit
4. Professional Technical Unit
5. Management Unit
6. SPOA
4. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION: The Council reconvened in open session at 5:00pm. The Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation were provided.
5. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR: Jim McCarthy, public, wanted to be on the record for stating that the property at 63 S. Weatherlow Street is an issue. He stated that there is currently an 8 foot fall hazard.
He added that there is supposed to be a fence around the property which is not in an adequate state.
He understands that it should fall on the property owner however, he also knows that the city can step in. He requested that this item be added to the "To Do List", as he would like to know what is preventing action from being taken.
Mr. Newton stated that the fence is something that needs to be fixed immediately and it will be looked into.
Eric Eldridge, public, provided his support for a supportive housing project by reading something he prepared.
Anne Carlson, public, provided an update on pickleball and her previous request to use ARPA funding to resurface the tennis courts where pickleball can also be played. However, she stated that, because of the original funding source, it can only be used for tennis. She added that she looked at other sites that would be good for pickleball and the area by the dog park was identified. She requested that the Council provide direction for Bob Godman, Public Works Director, to work with the Pickleball Club to assist them with the project.
John Lightfoot, public, requested information on where the city is on the homeless down by the river.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR:
6.A Minutes of the City Council's April 19, 2023 regular meeting. 230419.cc.min.draft.pdf
Motion to waive the reading of and approval of the City Council's April 19, 2023, regular meeting.
Moved by Herrera; seconded by Schuster 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: Councilmember Stafford read a statement regarding the Community Garden. He added that LARP members are warm, welcoming and will teach anyone, but haters will always hate and state their slanderous comments. He thanked Seth and Lindsey Anderson and other LARP members for their work on the garden and requested that the community reach out to them if they have any questions.
Mayor pro tem Herrera thanked everyone who participated in the River Clean Up and specifically C&S Waste.
Mayor McCourt offered the Land Acknowledgment Statement and Mission Statement.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
9.A Discussion regarding Lease and Operations of the Diamond Mountain Golf Course Direction to staff
Mr. Newton provided an explanation of the item and requested direction from the Council.
Councilmember Schuster stated she is not interested in leasing out the golf course and would prefer to make it a better course, to which Councilmember Brown agreed.
Councilmember Stafford stated that either option, leasing or finding a new manager, is okay. He inquired as to how much time staff was working on the course.
Mr. Newton stated that Ms. Arredondo and Mr. Martin do most of the adminstration of the course, but most of the employee costs occur in the Finance Division due to the accounting portion. He also added that the time to try to lease the course would be when it is in the black like it has been the last 3 years.
Mayor pro tem Herrera and Mayor McCourt both offered their thoughts.
Additional dicussion occurred on the topic and direction was provided to staff.
Golf Course Financials Historical Report through 202304.pdf
9.B Consider Resolution No. 23-6126, approving and authorizing the Fire Chief to execute a cooperative Fire Protection Agreement with the US Forest Service, Lassen National Forest.
James Moore, Fire Chief, provided an explanation of the item and requested approval of Resolution No. 23-6126. He added that there was some modification language that was missed that should be added.
Chief Moore presented the item for consideration and requested a line be added to the resolution regarding subsequent years.
23-6126.pdf
23-FI-11050600-003_Susanville Local Cooperative Fire Protection_GA Signed.pdf Motion to approve Resolution No. 23-6126, approving and authorizing the Fire Chief to execute a cooperative Fire Protection Agreement with the US Forest Service, Lassen National Forest.
Moved by Schuster; seconded by Herrera to approve Resolution No. 23-6126 with the modifications requested.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: McCourt, Stafford, Herrera, Schuster, Brown Voting Against: None
9.C Consider Resolution No. 23-6128, authorizing the Finance Manager to increase the Airport budget $6,100.00 for the purchase of new windsock tower and assembly at the Susanville Municipal Airport.
Mr. Godman provided an explanation of the item and requested the approval of Resolution No. 23- 6128.
Crystal Reports - Sales Order Printing.pdf
23-6128.pdf
Motion to approve Resolution No. 23-6128, authorizing the Finance Manager to increase the Airport budget $6,100.00 for the purchase of a new windsock tower and assembly at the Susanville Municipal Airport.
Moved by Herrera; seconded by Schuster to approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: McCourt, Stafford, Herrera, Schuster, Brown Voting Against: None
9.D Consider Resolution No. 23-6129, approving the Susanville Experimental Aircraft Association using the Susanville Municipal Airport for their 2023 Airfair scheduled for June 3, 2023, and authorizing the Finance Manager to increase the Airport 7201 budget by $500.00 to pay for half of the liability insurance for the event.
Mr. Godman provided an explanation of the item and requested approval of Resolution No. 23-6129.
2023 Airfair ask letter.docx
23-6129.pdf
Motion to approve Resolution No. 23-6129, approving the Susanville Experimental Aircraft Association using the Susanville Municipal Airport for their 2023 Airfair scheduled for June 3, 2023, authorizing the Finance Manager to increase the Airport 7201 budget by $500.00 to pay for half of the liability insurance for the event.
Moved by Herrera; seconded by Stafford to approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: McCourt, Stafford, Herrera, Schuster, Brown Voting Against: None
9.E Consider Resolution No. 23-6130, authorizing the City Administrator to sign a contract with Crazy J's Concrete Inc. to perform the installation of new curb and gutter along South Lassen Street using street mitigation funds
Mr. Godman provided an explanation of the item and requested Council approval of Resolution No. 23- 6130.
Resolution No. 23-6130.docx
Motion to approve Resolution No. 23-6130, authorizing the City Administrator to sign a contract with Crazy J's Concrete Inc. to perform the installation of new curb and gutter along South Lassen Street using street mitigation funds.
Moved by Brown; seconded by Herrera to approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: McCourt, Stafford, Herrera, Schuster, Brown Voting Against: None
9.F Discussion regarding proclamation recognizing KSUE/JDX 75th anniversary.
Mr. Newton provided an explanation of the item and requested discussion and direction.
Councilmember Brown and Schuster are in favor of it.
Councilmember Stafford stated that if we offer a proclamation for one business we should do them for all businesses.
Councilmember Schuster stated that 75 years is a huge achievement if that is the cutoff.
Councilmember Brown suggested maybe 50 years then again at 75 years.
Mayor McCourt mentioned that staff was already provided direction regarding proclamations and requested that it be brought forward again. He added that perhaps a proclamation should be drafted that honors all the long-standing businesses in the community.
Councilmember Schuster again requested that KSUE/JDX be recognized for their 75 years of service.
She stated that she is for all other options suggested, but she would like this one to move forward.
Councilmember Stafford stated that both should be done.
Mayor pro tem Herrera suggested backtracking to also include Margie’s Book Nook, etc...
Mr. Newton to bring forward a proclamation at the next meeting for KSUE/JDX and also the procedure for proclamations as previously brought forward.
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
Mr. Godman provided an update on the river trail clean up and offered thanks to everyone who donated water, their time, waste bins, etc...
Jolene Arredondo, Assistant to the City Administrator, provided an update on the golf course and the spring show.
Mr. Newton provided an update on the homeless encampments. He added the river is still on the higher side which is preventing some of the camps. He added that the vegetation is being cleared to better see those camps.
Mr. Newton also stated that there have been discussions with the county regarding the supportive housing project but nothing to report at this time.
Chief Cochran provided an update on the volunteer program and having people report items on SeeClickFix.
Mr. Godman also provided an update on well 3 and stated that the issue ended up being less than they thought as there was a one-foot section that was plugged. He added that they will be coming back to continue work.
Chief Moore offered that after 36 years, he has made the difficult decision to retire as of August 11, 2023.
13.B Information regarding Weed and Rubbish Deadline None.
Chief Moore offered information on the weed and rubbish deadline.
14. FUTURE COUNCIL ITEMS:
Councilmember Schuster mentioned pickleball and requested a discussion item be brought forward.
Councilmember Stafford is not in support of it due to current staff workload.
Mayor McCourt suggested it go on the city priorities list to give staff an opportunity to discuss at the next meeting.
15. ADJOURNMENT:
Moved by Schuster; seconded by Herrera to Adjourn at 6:34pm.
Motion Carried: 5 - 0
Voting For: None
Voting Against: None
____________________________
Quincy McCourt, Mayor
Respectfully submitted by:
_______________________________ Approved on: June 7, 2023 Heidi Whitlock, City Clerk