SUSANVILLE CITY COUNCIL
Regular Council Meeting Minutes
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2024 – 4:30 PM
Mayor McCourt called the meeting to order at 4:30p.m.
Roll Call of Councilmembers Present: McCourt, Stafford, Herrera, Schuster, Brown
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Dan Newton, City Administrator, requested that the ARPA discussion be moved to immediately after Business from the Floor as well as adding an introduction of the new CSO prior to Business from the Floor.
Moved by Schuster; 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 City Council convened in closed session at 4:32p.m. to discuss the following:
A. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - pursuant to Government Code Section §54956.8
Property: Ramsey Ditch
Agency Negotiator: Dan Newton, City Administrator
Negotiating Party: Kim Dieter
Under Negotiation: Price/Terms
4. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION: The City Council reconvened in open session at 5:00p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation were provided.
Dan Newton, City Administrator, reported that prior to the Council convening in closed session they met in open session and approved the agenda with the change of moving item 12A prior to Business From the Floor. He continued that the council then met in closed to discuss the abovementioned items, that no reportable action was taken, and direction was provided to staff.
Chief Bollinger introduced Rebecca Peconom as our new CSO .
Ms. Peconom provided a brief description of the items she is currently working on including grant opportunities she is looking into.
5. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR:
Members of the public requested the consideration of the following items be paid by ARPA funding: Elks Lodge restoration, Performing Arts Center, Hope Wheels, and a Puncture Vine Eradication Program.
A member of the public also requested that item 9B not be decided on until information can be heard by the Susanville Municipal Airport Commission (SMAC). He requested that the Council consider SMAC input and, if not, to dissolve the Commission.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Moved by Schuster; seconded by Herrera to approve.
Motion Carried: 5 - 0
Voting For: McCourt, Stafford, Herrera, Schuster, Brown Voting Against: None
6.A Minutes of the City Council's February 21, 2024 regular meeting Motion to waive the reading of and approval to receive and file the City Council's February 21, 2024 regular meeting.
240221.cc.min.draft.pdf
6.B Vendor and payroll
warrants Motion to
receive and file 02-15-
24.pdf 02-16-24.pdf 02-
22-24.pdf
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: No business.
8. COUNCIL DISCUSSION/ANNOUNCEMENTS: The City's Mission Statement and the Land Acknowledgement Statement were provided.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
9.A Lassen High School Update
Lassen High School students provided an update on achievements, goals and events the students of Lassen High have accomplished or are set to accomplish.
9.B Consider Resolution No. 24-6280, authorizing the Public Works Director to execute a contract with Trails West Construction for replacement of door seals and lift cables for hangar 9 at the Susanville Municipal Airport and authorize the Finance Director to adjust the Airport 7201 budget as necessary.
Bob Godmen, Public Works Director, provided an explanation of the item and requested Council approval of Resolution No. 24-6280.
24-6280.pdf
Trails West hangar 9 door quote.pdf
Motion to approve Resolution No. 24-6280, authorizing the Public Works Director to execute a contract with Trails West Construction for replacement of door seals and lift cables for hangar 9 at the Susanville Municipal Airport and authorize the Finance Director to adjust the Airport 7201 budget as necessary.
Moved by Schuster; seconded by Herrera to approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: McCourt, Stafford, Herrera, Schuster, Brown Voting Against: None
9.C Consider Resolution No. 24-6281, authorizing the City Administrator to execute an agreement with Tri-County Pumps to remove/repair two turbine pumps at Diamond Mountain Golf Course.
Mr. Newton provided an explanation of the item and requested Council approval of Resolution No. 24-6281.
24-6281.pdf
Motion to approve Resolution No. 24-6281, authorizing the City Administrator to execute an agreement with Tri-County Pumps to remove/repair two turbine pumps at Diamond Mountain Golf Course.
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. 24-6282, adopting credit card transaction fee schedule at the Diamond Mountain Golf Course
Jolene Arredondo, Assistant to the City Administrator, provided an explanation of the item and requested Council approval of Resolution No. 24-6282.
Merchant Fee Analysis.pdf
24-6282.pdf
Attachment A - Fee Schedule.docx
Motion to approve Resolution No. 24-6282, adopting credit card transaction fee schedule at the Diamond Mountain Golf Course
Moved by Herrera; seconded by Brown to approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: McCourt, Stafford, Herrera, Schuster, Brown Voting Against: None
9.E Consider Resolution No.24-6283, Amending the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 City of Susanville Budget
Chandra Jabbs, Finance Director, provided an explanation of the item and requested Council approval of Resolution No. 24-6283.
24-6283.pdf
FY 23.24 Midyear Exhibit A 3.6.24.pdf
STOB Mid-Year Report 23-24.pdf
Midyear Budget Changes 3.6.24.pdf
FY 23.24 Exhibit A Fund Level Budget - ORIGINAL.pdf
Motion to approve Resolution No. 24-6283, Amending the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 City of Susanville Budget
Moved by Schuster; seconded by Herrera to approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: McCourt, Stafford, Herrera, Schuster, Brown Voting Against: None
9.F Discussion regarding auditing services.
Ms. Jabbs provided an explanation of the item and requested discussion and possible direction to staff.
It was the consensus of the Council that Ms. Jabbs move forward as she feels comfortable as they were not against using the same auditing services.
10. SUSANVILLE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: No business.
11. SUSANVILLE MUNICIPAL ENERGY CORPORATION: No business.
12. CONTINUING BUSINESS:
12.A Consider Proposed ARPA Expenditure Plan
Mr. Newton provided an explanation of the item and requested Council discussion and direction. He stated that this is an updated proposal based on feedback received from the previous meeting. The categories now being recommended are the performing arts center, marketing of Susanville, the completion of the general plan update, completing required infrastructure improvements/repairs, and to pay off some city debt.
No less than eight community members, both returning and new, expressed their support for the performing arts center.
No less than five community members, both returning and new, expressed their support for the revitalization of the Elks Lodge.
Carolyn Smith, owner of the Sierra Theatre, expressed her concern that if the theatre is not purchased they will have to close the theatre and it will become like the other closed businesses like the St. Francis and Hotel Mount Lassen.
Kayla Millar, public, shared that her family, being here forever, experienced all the events in Susanville from sports to the arts as it has a unique balance point of activities. She continued that the members of this community work together to make events happen and support for the arts has always been here.
Eileen Richard, public, stated that she is not against the performing arts center; however, she believes that the parents should paying for the arts and facilities, not using ARPA to fund it.
She suggested that ARPA funds be used to assist businesses that will increase the tax base.
Curtis Bortle, business owner, stated that local economy is driven by consumers. Susanville and Lassen County have people who work here but do not live here. He added that it could be because there is not a lot to offer here. He stated that there needs to be more done to get families living here. He stated that the community members are known as hunters and fishers, but if it was only that, why do we have Cowboy poetry night?
Mayor pro tem Herrera responded that he likes staffs’ proposal. However, he feels that Hope Wheels and the Elks Lodge should be considered as well.
Council Member Schuster stated that this is really hard as everything brought forward from the public is important. She stated that her heart is with the Elks Lodge and added that the local museum needs helps as well.
Council Member Stafford believes that the Elk Lodge should be on the list. He added that paying off debt makes a lot of sense, especially with the current economy. He also added that the city infrastructure needs to be considered. He stated that the Sierra Theatre is not a guarantee as there is no guarantee on the Symphony at the 5-year point.
Council Member Brown stated that no matter what is chosen some will be happy and some will not be happy. He stated that he will stand behind the decision and that he trusts staff’s recommendations.
Mayor McCourt stated that he sees the importance of the General Plan. However he also believes the Elks Lodge should be considered.
Council Member Schuster agreed with Council Member Stafford regarding what happens after 5 years if the Sierra Theatre is purchased. She again stated that she trusts staff's recommendations.
Mayor McCourt stated that it appears that the Council supports staff's recommendations with the inclusion of the Elks Lodge as well as there being an emphasis on the agreement between the Symphony for the theatre to ensure it is a protected investment.
Mr. Newton stated that the Elks Lodge was the most difficult thing to leave off of the list and stated that, if it is added, a determination will need to be made regarding what item is taken off of the list.
Mr. Newton requested two things; what would be omitted to add the Elks Lodge to the list and also if the plan should come back at the next meeting.
Although the current council approves the presented plan with the addition of the Lodge and the contract, it was the consensus of the Council to wait to make the final decision until after the new Council is seated.
Proposed ARPA Expenditure Plan.pdf
13. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORTS:
13.A Department Reports
Updates were provided by each department head and the Assistant to the City Administrator as to the current items being worked on.
14. FUTURE COUNCIL ITEMS:
14.A Future Council Items
Council Member Schuster again asked to add an item to a future agenda regarding adding a limit to the amount of time a member of the Council could speak during an item.
Council Member Stafford requested the the remaining funds in his allocated discretionary funds be donated to the Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor McCourt requested that the remaining funds in his allocated discretionary funds be donated to the Skate Park project.
240306 Future Items List.pdf
15. ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn at 9:20pm.
________________________________ _______________________________ Heidi Whitlock, City Clerk Quincy McCourt, Mayor
Approved on: March 20, 2024