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SUSANVILLE CITY COUNCIL
Regular Council Meeting Minutes
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2024 – 5:00 PM
Mayor Schuster called the meeting to order at 5:00pm and stated that there was no closed session.
Roll Call of Councilmembers Present: Mendy Schuster, Russ Brown, Curtis Bortle, Patrick Parrish, Dawn Miller
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Moved by Russ Brown; seconded by Dawn Miller to approve.
Motion Carried: 5 - 0
Voting For: Mendy Schuster, Russ Brown, Curtis Bortle, Patrick Parrish, Dawn Miller Voting Against: None
2. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING CLOSED SESSION ITEMS (if any): No closed session.
3. CLOSED SESSION: No business.
4. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION: The Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation were provided.
Bob Godman, Public Works Director, introduced Michael Prettyman, the city's newly hired Code Enforcement Officer.
5. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR:
Pete Datema, Susanville Aviation, provided a packet to the Council and requested that ARPA funds be used to bring the water utility to the airport as previously discussed and provided the benefits of doing so.
Amber Valenzuela, public, inquired about whether or not there will be a recycling center returning to the Susanville area.
Susan Zahn, public, stated that she is here to speak regarding an LGBTQ+ picnic event that has occurred the last two years and would like to hold the event again, but she would like to know why the city is shutting down the event.
Heather Arter, public, stated her opposition of the city's decision to review proclamations as reading a proclamation hurts no one, it simply provides an opportunity to celebrate those who the proclamations are about.
Chad Lavezzo, public, stated his support of using ARPA funds to bring water to airport.
Jennie Hoffman, CASA, stated that proclamations are important as they provide the community the statistics of what is happening in their community. She added that she was in attendance to state CASA's need for advocates as well as funding as the county program will be cut by 40%.
Thomas Herrera, public, offered congratulations to the new council members and stated his support for the proclamations, specifically the LBGTQ+ proclamation.
Nicole Band, Lassen Behavioral Health, provided a handout to the Council and provided information regarding the upcoming Veteran Stand Down event. 145
David Teeter, on behalf of the Friends of the NRA, stated that there is a Second Amendment event being held on May 18, 2024 and invited everyone to attend.
Jacob Hibbitts, public, stated that he loves this community and his community. He stated that the Pride in the Picnic event will still be occurring on June 28th. He continued by providing information regarding members of the LBGTQ+ community who were victims of hate crimes.
Lynda Alberico, public, stated her opinion regarding proclamations. She stated that they should be all or nothing.
Jason Arana, public, stated that this is Military Awareness month and there was no proclamation for that either. He agreed that it should be all or nothing.
No less than four people shared their support for the Elks Lodge receiving ARPA funding.
Abby Datema, public, wanted to come back to support the performing arts center. She also added her thoughts on proclamations stating they should be all or nothing.
Carol Clark, public, stated her experiences at the Elks Lodge. She also stated that everyone, whether or not there is a proclamation, has the opportunity to speak for five minutes during business from the floor. She added that the city council should be neutral and therefore proclamations should not occur during the meetings as those items can be brought up by the public during that time.
Shelby Teeter, public, is supportive of proclamations as they offer a way for people to be seen.
Quincy McCourt, public, stated that people typically are afraid of things they do not understand and that proclamations do not have to be an issue. He stated that to not acknowledge issues within the community is to be fake.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Moved by Curtis Bortle; seconded by Russ Brown to approve.
Motion Carried: 5 - 0
Voting For: Mendy Schuster, Russ Brown, Curtis Bortle, Patrick Parrish, Dawn Miller Voting Against: None
6.A Minutes of the City Council May 1, 2024 regular meeting.
Motion to waive the reading of and approval to receive and file the City Council's minutes from the May 1, 2024 regular meeting.
240501.cc.agd.min.draft.pdf
6.B Consider Resolution No. 24-6311, approving the Unrepresented Employee List with associated salaries and also approval of the amended Approved Position List.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 24-6311, approving the Unrepresented Employee List with associated salaries and also approval of the amended Approved Position List. 24-6311.pdf
240501 APL.pdf
2024 PT Positions List with Salary Matrix Ranges.pdf
2024 PT Positions with Assoc. Salary Ranges 1.pdf
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7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: No business.
8. COUNCIL DISCUSSION/ANNOUNCEMENTS: No announcements made.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
9.A Consider Resolution No. 24-6315, Approving and authorizing the mayor to execute Addendum #1 to the Agreement for Professional Auditing Services with Van Lant & Fankhanel, LLP Chandra Jabbs, Finance Director, provided an explanation of the item and requested Council approval of Resolution No. 24-6315.
24-6315.pdf
Addendum #1.docx
Motion to approve Resolution No. 24-6315, Approving and authorizing the mayor to execute Addendum #1 to the Agreement for Professional Auditing Services with Van Lant & Fankhanel, LLP.
Moved by Russ Brown; seconded by Curtis Bortle to approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: Mendy Schuster, Russ Brown, Curtis Bortle, Patrick Parrish, Dawn Miller Voting Against: None
9.B Consider Resolution No. 24-6316, authorizing the Public Safety Chief to execute standard agreement with the United Way of Northern California in regard to licenses for the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Rebecca Peconom, CSO (PHLA), provided an explanation of the item and requested Council approval of Resolution No. 24-6316.
United Way Contact Sheet.pdf
24-6316.pdf
Motion to approve Resolution No. 24-6316, authorizing the Public Safety Chief to execute standard agreement with the United Way of Northern California in regard to licenses for the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Moved by Curtis Bortle; seconded by Dawn Miller to approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: Mendy Schuster, Russ Brown, Curtis Bortle, Patrick Parrish, Dawn Miller Voting Against: None
9.C Consider Resolution No. 24-6317, authorizing the Public Works Director to execute short-term rental contracts for Hangar 9 at the Airport until a long-term lease can be established.
Bob Godman, Public Works Director, provided an explanation of the item and requested Council approval of Resolution No. 24-6317.
24-6317.pdf
Motion to approve Resolution No. 24-6317, authorizing the Public Works Director to execute short-term rental contracts for Hangar 9 at the Airport until a long-term lease can be established.
Moved by Dawn Miller; seconded by Russ Brown to Approve .
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: Mendy Schuster, Russ Brown, Curtis Bortle, Patrick Parrish, Dawn Miller 147
Voting Against: None
9.D Consider Resolution No. 24-6318, Adopting the city of Susanville Regular Full-Time Employee Hiring Policy
Motion to approve Resolution No. 24-6318, Adopting the city of Susanville Regular Full-Time Employee Hiring Policy
Jolene Arredondo, Assistant to the City Manager, provided an explanation of the item and requested Council approval of Resolution No. 24-6318.
Regular Full Time Employee Hiring Policy.pdf
24-6318.pdf
Moved by Russ Brown; seconded by Curtis Bortle to Approve .
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: Mendy Schuster, Russ Brown, Curtis Bortle, Patrick Parrish, Dawn Miller Voting Against: None
9.E Consider Resolution No. 24-6319, authorizing the Public Safety Chief to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with 1582, LLC.
Michael Bollinger, Public Safety Chief, provided an explanation of the item and requested Council approval of Resolution No. 24-6319.
Susanville Fire Service MOU 2024.pdf
24-6319.pdf
Motion to approve Resolution No. 24-6319, authorizing the Public Safety Chief to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with 1582, LLC.
Moved by Curtis Bortle; seconded by Russ Brown to approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: Mendy Schuster, Russ Brown, Curtis Bortle, Patrick Parrish, Dawn Miller Voting Against: None
9.F Consider Resolution No. 24-6320, Creating a temporary moratorium on city proclamations.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 24-6320, Creating a temporary moratorium on city proclamations.
Mr. Newton provided an explanation of the item and requested Council approval of Resolution No. 24-6320.
Michelle Greer, public, voiced her concern with the possible suspension of proclamations as those that are being read are only supporting those community members who need to hear it as they typically feel voiceless.
Jacob Hibbitts, public, requested June 2024 be proclaimed as Pride Month. All proceeds from the Picnic will be going to CASA.
Rebecca Oset, public, stated that the wording of the item on the agenda makes it sound as though it is only a veiled attempt to avoid the LBGTQ+ proclamation in June and stated that it could be avoided by simply tabling it until July and move forward with the Pride proclamation for June.
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Jim McCarthy, public, shared his support to cease the proclamations as the public has the time to share their thoughts during business from the floor.
Quincy McCourt, public, also stated that even excluding those other than armed forces will still be discrimination.
Shelby Teeter, public, requested the item be tabled due to the word “temporary” within the item.
Council Member Bortle made a motion to table the item until July. Motion failed due to lack of second.
Council Member Parrish made a motion to move forward with a decision tonight. Motion failed due to lack of second.
Council Member Brown made a motion to approve Resolution No. 24-6320 with the amended language of adding a one-year limit to the moratorium, second by Council Member Miller.
Council Member Parrish provided clarification on his stance where proclamations can cause more division than inclusivity. He added that it is not the role or right of government to confirm who someone is.
Council Member Bortle stated that, as a Veteran, he likes the proclamations as they are not a huge expense to the city and offer support to community members. He added that he is in favor of keeping them.
Council Member Miller stated that she is afraid of the legal repercussions if there is no policy in place.
Council Member Parrish stated that he is not against proclamations, he just wants to have a legal structure in place.
Council Member Bortle inquired as to whether or not there has been any legal issue related to proclamations to which Mr. Newton responded not that he is aware of and wondered how long it would take to create the policy.
Margaret Long, City Attorney, stated that it could be between 3 to 6 months.
Return to motion on table:
Mayor pro tem Brown made a motion to approve Resolution No. 24-6320 with the amended language of adding a one-year limit to the moratorium. Second by Miller. Polled vote: Parrish, aye; MIller, aye; Schuster, aye; Brown, aye; Bortle, aye. Motion passed unanimously. 24-6320.pdf
Recess at 7:02pm.
Council reconvened at 7:11pm.
10. SUSANVILLE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: No business.
11. SUSANVILLE MUNICIPAL ENERGY CORPORATION: No business. 149
12. CONTINUING BUSINESS:
12.A Draft Fiscal Year 2024/25 Budget Presentation
Mr. Newton opened the discussion on the fiscal year 2024/2025 budget by stating the proposed schedule.
Mr. Newton then turned it over to Ms. Jabbs to provide further explanation of the budget. Once the 1000 fund was reviewed, Ms. Jabbs turned it over to each department head to discuss their associated budgets.
Mr. Newton requested direction on whether or not the proposed schedule would work to which the council unanimously agreed.
12.B City Project Priorities
Mr. Newton provided a brief explanation of the item and requested Council direction.
Mr. Newton stated that the ARPA item will be brought back at the second meeting in June.
Mayor Schuster recommended that the list comes forward quarterly instead of monthly since government takes time. Bortle, Parrish, Miller, Brown, all agreed.
Mayor pro tem Brown recommended that the Council review the four priorities as well.
Council Member Miller requested a strategic plan to determine what needs to be added to the list.
Mr. Newton stated that there is no future items list being presented tonight so now would be the time to add any suggestions.
20240515_Work Priority list.pdf
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS:
13.A Department Reports
Department Heads all provided an update on the happenings within their departments.
14. FUTURE COUNCIL ITEMS: No business.
15. ADJOURNMENT: Adjourn at: 8:52pm.
_______________________________ _________________________________ Heidi Whitlock, City Clerk Mendy Schuster, Mayor
Approved on: June 5, 2024