SUSANVILLE CITY COUNCIL
Regular Council Meeting Minutes
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2024 – 4:30 PM
Mayor Schuster called the meeting to order at 4:30pm.
Roll Call of Councilmembers Present: Schuster, Brown, Bortle, Miller
Absent: Parrish
Council Member Parrish arrived at 4:31pm.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Moved by Brown; seconded by Bortle to approve with the following change: Item 12A will be heard prior to Item 5 and there will be a 3-minute time limit for both public comment during 12A and for Business From the Floor.
Motion Carried: 5 - 0
Voting For: Schuster, Brown, Bortle, Parrish, Miller
Voting Against: None
2. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING CLOSED SESSION ITEMS (if any): No comment.
3. CLOSED SESSION:
The Council convened in closed session at 4:38pm to discuss the following items:
A. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - pursuant to Government Code Section §54956.8
Property: Ramsey Ditch
Agency Negotiator: Dan Newton, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Kim Dieter
Under Negotiation: Price/Terms
B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS - pursuant to Government Code Section §54957.6
1. Administrative Unit
2. Firefighters Unit
3. Management Unit
4. SPOA Unit
4. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION: The Council reconvened in open session at 5:13pm.
The Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation were provided.
Dan Newton, City Manager, stated that prior to meeting in closed session the council approved the agenda with the following change: to move Item 12A regarding ARPA funding, directly before Item 5, Business from the Floor.
Mr. Newton added that they met in closed session to discuss Item 3A and 3B(4) only of the above-mentioned items with no reportable action taken but direction was provided to staff.
Robert Godman, Public Works Director, introduced Taylor Ault, Utility Services Technician and Robert Chacon, Water Supervisor.
12. CONTINUING BUSINESS:
12.A Discussion regarding American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds Provide direction to staff.
Mr. Newton provided an explanation of the item, including the changes to the attached staff report as there were both errors and updated items, and requested Council direction.
Casey Lee, Little League, requested consideration of a gate being placed at the top of the hill to prevent cars from being able to get into the parking lot.
No less than 34 community members spoke in favor of the Susanville Performing Arts Center (SPAC) proposal.
Three community members spoke in favor of using ARPA funds for the Elks Lodge.
Council Member Bortle left the chambers at 6:45pm and returned at 6:46pm Mayor Schuster requested a break at 6:51pm.
The Council reconvened in open session at 7:01pm.
Margaret Long, City Attorney, stated that the ARPA funds could only be awarded to another recognized legal entity.
Discussion occurred regarding the city receiving a proposal from SPAC when they are not yet a legal entity and the Symphony, which is a legal entity but did not submit a proposal, and how the change occurred. Additional discussion occurred regarding how much local organizations will be charged, etc. as well as the loosing of another business in the uptown area.
Additional discussion occurred between Council Members to determine what should move forward including using both the remaining ARPA funding of $1,446,000 and the $580,000 received in PG&E monies ($2,026,000 total). The following was determined to bring back for adoption by resolution at the next meeting:
$930,000 – Fire Engine purchase
$100,000 – Elks Lodge Improvements
$450,000 - Performing Arts Center *
$244,000 – Museum Storage
$143,000 – Little League Bathrooms
$150,000 – Code Enforcement Abatement Fund
$2,017,000
*In the event the performing arts center cannot be funded or fails to provide the required information before the December deadline, the $450,000 will be used to pay off city debt.
Staff Report.docx
Susanville Elks Lodge Business Proposal 6.1.24.pdf
SPAC Proposal 6.13.24.pdf
Engineers Estimate - Museum Storage.pdf
Engineers Estimate - Little League Bathroom.pdf
Mayor pro tem Brown, Council Member Bortle, Council Member Miller and Mayor Schuster agreed to the list as provided with Council Member Parrish not in agreement.
Item to be brought back at the next meeting for adoption by resolution.
5. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR: Council recessed at 9:05pm and reconvened at 9:21pm.
Chris Johnson, Susanville Ford & Chamber of Commerce, suggested a rebate program where the city provides $5,000 to a local business owner to fix a business and the Chamber may be able to match. He suggested using PG&E money.
Public Member shared that he was not in favor of the performing arts center.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Moved by Brown; seconded by Bortle to approve.
Motion Carried: 5 - 0
Voting For: Schuster, Brown, Bortle, Parrish, Miller
Voting Against: None
6.A Minutes of the City Council's June 5, 2024 regular meeting.
Motion to waive the reading of and approval to receive and file the City Council's June 5, 2024 regular meeting.
240605.cc.min.draft.pdf
6.B Vendor and payroll warrants Motion to receive and file 5-30-24.pdf
5-31-24.pdf
06-06-24.pdf
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: No business.
8. COUNCIL DISCUSSION/ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor pro tem Brown thanked staff for all they do.
Council Member Bortle provided the Land Acknowledgement Statement.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
9.A Consider Resolution No. 24-6324, continuing Resolution authority to meet payroll and vendor warrants in the absence of a formally adopted budget for FY 2024-2025 through August 7, 2024 or the adoption of the City's budget, whichever comes first.
Chandra Jabbs, Finance Director, provided an explanation of the item and requested approval of Resolution No. 24-6324.
24-6324.pdf
Motion to approve Resolution No 24-6324, continuing Resolution authority to meet payroll and vendor warrants in the absence of a formally adopted budget for FY 2024-2025 through August 7, 2024 or the adoption of the City's budget, whichever comes first.
Moved by Bortle; seconded by Parrish to approve with a change of the number to be 24-6324.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: Schuster, Brown, Bortle, Parrish, Miller
Voting Against: None
9.B Consider Resolution No. 24-6325, approving amended golf course fees at the Diamond Mountain Golf Course
Jolene Arredondo, Assistant to the City Manager, provided an explanation of the item and requested approval of Resolution No. 24-6325.
2024 Fee Schedule.pdf
24-6325.pdf
Attachment A.B Fee Schedule Update.pdf
Motion to approve Resolution No. 24-6325, amending golf course fees at the Diamond Mountain Golf Course
Moved by Brown; seconded by Bortle to approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: Schuster, Brown, Bortle, Parrish, Miller
Voting Against: None
9.C Consider Resolution No. 24-6326, authorizing the Finance Director to adjust the Water 7110 budget.
Mr. Godman provided an explanation of the item and requested approval of Resolution No. 24-6326.
Mr. Newton requested that the “Now Therefore” section reflect the $20,000.
Revised Res. 24-6326.pdf
Motion to approve Resolution No. 24-6326, authorizing the Finance Director to adjust the Water 7110 budget.
Moved by Bortle; seconded by Brown to approve with Mr. Newton’s requested change.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: Schuster, Brown, Bortle, Parrish, Miller
Voting Against: None
9.D Water Rate Study Presentation
Mr. Godman provided an explanation of the item and introduced Dan Bergman from IGServices to present the water rate study.
Mr. Bergman provided his presentation and stated that if a notice is issued by July 3rd, the public hearing can occur on August 21st , new rates can take effect on October 1st and the city would then need to revisit rates in September 2025.
Direction provided to staff to continue to move forward. 240613 Water Rate Study Staff Report IGServices.pdf
9.E Consider Resolution No. 24-6327, authorizing Mayor to sign a Program Supplement Agreement Revision with Caltrans for Riverside Drive Trail Project and authorize the budget amendment to the 2007 budget for the Riverside Drive Trail Project.
Mr. Godman provided an explanation of the item and requested Council approval of Resolution No. 24-6327.
24-6327.pdf
Motion to approve Resolution No. 24-6327, authorizing Mayor to sign a Program Supplement Agreement Revision with Caltrans for Riverside Drive Trail Project and authorize the budget amendment to the 2007 budget for the Riverside Drive Trail Project.
Moved by Bortle; seconded by Parrish to approve.
Motion Carried: 5- 0
Voting For: Schuster, Brown, Bortle, Parrish, Miller
Voting Against: None
9.F Consider City Councilmember compensation
Mr. Newton provided an explanation of the item and requested Council direction.
Direction to move forward with Ordinance to update Council Member wages to $950.00/month, previously $300.00/month set in 1984, to take effect when the next council members are seated.
10. SUSANVILLE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: No business.
11. SUSANVILLE MUNICIPAL ENERGY CORPORATION: No business.
12. CONTINUING BUSINESS: ARPA funding item moved to immediately after Item 4.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS:
13.A Department Reports
Department Heads provided updates on the happenings within their departments.
14. FUTURE COUNCIL ITEMS: No business.
15. ADJOURNMENT:
Moved by Brown; seconded by Bortle to adjourn at 10:46pm.
Motion Carried: 5 - 0
Voting For: Schuster, Brown, Bortle, Parrish, Miller
Voting Against: None
____________________________ ____________________________ Heidi Whitlock, City Clerk Mendy Schuster, Mayor
Approved on: July 3, 2024