CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022
THIS MEETING WAS CONDUCTED IN-PERSON AT 33 CHURCH STREET, THE PUBLIC WAS ALSO ABLE TO PARTICIPATE FROM HOME:
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Meeting ID: 956 852 0224
1. CLOSED SESSION- None.
7:00 P.M. 2. CALL TO ORDER AND ESTABLISH A QUORUM FOR REGULAR
MEETING
Council members Present:
Gunselman (via zoom), Peters, Rianda, Sierk and Swift
Vicky Runquist, City Treasurer
Staff Present:
Amy Gedney
Elizabeth Fratarcangeli
Karen Darrow
Jodi Steneck
Andy Hauge
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
4. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION- None.
5. PUBLIC FORUM
Frank Cunha of Sutter Creek noted his concern regarding the lack of response to the petition that was submitted a couple of years ago requesting a walking path on Gopher Flat Rd. He requested that a discussion about the walking path be put on the agenda in January so that the public can be updated and questions can be asked and answered.
Council member Peters noted that the Gopher Flat realignment is being worked on per the Engineers Report and as evidenced in the warrants.
6. PRESENTATIONS
Presentation by Tim Murphy regarding an update on the work of the Sutter Creek Community Benefit Foundation’s work at the Historic Sutter Creek Grammar School.
Recommendation: For information only.
This item was postponed at the request of Mr. Murphy.
7. INFORMATION/CORRESPONDENCE
A. Monthly Police Report
B. Monthly Public Works Report
C. Monthly Building Report
D. Treasurer’s Reports
E. Monthly Administrative Services Report
F. Monthly Finance Department Report
G. Monthly Engineer’s Report
H. Monthly Sewer Report
So Noted.
8. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Vice-Mayor Rianda reported that the Air District Board met on October 18th and noted that the green vehicle project has been delayed due to a difficulty in getting chips for the vehicles. She also reported that Amador City Council member Bruce Smith and Fire Chief Dominic Moreno collected money to go towards the purchase of a wood chipper and requested $7,500.00 from the Air District in order to make the purchase. She also noted that the chipper would be placed at the Sutter Creek fire station.
Council member Sierk reported that ACRA met last week and discussed expanding some of the Little League Fields so the older teams could use them as well. She also noted that ACRA is coordinating with the schools to expand the EOP program.
Council member Sierk commended staff on how nice the Holiday decorations look.
Mayor Swift commended Rand Huggett on his update to the mural at Sutter Hill, noting that it looks fantastic.
9. CONSENT AGENDA
Items listed on the consent agenda are considered routine and may be enacted in one motion. Any item may be removed for discussion at the request of Council or the Public.
A. City Council Minutes of October 17, 2022
Recommendation: By motion approve minutes as presented.
M/S Council member Peters/Rianda to Approve the City Council Minutes of October 17, 2022, as amended.
AYES: Gunselman, Peters, Rianda, Sierk and Swift
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
B. Warrants
Recommendation: By motion approve warrants as presented.
M/S Council member Rianda/Sierk to Approve the warrants excluding the warrants for Hauge Brueck & Associates.
AYES: Gunselman, Peters, Rianda, Sierk and Swift
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
M/S Council member Rianda/Sierk to Approve the warrants for Hauge Brueck & Associates.
AYES: Gunselman, Rianda, Sierk and Swift
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Peters
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
C. Resolution 22-23-19 Authorizing remote teleconference meetings of the legislative bodies of the City of Sutter Creek.
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution 22-23-* as presented.
D. Resolution 22-23-20 Authorizing two (2) flow sensors, two -(2) data loggers, and two (2) sets of miscellaneous required equipment) with costs not to exceed $50,000.00 without additional approval from City Council and approving Budget Amendment #2.
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution 22-23-* as presented.
E. Contract with AQuality for operations support services Recommendation:
1. Adopt Resolution 22-23-22 Authorizing the City Manager to sign an annual contract with AQuality for operation support services for the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Sewer Collection System and amending the Budget to add $19,250 in Professional Service to the Sewer Fund, Department 1510.
2. Adopt Resolution 22-23-23 Approving Budget Amendment #3, for Fiscal Year 2022-23 for Contract with AQuality.
M/S Council member Peters/Rianda to Approve Consent Agenda Items C, D & E.
AYES: Gunselman, Rianda, Sierk and Swift
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
F. Budget Amendment #4 for Fiscal Year 22-23 for DRC Stipends.
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution 23-23-* authorizing Amendment #4 to the fiscal year 2022-23 budget to add stipends to the Design Review Committee’s appointed members.
This item was pulled from the agenda.
The Council directed staff to bring this item back as an amendment to the ordinance.
John Otto, member of the Design Review Committee, commented that he appreciates the intent but is not sure a stipend is warranted.
10. ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Capital Facilities Fees Annual Report
1. Hold a Public Hearing regarding the Capital Facilities Fees Annual Report.
2. Accept by motion the City of Sutter Creek Capital Facilities Fees Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2021-22
Mayor Swift opened the Public Hearing at 7:32 p.m.
John Otto suggested that if the impact fees are per dwelling unit that the format appears skewed and should possibly be refigured.
Mayor Swift closed the Public Hearing at 7:36 p.m.
Council member Peters clarified that the Traffic Mitigation Regional Expenditures shown on Table 3 reflect a pass through that is collected by the City and sent to ACTC for Traffic Mitigation.
M/S Council member Peters/Rianda to Accept the City of Sutter Creek Capital Facilities Fees Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2021-22.
AYES: Gunselman, Rianda, Sierk and Swift
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
11. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
A. Amador Water Agency Water Availability
Recommendation: For information and discussion.
Amador Water Agency General Manager Larry McKenney presented an overview of what the limited water availability means to Sutter Creek. He explained that they have a problem with producing treated water to all the areas serviced by the Ione and Tanner treatment plants, noting that customer demand is slightly higher than treatment plant capacity.
Mr. McKenney explained that they are currently telling developers there is concern with AWA’s ability to reliably provide treated water. He noted that the letter that was sent to Dannco has been sent to other projects as well and that they have not denied service for any of the projects and he stated that there is a long way to go in the process before reaching that point.
Mr. McKenney noted that a moratorium on connections would take an ordinance change and that has not happened yet.
Mr. McKenney explained that subdivisions are being evaluated, noting that single family homes do not create a great demand on the system.
Mike Kirkley of Sutter Creek asked if the AWA is being consistent in providing service and commented that projects with a multifamily designation should not be treated different.
Mr. McKenney explained that large development projects cannot be guaranteed to have water at this point.
Al Bierce of Sutter Creek asked what Dannco needs to do next. Mr. McKenney noted that he has sent a letter to them and is awaiting a response.
Mr. McKenney explained that they are working hard to address the problem and are implementing three projects now that are designed to address treatment and storage bottlenecks and are hopeful that they may have increased capacity in April.
B. Housing Element Update
Recommendation: For information only.
Andy Hauge reviewed the timeline for the Housing Element Update review process implemented by the County, explaining that it will be a very quick turnaround.
December 12th- CC/PC Joint Workshop
December 13th- comments due to Andy
December 14th- comments due to the County
The Council directed staff to provide a condensed document for Council to review prior to the workshop.
C. Planning/Administration Department staffing.
Recommendation: For information and staff direction.
City Manager Gedney noted that after reviewing staffing needs, she would like to proceed with the existing Administrative Analyst job description that currently exists.
Council member Gunselman asked if she had looked into a part time planner.
City manager Gedney explained that she tried to get one but that the City cannot afford a planner at that level and that she would like to move forward using Hague Brueck & Associates with the Administrative Analyst as a support amongst other functions.
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Council member Sierk requested:
1- An update on the pedestrian pathway on Gopher Flat Rd. from Meadowcrest.
2- A discussion about meeting cancellation. She would like to see the Council meet more regularly.
Council member Gunselman requested:
1-An update from staff on the Gopher Flat realignment.
A majority of the Council agreed to place Councilmember Sierk’s request #1 on a future agenda.
13. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Nothing to report.
14. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Gedney reported that Rand Huggett is working on wayfinding signage. The draft has been presented to the Marketing Committee and to DRC and will eventually make its way to the Planning Commission and City Council.
City Manager Gedney reported that Ione is still taking water and that staff has been able to get rid of more water with a floating irrigation pump and that ARSA is in fairly good shape at Preston.
She also noted that the pickle ball court painting at Bryson Park will have to wait until Spring because of the weather but the basketball court is ready.
City Manager Gedney reminded everyone of the upcoming Christmas Events including the Christmas Tree Lighting this Saturday at the Plaza that will include pictures with Santa in the auditorium.
15. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
_________________________________
James E. Swift, Mayor
___________________________________
Karen Darrow, City Clerk
Date Approved: December 5, 2022