CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2023
THIS MEETING WAS CONDUCTED IN-PERSON AT 33 CHURCH STREET, SUTTER CREEK2 THE PUBLIC WAS ABLE TO VIEW FROM HOME:
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Meeting ID: 956 852 0224
1. CLOSED SESSION
A. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Pursuant to Government Section (§ 54957(b))
Title: City Manager
B. EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Gov. Code sections 54956.9(d)(1)
Van Der Veen v. City of Sutter Creek
Amador Sup. Ct. Case No. 23-CV-13156
7:15 P.M. 2. CALL TO ORDER AND ESTABLISH A QUORUM FOR REGULAR MEETING The City Clerk conducted a roll call.
Council members present:
Feist, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
Staff Present:
Sandra Spelliscy, Interim City Manager
Derek Cole, City Attorney
Karen Darrow, City Clerk (remote)
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
4. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Item 1A: Mayor Gunselman reported that Interim City Manager Sandra Spelliscy’s contract will be extended until September 15, 2023.
Item 1B – Mayor Gunselman noted that no reportable action was taken.
5. PUBLIC FORUM
Dennis Anderson of Sutter Creek asked if the Council could provide some help or insight into the water moratorium that Amador Water Agency has put in place, noting that he was issued a building permit by the City, but he cannot get AWA to provide water.
Mayor Gunselman noted that staff will look into it.
Interim City manager Spelliscy noted that the water agency is working on improvements to the Tanner treatment plant and is also reviewing the status of outstanding will serve letters. She suggested Mr. Anderson look into the will serve letter for the subdivision where his lot is located.
Ellie Routt on behalf of the ACTC Bike/Ped Advisory Committee noted that they are done with the planning and research phase of a proposed countywide bike/ped transportation plan and the next step is to host a community meeting on August 23rd at 6pm. She requested a fee waiver for use of the Community Building.
Mayor Gunselman noted that if the Community Building is not available then the Grammar School could be used.
Interim City Manager Spelliscy suggested that the City could be a co-sponsor and then a fee waiver would not be necessary and noted that she will add the issue to the next Council agenda.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. City Council Minutes of June 5, 2023.
Mayor Gunselman pulled the minutes, noting that a section was missing.
7. CONSENT AGENDA - None
8. ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARING
A. Delinquent Sewer Payments
Recommendation:
1. Open the Public Hearing and receive public input.
2. Direct the City Clerk to record delinquencies with the County Recorder’s Office for collection on the property tax roll.
Mayor Gunselman opened the Public Hearing at 7:13 p.m. there was no comment, and the Public Hearing was closed.
M/S Council member Sierk/Swift to Direct the City Clerk to record delinquencies with the County Recorder’s Office for collection on the property tax roll.
AYES: Feist, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
B. FY 2023-2024 Operating Budget
1. Conduct a public hearing to hear comments regarding the FY 23-24 Draft Operating Budget.
2. Adopt Resolution 22-23-* approving the 2023-2024 Annual Operating Budget.
3. Adopt Resolution 22-23-* relating to the Gann limitation.
Mayor Gunselman opened the Public Hearing at 7:17 p.m. there was no comment, and the Public Hearing was closed.
M/S Council member Sierk/Swift to Adopt Resolution 22-23-42 approving the 2023-2024 Annual Operating Budget, as amended.
AYES: Feist, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
1 st Amendment: M/S Council member Swift/Gunselman to remove the $455,000 transfer in paying off the USDA Bond and directed staff to bring back more information.
AYES: Feist, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
2 nd Amendment: M/S Council member Swift/Sierk to add $1,200 to the social media marketing line item.
AYES: Feist, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
3 rd Amendment: M/S Council member Gunselman/Feist to add $1,000 to community promotions/development line item.
AYES: Feist, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
M/S Council member Swift/Sierk to Adopt Resolution 22-23-43 relating to the Gann limitation.
AYES: Feist, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
9. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
A. Interviews and appointment to fill Council vacancy.
Recommendation: Appoint new Council member
City Attorney Cole outlined the interview and appointment process and explained the ranked choice voting system.
City Attorney announced the candidates in random order.
Lauren Hartwick
Robert Trudgen
Dan Riordan
The Council interviewed each candidate.
Two members of the public spoke in support of Robert Trudgen.
The Council submitted their rankings to City Attorney Cole, and he reported that Dan Riordan and Robert Trudgen received the highest rankings.
M/S Council member Claire/Sierk to appoint Dan Riordan to the vacant Council seat.
AYES: Feist, Sierk and Gunselman
NOES: Swift
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
The Council thanked all the candidates noting that they would all have been an asset to the Council and encouraged them to continue to stay involved.
Interim City Manager Spelliscy administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed Council member Dan Riordan and he took his seat.
B. Approval of SEIU Collective Bargaining agreement
Recommendation: Adopt resolution 22-23-* approving employee CBA M/S Council member Swift/Sierk to Adopt resolution 22-23-44 approving employee CBA, as presented.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
10. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS- None.
11. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Interim City Manager Spelliscy reported that the open Finance position has been filled by Mason Peters who will start on July 5
th, and she noted that the Public Works Director position has yet to be filled.
Interim City Manager Spelliscy noted that she had reached out to Hotel Sutter about their outdoor dining permit, and they informed her that their management personnel changed, and she expects to hear from the new contact person soon. She also noted that she received a complaint about a fence and will be looking into it.
12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT- None.
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Council member Feist noted that AWA’s water availability is concerning.
14. INFORMATION/CORRESPONDENCE
A. Monthly Police Report
B. Monthly Public Works Report
C. Monthly Building Report
D. Treasurer’s Report
E. Monthly Administrative Services Report
F. Monthly Finance Department Report
G. Warrants- June 5 & 20, 2023
H. Monthly Engineer’s Report
I. Monthly Planning Report
J. Public Communications- None
So noted.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There is no meeting on July 3rd. The next Council meeting will be July 17th.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
______________________
Claire Gunselman, Mayor
___________________________________
Karen Darrow, City Clerk
Date Approved: July 17, 2023