CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2023
THIS MEETING WAS CONDUCTED IN-PERSON AT 33 CHURCH STREET, THE PUBLIC WAS ABLE TO VIEW FROM HOME:
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Meeting ID: 956 852 0224
6:00 P.M.
1. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9:
(Two potential cases)
B. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Manager
CALL TO ORDER AND ESTABLISH A QUORUM FOR REGULAR MEETING Council members present:
Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
Vicky Runquist, City Treasurer
Staff Present:
Sandra Spelliscy, Interim City Manager
Derek Cole, City Attorney
Karen Darrow, City Clerk
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
3. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Closed Session Item A -No reportable action was taken.
Closed Session item B – No appointment or action taken.
4. PUBLIC FORUM
Al Bierce of Sutter Creek noted his concern with the increased insurance costs due to the increased fire danger. He contacted the Fire Department to remove the brush near his property but has not received a response.
Gail Schifsky of Sutter Creek asked if the city has a contract with Animal Control because she has become aware of an increased number of cats in her neighborhood and wanted to know if there is ordinance limiting the number of household pets.
Mayor Gunselman noted that City staff will look into these concerns.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. City Council Minutes of July 17, 2023.
Recommendation: By motion approve minutes as presented.
M/S Council member Sierk/Feist to Minutes of July 17, 2023, as amended.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
6. CONSENT AGENDA
Items listed on the consent agenda are considered routine and shall be enacted in one motion.
Any item may be removed for discussion at the request of the Council or the Public.
A. Adopt Resolution 23-24-04 Accepting the completion of public improvements for the Bryson Park upgrade project and filing a notice of completion and authorizing recordation therefore.
B. Adopt Resolution 23-24-05 Appointing Lisa Ryan to the Planning Commission C. Adopt Resolution 23-24-06 Relating to administration of a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan.
M/S Council member Swift/Riordan to Approve the Consent Agenda, as presented.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
7. ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARING-None
8. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
Item 8D was heard first.
A. Adopt Resolution 23-24-* Condemning the recent incidents of hate speech and other deplorable actions in Amador County
M/S Council member Sierk/Riordan Adopt Resolution 23-24-07 Condemning the recent incidents of hate speech and other deplorable actions in Amador County.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
B. Appointment of ad hoc Council committee re: special events M/S Council member Riordan/Sierk to appoint Council members Feist and Swift to an Ad-hoc committee to review the event process.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
C. Proposal re: downtown parking study
Interim City Manager Spelliscy presented a staff recommendation to initiate a parking study.
Members of the public Lisa Klosowski, Sharyn Brown, Martin Ryan, and Aimee Pederson spoke in objection to the study.
Gail Schifsky noted that the study would help plan for the future.
After extensive discussion the Council did not elect to move forward with the recommendation.
D. Sewer connection fee update
Interim City manager and Consultant Mark Hildebrand presented.
M/S Council member Riordan/Sierk to direct staff to work with the consultant to prepare a final draft that would come back to the Council for approval and Public Hearing.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
E. Business owners’ proposal re: Visitors Center
Business owner Lisa Klosowski and SCBPA President Greg McLeod outlined the proposal for the SCBPA to oversee the operation s of the Visitor’s Center. Sandy Anderson spoke in support of the proposal.
M/S Council member Swift/Sierk to approve $5,500 donation to the Sutter Creek Business and Professionals Association for the Visitor’s Center and to direct staff to work out the details and come back with a resolution.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
9. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Council member Sierk noted that the marketing committee met to discuss the Visitor’s Center. She also noted that she attended the ACT mixer, and that Dial-A-Ride was going to be extended to Plymouth and Ione.
Mayor Gunselman noted that she attended the self-help tax meeting but that it was poorly attended and there was not much to report. There is a concern about the ability to pass the tax. She noted that other agencies had two representatives and suggested that someone else join her. Council member Riordan volunteered to participate.
10. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Interim City Manager Spelliscy noted that the city worked with Wine on 49 on the fair exhibit and it took 2nd place.
Council member Swift noted that the CYA crews were working in the creek in Jackson and asked if we could get them to clear the creek in Sutter Creek.
Interim City Manager Spelliscy noted that they can clear city property but no private property. She noted that she will contact Fish & Wildlife to see what options are available.
She noted that there is a proposal from Campbell Construction to do work on the flushing dam.
Mayor Gunselman asked about the status of the crosswalks at Sutter Creek Ione Rd and Amapola. Interim City Manager Spelliscy noted that she will talk to the City Engineer about getting a contractor for painting.
Council member Riordan asked what the procedure is when Council members receive emails or complaints from citizens.
Interim City Manager Spelliscy noted that they should be forwarded to her, and she will follow up and inform the Council of the resolution.
Council member Riordan asked about the parcels filled with abandoned vehicles and if the owners have been notified. He commented that the problem seems to be getting worse and asked about the crumbling rock wall by the high school.
Interim City Manager Spelliscy noted that she will look into it but it may not be on city property.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT- None.
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS- None.
13. INFORMATION/CORRESPONDENCE-None.
14. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
_________________________________
Claire Gunselman, Mayor
___________________________________
Karen Darrow, City Clerk
Date Approved: