CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2023
THIS MEETING WAS CONDUCTED IN-PERSON AT 33 CHURCH STREET, THE PUBLIC WAS ABLE TO VIEW FROM HOME:
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6:30 P.M.
1. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9:
(One potential case)
7:06 P.M. 2. 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
Karen Darrow, City Clerk
Mason Peters, Finance Supervisor
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
4. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Gunselman reported that there was no reportable action.
5. PUBLIC FORUM
Lottie Tone of Sutter Creek asked about the status of the federal funds for the dam. Interim City Manager Spelliscy noted that she would address that in her report.
Kathleen Friedman of 310 Gopher Flat Rd noted that the water draining from Northview Court into her property is affecting her house. She mentioned that she has asked for help regarding this issue in the past and it has not been addressed.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. City Council Minutes of August 4, 7, & 14 2023.
Recommendation: By motion approve minutes as presented.
M/S Council member Sierk/Swift to approve the City Council Minutes of August 4, 7, & 14 2023, as presented.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
7. CONSENT AGENDA- None.
8. ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARING- None.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
A. Approval of Bid Package for Sutter Oaks Sewer Collection System Work City Sanitation Engineer Grant Reynolds presented, noting that the work is expected to start mid-October.
B. Q4 Financial Report FY 2022-23
Finance Supervisor Mason Peters presented the update.
C. Appoint Voting Delegate and Alternate for Cal Cities Annual Conference M/S Council member Gunselman/Riordan to appoint Council member Sierk as the voting delegate and Interim City Manager Spelliscy as the alternate.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
10. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Council member Sierk reported that the Bike/Ped community workshop meeting will be held in the Community Building in Sutter Creek on Aug 23rd.
Mayor Gunselman noted that another self-help tax meeting was cancelled and that there will be an ARSA update at the next meeting.
11. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Interim City Manager Spelliscy note that she contacted Robert Withrow, Fire Chief at Amador Fire Protection, to get help with the creek cleaning but has not heard back and Fire Chief Moreno provided another contact that she will reach out to.
In response to the crosswalk painting requests, Frank Whitmore with Weber Ghio did an assessment of the areas that need attention with the schools as a priority and will be getting bids for the painting to be done.
Animal Control is very concerned about the cost they are incurring by providing services to the Cities. They are supposed to be responsible for the County and unincorporated areas and the cities should be responsible for their areas. They are proposing that the City contracts with them to provide services. The estimate is approximately $85,000.00 for Sutter Creek’s per capita share. Interim City Manager has been meeting with the County representatives to discuss.
The City Manager recruitment advertising has started again with a tentative final interview date of October 16th.
Council member Swift is unavailable, and the date will need to be rescheduled.
Interim City Manager Spelliscy noted that a FEMA claim has been submitted for the flushing dam with no estimate on response time. The Campbell Construction bid is for work to be done in October. The city would be taking a risk on getting reimbursed.
Council member Riordan asked for the status of the junkyard near the end of town. Interim City Manager Spelliscy noted that the Police Chief is working on it.
Council member Riordan asked about the fire insurance issue that was brought up by Al Bierce at the last meeting. Interim City Manager Spelliscy reported that she spoke with Fire Chief Moreno and that the SCFD is working on non-compliant properties. She also noted that per Fire Chief Moreno insurance cancellations are not a response to individual property issues, but are occurring throughout the state.
Council member Riordan asked about the parking recommendations for Greenstone Terrace.
Interim City Manager Spelliscy noted that City Engineer Matt Ospital has been on vacation and will be back to work on it.
Council member Riordan suggested that since the Council opted not to go forward with the parking study recommendation at the last meeting that making directional parking signs to point people toward the existing parking lots and adding trees might be an option.
12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT- None.
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Council member Sierk requested that a letter be sent to ACRA from Sutter Creek requesting consideration for better proportional shared expenses.
Council member Feist noted that Aimee Pederson from Antique Gardener would like to do the social media for the city and asked to schedule a marketing meeting.
Council member Riordan requested that that City engineer Matt Ospital be added to the agenda to discuss the Greenstone Terrace parking options.
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- Aug 7, 9, & 21 2023
H. Monthly Engineer’s Report
I. Monthly Planning Report
J. Public Communications
So noted.
15. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
_________________________________
Claire Gunselman, Mayor
___________________________________
Karen Darrow, City Clerk
Date Approved: September 5, 2023