CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2024
THIS MEETING WAS CONDUCTED IN-PERSON AT 33 CHURCH STREET, THE PUBLIC WAS ABLE TO VIEW FROM HOME:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9568520224
6:00 P.M. 1. 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:
Tom DuBois, City Manager
Derek Cole, City Attorney
Karen Darrow, City Clerk
Dan LaFontaine, Public Works Director
Mason Peters, Finance Supervisor
Erin Ventura, Planning Consultant
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
3. PUBLIC FORUM
Mike Kirkley of Sutter Creek commented on the debris in gutters on Spanish Street and Sutter Ione Road, concern with the parking distances near crosswalks in light of the new state law and suggested that it was time to hire someone local as the City Clerk.
4. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Tom DuBois reported that as a result of the recent storms crews were out looking for storm damage and downed trees but so far damage seemed to be minimal.
He noted that the Sierra Business Council fellow started work and is looking into ways to save money on utilities.
Hotel Sutter is working on outdoor dining permit compliance, and he met with Ione to get a wastewater treatment plant update.
He also noted that DANCO is preparing to apply for funding in February and expects to purchase land in November.
5. PRESENTATIONS- None.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. City Council Minutes of January 16, 2024.
Recommendation: By motion approve minutes as presented.
M/S Council member Riordan/Sierk to approve the City Council Minutes of January 16, 2024, as amended.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Swift
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
7. CONSENT AGENDA
A. City Council 2024 Committee Assignments
M/S Council member Riordan/Swift to Approve the City Council 2024 Committee Assignments, as presented.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
8. ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARING- None.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
A. Fiscal Sustainability: Long Range Financial Forecast City Manager Tom DuBois presented part one of the long range financial forecast in preparation for the 2024-2025 budget planning process.
B. Waste Water Plant Grant Update
Public Works Director Dan Lafontaine presented an update noting that staff has contracted with Carollo and the information will be used to update the master plan and determine the best path forward. He also noted that the remaining planning work is anticipated to go into 2025.
C. City Response Letter to School District Draft EIR
Contract Planner Erin Ventura presented the draft letter noting that they are pausing the consolidation implementation but continuing to move forward with the EIR.
M/S Council member Riordan/Sierk to direct staff to continue to work on the Draft letter and submit it with Mayor and City Manager signatures.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
D. Potential Land Acquisition Near Plant
City Manager Tom DuBois presented outlining three possible acquisition options.
Mike Kirkley of Sutter Creek cautioned against entering into a development agreement, noting that he last one did not go very well.
The Council authorized staff to continue to explore the options with the property owner.
10. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Council member Sierk reported that there is an ACRA meeting next week and that the Bike/Ped committee decided to have Sutter Creek and Amador City discuss ideas to increase bike/ped safety between the cities.
She noted that Amador City is doing a clean up along string bean alley to their parking lot and that Sutter Creek should look at a clean up from Gopher Flat to Hanford to Turner.
Council member Riordan noted that there is ACTC funding available to help with projects like this and suggested that this topic should be brought back as an agenda item so that a thorough discussion could be had.
Mayor Gunselman reported that there were only three Board members at the ARSA meeting and they directed staff to look into dissolving the JPA. She also noted that she had met informally with Plymouth and Amador City noting that all cities have a common focus on economic growth and mentioned that Amador City is trying to pass a specific transportation use tax.
Council member Feist noted that there are some joint advertising opportunities available through the Amador Council of Tourism that the city should consider. She also suggested that the Monteverde Store should be used more, and that the city should focus on supporting local businesses.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – None.
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Council member Riordan requested an update on the code enforcement progress with the junk yard because it appears to be getting worse. He would like to know what the next steps are.
Council member Sierk noted that the ACRA contract should be coming up soon.
City Manager Tom DuBois noted that ACRA Executive Director Justin Howard will be coming to present an ACRA update in March and that the Air Quality Board will also be coming in the near future.
13. 14.
15. INFORMATION/CORRESPONDENCE – None.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned into closed session at 7:45 p.m
CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Gov. Code Section 54956.9) SEIU Local 1021 v. City of Sutter Creek, Pub. Emp. Rel. Bd.
Case No. SA-CE-1244-M
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
No reportable action.
_________________________________
Claire Gunselman, Mayor
___________________________________
Karen Darrow, City Clerk
Date Approved: February 20, 2024