CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2024
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. CALL TO ORDER AND ESTABLISH A QUORUM FOR REGULAR MEETING Council members present:
Feist (arrived at 6:40 p.m.), Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman Vicky Runquist, City Treasurer
Staff Present:
Tom DuBois, City Manager
Derek Cole, City Attorney
Karen Darrow, City Clerk
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
3. PUBLIC FORUM
Michael Spinetta, Larry Angier and Pastor Mark Smith presented a Los Posadas poster for the city to display and thanked the city for being a good host for their event over the years.
4. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager DuBois presented an overview noting:
Grant opportunities made available through State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil.
He has been looking into companies that could help with grant writing.
The finance department is recruiting a part-time Account Clerk.
Two special districts fees are being implemented by the winery (2%) and hotel/lodging (1%) groups to generate revenue for marketing.
The ARSA Board voted to terminate the Sutter Creek loan repayment and directed staff to begin the dissolution process that would make Sutter Creek the successor to ARSA, he expects the process to take about 60 days.
Council member Feist arrived at 6:40 p.m.
5. PRESENTATIONS
Presentation by Herminia Perry- Amador Air Quality District Update
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. City Council Minutes of February 5, 2024.
Recommendation: By motion approve minutes as presented.
M/S Council member Riordan/Sierk to approve the City Council Minutes of February 5, 2024, as presented.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Swift
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
7. CONSENT AGENDA – None.
8. ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARING
A. Public Hearing to consider increase in rates for solid waste service provided by Aces Waste Services, Inc.
1. Conduct a public hearing to hear comments regarding the proposed rate increase for solid waste services.
2. Adopt Resolution 23-24-* Approving solid-waste rate adjustments pursuant to proposition 218.
City Attorney Cole outlined the Proposition 218 process and the Clerk confirmed that there were no protest votes.
Paul Molinelli, Jr. of ACES Waste Services explained that the increase is necessary due to diesel and insurance cost increases and land fill fees going up.
Mayor Gunselman opened the Public Hearing at 7:10 p.m. there was no comment.
M/S Council member Sierk/Swift to close the Public Hearing.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
M/S Council member Swift/Riordan to Adopt Resolution 23-24-20 Approving solidwaste rate adjustments pursuant to proposition 218.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
Paul Molinelli, Sr. of ACES Waste Services noted that they do a good job for the customers and that the absence of protest votes reflects the service they provide.
B. Introduce and Waive First Reading of Ordinance No. _____Amending Chapter
2.04.010 of the Sutter Creek Municipal Code regarding dates and times of City Council meetings.
M/S Council member Sierk/Swift to Introduce and Waive First Reading of Ordinance No. _____Amending Chapter 2.04.010 of the Sutter Creek Municipal Code regarding dates and times of City Council meetings.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
9. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
A. Consideration of Wastewater collection Reimbursement for 185 Spanish Street – ACTION
City Manager Tom DuBois explained that this item was originally discussed in closed session, but several Council members requested that it be brought back in open session for further discussion.
Staff explained clarified that the issue was at the City’s end and that the area is problematic.
Property owner Jean Pinotti commented that some lines throughout the city are more problematic than others and suggested that a maintenance program of the ongoing issues would alleviate some of the backup problems and keep the resident from having to determine where the problem is.
City Manager DuBois noted that staff are looking into a metric to determine priority areas.
M/S Council member Sierk/Riordan to reimburse the entire amount of $1,100.00.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
B. Consideration of Removal of Two Parking Spaces near Hotel Sutter – ACTION City Manager Tom DuBois explained that Hotel Sutter had been granted an outdoor dining permit but never implemented their design, making their current set up out of compliance.
He reviewed the staff recommendation to remove parking spaces in front of Hotel Sutter to allow for a better pedestrian and dining experience near the curb. He also noted that they will be going back through the Design Review process with a new outdoor dining proposal.
Council member Feist noted her support of outdoor dining and the benefit it adds to the city. She explained that she hopes that hotel Sutter comes up with a design that is a little less substantial with a more open feel than what Cavana’s has.
Mayor Gunselman noted that the five-foot sidewalk clearance is a requirement and must be maintained.
The Council discussed the pros and cons of removing the parking spaces as suggested.
M/S Council member Swift/Sierk to not remove parking spaces in front of Hotel Sutter.
AYES: Feist, Riordan, Sierk, Swift and Gunselman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
C. City Sponsored Events – INFORMATION
City Manager DuBois suggested that the Council discuss the city sponsoring one or two events a year to encourage community building. He mentioned a 4th of July event at the pool to help raise money for the pool.
Council member Sierk noted that the ARTS Council will not be hosting concerts in Sutter Creek this summer and is in favor of the city doing something to replace them.
The Council noted that they were in favor of sponsoring some events.
10. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Council member Sierk reported that ACRA had a meeting and the financials that were presented need to be updated and she expects the Pool contract to be discussed at their next meeting. She also noted that Executive Director Justin Howard is resigning effective April 1st, and that the Arts Council is moving the TGIF concerts to Mollie Joyce Park.
Mayor Gunselman noted that she attended an event at the Historic Grammar School that was a great opportunity for people to see the improvements and they were happy that the rental space was available for use.
Council member Swift noted that he had missed the last Fire District meeting and they are having their meeting tonight during the Council meeting so he will get in touch with Chief Moreno for an update and report back.
Council member Feist noted that she is working on some ideas for events to highlight the historic places in town.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – None.
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – None.
13. 14.
15. INFORMATION/CORRESPONDENCE
A. Monthly Police Report
B. Monthly Public Works Report
C. Treasurer’s Report
D. Monthly Administrative Services Report
E. Monthly Finance Department Report
F. Warrants
G. Monthly Engineer’s Report
H. Monthly Planning Report
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned into closed session at 8:24 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: March 4, 2024