City Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 20, 2024 at 6:00 PM
33 Church Street, Sutter Creek, CA 95685
The Agenda can be found on the City’s Website: www.cityofsuttercreek.org The City of Sutter Creek City Council Meeting was available via Zoom and in person.
Unless stated otherwise on the agenda, every item on the agenda is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) per CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c), 15061(b)(3), 15273, 15378, 15301, 15323 and/or Public Resources Code Section 21065.
1. Call to Order and Establish a Quorum for Regular Meeting Mayor Gunselman called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
PRESENT
Mayor Claire Gunselman
Vice Mayor Julia Sierk
Council member Jim Swift
Council member Dan Riordan
ABSENT
Council member Susan Feist
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
3. Public Forum
Jim McKeon noted that he was speaking as a citizen and not as a Sutter Creek Police Officer. He referenced the Council's discussion at the May 6th meeting in regard to a grant for a police vehicle and questioned why the Council would consider turning down any grant money for a police car that the officers need to do their job.
4. City Manager’s Report
City Manager Tom DuBois gave a presentation providing updates based on Council 2024 priorities on the following:
Repaving bids, fixing sinkholes, draft budget, closing ARSA financials, land near WWTP, the pool contract and city clean-up efforts.
City Manager's Report Presentation
5. Presentations
A. Audit Review- Maze & Associates
Vikki Rodriguez of Maze & Associates presented the Audit Report.
6. Approval of Minutes
A. City Council Minutes of May 6, 2024
Recommendation: By motion approve minutes as presented.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Sierk, Seconded by Council member Swift.
Voting Yea: Mayor Gunselman, Vice Mayor Sierk, Council member Swift, Council member Riordan
7. Consent Agenda
Motion made by Vice Mayor Sierk, Seconded by Council member Riordan.
Voting Yea: Mayor Gunselman, Vice Mayor Sierk, Council member Swift, Council member Riordan A. Use of SB-1 fund for transportation purposes.
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution 23-24-28 Approving the Use of SB1 funds for rehabilitation improvements for fiscal year 2024-2025.
8. Ordinances and Public Hearing – None
9. Administrative Agenda
A. Local Transaction and Use Tax Update - for discussion and staff direction Council member Riordan commented that this is the best way forward and continues to support the tax.
He noted that the polling results show that the difference in support between the 1% and 1.5% is negligible and that the tourists will share the burden.
Council member Sierk noted that she has received positive feedback from some of the business owners.
Mayor Gunselman suggested including residents as stakeholders in the staff report. She noted that this is the least detrimental option for residents on a budget, as it will have less of an effect on locals than it does on tourists. She also commented that the timing has to be in a Presidential Election year.
The Council directed staff continue to move forward with the 1.5% option.
B. Adopt Resolution 23-24-29 authorizing the City of Sutter Creek to submit an application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for funding under the CPLHA Competitive Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program
Council member Swift stepped down from this item due to a conflict of interest.
City Manager Tom DuBois explained that there is no impact or cost to the city, that it is just a pass through.
Motion made by Council member Riordan, Seconded by Vice Mayor Sierk.
Voting Yea: Mayor Gunselman, Vice Mayor Sierk, Council member Riordan Abstain: Council member Swift
10. Mayor and Council Member Reports
Council member Riordan reported that he attended a meeting with volunteers to talk about potential volunteer opportunities. The status of the emergency sirens was brought up and they expect to meet again soon.
Council member Sierk reported that ACRA approved the pool agreement, there was some concern about the school district's role with the pool and they finished their audit that went well.
Council member Swift noted that the is a Fire District meeting tomorrow and that he will ask for an update on the status of the sirens.
11. City Attorney’s Report - None
12. Future Agenda Items
Council member Sierk asked about the progress of the radar sign installation, the plan for providing bike racks and about changing the crosswalk at Gopher Flat and Main. St.
Public Works Director Dan Lafontaine noted that Public Works has installed one sign and is working on installing the rest of the radar signs and they plan to do the crosswalk striping once school is out for the summer. He also reported that the Foundry will be making bike racks, and that staff is looking into the implications of altering the crosswalk at Gopher Flat and Main Street.
Council member Swift suggested discussing moving money into the LAIF account that yields higher interest.
Mayor Gunselman suggested a regional equipment share agreement since each of the cities have equipment that is not always in use and could be utilized by neighboring departments.
13. Information and Correspondence
So Noted.
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
I. General Election Information
14. Closed Session
Adjourned into Closed Session at 7:22 p.m.
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
15. Report from Closed Session
No reportable action and staff were given direction.
16. Adjournment
___________________________________
Claire Gunselman, Mayor
___________________________________
Karen Darrow, City Clerk
Date Approved: June 3, 2024