City Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 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.
1. Call to Order and Establish a Quorum for Regular Meeting Mayor Gunselman called the meeting to order
Present: Councilmembers Riordan, Sierk, Gunselman, Swift and Feist Treasurer Renquist
Staff: DuBois, LaFontaine, Peters and Cole
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
The Mayor led the pledge
3. Public Forum
None
4. City Manager’s Report
City Manager DuBois presented an update. See presentation
5. Presentations
None
6. Approval of Minutes
A. City Council Minutes of January 6, 2025
Recommendation: By motion approve minutes as presented.
Motion by Councilmember Riordan, Seconded by Councilmember Sierk.
Passed 4-0, with Gunselman abstaining
7. Consent Agenda - No Items
8. Ordinances and Public Hearing - No Items
9. Administrative Agenda
A. Local Use and Transaction Tax Planning
Council engaged in a discussion covering the three main items in the staff report. The public commented on each section as well. Council desired some flexibility but also wanted specifics as discussed with constituents during the election. Ultimately, the decision was to be fairly precise about allocations to eligible categories in the first year and to evaluate how that works.
Council agreed to the following steps:
1. The first quarter of local TUT will be reserved (end of FY 24-25)
2. The TUT will be allocated 75% to Streets and 25% to capital reserve in FY 25-26. Staff will attempt to budget separate funds for weed abatement and bring a proposal back as part of the budget process. Weed abatement is important for fire mitigation.
3. The policy will be review annually the first several years
4. Five people will be appointed to a TUT oversight committee. The City will recruit people to apply and Council members will suggest names. City Manager DuBois and Martin Ryan who has agreed to be on the committee will review applicants and recommend five members.
5. The oversight committee will be sent a report on the TUT budget proposal.
6. There will be one public meeting of the TUT during the budget season. They will elect a Chair amongst themselves to run the meeting.
7. They will review and approve the TUT budget only. Their review will be to verify that the budget is following the purpose of the TUT funds - to fund streets, storm drains, public safety needs and provide matching funds for grants. They have no other responsibility.
8. The TUT Oversight Committee or the TUT Oversight Chair will attend the Council meeting when the TUT is discussed in the budget, and report on the oversight committee’s findings.
9. This policy will be documented and brought back to Council on consent B. Council Annual Assignments
CM Swift agreed to be the liaison to the Knight Foundry CM Gunselman agreed to be the liaison to Community Benefit Foundation CM Feist agreed to be the liaison to Wine on 49
CM Riordan agreed to be the liaison to Visitor Center and to the to be formed Lodging district CM Sierk agreed to attend Amador County Board of Supervisor meetings Council approved the proposed assignments
10. Mayor and Council Member Reports
CM Feist - Support lodging district, will be at the County Board next Tuesday, requesting people attend and support.
CM Sierk - attended Air quality board meeting, discussed ban of large engine diesel, Sutter Creek recognized for moving to electric landscaping tools
CM Riordan - updated Council on long discussion of bike/ped at ACTC board meeting. Disagreement on board, not sure what the end game is. Suggested COSC put together a proposal to ACTC for the bike path to Amador City.
Mayor Gunselman - Attended ARSA meeting, recap for new members. Helping plan the Duck Race - tickets on sale, nonprofit fair fully booked.
11. City Attorney’s Report
None
12. Future Agenda Items
None
13. Information and Correspondence
Questions from Council Members
CM Riordan - Building permits - less or more than one year ago? More permits but less money.
CM Sierk - Are the warrants for fuel in December reported for costs incurred in November? Yes.
Cm Riordan - What's the advantage of getting more back rotorstrainers online in wastewater plant? Mainly for storms. Can we borrow a street sweeper from Ione? Needs to be on a trailer. Director LaFontaine will discuss with the new Ione PW Director when they meet.
14. Closed Session
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Agency designated representatives: Mayor and City Attorney Unrepresented employee: City Manager
Went into Closed session at 7:43 PM
15. Report from Closed Session
Returned at 8:15 with no reportable action
16. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM
The next Council meeting is a special Council Meeting on Feb 3, 2025 starting at 3:00 PM for annual priority setting. There will be a regular Council meeting that same day at 6PM for the Solid waste public hearing