Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, February 03, 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.
PRESENT: Sierk, Gunselman, Feist, Riordan (via zoom)
Absent : Swift
Treasurer Vicky - present
Staff: DuBois, Cole(via zoom)
1. Call to Order and Establish a Quorum for Regular Meeting
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
3. Public Forum
Resident Mike Kirkley noticed the installation of a mirror to aid turns onto Main street. Commented that he had to pull out to see the mirror and didn’t feel it was safe. Concerned about potential car accidents.
4. Approval of Minutes
A. City Council Minutes of Jan 21, 2025
Recommendation: By motion approve minutes as presented.
Motion to approve CM Sierk, Seconded CM Feist
Passed 4 - 0, Swift absent
5. Consent Agenda
Items listed on the consent agenda are considered routine and shall be enacted in one motion. Any item may be removed for discussion at the request of Council or the Public.
A. Amendment to City Manager Employment Agreement
For Council Approval
City Attorney Cole gave an oral report, going over the details of changes to the City Manager’s compensation resulting from his recent performance review.
PUBLIC COMMENT - Mike Kirkley made comments objecting to the change in compensation Motion to approve by CM Feist, seconded by CM Riordan
Passed 4 - 0, Swift absent
6. Ordinances and Public Hearing
A. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER INCREASE IN RATES FOR SOLID-WASTE SERVICE PROVIDED BY ACES WASTE SERVICES, INC.
Conduct public hearing and adopt resolution 24-25-21
City Attorney Cole reviewed the multi-year process for ACES/ REPUBLIC rate increases. Next three years will be based on the actual refuse rate increase, up to a maximum of 10%. Just completed a detailed rate review. Will only have to do the Prop 218 process again in four years. There is also a contract amendment to clarify the timing to align detailed rate review with timing that they do it for the county.
CM Riordan - The rate in March seems higher? Yes, should have started Jan 1, but starting March 1 so rates are adjusted.
CM Gunselman - Voting to approve new rates? Yes, approving an actual rate change for this year that will go into effect on March 1.
CM Sierk - We are only approving rate changes for this year? Yes, that is the only one known. In future years a simple resolution will come to council with the actual annual rate change.
CM Sierk - RRI calculation is good only annually? Yes, will get one annually Paul, Republic - Each year Republic will compute the rate adjustment for the next year.
CM Sierk - is a fuel surcharge separate from RRI? Yes it is separate from a rate adjustment. Not foreseen to happen at this point.
CM Riordan/Sierk - How is the decision made to have a fuel surcharge? Calculated quarterly and put into base rates. When doing rate calculation, the fuel surcharge is deducted CM Riordan - Can you explain the detailed rate study, and what resulted in increases? Last rate study was 2024. Fuel, labor, insurance, thoroughly vetted by the County CM Feist - Can the recycling program be made more cost effective? Everything is commingled, more expense to sort. So not a lot of revenue from recycling.
Mayor Gunselman opened the public hearing at 6:44 PM
No public present -
Received 11 Protests by mail
CM Sierk motioned to close the public hearing, seconded by CM Feist Approved by 4 - 0 vote, with CM Swift absent
Motion to approve the resolution by CM Riordan, seconded by CM Sierk Passed 4- 0, 1 absent
Council Member Reports
CM Feist - Special district discussion at County Supervisors was moved to next meeting City Attorney - no report
Future agenda items - none requested
7. Adjournment
The next Council meeting will be a special meeting on Feb 18 at 3PM to discuss the City’s annual priorities.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is Feb 18, 2025 at 6 PM NOTE: This is the Tuesday after Presidents' Day Weekend.