City Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, April 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 Call to order at 6:00pm by Mayor Gunselman.
Council Members present: Claire Gunselman, Dan Riordan, Julia Sierk, Jim Swift, Susan Feist Council Members absent: none
City Treasurer: Vicky Runquist
Staff present: City Manager – Tom DuBois, Contract City Attorney – Derek Cole, City Clerk – Aaron Wolcott, Public Works Director – Dan Lafontaine, Finance Supervisor – Mason Peters
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mayor Gunselman.
3. Public Forum
Resident Troy Mobley thanked the City for the recent work to improve sidewalks and parks.
4. City Manager’s Report
City Manager, Tom DuBois gave a brief report (linked here). Work continues to clarify funding for the Bowers Prospect Drive realignment. Conditions of approval will be sent to ACTC for review and response.
The draft budget for the upcoming fiscal year is in progress. The City Manager and Council Member Sierk will attend a conference in Sacramento on Wednesday to lobby for wastewater plant funding. The City is still awaiting final approval of the individual water balance from the Water Board (due May 1st). An extension has been formally requested by all three parties (City, CDCR, Ione) due to Water Board staff turnover. Staff are working on a reduced scope for the recently obtained economic development grant due to less funds that hoped. HCD sent a letter regarding new ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) laws, requiring the City to update its ordinances for compliance. The City is currently working on these updates. Meetings are now being livestreamed on YouTube. The next City Council meeting is May 19th. The audit is expected to be completed by then, and a draft budget will be available for review. The first Budget Review Ad Hoc meeting is scheduled for May 20th.
5. Presentations
6. Approval of Minutes
A. City Council Minutes of April 7, 2025
Motion to approve the Minutes from April 7, 2025 as presented by Council Member Swift, second by Council Member Riordan.
AYES: Council Members Riordan, Sierk, Gunselman, Swift, Feist NOES: none
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
7. Consent Agenda
A. Capital Improvement Plan - Source of Funds correction Revision to funding source for Community Center Solar Project to align with Nexus Study B. Weed Abatement Ordinance
Waive Second Reading of Ordinance Enacting Chapter 10.40 of the Sutter Creek Municipal Code Regarding the Abatement of Weeds and Rubbish.
C. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Sutter Creek Approving Parcel Map No. 2928 for Troy Mobley and Peter Rossi D. Upcoming Delinquent Sewer Customers Public Hearing
Information Item
E. Resolution Appointing new Planning Commissioners
Adopt Resolution 24-25-27 Appointing Laura Damiani and Robert Trudgen to the Planning Commission
Item 7A was pulled from the Consent Agenda by Council Member Sierk.
Motion to approve the Consent Agenda items B-E by Council Member Swift, second by Council Member Sierk.
AYES: Council Members Riordan, Sierk, Gunselman, Swift, Feist NOES: none
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
8. Ordinances and Public Hearing
9. Administrative Agenda
7A. Capital Improvement Plan - Source of Funds correction Council Member Sierk sought additional clarification for why the Capital Improvement Plan fund allocation for the Community Center Solar Project was being moved to park fees from impact fees. City Manager, DuBois explained that the change came out of the Nexus study and was suggested by the consultant overseeing the study. The change does not change the prioritization of projects as determined by the Council. Council Member Sierk motioned to pull the agenda item and continue it at a later date to allow more time to review the various fees. There was no second of the motion and Mayor Gunselman and Council Member Riordan expressed their willingness to proceed with the changes given that the changes keep Council CIP priorities in place.
Motion to approve item 7A on the Consent Agenda by Council Member Swift, second by Council Member Riordan.
AYES: Council Members Riordan, Sierk, Gunselman, Swift, Feist NOES: none
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
A. Budget Amendments for FY25
The draft resolution for budget amendments.
Finance Supervisor, Mason Peters, gave a brief overview of the budget amendments presented for approval.
The budget amendments presented reallocate funds between various expense categories due to differences between the original budget and actual expenditures. A key area of transfer is for funds moved to the wastewater enterprise reserve, fulfilling the intent of the recent rate increase to build capital reserves for a future treatment plant. These amendments also include moving the general fund balance to the wastewater reserve fund. Specific adjustments were detailed for wastewater treatment plant improvement line items, with funds being reallocated to cover engineering costs and collections work.
Council Member Riordan asked what risks might be associated with moving funds to the reserve account and then potentially needing the funds for operational expenses. Peters explained that the adjustments reflect a strategic prioritization of resources at this time and additional amendments could be sought in the future if needed.
Mayor Gunselman asked about the impact fee account and Peters explained that the account is not part of the adjustments as it depends on fees associated with new sewer hookups.
Motion to adopt Resolution 24-25-XX approving budget amendments for fiscal year 2024-25 by Council Member Sierk, second by Council Member Riordan.
AYES: Council Members Riordan, Sierk, Gunselman, Swift, Feist NOES: none
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
B. Sewer Rate Increase Notice
Sewer Rate Increase Notice
City Manager, DuBois let the Council know that the new city sewer rates will be increasing on July 1st per the agreed rate schedule that was approved in June 2024.
This was information only.
C. Resolution Approving Short Term Loan by City of Sutter Creek for the Henderson Under Drain Repair
Resolution for short term loan from the City of Sutter Creek to ACRA City Manager, DuBois presented a resolution to approve a short-term loan of up to $300,000 from the City to the Amador Regional Sanitation Authority (ARSA). The loan is needed to cover a shortfall in ARSA's capital budget to proceed with repairs to the outflow pipe of the Henderson Reservoir Dam. A favorable bid was received from Campbell Construction, making it an opportune time to complete the work while the reservoir is at a low level. The ARSA board already approved the project contingent on City Council approval.
ARSA will repay the loan to the City through its capital reserve fee. This approach is preferred over ARSA obtaining a market-rate loan or delaying the project, which could lead to increased costs and be subject to rainfall conditions. There was a protest of the bid by Soracco Inc and copy of the response letter was given to Council.
The Council expressed broad support for the loan, recognizing the cost savings and the fact that Sutter Creek is the primary member of ARSA. Mayor Gunselman and Council Member Swift both noted the importance of getting the work done sooner than later. Council Member Riordan asked what impact loaning money to ARSA could have on the City’s ability to secure financing for a new wastewater plant and DuBois said that it shouldn’t impact that in a major way.
Motion to approve Resolution 24-25-XX funding the shortfall for the Henderson Dam Project by Council Member Riordan, second by Council Member Swift.
AYES: Council Members Riordan, Sierk, Gunselman, Swift, Feist NOES: none
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
10. Mayor and Council Member Reports
Council Member Riordan: Stated that he would not be able to attend ACTC meetings in May.
Council Member Sierk: Reported that ACRA could not meet due to a lack of quorum, however wanted the Council to be aware of the funding issues at ACRA and potential repercussions for future programming by ACRA. Sierk suggested that the City should begin looking for a plan B for the pool.
Council Member Feist: Informed Council that she recently learned of another city where Short Term Rentals have additional restrictions that it would be good to look into for Sutter Creek.
Council Member Swift: Informed Council that Robin Peters has stepped in to fill the leadership role at the Knight Foundry Alliance due to Wade Worsham having to step down due to health issues.
Mayor Gunselman: Reminded the meeting that the Sutter Creek Duck race will be taking place on Saturday, April 26th. She noted that it has been incredible how many people have been involved to make it happen.
Mayor Gunselman also informed the meeting of a change in leadership at the Sutter Creek Community Benefit Foundation with John Swift as the new Chair, Amy Clingan as Vice-Chair, Nancy Champlin as Secretary, and Claire Gunselman as Treasurer.
11. City Attorney’s Report
None
12. Information and Correspondence
A. March 2025 Treasurer's Report
B. March 2025 Finance Department Report
C. February 2025 Cash Flow Report
D. March 2025 Revenue Report
E. March 2025 Expense Report
F. March 2025 Police Report
G. Planning Department Report
H. March 2025 City Engineering Report
I. March 2025 Public Work Report
J. March 2025 Planning Department Report
K. Correspondence to the City
HCD ADU notice
Letter from Hobbs
Letter from Schifsky
Letter from Watts
L. Correspondence from the City
13. Future Agenda Items
Council Member Sierk requested that ACRA activity be put on the May 19th agenda.
Council Member Riordan requested an update on May 19th regarding where things are at with potential future development projects.
14. Closed Session
15. Report from Closed Session
16. Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 7:04 pm
The next regularly scheduled meeting is May 19, 2025
City Council Minutes Approved: May 19, 2025