City Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, April 06, 2026 at 6:00 PM
33 Church Street, Sutter Creek, CA 95685
The Agenda can be found on the City’s Website: www.cityofsuttercreek.org
1. Call to Order and Establish a Quorum for Regular Meeting Mayor Gunselman called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM.
Present: Mayor Claire Gunselman, Vice Mayor Sierk, Council Members Susan Feist (arrived 6:05 PM), Dan Riordan and James Swift.
Absent: none
City Treasurer: Victoria Runquist
Staff: Tom DuBois - City Manager, Derek Cole - City Attorney, Dan LaFontaine - Public Works Director, Jim O’Connell - Police Chief, Mason Peters - Finance Supervisor and Pam Caronongan - City Clerk
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Mayor Gunselman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Public Forum
1. Gentleman - (Identified himself as former City of Sutter Creek Planning Commissioner) Spoke in support of the City’s efforts to explore, learn, and weigh the “pros and cons” of allowing a dispensary to open in Sutter Creek. He encouraged the City Council to look into the matter very carefully before making a decision.
2. Leah - spoke in support of Elvis Rhythm & Brews and asked on behalf of the business proprietor for the City to assist Elvis Rhythm & Brews in finding a “new home” in Sutter Creek before it closes its doors at the end of April 2026.
3. Christy Nelson - Refuted the data shared by Embarc. The data can be found in the City website’s Agenda and Meetings section (City Council - April 6, 2026 meeting - Correspondence section).
4. Mark Faryan - (Identified himself as a physician and Pine Grove resident) Refuted the data shared by Embarc. The data can be found in the City website’s Agenda and Meetings section (City Council - April 6, 2026 meeting - Correspondence section).
5. Barbara Comnes - Shared her opinion regarding the Embarc meeting.
6. Bryan Comnes - Spoke regarding three topics: (1) Asked the City to help Elvis Rhythm & Brews in finding a “new home” in Sutter Creek, (2) “No” to cannabis, and (3) refuted the data that Embarc shared in the April 6, 2026 City Council agenda packet.
7. Teresa Ryan - Stated her concerns that having the Danko housing project and a dispensary in Sutter Creek, referring to it as a “bad combination.”
8. Bonnie Gale - (Identified herself as a member of Sutter Creek Primary School). Thanked the City, especially Mayor Gunselman and City Manager DuBois in helping the school move forward in holding this year’s Valentine’s Dance.
4. City Manager’s Report
City Manager DuBois provided his report to the City Council. Aside from responding to inquiries and requests for clarification from the City Council, City Manager DuBois also provided a reply to public comments regarding Embarc and the Danko project.
5. Presentations
None.
6. Approval of Minutes
A. City Council Minutes of March 16, 2026
Recommendation: By motion approve minutes as presented.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Sierk, seconded by Council Member Feist to approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of March 16, 2026 as presented.
AYES: Mayor Gunselman, Vice Mayor Sierk, and Council Members Feist, Riordan, and Swift ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NOES: None
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
7. Consent Agenda
A. Adopt Resolution accepting the work and approving the City Manager to execute the Notice of Completion (NOC) regarding the Bryson Park Bathroom Expansion Project Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 25–26-xx, thereby accepting the work on the Bryson Park Bathroom Expansion Project and authorizing the City Manager to execute the Notice of Completion and cause it to be filed with the Amador County Recorder.
B. 2025 Amador County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (in accordance with AB 2140).
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 25-26-xx, thereby approving the City's adoption of the 2025 Updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) in its entirety, including appendices and Annex.
Mayor Gunselman opened the floor for public comment.
Zero (0) public comment was received.
Motion made by Council Member Swift, seconded by Vice Mayor Sierk to approve all Consent Agenda items as presented by staff.
AYES: Mayor Gunselman, Vice Mayor Sierk, and Council Members Feist, Riordan, and Swift ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NOES: None
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
8. Ordinances and Public Hearing
A. Public Hearing and Second (2nd) Reading of Draft Ordinance No. 25-26-XX updating the City's Uniform Building Code
Recommendation: Waive motion to have second reading by substitution of the title and adopt Ordinance No 25-26-XX, thereby amending Sections 15.04.010 and 15.04.030 of the Sutter Creek Municipal Code regarding Adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards Administrative Code, 2025 California Building Code, 2025 California Residential Building Code, 2025 California Electrical Code, 2025 California Mechanical Code, 2025 California Plumbing Code, 2025 California Energy Code, California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, 2025 California Historical Building Code, 2025 California Fire Code, 2025 California Existing Building Code, 2025 International Property Maintenance Code, 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, 1997 Uniform Housing Code, 2024 Uniform Building Security Code, and 2024 Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Code.
Since the City Council did not have any questions for staff, Mayor Gunselman opened the Public Hearing at 6:43 PM and opened the floor for public comment. Zero (0) public comments were received, and Mayor Gunselman closed the Public Hearing as well as the floor for public comment at 6:43 PM.
Motion made by Council Member Riordan, seconded by Vice Mayor Sierk to waive the second reading via substitution of the tile and adopt Ordinance No. 25-26-xx.
AYES: Mayor Gunselman, Vice Mayor Sierk, and Council Members Feist, Riordan, and Swift ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NOES: None
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
9. Administrative Agenda
A. Surveillance Technology Policy
Recommendation: Discuss and Consider a Citywide Ordinance on surveillance technology City Manager DuBois presented the report before the City Council. City Manager DuBois and Police Chief O’Connell responded to questions and requests for inquiries from the City Council.
The City Council inquired regarding the following matters pertaining to the Surveillance Technology Policy:
1. Chief O’Connell confirmed that it is recommended to have the Policy in place first before moving forward with procuring equipment and/or technology.
2. Chief O’Connell clarified on when the data collected from the technology is used. Chief O’Connell specifically clarified that data will not be collected and/or shared for immigrationrelated matters.
3. Chief O’Connell explained certain areas wherein the cameras should be installed, with the goal of assisting in the deterrence of crime.
4. Chief O’Connell and City Manager DuBois explained the annual cost related to having the technology.
Zero (0) public comment was received.
Motion made by Council Member Feist, seconded by Council Member Riordan staff to move forward in preparing a draft Ordinance implementing a Citywide Surveillance Technology Policy.
AYES: Mayor Gunselman, Vice Mayor Sierk, and Council Members Feist, Riordan, and Swift ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NOES: None
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
B. Law Enforcement Update
Recommendation: Receive this update on discussions with County Sheriff and Proposal to Amador City and adopt a motion to extend a formal offer to Amador City to provide law enforcement services according to the terms presented here.
City Manager DuBois presented the report before the City Council. City Manager DuBois and Police Chief O’Connell responded to questions and requests for inquiries from the City Council. The first topic of conversation was the City’s cost for services provided by the County Sheriff. The second topic of conversation was regarding the presentation that the City provided before the Amador City Council regarding law enforcement services.
One (1) public comment was received - A resident named Peter spoke in favor of the City keeping its police force.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Sierk, seconded by Council Member Riordan to extend a formal offer to Amador City to provide law enforcement services according to the terms presented by staff.
AYES: Mayor Gunselman, Vice Mayor Sierk, and Council Members Feist, Riordan, and Swift ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NOES: None
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
C. Mid-Year Expenses Review and Budget Amendments
Recommendation: Receive and accept the Mid-Year Expenses Review Report and approve the budget amendments.
Finance Supervisor Mason Peters presented the report before the City Council. City Manager DuBois and Finance Supervisor Peters responded to questions and requests for inquiries from the City Council.
The City Council made inquiries regarding the following:
1. ARSA-related budget items.
2. Software-related expenses regarding the recent system migration.
3. Increase in budgeted expenses related to police training. City Manager DuBois explained that the budget adjustment amount for this proposed line item would be $3,000 instead of $1,000 as reflected on the staff report.
Zero (0) public comment was received.
City Council complimented staff for the report.
Motion made by Council Member Riordan, seconded by Vice Mayor Sierk to approve the budget amendments as proposed by staff which includes the modification related to police training (increasing the proposed line item amount from $1,000 to $3,000).
AYES: Mayor Gunselman, Vice Mayor Sierk, and Council Members Feist, Riordan, and Swift ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NOES: None
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
10. Mayor and Council Member Reports
The following members of the City Council provided reports:
1. Vice Mayor Sierk - Reported about the Air Quality Board discussion regarding the return of the green waste bins at the firehouse. There is no long-term contract. At a future Air Quality Board meeting, there will be a discussion regarding trying to have a contract between the Air Quality Board and Republic Services. As of now, the Republic Services contract is on a month-to-month basis. The other matter is trying to find other ways to offset Republic Services’ costs such as having a designated dropbox where residents can voluntarily contribute funds or to have a “voluntary fee” reflected on teh bill /putting the voluntary fee in a dropbox, or putting in a voluntary fee within the letter. The other thing was that there is still the grant available for replacing the gas-operated small tools and replacing them for a rebate for electric replacements and that grant is still available through Amador County.
2. Council Member Riordan - Updated the City Council regarding Sutter Creek resident Kenny Neu and the County’s efforts in repaving roads Countywide. The Amador County Transportation Commission has invested almost $600,000 now in paving equipment. The Commission is working with the County to develop a core competency that they do not currently have. Mr. Neu / Mr. Neu’s firm is overseeing this project, and that they are going into a pilot program at the end of April 2026 where staff training will take place while paving some county roads. The goal of the pilot phase of the project is to develop the capability of paving roads for far less than the current cost (an estimated $800,000 to $1 million a mile).
3. Council Member Feist - Shared a proposal for a future agenda item regarding using goats to graze on weeds which is safer, not destructive (does not leave burn marks), and more ecological than burning weeds.
11. City Attorney’s Report
City Attorney Cole stated that he had no items to report.
12. Information and Correspondence
A. Correspondence Received from the Public from March 12, 2026 to March 30, 2026 (3:30 PM).
The City Council received all correspondence.
13. Closed Session
None.
14. Report from Closed Session
None.
15. Adjournment
The next regularly scheduled meeting is April 20, 2026.
Mayor Gunselman adjourned the meeting at 8:17 PM.
Minutes Approved: April 20, 2026
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Pam Caronongan, MMC, City Clerk