City Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 04, 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 Vice Mayor Sierk called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
Present: Vice Mayor Julia Sierk, and Council Members Susan Feist, Dan Riordan, and Jim Swift.
Absent: Mayor Claire Gunselman
City Treasurer: Victoria Runquist (absent)
Staff: Tom DuBois - City Manager, Derek Cole - City Attorney, Dan LaFontaine - Public Works Director, and Pam Caronongan - City Clerk
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Vice Mayor Sierk led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Public Forum
One (1) public comment was received:
A. Barbara Comnes - Expressed thanks to City staff for cleaning up and making Sutter Hill Road more firesafe. She stated that Greenstone Terrace has vegetation that needs to be cleaned up, too.
4. City Manager’s Report
City Manager DuBois provided his report to the City Council. City Manager DuBois and City Attorney also provided responses to inquiries and requests for clarification from the City Council.
City Manager DuBois’ presentation can be reviewed via this link:
https://www.cityofsuttercreek.org/media/10426
5. Presentations
None.
6. Approval of Minutes
A. City Council Minutes of April 20, 2026.
Recommendation: By motion, approve minutes as presented.
Council Member Riordan provided clarification regarding his motion pertaining to the City Treasurer agenda item. City staff will modify the minutes to reflect this clarification.
Motion made by Council Member Riordan, seconded by Council Member Feist to approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of April 20, 2026 with modifications as requested by City Council.
AYES: Vice Mayor Sierk, and Council Members Feist and Riordan ABSENT: Mayor Gunselman
ABSTAIN: Council Member Swift
NOES: None
MOTION CARRIED 3-0
7. Consent Agenda
A. Sales and Use Tax Data Access Authorizations
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 25-26-xx, thereby re-verifying authorizations for management staff and HdL to view Sales & Use Tax data provided by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
B. Adopt Resolution No. 25-26-21 (Revised) - City Council Resolution to Adopt by Reference Amador County's 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 25-26-21 (Revised), correcting administrative errors and reaffirming the City’s adoption by reference of the Amador County 2025 Updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) into the Safety Element of the City of Sutter Creek General Plan.
Motion made by Council Member Swift, seconded by Council Member Riordan to approve all items listed in the Consent Agenda.
AYES: Vice Mayor Sierk, and Council Members Feist, Riordan, and Swift ABSENT: Mayor Gunselman
ABSTAIN: None
NOES: None
MOTION CARRIED 4-0
8. Ordinances and Public Hearing
None
.
9. Administrative Agenda
A. FY26-27 Budget Planning Project Priorities
Recommendation: Review the projects, priorities and use of funds, and provide feedback to staff to inform the FY26-27 budget process.
City Manager DuBois presented the report before the City Council. City Manager DuBois provided responses and clarification as requested by the City Council One (1) public comment was received from Justin Howard (a resident at Gopher Flat Road), who spoke in favor of the proposed work at Gopher Flat. He stated that the speed reduction table and re-striping estimates for the project is reasonable. He requested the City Council to move these items forward for public safety.
The City Council resumed discussion. The following topics were discussed:
1. Streets and sidewalks.
2. Facilities, specifically Monteverde Museum. It was reported that the Duck Race contribution for this effort is $10,000.
3. Parks, specifically the monument contributed by the Native Sons.
4. Creek clean-up. The City Council had consensus that there must be a healthy balance achieved between clean-up versus over-vegetation.
5. Code enforcement
6. Fire abatement
7. Public safety, specifically the surveillance camera project.
City Manager DuBois’ presentation can be accessed through this link:
https://www.cityofsuttercreek.org/media/10416
No motion was made regarding this agenda item.
B. Information Report on 2026 Swimming Pool Season
Recommendation: Review and provide comments
City Manager DuBois presented the report before the City Council. City Manager DuBois provided responses and clarification as requested by the City Council City Manager DuBois reported the following:
1. Pool season pass sign-ups started May 4, 2026.
2. Ms. Daphne Parker is the new Pool Director.
3. Pool manager and senior lifeguard recruitments ongoing.
The City Council inquired of the possibility for the pool to be open longer - whether it be in terms of hours and/or prolonging the pool season. City Manager DuBois stated that staff will explore this possibility.
No motion was made regarding this agenda item.
C. Delinquent Sewer Notice
Recommendation: Receive preliminary report from City staff regarding the current status of delinquent wastewater / sewer bills as of March 31, 2026.
City Manager DuBois presented the report before the City Council. City Manager DuBois provided responses and clarification as requested by the City Council The City Council asked as to why some accounts had not paid since 2021. City Manager DuBois replied that some account holders would rather pay their bill through their property tax lien.
No motion was made regarding this agenda item.
10. Mayor and Council Member Reports
The City Council stated that they had nothing to report.
11. City Attorney’s Report
City Attorney Cole stated that he had nothing to report.
12. Information and Correspondence
None.
13. Closed Session
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 of the Government Code) Joshua Benedict v. County of Amador et al. (and the City of Sutter Creek) U.S. District Court, Eastern Dist. Cal., Case No. 2:26-cv-00236-JAM-AC
14. Report from Closed Session
Vice Mayor Sierk stated that there was no reportable action from the Closed Session..
15. Adjournment
The next regularly scheduled meeting is May 18, 2026.
Vice Mayor Sierk adjourned the meeting at 7:54 PM.
Minutes Approved: May 4, 2026
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Pam Caronongan, MMC, City Clerk