City Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 18, 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 (AMENDED AGENDA)
The City Council Meeting Agenda for the May 18, 2026 regular meeting was originally posted on Monday, May 11, 2026 and amended on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Amendment made due to the addition of Item 7(B) - Accept Offers of Dedication for Valley View Way and Bowers Drive. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Call to Order and Establish a Quorum for Regular Meeting Mayor Gunselman called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
Present: Mayor Claire Gunselman, Vice Mayor Sierk, Council Members Susan Feist, Dan Riordan, and Jim Swift.
Absent: None
City Treasurer: Victoria Runquist
Staff: Tom DuBois - City Manager, Derek Cole - City Attorney, Dan LaFontaine - Public Works Director, Mason Peters - Finance Supervisor, Jim O’Connell - Police Chief, and Pam Caronongan - City Clerk
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Mayor Gunselman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Public Forum
1. Ron Houck - Shared studies involving a small town in Connecticut, the consequences of cannabis use after legalization, and the rise of mental health-related cases, especially the youth and young adults under 21 years old. Spoke against cannabis in Sutter Creek.
2. Suzanne Houck - Shared testimony supporting her stance against a cannabis dispensary opening in Sutter Creek and other small communities.
3. Barbara Brusatori - Spoke against a cannabis dispensary opening in Sutter Creek, and the dangers of having the youth exposed to cannabis.
4. Theresa Mulvey - Spoke against a cannabis dispensary opening in Sutter Creek, and shared testimony as well as data from studies demonstrating the effects of cannabis use.
5. Steven - Mentioned the upcoming Ragtime Festival. Also spoke against a cannabis dispensary opening in Sutter Creek, exposing youth to cannabis, and increasing awareness that cannabis is a gateway drug towards using other drugs.
6. Diane Nelson - Urged the City Council to keep cannabis out of Sutter Creek. Also shared the consequences of allowing a cannabis dispensary to open in Sutter Creek, which includes exposing the youth to cannabis.
7. Justin Howard - Spoke in support of having speed tables installed in the Gopher Flats area.
8. Michelle - Spoke against having a cannabis dispensary open in Sutter Creek, especially since this will expose the youth.
4. City Manager’s Report
City Manager DuBois presented his report before the City Council. City Manager DuBois and PublicWorks Director Dan Lafontaine responded to inquiries and requests for clarification from the City Council.
The City Council requested clarification / asked questions regarding the following items:
1. Rotostrainers.
2. In-house paving of streets via the County’s pilot project.
3. Embarc update.
4. More details regarding the Police Foundation Dinner on May 22, 2026.
City Manager DuBois’ presentation can be accessed via this link:
https://www.cityofsuttercreek.org/media/10436
5. Presentations
A. Sutter Creek Visitor Center Presentation
Recommendation: Receive 2025 Annual Review presentation and Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027 sponsorship proposal given by Lisa Klosowski, Director - Sutter Creek Visitor Center.
Ms. Lisa Klosowski, Sutter Creek Visitor Center Director, presented before the City Council and responded to inquiries and requests for clarification from the City Council. Director Klosowski shared the following information regarding the Visitor’s Center:
1. Activities for the fiscal year.
2. Tourist / visitor activity.
3. Team / volunteer efforts.
4. Revenues and expenses.
5. Partnership with the City of Sutter Creek.
Director Klosowski requested that the City Council consider sponsoring the Sutter Creek Visitor Center for the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2026-2027).
The City Council expressed their compliments and thanks to Director Klosowski and the Visitor’s Center.
B. University of Southern California (USC) 2026 Sunstone Economic Development Challenge - Building an Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in the City of Sutter Creek Recommendation: Receive informational report and presentation material provided by the USC Team regarding economic development possibilities for the City of Sutter Creek.
City Manager DuBois introduced the Sunstone Team from USC: Mr. Abraham Tuchman, Mr. Dalton Abrams, and Ms. Marilyn Yuan.
Before the City Council, the USC Team (who were virtually in attendance) presented their research, findings, and recommendations regarding the City of Sutter Creek and its opportunities for community and economic development and growth.
The USC Team’s recommendation were the following:
1. Develop a “Why Sutter Creek” Business Attraction Plan
2. Establish an Entrepreneurship Development Center (EDC)
3. Develop an Innovation Campus and Business Incubator
4. Launch a Sutter Creek Agricultural Innovation Pilot Program.
The City Council inquired / requested clarification from the USC Team and City Manager DuBois regarding the following:
1. Implementation phase
2. Next steps for the City.
The City Council thanks the USC Team for their work.
The USC Team’s slide presentation can be accessed via this link:
https://www.cityofsuttercreek.org/media/10441
Mayor Gunselman announced a five-minute break at 7:18 PM. The City Council reconvened and resumed the meeting at 7:22 PM
6. Approval of Minutes
A. City Council Minutes of May 4, 2026
Recommendation: By motion approve minutes as presented.
Motion made by Council Member Riordan, seconded by Vice Mayor Sierk to approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of May 4, 2026 as presented by staff.
AYES: Vice Mayor Sierk, and Council Members Feist, Riordan, and Swift ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Mayor Gunselman
NOES: None
MOTION CARRIED 4-0
7. Consent Agenda
A. Public Hearing: Safety Element Update with LHMP
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Review the amended Safety Element and hold a public hearing to solicit public comment on the Draft Amendment to the Safety Element; and
2. Find the Project is exempt from CEQA per Section 15061(b)(3); and
3. Approve, based on the Planning Commission’s recommendation, the proposed General Plan Amendment to incorporate the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan into the Safety Element as presented.
4. Adopt Resolution No. 25-26-xx, thereby memorializing the approval of amendment to the Safety Element as presented by staff.
B. Accept Offers of Dedication for Valley View Way and Bowers Drive Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 25-26-xx, thereby memorializing the City of Sutter Creek's acceptance of Offers of Dedication for Valley View Way and Bowers Drive.
Motion made by Council Member Swift, seconded by Council Member Riordan to approve all items listed in the Consent Agenda.
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: Delinquent Sewer Charges
Recommendation:
1. Open the Public Hearing and receive public comment.
2. Close the Public Hearing.
3. Adopt Resolution No. 25-26-xx, thereby approving the order to place delinquent sewer charges on the tax rolls pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 5470 et seq.
3. Direct the City Clerk to record delinquencies with the County Recorder's Office.
Mayor Gunselman opened and then closed the Public Hearing at 7:24 PM. Zero (0) public comments were received.
The City Council received and accepted the Delinquent Sewer Charges List as presented by staff.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Sierk, seconded by Council Member Riordan to accept the Delinquent Sewer Charges List as presented by staff; adopt Resolution No. 25-26-xx, thereby approving the order to place delinquent sewer charges on the tax rolls pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 5470 et. seq; and direct the City Clerk to record delinquencies with the County Recorder’s Office.
AYES: Mayor Gunselman, Vice Mayor Sierk, and Council Members Feist, Riordan, and Swift ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NOES: None
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
B. Surveillance Ordinance - Introduction (1st Reading) of Ordinance No. 25-26-xx Recommendation: Introduce and waive First (1st) Reading of Ordinance No. 25-26-xx - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Sutter Creek Adding Chapter 2.55 to the Sutter Creek Municipal Code Pertaining to Surveillance Technology and Privacy Protections.
City Attorney Derek Cole presented before the City Council regarding the agenda item. City Attorney Cole and City Manager DuBois responded to inquiries and requests for clarification from the City Council.
The City Council inquired / requested for clarification regarding the following topics under this agenda item:
1. This agenda item is to “establish a policy within the policy.” This draft ordinance is not the policy in itself.
2. The policy in itself will be done via a Resolution, which would be presented to the City Council at a later date.
3. The annual surveillance report, and the sharing of ALPR data by the City to other agencies, including state and federal agencies would be addressed at a greater length in the policy itself.
One (1) public comment was received:
1. Joe - Spoke in support of the draft Ordinance and suggested modifications. Pointed out his agreement with staff’s statement that the ordinance in itself does not have any financial impact, but the acquisition of equipment and the subscription will have a financial impact to the City.
The City Council should also consider the costs involving the deactivation of the technology and ensuring that the City has the data captured by the ALPRs after deactivation.
2. Becky - Spoke regarding the possible negative consequences of ALPRs, and for the City Council to consider saying “no” to ALPRs.
Motion made by Council Member Feist, seconded by Vice Mayor Sierk to waive the First (1st) Reading and introduce Ordinance No. 25-26-xx - an Ordinance of the City of Sutter Creek Adding Chapter 2.55 to the Sutter Creek Municipal Code Pertaining to Surveillance Technology and Privacy Protections.
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. Sutter Creek Economic Development Strategic Plan
Recommendation: Review Materials and provide feedback on Staff recommendations on Strategic Plan for Sutter Creek and the Region developed using our California Jobs First Grant.
City Manager DuBois introduced Mr. Gary Jinks, President and Founder of GLJ Group - the City’s economic development consultant.
City Manager DuBois and Consultant Jinks presented the report before the City Council. After the presentation, City Manager DuBois and Consultant Jinks responded to inquiries and requests for clarification from the City Council.
City Manager DuBois and Consultant Jink’s slide presentation can be accessed via this link:
https://www.cityofsuttercreek.org/media/10431
No motion was made regarding this agenda item.
10. Mayor and Council Member Reports
1. Mayor Gunselman shared that the Benefit Foundation put in more money for the Entrepreneur Center and re-doing / repairing the wall and windows facing Gopher Flat (Historic Grammar School).
2. Vice Mayor Sierk shared that there would be an Air Quality Board Meeting this week
3. Council Member Riordan provided an update regarding the Amador County Transportation Commission (ACTC)’s pilot project of paving roads Countywide.
11. City Attorney’s Report
City Attorney Cole stated that he had nothing to report.
12. Information and Correspondence
A. Monthly Report - City Clerk - April 2026
B. Monthly Report - City Treasurer - April 2026
C. Monthly Report - Engineering - April 2026
D. Monthly Report - Finance - April 2026
E. Monthly Report - Marketing / Social Media - April 2026 F. Monthly Report - Planning - April 2026
G. Monthly Report - Police - April 2026
H. Monthly Report - Public Works - April 2026
I. Correspondence Received from the Public
Recommendation: Receive correspondence from public (received from April 1 to April 30, 2026) The City Council received all monthly reports and correspondence.
13. Closed Session
None.
14. Report from Closed Session
None.
15. Adjournment
Mayor Gunselman adjourned the meeting at 8:27PM.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is June 1, 2026.
Meeting Minutes approved by the City Council on June 1, 2026. ______________________________________________________
Pam Caronongan, MMC, City Clerk