City Council Meeting Minutes (DRAFT)
Monday, June 15, 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 6:00 PM.
Present: Mayor Claire Gunselman, and Council Members Dan Riordan and Jim Swift.
Council Member Susan Feist joined via Zoom at 6:26 PM.
Absent: Vice Mayor Juilia Sierk
City Treasurer: Victoria Runquist
Staff: Tom DuBois - City Manager, Derek Cole - City Attorney, 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. Susan Ross (Sutter Creek resident) - spoke in favor of cannabis dispensary provided that it is done within regulation.
2. Anthony Spinetta (Amador County resident) - spoke in favor of opening a cannabis dispensary in Sutter Creek.
3. Suzanne Houck - spoke against the opening of a cannabis dispensary in Sutter Creek.
4. Ronald Houck - spoke against the opening of a cannabis dispensary in Sutter Creek.
5. Steve - spoke in favor of opening a cannabis dispensary in Sutter Creek.
4. City Manager’s Report
City Manager DuBois presented his report before the City Council. City Manager DuBois responded to inquiries and requests for clarification from the City Council.
The City Council requested clarification / asked questions regarding the following items:
A. Code Enforcement consultant retirement and replacement B. Sutter Hill bids - how many received thus far
City Manager DuBois’ presentation can be accessed via this link:
https://www.cityofsuttercreek.org/media/10781
5. Presentations
A. Proclamation for Ms. Lisa Klosowski and her work on the Sutter Creek Visitor Center.
This item to be continued during the City Council regular meeting dated July 6, 2026.
6. Approval of Minutes
A. City Council Meeting Minutes of June 1, 2026
Recommendation: By motion, approve minutes as presented.
The following modifications were to be made to the draft meeting minutes:
1. Council Member Swift - (on 7A - Consent). Regarding the surveillance cameras. Correction to clarify that the City Council has not made a decision to move forward with an advanced camera system.
2. Mayor Gunselman - (on 9A, fourth bullet point). Modify to reflect clarification that not all fees mentioned here are park impact fees.
Motion made by Council Member Swift, seconded by Council Member Riordan to approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of May 18, 2026 with the modifications indicated by the City Council.
AYES: Mayor Gunselman, and Council Members Riordan and Swift ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sierk
ABSTAIN: Council Member Feist
NOES: None
MOTION CARRIED 3-0, with 1 Abstention and 1 Absent
7. Consent Agenda
A. Annual Appropriations Limit (Gann Limit) for FY26-27 Recommendation: Adopt the Resolution establishing the annual appropriations limit B. Authorize City Manager to Apply for USDA Grant
Recommendation: Approve Resolution to Authorize City Manager to Apply for USDA Rural Business Development Grant
C. Ballot Measure for Appointed City Treasurer
Recommendation: Approve a resolution calling for a ballot measure to approve an appointed City Treasurer.
D. Resolution to Award Sutter Hill Road Asphalt Concrete Overlay Contract to the Lowest Qualified Bidder
Recommendation: Approve the resolution awarding the construction contract Motion by CM Swift, Second by CM Riordan to approve Items A and B.
Motion passed by 4 - 0 vote with 1 absent
Item D - Council Member Swift and Riordan had questions on options and costs. The City Engineer answered the questions.
One Member of the public spoke to the consent items and details of the road paving bid.
Motion by CM Riodan, Second by CM Swift to approve Items C and D.
Motion passed by 4 - 0 vote with 1 absent
8. Ordinances and Public Hearing
9. Administrative Agenda
A. Resolution to Allow Microtrenching for Fiber Broadband Project Recommendation: Approve resolution to allow an exception for the proposed CVIN project Staff presented the item and answered Council questions.
Motion to approve by CM Riodan, Second by CM Swift
Motion passed 4 - 0 with 1 absent.
B. Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget
Recommendation: Review budget and approve resolution to adopt for FY 26-27.
City Manager DuBois and Finance Supervisor Peters presented and answered questions.
Clarification questions asked by City Council on impact fees and the Valley View Commons project Public Comment - Sandy Spellicey. Suggested that the City do a “story book” to explain and have people understand how their tax dollars are working.
Public Comment - Steve. (Vintner’s Association) - spend more marketing dollars from TOT funds to support businesses who are helping the City in many ways via donated wine, sponsorship, support, and spending their own marketing dollars.
Council discussed shifting dollars to ad to marketing efforts, replace some of the older Christmas lights. City Manager clarified that not all city efforts that support marketing the city are in the “marketing” budget, and the City does in fact spend significant money on the downtown area.
MOTION
CM Swift moved, seconded by CM Riordan to
Approve budget subject to
a. removal of $50K for cameras, bring back camera proposal with details and a budget amendment for consideration.
b. Prioritize clean up of Miner’s Bend, over flower wall c. Shift $5000 from City Manager Contingency to marketing budget.
Motion passed 4 - 0 with 1 absent
10. Mayor and Council Member Reports
CM Feist would like to resume the marketing committee.
CM Swift said the Picnic and Parade were successful. Grateful to staff, public works, police and reserves and volunteers for their help at the parade.
Mayor Gunselman and Dan Riordan - complimented the Italian Benevolent Society
11. City Attorney’s Report
12. Information and Correspondence
A. Public Works - May 2026 Monthly Report
B. Engineering - May 2026 Monthly Report
C. Marketing/Social Media - May 2026 Monthly Report
D. City Clerk - May 2026 Monthly Report
E. City Treasurer - May 2026 Monthly Report
F. Finance - May 2026 Monthly Report
G. Planning - May 2026 Monthly Report
H. Police - May 2026 Monthly Report
I. Correspondence from the public from May 25, 2026 to June 8, 2026.
15. Adjournment
The next regularly scheduled meeting is July 6, 0226
8:26 PM adjournment