City Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, August 03, 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 p.m.
Present: Mayor Claire Gunselman; Vice Mayor Julia Sierk; Councilmembers Dan Riordan and James Swift.
Absent: Councilmember Susan Feist.
Staff Present: City Manager Tom DuBois; City Attorney Derek Cole; Police Chief Jim O'Connell; Finance Supervisor Mason Peters; Public Works Director Dan LaFontaine; and Interim City Clerk Alejandra Zambrano
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Mayor Gunselman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Public Forum
1. Craig Baracco, Executive Director of the Foothill Conservancy, brought to the Council's attention that Conservancy President Brian Johnson had spoken with Councilmembers regarding the junkyard off Amador Road and the need for code-enforcement action by the City. He offered the Conservancy's cooperation and assistance with cleanup efforts.
2. Ron Houck expressed opposition to allowing a cannabis dispensary in Sutter Creek.
3. Suzanne Houck expressed opposition to a cannabis dispensary and raised concerns about a potential increase in crime.
4. Police Chief Jim O'Connell provided information regarding the upcoming National Night Out event.
5. Tim Walters expressed opposition to allowing a cannabis dispensary in Sutter Creek.
6. Andy Decker, a Calaveras County resident who lives near a cannabis cultivation operation, shared his experience and expressed opposition to the proposed cannabis dispensary.
7. Charleton Churchill, a Sutter Creek resident, expressed opposition to the proposed cannabis dispensary and raised concerns about potential effects on children and the appearance and character of the surrounding area.
4. City Manager’s Report
City Manager DuBois presented his report and responded to questions from the City Council. Discussion included the wastewater report; the proposed CSG contract for code enforcement; grant applications for capital projects at the wastewater treatment plant; economic development matters involving Sierra Social and Embarc; evaluation of the proposed 150-home Sutter Creek Ranch project; and upcoming community events.
5. Presentations
None.
6. Approval of Minutes
A. City Council Minutes of July 20, 2026
Recommendation: By motion approve minutes as presented.
Motion made by Vice Mayor Sierk to approve the July 20, 2026 City Council meeting minutes, seconded by Councilmember Riordan.
AYES: Gunselman, Sierk, Riordan, Swift
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Feist
MOTION CARRIED (4-0-1)
7. Consent Agenda
A. Consideration of Support Letter Regarding Public Entity Tort Reform Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager and the Mayor to support legislative reforms related to public entity tort liability by supporting Cal Cities ef orts and letters to legislators.
B. Consideration of Opposition Letter for AB 1383 (McKinnor) – Public Employees' Retirement Benefits Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager and the Mayor to support Cal Cities in opposition of AB1383 and submit letters to legislators.
Motion made by Councilmember Swift to approve Consent Agenda Items A and B as presented, seconded by Mayor Gunselman.
AYES: Gunselman, Sierk, Riordan, Swift
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Feist
MOTION CARRIED (4-0-1)
8. Ordinances and Public Hearing
None.
9. Administrative Agenda
A. Battery Storage System for Wastewater Treatment Plant Recommendation: Approve a Motion authorizing signing the construction agreement amendment by the September 4th deadline subject to defined authorization milestones The City Council discussed incentive eligibility, project milestones, battery procurement, construction timing, grant and financing considerations, potential sales tax allocation, and financial exposure if the project did not proceed as anticipated.
Moses Bchara, a representative from Schneider Electric, responded to questions regarding available incentives, the anticipated construction timeline, battery procurement, and the allocation of sales tax from equipment purchases. Staff explained that approval of the amendment would preserve eligibility while allowing additional checkpoints before further commitments.
Motion to authorize the City Manager to sign the construction agreement amendment by the September 4 deadline, subject to the defined authorization milestones, made by Vice Mayor Sierk, seconded by Councilmember Riordan.
AYES: Gunselman, Sierk, Riordan, Swift
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Feist
MOTION CARRIED (4-0-1)
C. Updates to Minnie Provis Playground to Support Children with Disabilities Recommendation: Review this project, provide feedback and give approval to proceed.
Taken out of order before Item 9B. Nicolette Clymer presented plans to use the Eva Clymer Memorial Fund to improve the playground with replacement parts, poured-in-place surfacing, and sensory-play features. She described the goal of making the playground safer and more inclusive while noting that the site's slope prevents full accessibility at this stage. Public Works outlined anticipated repairs, bidding, construction timing, and reuse of existing wood chips at Bryson Park. The Council expressed support and provided direction to proceed.
B. Public Works FY26-27 Project Plan
Recommendation: Accept Information report and update
Public Works Director LaFontaine reviewed the status and timing of capital projects using a green-yellow-red tracking system. Discussion included the creek pipeline permitting process and whether an emergency declaration could accelerate the work; cleanup at Miners' Bend; protection of the Monteverde Store; Sutter Hill Road resurfacing; the Gopher Flat/Main Street crosswalk and speed tables; repairs to the historic B&B sidewalk; park improvements; Auditorium cooling; a replacement roof for the City Administration Building; and the Preston Forebay valve. Staff was directed to investigate the emergency-permitting option and report back.
D. Code Enforcement Contracting Agreement
Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with CSG Consultants to provide code enforcement services
City Manager DuBois explained that CSG Consultants would assist with difficult enforcement matters, improve documentation and escalation procedures, and evaluate whether ordinance revisions are needed. The Council discussed the proposed focus areas, coordination with the City Attorney and County staff, and the need to move beyond repeated compliance letters while respecting private-property rights.
Motion to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with CSG Consultants to provide code enforcement services, made by Councilmember Riordan, seconded by Vice Mayor Sierk.
AYES: Gunselman, Sierk, Riordan, Swift
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Feist
MOTION CARRIED (4-0-1)
10. Mayor and Councilmember Reports
Vice Mayor Sierk reported that the Amador County Transportation Commission would meet on August 6 to consider the bicycle and pedestrian proposal involving Sutter Creek and Amador City.
11. City Attorney’s Report
City Attorney Cole had no report.
12. Information and Correspondence
A. Republic Rate Increase 1/1/2027
The City Council received correspondence regarding the Republic Services rate increase effective January 1, 2027.
13. Closed Session
Mayor Gunselman recessed the regular meeting and convened the City Council in closed session at 7:40 p.m. to consider the following matter:
A. Public Employee Appointment
(Government Code section 54957(b)(1))
Title: City Manager
14. Report from Closed Session
City Attorney Cole reported that no reportable action was taken in closed session.
15. Adjournment
Mayor Gunselman adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m.
______________________________________________________
Alejandra Zambrano, Interim City Clerk