City Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, September 21, 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 Establishment of a Quorum
Mayor Gunselman called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor Claire Gunselman, Vice Mayor Julia Sierk, and Councilmembers James Swift, Susan Feist, and Dan Riordan.
Staff Present: City Manager Tom DuBois, City Attorney Derek Cole, Interim City Clerk Alejandra Zambrano, and Public Works Director Dan LaFontaine.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Public Forum
There was no public comment.
4. City Manager’s Report
City Manager DuBois provided updates on wastewater treatment operations, including a change in chemical suppliers; the review of median income information; weed abatement notices sent to five additional properties; storm preparation and cleanup with CAL FIRE; pavement work; community events; and preparations to reduce flooding at the auditorium basement.
5. Presentations
None.
6. Approval of Minutes
A. City Council Minutes of August 17, 2026
Council requested that the minutes reflect the City Attorney’s statement concerning Councilmember Swift’s disqualification from the cannabis dispensary matter due to a conflict of interest, and that Item 8A identify Stacey Tyler as speaking on behalf of Teresa Ryan.
Motion: Councilmember Riordan moved to approve the August 17, 2026, minutes with the stated corrections.
Councilmember Feist seconded the motion.
AYES: Gunselman, Sierk, Feist, Riordan
NOES: None
RECUSED: Swift
ABSENT: None
Motion carried, 4–0, with one abstention.
7. Consent Agenda
At Vice Mayor Sierk’s request, Item 7A was removed from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.
B. 2026 Weed Abatement Compliance Report
Motion: Councilmember Swift moved to receive and file the 2026 Weed Abatement Compliance Report. Vice Mayor Sierk seconded the motion.
AYES: Gunselman, Sierk, Swift, Feist, Riordan
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Motion carried, 5–0.
7A. Second Readings and Adoption of Cannabis Ordinances Nos. 383, 384, and 385 Councilmember Swift recused himself due to a conflict of interest and left the room before consideration of the item. Council discussed the supplemental traffic report.
Mayor Gunselman opened public comment. Brian Connes, Mayla Burgess, Teresa Ryan, and Barbara Connes spoke in opposition. Josh Lewis spoke in support. One speaker who did not state a name expressed support for medical cannabis use but raised concerns about youth access and addiction. Mayor Gunselman closed public comment.
Motion: Councilmember Riordan moved to waive further reading and adopt Ordinance Nos. 383, 384, and 385.
Mayor Gunselman seconded the motion.
AYES: Gunselman, Feist, Riordan
NOES: Sierk
RECUSED: Swift
ABSENT: None
Motion carried, 3–1, with one recusal.
8. Ordinances and Public Hearings
None.
9. Administrative Agenda
A. Amador County Unified School District Consolidation Program Project Environmental Review City Manager DuBois presented the proposed Amador County Unified School District school consolidation project and requested Council direction on the City’s response to the project’s Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration.
Council discussed the adequacy of the traffic analysis for the proposed Grades 10–12 high school, including student drivers, parking demand, drop-off and dismissal queues, and potential effects on nearby streets and the State Route 49/Sutter-Ione Road intersection. Council also raised questions about pedestrian safety, school transportation, the timing and implementation of the proposed Transportation Demand Management Plan, parking enforcement responsibilities, and the capacity of campus facilities. Council directed that these questions and concerns be conveyed to the District in the City’s response letter.
Mayor Gunselman opened public comment. Patricia Andi Jones and Mayla Burgess spoke in opposition to the project. Mayor Gunselman closed public comment.
Motion: Vice Mayor Sierk moved to authorize the City Manager to submit a response letter to the Amador County Unified School District incorporating Council’s questions and comments on the project’s environmental review. Councilmember Riordan seconded the motion.
AYES: Gunselman, Sierk, Swift, Feist, Riordan
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Motion carried, 5–0.
10. Mayor and Councilmember Reports
Mayor Gunselman reported on a nonprofit open house and invited the public to attend and learn about its community benefits. Councilmember Feist spoke about the need for flood preparedness.
11. City Attorney’s Report
City Attorney Cole had no report.
12. Information and Correspondence
A. City Clerk Monthly Report
B. Engineering Monthly Report
C. Police Department Monthly Report
D. Public Works Monthly Report
E. Finance Monthly Report
F. Marketing Monthly Report
G. Planning Monthly Report
H. Treasurer's Monthly Report
13. Closed Session
The Council recessed from open session at 8:29 p.m. and convened in closed session on the following items:
A. Public Employee Appointment
Government Code section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Manager
B. Conference with Legal Counsel — Anticipated Litigation Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2): one potential case based on the September 16, 2026, Notice of Intent to Sue from Sutter Creek Residents Against Marijuana Dispensaries.
14. Report from Closed Session
There was no report from the closed session.
15. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
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Alejandra Zambrano, Interim City Clerk