MINUTES
Regular Meeting
TULELAKE CITY COUNCIL
June 07, 2022 - 5:30 PM
Mayor Pro Tem Penny Velador called the June 07, 2022, regular meeting to order at 5:30PM. Council Members Bryan Hendricks and Teresa Williams were both present. Also present were the Chief of Police, Tony Ross; Director of Public Works, Jose Perez; City Hall Administrator, Jenny Coelho; and City Clerk, Raul Figueroa. Present via conference call was Mayor Henry Ebinger and City Treasurer, Sara Luscombe. City Administrative Clerk, Heidi Cureton was present via conference call from the office.
Finance Director, Will Sargent was absent.
APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 26, 2022, ORDINANCE WORKSHOP MINUTES Mayor Ebinger made a motion to approve the April 26, 2022, ordinance workshop minutes. Council Member Hendricks seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-88) APPROVAL OF THE MAY 03, 2022, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Mayor Ebinger made a motion to approve the May 03, 2022, regular meeting minutes. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion. Council Member Hendricks abstained. All other votes were Ayes.
Motion carried. (Motion 22-89)
APPROVAL OF THE MAY 24, 2022, SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Mayor Ebinger made a motion to approve the May 24, 2022, regular meeting minutes. Council Member Hendricks seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-90)
APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF BILLS
Mayor Pro Tem Velador made a motion to approve the June 07 bills. Mayor Ebinger seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-91)
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Concerned resident, Steve Baley made comments on the length of time the current investigation, by Chief of Police, Tony Ross, has been taking to complete.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND/OR TULELAKE BASIN JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATE No representatives from the Community or organizations came to give an update.
PRESENTATION OF NEW WATER METERS AND INNOVATIVE FUNDING SOLUTIONS This item was moved up since he has a long drive home. Chris Bennett, a representative from Correct Equipment Inc. that partners with Sustainability Partners showed a video presentation on new innovative water meters. The presentation showcased how these new innovative meters help to detect leaks using ultra sonic sound technology. He explained how these new water meters act in a proactive manner in detecting leaks that immediately enable the City to fix those issues. Municipalities that have integrated these innovative water meters have saved money due to their increased precision in locating and sealing leaks that may have led to a high loss of water flow. To finish his presentation, Mr. Bennett explained they offered a 30-day contract and if the Council was not satisfied with the system, they would remove what had been installed already, at no cost to the City. Mayor Ebinger was very interested in the new meter system and made a motion to move forward with an agreement with Chris Bennett's company for the new water meter system pending consult and approval with our City Engineer. Council Member Hendricks made the second. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 22-10 ADOPTING A LIST OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 FUNDED BY SB 1: THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
This item was also moved up so the Director of Public Works could leave for another commitment.
Director of Public Works, Jose Perez updated the Council on the project list he wanted to complete with SB 1 funding. The resolution would allow approximately $20,000 for repairing our city streets. City Hall Administrator, Jenny Coelho, read the title of the resolution. Mayor Pro Tem Velador made a motion to Minutes of June 07, 2022 - Regular
approve Resolution 22-10 adopting a list of projects for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 funded by SB 1. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hendricks. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-
CONCERN REGARDING THE LETTER HE RECEIVED REQUESTING HIM TO REGISTER HIS BUILDING AS VACANT
City resident, John Long came to Council concerned over a letter he had received from the City regarding a building he owned that was thought to be vacant. Mr. Long presented a long list of reasons as to why he believed his building should not be considered vacant. Mayor Ebinger assured Mr. Long that every landowner in town who was not paying garbage and water service and had a building which appeared to be vacant was issued the same letter. The purpose of the letter is to provide current updated contact information to the City. After much discussion, Mr. Long gave his registration form to City Hall Administrator Jenny Coelho, after first borrowing a pen from her and making a notation on his form that his building was "occupied". No action was taken.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE OFFICIAL RESIGNATION OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER GARY FENSLER Mayor Ebinger presented a letter of resignation from Council Member Fensler which explained that his resignation was due to relocating outside of the city limits and a conflict of interest. Mayor Ebinger expressed his gratitude and appreciation for Mr. Fensler and for the years of service that he gave of his own time to help support the City. Mayor Ebinger made a motion to accept the official resignation of Gary Fensler and to give him a certificate of appreciation for his service. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-94)
REQUESTING TO ADVERTISE AND BEGIN THE PROCESS FOR APPOINTMENT OF SOMEONE TO FILL THE
COUNCIL MEMBER VACANCY CREATED BY THE RESIGNATION OF COUNCIL MEMBER FENSLER City Hall Administrator, Jenny Coelho informed the Council they had 30 days to appoint a Council Member to fill the remaining term of Gary Fensler or else they would have to hold a special election that could cost the City approximately $4,000. She explained they had already received two applications for the position but requested to advertise around town to get the word out. Mayor Ebinger made a motion to approve advertising for the remaining term of Council Member Fensler. Council Member Hendricks seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-95) APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 22-11 REQUIRING ALL CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN ANNUAL TRAINING ON THE FUNDAMENTAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A COUNCIL MEMBER. THE NEXT
TRAINING OFFERED BY LEAGUE OF CA CITIES IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IN SACRAMENTO, CA ON JANUARY 18 - 20, 2023
Mayor Ebinger expressed his concern of making sure Council Members had the proper training to perform their obligations to the City and presented a resolution which would require all members to participate in at least one annual training. City Hall Administrator read the title of the resolution. Mayor Ebinger made a motion to approve Resolution 22-11 requiring all City Council Members to participate in annual trainings on the fundamental roles and responsibilities of a council member. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-96)
REVIEW QUOTE FOR TULELAKE GROWERS BUILDING REPAIR IN PREPARATION FOR MURAL FOR
VETERANS PARK
City Hall administrator, Jenny Coelho informed the Council that the wall of the Tulelake Growers building would have to be repaired for a new mural to be applied to it. A quote was received from Cesar Sandoval for $10,000 but may be lower if the wall damage is not as great. Mayor Ebinger suggested to reach out to the Tulelake Homesteaders Association for donations. Jenny Coelho also said they may be able to receive some funding from Rural Klamath Connects. Mayor Pro Tem Velador made a motion to accept the quote on the wall repair. Council Member Hendricks seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-97)
APPROVAL OF RAISING THE GATE FEE FOR GARBAGE FROM $6.75 TO $8.75 TO HELP OFFSET THE
ANNUAL TONNAGE, LOOSE AND COMPACTED WASTE INCREASE FROM SISKIYOU COUNTY WHICH BEGAN BACK IN 2018
Minutes of June 07, 2022 - Regular
City Hall Administrator, Jenny Coelho informed the Council regarding the need for an increase in City fees on the garbage gate fee from $6.75 to $8.75 to help offset Siskiyou County's rise in fees by tonnage.
This is directly related to Siskiyou County's Resolution 18-08, signed into place on September 04, 2018, which raises fees on an annual rate of $2.00 per ton. She explained how the City is only barely breaking even now on Transfer Station Fees and the continued annual increase is severely hurting the City's garbage budget. Mayor Ebinger mentioned that someone should meet with Siskiyou County regarding how difficult this annual increase is for our small community. It was also mentioned that our Finance Director, Will Sargent, should be consulted. Mayor Ebinger made a motion to table this item until Siskiyou County and Will could be contacted. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-98)
APPROVAL AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 22-103, TITLE 9 NOISE REGULATION City Hall Administrator, Jenny Coelho presented the final draft of Ordinance No. 22-103, Title 9, Noise Regulation, and having read the entire ordinance, Mayor Pro Tem Velador made a motion to approve ordinance No. 22-103, Title 9, Noise Regulation. Mayor Ebinger seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-99)
REVIEW AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 PROPOSED BUDGET Mayor Pro Tem Velador made a motion to table this agenda item until Finance Director, Will Sargent could be present. Council Member Hendricks seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-100)
DEPARTMENT HEAD UPDATES:
Chief of Police, Tony Ross: Chief of police Tony Ross wanted to ask Council if donating sick leave would require a motion as an agenda item. However, the Council did comment that there wouldn't be a need for a motion to be made for the department head to approve /donate sick leave to a fellow worker. The Chief also updated the Council that he had received no more information in regards to the selling of the 2008 Patrol vehicle from the interested buyer. Lastly, he wanted to update the Council on the property next to the library and asked whether the Council was going to move forward with purchasing the property to secure it for the City. The Council wants a recommendation from the negotiating committee before presenting an offer for the lots).
City Hall Administrator, Jenny Coelho: Told the Council about the revitalization meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. She also mentioned that they had received an email this afternoon by the department of toxic substances congratulating the City of Tulelake on the approval of a $300,000 grant.
She mentioned that the next grant they would be waiting for a response for would be on the Visitor's Center grant that would finance the building of the Tulelake Cultural Visitor Center in place of the Clyde Hotel and Mix Tienda buildings. Finally, the City Hall Administrator informed the Council on having received three bids for the demolition of the Clyde Hotel and Mix Tienda buildings.
Director of Public Works, Jose Perez: No update was given as he left early.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ebinger made a motion to adjourn the June 07, 2022, regular meeting at 7:38PM. Council Member Hendricks seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-101) Henry A Ebinger, Mayor
Minutes of June 07, 2022 - Regular