MINUTES
Regular Meeting
TULELAKE CITY COUNCIL
June 21, 2022 - 5:30 PM
Mayor Ebinger called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. Mayor Pro Tem Penny Velador and Council Members Teresa Williams and newly appointed Julia Pena were present. Also present were Chief of Police, Tony Ross; Finance Director, Will Sargent; City Hall Administrator, Jenny Coelho; City Administrative Clerk, Heidi Cureton and City Clerk, Raul Figueroa. Present via conference call were Council Member Bryan Hendricks, City Treasurer, Sara Luscombe and Assistant City Admin, Aissa Martinez. Brandon Criss, Supervisor District One, was also at the meeting. Director of Public Works, Jose Perez was absent.
APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 07, 2022, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Mayor Pro Tem Velador motioned to approve the June 07, 2022, regular meeting minutes. Mayor Ebinger seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-102)
INTERVIEWS AND POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT OF A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER TO FILL THE VACANCY CREATED
BY THE RESIGNATION OF GARY FENSLER
Mayor Ebinger informed the Council regarding the interviews that would be held in order to fill the vacant position left by previous Council Member Gary Fensler, having left behind a remaining term of over two years. For the interviews, only two individuals had applied for the position, with only one of those applicants attending the Council meeting. The applicant in attendance, Julia Pena, mentioned that she had prior experience in working with the community, particularly in her previous City of residence, Malin. She also mentioned her desire to become involved in city affairs due to make the City of Tulelake a better community for her and everyone else. Upon Council's review of both applications, Mayor Ebinger made a motion to appoint Julia Pena as the new City Council Member to fill the vacant position through November 2024. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Velador. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-103) Following this, Julia Pena was sworn in by City Clerk, Raul Figueroa and upon taking her Oath of Office, assumed the seat as a Council Member.
APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF BILLS
Mayor Ebinger motioned to approve the June 21, 2022, bills. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion.
All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-104)
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Lydia Gil wanted to inform the Council on her annual preparations for the Shindig hosted every second Saturday in August. This year it will be on August 13, 2022. They are moving along and she has obtained the participation of a burger and hot dog vendor from Weed. She also wanted to touch on the subject of finding a place for retired residents of Tulelake over the age of sixty-five (65). She plans on talking to local restaurant owners, Mike and Wanda's and Senor Tequila, regarding the potential to establish one of their localities as places for these residents to socialize and hang out.
Siskiyou County Supervisor, Brandon Criss, gave an update to the Council in regards to the increase in fire related calls that they have been receiving this year being up 25%. He also reported that they have seen a decrease in volunteer participation toward these calls. Supervisor Criss wanted to reaffirm the County's support toward the Tiny Mighty and Strong program with financial resources throughout the summer.
Finally, to conclude his updates, said that the County reaffirms their commitment in supporting the Tulelake and Klamath basins in their fight against the ongoing drought that has severely affected many domestic wells.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND/OR TULELAKE BASIN JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATE No representatives were present to give an update.
POSSIBILITY OF FORMING A COMMITTEE TO PUT UP THE FLAGS IN THE CITY ON HOLIDAYS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Mayor Ebinger informed the Council regarding the previous meeting where they had discussed the possibility of forming a group of volunteers to help the Police Department with putting up the flags around town during the holidays. The Council upon deliberation, decided to seek such help from the School District and other community groups to volunteer for this. Upon which, Mayor Ebinger made a motion to approve the Council Minutes of June 21, 2022 - Regular Meeting
to seek help from school and community groups to alleviate the work from City employees during the holidays. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22- 105)
NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD CONTRACT OF THE DEMOLITION OF THE CLYDE HOTEL & MIX TIENDA
BUILDINGS TO BOWEN ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL
City Hall Administrator, Jenny Coelho, informed the Council regarding the three bids received and that the engineer recommended the Bowen Engineering and Environmental bid due to reason that they had all the requirements for the project and that it was also the lowest bid submitted. Mayor Ebinger motioned to award the contract for the demolition of the Clyde Hotel and Mix Tienda buildings to Bowen Engineering and Environmental with the mayor to sign all necessary documents. Council Member Williams seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-106)
REVIEW OF THE TULELAKE MULTI-COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT CONTRACT City Hall Administrator, Jenny Coelho, informed the Council that the renewal of the contract with the Fire District had no new changes made and would remain at the same monetary cost as last year. Mayor Ebinger motioned to approve the renewal of the Tulelake Multi-County Fire Protection District Contract for the year 2022-2023 with the mayor to sign all necessary documents. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion.
All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-107)
REVIEW OF OUTSIDE WATER DISTRICTS ANNUAL CONTRACTS FOR FY2022/2023 City Hall Administrator, Jenny Coelho, informed the Council that the annual contracts with the Water District have not changed since the water rates have not changed. City Administrative Clerk, Heidi Cureton, further elaborated on how the city processes the bills to each of the outside Water Districts. Mayor Ebinger motioned to approve the renewal of the outside Water Districts Annual Contract for the year 2022-2023 with the mayor to sign all necessary documents. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-108)
REQUESTING APPROVAL TO PAY 16.25 COMP TIME HOURS TO PEACE OFFICER ANDERSON EFFECTIVE ON THE JUNE 24, 2022, PAYROLL
Chief of Police, Tony Ross informed the Council that Officer Anderson contacted if they could pay him comp time due to reasons that were disclosed as necessary. To which, Mayor Ebinger made a motion to approve paying out the 16.25 hours of comp time to Officer Anderson effective on the June 24, 2022 payroll. Council Member Williams seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-109)
APPROVAL OF MOU BETWEEN THE CITY OF TULELAKE AND THE CITY OF DORRIS REGARDING TRADING
SERVICES WITH BOTH DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS' PERSONNEL FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER-RELATED
CERTIFICATION SERVICES
City Hall Administrator, Jenny Coelho, informed the Council regarding the trade for services initiated by the City of Dorris Attorney in which Tulelake would provide wastewater services, and in exchange, Dorris would provide water certification services. Thereby, this agreement would only account for the exchange of services and no monetary exchanges.
Mayor Ebinger made a motion to approve the MOU between the City of Tulelake and the City of Dorris regarding trading services with both Director of Public Works' personnel for water and wastewater-related certification services. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-110)
APPROVAL OF RAISING THE GATE FEE FOR GABAGE FROM $6.75 TO $8.75 TO HELP OFFSET THE ANNUAL
TONNAGE, LOOSE AND COMPACTED WASTE INCREASE FROM SISKIYOU COUNTY INCLUDING AN UPDATE
FROM BRANDON CRISS
Council Member, Teresa Williams had contacted Chris Brandon to inform the Council regarding the county's annual increase of $2.00 per year for the tonnage fee to combat inflation and their own increasing operational costs. Finance Director, Will Sargent gave his input on the matter that the City had been keeping its own fees relatively low for over 10 years and that the garbage fund is now operating at a loss due to all the fee and operating increases. This, having been before the County started the fee increases and that the two-dollar increase would help for the City to operate at break-even again. City Hall Administrator also mentioned that if the County seeks to keep increasing their fees in perpetuity, the City would like to set up a meeting with the county to talk about their concerns regarding that plan of action. Council Member Williams Minutes of June 21, 2022 - Regular Meeting
made a motion to approve the raising of the gate fee for garbage from $6.75 to $8.75. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-111) CLOSED SESSION: SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE $54956.9(B):
NUMBER OF POTENTIAL CASES: 1 (POLICE DEPARTMENT)
Item on agenda was canceled due to the absence of the new City Attorney not being available and to be discussed at next Tuesday's special meeting.
CLOSED SESSION: INITIATION OF LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION $54956.9(C):
NUMBER OF CASES: 1. DISCUSSION/ACTION
Item on agenda was canceled due to the absence of the new City Attorney not being available and to be discussed at next Tuesday's special meeting.
CLOSED SESSION: CONFERENCE WITH CITY REAL ESTATE NEGOTIATORS GOVERNMENT CODE $54956.8 PROPERTY: 463A MAIN STREET, AP #050-071-120-000 AND 463 MAIN STREET, TULELAKE AP #050-071-040- 000
CITY NEGOTIATORS: FINANCE DIRECTOR, WILL SARGENT; COUNCIL MEMBER TERESA WILLIAMS; POLICE
CHIEF, TONY ROSS AND ALTERNANT, MAYOR PRO TEM PENNY VELADOR UNDER NEGOTIATION: TERMS AND PRICE OF POSSIBLE PURCHASE OF ONE OR BOTH PARCELS Mayor Ebinger announced that the Council would go into closed session at 6:18 PM to be discussed with the City Real Estate Negotiators regarding the 463A Main Street, AP #050-071-120-000 and 463 Main Street, Tulelake AP #050-071-040-000. Council came back into session at 6:40 PM with Mayor Ebinger announcing a motion having been made while in closed session to approve the purchase of the property with Finance Director, Will Sargent, to write and present an offer to the seller. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-112)
DEPARTMENT HEAD UPDATES:
Chief of Police, Tony Ross: Chief of Police, Tony Ross, informed that his position will officially end by the 1st of November, however he is willing to extend his departure contingent that the City needs more time to seek applicants. He also asked about the City's intent to apply for a homelessness grant to help provide emergency housing for those individuals within city limits that are exposed to the elements particularly during the winter.
City Hall Administrator, Jenny Coelho: Informed the Council regarding the upcoming SCORE meeting next Friday in Anderson, California that will provide more information regarding the cost increase in insurance for the year. Also, the special meeting for reviewing and approval for the next fiscal year budget is to be held next week on June 28, 2022, Tuesday at 5:30 PM. It will also contain the two closed session items that were tabled tonight. Third, the Veteran's Park Mural is on track to being agreed upon with the painter. He has informed Jenny that he has some ideas for renovating the Mural with the inclusion of the area's wildlife and its historic memorial to the Veterans. To Finalize, she also informed on the submission of reports towards various grants such as the Caltrans grant that would be used for the replacement and repair of sidewalks.
Finance Director, Will Sargent: Informed the City Council that the budgets will be sent out within the next week before the special meeting on Tuesday, June 28th.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ebinger made a motion to adjourn the June 21, 2022, regular meeting at 7:24 PM. Council Member Williams seconded the motion. All votes were Ayes. Motion carried. (Motion 22-113) Henry A Ebinger, Mayor
Minutes of June 21, 2022 - Regular Meeting 3