MINUTES
Regular Meeting
TULELAKE CITY COUNCIL
May 5, 2026 - 5:30PM
Mayor Tom Cordonier called the meeting to order at 5:30PM. Mayor Pro Tem, Penny Velador and Council Members, Margie Cordonier, Patricia Taylor and Teresa Williams were present. Also in attendance were Chief Resilience Officer, Jenny Coelho; Director of Public Works, Jose Perez; Assistant City Admin, Christian Marquez and City Hall Administrator, Aissa Martinez. Chief of Police, Tom Hoy, showed up at 6:30pm. City Clerk Anna Perez was present via conference call. Library Branch Manager, Kailee Wood; Finance Director, Whitney Cantrell and City Treasurer, Sara Luscombe were absent.
APPROVAL OF APRIL 21, 2026, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Mayor Pro Tem Velador made a motion for the approval of April 21, 2026, regular meeting minutes. Mayor Cordonier seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-64)
APPROVAL OF THE PAYMENT OF BILLS
Mayor Cordonier questioned the white pages on the Bank of America Credit Card, Chief Resilience Officer, Jenny Coelho explained that it is a monthly subscription. Council Member Cordonier made a motion to approve paying the bills presented. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-65)
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Kendall Hannon introduced himself to the Council as a candidate for Judge of Siskiyou County. He stated that he and his family are longtime residents of the area and noted that his family were homesteaders. Mr. Hannon shared that although he was born in the Bay Area, he was raised in Tulelake. He also expressed his support for local businesses.
APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 26-06, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TULELAKE CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 03, 2026, AND REQUESTING
CONSOLIDATION OF THIS ELECTION WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION City Hall Administrator, Aissa Martinez stated that the positions currently held by Mayor Pro Tem, Penny Velador, Council Member, Teresa Williams, City Treasurer, Sara Luscombe and City Clerk Anna Perez are up for election.
Mayor Pro Tem Velador requested that her name appear on the ballot as "Penny" rather than "Paulette." Mayor Cordonier made the motion to approve Resolution 26-06, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Tulelake calling and giving notice of the General Municipal Election to be held on November 03, 2026 and requesting consolidation of this election with the Statewide General Election. Council Member Williams seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-66)
APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN ART OF SURVIVAL CENTURY STEERING COMMITTEE AND: BROADWAY THEATER/YOUTH FOR CHRIST; BUTTE VALLEY MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY; CITY OF TULELAKE, CALIFORNIA; MALIN COMMUNITY SERVICE CLUB; MALIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY & TULELAKE
REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE
Chief Resilience Officer, Jenny Coelho stated that there will be six organizations involved instead of five, with revitalization also being included as part of the effort. She noted that there will be no changes to the funding, as the money will continue to come from grant funding. She also announced that the bike ride is scheduled for May 23-24, 2026, and that the MOU will be updated accordingly. Council Member Cordonier made the motion to approve of the MOU between Art of Survival Century Steering Committee and Broadway Theater/ Youth for Christ; Butte Valley Museum & Historical Society; City of Tulelake, California; Malin Community Service Club; Malin Historical Society & Tulelake Revitalization Committee. Council Member Taylor seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-67)
DISCUSSION OF FORMING A NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE FOR THE BOWLING ALLEY Mayor Cordonier stated that a committee is needed to negotiate matters regarding the bowling alley. He noted that an agreement must be in place prior to demolition. Mayor Cordonier also shared concerns raised through -
comments from the property owner indicating an intention to retain ownership of the lot once the City completes demolition. He stated that demolition is anticipated to take place sometime in June, as the matter is considered a priority. The committee assigned to the matter consists of Aissa Martinez, Teresa Williams, and Penny Velador.
Mayor Cordonier made a motion to approve a negotiating committee for the bowling alley. Council Member Taylor seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-68) Mayor Cordonier discussed the issue of homeowners maintaining City utility accounts in their own names. He expressed the opinion that homeowners should be responsible for utility bills and may incorporate those costs into rental payments. Pro Tem Velador stated that she does not charge high rent rates and believes tenants should be responsible for paying their own utility bills. Council Member Williams commented that she would like the policy to be fair for everyone and suggested that property owners with multiple rental units should keep the utility accounts in their own names. The Council agreed to revisit the matter once all relevant information has been gathered. Chief Resilience Officer Jenny Coelho noted that she had not yet had time to research all necessary Minutes of May 5, 2026
information due to work related to the budget. Mayor Cordonier added that the City loses a significant amount of money when renters leave with unpaid utility balances. Council Member Cordonier made the motion to table the discussion about leaving City utilities in homeowner's name. Council Member Williams seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-69)
DISCUSSION ABOUT CONTRACTING FOR A CITY CUSTODIAN
Mayor Cordonier commented that he would like the custodian position to be contracted as a private contractor (1099 position). He stated that the City could potentially save money by utilizing a private contract rather than employing a City employee. The proposed arrangement would require interested parties to submit bids to provide cleaning services for a specified amount. The position will be opened for bids. Discussion on the matter was postponed until May 19, 2026. Mayor Cordonier made a motion to postpone the discussion about contracting for a city custodian. Council Member Taylor seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-70)
DISCUSSION ABOUT WHO WILL WRITE THE NEXT COUNCILMEMBER CORNER FOR THE NEWSLETTER Mayor Cordonier asked the Council for volunteers to prepare the Councilmember Corner section for the newsletter: Penny Velador volunteered to complete it. Aissa Martinez stated that the City will no longer mail newsletters due to associated costs. She noted that the newsletter will instead be made available on the City website. and posted at the post office, library, and local stores in Tulelake. No action taken. Discussion only.
Chief of Police: Tom Hoy reported that following concerns raised to him, he visited the school to inform students that a valid driver's license is required to operate a vehicle. He also stated that he has stopped several students while conducting traffic enforcement. Tom further shared that, through the K-9 fund, a scholarship program will be established. He requested that scholarship applicants appear before the Council to introduce themselves so the Council can assist. in selecting the candidates. Also, Jesse has been working hard. Brant will be out of town in May.
He mentioned that he will be on duty from Noon - 10:00pm.
Chief Resilience Officer: Jenny Coelho reported that she'd like to order some decorations for the 50th year celebration before the bike ride to have ready for the fourth of July in the city. She would like the City to have something fun for the 4th of July with the resilience grant for beautification.
City Hall Administrator: Aissa Martinez reported that she attended training with John. She also stated that the City has received seven letters from concerned customers regarding the increase in utility rates.
Director of Public Works: Jose Perez stated that he was glad to be back after completing a week of training. He further noted that the State will be increasing oversight regarding water testing requirements.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Cordonier made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:22PM. Council Member Cordonier seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-71) tom Cordon
m Cordonier, Mayor
Anna Perez, City Clerk
Minutes of May 5, 2026