MINUTES
Regular Meeting
TULELAKE CITY COUNCIL
May 19, 2026 - 5:30PM
Mayor Cordonier moved item #13 up to #8.
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; City Hall Administrator, Aissa Martinez; City Clerk, Anna Perez; Library Branch Manager, Kailee Wood and Chief of Police, Tom Hoy. Assistant City Admin, Christian Marquez; Finance Director, Whitney Cantrell and City Treasurer, Sara Luscombe were absent.
APPROVAL OF APRIL 27, 2026, SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Mayor Cordonier made a motion for the approval of April 27, 2026, special meeting minutes. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-72) APPROVAL OF MAY 5, 2026, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Mayor Cordonier made a motion for the approval of May 5, 2026, regular meeting minutes. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-73) APPROVAL OF MAY 12, 2026, BUDGET WORKSHOP MINUTES
Mayor Cordonier made a motion for the approval of May 12, 2026, budget workshop minutes. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion. Four votes were aye and one abstained. Motion carried. (Motion 26-74)
APPROVAL OF THE PAYMENT OF BILLS
Mayor Pro Tem Velador asked whether all receipts had been submitted, and it was explained that one receipt is still outstanding. Council Member Taylor questioned why the post office charges the city for a box, and it was explained that the city maintains a large post office box, which carries a fee. Mayor Pro Tem Velador made a motion to approve paying the bills presented. Council Member Taylor seconded the motion. All votes were aye.
Motion carried. (Motion 26-75)
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
No Comments
REVIEW AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF TREE BIDS FOR NUISANCE ABATEMENT Chief Resilience Officer, Jenny Coelho mentioned that the city received three bids that came in close. Public Works Director, Jose Perez mentioned that next time there is something out for a bid, it should be considered a closed and sealed bid. There was a bid from Bob Porter for $35,000, a bid from J.C Express for $34,500 and a bid from Robert Schock for $34,000 and $50 per ton upon hauling off. Mayor Cordonier stated no one will be allowed to go into the buildings or houses. Mayor Cordonier made the motion to approve Robert Shock's bid for nuisance abatement of $34,000 and adding that no one is allowed to go inside the building or houses. Council Member Taylor seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-76) APPROVAL RESOLUTION 26-07, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF TULELAKE AND THE TULELAKE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING A LIST OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 FUNDED BY SB1: THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017
Director of Public Works, Jose Perez asked Council to approve Resolution 26-07. He'd like to remove sidewalks on First Street, between A and B Street and between A Street and Modoc Ave. The SB1 grant brings in $21,000 to $22,000. Mayor Cordonier made the motion to approve Resolution 26-07, a Resolution of the City of Tulelake and the Tulelake City Council adopting a list of projects for fiscal year 2026-2027 funded by SB1: the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. Council Member Cordonier seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-77)
APPROVAL OF PURCHASING GARBAGE CANS
Director of Public Works, Jose Perez reported that the City is down to two garbage cans. He stated that the company previously increased its price from $40 per can to $120 per can. He found a new company offering garbage cans for $90 each with a 10-year warranty. Jose Perez also reported that freight costs would total approximately $3,700. He explained that the City could save about half that amount if he drove to Arizona to pick them up himself with a Public Works employee, or Officer Mauk could retrieve them for approximately $2,000- $2,500. Mayor Pro Tem Velador made a motion to approve the purchase of the garbage cans and authorize either the Public Works Director with a Public Works employee, or Officer Mauk, to retrieve them. Mayor Cordonier seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-78) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PURCHASING AN E-BILL MODULE FOR $2000 TO START EMAILING
CUSTOMERS BILLS OUT
City Hall Administrator, Aissa Martinez reported that she found a way for the City to reduce costs by implementing electronic billing (e-billing). Director of Public Works, Jose Perez stated that the City currently spends approximately $5,850 annually on postage alone. Aissa Martinez explained that the module required to operate Minutes of May 19, 2026
the e-billing system would cost approximately $2,000.00. Mayor Cordonier made the motion to approve purchasing an e-bill module for $2000 to start emailing customers their bills. Council Member Taylor seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-79)
APPROVAL OF RENEWING TULELAKE MULTI COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF TULELAKE This item was tabled.
REVIEW POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTRACT
Chief of Police, Tom Hoy presented a contract from the City of Merrill to the Council. He explained that the contract is for $110,000.00 per year and would require him to assist the City of Merrill for 40 hours per month.
The Library Branch Manager, Kailee Wood asked Chief Tom Hoy how the arrangement would affect law enforcement coverage in Tulelake. She stated that when community senior citizens learned he would also be working with the City of Bonanza, they expressed concerns that there would be limited law enforcement presence in Tulelake. She added that senior citizens have complained that there is currently insufficient police presence in the community. Chief Tom Hoy responded that he remains available in the community, primarily during nighttime hours when crime activity is higher. Mayor Cordonier made the motion to approve the City of Merrill law enforcement contract. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-80)
Chief of Police: Chief of Police Tom Hoy reported that Oscar is being sent to the police academy. He also stated that the Police Department received a $10,000 reimbursement related to Officer Alonso's attendance at the academy. Chief Tom Hoy further reported that Officer Alonso is currently involved in court proceedings related to a major arrest and seizure case he conducted.
Chief Resilience Officer: Not present for comments.
City Hall Administrator: No comments.
Director of Public Works: Jose Perez, stated that next time there is a project up for bid, have it in a more formal way and have the bids sealed and only opened by council.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Cordonier made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:45PM. Council Member Cordonier seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-81) -
tom Cordonin
om Cordonier, Mayor
Attest:
Anna Perez, City Clerk
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Minutes of May 19, 2026