AGENDA
Regular Meeting
August 18, 2026
5:30PM
Dial in Number: 712-432-3900 - Conference id: 419973 #
If you are unable to attend in person, join the meeting by dialing the number listed above and entering the Conference ID No.
1. Call to order the regular meeting of August 18, 2026.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approval of August 4, 2026, regular meeting minutes. Discussion/Action.
4. Approval of the payments of bills. Discussion/Action.
5. Comments from the public.
This is the time set aside for citizens to address the Council on matters not on the agenda. Comments should be limited to matters within the jurisdiction of the Council. If your comment concerns an item on the agenda, please address the Council after that item is open for public comment. By law, the Council cannot discuss or act on matters that are not on the agenda. The mayor reserves the right to limit the duration of each speaker to three (3) minutes. Speakers may not give their time to others.
6. Discussion about covering the fence at the Ridgeview park on the soccer field side.
Discussion/Action. (Tulelake High School Soccer Team)
7. Second reading of Ordinance 26-02, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Tulelake adopting the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, Title 24, Part 7 of the California Code of Regulations, by Reference." Discussion/Action. (Building Inspector/Fire Chief)
8. Approval of Resolutions 26-11, 26-12, 26-13 and 26-14, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Tulelake establishing a lien against certain real property situated within the City of Tulelake pursuant to Tulelake Resolution 14-04 and Tulelake Municipal Code
1.20.120." Discussion/Action. (City Hall Administrator)
9. Approval of Resolution 26-15, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Tulelake, California, appointing three City Council full-term (four years), one City Council short- term (two years), one City Clerk and one City Treasurer positions for a period of four years in lieu of an election pursuant to Elections Code Section 10229".
Discussion/Action. (City Hall Administrator)
10. Resolution 26-16, "A Resolution of the Tulelake City Council of the City of Tulelake Adopting the 2026 Tort Liability Legislative and Political Platform." Discussion/Action. (City Hall Administrator)
11. Commitment of General Fund insurance payment to be applied to Public Works Shop.
Discussion/Action. (City Hall Administrator)
12. Approval of R.B. Aldrich Construction's request for progress payment of $160,000.00 for Public Works Shop and to be paid within two weeks of approval. Discussion/Action. (Director of Public Works)
13. Department Head updates. Discussion/Action.
a. Chief of Police, Tom Hoy
b. City Hall Administrator, Aissa Martinez
c. Director of Public Works, Jose Perez
COMMENTS FROM ADMIN AND STAFF:
14. Comments from Library Branch Manager (Kailee Wood)
15. Comments from City Treasurer (Sara Luscombe)
16. Comments from City Clerk (Anna Perez)
17. Comments from Chief Resilience Officer (Jenny Coelho)
18. Comments from Assistant City Admin (Christian Marquez)
19. Comments from Council Member Margie Cordonier
20. Comments from Council Member Patty Taylor
21. Comments from Mayor Pro Tem Penny Velador
22. Comments from Council Member Teresa Williams
23. Comments from Mayor Tom Cordonier
24. Adjournment
Meetings are held in the Council Chambers at City Hall located at 591 Main Street, Tulelake, CA Parties with a disability as provided by the American Disabilities Act who require special accommodations or aids to participate in a public hearing should make the request to City Hall Staff at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
The City Attorney, Margaret Long, may appear by telephone from 2240 Court Street, Redding, CA 96001 (530) 691-0800.
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
TULELAKE CITY COUNCIL
August 4, 2026 - 5:30PM
Mayor Tom Cordonier called the meeting to order at 5:31PM. Mayor Pro Tem, Penny Velador and Council Members, Margie Cordonier 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 and City Treasurer, Sara Luscombe.
Mayor Cordonier amended the agenda to add discussion about City pig pens.
APPROVAL OF JULY 21, 2026, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Council Member Cordonier made a motion for the approval of July 21, 2026, regular meeting minutes. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-116)
APPROVAL OF THE PAYMENT OF BILLS
Mayor Cordonier asked the Public Works Director, Jose Perez, when they will start the project on Main Street.
Public Works Director, Jose mentioned it will begin after fair. Mayor Cordonier made a motion to approve paying the bills as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-117)
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
No comments from the public.
APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 26-10, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TULELAKE APPROVING
A NON-CHARTER MEMBERSHIP IN THE CALIFRONIA MUNICIPAL PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A NON-VOTING MEMBER AGREEMENT" Chief Resilience Officer, Jenny Coelho mentioned that it doesn't cost any money to join, and it helps with short- term funding and finding contacts to cheaper funding cost. Council Member Williams made the motion to approve Resolution 26-10, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Tulelake approving a non-charter membership in the California municipal public financing authority and authorizing execution of a non-voting member agreement.
Council Member Cordonier seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-118)
DISCUSSION ABOUT CITY PIG PENS AND FEES
Jolene commented that the metal structure is scheduled to arrive this coming Thursday. The official plans for the structure will be emailed to the plan checker. Building Inspector, Mike Britton noted that the plans are sent to the plan checker because the plan-check fee will need to be paid, as the plan checker is a private contractor. Jolene commented that, finally, after two years, there is activity taking place. Discussion Only. No action taken.
APPROVAL OF FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE STATUS FOR THE CITY Building Inspector, Mike Britton mentioned that, beginning in April 2024, the State Responsibility Area (SRA) regulations apply throughout Siskiyou County because of the county's high fire-risk areas. The SRA fire-safety regulations establish wildfire protection standards for construction and development in these areas. Mayor Cordonier asked if passing these regulations would affect homes that have already been built. Chief Resilience Officer, Jenny Coelho stated that the City needs to follow California State law. Mike noted that failure to comply could affect eligibility for grants. Mayor Pro Tem Velador asked how the requirements would affect additions to existing homes. Mike responded that there may be changes or additional requirements for future additions.
Siskiyou County currently requires permits for addition and routes projects subject to SRA regulations for review.
Council Member Cordonier made a motion to approve the fire hazard severity zone status for the City. Council Member Williams seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-119) FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 26-02, "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUELAKE ADOPTING THE 2025 CALIFRONIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE, TITLE 24, PART 7 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, BY REFERENCE"
Building Inspector, Mike Britton requested that the Fire Chief be present, noting that the Fire Chief has additional training and expertise in fire safety beyond that of a building inspector. Mike stated that vegetation must be cleared within five feet of the house, leaving the area immediately surrounding the structure free of vegetation.
California's current defensible-space guidance identifies the first five feet around a structure as Zone 0, with specific requirements intended to reduce ember ignition risk. Discussion Only.
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF WEED AND THE CITY OF TULELAKE Building Inspector, Mike Britton stated that sometimes there is little activity and at other times there is a significant amount of work. He noted that all cities are currently facing financial challenges. Mike indicated that he is willing to assist by text message or phone call, when possible, which could help the City save money. He also stated that he can come every other week if his services are needed. Mayor Cordonier made a motion to approve the agreement between the City of Weed and the City of Tulelake. Mayor Prom Tem Velador seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-120)
Minutes of August 4, 2026
APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER #8 FOR SHASTA SERVICES, INC. AND TIMBERWORKS FOR WELL-CASING SURVEYING FOR WELL #2
Chief Resilience Officer, Jenny Coelho stated that this is the final step in completing the repairs to Well #2. The original bid was $48,000, with approximately $18,000 remaining. She explained that the filling station will be paid for from the remaining funds and that the work is within the approved budget. She also noted that 10% of the contract amount is being held back. Mayor Cordonier asked about the labor markup. Jenny explained that the subcontractor fees had been changed. Council Member Cordonier made the motion to approve change order #8 for Shasta Services, INC. and Timberworks for well-casing surveying for well #2. Mayor Cordonier seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-121)
DISCUSSION ABOUT THE CITY BEING IN THE PARADE FOR THE TULELAKE-BUTTE VALLEY FAIR Mayor Cordonier mentioned that the 75th year for the fair is coming up and would like to know if the City would like to have a float for the parade. Mayor Cordonier made a motion for City staff to apply to be part of the parade.
Mayor Pro Tem Velador seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-122)
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONN REGARDING STRATEGIES TO INCREASE COMPLIANCE WITH CITY DOG
LICENSING REQUIERMENTS
Mayor Cordonier wanted to follow-up on what can be done to enforce dog licenses. City Hall Administrator, Aissa Martinez mentioned that letters can be sent out to everyone in the City stating that if you own a dog, please come to City Hall and license it. Discussion Only.
APPROVAL OF APPOINTING MARGARET CORDONIER TO THE TULELAKE LOAN COMMITTEE City Hall Administrator, Aissa Martinez stated that the Loan Committee needs one additional member. Jenny noted that Jim Smith has not been participating. Aissa suggested that it may be beneficial to have a Council Member serve on the committee. Mayor Pro Tem Velador made a motion to approve Margaret Cordonier to be on the Tulelake Loan Committee. Council Member Williams seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-123)
CLOSED SESSION: PUBLIC EMPLOYEE REVIEW: TITLE CITY HALL ADMINISTRATOR Council went into closed session at 6:49pm.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION
Council returned from closed session at 7:42pm. No action was taken.
Chief of Police: Tom Hoy mentioned that there was a $25,000 check donated to the K-9 fund. He is trying to lower expenditures. 80% of the gas for his truck will be paid out of the K-9 fund.
City Hall Administrator: Aissa Martinez mentioned that she is meeting with Charlie and Whitney regarding budget.
Director of Public Works: Jose Perez reported that Main Steet projects will be starting after fair. He also mentioned that he spoke to Kyle about removing vehicles off Main Street.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Cordonier made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:07PM. Council Member Cordonier seconded the motion. All votes were aye. Motion carried. (Motion 26-124) Tom Cordonier, Mayor
Attest:
Anna Perez, City Clerk
Minutes of August 4, 2026
City of Tulelake
Posted General Ledger Transactions - City Council Bills to Approve Bills Submitted for Approval on 08-18-2026 - API26035 for Weeks 08-05-2026 thru 08-18-2026 Document
Name Document Number Amount Document Description Fund Code AMERICAN SANITATION, INC 46131 140.00 Portable Toilet- Dump 101 CAL-ORE TELEPHONE CO. 0324003564 1,065.16 PD, CH, PW & 02- WiFi & Phone Services 01 CHARLES W PILLON, CPA 4886 4,565.61 Audit 24-25
DEAN-SLABAUGH LLC 2026-004 891.64 Rent- September 2026 05 ED STAUB & SONS PETROLEUM, 14486993 100.00 Police Department - Tank Rent ED STAUB & SONS PETROLEUM, 515582 983.22 Police Department-Fuel 01 STAND SONS PETROLEUM, 500 737.90 Public Works, Parks & Garbage- Fuel 01 9,050.00 Pre-Audit Services /01
Jeffery Heign
JUNIPER PAPER & SUPPLY INVJPR8251340 2.79 Finance Charge JUNIPER PAPER & SUPPLY INVJPR82551510 147.80 Towels & Toilet Paper- Parks 01 JW KERNS INC. FC 11063 0.69 Finance Charge 03
MERRILL LUMBER COMPANY B290136 5.48 Adapters
MERRILL LUMBER COMPANY B290450 13.50 Cord 01
MERRILL LUMBER COMPANY C275622 12.98 Paint & Stencil 04 MERRILL LUMBER COMPANY C275654 107.87 Operating Supplies 02 MERRILL LUMBER COMPANY C276354 39.50 TopRail 01
PETTY CASH Petty Cash 08/2026 224.64 Petty Cash Reimbursement 01 PRENTICE LONG, PC 8932 1,251.00 Legal Fees 01
RICK FRIEDMAN July 07/30/2026 60.00 Tulelake Market Canopy, Plan Check 1 hr 01 SPRING STREET ANALYTICAL LLC 4255 130.00 Colilert- California STATELINE AUTO PARTS SUPPLY, 656559 45.01 Operating Suplies 02 49747 06/2026 150.00 DOT Physicals- J. Perez 102
TRILOGY ARCHITECTURE 1922 31,562.25 Tulelake Visitor Center 01
CORPORATION
TULE TILLERS 4X4 AUTOMOTIVE 4488 604.00 2019 Dodge Durango- AC Repair /05 UNITED STATES TREASURY CP220 1,627.98 IRS (September 30, 2025) 01 Whitney Cantrell 1036 1,281.25 Bookkeeping 01
WOODHOUSE FARMING & SEED S293181 45.00 Weights 04
WOODHOUSE FARMING & SEED S293198 30.00 Weights
WOODHOUSE FARMING & SEED S293214 30.00 Weights
WOOD HOUSE FARMING & SEED S293223 30.00 Weights 04
CO.
Total 54,935.27
Page: 1
City of Tulelake
Posted General Ledger Transactions - City Council Bills to Approve Pay Dates: 08/14/2026
PAY PERIOD: 07/26/2026-08/08/2026 Fund Account Codes:
Police Department:
(4 Employees) $7,448.46 01- General Fund
Chief Resilience Officer (1
Employee) $2,312.56 02- Enterprise Fund - Water
Public Works:
(6 Employees) $7,488.09 03- Enterprise Fund - Sewer
City Hall: (6 Employees,
including Library & Custodial $4,103.03 04- Enterprise Fund - Garbage Council & Elected Officials:
(7 persons) $0.00 05- Police Personnel (COPS Grant)
11- Gas Tax Fund (Streets)
Total Amount of Payroll DD's $21,352.14 13- Local Transportation (TDA) Total Amount Submitted for
Approval - August 18, 2026: $76,287.41
Page: 2
Ordinance 26-02
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TULELAKE ADOPTING THE 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE, TITLE 24, PART 7 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, BY REFERENCE.
WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of Tulelake finds that the protection of life, property, and the environment from the threat of wildfire is a matter of significant public health, safety, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the California Building Standards Commission has adopted the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 7), which establishes minimum regulations governing the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings and sites within designated Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas; and WHEREAS, Government Code Sections 50022.1 through 50022.8 authorize cities to adopt technical codes by reference; and
WHEREAS, portions of the City of Tulelake are located in or adjacent to areas subject to wildfire risk, and adoption of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code will improve wildfire resilience, reduce structural ignition potential, and enhance public safety; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that adoption of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code is reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions, including seasonal drought, high winds, native vegetation, agricultural interface areas, and limited emergency access routes that contribute to an increased wildfire hazard; and WHEREAS, the City Council has considered all information presented regarding this ordinance and finds that its adoption serves the public interest.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TULELAKE DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Findings. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. Adoption of California Wildland-Urban Interface Code is hereby added to the Tulelake Municipal Code to read as follows:
Section 3. Adoption. Pursuant to Government Code Sections 50022.1 through 50022.8, the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, Title 24, Part 7, California Code of Regulations, including Chapters 1 through 7 and all appendices adopted by the State of California, as may be amended from time to time, is hereby adopted by reference as though fully set forth herein and shall constitute the Wildland-Urban Interface Code of the City of Tulelake.
At least one copy of the Code shall be maintained in the office of the City Clerk or Building Official for public inspection as required by law.
Section 4. Applicability. The provisions of this chapter shall apply within all areas designated as Wildland-Urban Interface areas or Fire Hazard Severity Zones as established by state law, CAL FIRE maps, local ordinance, or any subsequently adopted map or designation recognized by the City.
Section 5. Administration. The Building Official is authorized to administer and enforce this chapter. The Fire Chief shall assist in the interpretation and enforcement of fire protection provisions where applicable.
Section 6. Violation. Any violation of this chapter shall constitute a violation of the Tulelake Municipal Code and shall be subject to the enforcement provisions established by the Municipal Code.
SECTION 7. Local Findings. The City Council finds that the adoption of this ordinance is reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions that increase wildfire risk, including:
1. Extended periods of drought and low humidity;
2. Seasonal high winds capable of transporting embers;
3. Native grasses, brush, and other combustible vegetation;
4. Agricultural and undeveloped lands adjacent to developed areas;
5. Limited emergency access routes and water supply constraints in certain areas.
These conditions justify adoption of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code to provide enhanced wildfire protection for persons and property.
SECTION 8. CEQA The City Council finds that adoption of this ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15308 because it can be seen with certainty that adoption of fire safety regulations will not have a significant effect on the environment and constitutes an action taken to protect the environment.
SECTION 9. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is held invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the ordinance. The City Council declares that it would have adopted this ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, and phrase irrespective of the fact that any one or more portions may be declared invalid.
SECTION 10. Effective Date. Pursuant to Government Code Section 36933, this ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Tulelake, California at the meeting held this day of August 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Tom Cordonier, Mayor
ATTEST:
Anna Perez, City Clerk
OF County of Siskiyou
SUNT SISKIYOU
Laura Bynum, County Clerk-Registrar of Voters
52)
311 Fourth Street, Room 201
CALIFORNIA Yreka, CA 96097
STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
) sS.
COUNTY OF SISKIYOU
CERTIFICATE OF FACTS
1, Laura Bynum, County Clerk/Registrar of Voters of Siskiyou County, California, do hereby certify that the number of nominees for the City of Tulelake, did not exceed the number of offices to be filled at the General Election to be held on November 3, 2026:
Candidates for Member, City Council, Full-Term (3 positions):
Paulette Velador
Thomas Cordonier
Teresa Williams
Candidates for Member, City Council, Short-Term (1 position):
Patricia Taylor
Candidates for City Clerk, Full-Term (1 position):
Anna Perez
Candidates for City Treasurer, Full-Term (1 position):
Sara Luscombe
In accordance with California Elections Code Section 10229(a), the City of Tulelake adopt one of the following courses of action:
(1) Appoint to the office the person(s) nominated.
(2) Appoint to the office an eligible elector if no one has been nominated. (3) Hold the election, if either no one, or only one person has been nominated Your city needs to notify me no later than August 20, 2026, of the action that will be taken.
Witness my hand and seal this 13th day of August, 2026.
Saman
Laura Bynum
Siskiyou County Clerk
County Clerk Board of Supervisors Elections Website
(530) 842-8084 (530) 842-8081 (530) 842-8086 (530) 841-4110 www.sisqvotes.org RESOLUTION No. 26-15
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TULELAKE, CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING THREE
CITY COUNCIL FULL-TERM (FOUR YEARS), ONE CITY COUNCIL SHORT-TERM (TWO YEARS), ONE CITY
CLERK, AND ONE CITY TREASURER POSITIONS FOR A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS IN LIEU OF AN ELECTION PURSUANT TO ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 10229
WHEREAS, at the close of the nomination period on Friday, August 7, 2026, only four people filed nomination papers to run for the four offices of City Council, only one person filed nomination papers to run for the position of City Clerk, and only one person filed nomination papers to run position of City Treasurer; and,
WHEREAS, therefore, there are not more candidates than offices to be elected for the City of Tulelake for the November 3, 2026, election; and
WHEREAS, because of the above-stated facts, Elections Code section 10229 allows one of the following courses of action to be taken by the City Council:
1. Appoint to the office the person who has been nominated.
2. Appoint to the office any eligible elector if no one has been nominated.
3. Hold the election if either no one or only one person has been nominated.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Elections Code section 10229 a notice, herein attached and incorporated by reference as Exhibit A, was published on August 18, 2026, in the Tulelake Banner, certifying these facts and the courses of action available to the City Council; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Elections Code section 10229, if by the 75th day before the scheduled general municipal election, November 3, 2026, no person has been appointed to this office pursuant to (1) or (2) above, the election for Tulelake City Council, City Clerk, and City Treasurer, is required to be held along with all other elective offices on the ballot; and Now, therefore, the City Council of the City of Tulelake does hereby resolve, determine, and order as follows:
Section 1: That the above recitals are true and correct.
Section 2: That pursuant to Elections Code section 10229, the following action is being taken:
The following person is being appointed to the office to which he was nominated, and is considered to be the same as being elected, pursuant to section 10229(a)(3) of the Elections Code:
Name Office Term
Thomas Cordonier Tulelake City Council Member 4 years (Expires Nov 2030) Teresa Williams Tulelake City Council Member 4 years (Expires Nov 2030) Paulette (Penny) Velador Tulelake City Council Member 4 years (Expires Nov 2030) Patricia Taylor Tulelake City Council Member 2 years (Expires Nov 2028) Sara Luscombe Tulelake City Treasurer 4 years (Expires Nov 2030) Resolution No. 26-15 1
Anna Perez Tulelake City Clerk 4 years (Expires Nov 2030) Section 3: The person(s) appointed, if any, shall qualify and take office and serve exactly as if elected at a municipal election for the office.
Section 4: The City Clerk shall notify the Siskiyou County Registrar of Voters of the City Council's action.
Section 5: The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution and it shall become effective immediately.
Passed and adopted this 18th day of August 2026, by the following called vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
It is hereby certified that the foregoing Resolution 26-15 was duly and regularly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tulelake, held this 18th day of August 2026.
Thomas Cordonier, Mayor
Attest:
Anna Perez, City Clerk
Resolution No. 26-15 2
RESOLUTION NO. 26-16
A RESOLUTION OF THE TULELAKE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TULELAKE ADOPTING THE 2026 TORT LIABILITY LEGISLATIVE AND POLITICAL PLATFORM WHEREAS, the of the City of Tulelake desires to establish a formal policy framework to guide its tort liability advocacy efforts at the local, regional, state, and federal levels; and WHEREAS, liability claims continue to negatively impact the ability of California public agencies to provide valuable services to their constituents, and large losses are driving the cost of risk, straining insurance markets, and placing some public agencies at risk of financial insolvency; and
WHEREAS, public resources intended for essential community services-including fire protection, police services, parks, libraries, classrooms, infrastructure, and social safety net programs-should be preserved for those intended purposes rather than diverted to escalating tort claim payments and litigation costs; and
WHEREAS, claims against California public entities are escalating both in frequency and severity at an unsustainable pace; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tulelake's liability claims incurred have increased 50% while revenues have increased by 22% between 2019-20 and 2025-26; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tulelake's liability insurance premiums have increased 68% in the past five years, far outpacing inflation; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tulelake's retained limit (aka deductible) is $25,000 for each and every occurrence it experiences; and
WHEREAS, the Tulelake City Council finds that adopting a clear tort liability legislative and political platform will help protect public funds, restore and preserve appropriate public agency immunities and risk-transfer tools, and provide timely direction for advocacy on legislation affecting public agency liability exposure,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Tulelake City Council of the City of Tulelake as follows:
Section 1. Incorporation of Recitals. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are a substantive part of this Resolution.
Section 2. Adoption of the Legislative Platform. The Tulelake City Council hereby adopts the 2026 Tort Liability Legislative and Political Platform.
Section 3. Platform Positions. Advocacy efforts by the [Insert Agency Name] shall be guided by the following tort liability legislative and political positions:
• Maximum limitations on general damages: Support legislation establishing reasonable maximum limitations on general damages in actions against public agencies. • Joint liability reform: Support eliminating joint liability as it applies to economic damages.
• Proportional liability: Support legislation that recognizes each party responsible for harm should bear liability in proportion to their actual share of fault. • Actual medical expenses as proof of damages: Support establishing the use of actual medical expenses incurred as proof for general as well as special damages. • Collateral source reform: Support restricting or eliminating the application of the rule against collateral sources as a means of reducing damages. • Restoration of immunities: Support legislation restoring immunities from tort claims that have been restricted or eliminated by legislation or judicial decisions and oppose measures that further erode such immunities.
• Contractual risk transfer: Support maintaining, to the extent it exists, and regaining, where it has been eliminated, the right of public agencies to contractually transfer the risk of loss.
• Automobile monetary responsibility: Support increasing minimum automobile insurance limits to levels commensurate with the financial responsibility associated with vehicle use.
• Periodic payments: Support enhancing the ability of public agencies to satisfy judgments through periodic payments where appropriate.
• Protection of public funds: Support reforms that address excessive statutes of limitation, expanded categories of damages, and other liability cost drivers that strain taxpayer resources otherwise available for essential public services. • Opposition to unfunded liability expansions: Oppose legislation, ballot measures, or legal changes that materially expand tort exposure, restrict existing defenses or immunities, or impair a public agency's ability to prudently manage and finance risk.
Section 4. Authority to Act. The Mayor, City Hall Administrator and Chief Resilience Officer or their designee, is authorized to communicate the City of Tulelake's positions on legislation, regulations, coalition letters, and related advocacy matters consistent with this Resolution and the adopted tort liability legislative and political platform, including taking support or opposition positions when timely action is necessary to protect public funds and preserve essential public services.
Section 5. Annual Review. The Tulelake City Council may review and update this Legislative Platform annually to reflect changing circumstances and new legislative priorities.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 18th day of August, 2026.
Ayes Noes Abstain _ _Absent
Thomas Cordonier
Mayor, City of Tulelake
ATTEST:
Anna Perez
City Clerk
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INCORPORATED 196) ture fog i The Suerryside of the Valley Galt Joint Union Elementary School District
Date: July 17, 2026
To: Members, California State Legislature
Urgent Need for Comprehensive Tort Reform to Protect California Taxpayers, Survivors, and Essential Public Services
On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we urge the Legislature to enact meaningful tort reform for civil actions against public entities. New data released by the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA) confirms what our members have been warning lawmakers about for years: public-entity liability costs have tripled in the last seven years, now exceeding $7 billion in known exposure. Costs are on pace to grow another 70 percent by 2027-28. The fiscal trajectory is unsustainable, the structure of liability is fundamentally unfair to taxpayers, and the consequences are now measured in billions of dollars diverted away from classrooms, fire stations, roads, mental health services, and the essential programs Californians depend on every day.
Our organizations share a deep and unwavering commitment to ensuring that survivors of harm receive justice, support, and meaningful compensation. California's public agencies are not asking for insulation from accountability. We do not seek to deny survivors their day in court. Instead, we seek to fix a system that, as currently structured, transfers enormous wealth to plaintiffs' law firms and threatens the financial solvency of the very public agencies tasked with protecting and serving our vulnerable community members. The longer the Legislature waits, the more public services will be cut, the more agencies will face insolvency. vil face in parage The Path Forward. We urge the Legislature to advance a comprehensive tort reform package for civil actions against public entities that, at minimum, includes the following:
• Defined benefits including caps on damages in civil actions against public entities, ensuring survivors and other injured parties are made whole while preserving the capacity to deliver essential public services. • Proportional (several) liability for economic damages in civil actions against public entities, so that taxpayers pay only for the share of harm actually attributable to the public agency. This way the perpetrators bear the cost of their own conduct and not taxpayers.
• Heightened evidentiary and procedural standards for claims where witnesses, records, and evidence archives are absent or insufficient to assign culpability.
Why are Billions of Taxpayer Dollars Being Diverted from Essential Services? AB 218 (Gonzalez, Chapter 861, Statutes of 2019) related to childhood sexual assault is one stark driver, but it is not the only one. Across the spectrum of civil litigation against public entities - from premises liability to dangerous conditions - plaintiffs' firms are increasingly targeting governmental defendants precisely because they are perceived as having the deepest pockets. The result is an unreasonable transfer of public resources to private wealth that the Legislature has both the power and the responsibility to address
How Are Claims Against Public Entities Funded? Most cities, counties, special districts, and school districts in California do not purchase liability coverage from traditional commercial insurance carriers because it is either too expensive, does not provide sufficient coverage, or is simply not offered. Instead, they self-fund their liability coverage or they collectively pool risk through Joint Powers Authorities (JPAs), which are not insurance companies with large capital reserves. Every self-funded claim, including those paid out of a JPA, comes from taxpayer-funded member contributions paid by cities, counties, schools, and other public agencies from the same general fund dollars that pay for police officers, firefighters, teachers, road crews, and homelessness response.
When a JPA pays out claims of magnitude, every member agency in that pool feels it through higher premiums, the potential need for special assessments, reduced coverage limits, and/or increasingly, the inability to obtain coverage at all. Public agencies that have never had a single AB 218 claim filed against them are facing double-digit premium increases. For schools, this means Proposition 98 education dollars intended to support today's students are paying for decades-old liabilities. Even for cities and counties that have few claims filed against them it means delaying critical infrastructure maintenance and reducing local government's ability to provide social-safety-net services to the most vulnerable Californians.
Plaintiffs' Attorneys Are on Track to Profit Over Half a Billion Taxpayer Dollars Every Year. In civil actions against public entities, plaintiffs' counsel commonly recover contingency fees of 40 percent or more of the gross judgment or settlement. Even using a conservative 30 percent contingency assumption, estimated plaintiff attorney fees in actions against California public entities have climbed to over $500 million annually. In many individual cases, attorney fees approach 50 percent of the taxpayer-funded settlement or award. That means that for every $10 million paid by a city, county, JPA, or school district, as much as $4 to $5 million is paid to a private law firm. It does not go to the survivor, nor does it go to mental health services, prevention or victim assistance, or back to the taxpayers who funded the payment. Plaintiffs' firms are, in many cases, the single largest beneficiaries of the current system.
Caps on Damages Are Essential to Preserve Public Services and Solvency.
Support for meaningful tort reform must include caps on damages in actions against public entities. Without such caps, the cascading effects of recent legislation will only worsen, and the very real threat of insolvency among California's public agencies, already materializing in some regions, will only accelerate. California already imposes reasonable limits in medical malpractice cases under MICRA, recognizing the public interest in such restrictions. The same principle should apply when taxpayer dollars are the source of the payment.
Public Entities Should Pay in Proportion to Their Actual Fault - Not for the Crimes of Others. Under California's current liability structure, a public entity found just one percent at fault can be ordered to pay the entirety of a plaintiff's economic damages - even when the overwhelming majority of fault lies with a criminal actor who has no assets to satisfy a judgment.
The result is morally indefensible: perpetrators escape financial accountability for their conduct, while taxpayers — through their cities, counties, transit agencies, and school districts - are forced to pay for the harm that resulted. It allows perpetrators to walk away while public services are gutted to satisfy awards for conduct the public entity did not commit. The Legislature must restore proportional (several) liability for economic damages in actions against public entities, so that they are responsible only for the share of harm attributable to the public agency's own conduct.
Survivors Deserve Their Day in Court, and Public Entities Deserve a Meaningful Opportunity to Defend. Restoring balance to AB 218 claims involving decades-old conduct does not require closing the courthouse door to survivors. Rather, it requires recognizing that, after decades have passed, the records and witnesses needed to fairly adjudicate a claim are often incomplete or simply gone. For claims involving conduct that occurred decades ago, we urge the Legislature to restore balance by reinstating a prior-knowledge requirement, paired with a clear-and-convincing-evidence standard Prior to AB 218, California law permitted survivors to bring claims against public entities outside the statute of limitations, when a plaintiff could show the entity "knew or had reason to know, or was otherwise on notice, of any unlawful sexual conduct" by the perpetrator and failed to implement reasonable safeguards. That framework provided a meaningful path to justice for survivors with evidence of institutional culpability while also protecting taxpayers from liability for conduct the public entity had no realistic means to anticipate, prevent, or now defend against.
Our coalition stands ready to work with the Legislature, the Administration, and the survivor community to craft a balanced, durable solution so that necessary action can be taken now. Detailed findings and supporting data are available in CAJPA's recent report, Protecting Public Funds: The Rising Cost of Claims Against California Public Entities. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or to discuss specific legislative vehicles.
Sincerely,
California Association of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA) California School Boards Association (CSBA)
California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)
The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC)
California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD) California Special Districts Association (CSDA)
League of California Cities
California Association of Suburban School Districts
California Latino School Boards Association
California LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) ABC Unified School District
Alameda County Schools Insurance Group
Anderson Valley Unified School District
Beta Healthcare Group
Bennett Valley Union School District
Brett Harte Union High School District
Buckeye Union School District
Butte Schools Self-Funded Programs
Cajon Valley Union School District
California Affiliated Risk Management Authorities (CARMA) California Insurance Pool Authority
California Intergovernmental Risk Authority (CIRA)
California Joint Powers Risk Management Authority (CJPRMA) Camino Union Elementary School District
Central Fire District, Santa Cruz County
Central Region School Insurance Group
Central San Joaquin Valley Risk Management Authority (CSJVRMA) City of Artesia
City of Bakersfield
City of Bellflower
City of Blythe
City of Calimesa
City of Canyon Lake
City of Carson
City of Chico
City of Citrus Heights
City of Cloverdale
City of Coalinga
City of Colton
City of Corona
City of Cotati
City of Dunsmuir
City of Eastvale
City of El Segundo
City of Elk Grove
City of Eureka
City of Fairfield
City of Folsom
City of Fort Bragg
City of Grass Valley
City of Hemet
City of Highland
City of Jurupa Valley
City of La Mesa
City of La Mirada
City of Lake Elsinore
City of Lake Port
City of Live Oak
City of Long Beach
City of Madera
City of Marysville
City of Menifee
City of Merced
City of Moreno Valley
City of Mt. Shasta
City of Murrieta
City of National City
City of Norco
City of Oakdale
City of Oroville
City of Paramount
City of Perris
City of Petaluma
City of Pico Rivera
City of Placerville
City of Rancho Cordova
City of Rancho Cucamonga
City of Reedley
City of Ripon
City of Riverside
City of Roseville
City of Sacramento
City of Shasta Lake
City of South Gate
City of St. Helena
City of Stanton
City of Tehama
City of Tracy
City of Tustin
City of Upland
City of Vacaville
City of Vernon
City of Walnut Creek
City of Weed
City of Whittier
City of Willows
City of Yorba Linda
City of Yreka
Corona Norco Unified School District
County of Butte
County of Humboldt
County of Inyo
County of Kings
County of Merced
County of Riverside
County of San Bernardino
County of Siskiyou
County of Solano
County of Tehama
County of Trinity
County of Yuba
Desert Sands Unified School District
Dunham Elementary School
East Bay Schools Insurance Group (EBSIG)
East Side Union High School District
El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE)
Employment Risk Management Authority (ERMA)
Folsom Cordova Unified School District
Galt Joint Union Elementary School District
Garden Grove Unified School District
Golden State Risk Management Authority
Hermosa Beach City School District
Hope School District
Huntington Beach City School District
Indian Diggins School District
Irvine Unified School District
Jurupa Unified School District
Kelseyville Unified School District
Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS)
Kings County Office of Education
Konocti Unified School District
La Mesa Spring Valley Schools
Lemon Grove School District
Lindsay Unified School Districts
Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District
Livingston Union School District
Los Altos School District
Lynwood Unified School District
Moreno Valley Unified School District
Mt. Diablo Unified School District
New Haven Unified School District
Natomas Charter School
NorCal Cities Self-Insurance Fund
North Coast Schools Insurance Group
Northern California Regional Liability Excess Fund (NCR) Northern California Schools Insurance Group
Oroville City Elementary School District
Oroville Union High School District
Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency (PVVTA)
Palm Springs Unified School District
Poway Unified School Districts
Redondo Beach Unified School District
Redwood Empire Schools Insurance Group (RESIG)
Riverside Unified School District
Rowland Unified School District
San Marcos Unified School District
San Mateo Schools Insurance Group
Santa Clara Unified
Santa Rosa City Schools
School & College Legal Services of California
Schools Association For Excess Risk (SAFER)
Schools Excess Liability Fund (SELF)
Schools Insurance Authority (SIA)
Schools Insurance Group
Sebastopol Charter
Sebastopol Independent Charter School
Shasta-Trinity Schools Insurance Group
Sierra Sands Unified School District
Sonoma Charter School
Sonoma County Office of Education
Southern California Regional Liability Excess Fund (SCR) Special District Risk Management Authority
Torrance Unified School Districts
Town of Truckee
Trindel Risk Management for Rural Counties
Tulare Joint Union High School District
Tuolumne JPA
Upper Lake Unified School District
West Covina Unified School District
West Side Union Elementary School District
Westminster School District
Wheatland Union High School District
Wright Elementary School District