City of Weed City Council Minutes February 13, 2025
CITY OF WEED CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 13, 2025
The City Council of the City of Weed held a regular meeting on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 5:39 pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Darrell Parham called the meeting to order. Present, in addition to Mayor Parham, were Council Members Mark Mazzoni, Ken Palfini, Phet Virasonh, and Melissa Whetstine. Also present were Interim City Manager Steven W. Baker, City Attorney David Ruderman, Police Chief Justin Mayberry, Finance Director Jill Porterfield, Public Works Director Chris Davis, and City Clerk Sandra Duchi
III. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA/URGENCY ITEMS
Council Member Palfini moved to accept the agenda as posted. Council Member Whetstine seconded the motion, and the vote was:
AYES: Council Members Mazzoni, Palfini, Parham, Virasonh, and Whetstine.
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
IV. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
There was none.
V. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Council Member Mazzoni reported attending a LAFCO meeting. Council Member Whetstine thanked the Police Department and the Public Works Department for their work during the past storms. Council Member Palfini concurred with Council Member Whetstine adding the Weed Fire Department for their work in his neighborhood, and thanked Steve W. Baker for filling the Interim City Manager position for the past few months. Council Member Parham thanked all staff for their continued commitment to the city.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Parham read the consent agenda, asked for public comment, and asked if any member would like to pull any items from the consent agenda. There were none. The City Attorney made an oral summary report regarding item C.
A. Administrative – By Motion, Council considered Resolution No. 02-2025 appointing Jill Porterfield to the position of City Treasurer.
B. Finance – By Motion, Council considered appointing Resolution No 03-2025 Adopting Finance Policy No. 111 Bad Debt.
C. Human Resources – By Motion – Council considered approving an employment agreement with Chief of Police Mayberry as Acting City Manager
D. City Clerk – By Motion, approved minutes from January 6, 2025, Special Meeting, January 9, 2025, Regular Meeting, January 16, 2025, and February 3, 2025, Special Meetings.
E. Finance – By Motion, approved payment warrants dated 1/8/2025 through 1/22/2025 including any voided warrants totaling $730,692.73.
F. Finance - By Motion, approved and file month end report for January 2025.
Council Member Palfini moved to approve the consent agenda as submitted. Council Member Whetstine seconded the motion, and the vote was:
AYES: Council Members Mazzoni, Palfini, Parham, Virasonh, and Whetstine.
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSTAIN: None
VIII. COUNCIL BUSINESS
A. Public Safety – By Motion, Council considered encroachment permit to close Main Street from Inez to Division on April 20, 2025, for the 4/20 Festival from 0600 until 2200, and waivers of WMC
9.16.010 and 9.16.030 for outside sale and consumption of alcohol within the event boundaries only. Council Member Mazzoni moved to table the item due to the applicant being absent from the meeting. Council Member Whetstine seconded the motion, and the vote was:
AYES: Council Members Mazzoni, Palfini, Parham, Virasonh, and Whetstine.
NOES: None
City of Weed City Council Minutes February 13, 2025
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
B. Code Enforcement - By Motion, Council considered Introduction and First Reading, by title only, of Ordinance No. 481-2025, Adding Section 16.04.145 to Chapter 16.04 of the Weed Municipal Code Pertaining to the Occupancy of Condemned Property. Police Chief Mayberry presented the staff report. Council Members questions were asked and answered. Council Member Palfini moved for introduction and first reading, by title only of Ordinance No. 481-2025. Council Member Parham seconded the motion, and the vote was:
AYES: Council Members Mazzoni, Palfini, Parham, Virasonh, and Whetstine.
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
C. Code Enforcement - By Motion, Council considered Introduction and First Reading, by title only, of Ordinance No. 483-2025, Adding Chapter 8.10 Pertaining to the Unauthorized removal of Shopping Carts from Retail Establishments and to Facilitate Retrieval of Abandoned Shopping Carts. Police Chief Mayberry presented the staff report. Council Members questions were asked and answered. Council Member Palfini moved for introduction and first reading by title only of Ordinance No. 483-2025. Council Member Whetstine seconded the motion, and the vote was:
AYES: Council Members Mazzoni, Palfini, Parham, Virasonh, and Whetstine.
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
D. Finance - Council appointed two members of the City Council to sit on the ADHOC Finance Committee. Council Member Whetstine moved to appoint Council Members Parham and Palfini to the ADHOC Finance Committee. Council Member Virasonh seconded the motion, and the vote was:
AYES: Council Members Mazzoni, Palfini, Parham, Virasonh, and Whetstine.
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
E. Finance – Council considered approval of a salary schedule for part time employees. Interim City Manager Baker presented the staff report. Council Members questions were asked and answered. Council Member Parham moved to approve the part time salary schedule with a review of the schedule from the ADHOC Finance Committee during the budget process. Council Member Whetstine seconded the motion, and the vote was:
AYES: Council Members Mazzoni, Palfini, Parham, Virasonh, and Whetstine.
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
XI. STAFF REPORTS
Finance reported the new software update is almost complete and thanked her staff for their tireless efforts during the conversion. The Police Department reported 1912 incidents for the month of January with 51 cases pulled, and 23 arrests. He continued to discuss the efforts of the city crews during the recent storms and that all staff have been doing their best to keep the roads open for the citizens.
Interim City Manager read a report from the Asst. Fire Chief then stated he’s enjoyed working with the City Council and City staff and he hopes to check in from time to time.
Mayor Parham read an opening statement regarding Agenda item A under XI. Closed Session the Administrative Appeal of Steve Duncan’s termination and his right to Administrative Appeal under the Fire Fighters Bill of Rights Code Section 3254(c) and explained the procedures for the Administrative Appeal. City Attorney Ruderman introduced the legal counsel attending via zoom. Pamela Graham, speaking on behalf of Interim City Manager Steve Baker, spoke on the reasons to uphold the termination. Quac Pham, speaking on behalf of Steven Duncan, asked to reserve the right to have Mr.
Duncan’s appeal be held before an Administrative Judge and continued to speak in support of Mr.
Duncan’s performance and claims of hostile environment. Pamela Graham, representing Interim City Manager Baker, presented rebuttal. Usmaro Sanchez read a statement in support of Steve Duncan.
Ashley Allen commented regarding Council Members attendance in closed session. Mayor Parham asked for a motion to adjourn to closed session.
City of Weed City Council Minutes February 13, 2025
Council Member Palfini moved to adjourn to closed session at 7:01pm. Council Member Whetstine seconded the motion, and the vote was:
AYES: Council Members Mazzoni, Palfini, Parham, Virasonh, and Whetstine.
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
XI. CLOSED SESSION
A. Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release (§54957) Position: Fire Chief – Administrative Appeal of Fire Chief Per Govt. Code Section 3254(c).
B. Public Employee Appointment (§54957)
City Manager & Interim City Manager
C. Conference with Labor Negotiator(s) (§54957.6)
Negotiators: Interim City Manager Steven W. Baker and Chief Justin Mayberry Teamsters Local 137
D. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation (§54956.9(e)(2)) A point has been reached where, in the opinion of the legislative body of the local agency on the advice of its legal counsel, based on existing facts and circumstances, there is a significant exposure to litigation against the local agency.
Number of Cases: 1
XII. ADJOURN TO OPEN SESSION
Announcement of action taken, if any, by the City Council in Closed Session required by the Ralph. M.
Brown Act (Gov. Code, §§ 54950 et seq.)
Council Member Palfini moved to adjourn to open session at 9:44pm. Council Member Whetstine seconded the motion, and the vote was:
AYES: Council Members Mazzoni, Palfini, Parham, Virasonh, and Whetstine.
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item A – Administrative Appeal of Fire Chief: Council took the matter under submission and will issue a written decision within 30 days.
There was no other reportable action.
XV. ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Virasonh moved to adjourn the meeting. Council Member Whetstine seconded the motion, and the vote was:
AYES: Council Members Mazzoni, Palfini, Parham, Virasonh, and Whetstine.
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SINE DIE 9:45 pm
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
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City Clerk