CITY OF
111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
(707) 459-4601 TEL
MILLITS (707) 459-1562 FAX
WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2022
Mayor Rodriguez called a regular meeting of the City Council to order at 6:30 p.m., via teleconference/video conference. The meeting was preceded by the pledge to the flag.
Roll Call: Councilmembers Madge Strong, Gerardo Gonzalez, Larry Stranske, Greta Kanne, and Mayor Saprina Rodriguez were present.
Also present were staff members: Brian Bender City Manager; Jim Lance, City Attorney; Manuel Orozco, Finance Director: Dusty Duley, Community Development Director; and Cathy Moorhead, Deputy City Manager | City Clerk. Contract City Engineer - Rod Wilburn.
Due to the provisions of the Governor's new Executive Order N-15-21 (Assembly Bill 361) which continues to suspend certain requirements of the Brown Act, and the Order of the Health Officer of the County of Mendocino to continue to impose/recommend measures to promote social distancing to minimize the spread of COVID- 19, the City Council will be participating by tele/video conferencing.
2. Public Communications
None presented
3. Public Matters
a. Presentation of a Proclamation - Celebrating Edith Ceccarelli's "114" Birthday.
Mayor Rodriguez read the Proclamation for the record, and presented it to Evelyn Persico.
Councilmembers wished Ms. Ceccarelli a very Happy Birthday. Mrs. Evelyn Persico thanked the City Council and wished for a beautiful day.
b. Presentation of a Proclamation - in Recognition of Black History Month.
Mayor Rodriguez read the Proclamation for the record.
Vice Mayor Kanne commented that she will be celebrating Black History Month by listening to lots of jazz music
Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. December 8, 2021
ii. January 12, 2022
b. Adopt a Resolution (No. 2022-08) to replace Resolution 2021-33 adopted on September 8, 2021 to correct inaccuracies referring to the approval and authorization of adjustment to salaries and benefits for Unrepresented Employees.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Stranske /Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar item(s) (a&b).
6. Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest.
None presented
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the installation of a sculpture (Pinwheel) in the eastern portion of Highway 20 Park.
Public Comment: Gary Martin informed the City Council that he and others in the community support this proposal.
• Jacob, a member of the community inquired the cost to the city. City Manager Bender Brian stated it may cost the city about $3,000 and City staff time. • Eric Ward commented that art in this space on Highway 20 could be economically fit for our city. He stated he has recently stopped in Geyserville to look at the art they have • and actually enjoyed a nice lunch.
• Judy Fisch commented that she sits on the Board of Directors for the Art Center and they support this project and have received roughly $10,000 in donations for this project.
The Board is in hopes that the City Council will support this project along with future • It was also mentioned that Jane Camp is the donor and CJay Roughgarden is the artist.
Ms. Camp is in hopes that the City will support them in the project. • Vice Mayor Kanne read a public comment from Alisha Weir for the record. Ms. Weir supports art in the community.
City Manager Bender informed the City Council that they can approve the project with the information that was presented in the agenda summary, or staff can gather more information and construct a policy for art projects in Willits and bring back to the City Council, or move ahead with what we have and ask for further information in agreement with Jane Camp.
Councilmember Gonzalez was glad that our insurance company was notified and he sees the value to having art in the community. City Manager Bender commented that insurance is a concern and City Attorney Lance contacted Amy Northam at CERA, informing of this project, Ms. Northam advised Mr. Lance that the city should develop a "Public Park Policy". This policy would identify how the city considers what art would be allowed, along with a whole host of issues. The policy should be drafted and brought back to the City Council. The City of Willits currently does not have a policy like this, therefore we will be drafting one.
Councilmember Strong expressed her concern that this project seems to be moving forward at a slow rate of speed and feels the Council should continue to move forward with a policy, but approve this project now to show the community that the city council supports the arts. Vice Mayor Kanne agrees with Councilmember Strong and feels the city should continue to move forward with the policy and show the community we support the arts.
Willits City Council Minutes of January 26, 2022 Page 2 of 4 City Manager Bender commented that he is not trying to stop the project, just giving options and will move forward with a policy.
Moved by Kanne/Seconded by Strong and carried unanimously to adopt the accompanying Resolution (No. 2022-09) to accept the donation of the sculpture (as depicted) for installation at the identified location in Highway 20 Park. Staff advises the City Council to attach the following items to their approval: (1) The artist/patron submits a certification from a licensed engineer for staff review the installation: and (2) The artist/patron guarantees the installation and sculpture itself for one-year. Add the following verbiage to the Resolution: c. "Additional previsions by the City Attorney".
b. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the construction of a 60 by 80-foot, privately owned hangar at Willits Municipal Airport south of existing facilities.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Strong and carried (4-1, with Stranske dissenting) to adopt the accompanying Resolution (No. 2022-10) to approve the construction of a 60 by 80-foot, owner-occupied hangar at Willits Municipal Airport in the location illustrated in the Mapping Exhibit.
c. Verbal Reports -
• Cases of COVID-19 are continuing to rise throughout the county. City Manager Bender encouraged folks to get vaccinated.
• City is moving forward with the formal bid process for City Hall renovations.
Have receive 4 or 5 responses for new IT Services for the city.
Preparing to release a Request for Proposal for new accounting and finance billing software services.
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
None presented.
10. Department Monthly Reports (ONLY SECOND MEETING OF EACH MONTH) None presented
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports • Vice Mayor Kanne - nothing to report. But did inform the community that Department Reports will be presented at the February 23d meeting.
• Councilmember Gonzalez - nothing to report.
• Councilmember Stranske - nothing to report.
Councilmember Strong - reported that Solid Waste Management Authority has a regularly scheduled meeting Thursday, January 27, 2022. • Mayor Rodriguez reported - Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) met today and renewed Executive Director Kings contract for another year: looking to switch all vehicles to electric, but at this time the new electric vehicles are not up to their satisfaction, but are trying to resolve it; looking to receive 3 more cutaway busses in 2022; also reported the Finance Committee will meet on February 8t; and in the future may look to recreate an Ad HOC committee for more art projects.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
Willits City Council Minutes of January 26, 2022 Page 3 of 4 Good & Welfare
Wished Edie Ceccarelli a very Happy Birthday.
• Mayor Rodriguez informed the community of the upcoming Chaplin's Memorial Service - honoring Veterans on Saturday February 5'h at the Methodist Church.
Closed Session Notice -
Pursuant to Government Code §54957 - Public Employee (Annual) Performance Evaluation - City Manager.
Council choose to forego this item tonight.
14. Adjournment
Mayor Rodriguez declared the meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
Rodd
SAPRINÀ RODRİGUEZ, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Cot Marted
CATHY MOORHEAD
Deputy City Manager/City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of January 26, 2022 Page 4 of 4