CITY
111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
(707) 459-4601 TEL
MILLITS (707) 459-1562 FAX
WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 09, 2022
Mayor Rodriguez called a regular meeting of the City Council to order at 6:33 p.m., via teleconterence/video conference. The meeting was preceded by the pledge to the flag.
Roll Call: Councilmembers Madge Strong, Gerardo Gonzalez, Greta Kanne, and Mayor Saprina Rodriguez were present.
Also present were staff members: Brian Bender City Manager; Jim Lance, City Attorney; Dusty Duley, Community Development Director; Scott Herman, Utilities Superintendent; Kenan O'Shea, Public Works Superintend; Karen Stevenson, Human Resources Manager; and Cathy Moorhead, Deputy City Manager | City Clerk.
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. •i l Public Communications
None presented
Public Matters
Presentation of a Proclamation - in Recognition of "Women's History Month.
Mayor Rodriguez read the proclamation for the record and presented it to Cynthia Savage, 2022 Honoree from the Willits Daily Bread; also honored were Shirley Matilton, Native American entrepreneur, and Camille Schradler, Redwood Community Services.
Mayor Rodriguez thanked Ms. Savage for her leadership role in our Community.
Ms. Savage accepted the proclamation, thanked the City of Willits and the community, adding that Willits Daily Bread is continuing to look for volunteers; interested persons should call 707-367-5667 for more information regarding the current needs of Willits Daily Bread.
AMENDED AGENDA ITEM
(Amendments to the agenda require a 2/3rds vote of the City Council) Motion to amend the agenda and add item 3b - Presentation by the Mendocino County Tobacco Prevention Coalition.
Moved by Strong/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried (4/0 - Stranske absent) to add item 3b to the agenda.
b. Presentation by the Mendocino County Tobacco Prevention Coalition
City Manager Bender informed the council of miscommunication between the Tobacco Coalition and the city regarding tonight's presentation. More information will be presented within the next few weeks.
4. Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
5. Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. February 9, 2022
b. Resolution ratifying and extending for an additional 30-days, approval of continuing Virtual City Council, Commission, and Committee meetings pursuant to AB 361.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Strong/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried (4/0 - Stranske absent) to approve Consent Calendar items) (a&b).
Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest. a. Business License Activity for February 2022
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Approve the proposed Assistant City Manager Description (Effective March 10, 2022).
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Kanne and carried (4/0 with Stranske absent) to approve the proposed job description for the Assistant City Manager as presented. b. Verbal Reports - No action taken.
Renovations at City Hall were requested last year, but the budget could not support it, council was sympathetic to the need. This year's budget can now support it; therefore $80,000 was placed in the budget for this remodel. The city received two estimates with the low bid coming in much less. Staff has contacted references as the contract company is based out of Nevada. We are in hopes to start this project soon and have asked for a completion date of no later than the end of September.
We will do our best to make sure City Hall stays open during the remodel. City Manager Bender informed the community with this remodel the Utility Billing department would expand by having two counters to help customers and will also be utilized by the Community Development Department to discuss plans and permits.
We also have a new layout for office space, making this a better layout to provide better service to our customers.
Met with Dr. Coren today to discuss the Public Notice that was released last week regarding lifting the universal indoor mask mandate. The mandate was lifted on March 4th but Dr. Coren still strongly recommends to continue wearing your mask • indoors to keep the spread down.
• Cal League City will be holding the Redwood Empire Division meetings, tours and dinner event in Ukiah on March 25th. Interested should contact Sara Sanders at Willits City Council Minutes of March 09, 2022 Page 2 of 4 LCC. Further discussion was had between council and City Attorney Lance regarding whether all council members were permitted to attend. Mr. Lance stated that it is permissible if it is an open meeting to the public and has also been publicized.
Mayor Rodriguez inquired about items that will be coming forward on future agendas. City Manager Bender informed the Council that Councilmember Stranske will also be absent from the March 23d meeting, therefore he is holding off on some items until his return. The April 13" meeting will have discussion regarding Brown Water, Groundwater Resiliency Project, and Mitigated Negative Declaration; April 27, Bulk Water Fill Station Policy, March , Blosser Lane Project and Mid-Year Budget. Councilmember Strong inquired about the Urban Forest Plan. Mayor Rodriguez responded that she spoke with Mr. Duley today about this item and he is continuing to work on it, but not ready at this point.
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
• Mayor Rodriguez inquired to this year Pool and the need for lifeguards. Deputy City Manager Moorhead informed the City Council that the pool staff is currently low, not all lifeguards are returning this year and we are advertising for more guards; also adding that if the city is not able to hire the adequate number of pool staff it could effect this year's schedule for swim lessons, water aerobics and open swim. Ms. Moorhead will keep the council informed about the upcoming schedule.
Community Development Director Duley informed the City Council that the city received a parks grant, but some years back received a grant for the tennis court that is currently occupied by the Willits Frontier Days dance area. Mr. Duley is looking into the previous grant so that we can move forward with the new one and will update council in the near future.
Department Monthly Reports (ONLY SECOND MEETING OF EACH MONTH None presented
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports • Vice Mayor Kanne reported - Mendocino Council of Government (MCOG) met Monday - reporting finances are strong due to CARES Act and Sales Tax; Caltrans Project Updates, Clean California will be holding free dump will be rolling out in late spring, starting with tires, mattresses and then moving to all trash; and North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA) will be meeting for the last time on March 14th before dissolving; and the Mendocino County Museum Board - still has vacancies in both the 4th and 5th district and are in need of board members.
• Councilmember Gonzalez reported - League of California Cities (LCC) met, discussed general housing issues; attended LAFCo meeting as an alternate - discussed service rates, as each city pays into LAFCo they are looking to increase these rates and will be reaching out to the city; he will be attending the League of California Cities Redwood Empire Division meeting on March 25", along with Mayor Rodriguez and Councilmember Strong
• Councilmember Strong reported - Economic Development and Finance Corporation (EDFC) will meet tomorrow; and Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) will meet on March 17th
• Mayor Rodriguez reported - met with City Manager Bender and Mendocino County Supervisor John Haschak for an update of county business; and attended, along with Councilmembers Gonzalez and Stranske, the Swearing-In of the new Little Lake Fire Chief, Bill Carter.
Public Comment: None presented.
Willits City Council Minutes of March 09, 2022 Page 3 of 4 No action taken.
12. Good & Welfare
• Mayor Rodriguez thanked the other women on the City Council and the men too for shaping the City of Willits.
Councilmember Strong informed the community of the upcoming WELL meeting on March 31st, 1, Fire Forum: ARE YOU READY. In attendance will be both the Willits and Brooktrails Fire Department, Fire Safe Council and Sherwood Fire Safe Council to discuss how they are prepared for this year's fire season.
Vice Mayor Kanne commented - Women's History Month - the City currently has three women on the City Council and has recently met Carol Orton, the first woman that ran, but did not win, for a seat on the Willits City Council, and now some 40 years later the women dominate the Willits City Council.
13. Closed Session Notice
No Closed Session took place at tonight meeting.
14. Adjournment
Mayor Rodriguez declared the meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Cathe Master.
CATHY MOORHEAD
Deputy City Manager/City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of March 09, 2022 Page 4 of 4