CITY
111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
8 WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
(707) 459-4601 TEL
WILLITS (707) 459-1562 FAX
WILLITs CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 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 (Absent), Greta Kanne, and Mayor Saprina Rodriguez were present.
Also present were staff members: Brian Bender City Manager; Jim Lance, City Attorney; Manuel 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 Mendocin 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. Little lake Fire Department Updates - Presented by Chief Carter • Chief Bill Carter informed the City Council that the new Fire House is almost completed, and the unpacking has begun.
•The department has received support and lots of community involvement. "The call volumes have increased; just in the month of February, they received 37 • The al wounes have crease calls. 13 medical aid, 11 traffic accidents, 5 fires, and a few miscellaneous calls. One call was for mutual aid out of town.
• Currently have 35 men and women volunteers that put in hundreds of hours to support our community, not including the hours they put in for training classes. • The new fire house has sleeping quarters. Hoping to be able to, in the near future, man the sleeping quarters with paid personnel that can respond at a moment notice.
Hopefully with the support of the public they will be working on this. • The annual Open house is June 11th 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Raffle tickets will be mailed out soon, prizes, rides and lunch that can be purchased. • Currently gearing up for fire season, asking that everyone to be cautious and prepare as much as you can around your property, keep the fuel short and away from your structures, make sure your addresses are displayed and where they can be seen, it is paramount so that the Fire Department can get to you in a timely manner. • He's really enjoying being the new Fire Chief. He wants to ensure that the department will be able to respond to every event. Natural disaster or manmade disaster. He thanked the community for helping to build the fire house.
Vice Mayor Kanne congratulated Chief Carter on his new position and thanked him for the update. She asked if burn permits are still be given out? Chief Carter responded, yes, they are being given out at the station for residential only 6 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - until May 31st He asks the public to always reach out to make sure it is an active burn day.
Councilmember Strong welcomed Chief Carter and is looking forward to meeting him in person. She asked for the hours of the open house. Chief Carter responded 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It could go longer if they are really busy or shorter if things start to slow down.
Councilmember Gonzalez mentioned that a constituent approached about someone burning garbage. Chief Carter responded that, only yard waste can be burned, no garbage or processed lumber.
Mayor Rodriguez welcomed Chief Carter and expressed gratitude for all the Firefighters for giving of their time to keep our community safe. The school did a tour today and was impressed not just by how nice it turned out but while they were there, there was a fire call and how they hustled back to continue the tour with the school.. The firefighters are true heroes in our community.
Public Comment: None presented.
Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. March 9, 2022
b. Resolution (No. 2022-16) ratifying and extending for an additional 30-days, approval of continuing Virtual City Council, Commission, and Committee meetings pursuant to AB c. Resolution (No. 2022-17) appointing representatives to represent and vote on behalf of the City at the League of California Cities' Redwood Empire Division Business meetings and Division Legislative Committee meetings.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Strong and carried (4/0, Council Member Stranske Absent) to approve Consent Calendar item(s) (a,b, & c).
Mayor Rodriguez asked if we have a tentative date for returning in person? City Manager Bender responded, there was a City Manager Meeting today, Dr. Coren still has concerns for small public settings. We are anxious to reconvene in person. Some councils in the county are in person, some are virtual and some are hybrid. It just depends on where their comfort level is. He believes the County is doing a Hybrid model. Mayor Rodriguez is ok extending another 30 days and that maybe in 30 days the council can consider setting a date for returning to in person.
Councilmember Gonzalez would like staff to think about it and what the rules would be in place, he does not see us going to a hybrid model. City Manager Bender stated that based on Health Department orders, mask wearing is only a recommendation, there is not limitation on capacity. It would be up to the discretion of the council how they want to have the venue set. The next question is, if council chooses to require masks and someone chooses not to how do you want to handle the situation? We would like to Willits City Council Minutes of March 23, 2022 Page 2 of 6 accommodate in a safe way, hybrid is very expensive, we do not have the ideal environment to accommodate a hybrid model. We could use the Community Center, but the council chambers are the best set up for us. It is based on the comfort level of the council.
Councilmember Kanne, is sensitive to the concerns of the community about not being able to attend meeting. Being a business owner that works retail she is not anxious to go to in person meetings unless it is very clear how many people will be in the room and what the physical distancing will be.
Councilmember Strong feels the same as Councilmember Kanne. Is not comfortable going back to in person meetings.
6. Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest. a. None presented.
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the construction of a hangar owned by REACH Air Medical Services at Willits Municipal Airport.
Councilmember Gonzalez believes REACH is an asset to our community and surrounding areas! We need them to stay, very important. Mayor Rodriguez agreed.
Public Comment: None Presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Strong and carried (4/0, Councilmember Stranske absent) to adopt Resolution (No. 2022-18) approving the construction of a hanger owned by REACH Air Medical Services at the Willits Airport in the general location as illustrated in the Mapping Exhibit.
b. Introduction of a preliminary Tobacco Retailers License Ordinance.
After discussion it was decided to bring this Item back in April, once we know what the County's ordinance will be. All Councilmembers were in consensus on this.
Public Comment: None presented.
c. Verbal Reports - No Action.
• Attended ICMA Regional Conference, was very informative and looks at conferences as a way to recharge professional batteries. Had some good dialog on how to use the ARPA funds, we have two years to do the allocations and four years to complete the projects.
• COVID Update - Dr. Coren this morning gave a positive update, there are no great surges or waves on our door steps or horizon and positive index numbers are decreasing but he is still concerned with in-person meetings.
Goals and objectives, he has been here a here a year, looking at new software, but the cornerstone is the staff. Sends his gratitude to council about what we are doing with staff and moving forward
Public Comment: None presented.
Willits City Council Minutes of March 23, 2022 Page 3 of 6 Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Mid-Year Budget Amendments.
Presented by staff member: Finance Director Orozco
Finance Director Orozco presented the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Mid-Year Budget Amendments and then answered questions from the council.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Strong/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried (4/0, Councilmember Stranske absent) to adopt Resolution (No. 2022-19) approving FY 2021-22 Mid-Year Budget Adjustments. Staff will be able to use dedicated funding sources, additional revenues, and Fund Balances to cover changes in appropriations and pay for salary increases.
b. Discussion and possible action approving plans and specifications for Blosser Lane Rehabilitation Project, Phase 1 (Project No. 2022-02), and authorizing advertisement for bids.
Presenting staff member: City Engineer Wilburn
Public Comment:
The councilmembers and members of the community all expressed their excitement for the project. Project Manager Ronco answered questions asked buy the Councilmembers and members of the community.
Moved by Strong/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried (4/0, Councilmember Stranske Absent) authorizing advertisement for bids for the Blosser Lane Rehabilitation Project, Phase I (Project No. 2022-02).
10. Department Monthly Reports (ONLY SECOND MEETING OF EACH MONTH a. Airport - Airport Manager Moorhead added that the City has received the plans for the restroom remodel. Looking forward to moving forward with the project and becoming ADA compliant. •Have a lot going on at the airport, trying to make a presence and let our tenants know that we are here for their needs. We want to be more involved, would like to have an Airport Day next year.
b. Community Development Department - Community Development Director Duley added the City was able to begin accepting applications from local business owners Monday to make allocations to the Community Development Block Grant Business Assistant Program. We had a decent turn out and were able to accept a number of applications and begin moving them through the process. There will be another opportunity to meet with staff and submit applications again Tuesday April 5th , more information is available on the department website as well as CDBG consultants contact information. Encouraged to contact consultant with questions. Make an appointment to drop off an application for April 5th. Folks are taking advantage of the program. Have completed the public draft of the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Rail Trail Project, will be available starting tomorrow and will begin the thirty-day review period. Will bring forward at the April 27 meeting.
Councilmember Strong asked if there was any progress or a report on vacant commercial buildings? Has there been a business permit for permit for Life Ray. Mr.
Duley responded, the Vacant Commercial Building list is a smaller list than we had Willits City Council Minutes of March 23, 2022 Page 4 of 6 anticipated, the trend appears to be that if there is a building that is available to be rented/leased and is essentially turn key ready that building is being used, the remaining vacant building, the common theme appears to be that they are not in shape to where they could be leased out. To the extent the ordinance allows we are trying to assist and push the property owners in getting their buildings fixed up to be made use of. We are working with the Fire Department to schedule inspections; the ordinance instructs us to complete an annual inspection of the buildings. Life Ray did obtain a business license is for office use and we have had no issues with property or owner.
c. Engineering - No further questions.
d. Police Department - No further questions.
Councilmember Kanne thanked the Chief for being accessible, open and transparent to the department.
e. Public Works - Public Works Superintend O'Shea added that the play structure at Snyder Park has been received and looking to get the repairs done and back in usable condition.
f. Utilities - Utilities Superintendent Herman - Reported that flushing has been completed to Hwy 20 KOA - anticipate 12 to 15 more days, looking towards the middle to end of April to have the whole system flushed. Added this has been the first and forefront issue, thanks to the Public Works, Water and Wastewater crews. They all participated and we are glad to have it completed
Councilmember Strong stated it is delightful to have these reports and it is impressive to see how much work the staff does.
Mayor Rodriguez added that the staff is appreciated. It is not a glamorous job but it is what is needed to make sure the community's needs are met.
No action taken.
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports • Councilmember Kanne - attended Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) as a community member and found it very interesting. • Councilmember Gonzalez - Will attend the League of California Cities (LLC) will meet this Friday.
Councilmember Strong - meeting Mendocino Solid Waste Management MSWMA - March 10" possibility of mattress and tire collection event, no cost to the public they will have a drop off point. March 17h EDFC - doing several loans, 5 in Willits, the management of EDFC is working hard. Loan person is now the Executive Director. • Mayor Rodriguez - MTA has not met, first electric bus in the Willits community with ribbon cutting within the next few weeks. She will be working with Brian on this. We are the first city to have this bus up and running.
Public Comment:
No action taken.
12. Good & Welfare
• Madge Mach 31st WELL is having a zoom forum called Fire, are you Ready? Representatives from the different fire agencies talking about what they are doing Willits City Council Minutes of March 23, 2022 Page 5 of 6 to prepare for the fire season as well as what individuals can do. If you need info email Councilmember Strong, [email protected]
Greta - approached by Willits residents regarding illegal dump site in Brooktrails and she has been in touch with several and are making progress in this matter. Did post on fan page to sign up and help with cleanup in the community 35 people signed up.
She thanked them.
13. Closed Session Notice
No Closed Session items presented at this meeting.
14. Adjournment
Mayor Rodriguez declared the meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
SAPRINA RODRIGUEZ, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
lett Mashers
CATHY MOORHEAD
Deputy City Manager/City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of March 23, 2022 Page 6 of 6