CITY
111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
8 WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
(707) 459-4601 TEL
WILLITS (707) 459-1562 FAX
WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2022
Mayor Rodriguez called a regular meeting of the City Council to order at 6:31 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; Cathy Moorhead, Assistant City Manager; Jim Lance, City Attorney; Dusty Duley, Community Development Director; Manuel Orozco, Finance Director; Davey Bowles, Building Inspector; and Delores Pedersen 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.
2. Public Communications
Olga O'Neill, member of Friends of the Library, reported there is a petition being circulated for a Ballot Measure to hopefully be on the ballot in November. The purpose for this is to have a permanent measure to help fund the Mendocino County Library. The Friends of the Library would like the measure to increase from an eighth of a cent to a quarter of a cent, with the hopes that forty percent of money would go to Capital Improvements.
3. Public Matters
a. Presentation by California Conservation Corp - Update on Willits Campus Jarred Patton, Regional Deputy Director, of California Conservation Corp (CCC) introduced Dan Millsap, Director of Capital Outlay and Facilities/Maintenance, Bruce Saito, Executive Director and John Button, District Director all of CCC. Mr. Millsap gave a slide show presentation of the up and coming Willits Campus.
After the presentation Mr. Millsap and Mr. Button both answered questions from the City Council.
Public Comment: None presented.
No Action Taken
b. Local Road Safety Plan (Willits) Presentation given by Mendocino Council of Governments & TJKM (Transportation Planning Consultants).
Divya Gandi of TJKM gave a presentation on the Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) and answered question asked by the council.
Public Comment: None presented.
No Action taken.
PUBLIC HEARING - Discussion and Possible Action on Application for General Plan Amendment GPA 21-02 and Rezone ZC 21-02 for David Lovell.
Presented by staff member: Community Development Director Duley.
PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 7:26 P.M.
Community Development Director Duley gave a presentation of the projected GPA 21- 02 and Rezone ZC 21-02 for David Lovell and answered questions from the council.
Public Comment: None presented.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:50 P.M.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to adopt a Resolution (No. 2022-30) approving General Plan Amendment GPA 21-02 and Rezone ZC 21-02 subject to the conditions of approval recommended by staff.
Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
5. Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. March 23, 2022
ii. April 27, 2022
b. Authorize the Purchase of Two 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 4x4 Pickup Trucks with Utility Bodies One for each of the Water and Wastewater Departments for the State Contract Pricing of $54,731.18 Each (Total of $109,462.36) from Elk Grove Auto/Winner Chevrolet and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Purchasing Documents.
Resolution (No. 2022-31) ratifying and extending for an additional 30-days, approval of continuing Virtual City Council, Commission, and Committee meetings pursuant to AB 361.
Councilmember Gonzalez inquired to whether the vehicles were budgeted and if they are being purchased on the State bid or did we bid on them individually. City Manager Bender responded, they were purchased through the State Purchasing Program, and they are in the budget.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Stranske/Seconded by Strong and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar items) (a, b, c).
Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest. a. Business License Activity for April 2022.
Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented
Willits City Council Minutes of May 11, 2022 Page 2 of 5
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Verbal Reports - No Action.
• City Manager Bender gave a report on the contract with APEX Technology Management for IT Services. We are moving forward with the switch over from Groupwise (the County Supported System) to an Outlook based system after the contract goes into effect on June 1, 2022. APEX has been having dialog with County Staff on their experiences with email migration between the two systems to avoid making mistakes. Looking to improving internet access to both City Hall and the Justice Center.
• Construction of City Hall remodel will begin at the end of May, the contractor prefers to - work on weekends to reduce the impact on operations at City Hall. City Manager Bender asked the Public to bear with us during the construction. • There is a threat to the County Museum, located here is Willits; citizens in the community were encouraged write letters or contact the Board of Supervisors to ask that the Museum not be closed for up to one year due to budget cuts.
Public Comment: None presented.
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
a. Discussion and Possible Adoption of a Resolution Awarding a Contract to Bouthillier's Construction, Inc. in an Amount not to Exceed $997,113.00 for the Construction of the Blosser Lane Rehabilitation Project, Phase I (Project No. 2022-02) and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Contract and Approve Construction Change Orders up to a Cumulative Total of 10% of the Total Contract Amount, and to Approve Final Plans and Specifications for Said Project.
Project Manager Ronco presented the item and answered questions of the Council.
Mayor Rodrigues asked if the timelines with the School District were still in sync and coordinating challenges that may come due to road impacts? Mr. Ronco replied that yes, Kevin Bouthillier is on schedule to start early to mid-June. We are going to touch bases with the School and the Sherwood Valley Food Bank to make sure they are ready for the project to start.
Councilmember Kanne asked if this was expected to be a multi-year project or will it be completed this summer? Mr. Ronco answered that Phase I, referenced in the plans in the agenda packet is expected to be complete this summer.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Kanne/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution (No. 2022-32), to award a contract to Bouthillier's Construction, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $997,113.00 for construction of the Blosser Lane Rehabilitation Project (Project No. 2022-02), and Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract and, upon recommendation from the City Engineer, authorize the City Manager to approve construction change orders up to a cumulative total of 10-percent of the total contract amount, and approve final plans and specifications for said project. b. Approval to Apply and Receive Funds from California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program.
Presenting Staff Member: Community Development Director.
Public Comment: None presented.
Willits City Council Minutes of May 11, 2022 Page 3 of 5 Moved by Strong/Seconded Stranske and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution (No. 2022-33), authorizing the City Manager, or their designee to file an application with the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery in an amount not to exceed $20,000 and, if awarded, authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to execute the standard agreement.
10. Department Monthly Reports (ONLY SECOND MEETING OF EACH MONTH a. None Presented
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Vice Mayor Kanne reported: Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) met May 9th received a presentation on a study they had done on road conditions county wide. They detailed the pavement condition index for each municipality as well as unincorporated areas, they gave an aggregate score for each region. They broke down how municipalities' streets fared as far as being in good condition. Fort Bragg has done a very good job over the last 20 years improving their aggregate PCI and making major investments in their roads. Willits has stayed pretty steady. Was concerning that Willits had the highest number of failed roads of any of the municipalities. We have a lot of roads on the list with underground utilities that need to be repaired. Vice Mayor Kanne wanted to remind the council that improving the PCI was one of their priorities that was recognized last year during goal setting. Today she attended Museum Advisory board Museum staff concerned about the possibility of being shuttered for a year. She echoes the City Manager Benders comments that any member of the public writes letters or contact the Board of Supervisors. The Museum Advisory board agreed to send a letter to board of Supervisors strongly opposing an action to shutter the museum and hopes the City Council will also consider endorsing a letter opposing this as well. Mayor Rodrigues added she would like a letter of support be placed on next agenda.
Councilmember Gonzalez reported: Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) met on May 2nd. The big issue was the Budget, which will come back at the June 6th meeting for formal approval. When LAFCOs budget goes in each of the cities and the county and districts are charged a fee, the City will be notified. A letter from the State Water Resources Control Board was approved for a request of support for the Water Services Reorganization efforts in the Ukiah Valley.
• Attended League of California Cities May 6'h
• Councilmember Strong:
* Economic Development & Finance Corporation (EDFC) will be holding a regularly scheduled meeting on May 12.
* Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) will be holding a regularly scheduled meeting on May 19.
• Mayor Rodriguez is currently at League of California Cities new conference for Mayor and City Council Members, all around advocacy for cities. Attended a meeting with Assembly Member Jim Wood and Senator McGuire, where she had the opportunity to talk to them about issues that were relevant to the City of Willits. Asked what was happening at the State level in terms of water shortage and resiliency throughout the state as well as any insight into what the plan might be in Mendocino County. Senator McGuire had stated that there is a 36-48-month plan to put in two one-million-gallon storage tanks on the School District property, in the meantime there was funding given to the county to truck in water. They are working on getting in the Desalination Plant on the coast. Mayor Rodriguez expressed a desire for her and the City Manager to have a one on one conversation with Senator McGuire to talk about water, Senator McGuire was open to it, his office would be scheduling an appointment for the meeting.
Attended news conference, League of California Cities is asking the state, with the excess of money that is in the surplus, for $500 mil for the creation of the Housing and Economic Development Program, $933.5 million for unfunded state mandates, $180 Willits City Council Minutes of May 11, 2022 Page 4 of 5 million for organic waste recycling. Advocated for different legislative items around homelessness, climate resiliency and housing. They have spent a significant amount of time discussing mental health and the role of cities to do their part to expand housing opportunities for all. Cloverdale spent $75,000 from city funds, given as contributions to non-profits to help combat homelessness and mental health. The State Department of Health Care Services has a new number for mental health response starting July 16, 2022. Someone in need will call 988 instead of 911, as this his is a nationwide number.
The caller will speak to a trained counselor then routed to local county services. The intent is to reduce police response.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
12. Good & Welfare
Councilmember Strong: this Sunday, May 15, WELL and the Little Lake Grange and several other agencies are co-sponsoring a Candidate's Forum at the Little Lake Grange at 2:30 p.m., this meeting can be accessed via zoom.
13. Closed Session Notice
a. Conference with Legal Counsel Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9 - Existing Litigation: Alexis Blaylock vs the City of Willits; Mendocino County Superior Court, Case No. 21CV00310
Council reconvened to open session at 9:05 p.m., with not items to report out.
14. Adjournment
Mayor Rodriguez declared the meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
SAPRINA RODRIGUEZ, Mavor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Debres Peelerser
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of May 11, 2022 Page 5 of 5