111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
8 WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
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WILLITS (707) 459-1562 FAX
WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 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 Gerardo Gonzalez, Madge Strong (ABSENT), 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; Scott Herman, Public Works Director; Kenan O'Shea, Public Works Superintend; Jeremy Ronco, Project Manager; Fabian Lizarraga, Police Chief; Davey Bowles, Building Inspector; Karen Stevenson, Human Resources Manager; and Delores Pedersen City Clerk; Rod Wilburn, Contract Engineer.
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
Jeremiah Dawson and William Pearce expressed their support of the Tobacco Ordinance Revamp.
3. Public Matters
a. Presentation of a Proclamation - Designating Western Wear Days June 17'h to July 4th, 2022.
Mayor Rodriguez read the proclamation for the record and presented to Alexis England of Willits Frontier Days. Mrs. England, thanked the Council on behalf of the Willits Frontier Days Board of Directors. She also informed everyone that the schedule of events may be found at www.willitsfrontierdays.com and that tickets could be bought through Danielle Barry, Willits Frontier Days Sweetheart, or at the gate on the day of the rodeos.
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. May 26, 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.
Resolution calling for the holding of a general municipal election to be held on.
November 8, 2022, and consolidate and request the County Clerk to conduct said election with the statewide general election.
d. Resolution authorizing Willits Frontier Days Parade route for July 4, 2022 and decorations on PG&E utility poles.
Public Comment: None presented
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Stranske and carried (4/0 - Strong absent) to approve Consent Calendar items) (a, b, c and d).
6. Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest.
Business License Activity for May 2022.
Public Comment: None presented.
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations
Verbal Reports - No Action.
City Manager Bender reported on the status of City Hall renovations.
Public Comment: None presented
9. Department Recommendations (Action Items)
Discussion and Possible Action Adopting a Resolution Establishing the City's 2022-23 Project List for the Local Streets and Roads Program (SB1) Funding Requirements.
Presenting staff member: Project Manager Trincado-Slater.
Public Comment: None presented
Moved by Stranske/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried (4/0 - Strong absent) to approve Resolution (No. 2022-40) and Project List as required by the SB1 Local Streets & Roads requirements.
b. Discussion and Possible Action Authorizing Advertisement for Bids for the Groundwater Resiliency Improvement Project, Phase I.
Presenting staff member: Contract Engineer Wilburn.
Contract Engineer Wilburn answered questions of the City Council.
Public Comment: None Presented.
Moved by Stranske/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried (3/1 - Kanne, dissent, Strong absent) to approve the authorization to advertise for bids for the Groundwater Resiliency Improvement Project, Phase I (Project No. 2021-03).
10. Department Monthly Reports
a. Airport - No further questions.
b. Community Development Department
• I Mayor Rodriguez asked what the activity taking place across from the hospital in front of Microphor was related to. Project Manager Ronco responded that it is a PG&E project.
Willits City Council Minutes of June 8, 2022 Page 2 of 4 C. Engineering - Project Manager Ronco
• Construction on Blosser is scheduled to start on Monday, June 13, 2022, with traffic control going through mid-August, and only one lane open for the entire project until they pave. Adding, if full road closure is needed, plenty of notice will be given. There will be traffic control and active construction.
d. Police Department - Police Chief Lizarraga
• The Police Department will be helping with traffic during the Graduation Procession through town on June 9th. The Chief offered his thanks to Public Works for offering up to two additional people for traffic control. The Police Department will be visible during sober grad, not to be intimidating but to let the kids know they are in a safe environment. He congratulated the graduates.
e. Public Works - Public Works Superintendent O'Shea
• Public Works has been busy with water system repairs and weed abatement.
Keeping the parks and athletic fields maintained for the increased use this season, preparing the town for upcoming events and assisting with the renovations at City hall
Willits Redwood and California Tree Solutions have donated a few loads of redwood chips. Cold Creek Compost donated about 30 yards of compost to be distributed to the citizens in the community.
• The old fence has been removed at the ball fields and replaced with a new green powder coated fence.
• Reminded everyone that there is a graduation processing tomorrow at approximately 6:00 pm, this will impact traffic, please be patient while the processing is going on. • Councilmember Kanne asked if the tree that was removed from the Wood Street Parking lot will be replaced and are there any plans for the city to do some road side weed trimming on the City side of Sherwood Road? Public Works Superintendent O'Shea responded that there are trees available through the Urban Forestry Project grant and he will look for a suitable location for one. The city's equipment used for the roadside weed trimming is down for repair right now, once it is repaired that is the first on the list. This is the only equipment that the city owns for this type of project and having a hard time finding a rental. Councilmember Kanne asked if we could work with the county and see if they could cut the weeds when they do their part of the road. Mr. O'Shea stated he would speak with Kent Standley and see if we could negotiate with them to make it happen.
f. Utilities - Public Works Director Herman
• Reservoirs are currently at 100% thanks to the late rains. • Scada system at the Water Treatment Plant is currently being upgraded. * The vendor for the electric gate at the Wastewater Treatment Plant backed out, currently looking for a new vendor to do the installment.
No action taken.
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports • Councilmember Gonzalez - attended the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo), where they passed the budget.
- Councilmember Kanne - attended the Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) meeting, the big news was adopting the overall annual work program as well as adopting the budget. The board unanimously directed the MCOG Director to write a letter in opposition to Assembly Bill 2237, which would make transportation funds Willits City Council Minutes of June 8, 2022 Page 3 of 4 from the state less flexible to be used particularly by rural communities. This is a position taken by CALCOG as well, appears that MCOG has a lot of support. • Mayor Rodriguez - Participated in a Far North Transit Symposium with the Mendocino Transit Authority Board (MTA) and had the opportunity to network and meet with other staff members and people from CalTrans and State. Discussed their emissions, hydro busses, electric busses discussed advancing technologies to make it easier for all riders and removing barriers for access to transportation. Looking for ways to improve our own local community.
Public Comment: None presented
No action taken.
12. Good & Welfare
Mayor Rodriguez reminded the community that tomorrow night, June 9th, is Graduation, and begins at 5:00 pm at the High School, followed by a procession at approximately 6:15 pm; this evening was the Middle School graduation. Sober Grad is tomorrow night at the Community Center, starting at 9:00 pm.
13. Closed Session Notice
No Closed Session was presented at tonight's meeting.
14. Adjournment
Mayor Rodriguez declared the meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.
Dao
\SAPRINA RODRIGUEZ, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Kelerser
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of June 8, 2022 Page 4 of 4