ITY
111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
(707) 459-4601 TEL
MILLIT (707) 459-1562 FAX
WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 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; Cathy Moorhead, Assistant 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; Manuel Orozco, Finance Director; 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
None presented
3. Public Matters
Little Lake Fire Department Updates - Presented by Fire Chief Carter. • At the end of July, the Fire Department had responded to 355 calls for service. • During the lightning event there were units from Little Lake Fire staged around the county. Fortunately, we did not have any issues from the lightning. • Looking ahead at the seven-day weather forecast we are still in a moderate fire weather pattern.
• Actively working on the sub-station, converting the classroom back into a classroom from the temporary district office we used while the new fire house was constructed. • Implementing a pre-planning commercial structure program. They are moving from a paper-based system to a digital system. This will allow instant access to location specific information.
Mayor Rodriguez asked how the Fire Chief sees the Sales Tax Measure B impacting our local fire department? Chief Carter is hoping that Measure B gets support. Chief Carter is working with the Fire Safe Council of Mendocino to bring information to the City Council next month.
b. Discussion regarding the proposed addition of Chapter 8.26 of the Willits Municipal Code. Chapter 8.26 repeals Chapter 8.24 to revise the licensing of tobacco retailers.
The City Council may decide to proceed to formally introduce the ordinance and waive the first reading at a subsequent meeting.
• Representatives and supporters of the Mendocino County Tobacco Coalition spoke in support of the revised Licensing of Tobacco Retailers Ordinance.
After a lengthy discussion the following order was made:
BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR a Tobacco Ordinance Adhoc Committee was formed with Councilmembers Gonzalez and Kanne appoint as committee members.
Enactment of Ordinances
None presented
Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. February 23, 2022
ii. August 10, 2022
Resolution Ratifying and extending for an additional 30-days, approval of continuing Virtual City Council, Commission, and Committee meetings pursuant to AB 361.
C. Discussion and Consideration whether to adopt a Resolution appointing the only Nominees for City Council to the vacant seats and cancelling the General Election on November 8, 2022.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Stranske/Seconded by Gonzalez and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar items) (a-b).
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Strong and carried (3-2, Stranske & Kanne abstained) to approve Consent Calendar item (c).
Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest. a. None present.
Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
City Manager Reports and Recommendations
Adoption of a Resolution approving a pass-through rate adjustment for Solid Wastes of Willits, Inc. in response to increased fees from Cold Creek Compost for the processing of mixed organic wastes collected from residential and commercial accounts within the City of Willits.
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Strong/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to approve Resolution No. 2022-56 Approving a pass-through rate adjustment for Solid Wastes of Willits, Inc. in response to increased fees from Cold Creek Compost for the processing of mixed organic wastes collected from residential and commercial accounts with the City of Willits.
b. Verbal Reports - Presented an update on the Underground Storage Tank removal, Willits Unified School District seeks reimbursement of half the cost of removing the tanks.
Public Comment: None presented.
Department Recommendations (Action Items)
None presented.
Willits City Council Minutes of August 24, 2022 Page 2 of 4
10. Department Monthly Reports
a. Airport - No further questions.
b. Community Development Department -
• Council member Stranske asked if there was a date set to bring the Rails with Trails project back to Council? Community Development Director Duley responded we are now moving into the design phase that will precede the construction phase. Expecting 30% of the design to be completed by our consultant soon, this will kick off significant public outreach meetings and likely some addition information to be shared at a Council Meeting setting and then designs will be finalized over the next year and then construction would occur the following year.
c. Engineering - No further questions.
d. Police Department - No further questions.
e. Public Works - No further questions.
f. Utilities -
• Public Works Director Herman gave an update on the Trout Unlimited Program.
The City and Trout Unlimited agreed to a land access agreement. Trout Unlimited will be placing a stream flow gage downstream from Morris Dam. This will be in place for two years commencing in May of 2024, this will monitor low flows/no flows as well as the oxygen level and temperature.
g. Finance -
• Finance Director Orozco reported that the Finance Department has competed the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 audit and the Basic Financial Statements and are now gearing up for a State Controllers Audit as well as the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 audit financials. Additionally, we will be convening the finance committee on August 31st
• We will be introducing updates on our progress towards revamping policies and procedures of the department. Along with a more in-depth guide of where we are at fiscally and where we plan on being by the end of the fiscal year. policy, an escape policy, cash handling policy and develop a new financial crisis policy and reserve policy.
• Additionally, we will be working to rehouse our payroll system within our current financial system (ACS). Prior to us migrating over to a new Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP).
• Taking the steps to develop the Measure K Committee. Asking for clarity on what reporting requirements and the scope of the committees' responsibilities. Hopes to set up the committee by the end of September.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Gonzalez - League of Cities Redwood Division meeting in Point Area. Took a tour of the lighthouse and the jetti area. Jennifer Hogan from Cal Office of Emergency Services (OES) spoke about grant programs. There are Grants for Staff Training and Hazard Mitigation.
• Councilmember Kanne - Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG), conducting a yearlong study to address the transportation needs throughout the county, particular areas of interest include Brooktrails. Hosting a workshop on Friday.
Willits City Council Minutes of August 24, 2022 Page 3 of 4 • August 26'h at the Brooktrails Community Center, the MCOG Director spoke about IJJA, the new Federal program that is releasing money for new transportation • Councilmember Strong - Economic Development and Financing Corporation (EDFC) approved a few more loans, has Micro Grants available to businesses.
Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (SWMA) met, it is not clear whether any contract that MSWMA might enter into for a provider to do services that MSWMA used to do in house, would need approval from the jurisdictions in the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA). Councilmember Strong asked that this be looked into.
Councilmember Kanne mentioned that she hopes Councilmember Strong has something in her next report as to why Willits should continue to belong to the JPA when MSWMA is doing nothing for our community.
• Mayor Rodrigues - Will be attending the Housing Summit in Ukiah on Thursday August 25t
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
12. Good & Welfare
None presented.
13. Closed Session Notice
No Closed Session at tonight's meeting.
14. Adjournment
Mayor Rodriguez declared the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
ATTEST:
Debresbodersen
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of August 24, 2022 Page 4 of 4