ITY OF
111 E. COMMERCIAL STREET
8 WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490
(707) 459-4601 TEL
WILLITS (707) 459-1562 FAX
WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2023
Mayor Kanne called a regular meeting of the City Council to order at 6:30 p.m., in Council Chambers. The meeting was preceded by the pledge to the flag.
Roll Call: Councilmembers Madge Strong, Gerardo Gonzalez, Larry Stranske, Saprina Rodriguez, and Mayor Greta Kanne were present.
Also present were staff members: Brian Bender, City Manager; Cathy Moorhead, Assistant City Manager; Jim Lance, City Attorney; Fabian Lizarraga, Police Chief; Manuel Orozco, Finance Director; Scott Herman, Public Works Director; and Delores Pedersen, City Clerk.
2. Public Communications
Jane McCabe wanted to commend the city on how they keep up the parks and the athletic fields. Commented on the Willits Economic Localization (WELL) Building Community Event that was held at the Little Lake Fire Department on Sunday February 5th. Mentioned her concerns for the unhoused residents of Willits. Ms. McCabe believes the community needs a warming Center.
Lynesha Macias, owner of Good Vybz (a business in Laytonville), and Maria Fierro of Taqueria Jalos asked the Council to reconsider the Food Truck Ordinance. Ms. Macias also expressed her concerns regarding the homelessness in the community.
Monkey Wrench Owner, Shannon Germann, brought her concern of the theft that is happening in town and feels the police do not follow through on the calls that are made to the police department. Councilmember Gonzalez directed Ms. Germann to speak to the Police Chief. Chief Lizarraga responded that the laws for Juveniles have changed over the last two or three years, the Police Departments are not allowed to speak to a minor that has been accused or is suspected of a crime. The Police Department will take the documentation report, this will then be filed with the District Attorney's Office and Probation, it is then decided if there is enough there to file charges. Crimes that have been considered serious in the past, shop lifting, minor thefts are now considered very low-grade misdemeanors. If adults are arrested on a misdemeanor, the jail will not accept them, so they are given a ticket with a notice to appear in court. The frustration is felt by the Police Department as well.
Councilmember Strong asked that the council facilitate a discussion on how to address the homelessness in the city. Mayor Kanne supports this being on a future agenda. It was decided that discussion would be had with City Manager Bender when he returns from his Conference the week of February 13t, about what the best way to address this issue is.
Public Matters
a. Proclamation - National Black History Month.
Mayor Kanne read the Proclamation Recognizing National Black History Month.
Public Comment: None Presented
4. Enactment of Ordinances
None presented.
Consent Calendar
The following items) are recommended for approval or denial, as follows:
a. City Council Minutes:
i. January 25, 2023
ii. January 26, 2023
Public Comment: None presented.
Moved by Gonzalez/Seconded by Stranske and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar items) (a).
Monthly Activity Reports
Matters that do not require action by the City Council but are of public interest. a. Business License Activity for January 2023.
7. Commissions, Agencies and Authorities
None presented.
8. City Manager Reports and Recommendations
a. Verbal Reports - No Action.
• Scott Herman, Public Works Director reminded council of the Flushing that will be starting the week of February 13 and go until the end of April.
Mr. Herman also reported on a broken valve fitting that needs to be replaced across the street from Safeway, will be working with Wipf Construction to get this completed. When this is done, water would need to be shut off at the Safeway Complex, as well as the Archway Properties. To help ease the impact on the businesses this will be done at night.
Assistant City Manager Moorhead announced that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would have an Emergency Response Center at the Community Center starting Saturday, February 18, 2023, through February 24, 2023, community members and business owners are able to come and fill out an application for a Disaster Loan to repair damage to their property that was caused by the recent severe storms.
Public Comment: None presented.
Department Recommendations Action Items)
None Presented.
10. Department Monthly Reports
None Presented
11. City Council Announcements, Communications and Reports Councilmember Strong
• Sonoma Clean Power - Rates are 5% below PG&E when you bundle everything. The City of Willits and Mendocino County only have 70% of household enrolled. Sonoma Clean Power is working with 3 different groups on a Geo Zone, to take advantage of geothermal power.
Economic Development & Financing Corporation (EDFC) - Meets February 9, 2023. • Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) - Meets February 16, 2023.
Councilmember Rodriguez
Willits City Council Minutes of February 8, 2023 Page 2 of 4 • Expressed her concern regarding the teen violence in the community. What can the City Council do in our community to improve this?
• Chief Lizarraga responded that the PD is trying to make more of a presence at the schools, the sporting events and to start building some bridges of communication and trust with the youth in the city.
Councilmember Stranske
• Attended a Rails with Trails meeting that was brought forth by two Attorney's that are property rights advocates, opposing the trail.
Councilmember Gonzalez
• Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) - Meets March 6, 2023 • Tobacco Ad Hoc - The Tobacco Retail Ordinance Group will be bringing this back to the council for discussion. City Manager Bender responded that City Attorney Lance is working on a revised ordinance and the city will need to enter into an agreement with the county for enforcement.
Mayor Kanne
• Mayor's meeting - Councilmember Strong was nominated as the city representative for Sonoma Clean Power. Vice Mayor Gonzalez was nominated as the city representative for LAFCo.
• Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) - Elected new officers. Supervisor Gerrity is the Chair. Mayor Norval is Vice Chair. There are three new MCOG members. Covelo is putting in a two-mile pedestrian trail that will run parallel to main street. MTA is moving forward with specifications for new sights for a new transit station.
Public Comment: None presented.
No action taken.
12. Good & Welfare
Councilmember Strong - Willits Economic Localizations (WELL) Building Community Event at the Little Lake Fire House was standing room only.
Vice Mayor Gonzalez - attended the Sober Grad Jambalaya event to raise money for Sober Grad
Adjourned to Closed Session at 7:37 p.m.
13. Closed Session Notice
a. Pursuant to Government Code §54957 - Public Employee (Annual) Performance Evaluation - City Manager.
Council reconvened to open session at 8:44 p.m. with no action to report from Closed Session.
14. Adjournment
Mayor Kanne declared the meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
Willits City Council Minutes of February 8, 2023 Page 3 of 4 GRETA KANNE, Mayor
City Council for the City of Willits
ATTEST:
Debres Pedera
Delores Pedersen
City Clerk
Willits City Council Minutes of February 8, 2023 Page 4 of 4